An antenna is structured in a manner that a rectangular radiation electrode, a ground electrode opposed in parallel to a long side and a short side adjacent to each other of the radiation electrode, respectively, and a feeder electrode connected to the long side of the radiation electrode are formed on a substrate. A portion opposed to the long side of the ground electrode has a length not more than the long side and a width equal to or less than a length of the short side, and a portion opposed to the short side of the ground electrode has a length more than the short side and a width equal to or more than a length of the long side.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an antenna and an antenna module which are used in a radio communication apparatus such as a radio LAN (Local Area Network) and mobile communications, and also relates to a radio communication apparatus provided with the same.
2. Description of the Related Art
A radio communication apparatus such as a radio LAN and mobile communications in recent years has been rapidly made to be small-sized, light-weight, high-performance and capable of high-speed data communication, and an antenna serving as one of the components of the radio communication apparatus has been also strongly desired to be small-sized, high-performance and ready for a wide band.
Among communication systems using the radio communication apparatuses, a wide-band communication system is in the limelight, expected to be usable for an ultrahigh-speed radio communication system in the future, because Federal Communications Commission (abbreviated as FCC) approved general use thereof. In the wide-band communication system, wide-band signals of a very wide frequency band such that used frequencies range from 3.1 GHz to 10.6 GHz are used, and a horn antenna, a discone antenna and the like are thought to be usable in general as the antenna used in the radio communication apparatus in point of wideness of the band and highness of gain.
However, the horn antenna and the discone antenna are of large outer sizes, and on the price side, it is difficult to lower the prices thereof, so that there is a problem such that the antennas become hard to apply to a mobile information terminal or the like, which is a radio communication apparatus for general use.
As opposed to the above, it was proposed to use a monopole antenna in which a radiation electrode having a plate-like shape is opposed to a ground electrode at a taper angle and make the antenna ready for wide-band signals (refer to U.S. Pat. No. 5,828,340, for example).
However, in the case of forming the radiation electrode at a taper angle with the ground electrode in the monopole antenna, the setting of the angle and the setting of the size of the radiation electrode subtly affect radiation characteristics, so that there is a problem such that it is difficult to obtain a stable antenna characteristic.

Antenna, antenna module and radio communication apparatus provided with the same


A backlight unit includes a light source unit supplying light, a light guide plate guiding and emitting the light provided from the light source unit to emit the guided light, a reflective sheet disposed below the light guide plate, a lower cover accommodating the light source unit, the light guide plate, and the reflective sheet, and a fixing unit fixing the light guide plate, the reflective sheet, and the lower cover. The fixing unit includes a fixing screw fixing the light guide plate, the reflective sheet, and the lower cover, and a fixing screw holder surrounding at least one portion of the fixing screw to absorb an impact due to movement of the fixing screw.

1. Field
Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a backlight unit and a display device having the same, more particularly, to a backlight unit which is capable of reducing damage and a display device having the same.
2. Background
Since display devices including display panels such as liquid crystal panels or electrophoretic display panels are not capable of self-emitting light, the display devices need separate light sources for supplying light. For example, a display device may have a backlight unit.
Such a backlight unit typically has a light source that emits light and a light guide plate guiding the light emitted from the light source toward the display panel.
The light guide plate may expand from heat generated from the light source and thus, may be deformed. When the light guide plate expands, the light source may be pressed and damaged. Also, the light guide plate may be deformed or damaged by a fixing member fixing the light guide plate.
When an external impact or oscillation is applied to the light guide plate, the light guide plate may be deformed or damaged by the fixing member for fixing the light guide plate and the movement of the light guide plate.
As the light guide plate moves, optical sheets such as a diffusion sheet, a prism sheet, and a protection sheet and a reflective sheet may also be damaged.

Backlight unit and display device having the same


Disclosed herein are systems and methods for producing recombinant proteins utilizing mutant E. coli strains containing expression vectors carrying nucleic acids encoding the proteins, and secretory signal sequences to direct the secretion of the proteins to the culture medium. Host cells transformed with the expression vectors are also provided.

The following discussion of the background is merely provided to aid the reader in understanding the invention and is not admitted to describe or constitute prior art.
Prokaryotes have been widely used for the production of recombinant proteins. Controlled expression of the desired polypeptide or protein is accomplished by coupling the gene encoding the protein through recombinant DNA techniques behind a promoter, the activity of which can be regulated by external factors. This expression construct is carried on a vector, most often a plasmid. Introduction of the plasmid carrying the expression construct into a host bacterium and culturing that organism in the presence of compounds which activate the promoter results in expression of the desired protein. In this way, large quantities of the desired protein can be produced.
E. coli is the most commonly used prokaryote for protein production. A variety of plasmid vectors have been developed for use in E. coli, which employ several different types of promoters, selectable markers, and origins of replication. In the most common arrangement, the expressed protein accumulates in the cytoplasm. While this approach is useful for some proteins, not all proteins can be accumulated in the cytoplasm in an active state. Often, when the desired protein is produced at high levels, it may be toxic to the host cell, or accumulate as an insoluble particle known as an inclusion body. Proteins which accumulate as inclusion bodies are difficult to recover in an active form. In such cases, it may be desirable to engineer the protein so that it is secreted from the cell.
E. coli and other gram-negative bacteria are generally considered poor hosts for secreted protein production. There are no well-understood secretory pathways in E. coli to transport heterologous proteins to the extracellular environment. The recent discovery of YebF-mediated secretion (Nat Biotechnol. 2006. 24(1):100-4) is the first report of a native E. coli system capable of secreting both the native protein, YebF, and translational fusions to YebF. However, the expression level of YebF fusion proteins is typically low.

Systems and methods for the secretion of recombinant proteins in gram negative bacteria


A metrology system monitors radio frequency (RF) power at a plurality of locations in a circuit. The system includes a plurality of RF sensors that generate respective analog signals based on electrical properties of the RF power, a multiplexing module that generates an output signal based on the analog signals, and an analysis module that generates messages based on the output signal. The messages contain information regarding the electrical properties that are sensed by the plurality of RF sensors.

The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art.
The electronics industry uses radio frequency (RF) plasma to fabricate various components such as integrated circuits, compact disks (CDs), digital versatile discs (DVDs), and the like. Generally the RF plasma process is monitored and controlled by a closed loop control system.
RF plasma control systems measure one or more parameters of RF power that is applied to a plasma chamber. A plasma controller repeatedly adjusts the parameters based on the measurements and a control algorithm. In multipoint applications the measurements are taken at more than one location in the RF power path and it can be challenging to synchronize or time-correlate the measurements from the various locations.
The communications industry also uses RF energy to allow devices and people to wirelessly communicate and pass information between different locations. Radio communication sites may include radio transmitters, receivers, antennas, and the like. They may also include test and/or monitoring equipment to ensure that the radio communication sites are functioning properly and in accordance with government regulations and/or industry standards.
The test and/or monitoring equipment can measure RF system parameters at more than one location in the RF path of a particular station. While the parameters may be used to ensure the system is functioning properly, it can be challenging to synchronize or time-correlate the parameter measurements from the various locations.

