A process cartridge of the present invention is removably mounted to the body of an image forming apparatus and includes an image carrier and a developing device configured to develop a latent image formed on the image carrier. A cartridge body, forming major part of the process cartridge, is applicable to a developer of any kind stored in the developing device and is mounted to the apparatus body with an identification member indicative of the kind of the developer fitted thereon. With this configuration, the process cartridge can be surely replaced without any mistake and reduces costs necessary for production, inventory control and delivery.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a printer, facsimile apparatus, multifunction machine or similar image forming apparatus. More particularly, the present invention relates to a process cartridge and a device unit removably mounted on an image forming apparatus and a packed kit of the same.
2. Description of the Background Art
It is a common practice with a color copier or similar color image forming apparatus to removably mount a plurality of process cartridges each being assigned to yellow, magenta, cyan or black toner on the apparatus body. The process cartridges each are replaced with new one when, e.g., its mechanical life ends. More specifically, before four new process cartridges are mounted to an image forming apparatus, their developing devices each are filled with a developer containing one of yellow toner, magenta toner, cyan toner and black toner, i.e., either one of a one-ingredient type developer and a two-ingredient type developer. Subsequently, such new process cartridges each are mounted to a particular mount portion included in the new image forming apparatus. Subsequently, when the life of a photoconductive drum or image carrier, developer or similar component of any one of the process cartridge ends due to repeated operation of the apparatus, the user of the apparatus or a service person removes the process cartridge from the apparatus body and then mounts a new process cartridge to the apparatus body.
The prerequisite with the image forming apparatus thus loaded with a plurality of removable process cartridges is that each process cartridge be correctly mounted to preselected one of the mount portions of the apparatus, i.e., a process cartridge assigned to one color be prevented from being mounted to a mount portion assigned to another color. Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2003-84543, for example, proposes to provide four process cartridges each having a particular configuration and four mount portions respectively matching in configuration with the process cartridges, thereby obviating erroneous replacement.
However, the problem with the conventional image forming apparatus described above is that the process cartridges need high production cost and moreover need high inventory control cost when stocked. More specifically, the user of the color image forming apparatus of the type described suitably replaces four different kinds of process cartridges that are not replaceable with each other. Therefore, the manufacturer or the distributor of such image forming apparatuses are required to constantly store new process cartridges for replacement as a stock for meeting users' urgent requests. Stocking four different kinds of process cartridges at all times is inefficient from the standpoint of cost and labor for inventory control.
In light of the above, a full-color process cartridge, supporting four different process cartridges assigned to one color each, has been proposed in the past. However, such a process cartridge is naturally bulky and obstructs efficient replacement of the process cartridges while being undesirable from the inventory control standpoint. Further, when the life of one of the four process cartridges ends, even the other process cartridges must be wastefully replaced despite that they are still usable. Moreover, the four process cartridges different in configuration from each other must be produced independently of each other, so that the number of parts and the number of assembling steps increase with the result that the production cost increases.
The problems stated above are not particular to an image forming apparatus of the type using a plurality of process cartridges, but also arise with, e.g., an image forming apparatus in which a plurality of developing units, each including a developing device, are removably mounted to an apparatus body.


An apparatus and method enable batch processing of database updates without modifying generated code, i.e., without redeployment of the application server or application. A batch mechanism intercepts calls from the generated code, compiles updates into batches, and processes the updates to the database in batches. In this manner the batch mechanism takes advantage of the batch processing capabilities of the database without modifying the generated code.

1. Technical Field
This invention generally relates to data processing, and more specifically relates to storage of data in a database.
2. Background Art
Since the dawn of the computer age, computers have evolved and become more and more powerful. In our present day, computers have become indispensable in many fields of human endeavor including engineering design, machine and process control, information storage and retrieval, and office computing. One of the primary uses of computers is for information storage and retrieval.
Database systems have been developed that allow a computer to store a large amount of information in a way that allows a user to search for and retrieve specific information in the database. For example, an insurance company may have a database that includes all of its policy holders and their current account information, including payment history, premium amount, policy number, policy type, exclusions to coverage, etc. A database system allows the insurance company to retrieve the account information for a single policy holder among the thousands and perhaps millions of policy holders in its database.
Most modern databases support batch processing. Batch processing is a way to compile several database updates into a batch. The batch is then submitted to the database, which processes all updates in the batch. Many Java 2 Platform, Enterprise Edition (J2EE) application servers do not support batch processing. As a result, the batch processing support built into the database often goes unused by the application servers.
A J2EE application server provides a deploy tool that generates code that allows J2EE Container Managed Persistence (CMP) applications to interact with the database. This generated code must be backwards compatible for the same release of the J2EE application server. It would be relatively straightforward to incorporate batch processing into an application server by modifying the generated code to include batch processing support. This step, however, would require redeployment of the generated code, which in turn would required that all applications that access the database to be redeployed. This is an unacceptable requirement for inter-release revisions. When a new release is made, the batch processing support could be incorporated into the generated code, because the new release may requires the applications to be redeployed if they want to take advantage of any of the new features in the release. However, there is currently no known way to enable batch processing without affecting the generated code. Without a way to enable batch processing without affecting generated code, the J2EE application server industry will not be able to take advantage of batch processing until a new release of the J2EE application server software is released.

Apparatus and method for enabling database batch updates without modifying generated code

International Business Machines Corporation


A numerical control apparatus for machine tool, including: an NC program storage portion; an electronic cam data transformation unit which transforms an NC program into electronic cam data; a constant circumferential velocity control command detection unit which detects whether a command for executing constant circumferential velocity control is present or not in the NC program; a reference axis pitch setting unit which sets the pitch for generating data; a main shaft rotational velocity calculation unit which calculates the rotational velocity of a main shaft on the basis of parameters corresponding to the position of a cutting edge of a tool; an axial feed velocity calculation unit which calculates axial feed velocity on the basis of the calculated rotational velocity of the main shaft; and an axial position data computing unit which calculates axial position on the basis of the axial feed velocity obtained at intervals of the set pitch.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a numerical control apparatus for machine tool and a numerical control method for machine tool. Particularly it relates to a numerical control apparatus and method in which circumferential velocity can be controlled to be kept constant even in operation under electronic cam program control to thereby attain regulation of cutting velocity and improvement in machining accuracy and in which efficiency in transformation of an NC program into an electronic cam program can be improved to thereby attain improvement in machining efficiency.
2. Description of the Related Art
There is commonly known a numerical control machine tool used for machining a material into a desired shape by using a tool such as a cutter in the condition that the material is set in the machine tool. For example, the numerical control machine tool operates as follows. A numerical control program (NC program) is generated. Respective portions inclusive of the tool such as a cutter are operated automatically by the NC program to thereby obtain a product machined into a desired shape.
The NC program per se generated for obtaining such a machined product can be generally generated and corrected on the numerical control machine tool. When, for example, nonconformity that the machined product does not satisfy tolerance on design is detected as a result of trial cutting of the machined product, the NC program can be corrected on the machine tool side to eliminate the nonconformity. As result, high working efficiency can be provided.
On the other hand, use of an electronic cam program instead of the NC program is known. A material set in a machine tool is machined into a desired shape by use of a tool such as a cutter under control using the electronic cam program. For example, control using the electronic cam program has been disclosed in JP-A-2001-170843.
That is, as disclosed in JP-A-2001-170843, command data of a moving axis at every moment is generated on the basis of rotation position data generated at every moment by a pulse signal output from a pulse encoder mounted on a reference axis and command position data of the moving axis set in accordance with unit rotation position of the reference axis. Command velocity data of the moving axis in synchronism with the rotational velocity of a rotary object is generated on the basis of the moving command data and the rotation position data. The position of a tool is controlled on the basis of the moving command data and the command velocity data generated as described above. In the numerical control machine tool using this type electronic cam program, respective position data of a tool and a workpiece with respect to an accumulated rotation angle of a main shaft are decided. There is an advantage that machining can be made accurately in a short time compared with the numerical control machine tool using the NC program.
Generally, graphic information, designated machining paths, machining steps, tool information, tooling information, etc. are input to a CAM software or the like installed in a personal computer or the like provided separately from the numerical control machine tool to thereby generate this type electronic cam program. It is conceived that a certain kind of transformer software is used for transforming an NC program into an electronic cam program.

Numerical control apparatus for machine tool and numerical control method for machine tool


A computing system comprises two or more processing sets, for example for fault tolerant operation. The multiple processing sets have a connection to at least one device, typically many devices. The ownership of each device is allocated to one of the two or more processing sets. When an interrupt is generated within a device, this is transmitted from the device to the processing set to which ownership of the device has been allocated, but not to the remaining processing sets. In addition, a command for a device may be generated by a processing set. However, receipt of this command by the device is disabled if the processing set that generated the command has not been allocated ownership of the device.

