When a vehicle has deviated from a computer-determined optimal route from a starting point to a destination, a navigation system warns the vehicle driver that he is off the optimal route, picks an appropriate direction for continued travel, selects a new starting point, and computes a new optimal route from the new starting point to the destination. By selecting the new starting point based on the vehicle's present location and the time to recompute a new optimal route, the system eliminates the necessity for a driver either to go back to the original optimal route, to recompute the optimal route by a manual operation, or to recompute a new optimal route more than once.

The present invention relates to vehicle navigation systems, and, more particularly, to a system for guiding a vehicle along an optimal route computed beforehand.
Generally, a vehicle navigation system computes from map data the optimal route from a starting point to a destination before starting a journey. En route, the system computes local directions along the optimal route with reference to the vehicle's present location in real time. The system guides the vehicle's navigation from a starting point to a destination by displaying route information in real time on a CRT.
When a vehicle travels, the driver may overlook navigational guidance on the display and thereby deviate from the optimal route. In such cases conventional navigation systems call either for bringing the vehicle back to the optimal route, a necessary condition before navigational guidance can be resumed, or, as described in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 51015/1990, for manually activating recomputation of a new optimal route.
However, it is difficult for a driver who is unfamiliar with a local road network to return to the optimal route once he has strayed from it. It is also a considerable inconvenience for a driver to recompute the optimal route while driving.

Navigation system for guiding a vehicle along a precomputed optimal route

Zexel Corporation Diahatsu-Nissan Ikebukuro


A functional group-introduced polyamide solid phase comprising: a polyamide solid phase having an amido group; and an isocyanate compound having an isocyanate group and a functional group, wherein the functional group of the isocyanate compound is introduced onto a surface of the polyamide solid phase by reacting the amido group of the polyamide solid phase with the isocyanate group of the isocyanate compound.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a polyamide solid phase having introduced onto the surface thereof a functional group capable of immobilizing a biochemical substance, and to a polyamide solid phase having immobilized thereto a biochemical substance.
2. Description of the Related Art
In recent years, techniques for effectively analyzing gene functions of various organisms have rapidly advanced. In order to analyze base sequence of DNA or DNA fragment to be used in the techniques, a detecting tool, called DNA chip, has been used which comprises a solid phase substrate having immobilized on the surface thereof many nucleotide derivatives such as DNA's, DNA fragments or synthetic oligonucleotides as detecting molecules. Such detecting molecules bound and immobilized onto the solid phase substrate are also called probe molecules. A typical DNA chip is a microarray comprising a solid-phase carrier such as a glass plate having many probe molecules arrayed and immobilized thereon.
The DNA chip has made it possible to effectively examine expression, variation and polymorphism of a gene in a short time. Preparation of the DNA chip, however, requires a technology for arraying many DNA fragments or oligonucleotides with a high density and a high stability on the surface of the solid-phase substrate.
In the case where the probe molecule to be immobilized is a synthetic oilgonucleotide, there has been known a technique of immobilizing the oligonucleotide onto the surface of a solid-phase substrate by first synthesizing an oligonucleotide having introduced thereonto a reactive group, separately previously surface-treating the surface of the solid-phase substrate so as to render it reactive with the reactive group to form a bond with the oligonucleotide, and spotting the oligonucleotide to form a covalent bond. For example, there has been known a technique of reacting an amino group-introduced oligonucleotide with a slide glass plate having introduced on the surface thereof an amino group via PDC (p-phenylenediisothiocyanate). However, this technique involves the problem that the reaction between PDC and the amino group-introduced oligonucleotide is slow. There has also been a technique of reacting an aldehydo group-introduced oligonucleotide with a slide glass having introduced onto the surface thereof an amino group. However, this technique involves the problem that stability of a reaction product of a Schiff base is so small that there tends to arise hydrolysis.
In recent years, it has also been proposed to use an oligonucleotide analogue, called PNA (peptide nucleic acid), as a probe molecule of a DNA chip in place of an oligonucleotide or polynucleotide (including DNA, DNA fragment, synthesized oligonucleotide or polynucleotide, RNA molecule and RNA fragment). As a measurement chip wherein this PNA is immobilized onto a solid-phase substrate through a covalent bond, it has been proposed to utilize a surface plasmon resonance (SPR) biosensor, use as a solid-phase substrate a transparent substrate having provided thereon a metal film and an organic substance layer comprising a silane coupling agent, immobilize avidin onto the organic substance layer, and immobilize PNA labeled with biotin to avidin (JP-A-11-332595). A DNA fragment bound and immobilized onto the surface of this measurement chip through the probe molecule of PNA by hybridization is detected utilizing the surface plasmon resonance phenomenon.
It has also been known to use a charge-coupled device (CCD) as a substrate of a DNA chip (Nucleic Acids Research, 1994, Vol. 22, No. 11, 2121-2125).
As a protein microarray, a report has been made by Schreiber, et al. which relates to a protein microarray for conducting analysis of mutual action between proteins with a high throughput (Science, 289, 1760-1763, 2000). This is a technique of spotting a protein aqueous solution on a slide glass having aldehydo group and blocking with a BSA solution. The thus-obtained microarray is reacted with a protein solution, followed by detecting using a fluorescence scanner. The microarray obtained by this technique involves the problem that stability of a Schiff base of a reaction product between the aldehydo group the substrate has and the amino group the protein has is so low that its hydrolysis is liable to take place.
In the field of detecting nucleic acids, in the case of using a polyamide film as a solid-phase substrate, immobilization has been conducted by spotting a nucleic acid onto the polyamide film and irradiating with UV rays (BioTechniques 2002, Vol. 33, No. 3, 612-618). This technique involves the problem that it requires a UV apparatus which permits to adjust energy.
Also, there is an example wherein a carboxyl group is introduced onto a polyamide film which is comparatively easily obtainable, and an oligonucleotide is immobilized thereto with a carbodiimide (Nucleic Acids Research, 1991, Vol. 19, No. 14, 3929-3933). However, this technique involves the problem that the polyamide film onto which a carboxyl group has previously been introduced is difficult to obtain.
As a technique for modifying a polyamide film with an isocyanate compound, there has been described a technique of modifying an aromatic polyamide for use as a protective film for glass-made products or as a magnetic tape with a polyisocyanate (JP-A-08-325393).

Functional group-introduced polyamide solid phase


A data buffer includes a number of storing elements, a tree shaped structure of multiplexer elements, a write address generator, and a read address generator. The data storing elements have data inputs connected in parallel to an input for a data stream from a sending clock domain. The tree shaped structure of multiplexer elements is arranged for receiving data from the data storing elements, and emits on an output a data stream to a receiving clock domain. The write address generator generates, controlled by a write clock signal from the clock of the sending clock domain, write addresses for entering data from the sending clock domain into the data storing elements, one at a time. The read address generator generates, controlled by a read clock signal from the clock generator of the receiving clock domain, read addresses for reading out data storing elements in the same order as they were read in.

The present invention generally relates to data transmission with speeds of the order of magnitude of several Gigabits/sec between two clock domains, of which each may be constituted by e.g. a CPU, a part of an ATM switch or other equipment which sends and receives data. ATM allows transmission of large data quantities over arbitrary media with the use of data packages with a prescribed length and small overhead.
More specifically, the invention relates to a data transmission system, in which data streams are to be transmitted at a large speed between a sending clock domain and a receiving clock domain, which operate with mutually different clock speeds.
In two data transmission systems, which are operating with approximately the same clock frequency generated by two separate oscillators, one in each system, and which are to be connected and transmit data to each other, a certain drift may occur between the frequencies. Because of this a buffer must be inserted between the two systems, which may emit data faster than it receives it, or vice versa, depending on which system's clock frequency is the larger one.
In the U.S. Pat. No. 5,305,253 a memory with separate read and write buses, two address ring counters, one for write and one for read operations, and an alarm which detects when the buffer is empty and full, is described. Since it is very difficult to make memories with a reply time shorter than 7 ns without resorting to the use of GA, this solution is not usable at frequencies of the order of magnitude of Gigabits/sec.
In the U.S. Pat. No. 4,819,201 an asynchronous FIFO circuit is described which includes consecutive data storage registers, which relay incoming data if the following register is empty. When the FIFO circuit is empty data will accordingly be let through from the beginning of the register stack to its end. This may cause risk for degradation of data and is furthermore a slow solution.
Among other publications relating to the same subject, the following may be mentioned.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,319,597 "FIFO memory and line buffer",
U.S. Pat. No. 5,084,837 "FIFO buffer with folded data transmission path permitting selective bypass of storage",
U.S. Pat. No. 4,803,654 "Circular first-in, first-out buffer system for generating input and output addresses for read/write memory independently".