Multipoint voltage and current probe system


Optical card reader systems are known in which an optically encoded card is read to provide an output signal. However, in known systems, the card has to be presented in a particular orientation. Described herein is a card (80) which has three code zones (85, 86, 87), the upper zone (85) carries a code in one of its data streams from which a series of clock pulses is derived to assist in the processing of the data in the streams of the zones (85, 87) or (86, 87). Zones (85, 87) carry identical data presented in identical fashion. In order to determine the presentation of the card, start words (83, 84) can be utilised to indicate to the reader which way up and which way round the card is presented.

Card reader systems are known in which a card reader is programmed to provide an output signal once an appropriately encoded card is presented to the reader, the output signal being used, e.g. to open a door. These systems may be electrical, optical, mechanical, magnetic or electronic. However, the cards presently used in such systems have to be presented to the reader in a particular way, for example, the card having to be a certain way up and with a given end presented to the reader first. This is inconvenient and, e.g. leads to user dissatisfaction, especially with non-constant users, e.g. hotel guests. The available added security of card-access systems is undermined by their difficulty of use in an unsupervised environment by an unskilled user, the casual guest.
We have now found that, with careful design of how encoding is put on to a card, these problems may be overcome, and easy to use secure card access made possible.


Herein is provided a fine pattern forming method which is prevented from the charging-up phenomenon at the time of electric charged beam writing owing to the use of a polyalkylthiophene type conductive polymeric substance or a quaternary ammonium ion type polymeric substance in a monolayer or multilayer resist.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a fine pattern forming material used for forming a pattern by the method of electric charged beam direct writing using electron beam or focused ion beam and thereby producing semiconductor devices or integrated circuits, as well as to a pattern forming method using said material.
2. Description of Prior Art
Hitherto, in the production of IC, LSI, etc., pattern forming has been carried out by photo lithography using ultraviolet rays. As the devices become finer, numerical aperture of stepper lens is becoming higher and the wavelength of light source is becoming shorter. However, these means are disadvantageous in that they bring about a smaller focus depth. Further, the adoption of finer pattern dimension of LSI devices and the production of ASIC have become promoting the use of electron beam lithography. For the fine pattern forming by electron beam lithography, positive type electron beam resist has an indispensable necessity. Although polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) is known to have the highest resolving power among the positive type electron beam resists, it is disadvantageous in that its sensitivity is low. Thus, a numner of studies have been reported in the recent years concerning the method for improving positive type electron beam resist in sensitivity. For example, positive type electron beam resists made of polybutyl methacrylate, methyl methacrylate-methacrylic acid copolymer, methacrylic acid-acrylonitrile copolymer, methyl methacrylate-isobutylene copolymer, polybutene-1-sulfone, polyisopropenyl ketone, fluoro polymethacrylate, and the like have been disclosed. In all these types of resists, an electron withdrawing group is introduced into the side chain or a readily decomposable group is introduced in the principal chain in order to facilitate the scission of principal chain upon exposure to electron beams and thereby to improve the sensitivity. However, they have a problem that they are poor in dry etch resistance, they are readily influenced by the charging-up phenomenon because of its insulating character, and they are apt to be contaminated by organic solvent developer. Further, electron beam lithography is disadvantageous in that accuracy of pattern can be deteriorated by the proximity effect due to the forward and back scatterings of electron. From the viewpoint of overcoming these disadvantages, the multi-layer resist process wherein the function of resist is divided into that of pattern forming layer and that of planerizing layer is effective. FIGS. 6(a)- 6(d) illustrates a multi-layer resist process in the electron beam lithography. An organic film having a thickness of 2 to 3 microns is formed as a bottom layer 51 for suppressing the proximity effect, on which an inorganic film of SiO.sub.2 or the like or SOG (spin on glass) is coated as an intermediate layer 52 and, as a top layer, an electron beam resist 53 is coated. Further thereon, an aluminum film 54 is formed by vapor deposition up to a thickness of about 100 angstroms in order to prevent charging-up (FIG. 6(a)). After exposure to light, the aluminum film 54 is removed with an alkaline solution, after which development is carried out (FIG. 6(b)). Then, using this resist pattern as a mask, dry etching of intermediate layer 52 is carried out (FIG. 6(c)). Next, bottom layer 51 is dry-etched, using the intermediate layer as a mask (FIG. 6(d)). By the above-mentioned multi-layer resist process, a fine pattern can be formed at a high aspect ratio. However, in a multi-layer resist prepared by vapor deposition of aluminum, the process is not practical because the process is more complicated and it involves the problem of contamination.

Fine pattern forming material and pattern forming method

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.


There is provided an information processing device including a casing in which a top surface, a bottom surface, and side surfaces are integrally formed, and an opening portion which is formed in one of the top surface, the bottom surface, and the side surfaces and through which each component to be mounted inside the casing is inserted.

The present disclosure relates to an information processing device and a method of manufacturing the information processing device.
As information processing devices, for example, electronic devices such as note-type personal computers have been used. In the bodies of the electronic devices, components such as substrates and keyboards are stacked between bottom plates which are bottom surfaces and exterior members which are top surfaces, and the bottom plates and the exterior members are fastened by fastening members or the like for assembly (see JP 2010-146482A).

Information processing device and method of manufacturing information processing device


Method for loading stacks of sheet material into a packaging machine feeding unit, including the transfer of pallets for carrying the stacks of sheet material onto supporting plates, which are rotatably mounted on a fixed frame of the feeding unit and which are arranged in a raised receiving position; the actuation of the supporting plates, at the end of the step of feeding the stacks onto the unit, from the raised receiving position to a lowered position for releasing the emptied pallets into an underlying removal station; and the return of the supporting plates to the raised receiving position. The device for loading stacks of sheet material into a packaging machine feeding unit includes supporting plates for supporting pallets for carrying the stacks of sheet material. The supporting means are rotatably mounted on a fixed frame of the feeding unit and are suitable for being actuated between a raised position for receiving the pallets bearing the stacks and a lowered position for releasing the emptied pallets into an underlying removal station.

