Colored images are divided into color planes and watermarks are inserted into the individual color planes. One or more watermarks can be inserted into one or more of the color planes. In order to print a color image the image is divided into color planes corresponding to the colors of ink used for printing. A separate plate is used to print each color. The different plates must be precisely aligned. Any misalignment will cause blurring in the image and may make it difficult or impossible to read a watermark in the image. Misalignment of the plates can cause the watermark data in one color plane to, in effect, cancel out the watermark data in a different color plane. With the present invention a watermark is inserted into a selected color plane only, thus there is no cancellation due to misalignment of color plates. The watermark detection and reading can be done after the image is divided into color planes.

The present invention relates to steganography and more particularly to inserting digital watermarks in images and to detecting and reading such watermarks.
The technology for inserting digital watermarks into images is well developed. For example see issued U.S. Pat. No. 5,862,260 (Rhoads), U.S. Pat. No. 5,930,369 (Cox), U.S. Pat. No. 5,905,800 (Moskowitz), and U.S. Pat. No. 6,122,403 (Rhoads) and co-pending application Ser. No. 09/553,084 filed Apr. 19, 2000 (now U.S. Pat. No. 6,590,996), all of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference. Watermarking technology is also included in some commercially available image editing programs such as xe2x80x9cAdobe Photoshopxe2x80x9d which is marketed by Adobe Corporation of San Jose Calif. and xe2x80x9cCorel Drawxe2x80x9d which is marked by Corel Corporation of Ontario Canada.
Colored Images are generally stored in computers using a RGB (Red, Green, Blue) format. The above referenced commercially available programs insert a watermark into an RGB image by modifying the luminance value of pixels in the image. The value of each color plane in the image is modified by the known relationship between overall luminance and the value of each color plane. For example, it is known that the ratio between overall luminance and the value of the colors in an RGB image is 0.3 for Red, 0.6 for Green and 0.1 for Blue.
In many situations better results can be achieved if the watermark is inserted adaptively. That is, if the intensity of the watermark inserted in each particular area of the image is adjusted in accordance with the data hiding attributes associated with that particular area of the imager. The above referenced commercial image editing programs insert watermarks into images adaptively. U.S. Pat. No. 6,590,996 filed Apr. 19, 2000 (which is incorporated herein by reference) describes adapting the watermarking process to the color of an image.
Colored images are printed using multiple printing plates. The image is divided into color planes corresponding to the colors of ink used to print the image. Each color is printed using a separate plate which prints that color. For example an image may be separated into Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Black (CMYK) color planes. A separate plate is used to print each color. The different plates must be precisely aligned. Any misalignment of the plates will cause blurring in the image and may make it difficult or impossible to read a watermark that was embedded in the image.
That is, when an image contains digital watermark data in each color plane, misalignment of the plates used to print different colors can cause the watermark data in one color plane to, in effect, cancel the watermark data in a different color plane.
FIG. 1 illustrates the main steps in an image watermarking process. The process begins with an image 101 which has RGB (red, green blue) values for each pixel in the image. The object of the process is to insert watermark payload data 102 into image 101. The change (or tweak) for the luminance of each pixel in image 101 which will insert the payload 102 into the image is calculated. An example of how tweak values can be calculated is shown in the above referenced issued U.S. patents and in other publicly available literature. The tweak values for the luminance are changed into changes in RGB values as indicated by block 105. The transformation is done according to the known relationship between color values and luminance. Generally the luminance of a pixel can be approximated as 0.3 times the red value plus 0.6 times the green value plus 0.1 times the blue value.
The color values of each pixel in the image 101 are changed by the calculated amounts as shown in FIG. 1B in order to watermark the image. Watermark data tile 116 specifies the amount of change in luminosity for each pixel in a square array of pixels. The pixels in the image 101 are divided into an array of squares that have the same size as the tile 116. The amount that the pixels in image 101 are changed is adapted to the characteristics of the image. For example consider two squares 118a and 118b in the image 101. If the characteristics in square 118a are such that it can carry less watermark signal than the characteristics of the image in square 118b, the pixels in square 118a may only be changed by one half of the amount specified in tile 116 and the pixels in square 118b may be changed by the full amount specified in the tile 116. The technology for adaptively inserting watermark signals in an image using various techniques is known.
Finally, as indicated by block 107, the RGB colors are changed into CMYK (cyan, magenta, yellow, and black) values for printing, and each color is printed with a separate plate as indicated by block 108. If the plates used to print the different colors are misaligned, the watermark in one color can effectively cancel the watermark in another color.
Printing with misaligned plates is illustrated in FIG. 2, which shows (greatly exaggerated and simplified) the areas printed by different plates for two pixels in the image. To facilitate illustration and explanation, in FIG. 2, rectangles are used to designate the area printed by a first color plate and the circles are used to designate areas printed by a different color plate. The areas are the size of one pixel in the image. It is noted that in a typical printing process the areas would have the same shape. They are shown here as having different shapes for ease of illustration and explanation. It is also noted that each pixel area would normally contain multiple ink dots. The actual ink dots are not shown in FIG. 2. As illustrated in FIG. 2, square 201C represents the cyan printing from one pixel in the image and circle 201Y represents the yellow printing from this same pixel. The same applies to square 202C and circle 202Y. If the plates where aligned, the circles and squares would be directly on top of each other. However, in the illustration shown in FIG. 2, due to misalignment of the printing plates, the circles and squares are not aligned. Let us assume that the watermarking process increased the luminance of the pixel from which square 201C and circle 201Y originated and decreased the luminance of the adjacent pixel. Since the plates were misaligned, in the area where circle 201Y overlaps square 202C, the plus increment in circle 201Y would cancel the negative decrement in square 202C. Thus, misalignment of printing plates can have the effect of at least partially canceling watermark data in an image. In most situations the misalignment would not completely cancel the watermark data; however, it would weakens the watermark signal.
One aspect of the present invention is directed to minimizing the effect of plate misalignment on the detectability and readability of watermark data in an image. The effect of misalignment of the printing plates is minimized by detecting the dominant color in an image and inserting a watermark only into that color plane of the image. In another embodiment of the invention, the image is divided into regions and the dominant color in each region is determined. In each region the watermark data is inserted into the dominant color in that region. In still another embodiment of the invention, a first watermark is inserted into the dominant color plane of an image and a second watermark is inserted in one of the other color planes of the image. In still another embodiment of the invention the dominant color of the entire image (or of a region of the image) is detected and the watermark is inserted into the dominant color if that color is on the yellow-blue axis. If the dominant color is not on the yellow-blue axis, the watermark is inserted into the strongest of the secondary colors.
In a situation where an image is watermarked by first separating the image into color planes and inserting a watermark into one or more color plane, it is easier to detect and read the watermark if the image is first separated into the same color planes as the color planes used during the embedding and printing operation. If one knows the color planes into which the image was divided during the insertion process, during the detection and reading process one would divide the image into these same colors before performing the detection and reading operation.
However, if one does not know the color planes into which the image was divided before the watermark was inserted (that is, if one does not know the color of the inks used to print the image), one can approximately determine the colors of the inks used to print the image by: First translating the image into a representation such as for example a HSI (hue saturation intensity) and next making a histogram of the hue values of the pixels in the image. The dominant hues represent an approximation of the colors used to print the image. The image can then be divided into these colors and the watermarks read from these colors. The histogram can also be made using other similar representations such as HSV, YUV, YcrCb, etc.
Multiple watermarks can be embedded into a single image by first dividing the image into multiple color planes, and by embedding a different watermark in each color plane. If the orientation of the watermark introduced into each color plane differs from the orientation of the watermarks in the other color planes, any noise created by miss-registration of the printing plates is non-correlated and thus the watermark in one color would not interfere with reading the watermark from a different color. Thus, when introducing watermarks in more than one color plane, the watermarks in the different color planes can be introduced in different orientations to minimize noise.
It is also noted that when an image is rasterized for printing, the rasterization for each color plane is typically done in a different direction. For example if the CMYK colors are used, the orientations might be Cyan 0 degrees, Magenta 45 degrees, Yellow 15 degrees, and black 75 degrees. The orientations are set by the printer. Better detection can be achieved if the watermark is introduced in each color plane at the same angle as the angle used to print that color plane. In this way, the rasterization proceeds parallel to the watermark orientation.

Watermarking an image in color plane separations and detecting such watermarks


In the optical transmitting system, the optical transmitter transmits a polarization combined signal light obtained by combining a pair of lights having different polarization orientation, and the optical receiver separates the combined signal light. In the optical transmitter, a polarization changer changes a state of polarization of the polarization combined signal light. In the optical receiver, a polarization reverse-changer changes the state of the polarization combined signal light in a reverse direction of the change that polarization changer applies.