In many computer applications, it is very important to be able to provide a high degree of reliability. A known way of achieving this is to use a fault tolerant computer, such as taught in U.S. Pat. No. 6,167,477 (referred to hereinafter as the '477 patent). The system described in the '477 patent has two (or more) processing sets that can be configured to perform identical operations. The processing sets are joined by a bridge (sometimes known as a voting bridge), which in turn is linked to a bus. Various input/output devices are then attached to the bus (e.g. disk storage, network communications, etc.).
The design philosophy of this fault tolerant system is to try and prevent any error that might occur within one of the processing sets from propagating into the outside world, in other words from the bridge onto the bus, and from there to the various external devices. In order to achieve this, the output from the processing sets is compared at the bridge. Any discrepancy between the outputs from the different processing sets is detected and serves as an indication of potential error.
At this point, the system generally tries to make a determination as to which of the processing sets is responsible for the error. There are various techniques for doing this. For example if one processing set is trying to perform an illegal operation, such as writing to a non-existent address on the bus, it is assumed that this is the processing set that is malfunctioning. Alternatively, in systems having more than two processing sets, it can be sensible to go with the verdict of the majority of the processing sets. In more complicated situations, the bridge can ask the processing sets to run various diagnostic tests on themselves, in order to try and pinpoint the source of the error.
Assuming that a determination of the malfunctioning processing set can indeed be successfully made, then the system can continue in operation by using only the processing set(s) that is (are) behaving correctly, with the output from the other processing set being ignored.
The system in the '477 patent also supports a split mode, in which the two or more processing sets can be operated independently. Such a mode is particularly useful after an error has been detected, in order to allow a faulty system to be properly investigated, repaired, and then brought up-to-date. Another possible reason for adopting split mode is to increase system throughput, since the processing sets are now no longer duplicating each other's work, but can now both perform useful (separate) calculations.
In the system taught by the '477 patent, in split mode each of the various devices attached to the bus is formally allocated to one or other of the processing sets. This ownership information is maintained in a set of registers within the bridge. Accordingly, in a programmed I/O operation a processing set can only read from or write to a device that it has ownership of. Likewise, a given device can only perform DMA (direct memory access) for memory belonging to its assigned processing set.
This approach helps to ensure proper independence between the processing sets in split mode, so that the operations of one processing set do not impact the operations of the other processing set(s). This is particularly important given the main reason for going to split mode is after the detection of an error, indicating a potential malfunction in one of the processing sets.
However, the implementation of split mode in known systems has not generally achieved full independence between the different processing sets. One reason for this is that interrupts from the devices have generally been transmitted as out-of-band events via a special-purpose chip, bypassing the bridge and therefore the device ownership information. Consequently, each interrupt is transmitted to all of the processing sets, irrespective of which particular processing set actually owns the device from which the interrupt originated. Accordingly, each processing set has to investigate the source of all incoming interrupts. Thus if the source of an interrupt corresponds to a device that the processing set owns, then that processing set is responsible for servicing the interrupt; if not, then the interrupt can be discarded. It will be appreciated that as a result of this configuration, a processing set must process all interrupts, at least initially, rather than just those from associated devices, and this can have a negative impact on overall system performance.
A potentially more serious problem is that known systems also support a maintenance bus, which is typically used for controlling various physical operating parameters of a device in the system, such as fan speed for cooling purposes, and power supply regulation. Device ownership by the various processing sets is not enforced on the maintenance bus. As a result, it is potentially feasible for one processing set to switch (power) off a device supposedly belonging to another processing set. It will be appreciated that this would not be a desirable occurrence, and could lead to error, or at least the unexpected inability of a processing set to continue operations.

Method and system for handling interrupts and other communications in the presence of multiple processing sets


A controller that is in communication with the plurality of network nodes establishes a service path for a service chain defined by an ordered sequence of service functions to be performed at respective ones of one or more of the plurality of network nodes. The controller assigns a predetermined service path identifier and a predetermined service index value for a segment of the service chain that includes only one or more network nodes not capable of decapsulating packets to extract a network service header so as to designate the one or more network nodes determined not capable of decapsulating packets to extract the network service header as a single service hop segment in the service chain.

Service chaining involves the interception of traffic (packets/frames) and steering them through an ordered set of service functions. Traffic is intercepted through the use of a classifier function at a network node for steering through the service functions. Traffic steering the traffic from the classifier through the service functions is performed by use of a service overlay in the network. This service overlay provides a provision for carrying service metadata in addition to the original packet.
The service chain and the corresponding forwarding state is constructed, maintained and distributed by a control-plane (centralized or distributed). Service chain construction involves establishment of a binding between forwarding state and the service chain. This mapping of forwarding-state to the service chain is termed the service path.

Transparent network service header path proxies


An image forming apparatus which logs into an external webmail server by using a web browser included in the image forming apparatus, the webmail is written on a webpage of the webmail server, a file to be attached to the webmail is selected, and the selected file is attached to the webmail so as to send the webmail to the webmail server.

1. Field of the Invention
The present general inventive concept relates to a method of attaching and sending a file through a webmail from an image forming apparatus, and an image forming apparatus to perform the method.
2. Description of the Related Art
In general, an image forming apparatus performs at least one of various functions of a printer, a photocopier, a scanner, a fax machine, etc.
As more functions may be embedded in an image forming apparatus in light of the latest technological developments, a user may separately perform a printing operation, a photocopying operation, a faxing operation, a scanning operation, etc. by using the image forming apparatus. Also, the image forming apparatus may perform various other functions corresponding to users' demands, for example, a function of sending scanned data generated by performing a scanning operation through an email or a fax message.
Currently popular is a network scan function in which a scanned image file obtained by scanning an image or a document by using the image forming apparatus is sent to a destination through a network. The network scan function includes a scan-to-folder function in which a scanned image file of the image forming apparatus is sent to a certain folder of a destination computer by using a file transfer protocol (FTP) or a server message block (SMB) protocol, and a scan-to-email function in which a scanned image file of the image forming apparatus is attached to an email so as to send the email to a simple mail transfer protocol (SMTP) server by using an SMTP. The SMTP server should be previously set in the image forming apparatus in order to perform the scan-to-email function. That is, the SMTP server should be previously set in the image forming apparatus by recognizing an address and a port number of the SMTP server. Also, only one SMTP server can be set in the image forming apparatus and thus, if two or more addresses of different domains are used, the SMTP server should be differently set whenever an email address of a domain is changed.
Meanwhile, when sending emails, current Internet users use webmails provided by portal sites such as Naver or Daum in Korea, or Google or Yahoo in the U.S.A. Here, a webmail is an email that can be sent by logging into a webmail server through a web browser of a certain portal site and using a web user interface provided by the portal site. If the portal site does not allow SMTP accesses, emails can only be sent through the web browser and cannot be sent by using the scan-to-email function of the image forming apparatus, which uses the SMTP. Thus, demands for a method of performing a network scan function through a webmail from a network image forming apparatus have increased.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Method of attaching and sending file through webmail from image forming apparatus, and image forming apparatus to perform the method


A lead-lanthanum-zirconium-titanate (PLZT) capacitor on a substrate formed of glass. The first metallization layer is deposited on a top side of the substrate to form a first electrode. The dielectric layer of PLZT is deposited over the first metallization layer. The second metallization layer deposited over the dielectric layer to form a second electrode. The glass substrate is advantageous as glass is compatible with an annealing process used to form the capacitor.

Lead-lanthanum-zirconium-titanate (PLZT) is a ceramic material that has been found to be useful as a capacitor dielectric as PLZT has a high dielectric constant and is capable of relatively high temperature operation, operation up to 150° C. for example. However, PLZT requires a substrate that is very smooth and can endure the 650° C. temperature for annealing PLZT. Prior attempts at forming a PLZT capacitor used polished nickel (Ni) foil, or a platinum (Pt) coated silicon wafer as a substrate for the capacitor. However, Ni foil requires polishing and oxidizes quickly, so an oxygen free working environment is required. Furthermore, a buffer layer of lanthanum-nickel-oxide (LNO) is needed to prevent diffusion between the Ni and the PLZT material. All of these issues make Ni foil a complicated and undesirably expensive substrate material choice. A Pt coated silicon wafer is rigid, so a capacitor formed on this substrate cannot be bent or rolled to meet certain packaging requirements. Furthermore, like Ni foil, a Pt coated silicon wafer is also undesirably expensive.


In a power-up signal generating device, a power-up signal is activated at a certain level of the power supply voltage VDD by adjusting the turn-on resistance value of the MOS transistor so that the chip reliability can be improved. The power-up signal generating device comprises a reference voltage generating unit, a bias level adjusting unit, a bias signal generating unit and a signal outputting unit. The reference voltage generating unit generates a reference voltage. The bias level adjusting unit receives the reference voltage as an input for controlling a voltage level of a bias signal in a constant level. The bias signal generating unit generates the bias signal under control of the bias level adjusting unit. The signal outputting unit outputs a power-up signal depending on the voltage level of the bias signal.