Data transmission system buffer with tree shaped multiplexer controlled by different sending and receiving clock speeds


A hydrophone analog signal data acquisition, A/D conversion and data transsion system includes a first-stage signal processing subsystem which provides digital representations of the hydrophone analog signal, which in turn are signal processed for transmission in the form of data packets by a second stage signal processing subsystem (40). Subsystem 40 includes a plurality of Data Multiplexer/FIFO units (48), including corresponding selectively acting data unit accumulators, each accumulator having a plurality of inputs coupled to output channels of the first-stage signal processing subsystem for receiving digital representations of hydrophone analog signals. Each data unit accumulator includes a first buffer (48-2) for storing information that includes a digital representation of the analog hydrophone signal, an identification of a hydrophone that generated the acoustic information, and a time that the acoustic information is received from the hydrophone. Each data unit accumulator further includes an input interface that is operable during the first period for receiving a alert signal with a hydrophone analog signal, indicating that the associated source has data available. The input interface compares a current state of the alert signal to a previous state for detecting an occurrence of the assertion of the alert signal. The data unit accumulator also receives and stores a unit of data from a data source having an asserted alert signal, and is responsive to the storage of the unit of data therein, during the first period, to receive and store, during the second period, other information associated with the unit of data stored during the first period.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to data acquisition circuitry and, in particular, to multichannel data acquisition circuitry for use with arrays of hydrophones.
2. Description of the Prior Art
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a portion of a data acquisition system of a type referred to as a Second-Stage Signal Processing Subsystem, which constitutes prior art relative to which the present invention is an improvement. A First-Stage Signal Processing Subsystem (not shown, but referred to in FIG. 1 by a reference numeral 1) receives hydrophone signals that are routed to First-Stage Signal Processing Subsystem Processors. Each Analog Processor channel provides two output signals, a tracking-validation (T-V) signal 3 and a LOG AMP signal 5, which are inputs to the Second-Stage Signal Processing Subsystem. The T-V signal 3 is a digital pulse having a leading edge that occurs approximately coincidentally with a peak of a received hydrophone signal. The duration of the T-V pulse 3 is determined by the width of the received hydrophone signal. Stated another way, T-V pulse 3 is derived from changes of energy state of the analog signal. The LOG AMP signal 5 has an amplitude that varies as a function of the incoming signal level, or other state, of the incoming signal. During the time the T-V pulse 3 is on, the LOG AMP signal 5 is constant. The two output signals 3 and 5 from the First Signal Processor thus provide a basis for establishing the time of arrival of a target hydrophone pulse, the duration of the pulse, and the pulse amplitude. The same formats of T-V signal 3 and LOG AMP signal 5 exist with respect to the present invention.
The prior art Second-Stage Signal Processing Subsystem accepts the T-V Signal 3 and LOG AMP signal 5 and provides digital outputs which are sent to a range computer (not shown). Two types of data are transmitted: lead words and data words.
Timing information is obtained from a range time code generator. During normal operation, a lead word is generated every eight seconds and timing information (hours, minutes and seconds) 7 is stored in a lead word register 35. The lead word also contains site identification information 9, a bit which identifies the word as a lead word, and a special event code 11. The special event code 11 is entered by an operator using switches provided with the Second-Stage Signal Processing Subsystem.
Data words are generated whenever valid hydrophone signals are received (i.e, time coordinated with the asynchronous hydrophone outputs). The prior art Second-Stage Signal Processing Subsystem can be programmed to verify long, short or zero pulses, and also to reject pulses which are excessively long. Timing information for the data word 13 is obtained from a binary counter. The binary counter is reset at the same instant that the lead word is formed, and counts with a resolution of 10 microseconds until the next reset occurs (which will always be eight seconds later). When the T-V pulse 3 is received, timing information 13 is stored in the data word. The width of the T-V pulse 3 is determined and, if it is found to be a valid signal, it is classified as a frame, or ordinary pulse. The pulse width and pulse amplitude 15 data are stored in the data word, along with an identification 17 as to site, target and receiving hydrophone. In addition, a computer tag code is entered in the data word. Also, both the lead words and data words contain dummy bits having a fixed, predetermined pattern for identifying the beginning of the word.
After the data has been established, the lead words and data words are stored in a buffer 19. Buffer 19 provides temporary storage for these words until a communication link 21 is able to transfer them to the range computer (not shown) for further processing.
The prior art Second-Stage Signal Processing Subsystem includes seven data channels 23 for each target it is capable of tracking, only two of which are shown. Each data channel 23 in the prior art Second-Stage Signal Processing Subsystem is coupled to an analog processor channel in the First-Stage Signal Processing Subsystem 1 so as to receive the T-V signals 3 and the LOG AMP signals 5 that are generated as outputs of the mating analog processor channel.
Each Data Channel 23 is comprised of three basic components: (1) a Digital Signal Verifier 25, (2) a Voltage-to-Frequency Converter 27, and (3) the Data word Register 29. The Digital Signal Verifier 25 verifies each T-V signal 3 received on the basis of pulse width. Only signals conforming to the width requirements for a valid signal are verified. Front panel control switches enable some variation of the pulse width requirements. The Voltage-to-Frequency Converter 27 converts the LOG AMP signal 5 into a proportionate frequency representation. The Data Word Register 29 counts this frequency over an established time base to produce a binary representation of the pulse amplitude. The Data Word Register 29, provided in each data channel 23, temporarily stores the time of arrival of the leading edge of each T-V signal 3 that is verified by the Digital Signal Verifier 25. The Data Word Register 29 also determines and stores the amplitude and width of the T-V signal 3, and categorizes the signal, on the basis of pulse width, as either a Frame or Ordinary T-V signal. Complete identification of the T-V signal 3 is also a function of the Data Word Register 29. This identification consists of the target which generated the original signal, and the identification of the hydrophone and site which received the signal. The data temporarily stored in a particular Data Word Register 29 enables the generation of a Data Readout Request signal which identifies the associated Data Word Register 29 as one containing information to be conveyed to the range computer.
An electronic sensor 31 sequentially interrogates each data channel 23 to determine if its Data Readout Request signal is active. When the electronic scanner 31 locates such a data channel 23, it stops scanning until the stored data is transferred to the buffer 19. In the process of transferring the data to the buffer 19, a beginning-of-word code is added to the word format. The beginning-of-word code enables the range computer to define the beginning and end of a word, as it is being received.
After the data word is stored in the buffer 19, a Data Readout Acknowledge signal 33 is generated which frees the Digital Signal Verifier 25 and Data Word Register 29 to accept subsequent T-V signals 3, and to restart the scanner 31 on the sequential interrogation of data channels 23.
The timing information 13 stored in each Data Word Register 29 is an interpolation of a time from a last synchronizing signal 37 to the time that the leading edge of the T-V signal 3 is received. Therefore, so as to provide complete information on the timing of the T-V signal 3, the time at which the synchronizing signal 37 was received is also recorded. This is accomplished by the Lead Word Register 35, which operates similarly to a Data Word Register 29, differing only in the type of information it stores.
The buffer 19 provides a buffering function between the irregular rate of data output from the data channels 23 and the established data rate of the communication channel 21 that links the equipment at each site to the range computer. The output of the Second-Stage Signal Processing Subsystem is a signal wire which conveys the data in bit serial form to the communication link 21.
The prior art Second-Stage Signal Processing Subsystem also contains hydrophone switching control equipment (not shown) for switching the inputs to the analog processor channels to appropriate hydrophones, on the basis of received switching command codes. These switching command codes may be generated remotely by a utilization processor which finally utilizes the data. Typically such a utilization processor is a range computer, which is operable for commanding the switching at all sites. Alternatively the command codes may be generated locally by the operator at each site. Each switching command code is addressed to the seven analog processor channels of the Second-Stage Signal Processing Subsystem that are provided to track one particular target. The switching code keeps these channels connected to an array of seven hydrophones whose location within a hydrophone field provides optimum coverage of a particular target. The switching equipment also provides the encoding required to provide identification of the hydrophone from which a verified signal is received. This identification becomes part of the data word, as previously described.
One disadvantage of this prior art Second-Stage Signal Processing Subsystem is that only one output buffer (buffer 19) is available. Thus, if buffer 19 malfunctions, all data can be lost and the entire system disabled. A further disadvantage is that the Signal Verifier and Data Word Register are capable of accepting only one signal at a time from the array of hydrophones. As a result, if the Signal Verifier and Data Word Register are in use, other information being transmitted for that channel can be lost.
Some data acquisition systems of the prior art are illustrated in the following U.S. Patents.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,718,004 to Dalal discloses a sample data acquisition system. The data acquisition system includes a plurality of signal conditioners 14a, 14b, 14c and 14d, each for sampling a number of analog input signals. Each signal conditioner includes: an analog multiplexer (MUX) for sequentially sampling each of a plurality of analog input signals, an A/D converter for receiving an amplified version of a sampled analog signal and converting it to a 16 bit digital data word, and a microcomputer and memory for controlling data transfer and storing digital data words.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,980,870 to Spivey et al. discloses an array beamformer system including a plurality of acoustic detectors. Analog signals output from each detector are processed by separate converters, each converter comprising a low pass filter, an A/D converter, and a microprocessor. A multiplexer accumulates all signals for given times, and a high speed array processor performs recursive calculations to determine a signal vector.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,041,442 to Marquardt discloses an acoustic data acquisition system for acquiring acoustic information from an array and for transmitting the information through a single transmission line to remotely located data processing equipment. The array includes a plurality of sensors, a plurality of submultiplexers, a multiplexer and an A/D converter.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,033,034 to Paradise discloses an acoustic tracking system including a selected number of acoustic sensor elements, each having a separate signal conditioner coupled thereto. A processor receives conditioned signals from respective signal conditioners and enables comparisons of selected characteristics of received signals in order to determine a selected parameter related to the movement of a body.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,631,697 to Ferguson discloses a multi-channel electronic waveform recorder for storing waveform data and time of occurrence information (i.e., a time-tag) for each stored value of an input waveform.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,638,445 to Mattaboni discloses a vision system for mobile robots that reads out arrays of sensors. A Decision Engine formulates a decision, a course of action, and determines a mode of operation for the robot.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,027,289 to Toman discloses a data measurement subsystem and provides for a plurality of navigational signal transmitters. Different subsystems include microprocessors and a data store. Interconnections are provided to a remote control.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,072,420 issued to Conley discloses an arbiter state machine. When data transfer for or from a FIFO nears an overrun or underrun condition, the data channel issues an urgent request to the arbiter state machine.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,809,217 issued to Floro discloses a periodic execution of an I/O scan sequence in which remote modules are addressed in sequence.