A recent long-distance optical transmission system used for high-speed large-capacity data transmission adopts a Wavelength Division Multiplex (WDM) method, in which a number of optical signals are multiplexed on a single transmission path. In WDM communication, optical lights having different wavelengths are simultaneously transmitted.
Besides, there is proposed a method of polarization multiplexing communication in which polarizations having different polarization orientations are multiplexed (e.g., see Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2010-068235). Polarization multiplexing communication maintains multiplicity of horizontal polarization and vertical polarization, keeping each individual orientation, so that an amount of information transmitted via an optical signal of a single wavelength light becomes twice. In other words, application of the optical polarization multiplexing technique to optical signals of respective wavelength lights to be transmitted optical wavelength multiplexing communication can increase an amount of communicable information per wavelength. Thereby, the transmission capacity per fiber can be increased.
A polarization multiplexed signal conforming to the polarization multiplexing communication is demultiplexed by, for example, adaptive polarization demultiplexing signal processing using analog/digital conversion or digital signal processing conforming to digital coherent method. Adaptive polarization demultiplexing signal processing adaptively estimates a property of polarization of a receiving signal and demodulates polarization multiplexed signal in a digital circuit. Specific demodulation methods are splitting of polarizations, equalizing of wavelength distortion, compensating for frequency offset, and controlling of the phase of a signal.
An optical signal is attenuated in proportional to a length that the signal travels through the transmission path. That is, in transmission through a long-distance transmission path such as a submarine cable, an optical signal is largely attenuated. Amplification on the transmission path is effectual to keep signal intensity. For this purpose, a number of optical amplifiers are serially interposed into a transmission path in a conventional long-distance optical transmission system.
However, connection of multiple optical amplifiers result in lowering signal quality. In particular, Polarization Hole Burning (PHB) causes each optical amplifier to have a Polarization Dependent Gain (PDG). Consequently, spontaneous emission light serving as a noise component in an optical amplifier increases in relation to the gain so that the signal-to-noise (SN) ratio of an optical signal output from the optical amplifier lowers.
The intensity of a signal output from an optical amplifier have a Polarization Dependent Loss (PDL) slightly related to the polarization of the optical signal. In the meantime, the noise component in the form of spontaneous emission light is not polarized. Therefore, the ratio of noise in an optical signal relatively increases at the downstream part of an optical amplifier, and accordingly, the SN ratio further lowers. The noise component is accumulated each time an optical signal passes through an optical amplifier and therefore the SN ratio lowers each time the optical signal passes through an amplifier.
In the above polarization multiplexing communication, optical signals of respective different wavelengths do not interfere with one another and are multiplexed into a polarization multiplexed signal, which scarcely causes PHB. However, PDL of each optical device disposed on the transmission path may increase variation in optical power of respective polarization different in polarization orientation and consequently PHB may occur.
In order to avoid influence caused by PHB and PDL, Polarization Scrambling technique is known which polarization is forcibly modulated when the corresponding optical signal is to be transmitted (see, for example, Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 11-271698). This technique obtains the similar effects as non-polarized light through randomly varying the state of polarization of an optical signal and is effective in improving an SN ratio of an optical signal.
In polarization scrambling, a lower frequency of modulating polarization results in higher digital error rate penalty. Generally, a modulation frequency set to be 10 kHz or less than 10 kHz causes the optical intensity to deviate at a frequency of 10 kHz or less than 10 kHz due to PDL. Furthermore, modulation of a gain resulting from the frequency response property of an optical modulator leads to a larger intensity modulation, which greatly impairs the signal quality. For this reason, when polarization scrambling is carried out on an optical transmission path, the polarization is preferably modulated at a frequency of several hundreds or more.
However, in applying adaptive polarization demultiplexing signal processing conforming to a digital coherent method to the above polarization multiplexing communication, hardware restriction of a digital circuit makes it difficult to increase the modulation frequency in polarization scrambling.
Accordingly, in a long-distance optical transmission system mounting adaptive polarization splitting signals processing conforming to a digital coherent method, polarization scrambling is carried out at relatively low modulation frequency so that there is difficulty in improving transmission quality. Other long-distance transmission systems have the similar problem.

Optical transmission system, transmitter, receiver and method


A magnetic tape medium having superior dimensional stability in the width direction and off-track resistance is provided although having a very high track width in the width direction. As a non-magnetic substrate of a magnetic tape medium in which the track density in the width direction is 50 tracks/mm or more, the off-track margin is 5 μm or less, and the maximum permissible amount of change in dimension in the width direction caused by environment factors is 0.10% or less, a laminate composed of a plastic film and films provided on two surfaces thereof is used, the films being formed of a material selected from the group including a metal, a semi-metal, an alloy, and an oxide or composite formed of the aforementioned material, having a Young's modulus of 7×103 kg/mm2 or more and a coefficient of thermal expansion of 18×10−6/° C. or less.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a magnetic tape medium on which recording and reproducing are performed in the longitudinal direction, and more particularly, relates to a magnetic tape medium having superior dimensional stability in the width direction and superior off-track resistance.
2. Description of the Related Art
In recent years, the amount of information has been explosively increasing because of the spread of the Internet, digital recording, and the like, and recording media for recording information as backup data have been developed toward higher capacity and higher recording density. A recording tape medium, which is wound and is placed in a cartridge, for recording backup data has been used in a commercially available linear recording system in which, in order to achieve a higher recording capacity, recording and reproducing are performed on a tape in the longitudinal direction thereof using a fixed head composed of many magnetoresistive heads. In order to further increase a recording capacity, various methods have also been attempted: short-wavelength recording is performed by decreasing the thickness of a magnetic recording layer, the track density in the tape width direction is increased, and the thickness of a tape is decreased so that the length per one reel is increased. In addition, for example, by disposing many heads or increasing a relative speed between a tape and a head, increase in transfer speed of data has also been performed.
Among the methods described above, when the short-wavelength recording is performed by decreasing the thickness of a magnetic recording layer, due to a small spacing between the magnetic recording layer and the head, problems may arise in that the output decreases, running durability degrades when the magnetic recording layer is allowed to run many times, and the like; hence, various types of research have been carried out. In addition, when the track density in the tape width direction is increased, due to the change in position of the tape in the width direction during high speed running and/or the change in dimension of the tape itself caused by environmental factors, a so-called off-track phenomenon may occur in which the track is not present at a predetermined tape position which is to be read by a magnetic head, or the position of the track is shifted. In particular, when a thin film medium is used, since running properties become unstable and the change in dimension of the tape itself caused by environment factors is increased, the problem described above becomes more serious. In order to avoid this off-track phenomenon, a method has been proposed in which a servo signal is recorded on a tape so that tracking is properly performed. As this servo signal recording method, for example, there is known a method in which a magnetic or an optical servo signal is recorded on a tape magnetic layer side or a back layer side.
As for the change in position of a tape in the width direction during operation, the change being one factor causing the off-track phenomenon in the tape width direction, a method has been proposed in which undulation of a tape edge is suppressed (for example, see Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2003-132526). In addition, as a method for suppressing another change, that is, the change in dimension of the tape itself which is caused by environment factors, for example, a method has been proposed in which the coefficients of thermal and hygroscopic expansion of a tape or a non-magnetic substrate are decreased (for example, see Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 11-250449). However, when the track density in the width direction is relatively low, and a permissible off-track amount (=((recording track width)−(reproducing track width))/2, hereinafter referred to as "off-track margin") is sufficiently large, practically, the problem is not serious in the actual environment, and the same thing can also be said when the change in position of the tape in the width direction during running is relatively large.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


A main heater, auxiliary heater and guard heater arranged on an insulator substrate to absorb leakage current, thereby maintaining precise sensing temperature. The main heater is parallel with a bridge circuit containing the auxiliary heater, and the main and auxiliary heater s are typically adjacently arranged with a guard heater there between, electrically interconnected to maintain target temperature of the main heater, regardless of leakage current typically resultant from insulation substrate deterioration.