The present invention relates to a method and a device for loading stacks of sheet material into a packaging machine feeding unit.
In particular, the present invention relates to a method and a device for loading stacks of cardboard cutouts for rigid cigarette packets into a unit of the above type.
It is known that cigarette packaging machines are fed with stacks of cardboard cutouts intended to constitute the outer container of the packets.
A known unit for feeding packaging machines with stacks of sheet material provides an assembly for removing and transferring said stacks, which are arranged side by side on pallet-like carrier plates; the removal and transfer assembly is provided with a head equipped with elements for gripping a stack and can move vertically and horizontally, so as to arrange itself at the individual stacks and subsequently move up to a station for feeding the sheet material to the packaging machine.
The pallet loading and unloading operations are generally performed by plates of conventional lift trucks with fork elements which are inserted beneath said pallets.
Said loading and unloading operations currently performed require a considerable expenditure of time and labor, since the trucks must perform various movements between the areas where the loaded pallets are stored and those where the unloaded pallets are accumulated. This also prevents the automation of these operations.

Method and device for loading stacks of sheet material into a packaging machine feeding unit


The present invention provides a reagent for extracting lead ions from a variety of biological matrices such as human whole blood that has been anticoagulated with either heparin or EDTA, and lyophilized human blood and bovine EDTA whole blood. The released lead is measured in situ with a colorimetric porphyrin reagent without further manipulation of the supernatant. The lead ion releasing reagent can be used in conjunction with a variety of assay formats for the determination of lead in various biological fluids.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to reagents and methods for releasing and measuring lead in blood.
2. Background Discussion
Lead and its compounds have become widely distributed in the environment over the centuries. Lead is known to be toxic and have deleterious effects on humans. The toxicity of lead is well documented. Trace amounts of lead can adversely affect the function of various organs of the human body, especially in small children. It is now generally recognized that lead poisoning occurs at blood levels as low as 10 to 15 .mu.g/dL. Thus, the detection and measurement of lead in blood is extremely important in providing universal blood screening and in monitoring occupational lead exposure.
Most lead screening programs use atomic absorption or anodic stripping voltametry methods for the determination of trace amounts of lead. Both methods are cumbersome to use, susceptible to contamination, and costly. Enzyme-based biodetection systems of lead, which employ .delta.-aminolevulinic acid dehydrase (ALAD) and isocitrate dehydrogenase, have also been proposed. An automated fluorimetric lead assay, which uses inhibition of ALAD by lead is disclosed in PTC International Publication No. W095/17679 to Wong et al., which discloses the detection of lead in a sample by adding a lead recovery agent to an assay solution containing lead, adding a disulfide enzyme to the assay solution and correlating the activity of the disulfide enzyme to the amount of lead in the sample.
The Wong et al. patent discloses the use of acids such as trichloroacetic acid, nitric acid, 5-sulfosalicylic acid, or perchloric acid as an initial treatment step in separating lead ions from a blood sample. However, the resulting lead-containing aqueous supernatant must be neutralized with a buffer containing a lead recovery agent before analysis. Otherwise, the lead is unavailable for measurement.
Other methods of sample pretreatment include acid digestion or dilution of blood with a matrix modifier such as a nitric acid solution of ammonium phosphate and a nonionic surfactant, prior to analysis by atomic absorption.

Reagents and methods for releasing and measuring lead ions from biological matrices


Methods of characterizing an analyte of interest are provided. The methods can involve using a population of nanoparticles (e.g., magnetic ferrite nanoparticles) as a matrix for matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry. The size, shape, and composition of the nanoparticles can be selected in view of a variety of factors, including the nature of the analyte of interest, the desired characteristics of the mass spectrum, the nature of the energy directed onto the target composition, and combinations thereof. The nanoparticle matrix can enhance MALDI analysis by providing a cleaner mass spectral background and/or inducing abundant fragmentation of analyte ions by in-source decay (ISD). The nanoparticles are also versatile and selective; the nanoparticle matrix can be tuned to render the matrix particles compatible with an analyte of interest and/or improve selectivity for an analyte of interest.

Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization (MALDI) is a widely used ionization technique for the analysis of a diverse range of analytes, including biomolecules and polymers, by mass spectrometry (MS). In particular, MALDI is well suited for the analysis of high molecular weight analytes. As a consequence, MALDI is widely used in a number of biochemical and biomedical applications (e.g., for the analysis of biomolecules such as proteins) and quality control in polymer production. In MALDI, a sample to be analyzed is mixed with an excess of matrix compound to form a target. A laser is then fired at the target. The matrix compound in the target absorbs the incident energy from the laser, and transfers the energy to the analyte, causing desorption and ionization of analyte. Analyte ions enter the mass spectrometer, where molecular mass and structural information are obtained. The nature of the matrix used for a MALDI experiment greatly impacts the nature and quality of the resulting mass spectrum. Accordingly, the development of improved matrix materials can provide improved MALDI mass spectrometric methods. The compositions and methods disclosed herein address these needs and also provide a platform technology whereby new MALDI matrixes are created and customized for particular classes of analytes.

Mass spectrometric analysis using nanoparticle matrices

The Board of Trustees of the University of Alabama


The present invention relates to a golf ball cover composition comprising: a) from about 45 to 55 weight percent of a first high acid ionomer having an acid content of about 19 weight percent and, b) from 55 to 45 weight percent of an ionomer selected from the group consisting of i) a second high acid ionomer having acid groups neutralized with a different metal ion than said first high acid ionomer, and ii) an ionomer containing about 15 weight percent acid groups.

Other than one-piece practice or driving range balls, golf balls are generally available as two-piece and three-piece balls.
Three-piece or wound balls, which are preferred by professionals and low handicap amateurs, comprise either a solid rubber or liquid filled rubber center or core, covered by elastic windings. Wound balls typically have a cover of balata, which exhibits enhanced playability properties, but lacks the durability required for repetitive play, or an ionomer resin. Wound balls provide better golfers with a higher spin rate and more control than two-piece balls. In contrast, two-piece golf balls, used by the average amateur golfer, provide a combination of durability and maximum distance. Two-piece balls have a core formed of a single solid sphere, which is typically comprised of a polybutadiene base compound, and an ionomer resin cover that encloses the core.
Ionomer resins are polymeric materials containing interchain ionic bonding. They are sold by E. I. Du Pont de Nemours & Company under the trademark SURLYN.RTM., and by Exxon Corporation under the trademark ESCOR.RTM. and the trade name IOTEK. Because of their toughness, durability, and flight characteristics, ionomers have become the material of choice for golf ball covers. Golf ball covers made from ionomers possess the durability for repetitive play that is lacking in balata covers.
Ionomer resins are generally ionic copolymers of an olefin, such as ethylene, and a metal salt of an unsaturated carboxylic acid, such as acrylic or methacrylic acid. A portion of the pendant acid groups in the copolymer are neutralized with a metal, such as sodium or zinc to produce a thermoplastic elastomer with enhanced durability compared to balata.
At present there are more than 50 commercial grades of ionomers available from Du Pont and Exxon. The properties of these ionomers vary over a wide range according to the type and amount of metal cations present in the polymer, the molecular weight, the composition of the base resin, and additives, if any, that are included in the resin. Research continues in an effort to develop a golf ball cover composition having the improved distance of an ionomer cover with the playability of balata.
The distance a golf ball will travel is determined by a number of factors, including the coefficient of restitution (COR), ball size, weight, club head speed, angle of trajectory, and the dimple pattern, which controls the aerodynamics of the ball. The COR and the dimple pattern are factors that are under the control of the manufacturer, and, therefore, are of particular concern to the manufacturer.
The COR of a golf ball can be measured by propelling a ball at a hard, unyielding surface at a known speed, and measuring its speed immediately after impact. The COR is the ratio of the speed after impact to the speed before impact, and can vary from zero for a totally inelastic collision to one for a totally elastic collision. For macroscopic objects, the COR is always less than one.
The COR for a one-piece ball is a function of the composition only. However, in two-piece and three-piece balls, the COR is a function of the core and the cover.
Although the United States Golf Association (USGA) does not place any specific limitations on the COR, a USGA approved ball cannot exceed an initial velocity of 255 feet/second under specified test conditions, which places an effective limitation on the COR. Therefore, golf ball manufacturers seek to produce golf balls with a high COR so that the ball will approach or equal 255 feet/second in the USGA test without violating the speed limitation.
In their attempts to produce golf balls that provide the maximum distance while remaining within the USGA rules, golf ball manufacturers have produced various blends of ionomer resins. However, a need still exists for an ionomer blend for golf ball covers that provides the durability required for repetitive play, the COR required to provide maximum distance under the USGA rules, and the playability and control desired by better golfers. The present invention provides one such cover composition.

