A method of quantitative analysis of microscopic biological specimens in a fluid medium is disclosed in which the specimens are rendered magnetically responsive by immunospecific binding with ferromagnetic colloid. A known quantity of magnetically-responsive marker particles are added to the fluid medium. The fluid medium is then subjected to a magnetic separation process, to collect the magnetic species from the fluid. The collected species are resuspended in a second fluid medium, and the relative quantities thereof are enumerated to determine the concentration of the desired biological specimen in the first fluid medium. The marker particles may comprise magnetic particles having a relatively large magnetic moment, a magnetic moment approximately equal to the magnetically-labelled biological speciment of interest, or both in order to compensate the determination for variations in immunospecific binding affinity and/or magnetic collection efficiency. The present method is useful for conducting hematological assays, such as red blood cell counts and related determinations. In the case of red blood cells, the specimens may be rendered magnetically responsive by reduction of the iron atoms present in hemoglobin. The enumeration step of the method may be conducted with such equipment as a flow cytometer, or by a novel optical scanning magnetic cell immobilization apparatus.

A magnetic material or magnetic dipole will move in a magnetic field gradient in the direction of increasing highest magnetic field strength. Magnetic gradients employed in fluid separations are broadly divided into two categories. Internal magnetic gradients are formed by inducing a magnetization in a susceptible material placed in the interior of a separation vessel. External gradients are formed by an externally positioned magnetic circuit.
In the case of a simple rectangular bar magnet, field lines which form magnetic circuits conventionally move from North to South and are easily visualized with iron filings. From this familiar experiment in elementary physics it will be recalled that there is greater intensity of field lines nearest the poles. At the poles, the edges formed with the sides and faces of the bar will display an even greater density or gradient. Thus, a steel ball placed near a bar magnet is first attracted to the nearest pole and next moves to the region of highest field strength, typically the closest edge. For magnetic circuits, any configuration which promotes increased or decreased density of field lines will generate a gradient. Opposing magnet designs, such as N-S-N-S quadrupole arrangements having opposing North poles and opposing South poles, generate radial magnetic gradients.
Internal high gradient magnetic separators have been employed for nearly 50 years for removing weakly magnetic materials from slurries such as in the kaolin industry or for removing nanosized magnetic materials from solution. In an internal high gradient magnetic separator, a separation vessel is positioned in a uniform magnetic vessel. A ferromagnetic structure is positioned within the vessel in order to distort the magnetic field and to generate an "internal" gradient in the field. Typically, magnetic grade stainless steel wool is packed in a column which is then placed in a uniform magnetic field which induces gradients on the steel wool as in U.S. Pat. No. 3,676,337 to Kolm. Gradients as high as 200 kGauss/cm are easily achieved. The magnitude of the field gradient in the vicinity of a wire is inversely related to the wire diameter. The spatial extent of the high gradient region is proportionally related to the diameter of the wire. As will be detailed below, collection of magnetic material takes place along the sides of the wire, perpendicular to the applied magnet field lines, but not on the sides tangent to the applied field. In using such a system, material to be separated is passed through the resulting magnetic "filter". Then, the collected material is washed, and the vessel is moved to a position outside the applied field, so that magnetic can be removed, making the collector ready for reuse.
Table I below indicates the magnitude of a magnetic gradient as a function of distance R, from the center of a ferromagnetic wire for round wires of different diameters. The gradients are determined by Maxwell's equations, which produce equations I and II for the strength of the magnetic field about the wires and the gradient of the field. The equations give the magnitude of these quantities when the wire has an internal magnetization per unit volume of M. If the wires are composed of "soft" ferromagnetic materials, the magnetization depends on the value, B.sub.ext, of an externally applied field. For any value of M, even for a hard ferromagnetic material with constant, uniform magnetization, the dependence on the distance and wire diameter are as shown. The gradient values listed in Table 1 assume a typical wire magnetization such that 4 .pi. M=10 kiloGauss (kG), a value close to that of a rare earth magnetic alloy. Table 1 demonstrates that for a narrower wire, the field gradient at the surface of the wire is larger than for thicker wires, although the magnitude of the gradient falls off much more rapidly with distance from the wire.
TABLE I ______________________________________ Diameter of wire 0.2 .mu.m 2.0 .mu.m 20 .mu.m 200 .mu.m 2000 .mu.m Distance from grad B grad B grad B grad B grad B wire center (R) (kG/cm) (kG/cm) (kG/cm) (kG/cm) (kG/cm) ______________________________________ 0.1 .mu.m 600,000 -- -- -- -- 0.2 .mu.m 75,000 -- -- -- -- 0.5 .mu.m 4,800 -- -- -- -- 1.0 .mu.m 600 60,000 -- -- -- 2.0 .mu.m 75 7,500 -- -- -- 5.0 .mu.m 4.8 480 -- -- -- 10.0 .mu.m 0.6 60 6,000 -- -- 20.0 .mu.m 0.075 7.5 750 -- -- 50.0 .mu.m 0.0048 0.48 48 -- -- 0.10 mm 0.0006 0.06 6.0 600 -- 0.20 mm 0.000075 0.0075 0.75 75 -- 0.50 mm 0.0000048 0.00048 0.048 4.8 -- 1.0 mm -- 0.00006 0.006 0.6 60 2.0 mm -- -- 0.00075 0.075 7.5 5.0 mm -- -- 0.000048 0.0048 0.48 ______________________________________ EQU B.sub.int =[B.sub.ext (.mu.-1)D.sup.2 ]/[4(.mu.+1)R.sup.2 ]=2.pi.M D.sup.2 /4R.sup.3 (I) EQU grad B.sub.int =[B.sub.ext (.mu.-1)D.sup.2 ]/[4(.mu.+1)R.sup.3 ]=2.pi.M D.sup.2 /4R.sup.3 (II)
where
D=the diameter of a circular wire PA1 R=the distance from the center of the wire PA1 M=the wire magnetization PA1 .mu.=the magnetic permeability of the wire PA1 B.sub.ext =the magnitude of the external field perpendicular to the wire PA1 B.sub.int =the magnitude of the resultant internal field contribution PA1 grad B.sub.int =the magnitude of the resultant internal field gradient
A method and apparatus for separating cells and other fragile particles are described by Graham, et al in U.S. Pat. No. 4,664,796. The apparatus contains a rectangular chamber within a cylinder. One pair of opposing sides of the chamber are made of non-magnetic material, while the other sides are made of magnetic material. The flow chamber is packed with a magnetically responsive interstitial separation matrix of steel wool. The material to be separated is run through the chamber, which is positioned in a uniform magnetic field. During separation, the chamber is aligned in the magnetic field such that the magnetic sides of the chamber are parallel to the applied field lines, thus inducing high gradients about the interstitial matrix in the chamber. When the chamber is in this position, magnetically labeled cells are attracted to the matrix and held thereon, while the non-magnetic components are eluted. The chamber is then rotated, so that the magnetic sides face magnets, which "shunts" or "short-circuits" the magnetic field, reclines the gradients in the flow chamber, and allows the particles of interest to be removed by the shearing force of the fluid flow.
Other internal magnetic separation devices are known. Commonly owned U.S. Pat. No. 5,200,084 teaches the use of thin ferromagnetic wires to collect magnetically labeled cells from solution. U.S. Pat. No. 5,411,863 to Miltenyi teaches the use of coated steel wool, or other magnetically susceptible material to separate cells. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/424,271 now abandoned by Liberti and Wang teaches an internal HGMS device useful for immobilization, observation, and performance of sequential reactions on cells.
External gradient magnetic separators are also known for collecting magnetically responsive particles. External devices are so-named because in such devices, a high gradient magnetic field is produced by a suitable configuration of magnets positioned external to the separation vessel, rather than by an internal magnetic structure. A standard bar magnet, for example, produces a gradient because the magnetic field lines follow non-linear paths and "fan out" or bulge along respective paths from North to South. Typical gradients of about 0.1 to 1.5 kGauss/cm are produced by high quality laboratory magnets. These relatively low gradients can be increased by configuring a magnetic circuit to compress or expand the field line density. For example, a second bar magnet positioned in opposition to a first magnet causes repulsion between the two magnets. The number of field lines remains the same, but they become compressed as the two magnets are moved closer together. Thus, an increased gradient results. Adding magnets of opposing field to this dipole configuration to form a quadrupole further increases the extent of the high gradient region. Other configurations, such as adjacent magnets of opposing fields, can be employed to create gradients higher than those caused by a bar magnet of equivalent strength. Another method of increasing gradients in external field devices is to vary the shapes of the pole faces or pole pieces. For example, a magnet having a pointed face causes an increased gradient relative to a magnet having a flat pole face.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,326,374 to Jones and U.S. Pat. No. 3,608,718 to Aubrey describe typical external gradient separators. Dipole configured separators for preventing scale and lime build up in water systems are described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,228,878 to Moody and U.S. Pat. No. 4,946,590 to Herzog. Adjacent magnets of opposing polarity have been used in drum or rotor separators for the separation of ferrous and non-ferrous scrap, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,869,811 to Wolanski et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 4,069,145 to Sommer et al.
External gradient devices have also been used in the fields of cell separation and immunoassay. U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,970,518 and 4,018,886 to Giaever describe the use of small magnetic particles to separate cells using an actuating coil. Dynal Corp. (Oslo, Norway) produces separators employing simple external magnetic fields to separate carrier beads for various types of cell separations. Commonly owned U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,466,574 and 5,541,072 disclose the use of external fields to separate cells for solution to form a monolayer of cells or other biological components on the wall of a separation vessel. Resuspension and recovery of the collected material usually requires removal of the collection vessel from the gradient field and some level of physical agitation. Turning now to the magnetic particles used in such collection devices, superparamagnetic materials have in the last 20 years become the backbone of magnetic separations technology in a variety of healthcare and bioprocessing applications. Such materials, ranging in size from 25 nm to 100 .mu.m, have the property that they are only magnetic when placed in a magnetic field. Once the field is removed, they cease to be magnetic and can be redispersed into suspension. The basis for superparamagnetic behavior is that such materials contain magnetic cores smaller than 20-25 nm in diameter, which is estimated to be less than the size of a magnetic domain. A magnetic domain is the smallest volume for a permanent magnetic dipole to exist. Magnetically responsive particles can be formed about one or more such cores. The magnetic material of choice is magnetite, although other transition element oxides and mixtures thereof can be used.
Magnetic particles of the type described above have been used for various applications, particularly in health care, e.g. immunoassay, cell separation and molecular biology. Particles ranging from 2 .mu.m to 5 .mu.m are available from Dynal. These particles are composed of spherical polymeric materials into which magnetic crystallites have been deposited. These particles because of their magnetite content and size, are readily separated in relatively low external gradients (0.5 to 2 kGauss/cm). Another similar class of materials are particles manufactured by Rhone Poulenc which typically are produced in the 0.75 .mu.m range. Because of their size, they separate more slowly than the Dynal beads in equivalent gradients. Another class of material is available from Advanced Magnetics. These particles are basically clusters of magnetite crystals, about 1 .mu.m in size, which are coated with amino polymer silane to which bioreceptors can be coupled. These highly magnetic materials are easily separated in gradients as low as 0.5 kGauss/cm. Due to their size, both the Advanced Magnetics and Rhone Poulenc materials remain suspended in solution for hours at a time.
There is a class of magnetic material which has been applied to bioseparations which have characteristics which place them in a distinct category from those described above. These are nanosized colloids (see U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,452,773 to Molday; 4,795,698 to Owen, et al; 4,965,007 to Yudelson; 5,512,332 to Liberti & Piccoli; 5,597,531 to Liberti, et al and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/482,448 to Liberti, et al). They are typically composed of single to multi crystal agglomerates of magnetite coated with polymeric material which make them aqueous compatible. Individual crystals range in size from 8 to 15 nm. The coatings of these materials have sufficient interaction with solvent water to keep them permanently in a colloidal suspension. Typically, well coated materials below 150 nm will show no evidence of settling for as long as 6 months. These materials have substantially all the properties of ferrofluids.
Because of the small particle size and strong interaction with solvent water, substantial magnetic gradients are required to separate ferrofluids. It had been customary in the literature to use steel wool column arrangements described above which generate 100-200 kGauss/cm gradients. However, it was subsequently observed that such materials form "chains" (like beads on a string) in magnetic fields, thus allowing separation in gradient fields as low as 5 or 10 kGauss/cm. This observation led to development of separation devices using large gauge wires which generate relatively low gradients. Large gauge wires can be used to cause ferrofluids to produce uniform layers upon collection. By controlling amounts of ferrofluid in a system, a monolayer can be formed. Magnetically labeled cells can thus be made to form monolayers as described in commonly owned U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,186,827 and 5,466,574.
Analysis of the cellular composition of bodily fluids is used in the diagnosis of a variety of diseases. Microscopic examination of cells smeared or deposited on slides and stained by Romanowsky or cytochemical means has been the traditional method for cell analysis. Introduction of impedance based cell counters in the late 1950s has led to a major advance in the accuracy of cell enumeration and cell differentiation. Since then, various other technologies have been introduced for cell enumeration and differentiation such as Fluorescence Activated Flowcytometry, Quantitative Buffy Coat Analysis, Volumetric Capillary Cytometry and Laser Scanning Cytometry. Fluorescence based flowcytometry has improved the ability to discern different cell types in heterogeneous cell mixtures. Simultaneous assessment of multiple parameters of individual cells which pass a measurement orifice at a speed of up to 1,000 to 10,000 cells/sec is a powerful technology. However, there are limitations of the technology, such as an inability to analyze high cell concentration requiring dilution of blood, impracticability of detecting of infrequent or rare cells, and an inability to reexamine cells of interest. To overcome these limitations, clinical samples are typically subjected to various enrichment techniques such as erythrocyte lysis, density separation, immunospecific selection or depletion of cell populations prior to analysis by flowcytometry.
Many bioanalytical techniques involve identification and separation of target entities such as cells or microbes within a fluid medium such as bodily fluids, culture fluids or samples from the environment. It is also often desirable to maintain the target entity intact and/or viable upon separation in order to analyze, identify, or characterize the target entities. For example, to measure the absolute and relative number of cells in a specific subset of leukocytes in blood, a blood sample is drawn and incubated with a probe, for example a fluorescently labeled antibody specific for this subset. The sample is then diluted with a lysing buffer, optionally including a fixative solution, and the dilute sample is analyzed by flow cytometry. This procedure for analysis can be applied to many different antigens. However, the drawbacks to this procedure become apparent when large samples are required for relatively rare event analyses. In those situations, the time needed for the flow cytometer to analyze these samples becomes extremely long, making the analysis no longer feasible due to economic concerns.
One system which attempted to overcome some of the problems with flow cytometers was the so-called "Cytodisk," described in 1985 by DeGrooth, Geerken & Greve (Cytometry, 6: 226-233 (1985)). The authors describe a method of aligning cells in the grooves of a gramophone disk. The disk with dried cells was placed on a record player, and the arm of the record player was outfitted with an optical fiber immediately behind the needle. The needle kept the optical fiber aligned with the grooves in the record. The unicellular algae cells (3 microns in diameter) used in the reported experiment remained in the bottom of the groove, awaiting analysis by the optical system. The advantages of the Cytodisk included that cells could be subjected to multiparameter measurement with no optical cross-talk, individual cells could be indexed to said measurements, and cells could be measured repeatedly at different levels of analytical resolution. However, the system required that the cells be dried upon the gramophone record, a non-homogeneous process damaging to many cells. Even if cells were effectively dried upon the record for analysis, they would be dead cells. The current invention seeks to combine some of the benefits provided by the Cytodisk, including multiparameter measurement, indexing, and repeated measurement with new features which allow analysis of intact cells, which can be released for culturing or other re-use, including infusion back into a living organism.