Signal processor having multiple distributed data buffers

The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy


A cup for an eyepiece of an optical observation instrument, comprises a peripheral wall which includes an eyepiece-connecting section for connection of the cup to an eyepiece, a transition section which adjoins the eyepiece-connecting section, a light-protecting attachment which, by way of a sectional part of the transition section, is joined to a side of the transition section that is turned away from the eyepiece-connecting section; a sight hole which is laterally defined by the peripheral wall; the peripheral wall being movable into a first, non-folded end position for someone who does not wear spectacles for preclusion of any incidence of stray light upon an eyepiece lens, and into a second, folded end position for spectacle wearers; and into a third stable position of ventilation, located between the first and the second end position, for someone not wearing spectacles.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a cup for an eyepiece of an optical observation instrument, comprising                a peripheral wall which includes                    an eyepiece-connecting section, connecting the cup to the eyepiece,            a transition section which adjoins the eyepiece-connecting section,            a light-protecting attachment which, by way of a sectional part of the transition section, is joined to a side of the transition section that is turned away from the eyepiece-connecting section;                        a sight hole which is laterally defined by the peripheral wall;        the peripheral wall being movable                    into a first non-folded end position for someone who does not wear spectacles for preclusion of any incidence of stray light upon an eyepiece lens, and            into a second folded end position for spectacle wearers.
2. Background Art
An eyepiece cup of the generic type is known for example from DD 243 126 A1. Spectacle wearers have to fold the cup down in a direction towards the eyepiece. Persons who do not wear spectacles need not fold the cup down: they can profit from the lateral light protection needed in lots of jobs. Upon use, by someone not wearing glasses, of the optical observation instrument that is connected to the eyepiece cup with the cup not folded down, a space produces that is rendered almost airtight towards the surroundings by a lens of the eyepiece, the cup and a user's face. As a result, the temperature within this space rises gradually while the optical observation instrument is used, resulting in the lens misting up, which considerably affects the use of the eyepiece and thus of the optical observation instrument connected thereto.


The present invention provides a slot antenna in which the radiation toward the zenith direction is not obstructed although it is arranged on an upper side of a ground conducting plate.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a slot antenna arranged at an upper side of a ground conducting plate, and particularly to a slot antenna having a high gain in the zenith direction.
2. Description of the Related Art
FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a conventional general slot antenna. A slot 2 extending in a straight line is provided in a conducting member 1 made of a metal plate or a metal foil, and a feeding pin 3 for supplying a high frequency power to the conducting member 1 is provided perpendicular to a predetermined feeding point. The feeding pin 3 is connected to an amplifying circuit or a filter circuit (not shown), and the power is fed by the feeding pin 3 to excite the slot 2. Also, since the electric field traversing the slot 2 in the width direction is generated upon the excitation, the horizontally polarized wave is radiated toward the just upper side (the zenith direction) or is obliquely radiated toward the upper side, and thus the radio wave signal transmitted in these directions can be received. In addition, as a feeding method, there is a structure which the feeding point is arranged at the vicinity of both ends of the slot 2 in the width direction (for example, see Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2003-218629 (page 2, FIG. 5)) or a structure which a feed line perpendicular to the slot 2 is provided in the lower side of the conducting member 1.
Since such a slot antenna can be cheaply manufactured and can be easily miniaturized, it is suitable to an antenna device for a vehicle. In other words, when the conducting member 1 having the slot 2 is provided on the top surface of the dielectric substrate and an electronic circuit such as an amplifying circuit is mounted on the bottom surface of the dielectric substrate, a cheap small-sized antenna device is obtained. In addition, if an upper plate portion of a shield case accommodating the circuit substrate is used as the conducting member 1 and the slot 2 is provided on the upper plate portion, a very cheap antenna device can be obtained.
However, in the case in which the slot antenna is applied to the antenna device for a vehicle, there are many cases that the dielectric substrate or the shield case is provided on a relatively large ground conducting plate. However, as shown in FIG. 7, if the ground conducting plate 4 extends toward the outside of the conducting member 1 having the slot 2, the reverse electric field Eb is induced between the conducting member 1 and the ground conducting plate 4 upon the excitation of the slot 2. Thereby, the original electric field Ea traversing the slot 2 in the width direction is apt to be canceled by the reverse electric field Eb. At the result, the radiation toward the inclined upper side due to the reverse electric field Eb becomes strong, but the radiation toward the zenith direction becomes weak. Therefore, for example, in the case in which it is applied to the antenna device for ETO (Electronic Toll Collection), it is difficult to obtain a desired sensitivity.

Slot antenna having high gain in zenith direction

Abstract: The antenna device 11 operates as the slot antenna by providing a slot 14 in an upper plate portion 13 of a shield case 12. The shield case 12 is provided on a ground conducting plate 20. The slot 14 is composed of a first aperture 15 extending in a straight line, a second aperture 16 communicating with one end of the longitudinal direction of the first aperture 15, and a third aperture 17 communicating with the other end of the longitudinal direction of the aperture 15. The apertures 16 and 17 have the same triangular shapes which are point-symmetrical to the center of the aperture 15. When the power is fed by a feeding pin 18 to excite the slot 14, the directions of the electric fields generated at the apertures 16 and 17 are inclined to the direction of the electric field generated at the aperture 15 and the electric fields of the apertures 16 and 17 cancel the electric field of the aperture 15.


A data processing apparatus is capable of writing program data concerning video and/or audio on a first storage medium and a second storage medium. The data processing apparatus includes: a reception section for receiving a signal concerning the program data; a selection section for selecting, from among a plurality of formats, a format which is writable on the first storage medium; and a control section for writing the program data on the first storage medium in the selected format, and after writing on the first storage medium is ended, continuing to write the program data on the second storage medium in the format.

As a video compression/encoding scheme to be performed for digital broadcasts and when recording to DVDs, MPEG encoding schemes are generally used. An MPEG encoding scheme is an encoding process which adaptively switches between the following encoding processes for image data: an intra-frame encoding process, which encodes image data by utilizing intra-frame correlations of pixel values; and an inter-frame encoding process, which encodes image data by utilizing inter-frame correlations of pixel values. In an MPEG encoding scheme, an image data encoding process is performed by regarding encoded data corresponding to a plurality of successive frames as one unit. For example, MPEG2 video is define in ISO/IEC 13818-2, whereas MPEG1 video is defined in ISO/IEC 11172-2.
Digital transmission of a television signal, e.g. a BS digital broadcast, is performed in the form of an MPEG transport stream, which is defined in ISO/IEC 13818-1 (MPEG2 system). An MPEG transport stream is obtained by subjecting video and audio to compression/encoding. An MPEG transport stream is directly written on a high-density and large-capacity disk which data is written on and read from by using a blue/violet laser, i.e., a Blu-ray disc (hereinafter "BD").
As another encoded stream which is obtained through compression/encoding, an MPEG program stream is also known. An MPEG program stream is an encoded stream in which the respective encoded data of video having the definition of a standard television signal and audio are multiplexed. An MPEG program stream is written on a DVD-RAM in accordance with the DVD recording standard, and written on a DVD-R medium in accordance with the DVD video standard so as to enable playback on a DVD player. Note that the DVD recording standard is described in, for example, ISO/IEC 13818-1, supra, as well as in DVD Specifications for Rewritable/Re-recordable Discs, Part 3, Video Recording, Version 1.0, September 1999 (VR pp. 1-3). The DVD video standard is described in, for example, DVD Specifications for Read-Only Disc Part 3.
There have conventionally been known apparatuses which are capable of recording video data concerning video and the like (e.g. data of a broadcast program) onto a removable storage medium mentioned above, e.g., a BD medium, a DVD-RAM medium, or a DVD-R medium, as well as onto a fixed storage medium, e.g., a hard disk. When such an apparatus performs a splice-recording, where it transitions from a recording process for the removable storage medium to a recording process for the fixed storage medium, an overlap period is observed in the video portion that is recorded on each medium, thus realizing continuous playback across the spliced portion. For example, Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2002-281436 discloses such an apparatus.
Recording onto the aforementioned BD medium, DVD-RAM medium, and DVD-R medium is each performed in a different recording format. Therefore, in the case of a splice-recording, a recording process is to be performed in a recording format which is in accordance with each of a plurality of types of optical disks, and thereafter recording is to be performed for the hard disk. At this time, if the recording onto the hard disk is performed in a different recording format from that for the optical disk, then, during a reproduction process of the spliced portion, it becomes necessary to switch between the reproduction processes for the corresponding recording formats, which hinders smooth and continuous playback. Moreover, although some recording apparatuses are capable of mounting a plurality of types of removable storage media, it has conventionally been uncontemplated to record a program in such a manner as to be split between a plurality of types of removable storage media and a hard disk.
An objective of the present invention is to facilitate a recording process and a playback process even in the case where a splice-recording is performed between a plurality of types of storage media and another storage medium.


A system and method for providing an intrinsically safe (IS) circuit for driving a solenoid valve at a low power is disclosed. A voltage source generates a first voltage and is connected to a first side of the solenoid valve. A voltage inverter is connected to the voltage source and generates a second voltage from the first voltage. The second voltage is of opposite magnitude to the first voltage. A controller selectively controls the first voltage and the second voltage to be applied to the solenoid valve. In order to actuate the solenoid valve, the first voltage is applied to the first side of the solenoid valve and the second voltage is applied to the second side of the solenoid valve. In order to hold the solenoid valve in an on position, the first voltage is maintained and the second voltage is no longer applied to the second side of the solenoid valve. This circuit utilizes a reduced voltage, which allows the use of capacitance high enough to effectively drive a solenoid valve while still being compliant with IS standards due to a common, lower voltage magnitude. Also, this circuit allows for higher power solenoids to comply with IS standards. Further, this circuit is certifiable as IS without complex and expensive testing procedures.

