The invention provides an elastic or flexible SSD cache utilizing a hybrid RAID protocol combining RAID-0 protocol for read data and RAID-5 single parity protocol for write data in the same cache array. Read data may be stored in window sized allocations using RAID-0 protocol to avoid allocating an entire RAID stripe for read cache data. In the same SSD volume, dirty write data is stored in row allocations using RAID-5 protocol to provide single parity for the dirty write data. Read data is typically stored a window from the physical device having the largest number of available windows. Write data is stored in a row including the next available window in each arm, which decouples the window structure of the rows from the stripe configuration of the physical memory devices.

Directly Attached Storage (DAS) systems typically include High Density Drive (HDD) attached memory storage devices that provide permanent memory and Solid State Device (SSD) memory storage devices that serve as cache memories. The SSDs provide relatively expensive memory with much faster read and write times in comparison to the HDDs. A relatively small amount of SSD cache can therefore be cost effectively provided as temporary cache memory for recently and frequently accessed data, sometimes referred to as "hot data." Using an SSD cache memory avoids the read and write latency inherent in the HDDs for recently and frequently accessed data.
Tiered cache systems (e.g., "Cachecade") have been developed to provide significantly larger amounts SSD memory than conventional single-tier SSD cache. The SSD memory is organized into multiple levels or tiers in which a relatively small primary SSD cache typically resides on a single physical device (typically a memory chip), while the secondary SSD cache includes an array of physical devices (typically several memory chips).
The individual physical devices in the secondary SSD cache array may be referred to as "arms" in the disclosure. Like an array of attached HDDs, the secondary SSD cache array may be configured with any of the Random Array of Independent Disks (RAID) protocols currently existing or developed in the future to improve security of the data stored in the SSD cache array.
In conventional RAID volumes for HDDs, single and double parity protocols are often used to provide parity based data reconstruction in the event of failure or corruption of one or more of the drives. Data mirroring is also popular in RAID systems for HDDs to protect against loss of entire drives or servers. The relatively high cost of SSD memory results in a desire to maximize the utilization of SSD memory in cache systems. Certain memory storage practices used in RAID systems or HDD attached drives may therefore be undesirable in RAID system for SSD cache arrays due to the higher premium placed on memory space in SSD cache systems. However, RAID systems specifically tailored to SSD cache arrays have not adequately addressed this need. There is, therefore, a continuing need for methods and systems for improving the utilization of SSD cache systems. More particularly, there is a need improved memory utilization in RAID systems specifically tailored for SSD cache arrays.

Avago Technologies General IP (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.


The closestool disclosed herein has an upper lid hinged to one end of the closestool thereof, a power supply unit equipped on the closestool; a clean water injector equipped underneath the power supply unit comprising a first and second cleaning nozzles, and a control unit attached to the closestool to stretch nozzles for water injection. The kernel of the present invention lies in that one or more bactericidal lamps having a sterilization effect with its photocatalytic film is provided to radiate conterminated part of the user's body thereby serving a sterilization effect during cleansing with water injection.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a closestool with nearby and remote controlled first and second nozzles and photocatalytic bactericidal lamps so as to inject water from the nozzles to clean and sterilize the user's anus and contaminated surroundings after completing excretion.
2. Description of the Prior Art
It is a common sense that using toilet papers to wipe up the contaminated part is still insufficient to attain the purpose of cleansing up to 100%. Medical doctors teach us the excreta is the most dangerous medium of infectious disease therefore using the nozzles to clean the user's anus instead of wiping with toilet papers is a much better sanitary treatment.
There is, for example, an injection nozzle equipped closestool published by Taiwan Pat. No. 576459 in which the closestool has a water injector clamped at the rear end of the closestool seat and is connected to a water control faucet with a pipe. The water injector is composed of a nozzle with an elbow pipe at its rear end and a bottom lid. The inner cavity of the nozzle has a downwardly directed port, and a plurality of tapped holes are formed along the bottom edge thereof which can be combined with the corresponding screws provided with the bottom lid. A downwardly tapered pipe in the inner cavity passes through the central portion of the upper end surface of the nozzle, and the port is provided with a central straightly directed aperture and several slantly arranged apertures aimed to the pint at the center axis of the nozzle with a prescribed distance apart from the port of the nozzle. However, the water injector disclosed by this cited invention only has cleansing effect but, by no means, has s sterilizing effect since the clean water itself can not kill bacteria or other harmful microorganisms, or parasites etc.
For these defects noticeable on the prior art, an improvement is seriously required.
The inventor has dedicated great efforts for years to studying and improving these defects and come up with this invention to eliminate defects mentioned above.

Closestool with clean water injector and photo catalytic bactericidal lamps


A method is disclosed for producing horticultural or fuel peat, in which                the peat is removed from a bog,        the removed peat is transferred from the bog to a drying field a distance away, in which the moved peat is dried, mainly by exploiting direct solar energy, so that the peat dries due to the effect of the solar radiation and the wind,        after drying, the peat is moved from the drying location to further use or storage.

An increasing number of bogs in production are reaching the stage in which their surface area is reducing and production is becoming difficult as the peat layer becomes thinner. On the other hand, the requirements of environmental permits have become stricter in terms of emissions to watercourses and of dust and noise. Production possibilities are also limited in the neighbourhood of settlements. It is increasingly difficult to obtain permits for new bogs, so that existing bogs, together with their margins should be exploited more fully.
A so-called hydro-peat method, for example, GB 166,576, is known, in which a water jet is used to remove peat from a bog and pump it as a very thin sludge to a drying field, which is usually an area of bog that has been taken out of production. The mass, which is spread on the field as a thin sludge, is allowed to dry for several weeks, after which at least longitudinal slits, preferably in a briquette-sod pattern, are made in the drying paste-like mat, thus forming separate briquettes when the mass dries. Using this technique, it is possible to obtain perhaps only a single harvest in a summer, so that the total production efficiency remains modest.
Finnish patent FI-93855 discloses a peat production method, in which wet peat is removed from a bog and collected to form a stack at a selected point in the peat field, the dried side surface of which is turned to the other side at regular intervals. In this case too, the production remains modest.
The basic problem in peat drying appears to be that drying takes place on a wet surface, which hinders the drying process. The drying that takes place during the day is often lost as a result of night dew. Finnish patent publication 56853 discloses a method, in which peat is lifted mechanically in winter and set as small sods on plastic to dry, allowing the sods to dry even before the bog is able to thaw out.
In the production of horticultural peat too, the aim is to dry the peat before processing it further.

Method and equipment for producing horticultural and fuel peat and a fuel peat product

Abstract: The drying field is a special surfaced field, essentially impermeable to water, created for drying, and the peat is spread on the field as a thin 1-15 cm layer of a high-consistency mass, with a solids content of 8-30%.