Quantitative cell analysis methods employing magnetic separation


Disclosed is an automated staining apparatus (autostainer) capable of staining sample on a microscope slide. The autostainer is capable of limiting the amount of reagent used through a process including image acquisition and processing techniques, wherein an image of the slide is acquired and used to determine a region on the slide to be stained. Also disclosed are methods of using images acquired by the autostainer in sample processing. In addition, a system having the autostainer functionally linked to an imaging system is provided.

In the field of medical diagnostics and research, the detection, identification, quantification, and characterization of cells of interest, such as cancer cells, through testing of biological samples is an important aspect of diagnosis and research. Typically, a biological sample such as bone marrow, lymph nodes, peripheral blood, cerebrospinal fluid, urine, effusions, fine needle aspirates, peripheral blood scrapings or other biological materials are prepared by staining a sample to identify cells of interest.
In Fluorescent In Situ Hybridization (FISH) a fluorescently labeled oligonucleotide probe is added to a tissue sample on a microscope slide under conditions that allow for the probe to enter the cell and enter the nucleus. If the labeled sequence is complementary to a sequence in a cell on the slide a fluorescent spot will be seen in the nucleus when the cell is visualized on a fluorescent microscope. FISH has the advantage that the individual cells containing the DNA sequences being tested can be visualized in the context of the tissue.
Immunostaining techniques utilizing non-fluorescent techniques are also commonly used. Such techniques can include the formation of colored precipitates and enzyme based reaction to label a sample. The result of the staining provides, for example, a precipitate at a location comprising a particular biological molecule, cell, or characteristic of interest.
Both non-fluorescent and fluorescent manual staining techniques are time consuming, result in variability among samples, and often utilize hazardous reagents. To overcome these problems automated systems have been designed to introduce cost savings, uniformity of slide preparation, and reduction of errors. Automated slide stainers are widely used in pathology to stain tissue samples that have been cut with a microtome and placed on glass slides. One common type of automated slide stainer consists of a set of racks for holding slides flat over a drain pan and a robotic arm which can travel in x, y and z over the slides. The arm carries a set of fluid dispensers. Some of these are connected to pumps that dispense a single fluid such as buffer. Others are connected to valves and can be used to dispense several fluids and some may have syringe pumps attached so they can draw and dispense fluids from vials prepositioned under the arm's range of motion. Descriptions of exemplary automatic slide stainers can be found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,352,861; 6,183,693; 6,349,264; and 6,180,061, the contents of which incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. There are several limiting factors to these designs including (1) that it is helpful to be able to control where the reagent is placed relative to the tissue sample, and (2) some fluids such as wash buffers are poured on the slide in excess and allowed to flow off the sides of the slide into the drain but others such as custom synthesized antibodies for IHC stains are very expensive. Typically just enough of these expensive reagents to cover the tissue sample is dripped onto the slide and held in place by surface tension.