Generally, a semiconductor memory device starts its operation after a power voltage level rises up to a certain level instead of starting in response to the level of the power voltage immediately after the power voltage is externally supplied. For this reason, the semiconductor memory device usually includes a power-up circuit.
The power-up circuit prohibits the entire memory device from damaged due to latch-up when the internal circuit of the device is operated before the power voltage is stabilized after the power voltage is supplied externally so that chip level reliability can be improved. Such a power-up circuit detects the rise of the power voltage that is supplied externally when the power voltage is supplied initially so as to output a power-up signal in 'low' state till a certain level of the power voltage and then make a transition of the power-up signal to 'high' state after the power voltage is stabilized over the certain level. On the contrary, when the power voltage falls, the power-up circuit outputs the power-up signal in 'high' state till the certain level of the power voltage and then outputs the power-up signal in 'low' state again after the power voltage level falls down under the certain level. The power-up signal is outputted as 'high' after the power voltage is stabilized and operated independently in a unit of pipe within the memory inner circuit to be used mostly for circuits which require initialization operation.
FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram of a power-up signal generating apparatus in prior art.
Referring to FIG. 1, the power-up signal generating apparatus comprises a bias signal generating unit 10 for generating a bias signal bias, a sensing level adjusting unit 11 for sensing rising of a power supply voltage VDD to adjust an voltage level of an output node ND2, and an output signal forming unit 12 for outputting the voltage on the output node ND2 as a power-up signal pwrup.
The bias signal generating unit 10 includes a PMOS transistor PM1 having a ground voltage VSS as its gate input and a source-drain path between the power supply voltage VDD and a node ND1, and an NMOS transistor NM1 having a drain coupled to its gate and a drain-source path between the node ND1 and the ground voltage VSS to output the voltage on the node ND1 as the bias signal bias.
When the power supply voltage VDD exceeds the threshold voltage Vt of the NMOS transistor NM1 while rising, the NMOS transistor NM1 is turned on so as to output the bias signal bias having a certain level.
Further, the sensing level adjusting unit 11 includes two serially coupled PMOS transistors PM2, PM3 between the power supply voltage VDD and the output node ND2, each transistor having a drain coupled to the corresponding gate.
The output signal forming unit 12 includes an NMOS transistor NM2 having the bias signal as its gate input and a drain-source path between the output node ND2 and the ground voltage VSS, an inverter I1 for inverting the output node ND2, a PMOS transistor PM4 having the output signal of the inverter I1 as its gate input and a source-drain path between the power supply voltage VDD and the output node ND2, and an inverter I2 for inverting the output of the inverter I1 to output as the power-up signal pwrup
Next, it will be described for the operation of the conventional power-up signal generating apparatus.
First, as the power supply voltage VDD rises up to lead rising of the voltage level on the node ND1, the NMOS transistor NM1 becomes active so that the bias signal generating unit 10 outputs the bias signal bias having a stable level. In turn, the NMOS transistor NM2 having the bias signal bias as its gate input is turned on so that the output node ND2 can has a certain portion of the power supply voltage VDD that is obtained by voltage dividing with the PMOS transistors PM2, PM3 in the sensing level adjusting unit 11 and the voltage level on the output node ND2 rises up due to the rise of the power supply voltage VDD. The inverter 11 inverts the voltage on the output node ND2. Because the PMOS transistor PM4 that has the output of the inverter I1 as its gate input inputs the power supply voltage VDD to the output node ND2 in response to falling of the output of the inverter I1 so as to increase the voltage level on the output node ND2 more rapidly. The inverter I2 inverts the output signal of the inverter I1 to output it as the power-up signal pwrup.
For the reference, the sensing level adjusting unit 11 makes the voltage level on the output node ND2 have the certain portion of the power supply voltage VDD so as to adjust the active point of the power-up signal by varying that amount of the portion. Further, the output signal forming unit 12 forms the power-up signal pwrup by using the inverter chain I1, I2 because the voltage level on the output node ND2 comes from voltage dividing of the power supply voltage VDD.
On the other hand, the conventional power-up signal generating apparatus is sensitive to surrounding temperature around the semiconductor, which will be described as follows.
FIG. 2 shows a waveform diagram for operation of a circuit in FIG. 1, which presents the active point of the power-up signal versus temperature.
First, X axis depicts time and Y axis depicts voltage. The waveform of 'b' shows the case when the surrounding temperature around the semiconductor is room temperature, 'a' shows the case when the surrounding temperature around the semiconductor is higher than room temperature, and 'c' shows the case when the surrounding temperature around the semiconductor is lower than room temperature.
Referring to FIG. 2, it can be seen that the active point of the power-up signal pwrup depends on the surrounding temperature around the semiconductor. That is, in the case of 'a' when the surrounding temperature is higher than room temperature, the power-up signal pwrup becomes active at lower voltage level than in the case of 'b'. On the contrary, in the case of 'c', the power-up signal pwrup becomes active at a higher voltage level than in the case of 'b'.
As the surrounding temperature around the semiconductor rises, the threshold voltage Vt of the MOS transistor becomes lower so that the NMOS transistor NM1 can be turned on before the power supply voltage VDD rises up enough to make the voltage level of the bias signal bias becomes lower. Accordingly, the turn-on resistance of the NMOS transistor NM2 that is controlled by the bias signal bias rises up and, in turn, the voltage on the output node ND2 is increased so that the power-up signal pwrup can be active before the power supply voltage VDD rises up enough.
On the contrary, when the surrounding temperature falls down, the threshold voltage Vt of the NMOS transistor NM1 rises up so that the voltage level of the bias signal bias becomes higher. Accordingly, the turn-on resistance of the NMOS transistor NM2 is reduced and, in turn, the voltage level on the output node ND 2 falls down so that the power-up signal becomes active at higher power supply voltage VDD.
As described above, the conventional power-up signal generating apparatus is so sensitive to the surrounding temperature around the semiconductor, which makes the power-up signal pwrup active at irregular levels of the power supply voltage VDD and, as a result, leads failure of initialization operation of a chip and deterioration of chip reliability.
When the power-up signal becomes active before the power supply voltage VDD rises up to a certain level due to rising of the surrounding temperature, chip initialization is failed. On the other hand, when the activation of the power-up signal is lagged due to falling of the surrounding temperature, the semiconductor device operates abnormally in a low voltage region.
Similarly, such phenomena as described above can be seen in case of process changes.


The present invention is directed to a blowervac device having a grill that requires to distinct steps in securing the grill over a fan to activate a safety switch allowing power to the motor. The grill has an outer ring and a rotatable inner cover. The first step is simply to secure the grill over the fan. The second step requires the cover to be rotated, which activates an actuator for the safety switch, allowing power to be delivered to the motor and operation of the device. This two-step process reduces the likelihood if inadvertent operation of the device and reduces the chances of injury.

Combination blower-vacuum devices, commonly referred to as blowervacs are well known in the art. These devices have a blow mode where air is blown out of an outlet tube to blow leaves, grass clippings and other yard debris to clear patios, sidewalks and other areas. The devices also have a vacuum mode where they suck in leaves and other yard debris through a vacuum tube for disposal into a collection bag.
When in the blow mode, a grill typically covers the air intake and blocks access to the fan. The grill allows the passage of air, but prevents the user's hand from accidently contacting the fan. When converting from the blow mode to the vacuum mode, the grill is typically removed and a vacuum tube is placed over the fan assembly and a collection bag is attached in place of the outlet tube. Therefore, in either the blow mode or vacuum mode, the fan is covered by the grill or the vacuum tube, respectively, and it would be advantageous to ensure that the grill or vacuum tube remain locked in place.