Systems and methods are described for processing quantum entity states by utilizing interference phenomena, and more specifically self-interference outcomes. The quantum entity states are embodiable in fermions and/or bosons, expressly including photons. Certain embodiments can utilize input quantum entity states that encompass one or more separable quantum entities and can be arranged to produce predictable outcome differences that are alterable in accordance with differences and/or similarities between separate input quantum entities. Additional outcome alterations are effectible via static and/or dynamic quantum entity state influencing constituents. Even further outcome alterations are effectible by associative quantum state influencing constituents that are additionally utilizable for interrelating separable embodiments. Interrelations of separable embodiments are achievable as well by employing at least a portion of at least a first outcome quantum entity state as an intermediary or a final interactor with at least a portion of a differing separable embodiments' quantum entity state.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to processing and/or being responsive to interactions with and/or between at least one quantum state-entity, and more specifically to utilizing quantum attributes of at least one quantum state-entity to potentially realizing interference related phenomena, or a congener thereof, with these interactions as well as prospectively further utilizing these interactions for various forms of processing, including information processing and other purposes.
2. Related Art
Of the potential utilizations for quantum technology currently being developed, information processing has become among the more prominent. Due to the impetus provided by the substantial benefits that appear to be realizable and the concomitant need to confront and surmount many of the present difficulties in performing quantum procedures, research in quantum information processing has become a crucible for forging advances in quantum technology. Accordingly, in many instances, a description of manners of interacting with and/or manipulating quantum state-entities can be equivalent to a description of the crux of quantum state-entities' utilizations for quantum information processing, and vice versa. The employment of these quantum technologies is also applicable to a wide gamut of other uses as well, of course, and a description that is ostensibly focused on the development of a particular technique for information processing is regularly widely applicable to other situations also.
Among the foremost of the varying actual (as opposed to theoretical) manners of effecting a particular quantum process are utilizations of quantum optics. Because the benefits of quantum optics are diverse and well known, its use is often central to discussions of quantum developments, whether in the realm of fundamental advances in knowledge or in the realm of practical applications. This broad utility of quantum optics has driven a substantial portion of the ongoing efforts to commercially develop quantum technologies as evinced, for example, by the magnitude of patent applications that deploy quantum optics to perform their central functions. Many of both the basic and more advanced aspects of quantum optics, including manners of manipulating photons with quantum optics, are well known to those of skill in the art, and many explicatory resource are available on the world-wide-web (www) that provide anyone with ready access to wide ranging and detailed reference resources on various quantum technologies. These include, but are not limited to:                Quantiki—a wild accessible on the www at the url:                    http://www.quantiki.org/wiki/index.php/Category:Introductory_Tutorials                        which includes a number of expositions such as What is Quantum Computation?, and Introduction to Quantum Theory (a very basic introduction to key concepts in quantum theory from a historical perspective.)        Optics Express—A leading journal in optics research, accessible at the url:                    http://www.opticsinfobase.org/oe/Issue.cfm                        Encyclopedia of Laser Physics and Technology, which substantial overlaps with much of, and specifically refers to portions of itself as being focused on, quantum optics, accessible at the url:                    http://www.rp-photonics.com/encyclopedia.html                        Qwiki—a quantum physics wild devoted to providing technical resources for practicing quantum physicists. (synopsis from Wikipedia)As well as great multitudes of other www sites (particularly those of university research divisions, and including, of course, many journals in the realms of optics, quantum technologies, photonics, and the like, both print and electronic, as well as those with free and paid access policies) devoted to detailing and often teaching considerable breadths of quantum optics research and background (an example of just one web portal that attempts to provide a panoply of such links is titled "Quantum Optics and Atom Optics links" accessible at the url: http://www.quantumoptics.net/). The scope of information available and/or known by those of ordinary skill in the art of quantum information processing, quantum optics, and the like therefore encompasses the gamut of abundant operational techniques, multitudes of theoretical developments, and numerous diverse manners of quantum technology employment.
Among the more frequently pursued approaches to utilizing quantum technologies for information processing are utilizations of quantum entities in superpositions of quantum states to embody and manipulate various representations of information in manners which are either unavailable with the present conventional integrated circuits, impractically slow to process when utilizing entities (electrons) that are solely employed to represent binary states (unlike superpositions of quantum states that can theoretically embody unlimited gradations of partial combinations of states), and/or are unable to process a data representation unless the information that is being represented is already known well enough to construct the representation (unlike a quantum superposition of states that theoretically can accurately represent information even when that information is not explicitly known in an independent exact manner) A second broadly pursued branch of approaches to utilizing quantum technologies for information processing involve the utilization of photons and the quantum properties of their interactions to develop a photonic substitute for electrons' role in integrated circuits (to benefit from various photon properties that avoid issues arising with electrons, such as power consumption, heat production, scale limitations due to quantum effects when integrated circuit elements approach the nanoscale, in addition to expectations of improved processing speed and new capabilities promised by quantum photonic information processing.) The potential benefits of these quantum technologies has not yet been fully realized, nor fully commercialized successfully, though, and hence there remains a need for further advances, including realizations with specific capabilities, in the field.

Quantum entity state processing system and method having heterogeneously influenceable quantum entity secondary states and conditioned quantum entity tertiary states


Certain universal neoepitopes and cancer specific neoepitopes and methods therefore are presented that may be used in immunotherapy and cancer diagnosis. Preferred therapeutic and diagnostic compositions include antibodies or fragments thereof that bind to neoepitopes on cancer cells.

The background description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.
All publications and patent applications herein are incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication or patent application were specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. Where a definition or use of a term in an incorporated reference is inconsistent or contrary to the definition of that term provided herein, the definition of that term provided herein applies and the definition of that term in the reference does not apply.
Random mutations in tumor cells can give rise to unique tumor specific antigens (i.e., cancer neoepitopes or neoepitopes). As such, and at least conceptually, neoepitopes may thus provide a unique precision target for immunotherapy. Additionally, it has been shown that cytolytic T-cell responses can be triggered by very small quantities of peptides (e.g., Sykulev et al., Immunity, Volume 4, Issue 6, p565-571, 1 June 1996). In view of these findings, the identification of cancer neoepitopes as therapeutic targets has attracted much attention. Unfortunately, current data tend to support the notion that all or almost all cancer neoepitopes are unique to a patient and specific tumor and therefore fail to provide any useful guidance for development of an immunotherapeutic agent suitable for more than one patient and tumor type (see e.g., Fritsch et al. Cancer Immunol Res; 2(6); 1-8). Moreover, as a proper immune reaction is also at least to some degree dependent on a patient's HLA type, development of a 'broad spectrum' immunotherapeutic targeting single neoepitopes has been deemed unlikely as two factors with high variability (neoepitope sequence and HLA-type) must be met.
Thus, even though neoepitopes in tumors can be predicted relatively easily, there is still a need to provide improved compositions and methods for cancer epitopes and their use in the diagnosis and treatment of neoplastic diseases.


A device for the preparation of a frothy liquid for human consumption includes a jet forming nozzle and an inlet of a liquid flow deflecting member arranged on opposed locations with respect to a collision chamber. The jet forming emits a traversing liquid jet that traverses the collision chamber along a path and enters the inlet and passes through to the outlet of the liquid flow deflecting member. The outlet is arranged in communication with the collision chamber and is aimed at the path of the liquid jet between the jet forming nozzle and the inlet, so that in use the liquid jet emerging from the outlet collides with the traversing liquid jet between the jet forming nozzle and the inlet of the liquid flow deflecting member. The collision causes air to be mixed with the liquid thereby generating frothed liquid.

Many methods and devices have been proposed for the preparation a frothy liquid for human consumption, such as coffee with a layer of fine-bubbled froth, cappuccino, café crème, (hot) chocolate, milk, etc.
For instance in EP 1 169 956 a coffee preparation device is disclosed wherein a buffer volume of coffee extract is received in a buffer reservoir of the device. A jet of coffee extract is jetted into this buffer volume of coffee extract, the collision causing the formation of bubbles in the coffee extract. The coffee extract flows from the buffer reservoir into a cup and a layer of froth, commonly referred to as a crema layer, is obtained on top of the coffee.
For instance in WO2005/058109 the jet of liquid is made to collide with a structural part of the device in order to cause the generation of the froth.

Device and method for the preparation of a frothy liquid for human consumption


Embodiments of the invention relates to a metal thin film connection structure, comprising a first metal layer pattern; a second metal layer pattern which is separately disposed with the first metal layer pattern; a first insulating layer formed on the first metal layer pattern and the second metal layer pattern; a plurality of first via holes formed over the first metal layer pattern; a plurality of second via holes formed over the second metal layer pattern; and a plurality of third metal layer patterns formed on the first insulating layer, the third metal layer patterns being filled in the first via holes and the second via holes and electrically connect the first metal layer pattern and the second metal layer pattern through the first and second via holes. The embodiments of the invention also provide an array substrate comprising the metal thin film connection structure and a manufacturing method for the metal thin film connection structure.

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a metal thin film connection structure, a manufacturing method thereof, and an array substrate.
A liquid crystal display is a flat panel display in common currently. Thin film transistor liquid crystal displays (TFT-LCDs) tend to dominate the current flat panel display market.
An array substrate is an important component of a liquid crystal display. FIG. 3a is a diagram showing the structure of an array substrate, and FIG. 3b is a partial enlarged view showing a metal thin film connection structure in FIG. 3a. As shown in FIGS. 3a and 3b, the array substrate comprises a pixel region 1 and a wiring region 2 which is located at the periphery of the pixel region 1. The array substrate comprises a base substrate 21 and a metal thin film connection structure formed thereon. A first metal layer pattern 22 is formed on the base substrate 21, an interlayer insulating layer is formed on the first metal layer pattern 22, a second metal layer pattern 24 is formed on the interlayer insulating layer, and an outer insulating layer is formed on the second metal layer pattern 24 (the interlayer insulating layer and the outer insulating layer are not shown in FIGS. 3a and 3b). The first metal layer pattern 22 may comprise a gate line, a common electrode line and a reparation line; and the second metal layer patter 24 may comprise a data line, a common electrode connecting line and a reparation line. The metal thin film connection structure 29 is located within the wiring region 2, and its enlarged view is shown in FIG. 3b. The metal thin film connection structure 29 comprises a plurality of columns of first via holes 26, and each column comprises a plurality of first via holes 26. The first via holes 26 are formed in the interlayer insulating layer and the outer insulating layer, and only the first metal layer pattern 22 is formed under the first via holes, and the second metal layer pattern is not. The metal thin film connection structure 29 comprises a plurality of columns of second via holes 27, and each column comprises a plurality of second via holes 27. The second via holes 27 are formed in the outer insulating layer and on the second metal layer pattern 24. A third metal layer pattern 28 is formed integrally on the outer insulating layer, and connects the first metal layer pattern 22 and the second metal layer 24 through the first via holes 26 and the second via holes 27.
During the process for designing and manufacturing an array substrate, a part of the first metal layer pattern 22 and a part of the second metal layer pattern 24 in the wiring region 2 are needed to be connected with each other. The above mentioned configuration incurs a problem that the third metal layer pattern 28 between the first via holes 26 and the second via holes 27 in the metal thin film connection structure 29 is likely overheated and burned out. FIG. 3c is an equivalent circuit diagram of the metal thin film connection structure in FIG. 3b. As shown in FIGS. 3b and 3c, because the resistances of first and second metal layer patterns 22 and 24 are much smaller than that of the third metal layer pattern 28, the resistances of the first and second metal layer patterns 22 and 24 can be omitted in FIG. 3c. In the equivalent circuit diagram in FIG. 3c, R1 and R2 are the equivalent resistors of the parts of the third metal layer pattern 28 over the second via holes 27, R5 and R6 are the equivalent resistors of the parts of the third metal layer pattern 28 over the first via holes 26, R3 and R4 are the equivalent resistors of the parts of the third metal pattern 28 between the first via holes 26 and the second via holes 27, R10 to R12 are the resistors having the contact resistances between the third metal layer pattern 28 and the first metal layer pattern 22 at the locations of the first via holes 26, and R7 to R9 are the resistors having the contact resistances between the third metal layer pattern 28 and the second metal layer pattern 24 at the locations of the second via holes 27. It can be seen from FIG. 3c that, among the currents flowing through the resistors, the current flowing through the R3 and R4 is concentrated, and the overheating and burning out tend to occur at the locations of the R3 and R4. Since the R3 and R4 are the equivalent resistors of the third metal layer pattern 28 between the first via holes 26 and the second via holes 27, the third metal layer pattern 28 between the first via holes 26 and the second via holes 27 is easily to be overheated and burned out.