The present invention is directed to an apparatus and method for controlling a wire feeder. The wire feeder includes a wire feeder motor configured to drive delivery of a welding wire at an actual wire feed speed (WFS) according to a welding-type process. The wire feeder also includes a processor configured to adjust motor calibration parameters such that actual WFS matches a desired WFS.

The present invention relates generally to welding-type systems and, more particularly, to a system and method for calibrating wire feeder motors for improved starting and consumable delivery.
Performance demands on wire feeders and torches not only require accurate speed but also starting, acceleration, deceleration, and brake/braking control. That is, the consumable wire must be accurately controlled when starting a welding process and accurately disengaged upon termination of the welding-type process. Failure to accurately control startup and delivery of the consumable wire can result in excessive spatter, build-up on the tip of the wire, and generally less accurate welding.
Typical wire feeders have a driven roller assembly for driving a consumable metal wire from a feed spindle through a welding gun for introduction to a weld. The drive mechanism in these driven roller assemblies typically includes a motor or combination of motors. Operation of the motor or motors is typically directed by a motor control system including a controller or processor. In particular, the wire feed control system typically includes a fast acting back electromotive force (EMF) control loop and a slower tachometer feedback control loop. The controller uses feedback from the feedback loops to control the motor or motors based on a stored set of general calibration parameters of the motor.
Each feedback loop is designed to provide feedback regarding a particular phase of the welding-type process. That is, the back EMF control loop is generally designed to respond to instantaneous load changes and the tachometer feedback loop generally provides feedback regarding average wire feed speed. As such, the back EMF control loop is utilized during periods requiring fast responses to changing conditions while the tachometer feedback loop is designed to be utilized during stabilized conditions.
For example, during startup of the wire feeder motor, the controller utilizes feedback from the faster back EMF control loop to control the wire feeder motor. This is often preferred because a sufficient amount of data is typically not accumulated during the start-up phase of a welding-type process to allow the tachometer feedback control loop to be accurately interpreted. On the other hand, following the startup phase, the controller switches to using feedback from the tachometer feedback control loop.
However, the specific characteristic and tolerances of motors may vary and result in variations in startup and delivery wire feed speeds (WFS). Specifically, the generalized motor calibration parameters used to control a given motor may not sufficiently match the particular characteristics and tolerances of that motor. For example, generalized motor calibration parameters may be normalized for an entire line of wire feeder motors and not account for the operation of a particular wire feeder motor, such as a replacement motor. As such, generalized motor calibration parameters fail to precisely account for the idiosyncratic efficiencies or variations that nay be present across a line of line feeder motors. As a result, inconsistencies are possible when arc starting. These inaccurate starts can lead to degraded welding processes and result in failed starts, excessive spatter, build-up on the tip of the wire, and generally less accurate welding.
Accordingly, it would be desirable to have a system and method for calibrating wire feeder motor operation. Specifically, it would be desirable to have a system and method to automatically calibrate control of a wire feed motor that considers the particulars of the wire feeder motor to enhance arc starting performance and consistency.

System and method for calibrating wire feeder motor control


A wind turbine includes a main shaft rotatable around a rotation axis. The main shaft includes a first piece axially extending along the rotation axis, at least a second piece axially extending along the rotation axis, the second piece being axially adjacent to the first piece, a plurality of connections for fixing the second piece to the first piece.

In the technical field of wind turbines, components are getting larger and larger. In particular, this is true for the main shaft of the wind turbine.
It is for example known to build main shaft for wind turbines, which may reach eight or more meters of length, four or more meters of diameter and approximately 80 tons of weight.
The main shaft of a wind turbine may be manufactured by casting. However, only few manufactured exists, who can cast a single object of the dimensions above specified. An alternative could be manufacturing the shaft by forging, which however determines much higher costs.
Therefore, there is still a need to provide an improved design and method for the manufacturing of the main shaft of a wind turbine, which avoid the above described inconveniences at the same time providing to the shaft the required specifications, particularly in terms of fatigue and wear resistance.


To provide magnetic bearing devices capable of preventing undesirable consequences caused by conical mode or parallel mode resonance which is liable to occur during acceleration of a rotor. A band-pass filter 24 is connected in series with a PID control circuit 12 is for improving stiffness in a specific frequency band. A displacement of a rotor 2 detected by a displacement detector 30 is entered to a switcher 32. On the other hand, a rotational speed sensor 7 detects the revolving speed, and a compensator switching discriminator 26 causes a switch 32s of the switcher 32 to connect to an output terminal 32b or to an output terminal 32c when the revolving speed coincides with preset revolving speed data. The preset revolving speed data defines specific revolving speeds occurring below and above a frequency band which includes a first conical mode resonant frequency and a second conical mode resonant frequency. The position of the rotor 2 is adjusted by a magnetic bearing 38 based on an output of the PID control circuit 12.

The present invention relates to magnetic bearing devices and, more particularly, to magnetic bearing devices capable of preventing undesirable consequences caused by conical mode or parallel mode resonance which is likely to occur during acceleration of a rotor.
FIG. 9 shows a general constructional diagram of a turbomolecular pump provided with a three-axis-controlled magnetic bearing. The three-axis-controlled magnetic bearing employs a radial electromagnet 4 and an axial electromagnet 6 to keep a rotor 2 levitated by magnetic force. The revolving speed of the rotor 2 is detected by a rotational speed sensor 7. FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing an arrangement for radial position control performed in a conventional magnetic bearing device. For controlling the position of the rotor 2 in its radial direction, a displacement detector 30 comprises a radial position sensor 8 to detect the position of the rotor 2 and a displacement arithmetical circuit 10 to calculate its displacement. An output of the displacement arithmetical circuit 10 is passed through a PID control circuit 12 which has a PID control function, and is amplified in power by a power amplifier driving circuit 14 and a power amplifier 16. Then, the radial electromagnet 4 is driven to actively control the rotor 2. It is understood from the foregoing that the position control of the rotor 2 is carried out based simply on its displacement as detected by the radial position sensor 8. Since the radial position sensor 8 is mounted at a higher position than the center of gravity (not shown) of the rotor 2, it monitors displacements of an upper portion of the rotor 2. On the other hand, the displacement of a lower portion of the rotor 2, i.e., the portion lower than its center of gravity, is passively controlled by the axial electromagnet 6, an armature 18 and permanent magnets 20. Therefore, the lower portion of the rotor 2 can produce large deflecting motion which can cause the lower portion to go into contact with a touch-down bearing 22 when the rotor 2 is accelerated and its revolving speed reaches a resonant point which is characteristic of the turbomolecular pump. This deflecting motion involves simultaneous conical motions of both the upper and lower portions of the rotor 2 about its center of gravity. This phenomenon can cause wear of the bearing or temporary vibration. While the resonant point of this kind tends to vary depending on the revolving speed of the rotor 2, such deflecting motion is generally divided into motions in two directions according to the revolving speed, in which the motions in the two directions occur around a common stationary point. These motions are backward turning motion (precession) directed opposite to the revolving direction and forward turning motion (nutation) directed in the same direction as the revolving direction. Here, a point where resonance due to precession coincides with the revolving speed of the rotor 2 is defined as a first conical mode resonant point, while a point where resonance due to nutation coincides with the revolving speed of the rotor 2 is defined as a second conical mode resonant point. Besides these conical mode resonances, the turbomolecular pump can occasionally produce parallel mode resonance due to translational motion of the rotor 2, and this parallel mode resonance can also cause the rotor 2 to go into contact with the touch-down bearing 22 or temporary vibration to occur. In actuality, the conical mode resonance and parallel mode resonance occur simultaneously and they are combined in a complex manner in many cases. To avoid inconvenience which can occur at resonant points in such conical mode and parallel mode resonances, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 7-248021 discloses a method for improving stiffness in a low frequency range by connecting a plurality of band-pass filters 24 in parallel with the PID control circuit 12 as shown in FIG. 11.
Although provision of a plurality of band-pass filters 24 connected in parallel with the PID control circuit 12 will be advantageous to a certain extent in allowing the rotor 2 to exceed a conical mode resonant point, for instance, an improvement in stiffness in a much lower frequency range is desired in order to enable the rotor 2 to go beyond the resonant points in a stable manner. In this respect, a conventional circuit configuration in which the band-pass filters 24 consisting of phase lead elements alone are parallel-connected with the PID control circuit 12 is associated with the following problem as compared to a circuit configuration in which the band-pass filters 24 are series-connected with the PID control circuit 12. FIG. 12 shows Bode diagrams providing a comparison between a case where band-pass filters are series-connected with a PID control circuit and a case where the band-pass filters are parallel-connected with the PID control circuit. Solid lines in this Figure are for the configuration employing a series connection while broken lines are for the configuration employing a parallel connection. It can be seen from FIG. 12 that the parallel connection is less effective than the series connection in increasing gain or advancing phase when the same band-pass filters are used. Furthermore, analysis of transfer functions, for instance, becomes more complicated in the parallel connection compared to the series connection.