In a heated type sensor in which a sensing portion of an oxygen or a NOx sensor is heated by a heater, the characteristics of the sensing portion are dependent on its temperature which will vary due to the variation of temperature of the environment or the heater's own temperature variation. A conventional temperature control method for heater in which the heater temperature is maintained to a predetermined value, for example, 300-400.degree. C. is described in the JP-A-60 114,758 official gazette.
The heated type sensor maintains constant temperature of a detective part (3) with a main heater (30) and an auxiliary heater (32). A leakage current originating in the deterioration of the insulation substrate (2) is absorbed by a guard heater.
The good thermal conductivity (high thermal conductivity) insulation substrate or film (2) contains the detective part that is maintained at the high temperature, for example, 400.degree. C., and main and auxiliary heaters are nearly arranged. Alternatively, a guard heater for the leakage current protection is arranged between the main and auxiliary heaters adjacent to the auxiliary heater. A bridge circuit (18) contains the auxiliary heater in one side, and first, second and third resistors (12, 14, 16) in the remaining three sides. The pyro-control circuit comprises an amplifier or a voltage follower (20) which supplies a voltage to the main heater, and another amplifier (24) having an inverting input connected to a serial node between the first resistor and the auxiliary heater, a non-inverting input connected to another serial node between the second and third resistors, and an output end connected to a control input end of the voltage follower. This amplifier controls the power supply voltage to the bridge circuit and the main heater based on the output of the bridge circuit. The second amplifier (52) controls the voltage of a node (50) with the guard heater to be identical to that of the node (13) with the auxiliary heater, based on an output of the second bridge circuit (44) containing auxiliary heater and guard heater (40). (See FIG. 4).
In the aforementioned temperature control method, a thermometric element is disposed adjacent to the heated type sensor with a space therebetween containing gas or ambient air to measure its environmental temperature, and the temperature of the sensing portion is constantly maintained by controlling a power supply to the heater based on the measurement value. The method necessitates the thermometric element by which the temperature of ambient air should be measured, and complex heated type sensor structure and heat control circuitry resulting in higher cost.
Further, an indirect thermal measurement of the sensing portion cannot result in high accuracy because under the condition of gas or air flow through the space, the temperature of the sensing portion is not precisely transferred to the element, and also a delay of temperature transfer to the element can possibly lead to uncontrollable situation such as temperature convergence or divergence.
As another conventional example without any auxiliary heater, a tin oxide film gas sensor is disclosed in 111 page of Nikkei Electronics issued on Jan. 20, 1992 by Nikkei BP publisher. The gas sensor provides four silicon film substrates projected inwardly from a comer of a center-scooped rectangular silicon dioxide substrate chip, and the tin oxide film and platinum heater are deposited on one side of each of the silicon film substrates. The present inventor proposed some improvement regarding the above method in Japanese Patent Application No. 7-328,395.
FIG. 1 shows an example of a well-known bridge type heat control circuit. The circuit comprises a bridge circuit 18 having, for example, a platinum film heater 10 on one side thereof and the resistors 12, 14 and 16 on the remaining three sides thereof, respectively, an emitter follower 20 which supplies a voltage to the bridge circuit 18, and an amplifier 24 having its inverting input connected to a serial node 13 between the resistor 12 and the heater 10, a non-inverting input connected to another serial node 17 between the resistors 14 and 16, and an output connected to the base of the emitter follower 20 through a resistor 22.
Resistance value of the platinum film heater 10 is changed with temperature as the temperature T--resistor R characteristics of FIG. 2. If electric potential values of the serial nodes 13 and 17 are e1 and e2, respectively, the amplifier 24 and the emitter follower connected transistor are so operated that the electric potential e1 is identical to the electric potential e2, i.e., the resistance ratio of the resistor 12 to the heater 10 is identical to that of the resistors 14 to 16 to maintain the temperature of the heater 10 to a predetermined value.
Then, when the temperature of the heater 10 is lower than the predetermined value, output voltage of the amplifier 24 and emitter follower 20 are increased under the condition of e1<e2 to filter increase the power supply to the heater 10. When the temperature of the heater 10 is higher than the predetermined value, output voltage of the amplifier 24 and emitter follower 20 are decreased under the condition of e1>e2 to decrease the power supply to the heater 10.
As described above, it is obvious that the bridge type heat control circuit shown in FIG. 1 has following problems. In order to detect temperature change, i.e., resistance change of the heater 10 precisely, the resistor 12 having higher resistance value than that of the heater 10 may be used. In that case, however, the heat quantity generated in the resistor 12 is also increased more than that in the heater 10. Thus the energy loss by the resistor 12 is increased, the temperature increase of the resistor 12 simultaneously becomes excessive, and then dangerous.
Since the resistance value of the reference resister 12 changes according to its temperature coefficient, it is difficult to obtain an appropriate heater temperature. Moreover, in case that the resister 12 has a positive temperature coefficient of resistance, the temperature and thus the resistance value of the resister 12 are increased when the heater 10 is heated. Therefore, the settling time to e1=e2 is delayed.

Heated type sensor with auxiliary heater in bridge circuit for maintaining constant sensor temperature


By a first homogeneous transformation matrix representing a position and orientation of a moving body in an absolute space, and a second homogenous transformation matrix representing a position and attitude of a manipulator in its operating space, position and orientation information of the moving body in the absolute space, and position and attitude information of the manipulator in its operating space are represented by a same representing method, and furthermore, the position and attitude of the manipulator are controlled on the basis of information of a third homogeneous transformation matrix representing the position and attitude of the manipulator including the position and orientation information of the moving body in the absolute space obtained on the basis of the first and second homogeneous transformation matrices. Since information of the third homogenous transformation matrix includes the position and orientation information of the moving body in the absolute space, the manipulator can be controlled at a desired position and attitude in the absolute space irrespective of a condition of traveling on standstill of the moving body, thus it is possible to control the position and attitude of the manipulator for operation while running the moving body.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method of controlling a position and attitude of a manipulator which is mounted on a moving body and conducts various operations and an apparatus thereof. More particularly, it relates to a working robot consisted of the moving body and the manipulator.
2. Description of the Related Art
In order to realize improvement of productivity and securing safety in a factory, various working robots such as a traveling robot and the like, in which an articulated manipulator is mounted on a truck which is a moving body traveling autonomously is in practical use. Such a traveling robot is so designed that it travels autonomously to a working destination and stops by controlling traveling of the truck, and thereafter, the position and attitude of the manipulator are controlled so as to conduct predetermined works.
In the traveling robot, conventionally it was difficult to take traveling information of the truck into the position and attitude control of the manipulator, so that the traveling control of the truck and position and attitude control of the manipulator were executed separately. Specifically, for example, stop positions of the truck are determined in advance responsive to the working positions, and position and attitude control information of the manipulator in a working space restricted by the truck stop position are decided in advance. Thus, when the truck stops at either of the stop positions, the position and attitude of the manipulator are controlled in response to the position and attitude control information restricted by the stop position to execute the predetermined work.
In the conventional traveling robot as aforementioned, however, since the traveling control of the truck and the position and attitude control of the manipulator are executed separately as stated above, it is impossible to control the manipulator to assume an attitude in preparation for the next work while the truck travels. However, information on position and orientation of the truck while traveling are never taken into the position and attitude control of the manipulator. Therefore, in a case where complicated work is to be carried out actually in the working position, after the truck is stopped at the predetermined stop position, the position and attitude of the manipulator are controlled responsive to the stop position to execute the predetermined work. Thus, it is actually impossible to work the manipulator while the truck is traveling, resulting in low working efficiency.

Method of controlling position and attitude of working robot and its manipulator and apparatus thereof


A camera with a built-in self-timer, flash and autofocus is disclosed. The camera is switchable between normal and self-timer modes. When in the normal mode, the auto focus device measures distance at the beginning of a photographic cycle. In self-timer mode, the auto focus device measures the distance at the beginning of the photographic cycle, and after the self-timer has counted down from its set time. A decision to use the flash is based on the first distance measurement and the scene brightness in the normal mode, and on the second distance measurement and scene brightness in the self-timer mode. If the decision is yes, a checking apparatus checks whether the flash capacitor has sufficient charge, and if not charges the capacitor.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a camera with built-in self-timer.
2. Related Background Art
With the conventional camera with built-in self-timer, when self mode is set by depression of self-operating button, first the distance to the target to be photographed is measured and after the completion of such measurement, counting of time by the self-timer is started. It is for the purpose of judging whether or not flash light should be used prior to the commencement of time count by the self-timer.
The purpose of making judgement whether or not flash light should be used prior to the commencement of time count by the self-timer is to prevent the failure of photographing due to uncharged state of the condenser before it occurs and warn the photographer that charging of condenser is incomplete, that is, flash photography is impossible by indicating the incomplete state of charging of condenser or prohibiting the photographing action.
The reason why the measurement of distance to the target is necessary at the judgement of whether flash should be used or not is because even when flash light is used, the light does not reach the target if, for example, it exists at almost indefinitely far apart distance and when the flash light does not reach the target, flash apparatus is not used. Such measurement of distance is made only after the camera is set in self mode.
In order to make judgement on whether flash light should be used or not, not only distance data but also light meter data (brightness data) are necessary. Generally speaking, when the brightness is low, judgement is made for the use of flash. Therefore when the brightness is low and the target is within the reaching range of flash light, it judges that flash light should be used.
According to the aforesaid conventional scheme, distance measurement is conducted after operating the self operating button and before the start of time count by the self-timer and therefore if there exists an object which is not the intended target within the measured range, the distance is measured in such way that the camera is focused on such other object. It is particularly so, for example, with the camera wherein the self operating button exists at the front of the body. Erroneous distance measurement is made when the hand or finger of the photographer covers the AF projector part at the operation of self operating button.
Thus it accompanies the problem that a photograph which is not focused on the intended target is obtained.


A battery system and a manifold assembly therein are provided. The assembly includes a manifold member having a tubular wall with an inner surface defining a central aperture that extends from the first end to the second end. The tubular wall further includes apertures extending therethrough. The manifold member further includes tubular port members disposed over the apertures, and a sealing member disposed on the inner surface proximate to the first end, and a male connecting portion extending from the second end. The assembly further includes a connecting fitting having a tubular coupling portion, an abutment ring, and a tubular body. The tubular coupling portion is removably coupled to the first end of the manifold member within the central aperture such that the sealing member contacts an outer surface of the tubular coupling portion and the abutment ring abuts against the first end of the manifold member.

Battery packs generate heat during usage. To prevent degradation of the battery packs, the battery packs should be cooled. However, existing devices utilized to cool the battery packs are not easily and quickly assembled and coupled to the battery packs.
Accordingly, the inventor herein has recognized a need for an improved battery system and manifold assembly that eliminates and/or reduces the above mentioned deficiency.