Metal thin film connection structure, manufacturing method thereof and array substrate

Beijing Boe Optoelectronics Technology Co., Ltd.


A control substrate is provided with a first electric current limiting resistor and a first voltage limiting Zener diode which are connected to a power supply line, and second electric current limiting resistors and second voltage limiting Zener diodes which are connected to communication lines. Of an electronic circuit configured from the control substrate and a sub-substrate, a first area connected to one side of the power supply line and the communication lines and a second area connected to the other side thereof with reference to the first and second electric current limiting resistors and the first and second voltage limiting Zener diodes are arranged spaced apart from each other by a predetermined interval so that the areas are considered separate areas in terms of intrinsically safe explosion-proof requirements.

A communication device capable of performing radio communication between a control substrate housed in a case and a device disposed outside the case is known As a conventional technique relating to such a communication device, there is a technique disclosed in Patent Literature 1.
The communication device such as that shown in Patent Literature 1 is assumed to be used in a dangerous area The dangerous area is a place in a general factory, where that is a risk that explosive gas could mix with air and generate a dangerous atmosphere having a lower explosion limit or more A communication device assumed to be used in the dangerous area is required to comply with intrinsically safe explosion-proof requirements (JIS C60079).
The communication device is configured to be such that a control substrate and a sub-substrate connected to the control substrate via a connector are housed in a metal case This is because, in order to suppress an increase in size of the communication device, a configuration which is provided with a sub-substrate for performing communication in addition to a control substrate and which connects both substrates by a connector is desirable An opening is formed in the case for performing communication, and a window member faces this opening.
Meanwhile, the communication device used in a dangerous area is restricted in electric power and capacity (inductance and capacitance) so as to comply with intrinsically safe explosion-proof requirements, and it is necessary to further limit the capacity when the electric power increases with an increase in a size of an electronic circuit Therefore, in order to alleviate the limit on the capacity, it may be desirable to design the electronic circuit so as to be regarded as a plurality of areas different from each other in terms of the intrinsically safe explosion-proof requirements However, a fact that a special design and an increase in a size of the connector are accompanied in order for the electronic circuit to be regarded as the plurality of areas is undesirable in terms of a manufacturing cost and a mounting space of an electronic component It is desired to achieve both separation of electronic circuit areas and use of a general-purpose connector in a communication device in which an electronic circuit is composed of a control substrate and a sub-substrate.


The invention provides a battery holder consisting of one plate-like support member and another support member. A plurality of battery holes of a predetermined depth into which sealed portions of a positive or negative side of sealed-type batteries that are clamped at one side by the support member are to be respectively fitted are formed in one face of the support member, so that one row of the battery holes is a row for positive terminals and another row of the battery holes is a row for negative terminals. A terminal hole is formed in a bottom face of each of the battery holes. A groove is formed between adjacent paired positive-terminal and negative-terminal holes among the terminal holes disposed in the bottom faces of the battery holes of the rows. The paired positive-terminal and negative-terminal holes are communicated with each other through the groove. Vent holes are opened at appropriate places among the battery holes. In each of the one and other rows of the other support member, only the battery hole for a positive terminal or a negative terminal is formed at each of opposite end portions.

The invention relates to a battery holder which holds a plurality of sealed-type batteries in a bundle.
A prior art battery holder has a structure such as that shown in Japanese Utility Model Publication (Kokai) No. SH060-22752. In the battery holder, a plurality of cylindrical batteries are arranged in such a manner that their peripheral side faces are adjacent to each other, a frame surrounds the periphery of the arranged batteries, and a cover is attached to each of the end faces of the cylindrical batteries through which the positive and negative terminals of the cylindrical batteries are exposed. The frame consists of a side wall surrounding the periphery of the batteries, and a number of partition walls which are inwardly projected from the side wall. The cylindrical batteries are supported by inserting them into the spaces between the side wall and the partition walls, respectively. In some cases, a plurality of holes are formed in a block-like frame and cylindrical batteries are respectively fitted into the holes, or alternatively a large hole having a shape which is obtained by coupling such holes to each other is formed and a plurality of cylindrical batteries are fitted in a bundle into the hole. In the covers, elastic connecting plates are adequately disposed on the faces respectively opposing the end faces of the cylindrical batteries in the frame, so that the cylindrical batteries are electrically connected to each other.
In Japanese Utility Model Publication (Kokai) No. HEI2-99561, proposed is a battery box in which a plurality of battery housing portions are formed by a case outer wall and a case partition wall so as to respectively house a plurality of batteries as one unit. In each of the battery housing portions, a stay is inserted into a center portion of the unit of the plural housed batteries, so that the plural batteries are fixed with being closely contacted with the partition wall.
When a battery is discharged, heat is generated as a result of an internal chemical reaction. In the case of a heavy current drain, particularly, the amount of generated heat is increased. In a sealed-type secondary battery such as a nickel cadmium battery or a nickel-metal hydride battery, the heat generation occurs also when the battery is charged. When the temperature of the battery is raised as a result of the heat generation, self-discharge may reduce the battery capacity or shorten the service life of the battery. Therefore, it is previously determined that such a battery is used in a temperature range of -10 to 60.degree. C. during a discharging process and 0 to 35.degree. C. during a charging process.
In the prior art battery holder, however, each cylindrical battery is surrounded by the frame and both the ends are covered by the covers so that the interior of the holder is substantially hermetically sealed, and hence heat generated from the cylindrical batteries during the discharging or charging process cannot be sufficiently dissipated to the exterior. This produces a problem in that the temperature of the cylindrical batteries may be raised to a level higher than the specified range. In the case where battery packs are to be used, when the battery packs are longitudinally held by a battery holder, a large space is required. In some cases, in order to eliminate this problem, batteries are held by a battery holder so as to constitute a battery pack, and the battery pack is used with being laterally arranged with a number of similar battery packs. When battery packs are to be connected to each other, the connection must be surely conducted so that connecting portions where a terminal is connected to another terminal are not short-circuited. When battery packs are to be connected to each other, furthermore, the connection is requested so to be unaffected by vibration or shock as much as possible. These problems are also applicable to sealed-type batteries of other types such as those of rectangular batteries.


A luster detector arranged such that an output light beam of an LED is applied to a surface through a light projecting lens as an irradiating light beam having a predetermined width. Rays of light reflected from the surface are applied through a condenser lens to a line sensor. Of the rays of light reflected from the surface, the rays of light reflected regularly form a light spot on a light detecting section extending in the longitudinal direction of the light detecting section. Hence, even if the light receiving position is shifted, the light detecting operation is positively achieved. A detecting circuit determines the light reception distribution of the sensor to detect the luster of the surface.