The present invention relates to driving a solenoid valve at a low power, and more particularly to an apparatus and method for driving a solenoid valve at low power that is certifiable as intrinsically safe.
A solenoid valve is an electromechanical device commonly used to control the flow of gas or liquid by running an electric current through a solenoid, which is a magnetic coil. It is well known that a solenoid, or any electromechanical device with a magnetic coil, may be actuated at a higher voltage (power) and the voltage can be reduced to a lower voltage to "hold" the solenoid in the "on" position. The higher voltage overcomes inertia to start the movement of the solenoid, and the reduction to the lower voltage reduces power consumption in driving the solenoid.
Reducing power consumption is very desirable, particularly for circuits used to drive a solenoid valve in a process instrument sample system. However, the challenge that arises for process instrumentation is that such a circuit to drive a solenoid must use a protection technique that is suitable for the hazardous area in which it is present. Due to the difficulty of wiring to explosion-proof mechanically protected equipment, Intrinsically Safe (IS) circuits are desirable. Intrinsic safety is a protection concept deployed in sensitive or potentially explosive atmospheres. Intrinsic safety relies on equipment designed so that it is unable to release sufficient energy, by either thermal or electrical means, to contribute to conditions that are favorable for ignition of a flammable gas. There are various IS standards set forth by various certifying agencies for a system to be considered IS. Such standards include International Electrical Commission (IEC) IEC 60079-11, Factory Mutual (FM) 3610, Underwriters Laboratories (UL) UL913, etc.
Conventional circuit designs for driving a solenoid typically utilize multiple voltages, which makes such circuits difficult to certify as IS by analysis based on an IS standard. In such cases, certifying agencies must perform tests on the circuit designs using actual explosive mixtures of gases, and producing sparks with faults introduced into the circuit. Such testing is much more costly and time consuming than proving an IS design by straightforward analysis. Further, such testing leads to inefficient "trial and error" design/test cycles because it is difficult for a designer to anticipate whether the circuit design will be accepted to be IS by the certifying agency. This testing approach also makes it much more difficult to modify or iterate the design without re-test. Also, for some solenoid valves, if the inertial energy requirements to actuate the solenoid valves are high, it may not be possible for conventional circuit designs to comply to IS standards.

Intrinsically safe circuit for driving a solenoid valve at low power


A method and an apparatus form aluminium screw capsules with a safety ring made of synthetic plastics for tamperproof closing of containers. An aluminium capsule body is inserted into a moulding cavity of a mould conformed and arranged for the overmoulding of a safety ring on an edge of an annular wall of the capsule body. An annular sealing zone is defined for the synthetic plastic material between a first surface of the capsule body and a mould first portion inserted into the central cavity of the capsule body to form a safety ring anchored to the capsule body.

The invention relates to a moulding method and apparatus, in particular for moulding a capsule with a safety device for closing a neck of a container, for example a capsule including a capsule body made of metallic material and a safety ring made of synthetic plastic material.
Specifically, but not exclusively, the invention can be applied to moulding a capsule for closing a glass bottle, for example a capsule including a metal capsule body with a side wall coupled by screw coupling to a thread on the neck of the bottle.
The Brandes, et al U.S. Pat. No. 4,511,053 shows a capsule for closing a neck of a container, in which the capsule includes a capsule body made of metallic material and a safety ring made of synthetic plastic material. The safety ring is moulded separately by injection of synthetic plastic material and is then assembled and dovetailed into the capsule body.
The Murayama, et al U.S. Pat. No. 5,071,339 shows a capsule including a capsule body made of metallic material and a manual grasping ring made of synthetic plastic material. The gripping ring is moulded directly by overmoulding on the capsule body.
It is desirable to improve the prior art, for example the Brandes, et al U.S. Pat. No. 4,511,053, for moulding a capsule including a metal capsule body and a safety ring made of synthetic plastics. In particular, it is desirable to simplify and/or accelerate the various steps of the method, such as for example the assembly step. It would be further advantageous to improve the coupling strength between the metal capsule body and the synthetic plastics safety ring. It would also be desirable to reduce the synthetic plastic material and/or the metallic material used to mould the capsule.
The Taber, et al U.S. Pat. No. 5,685,443 shows a forming method and apparatus, wherein a mould has a central portion, an upper half-portion, a bottom half-portion, and a closed position with a first sealing area between the capsule body and the central portion, and a second sealing area between the capsule body and the upper half-portion, without contact between the capsule body and the bottom half-portion, whereby there is no sealing area in which the capsule body contacts both half-portions, nor any sealing area in which the central portion contacts both half-portions.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,685,443 shows another forming apparatus according to the prior art.
Patent Publication DE 202015101522 U1 shows a metal screw cap with a plastic safety ring divided into segments by axial longitudinal slots and, in the lower limit region, by material bridges which are broken when the cap is unscrewed, whereby the segments are deformed outwardly passing over a ring projecting from the neck of the bottle.

Apparatus and method for injection moulding a cap with a tamperproof ring


The present invention provides a fixed focus handy ovulation tester, the said ovulation tester comprising an inner casing (1), having a top and a bottom end; a controllable 5 illuminating assembly (2) located inside the inner casing and near the bottom end of the inner casing and being sealed at the bottom by a bottom face plate (3) and a fixed focus eye piece assembly (4) having a bottom inner portion for placing a biological specimen and a top outer portion for viewing the specimen being removably located at the top end of the inner casing.

It has been clearly established that women's saliva during her menstrual cycles can be used to determine their fertile period. Scientists have observed a clear difference in the cell pattern in saliva between fertile and sterile periods. More particularly, scientists have found that during a woman's fertile period, a sample of dried saliva forms vein-like structure or fern leaf like pattern. Contrary to the above, during sterile periods, the dried saliva sample typically forms a spotted or a dot like pattern.
In order to administer self-examination, special optical devices such as microscopes or magnifying glasses are available in the market.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,815,835 and 5,267,087 which are incorporated herein as reference describe such handy ovulation tester devices. The handy ovulation testers prepared in accordance with the teachings of the aforesaid documents and those existing in the market have certain shortcomings such as the lack of clarity of the image. The clarity of the image apparent to the user is very much wanting at times, so the user often lacks some degree of confidence in her observation. In order to obviate such shortcomings, efforts have been made in the present invention to improve the clarity of image by certain built-in quality and optical design features, which are simple and do not change their form or cost materially.
In erstwhile ovulation testers, the eyepiece needs to be focused by screwing or pushing the eye piece lens part, which is usually called an outer part with respect to an inner part to see or magnify the object (biological specimen such as dried saliva) clearly. This approach of focusing is cumbersome from the point of view of users who will have to be made aware of this technique before use. This approach often causes some strain to the eye besides manual effort.
Constructionally, the prior art devices comprise of inner and an outer telescopic tubes which are configured to move in and out with respect to each other. The eyepiece is incorporated at the top end of one of the telescopic tubes (preferably the inner tube) and the other telescopic tube (preferably the outer telescopic tube) is provided with a provision to accommodate a slide having the biological specimen thereupon. A light source is located opposite to the end having the eyepiece so as to illuminate the biological specimen. The light source can be a bulb or LED. The inner and the outer tubes are moved with respect to each other in order to achieve focusing on the slide having the biological specimen. Due to the telescopic construction of the tubes, the eye piece and the object (the biological specimen) are aligned in different planes for focus and hence the probability of error/unclear image increases for want of coaxiality in lens and surface of object.
In existing focusable devices, one tube containing lenses and the other one containing object surface are either pushed or turned against each other, thus creating the focusing effect. However as the time passes, the areas that are pushed or rotated get worn out causing difficulty to accurately adjust the focus of the device. Also, it is observed that by the action of pushing or rotating the telescopic tubes, dust particles generated due to the rubbing action of the moving parts fall on the enclosed optical surface and onto the opposite surface of the glass plate wherein the biological specimen is applied. Settlement of these dust particles causes spurious shadows on the image and adversely affects the contrast and sometimes confuses the user.
Further due to the two-piece construction, the inventors have very often observed that the moisture from the environment and even very fine dust particles enters into the eyepiece and hamper the quality of the image.
Even when we look into manufacturing a set of telescopic tubes which are accurately co-axial and which do not have minimum gap between them, it can be a complex task. To avoid misalignment of the telescopic tubes, special materials are required to be provided between them.
Further, looking into the cost of such a telescopic device, due to the complexity in the manufacturing process of these devices and the amount of special devices to be used for obtaining the alignment of the telescopic tubes, the cost of manufacturing is substantially high.
Thus, there appears a necessity to develop an improved and handy portable microscope apparatus for viewing biological specimens such as saliva for the detection of woman's fertility period during her menstrual cycle, having fixed focus that overcomes the disadvantages discussed above.