Battery system and manifold assembly having a manifold member and a connecting fitting


A photoresist film is formed on an object layer of a semiconductor device by coating the object layer with a photoresist composition including about 7 percent to about 14 percent by weight of a cyclodextrin derivative, about 0.1 percent to about 0.5 percent by weight of a photoacid generator, and a remainder of an organic solvent. The cyclodextrin derivative includes a β-cyclodextrin moiety and at least one alkyl carbonate group.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to forming a pattern using a photoresist composition including a cyclodextrin derivative. More particularly, example embodiments of the present invention relate to a cyclodextrin derivative, a photoresist composition including the cyclodextrin derivative, and a method of forming a semiconductor device pattern using the photoresist composition.
2. Description of the Related Art
Recently, semiconductor device technology has rapidly advanced, as information media, such as personal computers, have become more widely used. Semiconductor devices are required to operate at very high speeds and to have large storage capacities. To meet recent industry trends, the manufacturing technologies of semiconductor devices have been developed to improve integration, reliability and response speeds of the semiconductor devices. In particular, a fine processing technology, such as photolithography, has enabled stricter requirements to be met, improving the degree of integration of semiconductor devices.
To fabricate a semiconductor device, a chemical amplification type photoresist composition is used in the photolithography process in order to form a photoresist pattern utilized as an etching mask. The photoresist composition is prepared by mixing a photoacid generator for generating an acid material, a polymer for sensitively reacting with the acid material, and a solvent. The photoresist composition has a variable solubility in a developing solution, which is changed in accordance with a light exposure operation. Accordingly, the photoresist pattern having a determined shape may be acquired by coating a surface of a substrate with the photoresist composition, partially exposing a photoresist film to light, and sequentially developing the exposed portions of the photoresist film.
A photoresist composition, including a polymer having a high molecular weight, has been conventionally used for forming a photoresist pattern. As a pattern in a semiconductor device becomes finer, a line width of the photoresist pattern is reduced to a molecular size of the polymer. The polymer has various molecular weights and various sizes, as well as an entangled structure. When a photoresist composition including the polymer is developed, molecules of the polymer are swollen in a developing solution, and are not dissolved in the developing solution at a constant rate. Thus, a resolution of the photoresist pattern is reduced and a line width roughness of the photoresist pattern deteriorates.
When a semiconductor device has a 240 nm dimension, a deviation of the line width roughness in a photoresist pattern is at most about 20 nm, which is about 16 percent of a line width based on both edges of the line. Thus, the deviation of the line width is inevitably generated in the method for fabricating a semiconductor device. However, as a semiconductor device having a 90 nm dimension is developed, the deviation of the line width roughness is increased to about 22 percent of the line width. When a semiconductor device has a dimension less than about 70 nm, the deviation of the line width roughness is increased to more than about 29 percent.
In order to improve the photoresist composition, a molecular weight of a polymer included in a photoresist composition has been adjusted or a type of a de-blocking group of the polymer has been changed. However, photoresist compositions having an adjusted molecular weight or a changed de-blocking group still result in great loss of a photoresist pattern in a developing process and a deterioration of mechanical properties of the polymer included in the photoresist composition. This is because a molecular size of the polymer applied to the photoresist composition is not considered.

Cyclodextrin derivative, photoresist composition including the cyclodextrin derivative and method of forming a pattern using the photoresist composition


A high-frequency module includes a semiconductor chip device that is mounted on an external circuit substrate by wire bonding. A switch forming section, a power amplifier forming section and a low noise amplifier forming section, realized by a group of FETs, which are active elements, are formed in the semiconductor chip device. Flat plate electrodes, which form capacitors are formed in the semiconductor chip device. Conductor wires that connect the external circuit substrate and the semiconductor chip device function as inductors. A group of passive elements that includes inductors and capacitors is formed. As a result, a high-frequency module that can be reduced in size while still obtaining the required transmission characteristic is realized.

Currently, in wireless communication terminals such as cellular phones, it is common for a single antenna to be shared by a plurality of communication systems. In order to realize such sharing of an antenna, wireless communication terminals of the related art include a switch circuit that performs switching to connect an antenna to transmission/reception circuits of the communication systems. In addition, due to current restrictions such as regulation of harmonics, a filter circuit such as a band pass filter is sometimes connected to an antenna connection terminal in order to ensure that unwanted waves such as harmonic signals and noise are not transmitted from the antenna to the outside. Therefore, in current cellular phones, a high-frequency module is sometimes employed in which an antenna and a switch circuit are connected to each other via a band pass filter.
In such a high-frequency module of the related art, the bandpass filter is formed of passive elements such as inductors and capacitors. The switch circuit includes an active element such as an FET.
In addition, the bandpass filter and the switch circuit are formed so as to be grouped together on a single base substrate, as illustrated in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2005-229057. FIG. 8 is a plan view giving an outline illustration of the structure of a high-frequency module 10P of the related art. In FIG. 8, patterns that connect the individual elements to lands, which are connected to external circuits, are omitted.
A switch (SW) forming section 101, a power amplifier (PA) forming section 102, and a low noise amplifier (LNA) forming section 103, which are formed of a group of active elements, are formed on a base substrate 100P composed of a semiconductor. In addition, spiral electrodes 111P, 112P and 113P, which form inductors, which are passive elements included in a bandpass filter, and flat plate electrodes, which form capacitors 121, 122 and 123, which are passive elements included in the bandpass filter, are formed on the base substrate 100P. In addition, land electrodes 131P, 141P, 142P, 143P, 151P, 152P and 153P for allowing connection to external circuits are formed separately from the above-described electrodes on the front surface of the base substrate 100P.


Methods for normalization of experimental data with experiment-to-experiment variability. The experimental data may include biotechnology data or other data where experiment-to-experiment variability is introduced by an environment used to conduct multiple iterations of the same experiment. Deviations in the experimental data are measured between a central character and data values from multiple indexed data sets. The central character is a value of an ordered comparison determined from the multiple indexed data sets. The central character includes zero-order and low order central characters. Deviations between the central character and the multiple indexed data sets are removed by comparing the central character to the measured deviations from the multiple indexed data sets, thereby reducing deviations between the multiple indexed data sets and thus reducing experiment-to-experiment variability. Preferred embodiments of the present invention may be used to reduce intra-experiment and inter-experiment variability. When experiment-to-experiment variability is reduced or eliminated, comparison of experimental results can be used with a higher degree of confidence. Experiment-to-experiment variability is reduced for biotechnology data with new methods that can be used for bioinformatics or for other types of experimental data that are visual displayed (e.g., telecommunications data, electrical data for electrical devices, optical data, physical data, or other data). Experimental data can be consistently collected, processed and visually displayed with results that are accurate and not subject to experiment-to-experiment variability. Thus, intended experimental goals or results (e.g., determining polynucleotide sequences such as DNA, cDNA, or mRNA sequences) may be achieved in a more efficient and effective manner.

Biotechnology data is collected and analyzed for many diverse purposes. As is known in the art, biotechnology data typically includes data obtained from biological systems, biological processes, biochemical processes, biophysical processes, or chemical processes. For example, sequences of deoxyribonucleic acid ("DNA") from many different types of living organisms are often determined and mapped. DNA is double-stranded polynucleotide including a continuous string of four nucleotide base elements. The four nucleotide base elements include deoxyadenosine, deoxycytidine, deoxyguanosine, and deoxythymidine. The four nucleotide bases are usually abbreviated as "A," "C," "G" and "T" respectively. DNA is used to make ribonucleic acid ("RNA"), which in turn is used to make proteins. "Genes" include regions of DNA that are transcribed into RNA, which encodes a translated protein.
One fundamental goal of biochemical research is to map and characterize all of the protein molecules from genes in a living organism. The existence and concentration of protein molecules typically help determine if a gene is "expressed" or "repressed" in a given situation. Protein characterization includes, identification, sequence determination, expression, characteristics, concentrations and biochemical activity. Responses of proteins to natural and artificial compounds are used to develop new treatments for diseases, improve existing drugs, develop new drugs and for other medical and scientific applications.
Biotechnology data is inherently complex. For example, DNA sequences include large numbers of A's, C's, G's and T's, that need to be stored and retrieved in a manner that is appropriate for analysis. There are a number of problems associated with collecting, processing, storing and retrieving biotechnology data using "bioinformatics" techniques known in the art. As is known in the art, bioinformatics is the systematic development and application of information technologies and data mining techniques for processing, analyzing and displaying data obtained by experiments, modeling, database searching and instrumentation to make observations about biological processes. Biotechnology data is commonly presented as graphical plots of two or more variables. A "peak," i.e., a local maximum in a plot of two or more variables, is often a feature of interest in biotechnology data.
When biotechnology data is collected, the collection process often introduces variability based on an environment used to conduct the experiment. For example, DNA sequences may be determined by processing samples using gel-electrophoresis. A label (e.g., a dye) is incorporated into the samples placed on gel-plates for detection by laser-induced fluorescence.
Gel-electrophoresis resolves molecules from the samples into distinct bands of measurable lengths on a gel plate. Gel-plates created with different batches of the same gel may be used to complete the same experiment, with the same target (e.g., the same polynucleotide sample), multiple times. All of the experiments should ideally yield the same results, since the same target is used in the same experiment. However, the gel-electrophoresis process typically introduces small errors in the biotechnology data due to variability in the gel-electrophoresis process.
For example, a gel may have been prepared by two different lab technicians, may have come from two packages of the same product, may have been purchased at different times, or may be applied to gel-plates at slightly different consistency or thickness, either by a lab technician or by with an automated process (e.g., a robot), etc. These factors and other factors typically introduce "experiment-to-experiment variability" into an experiment completed multiple times that ideally should yield exactly the same results.
Another problem is that biotechnology data is also collected with micro-arrays. Micro-arrays can also be used to provide sequence information instead of gel-electrophoresis. Micro-arrays may also introduce variability into the same experiment due to variations in sample preparation for the micro-arrays. Yet another problem is that biotechnology data that is data collected with experiment-to-experiment variability typically only grossly appropriate for visual display using bioinformatics techniques known in the art.
As is known in the art, one of the most commonly used methodologies in biotechnology is "comparison." Many biological objects are associated with families that share the same structural or functional features. For example, many proteins with a similar sequence may have common functionality. If a protein with a sequence similar to a known protein is located, the located protein may have a common functionality, and thus may have a common response to an environmental condition (e.g., a new drug).
Visual display of biotechnology data is typically recognized as typically being "necessary" for biotechnology research. Visual display tools allow creation of complex views of large amounts of inter-related data. Experimental data is typically displayed using a Graphical User Interface ("GUI") that may include a multiple windowed-display on a computer display.
Visual display and comparative analysis is typically hampered by variability introduced into experimental data. For example, if five iterations of the same experiment with the same target are visually displayed, the output values should ideally be superimposed on one another. However, due to experiment-to-experiment variability, the output values for the five iterations of the experiment typically will differ slightly and a visual display will tend to "magnify" experiment-to-experiment variability. This may lead to confusion during analysis and cause a user to lose confidence in a process used to collect and display experimental data.
In addition, in many instances, experiment-to-experiment variability is of a same order of magnitude as desired experimental results. Using visual display of experimental results with experiment-to-experiment variability, a user may not be able to determine if differences in results are due to a new target (e.g., a new polynucleotide sequence) or experiment-to-experiment variability.
Thus, it is desirable to reduce experiment-to-experiment variability in data obtained from experiments. The reduction of experiment-to-experiment variability should allow visual display and comparative analysis to be completed without confusion or loss of confidence in processes used to collect, process and display experimental data.