This invention relates to a luster detector for determining whether or not a surface of an object under test is glossy.
A photo-electric switch is an example of a detector which receives light reflected from an object under test to perform a predetermined detecting operation. FIG. 8 shows a luster detector which utilizes such a photo-electric switch to detect the luster of a surface of an object under test. The luster detector includes a light emitting section 40, a regular reflection light detecting section 42, and an irregular reflection light detecting section 44. The light emitting section 40 and the regular reflection light detecting section 42 are so positioned that the angles R1 and R2 formed by light paths L1, L2 and the normal 49 of a surface M1 are equal to each other. The irregular reflection light detecting section 44 is positioned outside the light path L2 of a ray of light reflected regularly from the surface. That is, the ray of light reflected regularly from the surface under test is applied to the regular reflection light detecting section 42, and some of the rays of light diffuse-reflected therefrom are applied to the irregular reflection light detecting section 44.
The quantities of light received by the light detecting sections 42 and 44 are applied to respective circuits to provide light detection signals. The light detection signals are applied, for instance, to a substraction circuit, so that the difference between the regularly reflected light and the diffuse-reflected light is obtained, thereby to determine the glossiness of the surface M1.
When the surface M1 is high in glossiness, the quantity of light reflected regularly therefrom and applied to the regular reflection light detecting section 42 is considerably large, and therefore the quantity of light received by the regular reflection light detecting section 42 differs greatly from the quantity of light received by the irregular reflection light detecting section 44. In the case where the surface M1 is not glossy, the quantity of light diffuse-reflected therefrom is larger, and therefore the difference between the quantities of light received by the regular reflection light detecting section 42 and the irregular reflection light detecting section 44 is small. Hence, when the difference between the quantity of light reflected regularly therefrom and the quantity of light reflected irregularly therefrom is detected using the light detection signals, it can be determined whether or not the surface M1 is glossy.
However, the above-described conventional luster detector is disadvantageous for the following reason: when a number of objects are tested one after another, sometimes their surfaces M1 are inclined or shifted. If the surface is inclined as indicated at M2 in FIG. 8, then the light path of the ray of light reflected regularly therefrom is changed to a light path L7, and if the detecting surface is shifted as indicated at M3, then the light path is changed to a light path L8. In both cases, the ray of light reflected regularly from the surface is not applied to the regular reflection light detecting section 42, and accordingly it is impossible to correctly detect both the quantity of regularly reflected light and the quantity of diffuse-reflected light; that is, it is impossible to perform the luster detection operation with high accuracy. In addition, the conventional luster detector cannot handle objects of different color because the quantity of light reflected from an object's surface under test depends on the color of the latter.


The present invention refers to a needle holder of multiple needles, the needle holder is connected with a needle bar on one end and equipped with a needle receiver with several open needle accommodating parts on the other end, so that it is convenient to process and manufacture. With cooperation of a needle retainer, the needle accommodating part of the needle receiver can become a closed structure to allow the ends of the needles to insert and be fixed on position by a needle fastening member on the needle retainer. Wherein, due to the open structure of the whole needle receiver of the needle holder, the manufacture is more precise and accurate, in addition, the processing, maintenance and replacement are more convenient, so as to become a structure of high precision and easy manufacture.

Conventional structures of needle bases or needle holders of sewing machines generally comprise the structure of single needle and multiple needles. In which, most of the structures of needle holder of multiple needles are drilled several holes on a metal block, the holes may be straight holes or taper holes. Such structures may be seen on traditional or other various sewing machines, for example TW 86200304, the needle protection device of a sewing machine, No. 91204735, an improvement of a stitch auxiliary device of a sewing machine, No. 92205688, a slanting pilot thread connecting rod of a sewing machine, and No. 93212570, an improvement of bi-needle all directional turning structure of a sewing machine, have been approved. The structure of the needle holder or needle base connected with needles is arranged holes in accordance with the number of needles on a block that is connected with the lower end of a needle bar so as to allow the upper ends of needles to insert and to be fixed by fastening screws. Such small volume is provided with two to five holes for receiving the needles, such that the locations of the holes must be precise and the depth of drilling must cooperate with the demand of the accuracy. Therefore, the accuracy of processing is very important. It is easy to have defective product out of the process with slight carelessness, so this needs to be improved.
Some of the former cases applied by this inventor have been approved, in which such as TW 94121063, the needle assembly structure of embroidery machine, which discloses the structure of a needle assembly for embroidery. The needle assembly also uses the structure of needle base of multiple needles, but the needle base still uses a block that is provided with several holes for receiving the corresponding number of needles. In order to make the manufacture and producing of needle bases of multiple needles more precise, the inventor invents TW 88200444, a structure of a needle holder with open needle fixing groove, which designs a structure of a needle holder for multiple needles. The structure of a needle holder is provided with several blocks so that each of the needle fixing grooves enables to accommodate the upper end of the needle and the needles can be fixed rapidly. Thus the manufacture can be fast and in high precision, and the defective products can be lowered to the minimum, which is to say a high quality and low cost structure, additionally the shortcomings of imprecision for traditional perforated needle fixing groove can also be resolved, the efficacy is much improved in comparison with traditional structure so it was granted with patent in the past; nevertheless the inventor continue his original enthusiasm in invention to invent a whole new structure for the needle holder of multiple needles, which can serve varieties of users' demands especially the user of embroidery machine.

Needle holder of multiple needles for sewing machine


A pulse stretcher includes a beam splitter configured to split an input light beam into first and second beams, a con-focal resonator including first and second con-focal mirrors, and a fold mirror. The beam splitter, con-focal resonator, and fold mirror are optically arranged such that at least a portion of the first beam is recombined with the second beam into a modified beam after an optical delay of the first beam caused by the optical arrangement. The apparatus further includes one or more optical elements in an optical path of the input light beam prior to the beam splitter such that a focal point of the first beam is formed at a distance away from the fold mirror preventing energy density-related damage to the fold mirror. The apparatus can further include one or more additional optical elements to provide re-conditioning of the modified beam. A related method is also disclosed.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to systems and methods for optical pulse stretching.
2. Background Art
A lithographic apparatus is a machine that applies a desired pattern onto a substrate, usually onto a target portion of the substrate. A lithographic apparatus can be used, for example, in the manufacture of integrated circuits (ICs). In that instance, a patterning device, which is alternatively referred to as a mask or a reticle, may be used to generate a circuit pattern to be formed on an individual layer of the IC. This pattern can be transferred onto a target portion (e.g., including part of, one, or several dies) on a substrate (e.g., a silicon wafer). Transfer of the pattern is typically via imaging onto a layer of radiation-sensitive material (resist) provided on the substrate. In general, a single substrate will contain a network of adjacent target portions that are successively patterned. Known lithographic apparatus include so-called steppers, in which each target portion is irradiated by exposing an entire pattern onto the target portion at one time, and so-called scanners, in which each target portion is irradiated by scanning the pattern through a radiation beam in a given direction (the "scanning"-direction) while synchronously scanning the substrate parallel or anti-parallel to this direction. It is also possible to transfer the pattern from the patterning device to the substrate by imprinting the pattern onto the substrate.
A lithographic apparatus can include an illumination system (illuminator) configured to condition a radiation beam (e.g., DUV or EUV radiation). The illumination system can include various types of optical components, such as refractive, reflective, magnetic, electromagnetic, electrostatic or other types of optical components, or any combination thereof, for directing, shaping, or controlling radiation. The illumination system receives a radiation beam from a radiation source. In some systems, a radiation beam passes from the radiation source to the illumination system with the aid of a beam delivery system that can include, for example, suitable directing mirrors and/or a beam expander. The radiation source and illumination system, together with a beam delivery system, if required, may be referred to as a radiation system.
A lithographic apparatus can include large expensive lens elements that are difficult to fabricate. Typically, an excimer laser is used to supply the lithographic apparatus with radiation in the form of pulses. The expensive lens elements are subject to degradation resulting from billions of these high intensity ultraviolet pulses. Optical damage is known to increase with increasing irradiance (i.e., light power (energy/time) per cm2 or mJ/ns/cm2) of the pulses from the laser. The typical pulse length from these lasers is about 20 ns, so a 5 mJ laser pulse would have a pulse power of about 0.25 mJ/ns (0.25 MW). Increasing the pulse energy to 10 mJ without changing the pulse duration would result in a doubling of the power of the pulses to about 0.5 mJ/ns that could significantly shorten the usable lifetime of the lens elements.
Pulse stretching devices have been used to avoid potential optical damage by substantially increasing the pulse length (e.g., from about 20 ns to more than 50 ns) providing a reduction in the rate of optics degradation. A pulse stretching device (pulse stretcher) increases the temporal pulse length of a laser by creating copies of a laser pulse and separating them in time by an optical delay. In lithography, pulse stretchers are mainly used to increase the lifetime of optics. In addition, increasing temporal delay helps to reduce speckle. Speckle is the optical interference between beams due to temporal and spatial coherence. Superimposing portions of a beam with different time delays reduces coherence and speckle. A pulse stretcher is typically located just after the laser, or in a beam delivery system. Further information regarding pulse stretchers can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 7,432,517 B2, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
Some pulse stretcher designs use con-focal resonators, in which a pulse (also referred to in this document as a beam) is approximately collimated upon entry and exit, but passes through an intermediate focal point inside the pulse stretcher. In an unfolded implementation, e.g., where no fold mirrors are used to redirect the beam, the intermediate focal point likely causes no damage to nearby optics as it is located away from optical surfaces. Packaging constraints for longer pulse stretching, however, may require the use of fold mirrors to bend the pulse stretcher cavity into two or more parts. The insertion of one or more fold mirrors results in an optical surface where none existed in the unfolded implementation. If a fold mirror is too near the intermediate focal point, which is likely when maximizing pulse stretcher delay and making use of available space, an unacceptably high irradiance may strike the mirror. The resulting damage or a decrease in usable lifespan of the mirror due to the high energy density upon the mirror's surface is sought to be avoided.