A method for forming at least two layers of electrical coils and their supportive resistive layers for a magnetic write head having an ultra-short yoke so that the second and any additional coil layers are formed on flat resistive surfaces to eliminate problems associated with inter- and intra-layer shorting and with shorting between coil and yoke. The resistive layers are formed with flat surfaces and desired apex angles by using a novel two-step photoresist scheme in which a layer of photoresist is first photoexposed and developed, then photoexposed a second time to cure a surface region that will remain flat during a final low temperature curing process.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to the fabrication of a thin film magnetic write head and more particularly to the use of a novel photoresist process that permits an improved fabrication process for such heads having ultra-short yokes.
2. Description of the Related Art
The size reduction of yoke length (YL) in thin film head (TFH) magnetic write heads to lengths less than 15 microns (μm) has necessitated the development of methods for obtaining flat insulator topographies. The short YL insulator resist imaging process currently used in the TFH fabrication industry results in a convex shape after thermal hardbake of the resist (FIG. 1). This shape is highly disadvantageous for the formation of a second magnetic coil layer and not only makes such second coil formation nearly impossible but also causes electrical shorting between the turns and between the turns and the magnetic pole yoke, leading to poor yields in terms of resistance and inductance values. Given that there will be a trend to higher insulator surface tensions as a result of the necessity of fabricating increasingly smaller yoke structures, the problems associated with dome-shaped insulators need to be resolved.
Chang et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 6,158,107) teach a method of fabricating a write head in which a second pole tip layer is plated over a write gap layer and a first tip layer within a soft-baked photoresist plating frame. The photoresist plating frame allows the gap layer and second tip layer to be self aligned with the first tip layer. The method of Chang et al., however, does not specifically teach how to form a photoresist layer that defines the insulated coil structures that are formed beneath the upper yoke. Neither does the method of Chang et al. disclose an ultra-short yoke. In fact, Chang et al. speak only of forming a second coil over a lapped surface. Krounbi et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 5,926,349) teach a method of forming a merged magnetoresistive (MR) head in which a double resistive layer is soft-baked over a single coil layer and then hard-baked for smoothness. The method neither teaches a second coil formation over the first, nor does it teach the formation of an ultra-short yoke. Chesnutt et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 6,105,238) teach a method for forming a write head structure in which any number of coil layers are allowed. They show, in particular, a two coil structure in which a first coil layer is covered by a first coil insulator (203 in their FIG. 2) that comprises, for example, a cured photoresist which can be an AZ4000 series positive photoresist. A second coil layer is then formed on this cured photoresist layer. Chesnutt et al. do not teach this method in the context of an ultra-short yoke, in fact they do not indicate the length of their yoke.
Terunuma et al (U.S. Pat. No. 6,151,193) teach a method of forming a magnetic write head in which a coil structure is formed on a flat, non-magnetic insulating film. They state that the coil film and its supporting insulating film can be formed on the flattened non-magnetic insulating film so as to eliminate disconnection and shorting of the coil film. Terunuma et al. do not disclose the length of the yoke structure, nor do they indicate the surface shape of the coil insulating film on which they would form a second coil layer.
Han et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 6,024,886) teach a method of forming a magnetic write head in which a flat surface is formed by means of a planarized, backfilling insulator layer. A single coil layer is formed on this planarized layer and then covered by a photoresist layer. Han et al. do not teach the formation of a second coil layer over the photoresist surface that covers the first coil layer, so it is not known what the surface shape of this layer is or what effect it would have on the formation of subsequent coil layers, if any. In addition, Han et al. do not disclose the yoke dimensions of their write head, so it is not known if it is an ultra-short write head,
Santini (U.S. Pat. No. 6,111,724) teaches a method of forming a magnetic write head with a novel pole tip structure by using a positive photoresist photopatterned over a negative resist layer. Although primarily teaching the tip formation, Santini also teaches the formation of a double coil layer and the insulation layer within which it is formed. The teaching does not indicate the method by which the second coil is formed over the surface of the insulation layer covering the first coil, nor does it indicate the length of the coil region.
As has already been pointed out, new problems with insulation layers and multiple coil layers arise in the context of ultra-short yoke lengths. In these cases, the surface tension of the photoresist layer that forms the insulation layer produces a convex surface on which it is extremely difficult to form a second coil layer. The prior art cited above does not address ultra-short yoke length fabrications and is, therefore, silent on the issue of photoresist surfaces and coil formation under those conditions. What is needed, therefore, is a method of forming a resistive layer for an ultra-short yoke fabrication wherein the surface of the layer is flat in the region of coil formation and yet the layer achieves a desired apex angle.

Process of manufacturing coil layers using a novel combination of photoexposure and thermal curing to achieve shape control of a photoresist material


Carcass-tracking apparatus housings, carcass-tracking apparatus, and carcass-tracking methods are described. In one embodiment, a carcass-tracking apparatus housing is provided comprising an enclosure dimensioned to contain a transponder and having first and second oppositely-facing surface areas. The first surface area is positioned for mounting against a surface of a carcass-transporting device. The first and second surface areas are preferably different from one another. In another embodiment, the housing comprises an enclosure dimensioned to contain a transponder and having a plurality of surfaces which face in different directions. One of the surfaces is positioned for mounting on a carcass-transporting device. At least two other surfaces have openings therein which are joined with a transponder-receiving space. The openings are preferably sized and positioned to accommodate wireless communication with a transponder which can be received within the transponder-receiving space. Other embodiments are described.

This invention relates to carcass-tracking apparatus housings, to carcass-tracking apparatus, and to carcass-tracking methods.
In a meat processing plant, carcasses are typically transported throughout the plant on metal hooks called trolleys or gams. It is very important to identify particular trolleys and associate them with the attached carcass to provide a processing history of the animal, as well as historical data pertaining to immunizations and hormone injections. Furthermore, yield quality as well as required FDA documentation is becoming a very important feature in the food processing industry.
Yet, identification of individual trolleys continues to be a challenge. Specifically, a primary obstacle is the environment within which the trolley is used. Specifically, carcasses weighing up to 1,500 pounds are transported throughout the plant. Accordingly, a suitably-sized trolley must be substantial in size and weight. These trolleys are often handled like most large industrial items in that they are thrown around and bump into one another often. Additionally, the trolleys can be thrown into a bath of caustic solution for sterilization and then dipped in oil to prevent rust. Typically, the lifetime of a trolley can be up to 20 years.
The harsh environment in which these trolleys are used precludes the use of bar codes because they would be destroyed during the normal operations. Even periodic replacement of bar codes is not practical due to the replacements costs. Additionally, blood and animal tissue often obliterates the bar code rendering reading thereof difficult if not impossible.
Current state of the art trolley identification consists typically of drilling a specific hole pattern in the metal shank of a trolley. Each trolley has a particularly unique hole pattern. Light is shone through the holes in the shank and a pattern recognition device is placed on the opposite side of the trolley. This device is designed to recognize unique light patterns and associate them with a particular trolley. Again, blood and animal tissue often blocks the hole pattern in the trolleys thereby causing misreads and erroneous reading of the trolley. A system of forcing air through the holes in the trolley has improved, somewhat, the reading accuracy. However, such system is cumbersome, unreliable, and still does not clear up the misreading problems. Additionally, drilling holes in the shank of a trolley can compromise the structural integrity of the trolley and diminish its useful lifetime.
Accordingly, this invention arose out of needs associated with providing improved carcass-tracking apparatus and methods.
Carcass-tracking apparatus housings, carcass-tracking apparatus, and carcass-tracking methods are described. In one embodiment, a carcass-tracking apparatus housing is provided comprising an enclosure dimensioned to contain a transponder and having first and second oppositely-facing surface areas. The first surface area is positioned for mounting against a surface of a carcass-transporting device. The first and second surface areas are preferably different from one another. In another embodiment, the housing comprises an enclosure dimensioned to contain a transponder and having a plurality of surfaces which face in different directions. One of the surfaces is positioned for mounting on a carcass-transporting device. At least two other surfaces have openings therein which are joined with a transponder-receiving space. The openings are preferably sized and positioned to accommodate wireless communication with a transponder which can be received within the transponder-receiving space. In yet another embodiment, a carcass-tracking apparatus housing comprises an enclosure having a transponder-receiving space dimensioned to receive a transponder. The enclosure has a pair of openings which face in different directions from one another, and the openings are joined with one another through the transponder-receiving space. Preferably, the openings have different shapes. Other embodiments are described.

Carcass-tracking apparatus housing carcass-tracking apparatus and carcass-tracking methods


A method that includes introducing a catheter assembly to an obstructed region of a blood vessel lumen and recanalizing the obstructed region with the catheter assembly is disclosed. Prior to or during recanalization, a treatment agent may be delivered through the catheter assembly to a vessel region downstream to the obstructed region. The treatment agent may have a property that will inhibit reperfusion injury. Alternatively, a medical device may be introduced to an obstructed region of a blood vessel lumen and the obstructed region recanalized with the medical device. The treatment agent may be delivered to a vessel region downstream to the obstructed region. The treatment agent may include at least one of an immunosuppresant and an antioxidant. In other methods, a delivery cannula may be introduced to an unperfused region of an occluded vessel without disrupting the occlusion and the treatment agent having a property that will inhibit reperfusion injury may be delivered to the unperfused region through the delivery cannula. After delivering the treatment agent, the occluded vessel may be recanalized by advancing an angioplasty device into the occluded vessel.

A major component of morbidity and mortality attributable to cardiovascular disease occurs as a consequence of the partial or complete blockage of vessels carrying blood in the coronary and/or peripheral vasculature. When such vessels are partially occluded, lack of blood flow causes ischemia to the capillary beds and muscle tissues supplied by such vessel, consequently inhibiting muscle contraction and proper function. Total occlusion of blood flow causes necrosis of the muscle tissue.
Blood vessel occlusions are commonly treated by mechanically enhancing blood flow in the affected vessels. Such mechanical enhancements are often provided by employing surgical techniques that attach natural or synthetic conduits proximal and distal to the areas of occlusion, thereby providing bypass grafts, or revascularization by various means to physically enlarge the vascular lumen at the site of occlusion. These revascularization procedures involve such devices as balloons, endovascular knives (atherectomy), and endovascular drills. The surgical approach is accompanied by significant morbidity and even mortality, while the angioplasty-type processes are complicated by recurrent stenoses in many cases.
Additional complications arise due to the restoration of blood flow to the ischemic tissues. This phenomenon is commonly referred to as reperfusion injury and may be more damaging to the tissue than ischemia. In particular, the absence of oxygen and nutrients typically delivered to the ischemic tissue region by the blood creates a condition in which the restoration of circulation results in inflammation and oxidative damage rather than restoration of normal function. Thus, tissue damage attributed to reperfusion injury is primarily caused by the inflammatory response of the damaged tissue. In particular, in response to the tissue damage, white blood cells carried to the region by the reintroduced blood supply produce inflammatory factors including cytokines such as interleukins and free radicals. This new supply of oxygen forms within cells which may damage cellular proteins, DNA and the plasma membrane. This may in turn cause the release of additional free radicals resulting in further cellular damage. The cytokines activate and guide leukocytes to the injured tissue causing microcirculation "white" clots and further release of free radicals and toxic substances. In some individuals, reperfusion injury may be lower than in others due to the natural antioxidant load or inflammatory responses of the individual. In general, however, this reperfusion mediated injury may cause more damage then ischemia alone.