The present invention discloses a power supply device for outputting a stable programmable power supply, which comprises a transformer disposed at a DC output end of the power supply device, and a clamp circuit connected to a secondary current of the transformer. Since the clamp circuit is disposed on the secondary current of the transformer, therefore it does not require a high DC voltage to drive the clamp circuit. The clamp circuit can release the high voltage produced when the metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET) is off, and thus reducing the high voltage borne by the MOSFET to enhance the reliability of the MOSFET. Additionally, the present invention can prevent the transformer from being saturated due to magnetic leakage, inductance, and stored energies released or eliminated from the transformer.

In general, a switching power supply is extensively used for providing power supply. Most of the traditional power supply devices are linear power supply devices, which are usually used for an instrument providing a constant voltage and a constant current, which has a low ripple noise, a low EMI, a good modulation, and an easy-to-control features. Although the linear power supply device is popular, yet it still has certain shortcomings including a large power loss and a low power efficiency. Further, since the volume of the power supply device used for the instrument is large and inefficient, therefore it is a trend of using a switching-mode technique for the manufacture of the power supply device for instruments, and such technology is used to provide a power density and a power efficiency.
Please refer to FIG. 1 for the traditional switching power supply, which uses the repeated changes of electric connections and cutoffs of a circuit to switch a DC voltage to a specific frequency after the voltage is rectified and filtered. The result is filtered to obtain a fixed output voltage, instead of a voltage output not changing according to a programmable control.
Generally speaking, a switching power supply is a high frequency electronic device with an operating frequency ranging from 20 KHz to 200 KHz. In a system circuit, its power switch such as a MOSFET generally uses a transistor working in a saturation and cutoff area. However, the traditional linear power supply device generally uses a transistor working in a linear area and using it as a rheostat to modulate unstable input voltages. In this type of circuit, the passive component must bear a current that varies with its loading. Once there is a change to the input voltage or a sudden increase to the loading, then the power consumed by the passive component will change or increase accordingly. Therefore, the total system power loss will be increased, and the efficiency will drop. However, the switching power supply does not work completely in the linear area. Therefore, even the range of changes to the input voltage and the loading is very large, an efficiency higher than that of a linear power supply can be obtained.
Please refer to FIG. 2 for a flyback power supply circuit. Since its transformer also acts as an inductor for outputting stored energy, and the secondary terminal just needs a diode, and the C1 is mainly used for modulating the power factor of the power supply device.
Further, the power stage comprised of a pulse width modulation (PWM) IC, Q1, and T1 mainly uses the PWM IC to control the electric connection of the electronic switch of the transistor Q1. With the diode D1 and the capacitor CO of the secondary current, a DC voltage output is obtained. However, when the transistor Q1 is electrically connected, the primary current of the transformer T1 will have a primary current to pass through. Since the polarities of the primary and secondary currents of the transformer are opposite, the diode D1 will have a reverse bias voltage, and thus will not output any power, and is unable to have any feedback to the circuit to control the ON/OFF cycle of the PWM IC. Since the current is stored in the transformer T1, the transformer T1 will be worn out tremendously.
In view of the shortcomings of the above-mentioned traditional linear power supply device that once there is a change to the input voltage or a sudden increase to the loading, the power consumed by the passive component will change or increase accordingly, thus increasing the overall system power loss and lowering the efficiency accordingly, the inventor of the present invention based on years of experience on the manufacture and technological development of power supply devices to perform extensive researches, developments, and experiments, and finally invented a power supply device for outputting a stable power supply in accordance with the present invention.
In addition, although the primary terminal of the transformer is connected to a clamp circuit (comprised of D2 and D3) for clamping the voltage of the passing current, it still results in a lower efficiency than the original efficiency since the voltage of the primary current is higher. Furthermore, D2 and D3 must be a high voltage resisting diode, and its cost is higher than that of the general diodes.
Please refer to FIG. 3 for a forward power supply circuit. Its main difference from the flyback circuit resides on that the forward power supply circuit additionally uses a Schottky diode and an inductor at the secondary section of the power stage. When Q1 is cut off, the voltage polarity of the current isolated from the transformer is reversed, so that the voltage of the D2 diode becomes a reverse bias voltage and not electrically connected. However, the D3 diode is electrically connected. Then, the energy at the loading end is supplied by the energy stored in L0 and C0 via D3. Therefore, in the topology of the forward circuit, the L0 and C0 are also energy storage components besides acting as a low pass filter. The components adopted by the forward circuit are similar to those used by the flyback circuit, but since the reverse bias voltage from the Ti One Aspect Circuit is accumulated with the output voltage of C0 to double the output voltage when the Q2 transistor is turned off, therefore the voltage resistance of Q1 must be at least 800V. Although the forward circuit can reduce the primary and secondary current passing through the transformer which can reduce the copper loss of the transformer, the transformer adds a third coil and thus increases the cost.

Power supply device for outputting stable programmable power supply


A side airbag apparatus is provided with an airbag which is stored within a vehicle seat. A rear portion of the airbag is fixed to the vehicle seat. Further, the side airbag apparatus is provided with an inflator which is arranged within a rear portion of the airbag and is fixed to the vehicle seat. The side airbag apparatus jets out gas from the inflator in correspondence to an impact applied to a vehicle from a side direction, and inflates and deploys the airbag between a body side portion and the vehicle seat. Further, a vent hole for discharging the gas within the airbag is provided between a gas outlet of the inflator and at least one of an upper end and a lower end of a rear portion of the airbag. Further, the airbag is folded in such a manner as to start and finish an inflation of the airbag finally in the vicinity of the vent hole between the vent hole and the gas outlet.

The present invention relates to a side airbag apparatus structured such as to inflate and deploy an airbag between a body side portion and a seat for a vehicle in the case that an impact is applied to the vehicle from a side direction, and to reduce the impact by the airbag so as to protect an occupant.
A side airbag apparatus is widely known as an apparatus for protecting an occupant from impact applied from a side of a vehicle, such as in the case of side collision. The side airbag apparatus includes an inflator and an airbag or the like. The airbag is stored in a seat back (a backrest portion) of the seat for the vehicle in a state of being folded so as to be made compact.
In the side airbag apparatus, when an impact is applied from the side of a body side portion of a vehicle, the inflator discharges gas into the airbag. The airbag is inflated and deployed by the gas and shoots forward out of the seat back in a state of leaving a part of the airbag within the seat back. The airbag is then inflated and deployed forward from the backrest in a narrow space between the occupant seated in the vehicle seat and the body side portion. The inflated and deployed airbag is interposed between the occupant and the body side portion making an intrusion into a passenger compartment so as to restrain the occupant. The gas within the airbag is thereafter discharged to the outside of the airbag through a vent hole provided in the airbag. The impact transmitted to the occupant from the side direction through the body side portion is reduced on the basis of the inflation and deployment of the airbag and the reduction of the internal pressure of the airbag caused by discharge of the gas.
In many cases, the vent hole is provided in a vehicle outer side or a vehicle inner side in the airbag in a state of being deployed without being filled with the gas. In addition, there have been proposed a side airbag apparatus in which a vent hole is provided in a front end of an airbag as disclosed in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 8-225054, a side airbag apparatus in which a vent hole is provided in a vehicle seat as disclosed in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2001-114065.
In accordance with any one of the side airbag apparatuses mentioned above, the vent hole is provided in a section which is away from a gas outlet of an inflator for delaying a discharge timing of the gas from the airbag. However, in the apparatus disclosed in each of the publications, only the position of the vent hole is contrived. Accordingly, there is a risk that that the gas is unnecessarily discharged through the vent hole from a starting time of the inflation of the airbag. Therefore, the amount of the gas fed to the airbag from the inflator is reduced at an amount of the gas discharged at the starting time of the inflation of the airbag. Accordingly, an ascent of an internal pressure of the airbag is deadened and the speed of inflating and deploying the airbag becomes slower.


Methods and apparatus are provided for non-invasively determining blood pH by a multivariate analysis technique, such as classical least squares (CLS), partial least squares (PLS), or principal components regression (PCR). The technique employs at least one spectral factor based on the difference in the spectrum of a hemoglobin fraction (e.g., oxyhemoglobin) at two different pH's (e.g., pH 7.2 and pH 7.8). The spectral factor is preferably evaluated over the wavelength range of 520-680 nm.