Pulse stretcher with reduced energy density on optical components


A diode semiconductor structure is described. In one example, a diode device includes a substrate, a layer of first semiconductor material of a first doping type, a layer of intrinsic semiconductor material, and a layer of second semiconductor material of a second doping type. The diode device also includes a metal contact formed on the layer of first semiconductor material and a metal via formed from a backside of the substrate, through the substrate, and through the layer of first semiconductor material, where the metal via contacts a bottom surface of the metal contact on the layer of first semiconductor material. In this configuration, a direct electrical connection can be achieved between the backside of the substrate and the metal contact on the layer of first semiconductor material without the need for an additional metal connection, such as a metal air bridge, to the metal contact.

Diodes are often used as switching elements in a variety of military and commercial applications. Among others, applications include automotive collision avoidance systems (CAS), passive radiation imaging and radar systems, and switch matrix devices for computer networking applications. Many diodes used in such radio frequency (RF) and microwave applications were fabricated as homojunction devices. These devices were used in both discrete and integrated component form, for switching functions useful in high frequency operations, ranging from about one megahertz (MHz) to well above one hundred gigahertz (GHz).

MACOM TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS HOLDINGS, INC.


Multi-ported pipelined memory is located on a processor die serving as an addressable on-chip memory for efficiently processing streaming data. The memory sustains multiple wide memory accesses per cycle, clocks synchronously with the rest of the processor, and stores a significant portion of an image. Such memory bypasses the register file directly providing data to the processor""s functional units. The memory includes multiple memory banks which permit multiple memory accesses per cycle. The memory banks are connected in pipelined fashion to pipeline registers placed at regular intervals on a global bus. The memory sustains multiple transactions per cycle, at a larger memory density than that of a multi-ported static memory, such as a register file.

This invention relates to memory circuits, and more particularly to addressable memory circuits located on a processor chip.
It is common for processors to dedicate a significant portion of their die area to an on-chip static memory. Such on-chip memory typically is organized as a level-1 or a level-2 cache. The on-chip cache memory serves to temporarily hold data from (and for) external main memory, and to hold intermediate data used in processing. As the throughput of processors has increased, outpacing the speeds of off-chip memory, the on-chip cache has come to play a key role in keeping the functional processing units of the processor busy. The on-chip cache fetches data in a small block around a requested word, and attempts to keep frequently accessed data in storage, replacing less frequently accessed data. A pattern of referencing data which has high temporal locality takes advantage of the cache and enables efficient processing. On-chip cache, typically however, does not reduce access latency relative to off-chip memory when there is little spatial or temporal locality, and when the data set is significantly larger than the cache memory size. In particular for streaming data applications, such as image processing, the cache tends to replace a lot of other useful data with streaming data. Such streaming data is not likely to be accessed again within a short time. When it is re-accessed or nearby data is accessed, chances are high that the corresponding data block has already been replaced by other data. Accordingly, on-chip caches typically do not yield the same benefits for streaming data applications as for other applications.
Mediaprocessors have been developed to handle streaming data applications more efficiently. Some mediaprocessors such as the Texas Instruments TMS320C80 and the TMS320C6x replace the on-chip cache with a similar-sized addressable on-chip memory. The TM-1000 of Philips Trimedia family and the MAP1000 developed by Equator Technologies, Inc. and Hitachi Ltd. have lockable on-chip caches that can be reconfigured into addressable memory. Addressable on-chip memory is more desirable for streaming data, such as in image processing applications.
Streaming data are often fetched from external main memory sequentially. A direct memory access (xe2x80x98DMAxe2x80x99) engine does not need to be very complex to handle such access. When the addressable on-chip memory can fit an entire data structure, the memory is very effective at keeping the processor""s functional units busy.
The most significant disadvantage of the on-chip addressable memory is the complexity in managing it. The programmer specifies exactly how data is to be laid out in the addressable on-chip memory and initiates all DMA transfers at the correct times. It is a challenge for programmers to achieve such management efficiently with current compiler technologies. Another disadvantage is that the streaming data is short-lived. Still another disadvantage is that extra registers are needed to achieve the lowest cycle time for processing the streams of data.
Accordingly, there is a need for an efficient on-chip memory scheme for handling streaming data.
According to the invention, a multi-ported pipelined memory is located on a processor die serving as an addressable on-chip memory. Such on-chip memory enables efficient processing of streaming data. Specifically, the memory sustains multiple wide memory accesses per cycle. It clocks synchronously with the rest of the processor, and it stores a significant portion of an image.
According to one aspect of the invention, the multi-ported pipelined memory is able to bypass the register file and serve as a direct data provider to the processor""s functional units. When operated in such manner, multiple wide access patterns are achieved per cycle. This is desirable and advantageous for multimedia applications and multiprocessing environments. It also is desirable and advantageous when using a superscalar or a very long instruction word (xe2x80x98VLIWxe2x80x99) architecture.
According to another aspect of the invention, the multi-ported pipelined memory includes multiple memory banks which permit multiple memory accesses per cycle. In a preferred embodiment the memory banks are connected in pipelined fashion to pipeline registers placed at regular intervals on a global bus. The pipelined registers allow wire lengths to be kept short and are omitted in some embodiments to reduce the number of cycles for an on-chip memory access operation. The multi-ported pipelined memory sustains multiple transactions per cycle, and at a larger memory density than that of a multi-ported static memory (e.g., a register file).
According to another aspect of the invention, the multiported pipelined memory performs read and write operations on a shared data bus of a read write port simultaneously, significantly reducing the number of wires allocated.
According to another aspect of the invention, a given read port is able to perform multiple memory transactions in a single access operation. In a preferred embodiment, such read port is able to perform four parallel 64-bit memory transactions in a single access operation. The transactions are returned as a single concatenated word. An advantage of such feature is that the number of accesses performed by a multimedia application (e.g., warping, histogram equalization) accessing non-consecutive memory words is reduced.
According to another aspect of the invention, one port of the multiple ports is capable of serving as a read port or a write port. A given access request initiated during any given clock cycle may be a read access request or a write access request. As the request is processed in pipelined fashion over multiple clock cycles, the ensuing access requests also may be either read access requests or write access requests. Thus, within the pipeline of the one port, both read and write operations may be implemented concurrently. In a sense the multiple transactions are overlapping in part.
These and other aspects and advantages of the invention will be better understood by reference to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Multi-ported memory having pipelined data banks


A near field energized electronic valve actuator includes a power receiver that enables powering of control electronics using wireless RF energy received from an external device such as a laptop computer or smart cellular telephone handset when conventional power is unavailable to the actuator, thereby enabling exchange of data between the external device and the control electronics. Embodiments further enable data exchange between the control electronics and non-volatile memory during the wireless energization. The data can be exchanged, for example, during initial configuration of the actuator before customer delivery, during an unpowered maintenance period to retrieve operational log information stored by the control electronics, and/or to retrieve valve position information measured by a position sensor and/or fault-relevant data from the actuator when power has been interrupted due to an actuator or valve failure.

Control valves and valve actuators find wide application in a number of industries, such as power generation of all types, petroleum and petrochemicals, textiles, paper, and food processing. Control valves are often used to directly and/or indirectly control temperatures, pressures, and flows within an open or closed-loop system. The operation of a control valve typically involves positioning a plug relative to a stationary seat within the valve, whereby the actuator is directly coupled to the valve plug via a stem that is used to move the valve plug to the desired control position. The action of the valve stem can be either linear or rotary, depending on whether the valve is a liner or rotary valve.
It should be noted that frequent reference is made herein to "torque" applied by an actuator to a valve stem. However, it will be understood that, unless otherwise required by context, the term "torque" as used herein also refers to linear displacement force, according to whether the implementation of the valve actuator is rotary or linear. Similarly, valve actuation "speed" can refer to either linear or rotational speed, according to the configuration of the valve stem and actuator. Furthermore, it should be understood that the term valve "stem" as used herein is not limited to rotationally operated valve stems, but refers generically to any mechanical element of a valve that is manipulated by a valve actuator so as to adjust a degree to which the valve is open or closed.
In the simplest case, a valve actuator can be purely mechanical. However, it is often convenient to pneumatically or electrically control a valve actuator, so as to provide remote control and/or monitoring. This can allow the valve to be located in a remote, dangerous, flammable, and/or toxic environment, and/or in a location that is inconvenient or difficult to reach.
Due to their potential implementation in remote and/or harsh environments, as well as overall long-term reliability considerations, many remotely controlled actuators include only a few, well-sealed penetrations of their housing, typically for main power input, remote data communication, and mechanical connection to the valve.
The remote control of a valve actuator can be "manual," for example by adjustment of a potentiometer. In other cases the function of the valve actuator is includes onboard control electronics that enable the actuator to perform more complex tasks without requiring immediate, local, human intervention, such as process control, regulation, implementation of speed/torque profiles, and/or emergency shut-off. Typically, the control electronics in such actuators are able to communicate with and be controlled by remote laptops and/or other such devices.
Electronically controlled actuators typically require application settings, speed/torque profiles, and/or other data to be entered into their control electronics prior to operation, so that the actuator can function correctly. This data can include an open position, a close position, a torque trip limit (to protect against applying a torque to the valve that exceeds its operational limitations), an operating speed or speed profile, and/or option settings for communication and for input and output of data, to name a few.
Typically, an electronically controlled actuator is powered by an external power source that is provided to the actuator at the installation site, such as a 3 phase AC power line, a single phase AC power line, or a 24-250 V DC power system. Once the control electronics are powered up and energized, the actuator is ready for configuration information to be entered and/or stored data to be retrieved via a local control station or an external device such as a laptop computer.
In addition to configuration information, status and alarm information can be retrieved from the actuator control electronics, for example when troubleshooting a system failure. Once the actuator is powered, such status and alarm information can be displayed on a local control display, if available, or remotely captured on a device such as a laptop computer.
Power must be supplied to the control electronics before any of these data-exchange functions can occur. However, there can be circumstances where data entry into, or data retrieval from, an electronic actuator is desired, but it is not convenient or not possible to connect a power source to the actuator. Some examples of situations where this can occur are:
During preparation of a newly purchased actuator for delivery to a user.
During a maintenance cycle of the actuator.
If user-supplied power fails at the end-user installation.
In these situations, where local power is not available to power the actuator, it can be difficult or impossible to exchange data with the control electronics of an electric actuator.
What is needed, therefore, is an apparatus and method for exchanging data with control electronics of an electronic valve actuator when it is inconvenient or impossible to connect the actuator to a conventional power source.