Methods for inhibiting reperfusion injury


A brake mechanism includes an input, a chassis, a lock and a release mechanism. The input is an axially extending input having first and second ends. The chassis interfaces with the input such that the input is movable relative to the chassis. The lock is coupled to the chassis for constraining movement of the input relative to the lock. The release mechanism is coupled to the lock and is responsive to a force applied relative to the input and the chassis such that when the force is greater than a release force level the release mechanism allows the lock to disengage the input and such that when the force is less than the release force level the release mechanism does not allow the lock to disengage the input.

The present invention relates to a brake mechanism, and in particular, a brake mechanism that may be configured to controllably regulate the motion of one body relative to another. Brake mechanisms may be used in various applications, for example, in automobile door applications. In such applications, it may be desirable to provide a brake for holding one movable member relative to another. Such a mechanism allows the user to position a movable member at any of a variety of positions relative to another. For example, a brake mechanism allows a door of an automobile to be held between open and closed.
In many automotive designs, a brake mechanism utilizes discrete detent holding positions. In this way, a door or similar movable element may be positioned and held at various discrete locations between fully opened and closed. At any of these discrete locations, the door will remain in a relatively "locked" state until the user applies the necessary force to move the door. Upon surpassing this force at the detent position, the door moves more easily. With such mechanisms, holding the door or hinged element at a location between fully opened and closed other than at one of the discrete detent holding positions is not readily achievable. If the user wishes to hold the door at such a location, they must physically hold it there. For these and other reasons, a need exists for the present invention.

Reell Precision Manufacturing Corporation


A gesture detection system according to embodiments includes an input device including a touch sensitive surface and a contact-free detection system; and a controller configured to determine characteristic parameters for the position in three-dimensional space of a user input object and select an operational mode of the input device based on the position of the user input object.

On small devices like smartphones and tablet PCs, the space for the "keyboard" presented on the display touch panel of the graphical user interface is limited and typically much smaller than in regular keyboards. Furthermore, because of the nature of the display touch panel, ten-finger typing is not possible.
In many display touch panels, the number of keys is reduced to a minimum. For example, in many such keyboard displays, there is only one shift key, no keylock key, no number keys, and no special character keys. Those characters can only be accessed via extra input modes reachable via a shift key, which display a second "keyboard." Thus, it is always required to make two consecutive keystrokes to access upper keys, numbers, special characters or additional control functions.


A liquid crystal device including a single or a plurality of pixel elements is provided. Each pixel element includes: a first substrate, a second substrate parallel to the first substrate, a liquid crystal layer disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate, a first plurality of electrodes formed between the first substrate and the liquid crystal layer, a second plurality of electrodes formed between the second substrate and the liquid crystal layer. The first plurality of electrodes and the second plurality of electrodes are composed to generate electric fields in three orthogonal directions, and the electric fields in two of the three orthogonal directions are in-plane electric fields, while the other electric field of the three orthogonal directions is an out-of-plane electric field.

THz wave technology has shown great potential for development in fields including time-domain spectroscopy, THz imaging, and medical applications. Further, THz communication and phase array radar also become feasible. The above applications all need THz quasi-optical devices such as polarizers, filters, phase shifters, and modulators, etc., for signal processing.
Liquid crystal (LC) devices are widely used in THz frequencies. In order to operate at THz frequencies, LC devices use a thick cell gap to satisfy the required retardation. However, the thick cell gap leads to an extremely slow response.

Liquid crystal device and system for THz electromagnetic waves


In a method for testing whether or not a fuse on a semiconductor substrate is disconnected, a first test operation is performed upon the fuse by determining whether or not a resistance value of the fuse is larger than a first threshold resistance value. Then, a second test operation is performed upon the fuse by determining whether or not a resistance value of the fuse is larger than a second threshold resistance value smaller than the first threshold resistance value.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a semiconductor device including a fuse, and more particularly, to a method for testing whether or not the fuse is disconnected.
2. Description of the Related Art
Fuses may be incorporated into semiconductor devices. For example, in a semiconductor memory device incorporating normal memory cells and redundancy memory cells, not only a normal decoder for selecting the normal memory cells but also a redundancy decoder for selecting the redundancy memory cells are provided. That is, if a defective memory cell is found in the normal memory cells, an address of such a defective memory cell is written into the redundancy decoder. As a result, when this address is received by the redundancy decoder, the redundancy decoder deactivates the normal decoder, and in its place, selects the redundancy memory cell, to thereby replace the defective memory cell with the redundancy memory cell. Thus, the problem of the defective memory cell is alleviated.
The redundancy decoder Is usually comprised of a multi-bit fuse-type programmable read-only memory (PROM). Therefore, writing operation of the above-mentioned address into the redundancy decoder is carried out by laser trimming of fuses or by supplying a blowing current thereto (see: JP-6-140510-A).
After a fuse is disconnected by the above-mentioned writing operation, it is necessary to ensure that the fuse is completely disconnected.
In a prior art method for testing whether or not a fuse is disconnected, it is determined whether or not a voltage at one node of the fuse upon application of a predetermined voltage between the nodes thereof is larger (or smaller) than a threshold voltage. In other words, it is determined whether or not the resistance value of the fuse is larger than a threshold resistance value (see: JP-6-140510-A).

Semiconductor device including fuse and method for testing the same capable of suppressing erroneous determination


A vapor generating system includes a mouthpiece housing including an air outlet at a first side of the mouthpiece housing. The vapor generating system further includes a liquid storage portion, a filamentary wick extending into the liquid storage portion, a heating coil at least partially surrounding a portion of the filamentary wick and a chamber between the heating coil and the air outlet.

The present invention relates to an electrically heated smoking system for receiving an aerosol-forming substrate. In particular, the present invention relates to an electrically heated smoking system for receiving an aerosol-forming substrate, in which the aerosol-forming substrate is a liquid.
A number of prior art documents, for example U.S. Pat. No. 5,060,671 (commonly assigned, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by this reference thereto), U.S. Pat. No. 5,388,594 (commonly assigned, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by this reference thereto), U.S. Pat. No. 5,505,214 (commonly assigned, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by this reference thereto), U.S. Pat. No. 5,591,368 (commonly assigned, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by this reference thereto), WO 2004/043175 (commonly assigned, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by this reference thereto), EP-A-0 358 002 and WO 2007/131449, disclose electrically operated smoking systems, having a number of advantages. One advantage is that they significantly reduce sidestream smoke, while permitting the smoker to selectively suspend and reinitiate smoking.
Other prior art documents, such as EP-A-0 295 122, EP-A-1 618 803 and ER-A-1 736 065, disclose electrical smoking systems which use a liquid as the aerosol-forming substrate. The liquid may be contained in a cartridge which is receivable in a housing. A power supply, such as a battery, is provided, connected to a heater to heat the liquid substrate during a puff, to form the aerosol which is provided to the smoker.
The electrically heated smoking systems of the prior art, including those described above, do have a number of advantages, but there is still room for improvement. It is therefore an object of the invention to provide an improved electrically heated smoking system.