In an overfilled optical scanner in which a plurality of light beams are used, a uniform luminous-energy distribution is achieved on a scanning plane to be scanned. The optical scanner includes: a light source 3 for producing a first light beam L1 and a second light beam L2; a polygon mirror; a first image formation optical system for leading the light beams L1 and L2 to a deflecting plane of the polygon mirror and for forming, on the deflecting plane, a line image whose width is greater than the plane width of the deflecting plane; and a second image formation optical system for leading the light beams L1 and L2 from the polygon mirror to the scanning plane of a photosensitive drum and forming an image on the scanning plane. The first image formation optical system is adjusted so that the optical axes A1 and A2 of the first and second light beams L1 and L2 are approximately symmetrical about the optical axis A0 of the first image formation optical system. The powers of the first and second light beams L1 and L2 are thus balanced with each other on the scanning plane.

1. Technical Field to which the Invention Belongs
The present invention relates to an optical scanner and an image formation apparatus including the optical scanner.
2. Prior Art
Conventionally, optical scanners have been used for image formation apparatuses such as laser beam printers, laser facsimile machines and digital copy machines. Known as an optical scanner of this kind is an apparatus which includes a semiconductor laser serving as a light source, a polygon mirror (a rotating polygon mirror), a first image formation optical system for making a ray bundle from the semiconductor laser form a line image on the polygon mirror, a second image formation optical system for forming an image of uniform spots at a uniform velocity on a scanning plane, a scanning start signal detector for detecting a ray bundle scanned by the polygon mirror, and a detection optical system for gathering ray bundles from the semiconductor laser to the scanning start signal detector (see, e.g., Japanese Laid-Open Publication No. 2001-166239.)
In order to enhance the speed of image formation and achieve higher resolution, techniques for increasing scan speed have been developed. Proposed as one of those techniques is a so-called overfilled polygon optical scanner in which a light beam whose width is wider than the plane width of the individual deflecting planes of the polygon mirror is applied to the polygon mirror.
In an overfilled optical scanner, the deflecting planes of the polygon mirror cut off and reflect a portion of the incoming light beam and scan the reflected light. However, the portion of the light beam cut off by the deflecting planes varies depending upon the scan angle. Thus, the distribution of luminous energy in the scan line is significantly affected by the distribution of the intensity of the light beam.
When an optical scanner is designed, it is generally assumed that the beam profile (i.e., the energy distribution) of a light beam produced from the light source device is a Gaussian distribution, which is symmetrical about the peak of the beam intensity. Nevertheless, in the actual optical scanners, the beam profile is often not symmetrical about the peak due to errors caused in the fabrication of the light source device. Moreover, in some of the actual optical scanners, a displacement of the axis of the produced light occurs. To address this, an optical scanner aimed at achieving an approximately uniform luminous-energy distribution on a scanning plane has been proposed (see Japanese Laid-Open Publication No. 9-96769, which will be hereinafter referred to as a "patent reference").
In the optical scanner disclosed in the patent reference, powers of the light beam are detected in multiple positions, which correspond to a scanning plane to be scanned, and the optical axis is adjusted so that the ratio of any one of the detected powers to another is approximately 1 to 1.
In order to increase scan speed further, an overfilled optical scanner in which a plurality of light beams are used has been proposed. For example, as shown in FIG. 17A, a scanner, in which a light source 100 produces a first light beam L1 and a second light beam L2 and these two light beams L1 and L2 are directed to a polygon mirror, has been proposed.
However, in such a scanner in which a plurality of light beams are used, it is difficult to make the distribution of luminous energy uniform by using the above-described prior technique alone. More specifically, the above-described prior technique is intended to make a single light beam have a uniform luminous energy distribution. In other words, the prior technique makes the beam profile symmetrical as much as possible about the peak of the beam intensity.
Nevertheless, in a scanner in which a plurality of light beams are used, even if the beam profile of each light beam is made almost symmetrical, variations are likely to occur in the luminous energy distribution on the entire scanning plane due to displacements of the optical axes of the light beams. For example, in some cases, as shown in FIG. 17B, the peak position of the power of the first light beam L1 and the peak position of the power of the second light beam L2 are asymmetrical about a reference point (i.e., a point whose image height is zero). This results in a nonuniform luminous-energy distribution as a whole in some cases.
Therefore, a new technique for achieving a uniform luminous-energy distribution on the scanning plane in an optical scanner in which a plurality of light beams are used has been awaited.
In view of this, the present invention has been made and an object thereof is to achieve a uniform luminous-energy distribution on the scanning plane in an overfilled optical scanner in which a plurality of light beams are used.

Optical scanner and image formation apparatus including the optical scanner

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.


Systems and methods are provided that facilitate mitigating pixel or column fixed pattern noise in a CMOS imaging System-on-Chip (iSoC) sensor. Pixel or column fixed pattern noise can be recognized by gating a pixel array without firing a transfer signal (TX). Inhibiting the transfer signal can cause zero input to be provided to pixels in the pixel array; thus, the sampled output from the pixels under such conditions can be a function of noise. Calibration and correction can thereafter be effectuated. Additionally or alternatively, pixel or column fixed pattern noise can be managed by controlling a frame rate; thus, the frame rate can be reduced under low light conditions to enable integrating incident light for longer periods of time as well as providing reference frames of pixels generated from zero input that can be utilized for calibration and correction of pixel or column fixed pattern noise associated with other frames.

Recent technological advances have led to complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) sensor imagers being leveraged by cameras, video systems, and the like. CMOS sensor imagers can include an integrated circuit with an array of pixel sensors, each of which can comprise a photodetector. Moreover, a CMOS sensor imager can be incorporated into a System-on-Chip (SoC). As such, the SoC can integrate various components (e.g., analog, digital, . . . ) associated with imaging into a common integrated circuit. For instance, the SoC can include a microprocessor, microcontroller, or digital signal processor (DSP) core, memory, analog interfaces (e.g., analog to digital converters, digital to analog converters), and so forth.
Visible imaging systems implemented using CMOS imaging sensors can reduce costs, power consumption, and noise while improving resolution. For instance, cameras can use CMOS imaging System-on-Chip (iSoC) sensors that efficiently marry low-noise image detection and signal processing with multiple supporting blocks that can provide timing control, clock drivers, reference voltages, analog to digital conversion, digital to analog conversion and key signal processing elements. High-performance video cameras can thereby be assembled using a single CMOS integrated circuit supported by few components including a lens and a battery, for instance. Accordingly, by leveraging iSoC sensors, camera size can be decreased and battery life can be increased. Also, dual-use cameras have emerged that can employ iSoC sensors to alternately produce high-resolution still images or high definition (HD) video.
A CMOS imaging sensor can include an array of pixel cells, where each pixel cell in the array can include a photodetector (e.g., photogate, photoconductor, photodiode, . . . ) that overlays a substrate for yielding a photo-generated charge. A readout circuit can be provided for each pixel cell and can include at least a source follower transistor. The pixel cell can also include a floating diffusion region connected to a gate of the source follower transistor. Accordingly, charge generated by the photodetector can be sent to the floating diffusion region. Further, the imaging sensor can include a transistor for transferring charge from the photodetector to the floating diffusion region and another transistor for resetting the floating diffusion region to a predetermined charge level prior to charge transference.
CMOS imaging sensors can exhibit fixed pattern noise. Pixels within the array can yield signals associated with differing intensities relative to general background noise. Further, the fixed pattern noise can cause each pixel in the array to present a similar noise pattern in images captured over time while under similar conditions (e.g., temperature, exposure, . . . ); for instance, a pixel with high intensity due to the fixed pattern noise captured in an image at a first time can exhibit similar high intensity due to the fixed pattern noise at a second time. Inclusion of the fixed pattern noise can therefore distort images yielded by CMOS imaging sensors. Conventional techniques mitigate fixed pattern noise on a column by column basis (e.g., reduce column fixed pattern noise); however, such techniques can yield images that continue to be degraded by the effects of pixel fixed pattern noise. Moreover, other common techniques involve calibrating for fixed pattern noise by positioning a cap over a lens to block incident light to yield references (e.g., user placing the cap over the lens before operation); yet, these techniques oftentimes fail to account for changes in fixed pattern noise over time during operation (e.g., due to changes in temperature, gain, . . . ).

Pixel or column fixed pattern noise mitigation using partial or full frame correction


The present invention provides diagnostic/prognostic screening methods for identifying alternations in the sequence of a km23 nucleic acid or polypeptide form. Furthermore, the invention relates to mutations in the km23 gene in human cancers and their use in the diagnosis and prognosis of human cancer. Specific mutations in the km23 gene associated with ovarian cancers have been identified. The invention also provides human km23 polypetides, fragments and mutants thereof, oligonucleotides and primers directed to km23 nucleic acid forms, expression vectors, host cells, antibodies, antagonists and their use for the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of diseases associated with the expression or activity of km23, or with defects in the signaling pathway for TGFβ superfamily members.