Near field RF powered electronic valve actuator


The dispensing unit includes a disc, a cartridge, and a dispensing holder. The disc has a disc shape and includes a track region provided with recesses and projections alternately arranged in a radial direction. The cartridge includes a penetration hole, and a well is formed by the penetration hole and the track region in a state in which the cartridge is attached to the disc. The dispensing holder includes a holding part to be inserted into the penetration hole, and a guide hole penetrating the holding part. The guide hole has a truncated cone shape in which a first opening diameter on the holding part side is smaller than a second opening diameter on a side opposite to the holding part, and a center line of the guide hole is located on a line passing through the center of the disc and the center of the well.

The present disclosure relates to a dispensing unit with which a solution such as a sample solution and a buffer solution are dispensed.
Immunoassays are known to quantitatively analyze disease detection and therapeutic effects by detecting particular antigens or antibodies as biomarkers associated with diseases.
Japanese Unexamined Patent Application publication No. 2017-58242 discloses an example of a detection-target-substance capture unit in which a cartridge is attached to a specimen analysis disc to form a plurality of wells. A sample solution and a buffer solution are dispensed into the plurality of wells so that an antigen-antibody reaction is promoted therein to form a plurality of reaction regions on the disc. The wells function as containers for storing the sample solution and the buffer solution.


A checkout stand having a circular turret rotatable about a central axis and a damping cylinder including a piston rod. The first end of the rod is pivotally attached to a location outside the perimeter of the turret, and the second end of the rod is pivotally attached to a location on the circular turret offset from the central axis.

A checkout stand is a station at which a customer in a store, such as a grocery store, unloads the items he or she intends to purchase, i.e., groceries, a register clerk scans or enters the prices of the items. A number of checkout stands are usually lined so that multiple customers can assemble their items and purchase them on the way out of the store. These checkout stands are used by stores that sell several items to an individual customer. Bar codes on items of merchandise are scanned by a scanner or bar code reader. The items may then be moved to a bagging area, either automatically by a transport belt, or manually. Some checkout stands may include a scale for weighing items such as produce. Customers pay for the merchandise at a tender or payment section of the checkout stand.
Accordingly, there is always a need for an improved checkout stand. This disclosure is directed this need, among others.

Rotatable turret assembly for checkout stand


A low battery indicating device is disclosed for indicating that a battery has low power. The device includes an indicator having a body movable between a retracted, unactuated position and an extended, actuated position. The indicator is visible when in the actuated position. The device also includes means for biasing the indicator towards the actuated position, and latch means cooperating with a portion of the body of the indicator, when the latch means is in a stop position, to hold the indicator in its unactuated position. The latch means is movable between the stop position and a go position which frees the indicator to move, under operation of the biasing means, to the actuated position. A memory alloy wire is mechanically associated with the latch means so as to leave the latch means in the stop position when the memory alloy wire is in a relaxed state and to move the latch means to the go position when the memory alloy wire is in a contracted state caused by heating of the memory alloy wire. Electrical sensor circuitry is in communication with the memory alloy wire. The electrical sensor circuitry is adapted to detect when the battery means has low power and cause heating of the memory alloy wire to cause it to change to the contracted state and thereby move the latch means to the go position.

It is known to use shape memory alloy wire (SMA wire) in association with latch-based mechanisms. Memory alloy wire (or muscle wire) has a unique property in that it will contract (e.g. 4% in length) when it is heated. When used in a latch mechanism, the muscle wire is hooked onto or attached to the latch. When the muscle wire is in its expanded state, the latch can be engaged, and when the muscle wire is in a contracted state, the latch can be disengaged.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,629,662 of Floyd et al. issued May 13, 1997 discloses a low energy memory metal actuated latch (low energy here being in reference to a small amount of energy which needs to be supplied to the memory alloy wire). The patent describes the use of a memory metal actuator including a length of memory wire, in a system for interrupting current flow in a circuit breaker. The actuator is connected to a latch system which enters a release state when the memory wire contracts following receipt of energy. A plunger associated with the latch system is displaceable by stored energy in a spring.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,441,746 of Taborisskiy et al. issued Aug. 27, 2002 teaches an actuating mechanism for a gauge pointer. A muscle wire driven rack gear is operatively connected to a rotatable pointer gear. The rack gear is biased to a gauge at-rest position by a spring member. Upon receiving an electrical signal from a vehicle sensor, the muscle wire contracts, moving the rack member against the spring force to drive the gauge pointer to an appropriate reading on a gauge face. The actuating mechanism of this patent requires current to continually flow through the muscle wire. This consumes more energy than an actuating mechanism which only requires a one time pulse of current through the muscle wire.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,704,615 of Veenstra et al. issued Mar. 9, 2004 describes an object dispenser that includes latchable and unlatchable retainers. The latch mechanism disclosed in this patent includes an SMA wire and a latch pin associated with a spring. In operation, the latch mechanism unlatches a retainer by a latch pin pulling away from a latch edge of the retainer. Retraction of the latch pin is caused by contraction of the SMA wire, which is attached to the latch pin at one end.
Low battery indicators found in low cost consumer electronics are usually in the form of an audio or visible signal such as a speaker or light. The disadvantage of these indicators is that they consume significant amounts of power, continuously from the batteries being checked, just at the time when power needs to be conserved. It is possible to add a low power display such as an LCD panel, but adding one simply to display battery status would add significant complexity and cost to the device.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved low battery indicator.


In one aspect of the invention, a wear resistant assembly has at least one hard insert disposed within a recess formed within a surface. A hard material substantially surrounds the hard insert and is also disposed within the surface. The hard material is separated from the insert by an intermediate material softer than both the insert and the hard material.

The invention relates to an improved wear resistant assembly that may be used in machinery subject to wear due to abrasive contact, such as crushers, picks, grinding mills, roller cone bits, rotary fixed cutter bits, earth boring bits, percussion bits or impact bits, and drag bits. More particularly, the invention relates to wear resistant assemblies comprising superhard inserts. Such inserts typically comprise a super hard material layer or layers formed under high temperature and pressure conditions, usually in a press apparatus designed to create such conditions, cemented to a carbide substrate containing a metal binder or catalyst such as cobalt. The substrate is often softer than the super hard material to which it is bound. Some examples of super hard materials that high temperature high pressure (HPHT) presses may produce and sinter include cemented ceramics, diamond, polycrystalline diamond, and cubic boron nitride. An insert is normally fabricated by placing a cemented carbide substrate into a container or cartridge with a layer of diamond crystals or grains loaded into the cartridge adjacent one face of the substrate. A number of such cartridges are typically loaded into a reaction cell and placed in the high pressure high temperature press apparatus. The substrates and adjacent diamond crystal layers are then compressed under HPHT conditions which promotes a sintering of the diamond grains to form the polycrystalline diamond structure. As a result, the diamond grains become mutually bonded to form a diamond layer over the substrate face, which is also bonded to the substrate face.
Such inserts are positioned in regions of machinery that are subject to high levels of wear. The inserts then are often subjected to intense forces, torques, vibration, high temperatures and temperature differentials during operation Normally the region surrounding the insert is more susceptible to wear than the insert. As a result, insert stability may be compromised by erosion of the surrounding region long before the expected life of the insert is expired.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,848,657 by Flood et al, which is herein incorporated by reference for all that it contains, discloses domed polycrystalline diamond cutting element wherein a hemispherical diamond layer is bonded to a tungsten carbide substrate, commonly referred to as a tungsten carbide stud. Broadly, the inventive cutting element includes a metal carbide stud having a proximal end adapted to be placed into a drill bit and a distal end portion. A layer of cutting polycrystalline abrasive material disposed over said distal end portion such that an annulus of metal carbide adjacent and above said drill bit is not covered by said abrasive material layer.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,417,475 by Graham et al, which is herein incorporated by reference for all that it contains, discloses a breaking or excavating tool that has a diamond and/or cubic boron nitride coated cutting insert mounted at the forward end of a tool body which is made of a softer material than the inert. A separately formed retaining member such as a washer, ring or sleeve, made of harder material than the body, is brazed to a front face of the body surrounding the insert to protect the tool body against wear.
GB Patent No. 2,004,315 by Pietsch, which is herein incorporated by reference for all that it contains, discloses a rock cutting tool comprising a steel shaft having an end portion which tapers towards the end of the shaft and contains a hard metal pin, the said portion being surrounded by a ring of hard metal.