Electrically heated smoking system having a liquid storage portion


Provided herein are methods and systems for detecting biomolecular binding events using gigahertz or terahertz radiation. The methods and systems use low-energy spectroscopy to detect biomolecular binding events between molecules in an aqueous solution. The detected biomolecular binding events include, for example, nucleic acid hybridizations, antibody/antigen binding, and receptor/ligand binding.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates generally to detecting a biomolecular binding event and more particularly to detecting such events using spectroscopy.
2. Background Information
Many current methods for detecting disease or the risk of developing a disease rely on detection of one or more biomolecular interactions between a target molecule in the biological sample and a detectable probe molecule. The probe molecule is typically detectable because it is bound to a detectable label. For example, infection in a subject caused by an infectious agent, such as a virus, can be detected by detecting binding of a labeled antibody probe to a viral protein. A plethora of bioassays have been developed based on this general concept.
Some more recent methods for detecting disease rely on the detection or determination of a nucleic acid sequence in a test sample. Sequence-selective detection of nucleic acid molecules has become increasingly important as scientists unravel the genetic basis of disease and use this new information to improve medical diagnosis and treatment. Nucleic acid hybridization assays are specific biomolecular binding assays that are commonly used to detect the presence of specific nucleic acid sequences in a sample. For example, an infectious agent can be detected by detecting hybridization of a labeled nucleic acid probe to a nucleic acid of the virus. Alternatively, the method can base disease detection on detection or determination of all or a part of the patient's own nucleic acid sequences. For example, a patient's risk for developing a disease can be determined by detection of a genetic mutation.
Like other methods that detect biomolecular interactions, nucleic acid hybridization assays typically utilize a labeled probe. Traditionally, radioisotopes have been used as labels. More recently, fluorescent, chemiluminescent and bioactive reporter groups have been used. However, the inclusion of labels in an assay often makes it more expensive and complicated, and increases the background signal of the assay.
Hybridization assays can be used not only to detect the presence of a nucleic acid molecule, but determine the sequence of the nucleic acid molecule as well. Traditional approaches for sequence determination utilize the synthesis of labeled nucleic acids that are terminated at one of the four nucleotides. However, these methods are relatively slow and expensive. More recently, methods have been developed that entail synthesizing oligonucleotides on a glass support and effecting hybridization with radioactively or fluorescently-labeled test DNA, and reconstructing nucleotide sequence on the basis of data analysis (E. Southern et al., PCT/GB 89/00460, 1989). A device for carrying out such methods includes a supporting film or glass plate and an array of nucleotides covalently attached to the surface thereof. The array includes a set of oligonucleotides of desired length that are capable of taking part in a hybridization reaction.
The sequencing-by-hybridization method discussed above, although providing a less-expensive method with higher-throughput, has certain disadvantages. For example, it typically requires labeling of sample or probe nucleic acids. As discussed above, this increases the cost and complexity of the method and increases background values, thereby decreasing sensitivity. Furthermore, inclusion and detection of labels lowers the throughput of the assay.
In an attempt to determine nucleic acid sequences information more efficiently, ultraviolet/visible/near-infrared spectroscopy has been used to directly detect hybridization. Although this type of spectroscopy has successfully detected events for smaller molecules (e.g., CO2), it failed to provide the desired level of efficiency and accuracy for biomolecules, which tend to be larger. The frequency shift in the vibration spectrum that is experienced by larger biomolecules (e.g., DNA) upon binding is too small to be accurately and efficiently detected by UV/visible/near-infrared spectroscopy. Furthermore, the UV/visible/near-infrared radiation causes the molecules to fluoresce, creating background noise that interferes with spectrum signals. Further, the method requires multiple gratings of strong dispersion to resolve the small frequency change, making the optical instrument too bulky for convenient use.

Methods and systems for detecting biomolecular binding using terahertz radiation


A heat sink assembly for an add-on card includes a heat sink and a clip received in the heat sink. The heat sink includes a supporting plate and a first and a second heat absorbing plates extending downwardly from the supporting plate. The first and second heat absorbing plates sandwich first and second heat conductive plates and the add-on card therebetween. The supporting plate is located over and spaced from the add-on card. The clip includes a resisting member, first and second engaging members and first and second pressing members. The resisting member is received in the heat sink and abuts upwardly against the supporting plate of the heat sink. The first and second engaging members engage with the first and second heat absorbing plates, respectively. The pressing members abut downwardly against a clasp clasping the conductive plates and the add-on card together.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a heat sink assembly, and more particularly to a heat sink assembly having a wire clip and a heat sink, wherein the wire clip is received in and abuts against the heat sink to enhance a stability of the heat sink.
2. Description of Related Art
Advances in microelectronics technology have resulted in add-on cards which process signals and data at unprecedented high speeds. During operation of many contemporary add-on cards such as memory module large amounts of heat are produced. The heat must be efficiently removed, to prevent the system from becoming unstable or being damaged.
A conventional heat sink is used to dissipate heat generated by the add-on cards. The add-on card comprises a bottom end adapted for engaging with a corresponding socket of a computer, and a top end opposite to the bottom end. The heat sink is made of aluminum and comprises a first heat absorbing plate, a second heat absorbing plate and a connecting portion connecting with the first and second heat absorbing plates. The add-on card is sandwiched between and thermally connects with the first and second heat absorbing plates. The top end of the add-on card abuts against a bottom surface of the connecting portion of the heat sink. When the add-on card assembled with the heat sink engages with the socket, the connecting plate of the heat sink is deformed by an upward press of the top end of the add-on card. Thus, the stability of the heat sink is unfavorably affected.
An improved heat sink assembly, which overcomes the above problems, is desired.

Fu Zhun Precision Industry (Shen Zhen) Co., Ltd.


Disclosed is a novel immunoassay methodology, bridge immunoassay, which employs a primary free solution analyte/receptor binding reaction, for example, in a sandwich-type format (two or more analyte receptors), in a competitive format (single analyte receptor) or in a related immunoassay format, and a universal solid phase and capture system. The universal capture system comprises a first receptor bound to a solid phase and a bridge receptor (a second receptor) which functions both as a ligand for said bound first receptor and as a receptor for a ligand conjugated to a sample analyte receptor (a third receptor). The bridge receptor is used to immobilize the immunocomplexes formed free in solution by linking them to the bound first receptor. The universal capture system can be used for assays for any analyte as the bridge receptor binds to a ligand, for example, a hapten or binding protein, conjugated to the sample analyte receptor. Methods, compositions and test kits for such bridge immunoassays are provided.