A rotational structure and a bearing structure is provided wherein discomfort of people therearound is eliminated by suppressing noise due to movement (rattle) of a member in a rotational supporting point within small clearance. In a bearing structure for a seat-weight measuring apparatus, etc., sleeve members are inserted into insertion holes of an arm member and a bracket or bearing member while a pivot pin and a stopper pin or shaft member are inserted into insertion holes of sleeve members. The sleeve members are formed so that any of part of the insertion holes of the sleeve members always comes into contact with the pivot pin or the stopper pin so as not to allow the pivot pin or the stopper pin to run freely within the insertion holes of the sleeve members when the pivot pin or the stopper pin moves.

The present invention relates to bearing structures for use in a rotational structure of a mechanical structure and in an automobile cabin and further relates to a seat weight measuring apparatus having the bearing structures. In particular, it relates to a rotational structure and a bearing structure wherein discomfort of people therearound is eliminated by suppressing noise due to movement (rattle) of a member in a rotational supporting point within small clearance.
In an automobile cabin, various bearing structures are used, in which shaft members are inserted into bearing members. In these bearing structures, rattling of the shaft member may occur due to errors in size of the shaft member, the bearing member, and a sleeve member, or errors in size of a vehicle cabin and a seat. Although noise due to the chattering is very low, comfortableness in the automobile cabin may be reduced. Therefore, means for suppressing the rattle of the bearing structures is required.
The prior art will be described in detail below with reference to the bearing structure in the automobile cabin as an example, in which a seat belt and an airbag are equipped.
With regard to the current trend, in order to improve the performance of the seat belt and the airbag, operation of such safety equipment may be controlled in accordance with the weight of an occupant. For example, the gas quantity or gas rate for deploying the airbag may be adjusted, or the pre-tension of the seat belt may be adjusted according to the weight of an occupant. That requires detecting the weight of an occupant. As an example of such means, it is proposed to measure the seat-weight including the weight of an occupant by arranging load sensors (load cells) at four corners, back-and-forth and the right and left, under the seat so as to sum the loads applied to the load cells in the vertical direction.
An example of such a seat-weight measuring apparatus is disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2000-258233 (incorporated by reference herein in its entirety). The seat-weight measuring apparatus in the Publication simply measures not only the weight of an occupant and a seat but also has a mechanism for absorbing displacement and/or deflection between the seat and a vehicle body for eliminating the load other than from the weight of the seat and an occupant (or goods) thereon as much as possible. In the seat-weight measuring apparatus having such a deflection absorbing mechanism, bearing structures are also used, so that means for suppressing rattle of bearing parts is also required.
Referring to FIGS. 9 to 12, the seat-weight measuring apparatus disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2000-258233 will be further described below. First, structures around an vehicle seat will be described with reference to FIG. 12.
FIG. 12(A) is a front sectional view for schematically showing a structure of the seat attached to the vehicle body; and FIG. 12(B) is a side view thereof. In addition, arrows shown in the drawings indicate the following directions. UP: upward gravitational direction when the vehicle body is horizontal, DOWN: downward direction, FRONT: vehicle proceeding direction, REAR: reverse travel direction, LEFT: the left side facing in the vehicle proceeding direction, and RIGHT: the right side.
In FIGS. 12(a) and 12(b), a seat 3 is shown. An occupant 1 sits on a seat cushion 3a. The bottom surface of the seat cushion 3a is supported by a seat frame 5 made of a steel plate. The seat frame 5 comprises a bottom plate 5a, side plates 5c, vertical plates 5e, and slide plates 5g. The bottom plate 5a spreads out so as to cover the bottom surface of the seat cushion 3a. The side plates 5c extend along the respective right and left sides of the bottom surface of the bottom plate 5a. The vertical plate 5e hangs down from the bottom surface center of the side plate 5c. The slide plate 5g protrudes to the right and left from the vertical plate 5e as blades, and end portions thereof are further bent upwardly.
Two seat rails 7 are arranged in parallel under the seat 3 in the right and left sides, extending in the back-and-forth direction. The cross-section of the seat rail 7 is U-shaped, a concave portion 7c exists inside thereof. The upper opening of the concave portion 7c is a groove 7a extending in the back-and-forth direction. Into the groove 7a, the vertical plate 5e of the seat frame 5 is inserted. Into the concave portion 7c of the seat rail 7, the slide plate 5g of the seat frame 5 is entered. The slide plate 5g is slidable within the seat rail 7 in the back-and-forth direction. To the bottom surface of the seat rail 7, the seat-weight measuring apparatus 9 is connected. The seat-weight measuring apparatus 9 has an elongated box-like shape extending in the back-and-forth direction. Details of the seat-weight measuring apparatus 9 will be described later. At the front and rear ends of the bottom surface of the seat-weight measuring apparatus 9, seat brackets 11 are attached. The seat bracket 11 is fixed to a seat fixing portion 13 of the vehicle body with bolts, etc.
Next, the structure of the seat-weight measuring apparatus is described.
FIG. 9(A) is a disassembled perspective view of the displacement and/or deflection absorbing mechanism of the seat-weight measuring apparatus 9; FIG. 9(B) is a front sectional view of a pin bracket.
FIG. 10(A) is a plan view of the entire structure of the seat-weight measuring apparatus; FIG. 10(B) is a side sectional view; FIGS. 10(C) and (D) are front sectional views. In addition, in FIGS. 10(A) and (B), substantially half of the rear part is not shown.
FIG. 11(A) is a plan view showing the relationship between a sensor plate and a half arm; FIG. 11(B) is a side view in a no-load state; FIG. 11(C) is a side view schematically showing a state in that a load is applied.
The seat-weight measuring apparatus 9 is constructed based on an elongated rail-like base (base frame) 21. The base 21 extends in the back-and-forth direction when attached to the vehicle body and is a steel-plate pressed product having an upward U-shape front-section as shown in FIGS. 10(C) and (D). The sectional bottom portion of the base 21 is called a bottom plate 21c; portions elevated at right angles from lateral ends of the bottom plate 21c are called side plates 21a.
In the base side plate 21a, pin holes 21e and 21g are formed two each on the front and rear portions. The respective holes 21e and 21g are formed on the right and left side plates 21a and 21axe2x80x2 opposing each other.
The holes 21e, which are closer to the end, are formed at positions approaching the center by approximately xe2x85x9 of the entire length of the base 21 from the front and rear ends. The hole 21e is a hole much elongated in the vertical direction, as shown in FIG. 9(A). Within the elongated holes 21e, end portions of a bracket pin (stopper pin) 27 are entered.
However, there are clearances between the bracket pin 27 and top/bottom and right/left ends of the elongated hole 21e, so that the bracket pin 27 does not normally come into contact with internal edges of the elongated hole 21e. When an excessive load is applied to the seat-weight measuring apparatus 9 (specifically, part of a pin bracket 25), however, the bracket pin 27 is lowered and abuts the bottom end of the elongated hole 21e, so that the excessive load cannot be transmitted to a load sensor (a sensor plate 51, details will be described). That is, the pin 27 and the elongated hole 21e form part of a mechanism for restricting the upper limit load applied to the sensor plate 51. In addition, the principal function of the bracket pin 27 is to transmit the seat weight applied to the pin bracket 25 to a Z-arm (arm member) 23.
At positions slightly closer to the center from the elongated holes 21e (approaching the center by approximately {fraction (1/10)} of the entire length of the base 21), the pin holes 21g are formed. Into the pin holes 21g, a base pin (pivot pin) 31 is inserted. The base pin 31 exists so as to bridge between the right and left base side plates 21a and 21axe2x80x2. At lateral ends of the pin 31, retainers 33 are attached, so that the base pin 31 is fixed to the base 21. In addition, the base pin 31 is a rotational central axis of the Z-arm 23.
The Z-arm 23 is arranged inside the base 21. The Z-arm 23 has a shape in plan view, in which one end closer to the center of the base 21 is forked into two parts (forked parts 23h) while the other end closer to the front or rear end is rectangular. The lateral ends of the half part closer to the front or rear end are elevated at right angles to form side plates 23a. The forked part 23h is a simple flat plate. The side plate 23a is arranged along the inside of the side plate 21a in the base 21; however, there is a clearance between the side plates 21a and 23a.
The Z-arm 23 also has two pin holes 23c and 23e formed thereon. Into the pin hole 23c closer to the front or rear end, the bracket pin 27 is inserted. Into the pin hole 23e closer to the center, the base pin 31 is inserted. At the external periphery of the base pin 31 between the base side plate 21a and the Z-arm side plate 23a, a perforated circular disk-like spacer 35 is fitted. The Z-arm 23 is rotated about the base pin 31.
The forked part 23h of the Z-arm 23 has a length approximately half of the entire length of the Z-arm 23. The forked parts 23h are laterally divided and extend toward the center in the front and rear direction, and are reduced in width at portions closer to the center. Application parts 23j at ends of the Z-arm forked parts 23h are sandwiched between blades 41a and 42a of the upper and lower half arms 41 and 42.
When a load is applied to the pin bracket 25, the load is transmitted to the Z-arm 23 via the bracket pin 27 so as to rotate the Z-arm 23 slightly (approximately 5xc2x0 at most), which in turn is transmitted by the application parts 23j to the sensor plate 51 of the load sensor 50 via the half arms 41 and 42.
The pin bracket 25, as shown in FIG. 10(C), has a downward substantially U-shaped cross section. The length thereof in the front and rear direction is not so long, that is, {fraction (1/20)} of that of the base 21. The top part 25a of the pin bracket 25 is flat, and the seat rail 7 shown in FIG. 12 is placed thereon. Both the parts are tightly fixed together with bolts, etc.
Lateral side plates 25b of the pin bracket 25 hang down from sides of the bracket 25, and end portions of the side plates 25b are bent inwardly. The side plates 25b are arranged inside the Z-arm side plates 23a with clearances. On the side plates 25b, pin holes 25c are formed. Into the pin holes 25c, the bracket pin 27 is inserted. The pin holes 25c is larger in size than the diameter of the bracket pin 27. Due to the clearance between them, errors in size of the seat and the vehicle body and accidental deformation are absorbed.
Between the respective lateral side plates 25b and the respective Z-arm side plates 23a, a spring plate 29 is sandwiched. The spring plate 29 has perforated spring-washer portions which are fitted into outsides of the bracket pin 27 with clearances. The spring plate 29 serves as a centering mechanism for urging the pin bracket 25 toward the center.
Such a centering mechanism allows the pin bracket 25 to be positioned in the vicinity of the center of the slidable range as much as possible. Due to the operation of the centering mechanism, the movable ranges of the slide mechanism and the rotational mechanism can be ensured in the both directions (right/left, up/down, and front/rear) after the seat-weight measuring apparatus is equipped.
Next, structures around the sensor plate 51 are described.
The sensor plate (spring member) 51 which is a base material of the load sensor 50 is provided with a strain gauge formed thereon with a bridge circuit having strain resistances 54a to 54d. The sensor plate 51, as shown in FIGS. 10 (A) and (B) and FIG. 11, is tightly fixed to a column 63 in the central portion of the base bottom plate 21c with a washer 67, a nut 68, and a bolt 69.
The half arms 41 and 42, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, are components of a group of four, front/rear and up/down, and are assembled so as to sandwich the sensor plate 51 from the front/rear and up/down directions and fixed to sensor plate 51 with bolts 43, etc.