Measurement of blood pH is important in the critical care environment. Commercially available blood gas instruments measure pH, PO.sub.2 and pCO.sub.2. These instruments require either the extraction of a blood sample for in vitro instruments or the use of an invasive sensor for in vivo measurements. A non-invasive measurement of blood pH is desirable because it would eliminate the necessity of sample extraction or an invasive sensor, and would allow for continuous monitoring.
Hemoglobin oxygen saturation has been non-invasively monitored by means of pulse oximetry. Although widely used in the United States and elsewhere, these instruments have been limited to measuring oxygen saturation and have not provided information regarding blood pH.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,355,880 (the "'880 patent"), assigned to Sandia Corporation, presents a generalized discussion of the non-invasive (optical) measurement of blood gas parameters, including pH. Significantly, with regard to the present invention, this patent teaches away from using wavelengths in the 520-680 nm range. Thus, although the patent broadly discloses the use of wavelengths in the 500 nm to 2500 nm range to measure pH, PCO.sub.2, HCO.sub.3.sup.- !, PO.sub.2, and O.sub.2 saturation, in its examples it uses wavelengths in the 640-970 nm range for its multiple linear regression and best ratio analyses ('880 patent at column 24, lines 18-20 and 48-51), and in the 700-800 nm range for its partial least squares analysis ('880 patent at column 25, line 28). Further, in FIG. 10, the patent presents correlation coefficients for pH only for wavelengths in the 650-975 nm range. Along these same lines, the patent describes the prior art spectroscopic determination of pH in non-biological systems as using wavelengths in the 1100-2500 nm range ('880 patent at column 7, lines 40-42; see also column 28, lines 28-41).
The effect of pH on the spectrum of methemoglobin (MetHb) is known and has been reported in the literature. See Brunzel et al., "pH-Dependent Absorption in the B and Q Bands of Oxyhemoglobin and Chemically Modified Oxyhemoglobin (BME) at Low CL.sup.- Concentrations," Biophysical Journal, 49:1069-1076, 1986. The use of the MetHb spectrum for prediction of pH, however, is problematic since MetHb typically represent only about 1% of the total hemoglobin in blood.
The effect of pH on the spectrum of oxyhemoglobin (O.sub.2 Hb) has also been studied. See Brunzel et al., supra; and Wimberley et al., "Effect of pH on the Absorption Spectrum of Human Oxyhemoglobin: a Potential Source of Error in Measuring the Oxygen Saturation of Hemoglobin," Clinical Chemistry, 34:750-754, 1988. The focus of these studies, however, has not been on the use of an oxyhemoglobin spectrum to determine pH, but rather on obtaining a theoretical understanding of the chemistry of the heme group in the case of the Brunzel et al. work, and on controlling the effects of pH during the calibration of oxygen saturation meters in the case of the Wimberley et al. work. Neither reference in any way discloses or suggests the use of an oxyhemoglobin spectrum to non-invasively determine blood pH.


A system, method, and computer program product for executing a task via a communication network, including devices configured to establish the communication network, wherein each of the devices includes a database having a capability of the devices, wherein the devices are adapted for executing a pre-defined set of activities indicative of the task. The device further includes a resource module adapted to select an optimal capability among the devices for performing the task based on the capability of the devices and a decision module adapted to allocate the task among the devices based on the selection of the optimal capability among the devices. The device further includes an execution module adapted to perform the task in any of the devices based on the allocation of the optimal capability among the devices and wherein the application resource is exchanged among the devices prior to invoking the task.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates generally to a communication network system and more particularly, to a mechanism for performing at least one task using multiple devices connected by the communication network.
2. Discussion of the Background
The device is defined as a mobile or a fixed device configurable to work in a wireless environment. Communication network may be categorized as both an ad-hoc communication network and a fixed communication network. Ad-hoc communication network is a short-range wireless network comprising an arbitrary collection of devices that are physically close enough to exchange information. The ad-hoc network is constructed quickly with devices as they enter and leave the proximity of the remaining devices.
Typically, each device in the communication network is adapted to provide a set of services with varying capabilities to perform multiple tasks. However, in some cases, a particular device may not have the required service to perform multiple tasks. Conventionally, technologist has invented applications that make use of and combine the specific capabilities provided by different types of devices.
Typically, this is done by following similar patterns of behavior for service discovery protocols. A service description is created using a description language and an appropriate vocabulary and is made available for query matching. Some systems advertise the service description by pushing the description to a directory and requiring the advertisers to discover the directory. Other systems advertise the service description by making the descriptions available for peer-to-peer discovery. A client device that needs to discover the service description composes a query using a query language and a matching vocabulary and uses either a query protocol or a decentralized query-processing server to deliver the query.
In addition to this, service discovery protocols in the typical systems require sending and replying to inquiry messages. If no other device is present, the inquiry messages are sent in vain. During the execution of these systems, firstly, a request is sent from a first device to a second device for enquiring on the services available, secondly, a confirmation is sent by the second device providing the list of services and finally, an application is performed on the first device using the services of the first device and the second device. However, as will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art, the above system have certain drawbacks.
Firstly, the user of the device spends considerable amount of time discovering the available external resources. To provide a true pervasive computing environment, systems should be designed around enhancing the productivity of the end user. Secondly, the connection between the device and resources are not automatically setup without any user intervention. Typically, the information is only exchanged when the user wants to execute a particular task. Thirdly, the information regarding the history, environmental parameters, device capabilities and preferences are not exchanged. Fourthly, the distribution and allocation of task among the multiple devices based on the capabilities of the devices are not done using the present method.
Accordingly, there is a need for a technique that enables performing the task using multiple devices connected by the communication network such that the device automatically identifies the optimum resource required to perform the task.

System for performing a task in a communication network and methods thereof


A semiconductor structure and a method for managing semiconductor wafer stress are disclosed. The semiconductor structure includes a semiconductor wafer, a first stress layer disposed on and in contact with a backside of the semiconductor wafer, and a second stress layer on and in contact with the first stress layer. The first stress layer exerts a first stress on the semiconductor wafer and the second layer exerts a second stress on the semiconductor wafer that is opposite the first backside stress. The method includes forming a first stress layer on and in contact with a backside of a semiconductor wafer, and further forming a second stress layer on and in contact with the first stress layer. The first stress layer exerts a first stress on the semiconductor wafer and the second stress layer exerts a second stress on the semiconductor wafer that is opposite to the first stress.

The present disclosure generally relates to the field of semiconductors, and more particularly relates to managing semiconductor wafer stress and topography.
In the field of semiconductor wafer fabrication, structures and layers deposited on a wafer impart stress onto the underlying substrate. As industry demands increase for lighter and thinner semiconductor wafers, these wafers are more susceptible to relatively significant distortions in wafer topography upon application of such stressors. As critical dimensions continue to decrease, issues such as topography and overlay errors become more significant in semiconductor wafer manufacturing. Wafers that are distorted due to wafer bowing can interfere with downstream processes, such as chemical mechanical planarization (CMP) or subsequent lithography steps, and can result in systematic with-die variability and yield loss. In addition, severely bowed wafers can crack and cause a significant cost penalty in equipment maintenance.

Wafer backside engineering for wafer stress control

International Business Machines Corporation


A photo sharing system with a face recognition function includes a photo browser and a photo sharing platform. The photo browser allows a user to browse plural photos, and includes a user interface that shows the plural photos; a photo classification module that is activated to automatically classify the plural photos into groups according to face images contained in the plural photos and identified by the face recognition function while showing the groups of photos on the user interface for selection; and a photo transmission module that is activated to automatically pack and transmit a selected one of the groups of photos to a photo sharing platform in the cloud. The photo sharing platform includes a photo file management module that manages at least a photo folder that stores the selected group of photos.

In modern life, various daily activities are recoded by shooting photos to store associated histories of the activities. In addition, a photo sharing method is a way of making contact with friends or family to communicate life experience and emotion.
There are several photo sharing methods for sharing photos to others. For example, the photos may be shared to other persons through e-mail boxes or the photos may be published on personal web pages or social networking websites.
Conventionally, during the process of sharing photos, the photos need to be successively browsed by the user, then the photos to be shared to the same person are stored in a folder, and finally the photos are transmitted to an electronic mail or uploaded to the social networking website. However, if the number of photos and the amount of persons for receiving the shared photos are too huge, the procedures of successively browsing the photos and manually classifying the photos are time-consuming and troublesome.
Therefore, there is a need of providing an improved photo sharing system in order to increase the efficacy of sharing photos.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Photo sharing system with face recognition function


Apparatuses for direct cabled connections of fabric signals—i.e., high-speed data signals exchanged between computer processors and peripheral devices. Specifically, varying apparatus configurations are outlined herein for minimizing, if not eliminating, the routing of these fabric signals through printed circuit boards, which tend to cause signal quality degradation due to phenomena such as the skin effect and dielectric loss.

Concerning inter-device signaling, it is becoming increasingly challenging to maintain signal quality as speeds for said signaling increase. In computing systems, fabric signals tend to be routed through one or more printed circuit boards (e.g., riser card(s) and/or backplane board(s)) interposed between computer processor(s) and peripheral device(s), which cause high loss of signal strength and/or integrity.

Apparatus for direct cabled connection of fabric signals


A method and an apparatus for generating soft-decision information in a multiple antenna system are provided. The method includes determining Q candidate symbol vectors for a first transmission symbol of a received signal vector by performing parallel detection on a received signal vector and a channel matrix, determining a candidate symbol vector having a shortest Euclidean distance to the received signal vector from among the Q candidate symbol vector, as an approximate Maximum Likelihood (ML) symbol vector, determining (Q−1) candidate symbol vectors for each of the remaining transmission symbols of the received signal vector by performing partial parallel detection on the received signal vector and the channel matrix using the approximate ML symbol vector, and calculating Log Likelihood Ratios (LLRs) of bits of the first transmission symbol using the candidate symbol vectors, wherein Q represents a modulation order.