The publications and other materials used herein to illuminate the background of the invention, and in particular to provide additional details relating to the invention, are referenced in the following text and are grouped in the appended list of references.
Transforming growth factor β's (TGFβ) are one of the few natural growth inhibitors which inhibit the growth of most epithelial cells. In contrast to other inhibitors, TGFβ is generally non cytotoxic, even at concentrations which are orders of magnitude above its effective concentration. TGFβ is the prototype for over 40 family members which share structural and functional similarities. The TGFβ superfamily plays an essential role in almost every aspect of cellular processes, including early embryonic development, cell growth, differentiation, cell motility, and apoptosis. See for example Yue and Mulder (2001); Sporn and Vilcek (2000); Massaque (1998); and Hartsough and Mulder (1997). The ability of TGFβ to potently inhibit the growth of many epithelial cells and solid tumors of epithelial origin, i.e. colon, breast, prostrate, lung, liver, ovarian, etc. is well established. However, many solid tumors develop resistance to the growth inhibitory effects of TGFβ. When cells become resistant to TGFβ, they no longer have the natural growth check provided by TGFβ and, as a result, may proliferate continually. Thus, TGFβ plays an important role in tumorigenesis and tumor aggressiveness. This resistance to TGFβ-mediated growth inhibition may occur at many levels. For example, the tumor cells may become unable to activate latent TGFβ (see for example, Wakefield et al. (1987); and Sporn et al., (1987), may display mutations in signaling receptors (Kim et al., 2000), or may develop defective TGFβ signaling pathways (Hartsough and Mulder, 1997).
TGFβ interacts with two major signaling receptors, designated RI and RII. The current working model for activation of the TGFβ receptors involves TGFβ binding by RII, which is constitutively phosphorylated. RII recruits RI into a complex (TβR complex) and phosphorylates RI in its GS domain. The complex then propagates the signal, presumably by interacting with and/or phosphorylating downstream cytoplasmic components (Wrana et al., 1994).
TGFβ RI and RII are mutated in human cancer cells (Massague, 1998). Mutations in TGFβ type II receptors are most common, particularly in human colon and gastric cancers; these are associated with microsatellite instability and a loss of TGFβ responsiveness (Markowitz et al., 1995). In addition, gross structural defects in the RII gene, as well as alterations in transcriptional repression of RII, contribute to a loss of TGFβ responsiveness (Kim et al., 2000). Although alterations in TGFβ RI receptors are less common, transcriptional repression of RI may be an alternative mechanism for subverting the growth inhibitory response to TGFβ. Other more subtle alterations in RI may also exist (Kim et al., 2000). However, if normal TGFβ receptors are expressed in cells with mutated receptors, TGFβ responsiveness does not always return. Thus, signal transduction pathways must also be altered.
Several types of signaling components have been described as participants in TGFβ signaling. These include protein kinase C (PKC), phospholipase C, protein phosphatase 1, Ras, several mitogen-activated protein kinases (Mapks), the Smads, and some of the Rho family members (Hartsough and Mulder, 1997; Mulder, 2000). Aside from the Ras/Mapk and Smad pathways, however, the generality and biological significance of the other components in the TGFβ pathway is unclear.
It has been demonstrated that TGFβ activates Ras within 3-6 min in untransformed epithelial cells that are TGFβ-sensitive, but not in cells that are TGFβ-resistant (Mulder and Morris, 1992). Several mitogen-activated protein kinases (Mapks) are also rapidly activated (within 5-30 min) after addition of TGFβ (Hartsough and Mulder, 1995; Frey and Mulder, 1997). The activation of some of the Mapks is sustained, indicative of nuclear translocation of the protein and subsequent regulation of transcription. The rapid kinetics for these effects indicate that they are direct, and not the consequence of the release of other growth factors that could subsequently regulate the Ras/Mapk pathways. It has also been shown that activation of Ras by TGFβ is required for the regulation of various cell cycle proteins in the nucleus (Yue et al., 1998). More recently, it has become clear that TGFβ activation of these pathways is required for transcriptional regulation of TGFβ itself, and the resulting autoproduction of TGFβ (Yue and Mulder, 2000).
The Smad superfamily are highly conserved proteins which include the Drosophila MAD and DAD proteins, three C. elegans proteins, a few xenopus proteins, and nine mammalian Smad isoforms (reviewed in Wrana and Attisano, 2000; Miyazono, 2000). Based upon accumulating evidence pertaining to the Smads, a general model for Smad function has been proposed. The so-called "receptor activated" RSmads (i.e., Smads 1-3 and 5) are phosphorylated after receptor activation and form a complex with the Smad 4 type components (common-partner Smad or co-Smad). Smad 4/dpc4 itself is not phosphorylated, but its heterocomplex formation with the other Smads is thought to mediate translocation of Smads to the nucleus and transcriptional activation.
Over the past years, progress has been made in identifying signal transduction components activated by TGFβ superfamily members. However, even though various signaling proteins have been analyzed, the cytoplasmic pathways regulated by TGFβ are still very poorly understood. It should be noted that discovery of TGFβ signaling components which are essential for mediating the biological responses of TGFβ has been difficult. For example, Smads were identified based upon homology screens using the Drosophila or C. elegans cDNAs. It is further noted that both the Smad and the Ras/Mapk pathways regulate transcriptional events. Clearly, TGFβ has functions in addition to transcriptional regulation. Thus, there is a need for identifying components which play a role in TGFβ signaling and/or regulate cellular events in addition to transcription.
Several potential TGFβ signaling components have been identified based upon their interaction with TGFβ receptors. Initial studies led to the identification of FKBP12 and the alpha subunit of farnesyl transferase as TGFβ RI interactors, TRIP-1 as an RII-interacting protein, and clusterin (also called apolipoprotein J) as a component that interacts with both TGFβ receptors. (See for example, Kawabata et al., 1995; Ventura et al., 1996; Reddy et al., 1996). Additional studies led to the discovery of TRAP-1 as an interactor of the constitutively active triple RI mutant (L193A, P194A, T204D) and STRAP (a WD-domain protein) as a component that associates with both RI and RII (See for example, Charng et al., 1998; Datta et al., 1998). Another WD domain protein that interacts with TGFβ RI was identified as the βα subunit of protein phosphatase 2A (See for example, Griswold-Prenner et al., 1998). However, the functional significance of these factors is, at present, unclear.
Various Smad-interacting proteins have also been identified, including SARA, which interacts with both Smads and TGFβ receptors (See for example, Tsukazaki et al., 1998). Several of the Smad-interacting factors have been shown to function as transcriptional repressors or co-activators (See for example, Massague and Chen, 2000; Hata et al., 2000). These factors address the transcriptional functions of TGFβ. However, they do not explain or provide insight into how TGFβ accomplishes the diverse activities which make it a multi-functional polypeptide. In addition, the alterations found thus far in these signaling components do not explain the diverse types of cancers that arise from a loss of growth control related to TGFβ or its signaling pathways. Thus, it is clear that there are additional TGFβ signaling components and pathways which are important to the complete understanding of how TGFβ asserts its growth suppressive and other functions inside cells and how these pathways are subverted to result in epithelial cancers.
Since TGFβ plays a critical role in such a vast array of human pathologies, any factor in one of TGFβ's signaling pathways is sure to have therapeutic potential for one or more of these diseases. These human pathologies include cancer, atherosclerosis, restenosis, arteriosclerosis, diabetic kidney disease, glomerulosclerosis, most progressive renal disorders, other sclerotic diseases, stroke, chronic inflammation, arthritis, hyperreactivity of the lymphoid system, asthma, periodontal disease, glaucoma, pulmonary fibrosis, other fibrotic diseases, scarring during wound healing, osteoporosis, neurodegenerative diseases, ischemic injury, encephalomyelitis, autoimmunity, immunodeficiencies, and other immune mediated-pathologies (See Sporn and Vilcek, 2000).
Of particular interest, TGFβ has been shown to be a tumor suppressor displaying true haploid insufficiency in its ability to protect against tumorigenesis (Tang et al. 1998). Many of the signaling components identified in the TGFβ signaling pathway have also been shown to function as tumor suppressors. Nothwithstanding new technologies, aggressive surgery, and modern chemotherapy, there has been little change in the survival of cancer patients having specific types of cancers over the past several years. The genetics of cancer is complicated, involving multiple dominant, positive regulators of the transformed state (oncogenes) as well as multiple recessive, negative regulators (tumor suppressor genes). Over 100 oncogenes have been characterize thus far. However, fewer than a dozen tumor suppressor genes have been identified, although the number is expected to increase significantly (Knudson, 1993).
The involvement of so many genes underscores the complexity of the growth control mechanisms that operate in cells to maintain the integrity of normal tissue. So far, no single gene has been shown to participate in the development of all, or even the majority, of human cancers. The most frequently mutated tumor suppressor gene is the p53 gene, mutated in roughly 50% of all tumors. The hope for a new generation of specifically targeted anti-tumor therapeutics may rest upon the ability to identify tumor suppressor genes that play important roles in the control of cell division. TGFβ receptor-interacting proteins or components of TGFβ superfamily member signaling pathways are likely to represent potential tumor suppressor genes.
Dynein is a molecular motor protein which mediates intracellular transport; it conveys its cargo along polarized microtubules (MTs) toward the minus ends. It is a massive multisubunit complex composed of heavy chains (HC's), intermediate chains (IC's), light intermediate chains (LIC's), light chains (LC's), and IC/LC-associated proteins (Hirokawa, 1998). The MT-binding domain is located within the HC's that form the globular heads and stems of the complex, whereas cargo-binding activity involves the IC's and several classes of LC's that associate at the base of the soluble dynein particle. Evidence also exists to suggest that the IC/LC complexes have a distinct and stable structure (King, 2000).
Dynein superfamily members appear to control various cell functions which include axonal transport, flagellar motility, organization of the mitotic spindle, distribution of late endosomes and lysosomes, the centrosomal localization of the Golgi complex, vesicular transport from early to late endosomes, the apical transport of Golgi-derived membranes in epithelial cells, the movement of phagosomes, and others (see for example, in Hirokawa, 1998). However, little is known about the regulation of the movement that the dynein motors drive. A large number of cytoplasmic dynein-associated proteins with diverse structural and functional roles have been identified (Milisav, 1998). However, it remains obscure as to the requirement by dynein of so many associated LC's, and LC/IC-associated proteins.
A new family of dynein-associated proteins which are both Drosophila roadblock (robl)-like, Chlamydomonas dynein light chain 7 (LC7)-like, and Drosophila bithoraxoid (bxd)-like have been described (Bowman et al., 1999). The original Drosophila bithoraxoid (bxd) gene of this family has been described in detail, but the transcripts are not encoded into protein (Lipshitz et al., 1987). Bxd is actually part of a huge bithorax gene complex (BX-C) which plays a role in segment development in Drosophila (Morata and Kerridge 1981; Smolik-Utlaut 1990; Stem, 1998). However, no functional studies have been reported with regard to bxd-like encoded proteins. km23 has 67% homology with robl and is identical to the class 1 mammalian robl-like proteins thought to play a role in cytoplasmic dynein functions. Accordingly, these results suggest that km23 is a dynein LC of the LC7 family that plays an important role in MT dynamics. Our data indicate that this is, indeed, the case. However, more importantly, our discovery of km23 as a TGFβ-receptor interactor and a dynein-interactor establishes the first connection between TGFβ-receptors and minus end MT dynamics, and indicates that such receptors can regulate dynein-mediated MT functions.
Although a recent report has described MTs as a cytoplasmic sequestering network for the Smads (Dong et al., 2000), these results again focus on the transcriptional functions of TGFβ. In this context, MTs appear to function by negatively regulating Smad transcriptional responses. However, no direct studies have been performed to determine how TGFβ may regulate MTs to induce the intracellular transport of specific proteins, and/or to mediate the diverse functions of TGFβ.
MTs are 25-nm tubule-like structures composed of alpha- and beta-tubulin heterodimers (reviewed in Hirokawa, 1998). Several parallel protofilaments composed of linearly arranged heterodimers form the MT wall, to which MT-associated proteins and motor proteins bind. MTs are polar structures with a fast-growing plus end and a minus end. They function as "rails" for the transport of organelles via MT-associated motor proteins such as dynein. MTs are important for many cellular processes, and play an important role in the generation and maintenance of epithelial cell polarity (Hofer et al., 1998). Outer arm dynein-associated proteins interact with dynein at the base of the dynein particle, as well as possibly with other proteins present in the cytoplasmic dynein complex (Bowman et al., 1999). However, it is unclear whether growth factors such as TGFβ can regulate dynein MT transport.
The sum total of distinct, yet interacting, signaling pathways that are activated simultaneously after TGFβ receptor activation, will play a significant role in both the normal growth of cells and in a variety of critical pathological conditions. Accordingly, identification of additional TGFβ signaling components and pathways will greatly advance our overall understanding of intracellular targets that dictate the fate of the organism. Thus, a need in the art exists for the discovery of TGFβ receptor-interacting proteins or TGFβ signaling components, and the polynucleotides encoding them, in order to provide new compositions which are useful in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of disorders associated with cancer and other diseases the development and progression in which TGFβ has been implicated.