Multi-layer golf ball comprising a cover of ionomer blends


Various examples of the present disclosure provide a mobile sensing and smart payment system. The mobile sensing and smart payment system includes a terminal-identity-information-collection module, and a background data processing center. The background data processing center is configured to successively and respectively trigger, in a suitable time slot, a user information extraction process to extract mobile terminal identity information corresponding to each passenger; based upon extracted mobile terminal information to determine start and destination stations for each passenger; and calculate a charge for each passenger based upon the start and destination stations, and a fee schedule. The present disclosure can effectively determine a charge for each passenger without a need for a corresponding passenger to swipe a card or insert a coin through a traditional gate machine, and thus is advantageous over conventional systems.

At present, subway passenger transportation systems across China have built a relatively robust ticket purchase system, substantially achieved informatized management, and introduced payment systems for reading IC cards at gate machines, automatically calculating fares, and carrying out fare deduction. However, for passengers not having pre-purchased IC cards, the process to purchase tickets can still be complex and time-consuming, especially during holidays and festivals when there is a large crowd. For an example, passengers have to go to ticket booths located at a ticket hall of a subway station to purchase tickets. A passenger can select a destination on a user interface of a self-service ticketing system that shows available stations covered by the subway network, and, upon payment, get an equivalent electronic ticket token. The passenger can then use the ticket token to enter a start station, and get out from a destination station. Thus, when passengers get in and out of gate machines at subway stations the current subway systems all require the passengers to take out their metro cards or ticket tokens in advance, and actively swipe the metro cards, or insert ticket tokens.
However, in such subway systems, unexpected delays in swiping the metro cards or inserting ticket tokens from individual passengers may block passenger flows in and out of subway stations. For an example, a passenger may have both hands occupied, when the passenger reaches a gate machine. The passenger has to put down articles first before take out a metro card, or insert a ticket token. For another example, a passenger may need to find a metro card, or insert a ticket token, when the passenger reaches a gate machine. Or the passenger may have accidentally lost his/her metro card, or ticket token.
Therefore, it is desirable to provide a more convenient and rapid sensing and payment system at subway or railway stations.


A method for regulating a coupling formation includes sensing a temperature of a coupling with a non-contact sensor and sending the temperature to a control unit that regulates the temperature of the coupling formation. In addition, a system for regulating a temperature of a coupling formation includes a temperature control unit and a non-contact sensor in flow communication with the temperature control unit.

This invention relates generally to couplings and, more particularly, to coupling formations.
During soldering, welding, brazing and other coupling applications heat is typically applied to melt metal or plastic for coupling. To couple two components, the components are positioned such that there is at least one contact location between the components and molten material is then applied to the contact location. After an elapsed time period, the molten material cools to solidify and couple the components together. Alternatively, a molten material is applied to a first component and then a second component is placed in contact with the molten material. After the molten material cools, the components are then coupled.
The structural integrity and strength of the coupling may be dependent upon a temperature of the molten material applied to the components. If the temperature of the molten material is too high the molten material may flow too freely and form a thin bond. Conversely, if the temperature is too low, the molten material may not melt sufficiently and may not bond effectively between the components.
To ensure successful coupling formation, visual inspections are performed during the coupling of the components. Such visual inspections reveal only visibly poor couplings and do not reveal temperature fluctuations that may be indicative of a heat coupling process drift. As a result, additional inspections are done after the coupling is formed and include various non-destructive inspections and destructive inspections. Typically, the non-destructive inspections include ultrasound inspections and x-ray inspections, and the destructive inspections include stress tests and pressure tests. However, such inspections are costly and are only reliable after the component coupling is completed.
Moreover, since visual inspections and post-formation inspections are only effective after a poor coupling is completed, process drift is not corrected until the drift is such that poor couplings are completed.
A method for regulating a coupling formation includes sensing a temperature of a coupling with a non-contact sensor and sending the temperature to a control unit that regulates the temperature of the coupling formation. In addition, a system for regulating a temperature of a coupling formation includes a temperature control unit and a non-contact sensor in flow communication with the temperature control unit.