The present invention relates to methods and compositions for immunoassays, and to kits for carrying out such methods and containing such compositions. The invention more specifically relates to immunoassays in which at least three receptors are employed to capture and insolubilize a sample analyte.
Receptors are generally proteins, although other substances having reversible specific binding affinity for a ligand or for a labeled analogue thereof are equally useful. The most commonly used receptors are antibodies because they can be raised to bind any desired ligand. However, other binding proteins are included within the meaning of receptor, for example, avidin, streptavidin, lectins, enzymes, apoenzymes, hydrophobic protein binding sites, intrinsic factor, thyroxine binding globulin, cortisol binding protein, folate binding protein, and membrane-associated specific receptor proteins. Receptors may also include polynucleic acid sequences and low molecular weight substances, such as, dyes or biotin. As a general rule, receptors are the larger of the two components of a binding pair. However, for the purposes of the present invention, a receptor is to be construed as simply one component of a binding pair.
Ligands are the converse of receptors. Whereas ligands are ordinarily low molecular weight organic compounds, they are defined for purposes of this invention, as one component of a binding pair, a receptor being the other component, wherein the ligand may be larger or smaller than the receptor.
Labeled ligand analogues are derivatives of ligands which carry a detectable substituent, such as, an enzyme, radioisotope, stable free radical or other known label, but which are recognizable by and bind to a receptor for the parent ligand (sample analyte) with approximately the same affinity as exhibited by the parent ligand.
A ligand-receptor pair is by definition reversibly bindable, that is, its behavior is governed by the law of mass action. On a practical level, "reversibly bindable" indicates that either component of the ligand-receptor pair is displaceable by structurally related substances under the conditions normally encountered in immunoassays, that is, mild pH and temperature, and moderate ionic strength.
Immunoassays employing double receptors are known in the art. Such double receptor immunoassays have as their salient feature a first receptor specific for a second receptor wherein the second receptor ordinarily binds to the ligand (analyte) which is the substance which is to be determined in the assay. Exemplary of such a double receptor immunoassay is that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,343,896 (issued Aug. 10, 1982 to Wolters and Kuypers) wherein a sandwich immunocomplex is noncovalently bonded to a solid phase through immobilized polyclonal antibodies raised against one of the antibodies of the sandwich.
The double receptor methods (without the use of binding ligands) have a number of disadvantages, principally because the affinity of such receptors for one another is not sufficiently high. Such limitations are manifested in requirements for relatively large plastic or solid surfaces for adsorption of receptor, making it difficult to use such a format in a coated tube, and for prolonged incubations. The low affinities are critical when the receptor or the antigen used to raise the receptor for the sample ligand is difficult to obtain.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,271,140 (issued Jun. 2, 1981 to Bunting) provides one method of overcoming such nonspecificity of one receptor for another in a double receptor immunoassay context. That patent is based on the fact that the affinity of antibodies for binding ligands is high. (Wilchek et al., FEBS Letters., 31(1):149-152 (April, 1973); Abbas et al., J. Immunol, 11 4(4):1197-1204 (April 1975); Lamm et al., PNAS (USA), 69(12):3732-3736 (December, 1972); and Wofsy et al., J, Exp. Med., 140:523-537 (1974) ) The Bunting patent claims an improvement to double receptor specific binding assays wherein instead of a double receptor, the assay comprises a receptor complex having a binding ligand (BL), a labeled or unlabeled receptor specific for the binding ligand (A.sub.BL) and a second receptor (A.sub.1). The configuration of the complex is A.sub.BL (BL)n A.sub.1 (wherein n is at least one), and BL is reversibly bound to A.sub.BL and covalently bound to A.sub.1. BL can be fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC).
Another patent employing the concept of using a binding ligand, termed therein a hapten, to increase the specificity of one receptor for another in double receptor immunoassays is U.S. Pat. No. 4,659,678 (issued to Forrest et al. on Apr. 21, 1987). That patent claims an immunoassay method for an antigen comprising incubating a mixture of: (a) a liquid sample; (b) labeled monoclonal antibodies to the antigen; (c) monoclonal antibodies to the antigen which are conjugated with a hapten; and (d) an antibody raised to the hapten which non-covalently bonds to the hapten and which is bound to a solid phase support. The hapten can be fluorescein isothiocyanate. That patent further discloses at column 5, lines 14-18, an immunoassay method wherein a specific binding protein and its corresponding ligand, for example, avidin and biotin, are respectively bound to a solid phase and conjugated to an antibody to the antigen under assay and by the noncovalent bonding thereof effect the insolubilization of an immunocomplex of the antigen, a labeled antibody thereto, and the unlabeled antibody conjugated to the ligand of the specific binding pair.
Other exemplary variations of the double receptor immunoassay include the following three references.
European Patent Application Publication No. 337,082 (assigned to BioRad Lab. Inc.) describes an immunoassay wherein an anti-biotin antibody is immobilized on a solid support and incubated with a biotinylated binding species, which is able to bind a sample ligand, so as to produce a ligand-specific binding site on the support.
European Patent Application Publication No. 344,578 (assigned to Boehringer Mannheim GMBH) describes a heterogeneous immunoassay using a solid phase to which an immunological reactant is fixed wherein the new feature is that the solid phase used is a reaction vessel having fixed to its internal surfaces enough streptavidin or avidin to provide 0.1 to 2.5 micrograms/milliliter (.mu.tg/ml) of reaction volume. The reaction vessels are described as being useful for any assay in which the antibody or antigen which is to be immobilized can be conjugated with biotin.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,778,751 (issued to El Shami et al. on Oct. 18, 1988) claims a method for measuring the level of an analyte (an antigen, antibody or hapten) in a liquid sample which sequentially comprises: (a) forming a soluble complex wherein the analyte is linked through a specific antibody, antigen or anti-hapten depending on the analyte, to a soluble matrix which carries a ligand (X) and is capable of being chemically attached to more than one specific antibody, antigen or antihapten; (b) forming an insolubilized complex comprising a solid support linked to the ligand (X) of the matrix through an anti-ligand (Y) wherein the insolubilized complex carries a label (Z) linked to the analyte through an anti-antigen, anti-antibody or anti-hapten; (c) washing the insolubilized complex; and (d) observing the presence of label. The ligand (X) can be biotin; and the anti-ligand (Y) can be avidin. The soluble matrix can be a soluble carbohydrate, dextran or a soluble polymer.
The El Shami et al. patent further discloses at column 21, lines 34-68 and column 22, lines 1-5, variations of said method wherein it is desired to capture the analyte in a liquid phase and then immobilize the soluble matrix in the same reaction. Three possible configurations are disclosed as follows: (1) X and Y are both avidin; and biotin is added after the initial liquid phase reaction has been completed; (2) X is biotin, Y is antiavidin and avidin is added after the liquid phase reaction; and (3) X is biotin, Y is a biotinylated protein, and avidin is added after the liquid phase reaction.
The novel immunoassay system of the present invention provides a capture system comprising at least three receptors. The first two receptors constitute a generic capture system applicable to a variety of immunoassay formats for any analyte. The first receptor is bound to a solid phase and has as its ligand a second receptor or a ligand conjugated to said second receptor, wherein said second receptor is a bridge receptor, preferably an anti-hapten bridge receptor. The second receptor is termed a bridge receptor in that it provides a bridge between an immunocomplex formed freely in solution and the first receptor bound to the solid phase. The bridge receptor therefore separates the immunocomplex containing the analyte under assay from the liquid phase. The bridge receptor binds to a ligand conjugated to a sample analyte receptor, the third receptor. The third receptor has as its ligand either the analyte under assay or a further receptor which has as its ligand the analyte under assay.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel immunoassay methodology which not only overcomes the problem of nonspecificity of the noncovalent bonding between receptors of prior art double receptor immunoassays but also provides for the advantages of liquid phase kinetics and lack of steric hindrance in forming an immunocomplex.
It is further an object of the present invention to provide a universal solid phase and capture system which can be employed for competitive, sandwich, competitive/sandwich and related immunoassays for any analyte.
It is a further object of this invention to provide for a generic capture system, which is stable, has a long shelf life, and provides a solid phase component which has a first receptor uniformly bound to it. The generic capture system provides a solid phase coated with a first receptor, such as avidin or streptavidin, and a bridge receptor, such as a biotinylated anti-hapten antibody, which can be used irrespective of the analyte under assay.
It is a still further object of the invention to provide a solid phase uniformly coated with the first receptor that can be used with a variety of bridge receptors, for example, a variety of biotinylated antibodies raised against different haptens. Thus, if, for example, there is a concern that a particular hapten might represent a cross-reactivity problem when a particular analyte is to be assayed, a more preferred bridge receptor raised against a different hapten can be selected.
In preferred embodiments of this invention, options are provided wherein it is unnecessary to immobilize antibodies to the solid phase, for example, wherein avidin or more preferably streptavidin is the first receptor, and a very uniform, stable and consistent coating of the solid phase can be produced.
It is still further an object of the invention to provide for an immunocomplex capture step that can be driven to rapid completion by optimizing the amount of a generic bridge receptor that is added to the reaction mixture, preferably after the immunocomplex has been formed in solution.
Other objects of this invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from a consideration of this specification and attached claims taken in their entirety.


An image-forming device which is equipped with an image-holding member, an exposure section provided with plural light-emitting portions arranged in a first direction, a movement section that relatively moves the exposure section and the image-holding member in a second direction that intersects with the first direction, and a light-emission control section. The light-emission control section causes the plural light-emitting portions to periodically emit light in accordance with image data representing an image that is to be formed on the image-holding member, to form the image on the image-holding member. The light-emission control section varies a light-emission period during formation of the image, so as to correct for periodic fluctuations within the image of at least one of density and magnification ratio in the second direction.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to an image formation device and method, and more particularly to an image formation device which includes an exposure section provided with plural light-emitting portions, which are arranged in a first direction, and a method for operating such a device.
2. Related Art
In an image formation device which forms images with an electrophotographic system, because of periodic variations in peripheral velocity of a photosensitive body which serves as an image-holding member, due to eccentricity of the photosensitive body, and/or changes over time of various portions of the device, there are possibilities in that periodic variations in density along a sub-scanning direction of images that are formed on the photosensitive body, periodic variations in a scaling factor (magnification) along the sub-scanning direction and suchlike arise. Among the changes over time of portions of the device, for example, changes in thickness of a surface layer of the photosensitive body, changes over time in development and processing characteristics, changes over time in transfer efficiency, and the like can be considered.

Image formation device and method for correcting periodic variations


A plasma display panel including a first panel, address electrodes formed on the first panel in a predetermined pattern, a first dielectric layer formed on the first panel and covering the address electrodes, a partition structure having unit partitions discontinuously formed on the first dielectric layer to partition a discharge space, the unit partitions being parallel to the address electrodes and each having auxiliary partitions, red, green and blue phosphor layers coated in the partitioned discharge space, a second panel, which is coupled to the first panel to form the discharge space and which is transparent, a plurality of pairs of sustaining electrodes formed on an inner surface of the second panel and having sets of first and second electrodes at a predetermined angle with respect to the address electrodes, and a second dielectric layer formed on the second panel and covering the sustaining electrodes.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a plasma display device, and more particularly, to a base panel having a partition structure which can prevent cross talk between adjacent pixels, and a plasma display panel utilizing the base panel.
2. Description of the Related Art
A plasma display panel generates light by exciting phosphors or a special gas, and using the reaction to form an image from the generated light. Plasma display panels are typically classified into an alternating current (AC) type, a direct current (DC) type, or a hybrid type.
An AC plasma display device includes a base panel and a front panel. The base panel includes address electrodes formed thereon, a lower dielectric layer formed on the resultant structure having the address electrodes, and partitions, formed on the lower dielectric layer, to maintain a discharge gap and to prevent electrical and optical cross talk between cells defined between the partitions. The front panel is coupled to the base panel having the partitions, and has electrodes having a predetermined pattern, formed on its bottom surface orthogonally to the address electrodes, an upper dielectric layer covering the electrodes, and an MgO film formed on the top surface of the upper dielectric layer. A phosphor layer is formed on at least one side of a discharge space separated by the partitions.
In the plasma display device having the aforementioned configuration, as a predetermined voltage is applied to the respective electrodes of the front panel, cations are accumulated on the dielectric layer, a preliminary discharge occurs between one of the respective electrodes and the address electrodes to form charged particles, and a main discharge occurs between each of the respective electrodes formed on the front panel. Then, the phosphor layer is excited by ultraviolet (UV) rays generated during the main discharge to form an image.
In the plasma display device operating in the above-described manner, the partition that partitions the discharge space has a variety of shapes. A rib or barrier structure that is striped is conventionally known. In the striped barrier structure, since only three surfaces, that is, the bottom surface and sidewalls of barriers, are coated with the phosphor layer, the luminescence efficiency is relatively low.
Another conventional structure employs a waffled barrier structure. Since the barriers surround every surface of a discharge space, it is difficult to either exhaust gas from the discharge space partitioned by the barriers or to inject discharge gas into the discharge space during the manufacture of the plasma display device.
In the case of the waffled barrier, in order to facilitate exhaustion, protrusions are formed on top of the barrier using a dielectric material to maintain a gap between the barrier and front substrate. However, the protrusion forming step is a separate process, and charges move through the gap formed between the barrier and the front substrate, which may cause a discharge error.
Another known solution is to use separator walls having a zig-zag, snaking, meandering structure. This structure forms channels having relatively wide discharge cells and narrow connecting parts. While these separator walls widen the discharge space to some extent, they cannot fundamentally solve the problem of cross talk between adjacent pixels.