Control of TGFβ signaling by km23 superfamily members


A key cutting machine for cutting a notch pattern on a key blank is disclosed. The key cutting machine comprises a pair of cutting heads and a clamp mechanism. Each cutting head includes a cutting wheel having an edge and an alignment structure mounted behind the cutting wheel. Each alignment structure has a key guide portion aligned tangent to the edge of a corresponding cutting wheel to engage and position a key blank laterally. The clamp mechanism is positioned between the cutting heads and is configured to hold the key blank stationary.

This invention generally relates to key cutting machines and related methods. More particularly, the present invention relates to a key cutting machine that has improved alignment, clamping, and cutting mechanisms and to a related method for cutting a notch pattern on a key blank.
Key duplication systems exist that cut biting patterns in blank keys by tracing the original key to be duplicated or by using a code or extracting the biting patterns from a database. The former type is more prevalent in consumer outlets and the latter is more prevalent in businesses such as automobile dealers and rental agencies.
But the tracing and code cutting key duplication systems require precise alignment and clamping mechanisms to maintain the ability to accurately cut keys. These issues are rendered more difficult by the use of double-sided keys, which are more common in the automobile industry.
A key cutting machine described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,676,504 utilizes a set of cassettes to address the need for proper alignment and clamping of a key. The cassettes may be selectively inserted into an cassette receiving aperture of the key cutting machine and provide both positional alignment function and clamping function while the key cutting machine cuts a bit notch pattern on a key blank. The key cutting machine described in '504 requires an operator to select different cassettes for different key blanks and different bit notch patterns.
Thus, there exists a need in the art for improved key duplication systems that can readily align and clamp keys, particularly double-sided keys. There is a related need to reduce the space occupied by such machines and to provide a machine with a small "footprint" that can be easily transported. Such machines must be capable of accurately cutting keys of a diverse nature with a low level of miscuts.


An electrical distribution system comprising at least one busway section comprising an elongate trunking, a plurality busbars being disposed within the trunking, a respective elongate opening formed in a mounting face of the busway section permitting a respective male busbar engaging contact to engage the respective busbar, the system further comprising at least one tap off unit comprising a housing arranged to be mounted on the busway section, abutting the mounting face thereof, at any desired location along the length of the busway section, the at least one tap off unit having a plurality of conductive busbar engaging male contacts, the contacts being moveable between a retracted position, wherein the contacts are located within the housing, and an extended position, wherein the contacts extend out of the housing to engage a respective busbar via the elongate openings.

A typical electrical distribution system for distributing electrical power comprises a plurality of busbars, each comprising an electrically conductive strip, typically formed from copper, brass or aluminium, arranged side-by-side and spaced apart from each other in a direction transverse to their lengths, the busbars being separated by and supported on insulators a suitable intervals. The busbars and insulators are usually enclosed within protective trunking, defining a busway.
Openings or removable covers are typically provided at spaced locations along the length of the trunking to define tap off points, whereby tap off units may be coupled to the trunking at such tap off points to make a spur connection with the busbars.
Such electrical distribution systems allow new circuits to branch off at selected locations along the route of the busway. A number of busway sections may be coupled together to form an electrical distribution system (often referred to as a "power track") of indefinite length. A common use for such systems is in an office, factory or other commercial setting where a number of electrical connection points are required, and further, where the configuration and desired location of connection points (tap off points) is likely to change from time to time. Typically, such power tracks are located overhead to provide a convenient and adaptable source of electricity for lights, machines and other electrical devices in a building.
A problem with such known systems is that such predefined tap off points along the busway sections limit the locations at which such spur connections may be made. Furthermore, it is usually necessary to cut power to the entire power track before making new connections to avoid the risk of electrocution, because such process usually requires the removal of covers from the trunking, exposing the busbars therein.
The main object of the present invention is to provide an improved electrical distribution system for effecting rapid electrical connection of a tap off unit to the busbars at any desired location along the busway sections in a safe and reliable manner.


One or more hidden clips can be efficiently fastened and mounted to decking planks, e.g., with a tool or manually. A plurality of hidden clips can be included with a strip of clips and separated by a frangible section or tab located between adjacent clips. Each hidden clip can include one or more compression tabs having a sloped or angled cross member transversely extending between first and second extending elements to improve decking fixation.

Extruded decking boards, composite boards, milled wood planking, and the like, may utilize fasteners such as hidden clips to fasten them in place. These hidden clips consist of a body that may be of molded plastic or stamped metal, and have a screw, nail, or formed tab inserted in it.
During use, the hidden clip is inserted into the groove on the board's edge and the fastener is driven through the clip into the joist supporting it, fastening the board edge to the joist. This is a labor-intensive process since the user must hand position each individual hidden clip, hold it in place with one hand, and nail or screw the fastener with the other hand. This hand feed technique is slow and requires two hands. When a board is on an incline or requires force to position it, two persons may be required to lend the third hand to hold it in position while the hidden clip and fastener are secured.
Thus, there is a continuing need for improved securing systems for decking.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Hidden clip and fastening system for decking


The invention provides an advisory alert indicating conditions are such that an ongoing telephone call involving a cellular telephone may be dropped due to insufficient signal strength. A decrease in signal strength over time that exceeds a specified percentage decrease provides the primary basis for triggering the advisory alert. This advisory alert warns one or more participants of the call of the possibility of the call ending due to low signal strength. The advisory alert provides for conclusion of the call before the call is lost, and/or lowers the frustration level associated with a call lost for an unknown reason.