Method and system for regulating a temperature of coupling formations


A lithographic method and apparatus comprises an illumination system that supplies a beam of radiation, a patterning device that patterns the beam, and a projection system that projects the patterned beam onto a target portion of a substrate. A metrology system is provided adjacent the projection system for aligning the substrate with the projection system. Two or more movable chucks are each arranged to support a substrate and move between a loading device and the projection system. The chucks are independently movable so that one substrate can be passed through the metrology system and patterned beam while the other substrates are moved between the loading system and projection system.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a lithographic apparatus and a device manufacturing method.
2. Related Art
A lithographic apparatus is a machine that applies a desired pattern onto a target portion of a substrate. The lithographic apparatus can be used, for example, in the manufacture of integrated circuits (ICs), flat panel displays, and other devices involving fine structures. In a conventional lithographic apparatus, a patterning means, which is alternatively referred to as a mask or a reticle, can be used to generate a circuit pattern corresponding to an individual layer of the IC (or other device), and this pattern can be imaged onto a target portion (e.g., comprising part of one or several dies) on a substrate (e.g., a silicon wafer or glass plate) that has a layer of radiation-sensitive material (e.g., resist). Instead of a mask, the patterning means can comprise an array of individually controllable elements that generate the circuit pattern.
In general, a single substrate will contain a network of adjacent target portions that are successively exposed. Known lithographic apparatus include steppers, in which each target portion is irradiated by exposing an entire pattern onto the target portion in one go, and scanners, in which each target portion is irradiated by scanning the pattern through the beam in a given direction (the "scanning" direction), while synchronously scanning the substrate parallel or anti-parallel to this direction.
Many scanners employ a movable chuck for supporting the substrate that passes through the patterned beam. The chuck transports the substrate from a loader to an exposure location, and passes the transport beneath the scanning apparatus. In machines of this type, it is vital that the substrate is correctly aligned with the scanning apparatus before exposure begins. Alignment, preconditioning, and measurement of the substrate consumes a significant amount of time compared to the time taken to expose the substrate. A substrate will spend approximately one third (33%) of its total time in a typical machine in metrology (e.g., measuring) and internal handling and transport, and two thirds (67%) of its time being exposed. This represents a considerable inefficiency in the operation of the machine.
Lithography machines, in particular Integrated Circuit (IC) and Flat Panel Display (FPD) machines in which the projection systems are most expensive components of the machine, suffer particularly from this problem. If these components are idle for 33% of the time, this represents a significant waste of the capacity of the machine. FPD substrates are generally very large (e.g., typically 2-3 m along each side), and accordingly the machines required to expose such substrates have a very large footprint.
Therefore, what is needed is a method and apparatus that maximize an exposure time of substrates in a lithographic apparatus and/or to minimize an increase in footprint of the lithographic apparatus when large substrates are exposed.

Lithographic apparatus and device manufacturing method


This disclosure relates to systems and methods for securing a port component of a user that receives a connection component to a remote device. The port component may be secured by a docking component that may include compressible features that apply a force to the port component to insure proper alignment or orientation to receive the connection component.

An electronic device may include mechanical connections that enable an electrical connection to another electronic device. The mechanical connection may be incomplete or not fully engaged to enable the electrical connection. The incomplete connection may occur for a variety of reasons, but being able to manufacture an electronic device with a mechanical connection that performs consistently may be desirable.
Certain implementations will now be described more fully below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which various implementations and/or aspects are shown. However, various aspects may be implemented in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the implementations set forth herein; rather, these implementations are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those skilled in the art. Like numbers in the figures refer to like elements throughout. Hence, if a feature is used across several drawings, the number used to identify the feature in the drawing where the feature first appeared will be used in later drawings.

Systems and methods for securing electrical receptacles in a user device


A power conversion apparatus includes a power converter and a PWM controller. A first switching element is coupled to a positive pole of a DC power source and one terminal of a load. A second switching element is coupled to a negative pole of the DC power source and another terminal of the load. A third switching element is coupled to the positive pole and the other terminal. A fourth switching element is coupled to the negative pole and the one terminal. The PWM controller PWM-controls the power conversion apparatus to repeat an on-period during which the DC power source outputs a voltage to the load and an off-period during which no voltage is output. The PWM controller alternately controls the first and second switching elements based on a signal set at a high or low level any time during a carrier wave period.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a power conversion apparatus.
2. Discussion of the Background
Conventionally, a power conversion apparatus is known to subject a switching element constituting a bridge circuit to PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) control, thereby converting direct current (DC) power to alternating current (AC) power (see Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2002-305883).


An apparatus for measuring surface texture causes a probe to trace a surface of a workpiece to detect contact between a tip provided on the tip of the probe and the surface of the workpiece and measures surface texture of the workpiece. The apparatus for measuring surface texture includes: a path division unit dividing a path along which the tip is moved into a plurality of sections between the starting point and the ending point of the path; a moving velocity calculation unit calculating a moving velocity of the tip in sequence from the starting point to the ending point for each of the plurality of sections, based on the path information for each of the plurality of sections; and a stylus movement control unit moving the tip in a section for which a moving velocity has been calculated at the moving velocity calculation unit.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an apparatus for measuring surface texture, such as a Coordinate Measuring Machine for measuring displacement with a tip, as well as a method and program for measuring surface texture.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventionally, apparatuses for measuring surface texture are known to be arranged to scan a tip on a surface of a workpiece to measure surface texture of the workpiece based on contact of the tip with the surface of the workpiece (see, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-178646). The apparatuses for measuring surface texture include, for example, a Coordinate Measuring Machine and a two-dimensional measuring instrument.
Generally, conventional apparatuses for measuring surface texture perform, so-called, "scanning measurement" where a path to be scanned is determined in advance for measurement. For example, such paths used in the scanning measurement include those figures including a single straight line, circle, circular arc, or continuous lines and circular arcs. Besides, the scanning measurement may be performed to any circles or circular arcs mentioned above as long as the workpiece may be approximated in a circular manner within a range where the tip can be displaced, even if they are not completely round in shape.
However, when the above-mentioned line and circle are used in the scanning measurement, such schemes are employed in determination of scanning velocity of the tip beginning at the end of a path for scanning to trace the path, provided that the scheme stops at the end of the path. This means that it is necessary to process information for all paths at a time. Therefore, it is not possible to initiate measurement during the process, which could take a large amount of time for measurement.
The present invention has been made in view of the above problems. An object of the invention is to provide an apparatus, method and program for measuring surface texture that may achieve faster measurement.