In a multiple antenna system using spatial multiplexing, a transmitter may transmit different channel-coded signals simultaneously through a plurality of transmission antennas, and a receiver may receive a signal in which transmission signals carrying different information transmitted from the transmitter through the plurality of transmission antennas are combined in space. Thus, the receiver needs to separate the spatially multiplexed signals and generate soft-decision values as a channel decoder input by soft-deciding channel-coded signals. In order generate the soft-decision values, the receiver needs a plurality of candidate symbol vectors. Accordingly, the receiver needs to detect the candidate symbol vectors with minimal complexity.
According to the related art, an algorithm that detects candidate symbol vectors is Maximum Likelihood Detection (MLD). MLD offers optimum performance but is very complex. In this context, tree search-based reception algorithms having low complexity without much performance degradation relative to MLD, such as, for example, List Sphere Decoding (LSD) and QR Decomposition-M algorithm (QRD-M) have been proposed. However, even if a tree search scheme is used to detect the candidate symbol vectors, a large volume of computation is still required to achieve performance approximate to the performance of MLD. Moreover, a detection time varies depending on a channel state or a noise magnitude in LSD and a sorting algorithm is needed for tree search in QRD-M.
In most multiple antenna systems using spatial multiplexing according to the related art, a receiver calculates soft-decision values of candidate symbol vectors by max-log approximation in order to reduce computation complexity. The use of max-log approximation may simplify the design problem of a receiver that generates soft-decision values to the design problem of a receiver that generates hard-decision values. With the use of a major technique for generating hard-decision information, Sphere Detection (SD), a receiver that generates soft-decision values with the same performance and low complexity relative to MLD may be designed. Nonetheless, SD still has high complexity and a detection time varies due to computation complexity depending on a channel state or a noise magnitude.
The above information is presented as background information only to assist with an understanding of the present disclosure. No determination has been made, and no assertion is made, as to whether any of the above might be applicable as prior art with regard to the present disclosure.

Apparatus and method for generating soft-decision information in a multiple antenna system


Embodiments of the present application provide a method and a device for transmitting data, which are capable of achieving timely data transmission. The method includes: starting, by a receiving end, a timer of a first delivery mode when determining that data delivered and data to be delivered are not continuous, where the first delivery mode is used to indicate that the receiving end directly delivers data to an upper layer upon the receipt of the data; and delivering, the receiving end, the data to be delivered to the high level using the first delivery mode in a case where the timer of the first delivery mode does not expire.

In a Long Term Evolution (LTE) system, a Radio Link Control (RLC) entity delivers data to a Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) layer in order, that is, a Service Data Unit (SDU) n must be delivered to the PDCP layer before an SDU n+1.
However, in a New Radio (NR) system, in some cases, there is no need to deliver in order. Therefore, a new delivery manner is needed to meet the needs of different scenarios.

GUANGDONG OPPO MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATIONS CORP., LTD.


A terminal apparatus transmits one random access preamble in multiple time sections, and changes a transmit beam to be used to transmit the one random access preamble in one of the multiple time sections or each of the multiple time sections, and monitors a random access response to the one random access preamble. The random access response includes first information for identifying any one of the multiple time sections.

At present, as a radio access system and a radio network technology aimed for the fifth generation cellular system, technical investigation and standard development are being conducted, as extended standards of Long Term Evolution (LTE), on LTE-Advanced Pro (LTE-A Pro) and New Radio technology (NR) in The Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) (NPL 1).
In the fifth generation cellular system, three services of enhanced Mobile BroadBand (eMBB) to achieve high-speed and large-volume transmission, Ultra-Reliable and Low Latency Communication (URLLC) to achieve low-latency and high-reliability communication, and massive Machine Type Communication (mMTC) to allow connection of a large number of machine type devices such as Internet of Things (IoT) have been demanded as assumed scenarios.
In order to broaden coverage mainly in a high-frequency cell with high-attenuation, covering the entire cell by configuring multiple areas in a cell by beamforming, and sequentially transmitting signals for respective areas has been discussed in NR (NPL 2).

Terminal apparatus, base station apparatus, communication method, and integrated circuit


An immunoassay cartridge for sensing at least one analyte in a biological sample is disclosed. The immunoassay cartridge comprises a supporting plate, a reaction cavity made within the supporting plate and having at least one analyte-binding molecule immobilized therein, a sample receiving end connected to the reaction cavity to allow the biological sample to flow into the reaction cavity for forming at least one complex of the analyte and the analyte-binding molecule, a first package containing a recognizing molecule, a first channel communicating the first package and the reaction cavity to allow the recognizing molecule to flow into the reaction cavity for forming a first product of the complex and the complex-binding molecule, a second package containing a buffer solution and a second channel communicating the second package and the reaction cavity to allow the buffer solution to flow into the reaction cavity.

Immunoassays using immobilized immunoreagents are in widespread use for the detection and quantification of biological molecules in samples. An immunoreagent, which may comprise an antibody or antigen, is first immobilized on a solid surface, such as a test tube, microplate, beads or the like. The immobilized reagent is then contacted with a sample solution containing a complementary immunoreagent, whereby an immobilized immunocomplex is formed between the immunoreagent and complementary immunoreagent. The immobilized immunocomplex can be separated from the unreacted sample solution, preferably with repeated washing of the immobilized immunocomplex. The separated immunocomplex may be subjected to further processing to quantitate the amount of the immunocomplex. Quantitative methods include, for example, radioimmunoassay (RIA), wherein the amount of the adsorbed immunocomplex may be determined by counting radioactive disintegrations; enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), wherein the adsorbed immunocomplex, which has an enzyme coupled thereto, is contacted with a substrate for the enzyme to produce a detectable product; immunofluorescent assay, wherein the fluorescent intensity of a fluorescent substance linked to the immunocomplex is measured; and chemiluminescent assay wherein the chemiluminescence of a chemiluminescent agent is measured.
Processes of the immunoassays, however, take time and resources. In addition, errors generated during the complex immunoassay accumulate gradually. For example, the enzymatic immunoassay is conducted by measuring the fluorescence intensity of the substrate after a certain period of time, either stopping the enzyme reaction with a stopping solution or not. In these steps, the duration from the initiation of enzyme reaction to the measurement should be strictly controlled, and so-called zero point correction is needed for the fluorescence intensity of the substrate because the intensity at the starting point is not always zero.
Except above descriptions, a researcher or an operator usually needs to load samples, pipette reagents or add a substrate into a test tube upon a bench, pour the liquid inside the test tube directly over the lab sink, and place the test tube into a machine, e.g. the ELISA reader, when the immunoassay has been initiated. Accordingly, it takes time and energy for the researcher or the operator to complete the assay. In addition, contaminations cannot effectively avoided as long as the assay is carried out by humans.