The use of cellular telephones within cellular telephone networks has substantially advanced the convenience and mobility of communication between users of telephones. However, as with many advances in technology, limitations often present themselves, which in turn create new frustrations and new opportunities to deal with those frustrations. One not-uncommon frustration among telephone users is when, during an ongoing telephone call that involves a cellular telephone, the signal strength to or from that cellular telephone has dropped sufficiently to cause an abrupt, unexpected loss of call (also known as a "dropped call").
Although improvements in cellular telephone networks and cellular telephones themselves have helped limit such dropped call occurrences within given regions and systems, the abrupt, unexpected loss of call remains a problem for many cellular telephone users. This also presents a problem for the landline parties with whom they communicate. Often, one party may continue speaking, not realizing the call already has terminated. That party, as well as one or more parties on the same call, frequently feel frustration due to an unexpected interruption of the call. Efforts often are made to call back the other party or parties to inform them of that the call was unintentionally dropped. Upon reconnecting at a later time, time and effort are required to establish the last thing the other party heard in order to efficiently continue the conversation.
Certain approaches are known in the art to help warn such telephone users of a possible loss of call due to insufficient cellular telephone signal strength. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,018,655, issued Jan. 25, 2000 to Bartle and Erickson, discloses methods of analyzing various conditions of cellular telephone operation, and then, when a specific predefined threshold is met for a particular condition, notifying the user that a communication disconnection is imminent. Among the conditions disclosed are count/rate communications such as frame validity, frame quality, symbol quality, and chip quality. Transmitter output level and received signal strength indication (RSSI) are other conditions measured and analyzed.
According to the disclosure of U.S. Pat. No. 6,018,655, if an error rate has been detected by the analysis of conditions (i.e., data for a condition has exceeded its threshold), a control system of the digital telephone system attempts to improve the quality of the audio signals based on the analysis of conditions. Also, under such circumstance a warning process ensues. For example, if the RSSI falls below a fixed threshold level, then a warning signal is generated to advise the cellular telephone user. This warning may be delayed, in certain embodiments, until two consecutive threshold violations have occurred, in order to reduce the likelihood of an erroneous warning.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,330,438, issued Dec. 11, 2001 to McClelland and Madison, recognizes the problem of communications signal strength that is too low to continue a call. When there is no other cell to hand off to, in order to sustain adequate signal strength, the user of a mobile cell phone unit is alerted to the low signal situation. This is stated to provide the user with time to take precautionary steps, such as the user moving or re-orienting the mobile cell phone unit in order to improve signal reception. In order to determine when to provide an audible warning prior to losing such an in-progress call, the received signal level is compared to a predetermined threshold level. If the received signal level falls below the predetermined threshold level, and there is not another cell to which to hand off the call, then an audible signal is generated to warn the cell phone user. U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,018,655, 6,330,438, and all other patents, all patent applications, all patent publications, and all other publications cited herein are incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication or patent application was specifically and individually set forth in its entirety, and are particularly incorporated by reference for the teachings disclosed herein.
The above approaches suffer from the comparison to a predetermined, fixed threshold, the crossing of which is the criteria for the signal to user of a possibly imminent dropped call. Also, these approaches do not provide for warning of parties other than the user whose cell phone has the disclosed features. Even when the user of the relevant cell phone receives the warning signal, he or she may not have enough time to complete a verbal statement to the call's other party or parties to inform them of the likelihood of a dropped call.
The present invention more fully addresses the problems associated with low-signal-strength-based dropped calls and overcomes the shortcomings of the above approaches. The methods, systems and apparatuses of the present invention provide superior advisory alerts to the parties involved in a telephone call that involves at least one cellular telephone, including the user of that cellular telephone.

Advisory alert of low signal strength for cell phone user

Abstract: In operation, signal strength is assessed during a series of time intervals. Signal strength of consecutive time intervals is compared. If the percentage drop in signal strength exceeds a specified percentage, an advisory alert is effectuated. The criteria that trigger an advisory alert may be non-programmable, or is modifiable in programmable embodiments.


A diversion damper is provided for managing air flow in an air handling system. The diversion damper has a first movable air deflector and a separate second movable air deflector, each of which are movable between a first position and a second position. A linkage assembly is provided connecting the first movable air deflector and the second movable air deflector. The linkage assembly has a single actuator and is further configured to cooperatively move the first movable air deflector and the second movable air deflector between the respective first position and the second position for each of the first movable air deflector and the second movable air deflector, and to apply a sealing pressure to establish a substantially airtight seal around the each of the first movable air deflector and the second movable air deflector in the first position, around the first air flow deflector in the second position.

Buildings can be cooled and heated by selectively recirculating air within the building using a conventional air handling system, or admitting outside air into the building via the air handling system, while removing excess air via an exhaust capacity in the air handling system depending on the difference between outside ambient conditions and a desire to cool, heat, or ventilate the interior space of the building. In air handling systems, fans are typically used to recirculate air throughout the building for heating or cooling. Typical circulation fans in air handling systems are often operated in conjunction with damper devices mounted to or within the air handling systems to divert a source of air from indoors to outdoors.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,065,585 to Wylie ("the 585 patent") discloses an apparatus for cooling the interior of a building. The apparatus disclosed in the 585 patent includes a movable blade-type damper assembly mounted in a damper housing. A shaft extends between end walls of the damper housing in the 585 patent and supports the movable blade. A motor drives the shaft to adjust the position of the movable blade between two positions. FIG. 2A of the 585 patent illustrates a first position where air flow communication is established in the damper housing between an outside inlet air duct and interior air outlet duct. At the same time, air is directed from an interior return air duct to an outside outlet air duct to relieve a buildup of air pressure inside the building in which the disclosed air handling system is installed. FIG. 2B of the 585 patent illustrates a second position of the movable blade where air flow communication is established in the damper housing between the interior return air duct and the interior air outlet duct. This position allows for recirculation of air flow within the interior of the building.
The apparatus disclosed in the 585 patent suffers certain shortfalls in operation. Generally, the motor that drives the shaft, based on its actual location at the center of the system, is incapable of exerting enough force/pressure to the blade. Based on this lack of pressure, the blade, while it diverts air, is virtually incapable of sealing the flow path made by the blade in either direction. This, therefore, makes the apparatus disclosed in the 585 patent susceptible to leakage based on, among other things, multiple leak paths and inadequate sealing. The movable blade pivoting at its center makes it difficult to seal around the hinge points and along the sides of the blade. There are also height constraints imposed by the single-blade configuration disclosed in the 585 patent that do not allow for installation of the apparatus in certain size restricted areas. Many attics, for example, cannot accommodate the height requirement of such an apparatus for the enclosure and outside air duct that connects to the top of the apparatus. Finally, the apparatus disclosed in the 585 patent is not able to connect to more than one return air duct. Exterior provisions can be made but size, cost and complexity increase.


A motor includes a base, a stator, and a rotor. The base includes a shaft tube having an open end and receiving an inner assembly. The stator is mounted to an outer periphery of the shaft tube. The rotor is rotatably coupled to the inner assembly. The stator includes an insulating bobbin unit having an extension extending in a radial direction to the open end of the shaft tube. The extension includes an engagement hole. The shaft tube includes a positioning member having an engaging section engaged in the engagement hole. The insulating bobbin unit is fixed by an end of the engaging section. The engagement stability of the stator is enhanced by engagement of the positioning member of the base and the insulating bobbin unit.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a motor and, more particularly, to a motor having a stator that can be reliably positioned.
2. Description of the Related Art
A conventional motor generally includes a base, a stator, and a rotor. The base includes a shaft tube around which the stator is mounted. The rotor is rotatably coupled to the shaft tube. The stator generates an alternating magnetic field to drive the rotor to rotate.
The stator and the shaft tube are generally fixed together by press fitting or gluing. However, the stator is apt to disengage from the shaft tube if the stator is engaged with the shaft tube by press fitting. On the other hand, if the stator is fixed to the shaft tube by gluing, factors including the amount of the glue, the curing time of the glue, etc. must be considered, leading to inconvenience to assembly. Furthermore, if it is intended to miniaturize the motor, the axial height of the stator must be reduced (such as by reducing the number or the thickness of the silicon steel plates of the stator), leading to a decrease in the engaging area between the stator and the shaft tube. The stator is more likely to disengage from the shaft tube if press fitting is utilized.
FIG. 1 shows a conventional motor 8 including a shaft tube 81, a stator 82, and a rotor 83. A plurality of first engaging portions 811 is provided on a top end of the shaft tube 81. The stator 82 includes a lining 821, with a plurality of second engaging portions 822 formed on a periphery of a central opening of the lining 821. The first and second engaging portions 811 and 822 are fixed together by heat fusion. Thus, the stator 82 can reliably be fixed to the shaft tube 81 by the heat fusion structure formed by the first and second engaging portions 811 and 822. An example of such a structure is disclosed in Taiwan Utility Model No. M419336.
Although the motor 8 can provide the stator 82 with an enhanced positioning effect by using the first and second engaging portions 811 and 822, the first engaging portion 811 of the shaft tube 81 and the second engaging portion 822 of the lining 821 of the stator 82 do not extend to the opening of the top end of the shaft tube 81. Namely, the motor 8 can not provide advantages, such as directly closing the opening of the top end of the shaft tube 81 by the stator 82 (for providing anti-dust function or maintaining lubrication oil), pressing against members mounted in the shaft tube 81 (for positioning purposes), and retaining the rotor 83 (for the purposes of preventing disengagement). As an example, an oil seal 84 or the like is required to maintain the lubrication oil. However, the oil maintaining effect of the oil seal 84 mounted in the shaft tube 81 is not satisfactory. Furthermore, the oil seal 84 complicates the structure and reduces the assembling convenience.
FIG. 2 shows another conventional motor 9 including a base 91, a rotor 92, and a stator 93. The base 91 includes a shaft tube 911, with the rotor 92 rotatably coupled to the shaft tube 911. The stator 93 is mounted around the shaft tube 911 and includes an insulating bobbin 931 having a restraining member 932. The restraining member 932 extends to an opening of the top end of the shaft tube 911. The restraining member 932 retains members received in the shaft tube 911 and retains the rotor 92, preventing disengagement of the rotor 92. An example of such a motor is disclosed in Taiwan Patent Publication No. 200952307.
Compared to the conventional motor 8 of FIG. 1, the conventional motor 9 provides some advantages, including directly pressing the members in the shaft tube 911 by the stator 93 and retaining the rotor 92. However, the stator 93 providing the above advantages can only be mounted to the outer periphery the shaft tube 911 by fashions such as press fitting, leading to a poor positioning effect between the stator 93 and the shaft tube 911 as well as the risks of disengagement of the stator 93 due to heat expansion and cold shrinkage. Furthermore, if it is intended to miniaturize the motor 9, the stator 93 is apt to disengage from the shaft tube 911 if the stator 93 is mounted by press fitting. Thus, a novel structure for reliably fixing the stator 93 is required.

Sunonwealth Electric Machine Industry Co., Ltd.