Apparatus, method and program for measuring surface texture


A method and apparatus for deciding a network coding method based on link utilization are disclosed herein. The method may include a step of setting up an output link utilization reference value of a network intermediate node, a step of calculating an average utilization of output links for each network intermediate node, a step of deciding a network coding method in accordance with the average utilization of the output link for each network intermediate node, a step of consistently updating the average utilization of the output link for each network intermediate node, and a step of changing the network coding method, when a value of the average utilization value is changed.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to whether or not network coding is being operated in a network node and a method of applying network coding in order to minimize an increase in cost, delay, and complexity in accordance with an application of network coding
2. Discussion of the Related Art
Network coding refers to a technical method of compressing packets into one or more packets. Unlike a store-and-forward method, which corresponds to a transmission method of the conventional network node, the network coding method stores packets applied and introduced to the network node in a buffer. Then, until a transmission opportunity occurs in an output link, the network coding method compresses the packets, which are accumulated in the buffer, to one or more packets by using an encoding method. Thereafter, the network coding method transmits the one or more compressed packets.
A transmitting node of a network coding based network may or may not divide information that is to be transmitted to block units and combine the generated blocks by performing an encoding process. An internal network node combines packets, which are transmitted from the transmitting node and introduced to the internal network node, by performing an encoding process before transmitting the corresponding packets. Thereafter, the internal network node delivers the combined packets to a node connected to the internal network node. A final receiving node, which intends to receive content, receives a transmitted packet, which consists of a combination of multiple packets being combined by an encoding process. Accordingly, in order to recover information that is intended to be transmitted by the transmitting node, when sufficiently receiving a linearly independent packet, the receiving node may recover the initial (or original) information, which is transmitted by the transmitting node, by resolving a system of linear equations.
With respect to a flow of packets, which are encoded by a network intermediate node, the network coding method may be divided into Intra-session network coding and Inter-session network coding. Intra-session network coding corresponds to a method of encoding only packets belonging to the same flow, among a plurality of packets being flown into the network intermediate node, and transmitting the encoded packets. Herein, since the receiving node is more likely to receive linearly independent packets, Intra-session network coding is more advantageous in recovering the initial information. However, there are limitations in the Intra-session network coding method for achieving network-optimized transmission efficiency via network coding.
Inter-session network coding corresponds to a method of encoding packets belonging to different flows, among a plurality of packets being flown into the network intermediate node, and transmitting the encoded packets. Inter-session network coding corresponds to a coding method, which is applied to a network, wherein a plurality of flows is generated and transmitted in order to allow multiple transmitting nodes and receiving nodes to perform communication at the same time, such as the Internet, so as to resolve network congestion and to achieve network-optimized transmission efficiency via inter-flow network coding. However, the inter-session network coding method is disadvantageous in that the coding method is more complicated, as compared to the intra-session network coding method, and, since it is more difficult for the receiving node to sufficiently receive linearly independent packets for information recovery, the number of flows corresponding to encoding is limited.
Network coding technology may send out (or transmit) multiple network packets at the same time by combining the packets. Accordingly, by efficiently using network resources, the network coding technology may enhance network processing capacity, and, in bottleneck sections, the network coding technology may control network congestion. However, in order to apply network coding, a calculation procedure for performing the encoding operation between a transmitting node and a network intermediate node is required, which causes an increase in complexity. Additionally, the network coding technology also requires a storage space, which is configured to temporarily store packets, which correspond to encoding targets, and a calculating capability, which is required for recovering initial (or original) packets from a receiving node. Therefore, in order to apply the network coding technology to the current networks, the above-described disadvantages of the network coding technology are required to be resolved.
Intra-session network coding is advantageous in that the complexity level is relatively low and that the likelihood of recovering the initial content from the receiving node is high. However, intra-session network coding is disadvantageous in that the efficiency in using network resources is lower than the efficiency of the inter-session coding method. And, the inter-session coding method is theoretically advantageous in that it can achieve maximum transmission efficiency available in the network. However, the inter-session coding method is disadvantageous in that it has a high complexity level and that limitations are required to be made in the application environment in order to recover the initial content from the receiving node.

Method and apparatus for deciding network coding method based on link utilization

Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology


An apparatus and methods are disclosed for enabling the response to a command at a personal wireless terminal to be based at least partially on the presence or absence of other users nearby, and possibly the identity of those users. In the illustrated embodiment, the personal wireless terminal determines wirelessly (e.g., via Bluetooth, etc.) whether there are any other nearby personal wireless terminals (and inferentially, the users associated with these terminals), and then determines whether the command is authorized in that particular environment of nearby users. In some embodiments, authorization is also at least partially based on one or more additional factors, such as the identity of the user of the personal wireless terminal, the identify of nearby users, the nature of the command, one or more arguments of a command, the value of a datum retrieved by a query, and the date and time (i.e., “calendrical time”).

Bluetooth is an open standard specification for radio frequency-based, short-range connectivity. Bluetooth is designed to be an inexpensive, wireless networking system for a variety of devices (i.e., "terminals") such as mobile telephones, keyboards, mice, displays, etc. Bluetooth terminals that are within transmission range of one another (typically, 10 meters) form small ad-hoc networks called piconets and networks of multiple piconets called scatternets.
FIG. 1 depicts wireless telecommunications system 100 which communicates via Bluetooth. Wireless telecommunications system 100 is a Bluetooth piconet that comprises five terminals: Bluetooth-enabled personal wireless terminal 102-1 (e.g., a mobile telephone, a personal digital assistant [PDA], etc.) carried by user 101-1, Bluetooth-enabled personal wireless terminal 102-2 carried by user 101-2, Bluetooth-enabled computer keyboard 103, Bluetooth-enabled computer mouse 104, and Bluetooth-enabled desktop computer 105.
Users 101-1 and 101-2 can move about and can enter commands into personal wireless terminals 102-1 and 102-2, respectively, via one or more input mechanisms (e.g., keypad input, pen-based input, voice input, etc.). Personal wireless terminals 102-1 and 102-2 also typically have one or more output transducers (e.g., liquid-crystal display, speaker, etc.) to present content (e.g., a web page, an audio clip, output of an executed query, etc.) to users 101-1 and 101-2, respectively.
Examples of commands for personal wireless terminals 102-1 and 102-2 include: adjusting speaker volume; editing information in a spreadsheet; entering a move in a Chess game; starting a sound clip; capturing an image with a digital camera embedded in the wireless terminal; capturing an acoustic signal with a microphone embedded in the wireless terminal; downloading a web page; issuing a query that searches a database stored on a server; sending an email message; and placing a telephone call.
Some computing devices such as wireless terminals, desktop personal computers (PCs), and servers require a user to log in to the device before allowing the user to use the device. For example, when a personal computer (PC) that runs on the Windows XP or Linux operating system is powered on, the user is confronted with a log-in screen that asks for the user's username (also referred to as a screen name for Internet service providers such as AOL) and password. The user is can not proceed past the start-up screen until he or she provides a valid username and password combination.
Some computing devices provide, in addition to a log-in screen, one or more authorization mechanisms to restrict access to data, commands, or both. For example, PCs that run on the Windows XP or Linux operating system enable a data file to be associated with a particular user or group of users, thereby allowing only the associated user(s) to access the data file. In some authorization mechanisms, separate read- and write-permissions can be associated with a data file, thereby partitioning users into four categories: (i) those who can read and write to the data file, (ii) those who can read the data file but cannot write to it, (iii) those who can write to the data file but cannot read it, and (iv) those who can neither read nor write to the data file. Furthermore, some authorization mechanisms enable a command (such as an executable file) to be associated with a particular user or group of users, thereby allowing only the associated user(s) to execute the command.
The mechanism for restricting who can read, write, and execute a file is a great advantage in many practical situations, but it does not provide the flexibility and appropriateness necessary for many other situations. Therefore, the need exists for innovative restriction mechanisms.

Peer-to-peer neighbor detection for proximity-based command execution


A scroll compressor including a block, a fixed scroll, an orbiting scroll, a crankshaft, an Oldham ring and an oil passage is provided, wherein the fixed scroll is fixed on the block, and the orbiting scroll, the crankshaft and the Oldham ring are disposed on the block. The fixed scroll and the orbiting scroll form a gas-in area, a compressing area and a gas-out area which are connected in a series. The orbiting scroll is eccentric connected with the crankshaft to orbit over the fixed scroll and drive the Oldham ring moving. A reciprocating motion area on the block is formed via the reciprocating motion between the block and the Oldham ring, wherein the block has an oil opening in the reciprocating motion area. Besides, one terminal of the oil passage is connected to the oil opening, and another terminal of the oil passage is connected to the gas-in area and the compressing area.