Between both supporting points 41b and 42b of blades 41a and 42a extended from the upper/lower half arms 41 and 42, the application part 23j of the Z-arm 23 is sandwiched. In addition, the supporting points are positioned at just the midpoint (a constricted part 51c of the sensor plate 51) of two strain gauges 54a and 54c or 54d and 54b.
When a load is applied to the pin bracket 25 of the seat-weight measuring apparatus 9, the Z-arm 23 is slightly rotated so as to raise the application part 23j thereof upwardly. It is FIG. 11(C) to show a state of the sensor plate and the half arm at this time schematically and exaggeratedly.
When the Z-arm application part 23j is raised, the supporting point 41b of the upper half arm 41 is elevated. A moment M is applied to end portions in the back and forth direction of the sensor plate 51. Due to the moment M, the strain gauges 54a and 54b in the end portions in the back and forth direction are pulled while the strain gauges 54c and 54d in the central portion are compressed. Changes in resistance due to these actions of the respective strain gauges are converted to electrical signals so as to measure the strain of the sensor plate and the load applied to the pin bracket 25 by extension.
Next, the entire displacement/deflection absorbing mechanism of the seat-weight measuring apparatus will be described with reference to FIG. 10.
The pin bracket 25 is tightly fixed to the seat rail 7 with bolts, etc. In the vertical direction of the vehicle body, displacement is absorbed by the clearance between the pin hole 25c of the pin bracket 25 and the bracket pin 27.
In the back and forth direction of the vehicle body, the pin hole 25c of the pin bracket 25 is elongated so as to absorb the displacement.
In the right and left direction of the vehicle body, displacement is absorbed by the clearance between the pin bracket side plate 25b and the Z-arm side plate 23a. In addition, the centering mechanism by the spring plate 29 is provided in this part, as described above.
For the rotation about the vertical direction of the vehicle body as the axis, displacement is absorbed mainly by the clearance between the pin bracket side plate 25b and the Z-arm side plate 23a.
For the rotation about the back and forth direction of the vehicle body as the axis, displacement is absorbed mainly by the clearance between the pin bracket side plate 25b and the Z-arm side plate 23a, just like for about the vertical direction of the vehicle body.
For the rotation about the right and left direction of the vehicle body as the axis, displacement is absorbed mainly by the rotation of the pin bracket 25 about the bracket pin 27.
In the seat-weight measuring apparatus 9 as constructed above, in order to adjust errors in size of each part and prevent strain from being generated, the diameter of the pin hole 23c is slightly larger than that of a bracket pin to be inserted (stopper pin) 27. Therefore, the bracket pin 27 inserted into the pin hole 23c is not rigidly fixed relative to the Z-arm 23. Accordingly, the bracket pin 27 is rattling within the pin hole 23c, so that abnormal noise may be generated due to vibration by vehicle traveling, or the seat rail 7 supported by the bracket pin 27 via the pin bracket 25 may slightly vibrate. Thereby, an occupant sitting on the seat 3 may feel rattle.
The diameter of the pin hole 23e of the Z-arm side plate 23a is also slightly larger than that of the base pin 31 just like mentioned above, the base pin 31 is chattering within the pin hole 23e, so that abnormal noise may be generated due to vibration by vehicle traveling, and comfortableness in a cabin may be damaged.
The present invention has been made in view of these problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a rotational structure and a bearing structure wherein discomfort of people therearound can be eliminated by suppressing noise due to movement (rattle) of a member in a rotational supporting point within small clearance. Furthermore, it is another object to provide a seat-weight measuring apparatus having such a rotational structure and a bearing structure.
In order to solve the aforementioned problems, a rotational structure according to the present invention comprises a center-of-rotation pin, two members relatively rotatable about the pin and having insertion holes for the pin, an internal sleeve lying between the insertion hole of one member (a first member) and the external periphery of the pin while extending into the insertion hole of the other member (a second member), and an external sleeve lying between the external periphery of the internal sleeve and the insertion hole of the second member, wherein the internal sleeve, while being press-fitted into the insertion hole of the first member, has a pressing section which is elastically pressed onto the external periphery of the pin so as to slidably and elastically keep the pin in contact with the internal sleeve, and wherein the external sleeve, while being press-fitted into the insertion hole of the second member, has a pressing section which is elastically pressed onto the external periphery of the internal sleeve so as to slidably and elastically keep the internal sleeve in contact with the external sleeve.
According to a rotational structure of the present invention, the free clearance in the radial direction is forced out due to the pressing sections of the external and internal sleeves, so that pins and the external and internal sleeves cannot rattle within insertion holes. Therefore, abnormal noise produced following the chattering of members can be suppressed.
In addition, in the present invention, by contrast to the above description, the bore of the sleeve may be press-fitted so that the pressing section of the sleeve may be elastically urged in the external diameter side, and this case is also within the scope of the present invention.
In a rotational structure according to the present invention, the pressing section may be a tapered end portion of the sleeve.
In this case, the pressing section can be readily fabricated. Moreover, the tapered pressing section fits perfectly on the entire external periphery of the pin or the internal sleeve, the pressing can be performed with a uniform elastic force in the radial direction.
In a rotational structure according to the present invention, the sleeve may have a flange section which lies between side surfaces of the first and second members. In this case, the flange section of the sleeve serves as a plane bearing between the first and second members.
In a rotational structure according to the present invention, a surface of the sleeve may be coated with a material having a low coefficient of friction. In this case, there is an advantage that the sleeve slides more smoothly.
A bearing structure for use in an automobile cabin according to the present invention comprises a bearing member, a sleeve member fitted into an insertion hole of the bearing member, and a shaft member fitted into an insertion hole of the sleeve member, wherein the sleeve member is formed so that any of part of the insertion hole of the sleeve member always comes into contact with the shaft member so as not to allow the shaft member to run freely within the insertion hole of the sleeve member when the shaft member moves.
In the bearing structure according to the present invention, the sleeve member is formed so that any of part of the insertion hole of the sleeve member always comes into contact with the shaft member. Accordingly, the shaft member does not rattle within holes of the sleeve members even when the shaft member moves due to vibration during vehicle traveling, so that noise and vibration are transmitted to the arm member and the sleeve member from the contact portion so as to be damped. Therefore, abnormal noise generated in a cabin during vehicle traveling following the chattering of the shaft member can be suppressed, eliminating uncomfortable feeling of an occupant sitting on the seat.
The bearing structure according to the present invention may also be applied to a seat-weight measuring apparatus. That is, in an apparatus for measuring the seat weight including the weight of an occupant sitting on an automobile seat, the apparatus comprising a rail-like base frame fixed to a vehicle body or part of the seat, an arm member supported to the base frame rotatably in the vertical direction by a pivot member, a stopper pin attached to the arm member and being movably brought into engagement with an opening of the base frame so as to restrict the rotational range of the arm member, and a bracket pivotably attached to the arm member by the stopper ping so as to transmit the seat weight to the stopper pin, wherein the load applied to the stopper pin allows the arm member to rotate about the pivot member so as to produce displacement in a sensor, a bearing structure comprises sleeve members wherein the pivot member is inserted into the arm member via one of the sleeve members while the stopper pin is also inserted into the bracket via the other sleeve member, so that any of part of the insertion holes of the respective sleeve members always comes into contact with the pivot member and the stopper pin, so as not to allow the pivot member and the stopper pin to run freely within the insertion holes when the pivot member and the stopper pin move.
In the bearing structure according to the present invention, part or the entirety of the sleeve member may be tapered so that the sleeve member always comes into contact with the shaft member. Furthermore, part or the entire of the sleeve member may be slit in an axial direction.
Also, in order to cause any of part of the insertion hole of the sleeve member to always come into contact with the shaft member, part or the entirety of the sleeve member may be formed to be bellow-shaped, or part or the entire radial section of the sleeve member may be formed to be polygonal.
In the bearing structure according to the present invention, it is preferable to circumferentially cover a pipe on the shaft member so as to stick on the external surface of the shaft member. In this case, the sleeve member is circumferentially covered on the pipe. Thereby, the clearance between the shaft member and the sleeve member is further reduced, so that abnormal noise due to the rattle of the shaft member during vehicle traveling is further suppressed.
In the bearing structure according to the present invention, the sleeve member may have a double structure comprising an internal sleeve inserted into the insertion hole of the bearing member while being inserted to the shaft member from outside and an external sleeve inserted into the insertion hole of the bearing member while being inserted to the internal sleeve from outside.
A seat-weight measuring apparatus according to the present invention for measuring the seat-weight including the weight of an occupant sitting on a vehicle seat, the seat-weight measuring apparatus comprises a base frame extending in a longitudinal direction of a vehicle, rail brackets respectively arranged toward back and forth ends of the base frame and lying between the base frame and a seat rail which slides in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and a sensor section mounted on the base frame and comprising a strain sensor fixed to a central portion of the base frame in a longitudinal direction and arms respectively arranged at back and forth ends of the base frame and extending in the longitudinal direction, the arm having a pressing part for transmitting a force to the strain sensor at one end (a central end) and a connecting part to the rail bracket at the other end (one of the front end and the rear end), wherein the arm and the rail bracket are provided with insertion holes for center-of-rotation pins formed thereon, and the arm and the rail bracket are connected to each other so as to be relatively rotatable about the pin, wherein the seat-weight measuring apparatus further comprises an internal sleeve lying between the insertion hole of the arm and the external periphery of the pin while extending into the insertion hole of the rail bracket, and an external sleeve lying between the external periphery of the internal sleeve and the insertion hole of the rail bracket, and wherein the internal sleeve, while being press-fitted into the insertion hole of the arm, has a pressing section which is elastically pressed onto the external periphery of the pin so as to slidably and elastically keep the pin in contact with the internal sleeve, and wherein the external sleeve, while being press-fitted into the insertion hole of the rail bracket, has a pressing section which is elastically pressed onto the external periphery of the internal sleeve so as to slidably and elastically keep the internal sleeve in contact with the pin.
In addition, by contrast to the above description, the internal sleeve may arranged in the rail bracket side while the external sleeve in the arm side, and this case is also within the scope of the present invention.
It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only, and are not restrictive of the invention as claimed.