Immunoassay devices and methods of using same


A lens control device, for controlling driving of a second lens unit for correcting image movement regarding movement of a variating first lens unit, comprises: a storage unit for storing data indicating the position of the second lens unit corresponding to the position of the first lens unit created for a predetermined focal distance; a control unit for generating information to control driving of the second lens unit based on the data, and for controlling driving of the second lens unit based on this information; and a distance detecting unit for detecting distance to the focus object; wherein the control unit restricts the range of the generated information based on the detection results from the distance detecting unit. Or, the control unit controls driving for the second lens unit to generate the information, and performs weighting based on detection results from the distance detecting unit relating to driving control.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to optical equipment such as a video camera, digital camera, and so forth.
2. Description of the Related Art
With regard to cameras with non-interchangeable lenses, there are demands for reduction in size, the ability to photograph subjects from as close as possible, and so forth. Therefore, rather than interlocking a correcting lens and a variable power lens mechanically by a cam, a so-called inner focus type lens is becoming mainstream, wherein the movement locus of the correcting lens is input in advance as lens cam data within a microcomputer, which drives the correcting lens according to this lens cam data, and further sets the focus by means of this correcting lens.
FIG. 8 is a figure that illustrates the configuration of a lens system with the current inner focus type. Here, reference numeral 901 denotes a fixed front lens, 902 denotes a zoom lens for variable power (also referred to as a variator lens: first lens unit), 903 denotes an aperture diaphragm, 904 denotes a fixed lens that is fixed, and 905 denotes a focus lens (second lens unit) to be used as a correcting lens, which provides a focal point adjusting function and a function that corrects the movement of the image based on the variable power. Further, 906 denotes an imaging plane.
With a lens system configured as in FIG. 8, the focus lens 905 provides both a compensator function and a focal point adjusting function, therefore even if the focal point distance is equal, the position of the focus lens 905 for converging with the imaging plane 906 differs based on the subject distance. When the subject distance is changed with regard to each focal point distance, and when the position of the focus lens 905 is continuously plotted to focus with the subject image on the imaging plane 906, the result is as shown in FIG. 9. While zooming in or out, selecting a locus corresponding to the subject distance from the multiple loci illustrated in FIG. 9 moves the focus lens 905 according to the selected locus, thereby enabling variable power (zooming) while storing the focused state.
Now, with regards to the type of a lens system where the front lens performs the focusing, a focus lens independent of the zoom lens is provided, and further, the zoom lens and the focus lens are mechanically linked to a cam ring. Therefore, in the case of trying to rotate the cam ring manually and change the focal point for example, even if the cam ring is moved very fast, the cam ring follows and rotates. The zoom lens and the focus lens move in the direction of the optical axis, according to the cam formed by the cam ring, and therefore, is the focus lens is in a converging position, the image will not blur due to zooming.
In contrast to this, a lens system of an inner focus type generally records in memory the information of the multiple loci illustrated in FIG. 9 (also called electronic cam locus) or the information corresponding to this (in other words, either information indicating the locus itself, or a function wherein the lens position is a variable, is suitable), selects a locus based on the positions of the focus lens and the zoom lens, and performs zooming while moving along the selected locus.
Now, in the case that the zoom lens moves in the direction from telephoto to wide angle, focus can be maintained using the above-described locus following method, because it converges from a state wherein multiple loci have a given amount of spacing in between, as is apparent from FIG. 9. However, in the direction from wide angle to telephoto, the focus lens that was at the convergence point is uncertain which locus to follow, and therefore focus cannot be maintained with a similar locus following method.
Therefore, Japanese Patent No. 2,795,439 (Claims, FIGS. 3 and 4, and the description thereof) discloses a control method (zigzag movement) wherein, using an AF evaluation value signal (sharpness signal) obtained from the high frequency component of the image signal by using a TV-AF method, when moving the zoom lens (variable power), the focus lens is forced to move so as to be off focus from the focus position, and further, performs repeated control of switching and moving the focus lens toward the direction of focus (changing the following speed to the locus), thereby correcting the following locus. Further, Japanese Patent No. 2,795,439 discloses a method of changing the increase/decrease cycle of the sharpness signal by means of changing the amount of change of the following speed corresponding to the subject, the focal point distance, and the depth of field, and attempts improvement of selection (generating) accuracy of the following locus selection.
The zigzag movement disclosed in the aforementioned Japanese Patent No. 2,795,439 specifies the following locus based on the change of the AF evaluation value. Further, the evaluation value changes not only according to the status of blurring of the image, but also changes according to the pattern changes of the subject. Therefore, considering that there may be cases wherein the focus lens movement switching is switched in the wrong direction, the correction range of the following locus is set as a wide range so as to be able to return to the correct locus even if initially moving in the wrong direction.
On the other hand, when the setting is for such a wide correction range, in the event that the movement deviates from the locus that should be used, the image may blur until moved back to the correct locus. Further, in the case of moving the focus lens in the wrong direction, image blurring may occur wherein the AF evaluation value level in particular is greatly decreased, or when image-taking a subject with low contrast, the correct locus may not be found, and there is the possibility that the image blur is carried all the way to the telephoto edge.
Further, in the case of image-taking a subject with a high frequency, when the following locus is trying to be set by means of the zigzag movement, arbitrary image blurring can occur. In order to make this type of image blurring less conspicuous, the AF evaluation value level, which determines the reverse timing of the drive direction of the focus lens wherein the zigzag movement can be adjusted according to the subject conditions, can be adjusted, but eliminating the occurrence of all image blurring of the subject related to the zigzag movement is difficult.
Further, with the TV-AF method, due to the signal detection cycle obtained by the AF evaluation value being a vertical synchronizing signal cycle, the sharpness of locus selection becomes poorer as the zooming speed becomes faster, and consequently, the rate of mistaken following locus selection increases.


Process for sterilising a resistant starch composition comprising: (a) dispersing said resistant starch composition in oil; (b) heating the starch/oil dispersion obtained in step (a) to a target temperature of 100 to 175° C., preferably about 150° C.; and (c) cooling the starch/oil dispersion; sterilised resistant starch obtained by this process and uses thereof.

It has been known for some years that a part of the starch contained in the human diet can pass the small intestine without being digested. This fraction of food starch is called resistant starch. Different forms of starch have been found to be resistant to digestion. A classification of resistant starches has been given by Englyst and Cummings (Am. J. Clin. Nutr. (1987) 45 423-431). These authors distinguish between three types of resistant starches:
Type 1: Starch which is physically inaccessible to digestive enzymes (e.g. grains and seeds);
Type 2: Raw starch granules (present in e.g. raw potato and green banana); and
Type 3: Retrograded starch (found in cooked and cooled potatoes, bread and cornflakes for example).
Because it is not enzymatically digested in the small intestine, resistant starch reaches the colon where it becomes a substrate for fermentation by the gut's anaerobic microflora. This fermentation leads to increased nitrogen fixation, to the production of gases (e.g. H2, CH4 and CO2) and, importantly, to an increased formation of short chain fatty acids (SCFAs). The type and quantity of SCFA formed depends on the type of carbohydrate being fermented. However, the main SCFAs produced are acetate, propionate and n-butyrate.
Compared with other, less fermentable fibres such as non-starch polysaccharides, resistant starch produces a significantly greater molar quantity of n-butyrate (20-28% vs. 10-15%). This is considered important because of the major role that butyrate plays in the maintenance of a healthy digestive system. For example, butyrate is a prime substrate for energy metabolism in the colonocyte and acts as a growth factor to the healthy epithelium.
In normal cells, butyrate has been shown to induce proliferation at the crypt base, enhancing healthy tissue turnover and maintenance. In inflamed mucosa, butyrate stimulates regeneration of the diseased lining of the gut. In neoplastic cells, butyrate inhibits proliferation at the crypt surface, thus preventing the development of potential tumours. Moreover, models of experimental carcinogenesis in animals have shown butyrate's potential to modify a number of metabolic steps in the cell cycle such that early stages of cancer development may be counteracted while later stages may be slowed down. Thus, butyrate (and, by extension, resistant starch) has the potential to support the maintenance of a healthy digestive system and to reduce the risk of gut inflammation and colorectal cancer.
It is recognised that a healthy digestive system is essential to overall quality of life. The intestinal tract is indeed the organ through which nutrients that are required for growth, development and health are absorbed and through which undesired and waste substances are excreted. There has therefore been great interest by the food industry in the development of new high resistant starch products. To date, these include Actistar (Cerestar), CrystaLean (Opta Food Ingredients) and Novelose (National Starch and Chemical Company), for example.
It has now been found that products containing resistant starch could beneficially be used (instead of or in addition to other dietary fibres) in clinical nutrition. Due to the increased susceptibility of individuals in poor health and of those undergoing (or having undergone) treatment or surgery, it is important that any nutritional products administered to them be free from contamination. Food products are therefore preferably sterilised before administration. Sterilisation is usually achieved by UHT (ultra high temperature) treatment. Unfortunately, it has been found that resistant starch does not have very high thermal stability and, accordingly, that unacceptable levels are lost if submitted to high temperature sterilisation.
Methods of producing sterilised starch compositions exist in the art. However, none are suitable for the present use. In particular, none address the problem of resistant starch loss during high temperature treatment. U.S. Pat. No. 4,671,966, for example, discloses a method for the production of a thickener concentrate comprising sterilising a fatty material/starch product mix which is then emulsified with water under violent agitation and packaged. The application is not concerned with preventing starch degradation, let alone with trying to prevent the loss of resistant starch structures. Nor does the application relate to the preparation of sterile nutritional compositions. U.S. Pat. No. 4,671,966 is thus in a completely different field to that of the present invention.
FR 2686485 (Laiterie de Saint-Denis de l'Hotel) discloses a "sterilised" food composition, the ingredients of which are divided into two phases: a dry, powder phase (comprising the starch) and a sterilised, liquid phase. The two phases are packaged separately and mixed only upon use. The product can thus be stored for long periods without spoiling. However, there are several disadvantages to this method from the point of view of clinical nutrition. First, not all the ingredients are sterilised (only those comprised in the liquid phase). The risk of contamination (e.g. bacteria, moulds, etc.) is therefore not completely eliminated. In addition, the product is not ready to use. In clinical situations, it is often desirable to be able to administer nutrition directly to the patient, e.g. by enteral administration. The product described in FR 2686485 must be mixed before use and could therefore not be directly administered. This additional mixing step is not only time consuming, but it also introduces a risk of contamination which is not present when the product can be delivered straight to the patient from aseptic packaging.
FR 2636507 (Agro Investissement Developpement Aid) discloses a food composition, the ingredients of which are separated into two different categories: those which are heat-resistant and those, such as starch, which are heat-sensitive. The heat-resistant ingredients are sterilised by UHT treatment whereas the heat-sensitive ingredients are sterilised by ionisation. The two categories of ingredients are then combined in a mixing chamber and aseptically packaged. Although this method overcomes some of the problems of FR 2686485, it nonetheless has several disadvantages. First of all, it requires two types of machinery resulting in increased technical complexity and increased cost. The cost of ionisation, moreover, is relatively high, making the sterilisation procedure of FR 2636507 undesirably expensive. In addition, use of ionisation is tightly controlled and prior authorisation would therefore be required to carry out the process. This is usually difficult to obtain. Furthermore, because ionisation would have to be carried out separately, the procedure of FR 2636507 could not easily be used in a continuous production process and, therefore, on an industrial scale. The step of transferring the ionised starch powder from the ionisation device to the mixing chamber could also become a contamination risk unless carried out under strictly sterile conditions. Finally, the method of FR 2636507 relates to general starch compositions (e.g. flour) and does not consider the use of resistant starch compositions.
Consequently, there exists a clear need for an improved method of sterilising resistant starch and compositions containing resistant starch without causing unacceptable levels of denaturation. The present invention provides such a method.