Scroll configuration plays a very important role in the design of a scroll compressor. In a scroll compressor, a scroll fixed lap rising from a fixed plate of a fixed scroll and a scroll orbiting lap rising from an orbiting plate of an orbiting scroll are combined with each other to form compression chambers therebetween. As the moving orbiting scroll orbits around the fixed scroll, the "pockets" formed by the meshed scrolls follow the spiral toward the center and diminish in size, and thereby, the entering coolant is trapped in diametrically opposed pockets and compressed as the pockets move toward the center.
In operation, the orbiting scroll is driven to move relative to the fixed scroll in high speed that it is required to supply lubricant to the compression chambers for ensuring smooth operation of the scroll members during compression so as to reduce friction loss. Thus, it is an important issue for any scroll compressor about how to feed a proper amount of lubricant to its compression chambers. That is, if too much lubricant is supplied, system efficiency of the scroll compressor is reduced due to the happening of unwanted fluid compression phenomenon, and on the other hand, if inadequate lubricant is supplied, then the drastic friction between the fixed scroll and the orbiting scroll will cause damage to the scroll compressor.
Please refer to FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B, which are respectively a cross-sectional view of a conventional scroll compressor disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,827,563 and the lubricating oil passage of the scroll compressor of FIG. 1A. The conventional scroll compressor 100 of FIG. 1A comprises a block 110, a fixed scroll 120, an orbiting scroll 130 and a crankshaft 140, in which the a fixed scroll 120, an orbiting scroll 130 and a crankshaft 140 are all disposed on the block 110.
As shown in FIG. 1A, there are compression chambers S1 formed by the meshed fixed scroll 120 and orbiting scroll 130. As the crankshaft 140 is connected to the orbiting scroll 130 in a eccentric manner to be used for bringing along the orbiting scroll 130 to orbits around the fixed scroll 120 while the fixed scroll remains fixed, the coolant trapped inside the compression chambers S1 is compressed continuously by moving it through successively smaller "pockets" formed by the orbiting scroll's rotation. In detail, when the orbiting scroll 130 is allowed to orbit around the fixed scroll 120, a circular orbit area is formed on the fixed scroll 120, and moreover, an oil opening 122 is formed in the circular orbit area while configuring an oil passage 124 in the fixed scroll 120 to be used for connecting the oil opening 122 to the compression chambers S1.
In FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B, the oil opening 122 of the orbiting scroll 130 is closed for stopping the lubricant 142 from entering the oil passage 124 while enabling the lubricant 142 to flow through the channel 144 boring through the center of the crankshaft 140 and thus fill the buffering chamber S2 enclosed between the orbiting scroll 130 and the block 110. When the orbiting scroll 130 starts to move in the circular manner relative to the fixed scroll 120, the movement of the orbiting scroll 130 will cause the oil opening 122 to open in a periodic manner for feeding the lubricant 142 to flow through the oil passage 124 and reach the compression chamber S1 so as to lubricate the fixed scroll 120 and the orbiting scroll 130.
However, as the buffering chamber S2 where the lubricant 142 settled can be categorized as a high pressure area, conventionally a regulating valve 126 is required to be installed in those conventional scroll compressor to be used for depressurize the lubricant 142 before it is fed into the compression chamber S1. Nevertheless, the addition of the regulating valve 126 not only will cause the manufacturing cost of the scroll compressor to increase, but also it will cause difficulty in both design and manufacture of the scroll compressor since the regulating valve 126 is disposed inside the fixed scroll 120.
In a conventional scroll compressor disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,252,046, its oil opening is disposed on the sidewall of its block in a manner that it can be open/close by the relative movement of the orbiting scroll against the block and thus enables the lubricant to flow through the oil opening and enter the compression chamber for lubricating the fixed scroll and the orbiting scroll. However, the aforesaid arrangement will cause the oil opening to remain open for an excessively long period of time that is going to cause an uncontrollable amount of lubricant to be fed into the compression chamber and thus cause the compression efficiency of the scroll compressor to drop.

Structure for controlling lubricant's flow rate in scroll compressor

Industrial Technology Research Institute


This invention relates to methods, reagents, and kits utilizing metal chelates to inactivate nucleotide sequences, especially to inactivate polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and ligase chain reaction (LCR) products and to inactivate nucleotide sequences in a bioprocess and bioproduct. A novel metal chelate class is also disclosed.