An endoscope apparatus comprises: an endoscope in which a bending section is provided in its elongated insertion section; control wires stretching out of the bending section; a drive unit, which is attached to and removed from the endoscope; a pulling apparatus, which is provided in the endoscope for performing bending operations of the bending section by pulling the control wires; an installation device for installing the pulling apparatus in the drive unit; and a transmission device, which is installed in the drive unit and the pulling apparatus so as to be attached and removed at will, separate from the installation device, for transmitting the driving force from the drive source to the pulling apparatus.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an endoscope apparatus, which has a bending section at the tip side of the insertion section of the endoscope, and has a pulling apparatus for pulling control wires stretching out of this bending section.
Priority is claimed on Japanese Patent Application No. 2003-135021 filed on May 13, 2003, and Japanese Patent Application No. 2003-151485 filed on May 28, 2003, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
2. Description of Related Art
In recent years, endoscopes have become widely used that can observe internal organs in a body cavity by inserting an elongated insertion section in the body cavity, and can perform a range of medical treatments using medical instruments inserted in a medical instrument channel as required. Furthermore, industrial endoscopes are used for observation, inspection and the like of internal damage and deterioration in boilers, gas-turbine engines, pipes in chemical plants and the like, the bodies of automobile engines, and the like.
For an example of this type of endoscope, there is an electric bending system endoscope, which has a bending section at the tip side of the endoscope insertion section, and bends the bending section by pulling control wires stretching out of the bending section using a motor.
There is a type of electric bending system endoscope that has a drive unit that uses a motor arranged on the processor side (control unit incorporating a camera control unit (hereunder CCU)), and a pulling apparatus for pulling control wires arranged in a connector section of the endoscope, wherein by the connector section being connected with the processor, the driving force of the motor is transmitted to the endoscope side so that the bending section can be bent (for example, refer to Japanese Unexamined Patent Application, First Publication No. H05-293076).
In such an electric bending system endoscope, the transmission of the driving force is performed in a connecting section between the drive unit and the pulling apparatus, which are connected together by fitting together a male body formed from a shaft body, and a female body consisting of a hole.
Furthermore, there is a type of endoscope in which the bending section performs bending operations using control wires, wherein a driving force can be transmitted to an endoscope side power transmission section by connecting the endoscope side power transmission section with the motor arranged in the bending motor control unit, and bending operations of the bending section are performed by controlling the pull of the control wires connected to the endoscope side power transmission section using the transmitted driving force (for example, refer to Japanese Unexamined patent Application, First Publication No. H06-105800).
Moreover, there is a type of endoscope in which the bending section performs bending operations by control wires, wherein there is provided a rotor to which the control wires are connected, and a roller which makes contact with this rotor to transmit the driving force of the motor (for example, refer to Japanese Unexamined Patent Application, First Publication No. S61-122619).


The present invention is directed to novel assays for detecting target molecules. The assays employ small size, detectably labeled, magnetic nanoparticles associated with a capture molecule. The detection assay is accelerated by applying magnetic field during the assay. The assays of the invention can be used to enhance the efficiency of the detection step in dot blot, Western blot and ELISA.

Assays are commonly used for detecting target molecules in a sample for research or diagnostic purposes.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,927,561 discloses methods of detecting an analyte in a fluid sample. The fluid sample is incubated with magnetic particles coated with binding molecules directed to the analyte. The method is based on concentrating the magnetically labeled analyte to a detection region using a focusing magnet.
WO 2011/045436 discloses a lateral flow assay device and a method of detecting an analyte in a liquid sample. The lateral flow assay device comprises a sample zone and a reaction zone forming a flow path for the sample. The method employs a first capture molecule which carries a non-magnetic label and a second capture molecule which carries a magnetic particle.
WO 2011/030286 discloses a method for detection of an analyte in a sample comprising a plurality of capture moieties capable of binding to said analyte. At least one of the capture moieties is bound to a solid substrate and at least one other capture moiety is bound to a detectable marker, wherein the detectable marker is a large particle marker having a particle size of ≥50 nm-≤5,000 nm. This assay is performed as a "sandwich assay" in which the analyte is caught between two different capture molecules.
Many detection assays involve immobilization of target molecules onto a porous substrate (e.g. a membrane) followed by incubation with target binding agents (e.g. Dot blot or Western blot). The target binding agents are labeled (either directly or via a secondary binding agent) such that upon performing a suitable reaction, a signal is formed indicating the presence of the target molecule and its amount.
The Western blotting workflow is long, arduous and often takes more than a day from start to finish. After protein transfer to the blotting membrane there is a development process that takes from 3-4 hours to overnight to complete. The development process includes membrane blocking, antibody probing, repetitive membrane washing and signal detection; this is the most tedious portion of the entire workflow.
Therefore there is a need for developing an assay that improves the speed of substrate-based detection methods.

Detection assays employing magnetic nanoparticles


Disclosed are an image forming apparatus and an image forming method for, in the halted state where trial copying of one set is completed, determining whether a mode has been changed, and for automatically changing a numeral accordingly. According to the present invention, an image forming apparatus comprises: an image input device, for entering an image; a storage device, for storing the image; an image forming unit, for reading the image from the storage unit and for forming the image; and a controller, for providing control for the image forming unit in accordance with a mode set for an image copying process, wherein a function is provided that can set a trial copying mode for an image forming process and can copy one set when the trial copying mode is effective, and that can thereafter temporarily halt the image forming process and enable a mode reset, and wherein for a copying operation performed after the trial copying mode is released, a numeral can be set to a predetermined value in accordance with a mode change effected during a halted state existing immediately before the copying.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a digital copying machine or the like.
2. Related Background Art
Digital copying machines, which were developed only recently, are now in widespread use.
One such digital copying machine uses a CCD to read an image and produce an image signal, converts the image signal into a digital signal from which, after it is subjected to various processes, a laser signal is obtained and used for an electrophotographic technique that reproduces the original image on a recording medium.
Another digital copying machine has been developed that temporarily stores an image signal in image memory, such as on a hard disk, and later reads the signal and uses it for image forming. According to this technique, once a scanner has read an image, the obtained signal can repetitively be used for image forming, and not only can multiple copies be produced, but the technique can be effectively employed for a function such as digital sorting.
Further, since image memory is included, a trial copying function has been proposed whereby after one set of images has been copied a user may confirm the results and either instruct that image forming be continued or that the setting mode be changed.
Conventionally, however, for the trial copying function, no consideration is given to the intent of a user concerning how many copies remain to be printed after the trial printing has been completed and before the final image printing is initiated.
For example, when the trial copying of one set is performed, and the user is satisfied and instructs that the copying be continued, the trial copy can be regarded as a regular copy, and the count of the remaining copies can be obtained by decrementing by one the numeral that was originally set.
Further, when after the trial copying a mode change is instructed, it is assumed the user was not satisfied with the trial copy, and for the continuous copying process, the count of the images to be formed is the numeral that was originally set.
However, since for the conventional technique no method is provided for controlling the number of images to be produced at the time of the trial copying, depending on the situation, the user must change the copy count each time.
To resolve the above shortcomings, it is one objective of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus and an image forming method for determining, after the trial copying has been completed, whether a mode change has been performed, and for enabling, in accordance with the determination results, the automatic altering of the original copy count, and to provide a storage medium therefor.
To achieve this objective, according to the present invention, an image forming apparatus comprises:
an image input means, for entering an image;
a storage means, for storing the image;
an image forming means, for reading the image from the storage means and for forming the image; and
a control means, for providing control for the image forming means in accordance with a mode set for an image copying process,
wherein a function is provided that can set a trial copying mode for an image forming process and can copy one set when the trial copying mode is effective, and that can thereafter temporarily halt the image forming process and enable a mode reset, and
wherein for a copying operation performed after the trial copying mode is released, a numeral can be set to a predetermined value in accordance with a mode change effected during a halted state existing immediately before the copying.
Further, according to the present invention, an image forming method comprises the steps of:
entering an image;
storing the image;
reading the stored image and forming the image;
providing control for the image forming method in accordance with a mode set for an image copying process; and
enabling setting of a trial copying mode for an image forming process, copying of one set when the trial copying mode is effective, thereafter temporarily halting of the image forming process and enable a mode reset, and, for a copying operation performed after the trial copying mode is released, setting of a numeral to a predetermined value in accordance with a mode change effected during a halted state existing immediately before the copying.
Further, according to the present invention, a storage medium is provided on which a program is stored to carry out an image forming method, which comprises the steps of:
entering an image;
storing the image;
reading the stored image and forming the image;
providing control for the image forming method in accordance with a mode set for an image copying process; and
enabling setting of a trial copying mode for an image forming process, copying of one set when the trial copying mode is effective, thereafter temporarily halting of the image forming process and enable a mode reset, and, for a copying operation performed after the trial copying mode is released, setting of a numeral to a predetermined value in accordance with a mode change effected during a halted state existing immediately before the copying.