Base panel having partition and plasma display device utilizing the same


A wheel bearing unit is provided in which the service life level is improved without making the size and weight of the bearing unduly large. The wheel bearing unit for rotatably supporting a car wheel on the body of a motor vehicle comprises a rotary member, an outer ring, and double rows of rolling elements. The rotary member comprises a hub wheel to which a car wheel is attached and an inner ring press-fitted to the outer circumference of the smaller end face of the hub wheel, wherein double rows of raceway surfaces are formed in the outer circumferential surfaces of the hub wheel and the inner ring, respectively. The outer ring has double rows of raceway surfaces formed therein so as to be opposite to the raceway surfaces of the hub wheel and the inner ring, and is fixedly coupled to a car-body-side knuckle. The double rows of rolling elements are interposed between the raceway surfaces of the hub wheel, the inner ring, and the outer ring. In this construction, at least the hub wheel and the inner ring are each made of a carbon steel containing 0.60 to 0.80 wt % of carbon, and a surface hardened layer is formed in the predetermined area thereof by a high-frequency quenching technique.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to a wheel bearing unit, and more particularly to a long-Life wheel bearing unit for rotatably supporting a car wheel on the body of a motor vehicle.
2. Description of the Prior Art
FIG. 1 is a diagram of a wheel bearing unit for use with a motor vehicle, illustrating an example of a construction designed for use in a driving wheel. This wheel bearing unit is composed of a hub wheel 1, an outer joint member 3 of a constant velocity universal joint 2, and an axle bearing 4 that are assembled into a unit. Note that the outer joint member 3 of the constant velocity universal joint 2 is, with an axially extending stem portion 5 inserted through a through hole 6 of the hub wheel 1 and serrations 7 and 8 formed in the outer circumference of the stem portion 5 and the inner circumference of the through hole 6, respectively, coupled to the hub wheel 1 and secured with a nut 9 so as to achieve torque transmission therebetween.
The constant velocity universal joint 2 is composed of, in addition to the outer joint member 3, an inner joint member 11 attached to the edge of a shaft 10, a plurality of torque transmission balls 12 incorporated into the track grooves of the inner and outer joint members 11 and 3, and a retainer 13 interposed between the outer spherical surface of the inner joint member 11 and the inner spherical surface of the outer joint member 3 for retaining the torque transmission balls 12.
The wheel bearing unit is so constructed that the hub wheel 1 is rotatably supported on the axle bearing 4. A vehicle wheel (not shown) is fixedly attached to the hub wheel 1, and the axle bearing 4 is supported through a knuckle 14 on a suspension system (not shown) of the car body.
The axle bearing 4 employs a double row angular ball bearing structure. In this construction, an outer ring 15 has double rows of raceway surfaces 16 and 17 formed in its inner diameter surface. One raceway surfaces 18 is formed in the outer circumferential surface of the hub wheel 1, and the other 19 is formed in the outer circumferential surface of an inner ring 20 that is press-fitted to the outer circumference of the edge of the hub wheel 1. These raceway surfaces 18 and 19 are opposite to the raceway surfaces 16 and 17 of the outer ring 15, respectively. Between the raceway surfaces of the outer ring 15, and the hub wheel 1, the inner ring 20 are interposed double rows of rolling elements 21 and 22. The rolling elements 21 and 22 are held at circumferentially equally-spaced positions in the retainers 24 and 23, respectively.
The outer ring 15 has a body mounting flange 25 protrudingly formed in its outer circumference. The flange 25 has, in several positions around its surface, female threads 26. By screwing a bolt 27 on the female threads 26, the outer ring 15 is fixedly attached to the knuckle 14. Note that the axle bearing 4 is provided with a seal 28, for preventing accidental intrusion of foreign material from outside or leak of grease contained inside.
The hub wheel 1 is provided with a wheel mounting flange 29. The flange 29 has a hub bolt 30 attached at circumferentially equi-spaced positions thereof for fixing a vehicle wheel. Moreover, a brake rotor 31 is fixedly attached to the flange 29 with the hub bolt 30.
Incidentally, in conventional wheel bearing units, the hub wheel 1 and the outer ring 15 are commonly made of a medium carbon steel which raceways are induction hardened. Specifically, steel materials ranging from S40C steel to S58C steel (as defined in the Japanese Industrial Standard (JIS) G 4051), in particular, S53C steel (a medium carbon steel) is employed.
The reason why the S53C steel (a medium carbon steel) is employed as an exemplary steel material for the hub wheel 1 and the outer ring 15 is as follows. If the hub wheel 1 and the outer ring 15 are sized and shaped based on a plastic working technique, in the case where, if a high carbon steel is used, for example, SUJ2 steel that is defined as a high carbon chromium steel for bearing structural use in JIS G 4805, it is inevitable that the forgeability is markedly deteriorated.
However, the use of S53C steel cannot be said to be highly advantageous in terms of a service life level, as compared with the rotating fatigue life of SUJ2 steel. In particular, the inner-board and outer-board raceway surfaces formed in the outer diameter surfaces of the hub wheel 1 and the inner ring 20, and the inner diameter surface of the outer ring 15, respectively, tend to suffer from a comparatively short service life. To prevent the service life from being shortened, the bearing is designed to have a larger rated load capacity so as to maintain the service life at adequate levels. This, however, cannot be achieved without making the size and weight of the bearing unduly large.
An object of the present invention is to provide a wheel bearing unit in which the service life level is successfully improved without making the size and weight of the bearing unduly large. To achieve the above object, according to one aspect of the present invention, a wheel bearing unit for rotatably supporting a wheel on the body of a motor vehicle is provided with a rotary member, a fixed member, and double rows of rolling elements. The rotary member to which a wheel is attached has double rows of raceway surfaces formed therein. The fixed member is fixedly coupled to a mounting member located on the car-body side of the device, and has double rows of raceway surfaces formed therein so as to be opposite to the raceway surfaces of the rotary member. The double rows of rolling elements are interposed between the raceway surfaces of the rotary and fixed members, respectively. In this construction, at least the rotary member is made of a carbon steel containing 0.60 to 0.80 wt % of carbon, and, in a predetermined area thereof, a surface hardened layer is formed by a high-frequency quenching technique.
In the wheel bearing unit embodying the present invention, by forming at least the rotary member from a carbon steel containing 0.60 to 0.80 wt % of carbon, it is possible to obtain satisfactory processability (forgeability). This is because the amount of carbon contained in this carbon steel is smaller than that contained in SUJ2 steel, which is defined as a high carbon chromium bearing steel in JIS G 4805 (C: 0.95 to 1.10 wt %). Moreover, by forming a surface hardened layer in a predetermined area thereof by a high-frequency quenching technique, it is possible to suppress degradation of the hardness of the steel and thus secure sufficiently long rolling fatigue life. This makes it possible to improve the service life level without making the size and weight of the bearing unduly large.
The rotary member is made of steel containing: C: 0.70 to 0.80 wt % (exclusive of 0.80), Si: 0.50 to 1.0 wt %, Mn: 0.10 to 2.0 wt %, Cr: 0.40 to 0.95 wt %, Al: 0.050 wt % or less, 0: 0.0030 wt % or less, and the remainder being Fe and inevitable impurities. The use of such a steel material helps achieve further improvement of the processability and the rolling fatigue life. Moreover, of the double rows of raceway surfaces of the rotary member, the inboard raceway surface is formed in an inner ring that is separately provided. The inner ring is made of an alloyed steel containing: C: 0.8 to 1.2 wt %, Si: 0.4 to 1.0 wt %, Cr: 0.2 to 1.2 wt %, and Mn: 0.8 to 1.5 wt %. The inner ring is, after undergoing carbonitriding treatment, quenched at temperatures in the range of 830 to 870xc2x0 C., and subsequently tempered at temperatures in the range of 160 to 190xc2x0 C., with the residual austenite content in the surface layer part being 25 to 50 vol.%.
Furthermore, the inboard raceway surface is formed in a separately provided inner ring that is made of a carburized steel containing 0.15 to 0.40 wt % of carbon. The raceway surface is composed of a surface hardened layer that contains carbon in the amount of 0.8 wt % or more and has Rockwell hardness of HRC 58 or more, and a core part that has Rockwell hardness of HRC 48 or more and below HRC 58. In the surface hardened layer, the residual austenite content is kept in the range of 25 to 35 vol. %, the grain size of the residual austenite is kept at 5 xcexcm or less, and residual carbide content is kept at 10% by area or less.
Of the double rows of raceway surfaces of the rotary member, the inboard raceway surface tends to suffer from a comparatively short service life. In view of this fact, the separately provided inner ring in which the inboard raceway surface is formed is made of a steel material having the above-described composition, and is subjected to the above-described heating treatment. By doing so, the rolling fatigue life can be further improved.
The nature, principle, and utility of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like parts are designated by like reference numerals or characters.