Rotational and bearing structures and a seat-weight measuring apparatus


Human SCD genes are identified as modulators of the p53 pathway, and thus are therapeutic targets for disorders associated with defective p53 function. Methods for identifying modulators of p53, comprising screening for agents that modulate the activity of SCD are provided.

The p53 gene is mutated in over 50 different types of human cancers, including familial and spontaneous cancers, and is believed to be the most commonly mutated gene in human cancer (Zambetti and Levine, FASEB (1993) 7:855-865; Hollstein, et al., Nucleic Acids Res, (1994) 22:3551-3555). Greater than 90% of mutations in the p53 gene are missense mutations that alter a single amino acid that inactivates p53 function. Aberrant forms of human p53 are associated with poor prognosis, more aggressive tumors, metastasis, and short survival rates (Mitsudomi at al., Clin Cancer Res 2000 October; 6 (10):4055-63; Koshland, Science (1993) 262:1953).
The human p53 protein normally functions as a central integrator of signals including DNA damage, hypoxia, nucleotide deprivation, and oncogene activation (Prives, Cell (1998) 95:5-8). In response to these signals, p53 protein levels are greatly increased with the result that the accumulated p53 activates cell cycle arrest or apoptosis depending on the nature and strength of these signals. Indeed, multiple lines of experimental evidence have pointed to a key role for p53 as a tumor suppressor (Levine, Cell (1997) 88:323-331). For example, homozygous p53 "knockout" mice are developmentally normal but exhibit nearly 100% incidence of neoplasia in the first year of life (Donehower et al., Nature (1992) 356:215-221).
The biochemical mechanisms and pathways through which p53 functions in normal and cancerous cells are not fully understood, but one clearly important aspect of p53 function is its activity as a gene-specific transcriptional activator. Among the genes with known p53-response elements are several with well-characterized roles in either regulation of the cell cycle or apoptosis, including GADD45, p21/Waf1/Cip1, cyclin G, Bax, IC3F-BP3, and MDM2 (Levine, Cell (1997) 88:323-331).
Stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD) is an iron-containing enzyme that catalyzes a rate-limiting step in the synthesis of unsaturated fatty acids. The principal product of SCD is oleic acid, which is formed by desaturation of stearic acid. The ratio of stearic acid to oleic acid has been implicated in the regulation of cell growth and differentiation through effects on cell-membrane fluidity and signal transduction (Zheng Y et al (1999) Nat Genet 23:268-270). SCD may play a role in obesity, and mice with a targeted disruption of the SCD had reduced body adiposity, increased insulin sensitivity, and resistance to diet-induced weight gain (Cohen P et al (2002) Science 297: 240-243; Ntambi J M et al (2002) PNAS 99: 11482-11486). Certain classes of tumors show increased expression of SCD (Chajes V et al (1999) Int J Cancer 83:585-90; Li J et al (1994) Int J Cancer 57:348-52).
The ability to manipulate the genomes of model organisms such as Drosophila provides a powerful means to analyze biochemical processes that, due to significant evolutionary conservation, have direct relevance to more complex vertebrate organisms. Due to a high level of gene and pathway conservation, the strong similarity of cellular processes, and the functional conservation of genes between these model organisms and mammals, identification of the involvement of novel genes in particular pathways and their functions in such model organisms can directly contribute to the understanding of the correlative pathways and methods of modulating them in mammals (see, for example, Mechler B M et al., 1985 EMBO J 4:1551-1557; Gateff E. 1982 Adv. Cancer Res. 37: 33-74; Watson K L., et al., 1994 J Cell Sci. 18: 19-33; Miklos G L, and Rubin G M. 1996 Cell 86:521-529; Wassarman D A, et al., 1995 Curr Opin Gen Dev 5: 44-50; and Booth D R. 1999 Cancer Metastasis Rev. 18: 261-284). For example, a genetic screen can be carried out in an invertebrate model organism having underexpression (e.g. knockout) or overexpression of a gene (referred to as a "genetic entry point") that yields a visible phenotype. Additional genes are mutated in a random or targeted manner. When a gene mutation changes the original phenotype caused by the mutation in the genetic entry point, the gene is identified as a "modifier" involved in the same or overlapping pathway as the genetic entry point. When the genetic entry point is an ortholog of a human gene implicated in a disease pathway, such as p53, modifier genes can be identified that may be attractive candidate targets for novel therapeutics.
All references cited herein, including patents, patent applications, publications, and sequence information in referenced Genbank identifier numbers, are incorporated herein in their entireties.