Image forming apparatus and method having trial copy mode


A portable power generator employs high voltage DC, at standard AC voltages and using standard AC connectors. Since switching chargers immediately rectify the 120-240 Volt single phase AC input, a 120-240 Volt DC source is acceptable to drive these chargers. A high frequency conversion to AC and a step up transformer is one approach and the second approach uses an inductor in a boost circuit. Mechanically a hand crank and pedal powered mechanism are used. In a first embodiment, a one dynamo (generator) 10 watt hand crank model can drive the charger for a complete range of portable devices except laptops. In a second embodiment, a two dynamo (generator) model operated with pedals can drive a small 20 watt laptop. The invention contemplates use of either one generator or two generators in parallel or in series. Additional generators over two can also be employed.

The present invention relates to a portable power generator. A portable power source needs to be light, easy to use, and produce sufficient power in a form that is useful. Over the last twenty years, numerous mobile devices including cell phones, smart phones, laptops, GPS navigation, mp3 players, digital cameras, and camcorders have all been developed. They are all limited by their battery life and would benefit from a portable power source.
Devices exist that are full sized generators. Their size precludes them from being portable or pocket sized. They are also more expensive. Some have a low voltage DC interface with several problems. They have to interface directly with numerous mechanical and electrical interfaces such as diverse types of plugs. If underpowered, they can trickle charge but this extends the charging time. Some have an AC interface. This can only be achieved with more expensive electronics and/or large heavy components like transformers or larger generators and with lower conversion efficiency.
The electrical output of "mini dynamos" is, by virtue of their small size, low power and low voltage. Devices in existence today have used mini dynamos to product low voltage DC to directly trickle charge batteries for flashlights and some cell phones. As stated above, the benefit of low voltage DC is the DC interface will allow an underpowered source to trickle charge. Their two drawbacks are (1) their underpowered generators extend the cranking time needed to charge, and (2) the low voltage DC interface has to support many DC interfaces. This limits the usefulness of these devices to one dedicated application or a limited number of them with attachments for each interface. The present invention, by contrast, uses one or more dynamos and overcomes the difficulties involved in converting a low power AC source to drive the chargers for a complete range of applications.
Applicant is aware of the following prior art:
U.S. Pat. No. 6,522,040 to You discloses a mechanism for translating human power input to rotation of a generator including multiple gears stepping up the speed of revolution. From FIG. 11 of You, it is apparent that You generates a low level DC voltage since its output is directly connected to a cell telephone coupling.
Published Application No. US 2005/0200221 A1 to Vasilovich et al. discloses an apparatus for converting human power to electrical power. Vasilovich et al. disclose generation of 110 VAC power as well as 110-120 AC/DC inverter output. However, the disclosure at paragraph [0069] specifically describes the inverter 27 as converting direct current electrical energy into alternating current electrical energy.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,788,504 to Vanderkolk discloses conversion of DC power to single phase power as well as typical household outlets as shown in FIG. 2 thereof. Vanderkolk teaches an output of 110 VAC.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,949,215 to Takakura discloses a small size battery charger that operates through rotation of a handle. Takakura fails to teach or suggest generation of high DC voltage.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,930,403 to Hartman et al. discloses a mobile electrical power source including a crank assembly that is rotated to generate power. Hartman et al. do not teach or suggest generation of high DC voltage.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,129,592 to Yetter teaches a further example of a human powered electrical energy source in several embodiments. Yetter discloses either generation of DC voltage or AC power. The AC power may be single or three phase (column 4, beginning at line 62).
Other portable power sources are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,412,355 to Terbrack et al.; 6,281,594 to Sarich; 6,963,186 to Hobbs; 7,292,006 to Horiuchi; 7,327,046 to Biamonte; 7,411,371 to Hobbs; as well as Published Application Nos. US 2007/0285053 A1 to Noguchi et al. and US 2008/0157536 A1 to Bulthaup et al.
The present invention differs from the teachings of the prior art listed and discussed above by providing a portable, compact, efficient and cost-effective power source made up of singular or multiple generators that is/are human powered, provides an output of 120-240 volts DC, and includes a home-type electrical receptacle so that the typical charger used with portable devices may easily be plugged in and used.


The present disclosure provides a battery module, including a first battery cell arrangement structure, a second battery cell arrangement structure and a bus bar array. With battery cells stacked in a horizontal direction, a first battery cell arrangement structure and a second battery cell arrangement structure are stacked in a vertical direction, and a first bus bar of a bus bar array is used to sequentially connect the battery cells of the first battery cell arrangement structure and the second battery cell arrangement structure. As a result, a total positive electrode and a total negative electrode of a battery module are located at two ends of the battery module, which greatly reduces the possibility of a short circuit of the battery module and improves the safety of the battery module.

In the prior art, when battery cells are grouped, in order to facilitate an electrical connector to connect positive and negative electrodes on the respective battery cells, the positive and negative electrodes of the battery cells are placed in the same direction, thereby avoiding a wrong electrical connection and a short circuit due to a wrong direction of a battery cell when the positive and negative electrodes of the battery cells are alternatively arranged.
However, a total positive electrode and a total negative electrode of an electrode connector of the existing battery module are on the same side of the battery module, which is thus easy to cause problems such as insufficient space for electrical connection, difficult operation, and lower safety of the battery module.

CONTEMPORARY AMPEREX TECHNOLOGY CO., LIMITED


A dressing device and method are described, for use with a needle that is injected into the skin. The dressing device comprises a cover sheet and a gel medium attached to the cover sheet, the gel medium being transparent and effective to reseal after being punctured by the needle. Most importantly, the gel medium includes a sterilizing agent.. Injection of the needle into the skin occurs only after the needle penetrates the gel medium, so that the needle is disinfected or sterilized.

The conventional procedure by medical practitioners for drawing blood from, or injecting a substance into, a live host body, has been for years to do the following steps:
1. Sterilizing the skin to be punctured by vigorous abrasive rubbing with an alcohol swab, PA0 2. removing a needle or cannula from a needle case and inserting it into a syringe holder fitted with a vacutainer or a drug-containing syringe, PA0 3. injecting through the skin in the swabbed area and drawing blood or injecting a drug, PA0 4. destroying the needle, PA0 5. removing and labeling of the vacutainer containing the sample (if blood has been taken), PA0 6. swabbing the wound to disinfect and remove blood leaking from the wound, and PA0 7. covering the wound with a covering.
This practice continues, even though it is now well recognized that alcohol swabbing of the skin is inadequate protection from infection. Not only is the alcohol swab deficient in skin cleansing, but also the cannula can be contaminated and require cleansing. Alcohol is bactericidal against vegetative forms of bacteria through the denaturation of cellular proteins; however, it is far from ideal as a skin or surface disinfectant. Alcohol is flammable, it evaporates too fast to be very effective (it should remain on the skin surface for about 10 minutes), and it dries and irritates the skin.
It would thus be highly desirable to provide a means for sterilizing human skin prior to venipuncture, without abrasion, and in the same step provide protection from infection of the patient by the needle and continued protection of the patient after injection while minimizing the potential of infection of others by the patient's blood as a result of aerosols, leakage from the wound, handling of a swab before dressing the wound, or leakage from the cannula.
Some early attempts have been made to provide alternate procedures. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,367,332 (1968) teaches the use of a resealable patch and membrane bandage through which the needle is inserted (FIG. 3), at least the bandage having been sterilized with an antiseptic prior to injection of the host. However, the patch does not contain a sterilizing agent, so that the needle encounters only a thin layer of the sterilizing agent presented by the membrane. Furthermore, although the membrane may be thin and transparent, the patch is not and has substantial thickness, so that the phlebotomist is unable to correctly identify the injection site by sight or by feel, through the patch. In the case of a blood draw, stabbing "in the dark" is unacceptable. For these and other reasons, the technology of this patent has failed to replace the traditional use of alcohol swabs, deficient though the latter might be.
Thus, prior to this invention there has been a need for a sterilizing medium to be used with a needle, and a method of phlebotomy or drug injection, that more adequately sterilizes the needle while permitting precise location of the injection site.

Sterilizing dressing device and method for skin puncture