A semiconductor chip includes a first integrated circuit chip and a depression substrate attached to the integrated circuit chip, wherein the integrated circuit chip and the depression substrate define a cavity therebetween. The semiconductor chip also includes a stress sensitive material located in the cavity and a chemical located in the cavity, wherein detection of tampering causes a reaction by the chemical such that the semiconductor chip is at least partially destroyed.

Anti-tamper ("AT") protection is employed so that it is very difficult to reverse engineer or alter the function of electronic hardware (e.g., computer processors, integrated circuits, multi-chip modules, etc). For some commercial applications, designers often spend vast sums of money to develop a "next generation" circuit. These companies often wish to deter, or at least hamper a competitor's reverse engineering efforts. The motivation in this case is to protect valuable intellectual property. Military and Government users also have a strong interest in AT protection. When new military hardware is fielded, often the consequences of capture are not fully understood or considered by the designer of the hardware. Similarly, the combat loss of any one of a thousand pieces of sensitive, high-tech military hardware could do irreparable damage to national security.
AT standards have been defined according to the Federal Information Protection Standard (FIPS) 140-2. The standard describes the requirements for four levels of protection. For the standards for multi-chip, embedded modules, Level 1 calls for standard passivation techniques (i.e., a sealing coat applied over the chip circuitry to protect it against environmental or other physical damage). The standard describes that Level 2 can be achieved using anti-tamper coatings or passive AT. Level 3 may use passive AT if tampering will likely destroy the module. Level 4 requires the use of active AT technologies.
Most AT is categorized as either passive or active. In each case, the intent is to delay, prevent or stop tampering and potential reverse engineering of an electronic circuit. Passive AT is currently the most widespread method of deterring an opponent from reverse engineering or spoofing an electronic circuit. Current passive AT arrangements include encapsulation and various types of conformal coatings such as epoxies. Methods to defeat common encapsulents are well documented.
Layered anti-tamper arrangements are also employed in which alternating layers of passive AT with active AT yields a synergy in probing difficulty. With active AT methods, a protected circuit will take some action when unauthorized activities are detected. Any number of events can trigger a programmed circuit response. Examples of active triggering arrangements include: voltage, photon detection, acceleration, strain, thermal, chemical attack, and proximity or tamper-respondent enclosures. The response of an active AT circuit upon triggering is also widely variable. For example, zeroization may be employed in which critical memory cells or an entire die can be erased. Similarly, a response can trigger overwriting of some or all of a memory die. Another detection response is to physically obliterate or mutilate the circuit using, for example, embedded microexplosive charges beneath dice. In this case, when power is improperly removed or when tampering is otherwise detected, the circuit literally destroys itself.

Destructor integrated circuit chip, interposer electronic device and methods


A system for communicating status information associated with a device has an interface panel. The interface panel has a bezel extending substantially around a perimeter thereof. The interface panel is configured to interface with the device. The interface panel has a light device disposed substantially around a perimeter of the bezel. The light device is configured to illuminate the bezel. The system has a light controller coupled to the light device. The light controller is configured to control light output of the light device to indicate a status of the device.

Interface panels are used in a variety of industries and applications for controlling various mechanical devices and software applications. Interface panels have buttons and other types of controls for receiving input from a user as well as LEDs for conveying information to a user. In certain applications, such as in an industrial power application, interface panels may be combined to form a larger control center.
The LEDs consume valuable space on the interface panel, however, which could be otherwise used for additional interface buttons and other types of controls. In addition, in applications where several interface panels are combined to form a larger control center, it may be difficult to distinguish a message being communicated via a first interface panel from a message being communicated via a second interface panel.

Panel communication via illuminated bezel


A travel safety apparatus for a vehicle, the apparatus includes: a first detector detecting an object in a first detection area; a second detector detecting the object in a second detection area; a braking device decelerating the vehicle; an alarm device which outputs an alarm to an occupant of the vehicle; a third detector measuring the traveling state of the vehicle; a collision determination device which determines a possibility of a collision between the vehicle and the object based on the traveling state; and a controller which operates at least one of the braking device and the alarm device when there is the possibility of collision, wherein the controller changes at least one of operation timing of the alarm device, operation timing of the braking device, and deceleration degree made by the braking device in accordance with whether or not the first detector and the second detector detect the object.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a travel safety apparatus for a vehicle.
Priority is claimed on Japanese Patent Application No. 2005-250885, filed Aug. 31, 2005 and Japanese Patent Application No. 2006-169105, filed Jun. 19, 2006, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
2. Description of Related Art
An apparatus is known for detecting an object around a vehicle for preventing a collision between the object and the vehicle or for reducing damage due to the collision, the apparatus having a plurality of detectors such as a radar and an imaging device and recognizing the object based on detection results of the detectors (see, for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application, First Publication No. 2002-99907).
In the apparatus of the aforementioned related art, a predetermined approximately sectorial detection assurance range in which a predetermined detecting accuracy is secured is set to each detector. The aforementioned apparatus performs a predetermined recognition processing in accordance with detection conditions such as whether or not the object is in an area which at least two detection assurance ranges cover and whether or not the object is in an area which only one of the assurance ranges covers. In addition, enlargement of each assurance range is sometimes required to determine a possibility of a collision swiftly and to perform proper operations for preventing a collision or reducing damage due to a collision, with respect not only to the object ahead of the vehicle but also an object approaching the vehicle from the side.
However, the center angle of the detection assurance range of the radar is not easy to enlarge, while that of the imaging device can be enlarged, for example by applying a wide-angle lens. This is a cause of complexity in the apparatus constitution and rising cost. In addition, since the imaging device has shorter a assured detecting distance than the radar, the detection reliability of the imaging device tends to decline in accordance with changes of conditions such as weather.


A rechargeable lithium battery includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator between the positive electrode and the negative electrode. The separator includes a substrate having a first side facing the negative electrode and a second side facing the positive electrode. A first layer is positioned on the first side of the substrate and includes an organic material, and a second layer is positioned on the second side of the substrate and includes an inorganic material.

1. Field
A rechargeable lithium battery is disclosed.
2. Description of the Related Art
A rechargeable lithium battery typically includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode and a separator between the positive electrode and the negative electrode.
The separator typically includes micropores through which lithium ions move. In addition, the separator electrically insulates the positive electrode from the negative electrode and facilitates the shut-down of the battery, when the battery temperature exceeds a predetermined temperature, thus preventing or reducing overheating of the battery.
Sometimes however, previously generated heat inside the battery may cause thermal runaway of the battery, and the separator may not be able to sufficiently (or adequately) perform its insulation and shut-down functions.


A fixing apparatus configured to heat a recording material having a toner image formed thereon and fix the toner image fixing on the recording material comprising: a film; a heater configured to contact the film, the heater including a substrate and a heat generation resistor formed on the substrate; a thermal conduction member configured to contact a surface of the heater opposite to a surface of the heater that contacts the film, the thermal conduction member having a thermal conductivity higher than that of the substrate; and a pressurizing roller configured to form a pressing portion with the heater via the film, wherein the thermal conduction member contacts the heater so as not to overlap with an end region of the heat generation resistor in a longitudinal direction of the heat generation member.

1. Field of the Invention
This disclosure relates to a fixing apparatus provided in an image forming apparatus on the basis of an electrophotographic system such as printers and copying machine.
2. Description of the Related Art
Examples of a fixing apparatus in practical use provided in an image forming apparatus on an electrophotographic system include a configuration having a cylindrical film, a heater configured to come into contact with an inner surface of the film, a backup member defining a nip portion together with the heater via the film. The fixing apparatus of this type is capable of fixing a toner image on a recording material by heating the recording material having a toner image thereon while conveying the recording material by the nip portion.
The fixing apparatus is known to be subjected to a phenomenon that the temperature of a non-sheet passing region rises when a recording material having a smaller width than a maximum conveyable size of the apparatus (hereinafter, referred to as a "small-sized sheet" is conveyed by the nip portion, so-called "temperature rise in the non-sheet passing portion". Although an attempt is made to secure a long interval between a previous recording material and a following recording material in the case of a continuous printing in order to restrain the temperature rise in the non-sheet passing portion, there arises a problem that the productivity is lowered.
Accordingly, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-232576 discloses a fixing apparatus configured to restrain the temperature rise in the non-sheet passing portion without lowering the productivity by bringing an aluminum plate or the like into contact with a heater.
However, in the case where a thermal conduction member such as the aluminum plate is brought into contact with the heater over an entire area across a longitudinal direction like the configuration disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-232576, a temperature drop at end portions of the heater in the longitudinal direction may become prominent by heat movement and heat discharge accelerated at the end portions of the heater. Consequently, a fixation failure may occur at end portions in a widthwise direction when a maximum size recording material is passed.