SCDs as modifiers of the p53 pathway and methods of use


A gas-powered heating apparatus includes a reservoir for storing fuel, a combustor communicated with the reservoir for burning the fuel, a switch provided between the reservoir and the combustor for turning on/off the supply of the fuel to the combustor from the reservoir and a controlling device provided between the reservoir and the combustor for controlling the rate of the supply of the fuel to the combustor.

1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to a gas-powered heating apparatus.
2. Related Prior Art
Referring to U.S. Pat. No. 5,799,648 that was issued on 1 Sep. 1998, a gas-powered heating apparatus 1 includes a handle 2, a barrel 6 extending from the handle 2 a head 4 from which the barrel 6 projects and a tip 8 extending from the head 4. The handle 2 and the head 4 are both hollow. A reservoir 23 is located in the handle 2 for storing fuel. A combustor 10 is located in the head 4 for burning the fuel. A controlling device 28 is located in the barrel 6 for controlling the supply of the fuel to the combustor 10 from the reservoir 23. A switch 32 is located between the reservoir 23 and the controlling device 28 for switching on/off the supply of the fuel to the controlling device 28 from the reservoir 23. A switch 32 is located between the reservoir 23 and the controlling device 28 for switching on/off the supply of the fuel to the controlling device 28 from the reservoir 23. A throttle 29 is located in the barrel 6 for controlling the flow rate of the fuel to the combustor 10 from the reservoir 23. The controlling device 28 includes a valve 39, a first element 70, a second element 71 and a permanent magnet 63 located between the first element 70 and the second element 71. The first element 70 is made of thermomagnetic material. The second element 71 is made of magnetic material. The magnetic attraction between the permanent magnet 63 and the first element 70 is greater than the magnetic attraction between the permanent magnet 63 and the second element 71 when the first element 70 is magnetic. Thus, the valve 39 is open so that the fuel flows to the combustor 10 from the reservoir 23 through the valve 39. The first element 70 becomes non-magnetic when the temperature reaches a limit. Therefore, the magnetic attraction between the permanent magnet 63 and the second element 71 is greater than the magnetic attraction between the permanent magnet 63 and the first element 70. Thus, the valve 39 is closed so that the fuel flows to the combustor 10 from the reservoir 23 through the throttle 29. This conventional gas-powered heating apparatus 1 is however complicated in structure, difficult in fabrication and high in cost.
The present invention is therefore intended to obviate or at least alleviate the problems encountered in the prior art.


According to some aspects of the invention, a rear impact guard is configured to be coupled to a rear end of a vehicle. The rear impact guard includes first and second bumper support members configured to be coupled to first and second base rails of the vehicle. The first and second bumper support members are spaced from one another along a width of the vehicle. A horizontal bumper is mounted to lower ends of the first and second bumper support members. First and second angled support members are coupled at first ends to the first and second bumper support members, and coupled at second ends to the first and second base rails forwardly of the first and second bumper support members and forming a substantially hollow triangular member. First and second braces are positioned within the first and second base rails and coupled thereto. At least a portion of each of the first and second braces is located above the second ends of the first and second angled supports.

The rear impact guard of a trailer, semi-trailer, tank trailer, and/or flatbed trailer is generally provided to help prevent other vehicles in a rear-impact collision with such a trailer from traveling beyond the rear extremity of the trailer and into an area beneath a floor assembly of the trailer. Rear impact guards may also operate to absorb the energy of a rear impact from another vehicle. Rear impact guards typically include a horizontal member suspended from two struts coupled to a bottom side of the trailer.
The present disclosure may comprise one or more of the features recited in the attached claims, and/or one or more of the following features and combinations thereof.
According to some aspects of the invention, a rear impact guard is configured to be coupled to a rear end of a vehicle. The rear impact guard includes first and second bumper support members configured to be coupled to first and second base rails of the vehicle. The first and second bumper support members are spaced from one another along a width of the vehicle. A horizontal bumper is mounted to lower ends of the first and second bumper support members. First and second angled support members are coupled at first ends to the first and second bumper support members, and coupled at second ends to the first and second base rails forwardly of the first and second bumper support members and forming a substantially hollow triangular member. First and second braces are positioned within the first and second base rails and coupled thereto. At least a portion of each of the first and second braces is located above the second ends of the first and second angled supports.
According to another illustrative aspect, a kit for retrofitting a vehicle is provided. The kit includes various components of a rear impact guard configured to be coupled to frame adjacent a rear end of a vehicle and includes first and second bumper support members designed to be coupled to first and second base rails of the vehicle. A horizontal bumper is optionally included and is designed to be mounted to lower ends of the first and second bumper support members. At least two angled support members are designed to be coupled at first ends to each of the first and second bumper support members, respectively. The at least two angled support members are designed to be coupled at second ends to each of the first and second base rails, respectively. The first and second bumper support members and the at least two angled support members define a substantially triangular body with an opening therein. The kit further includes a plurality of braces designed to be positioned within the first and second base rails and coupled thereto. At least a portion of the plurality of braces is located above the second ends of the two angled support members.
In another illustrative aspect, a method of retrofitting a rear impact guard coupled to a rear end of a vehicle is disclosed. The vehicle includes first and second bumper support members configured to be coupled to first and second base rails of the vehicle and a horizontal bumper mounted to lower ends of the first and second bumper support members. The method includes the steps of coupling first ends of first and second angled support members to the first and second bumper support members, respectively, and coupling second ends of first and second angled support members to the first and second base rails of the vehicle to form a triangular support having an opening therein, and coupling first and second braces to the first and second base rails, wherein at least a portion of each of the first and second braces is located above the second ends of respective angled supports.


The present invention is directed to a lollipop (10) comprising: a hollowed stick (14); a sweetmeat (12) mounted on one end of the hollowed stick (14); a cover (16) in a form of a sheet folded around both, the sweetmeat (12) and the stick (14); and a lollipop cover cutter (20), comprising: a handle (24) mating with the hollowed stick (14); and a sickle (22) connected to the handle (24); thereby upon locating the stick (14) in the sickle (22) and rotating the stick (14), cutting the cover (16) by the blade (26).

A lollipop is a type of confectionery consisting of a sweetmeat of hard candy or water-ice mounted on a stick and intended for sucking or licking. Different informal terms are used in different places, including lolly, sucker, sticky-pop, etc. (from Wikipedia)
In order to keep a lollipop in hygiene condition, it is common to cover the lollipop by cellophane of paper cover.
FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a lollipop, according to the prior art.
The lollipop, which is marked herein by reference numeral 10, comprises a sweetmeat 12 mounted on stick 14 and enveloped by a cover 16 made of cellophane, wax paper and the like. The cover envelops also the stick at the area where the sweetmeat and the stick meet. This part is marked herein by reference numeral 28. The cover is tied up at this area in order to prevent unintentional removing thereof.
In order to remove the envelope from the lollipop, the user rips the cover at area 28. This action affects the enjoyment of using the lollipop as the tearing is not carried out in an "easy" manner.
FIG. 2 schematically illustrates another example of a lollipop, according to the prior art.
In this case, a knot 18 is tied to the stick at the side 28 where the stick meets with the sweetmeat 12.
The example of FIG. 2 is an attempt to provide a convenient solution for removing a lollipop cover, as the knot 18 replaces the glue or other means for keeping the cover closed.
Each of the dashed lines denotes a hidden contour of an object.
All the methods described above have not yet provided satisfactory solutions to the problem of removing a lollipop cover.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a solution to the above-mentioned and other problems of the prior art.
Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the description proceeds.


This disclosure details the implementation of methods, systems and computer program products for remote business contact identification (hereinafter, “RBCI”). RBCI systems implement a remote business identification application whereby users may submit rich media including indicative information of at least one target business entity to a RBCI service provider, and the service provider may identify the target business entity within its database and return the contact information of the target business entity to the user instantly.

A variety of business contact information services exist to provide potential business customers the contact information of a particular business entity. For example, a potential customer may look up the telephone number of the particular business entity in a phone book (e.g. the Yellow Pages), or by calling national 4-1-1 to make an inquiry. Global positioning system (GPS) devices have also come about. For example, nearly all new cell phones sold in America have some GPS receiving capability built in.
The leading number of each reference number within the drawings indicates the figure in which that reference number is introduced and/or detailed. As such, a detailed discussion of reference number 101 would be found and/or introduced in FIG. 1. Reference number 201 is introduced in FIG. 2, etc.

Methods, systems and computer program products for a remote business contact identifier


A method for producing a C1-5 hydrocarbon from a solution containing a C2-6 carboxylic acid or a C2-6 carboxylate which is derived from biomass by contacting the solution with a solid catalyst to decarboxylate the C2-6 carboxylic acid or the C2-6 carboxylate, thereby forming a C1-5 hydrocarbon.

Declining petroleum resources have heightened the interest in biomass as a renewable energy source. Various processing options for biomass have been explored, including gasification to form synthesis gas, pyrolysis and liquefaction to generate bio-oils, and fermentation of sugars formed through hydrolysis of cellulosic and hemicellulosic biomass. The above processing options are described in detail in Huber, G. W. et al., Chem. Rev. 106 (2006) 4044-4098. There is a need in seeking other potentially inexpensive and efficient methods of converting biomass to fuels.

Converting biomass to gaseous fuel hydrocarbons