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and ligase chain reaction (LCR) are techniques for amplifying any desired nucleic acid sequence (target) contained in a nucleic acid or mixture thereof. In PCR, a pair of primers are employed in excess to hybridize at the outside ends of complementary strands of the target nucleic acid. The primers are each extended by a polymerase using the target nucleic acid as a template. The extension products become target sequences themselves, following dissociation from the original target strand. New primers are then hybridized and extended by a polymerase, and the cycle is repeated to geometrically increase the number of target sequence molecules. PCR is disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,683,195 and 4,683,202.
LCR is an alternate mechanism for target amplification. In LCR, two sense (first and second) probes and two antisense (third and fourth) probes are employed in excess over the target. The first probe hybridizes to a first segment of the target strand and the second probe hybridizes to a second segment of the target strand, the first and second segments being positioned so that the primary probes can be ligated into a fused product. Further, a third (secondary) probe can hybridize to a portion of the first probe and a fourth (secondary) probe can hybridize to a portion of the second probe in a similar ligatable fashion. If the target is initially double stranded, the secondary probes will also hybridize to the target complement in the first instance. Once the fused strand of sense and antisense probes are separated from the target strand, it will hybridize with the third and fourth probes which can be ligated to form a complementary, secondary fused product. The fused products are functionally equivalent to either the target or its complement. By repeated cycles of hybridization and ligation, amplification of the target sequence is achieved. This technique is described in EP-A-320,308, hereby incorporated by reference. Other aspects of LCR technique are disclosed in EP-A-439,182, to Backman, K. C. et al., hereby incorporated by reference.
Ironically, the biggest virtue of PCR and LCR techniques also poses a significant problem for diagnostic assays. Since both techniques exponentially amplify their targets, they are so sensitive to tiny amounts of target DNA that even ten molecules of oligonucleotide that arise from exogenous sources rather than from the sample itself can lead to a false positive result and mistyping. In the case of PCR, it has been found that if one round of PCR with 25-40 cycles is performed in a volume of 25 .mu.L, approximately 10,000 contaminating molecules are sufficient to produce a spurious band that can be detected with ethidium bromide. Sarkar, G. et al., BioTechniques, 10(5): 591-593 (1991). If nested PCR or booster PCR are used for applications in which DNA from 1-10,000 cells is the input, extreme caution is required because contamination with only one molecule may produce a spurious result. Id.
A primary source of exogenous templates leading to false positive amplifications are carryover products from previous PCR or LCR amplifications of the same target ("PCR products" or "LCR products" respectively) which become dispersed in the laboratory area and serve as templates in subsequent PCR or LCR amplification. PCR or LCR products may also contaminate physically proximate negative samples ("crossover contamination"). Besides contamination by PCR or LCR products, the reagents, samples, equipment, and the general laboratory area may also be contaminated by exogenous DNAs such as bacterial or viral DNAs. For example, PCR may register high levels of background amplification for samples containing water but no DNA, due to the presence of small fragments of DNA which may be produced by autoclaving viral culture material. Porter-Jordan, K. et al., J. Med. Virol., 30(2): 85-91 (1990). RNA contamination is a lesser problem because RNAases are commonly present in the environment. To avoid contamination in the case of PCR, it has been suggested that before adding template DNA and Taq DNA polymerase, individual reaction mixtures should be treated with DNasel or restriction endonucleases that cut internal to the pair of amplification primers. Furrer, B. et al., Nature (London), 346: 6282-324 (1990). This treatment will inactivate contaminating nucleic acid sequences, e.g., render them biologically inactive to polymerase or ligase.
Certain other simple steps are used in PCR to avoid all the above contaminations. They include: (1) physically isolating PCR preparations and products; (2) autoclaving solutions where possible; (3) dividing reagents into aliquots to minimize the number of repeated samplings necessary; (4) using of disposable gloves; (5) avoiding splashes; (6) using disposable replacement pipettes; (7) "premixing" reagents where possible; (8) adding DNA last; and (9) choosing positive and negative controls carefully. Kwok S., et al, Nature, 339, 6221, 237-38 (1989).
Additionally, several more specific methods have been described to eliminate carryover DNA target products. These methods include ultraviolet (UV) irradiation (e.g., Amino, et al. Nature, 345: 773 (1990), gamma irradiation (Deragan, et al., Nucl. Acids Res., 18: 6149 (1990)), psoralen treatment (Jinno, et al., Nucl. Acids Res., 18: 6739 (1990)), and the use of uracil-N-glycosylase treatment of dU-containing DNA (Longo, et al., Gene, 93: 125 (1990); Package Insert, GeneAmp PCR Carry-Over Prevention Kit, Perkin-Elmer, 1990). UV or gamma irradiation or psoralen treatment in conjunction with UV irradiation is of limited efficiency. The efficiency of such sterilization is dependent on the size and specific sequence of the product. In the case of UV irradiation, for example, longer PCR products (more than 700 base pairs) appear to be more susceptible to UV irradiation than do shorter PCR products (less than 250 base pairs) (Amino, et al., supra.). Additionally, insufficient data have been generated regarding irradiation effect on the chemical integrity of the primers.
In PCR, the carryover contamination problem is solved to some extent, by replacing normal ribonucleoside triphosphates (rNTPs) or deoxyribonucleotide triphosphates (dNTPs) with an exogenous nucleotide that is not present in natural nucleic acid. (See European Patent Application publication no. 0401037, published Dec. 5, 1990, to Hartley). The exo-sample nucleotides used are uracil N-glycosylase (UNG) and uridine triphosphate. The method works thus: the UNG cleaves the glycosidic bond between the base uracil and the sugar deoxyribose, but only when the 2'-deoxyuridine moiety is incorporated into the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). The enzyme does not act upon dUTP, free deoxyuridine, or RNA. Thus, if DNA containing 2'-deoxyuridine is introduced into a sample, the adventitious DNA will be cleaved if UNG is present in the medium, while the UNG will not affect the natural DNA. The cleaved DNA will not be a substrate for PCR. In the first cycle of PCR, the UNG will be denatured, and so will not act on the UTP which is incorporated into the growing oligonucleotide chain as part of PCR. Importantly, this method does not address the problem of carryover contamination from native DNA which has the base thymidine instead of uridine, as thymidine is not a substrate for UNG.
Apart from the above PCR investigation, researchers in the field of gene activity and inactivation in live cells also work with the cleavage of DNA. However, since a gene function can be destroyed or altered through even a single cleavage in the nucleotide sequence, the emphasis in this field, site directed mutagenesis, is just to cleave or nick a DNA sequence, preferably at a specific site, in order to observe the resulting effect on the gene function or cell behavior. Thus, the intent is not to totally destroy or inactivate all the DNA sequences, unlike that of PCR or LCR.
Metal chelate complexes have been used in conjunction with oxidizing and reducing agents to damage DNA. The art is replete with findings that reducing agents are required for DNA damage, if metal chelates are used to cleave the DNA. For example, Que et al indicate that the degradation of Escherichia coli DNA by 1,10-phenanthroline requires Cu(lI), oxygen, and a reducing agent. Que, B. G. et al., Biochem., 19(26): 5987-5991 (1980).
Similarly, Sigman (Acc. Chem. Res., 19: 180-186, 1986) and Goldstein et al. (J. Am. Chem. Soc., 108: 2244-2250 (1986); J. Free Radicals in Biology & Medicine, 2: 3-11, 1986) disclose the use of a reducing agent, copper bis(1,10-phenanthroline), and hydrogen peroxide to cleave DNA.
Apart from interfering with LCR and PCR results, undesirable nucleotide sequences also pose a problem in bioprocesses and the resulting bioproducts, for example, in cell-culture-derived recombinant proteins. These contaminating nucleotides can be of viral, fungal, or bacterial origins, such as endogenous and adventitious retroviruses. Knight, P., Bio/Tech., 6(12): 1373-73 (1988). These contaminating nucleotides are health hazards especially if the bioproducts are used in vivo. For example, viral DNA can potentially infect the recipient of a transfused recombinant protein.
The current modes of DNA removal consist of DNAse treatment, polymin P precipitation and anion exchange liquid chromatography separation. The major problem with DNAse treatment is that inhibitors present in the medium can block or slow action of the enzyme. Further, if active DNAase is still present in the recombinant protein preparation that is introduced into a patient, it would seriously jeopardize the patient's health as the DNAase would permeate the patient's cells and destroy the DNA therein. The shortcoming of polymin P precipitation is that it can remove some, but not all, of the endogenous DNA. Finally, anion exchange liquid chromatography carries with it the possibilities of incomplete separation of highly charged protein from DNA, and carryover of sample.

Methods for inactivating nucleotide sequences and metal chelates for use therein


A portable horseshoe court demarcation device formed of a plurality of engaged pairs of flexible members such as webbing. The ends of the flexible members once engaged to the ground mark a Horseshoe court. Center sections of one pair of flexible members provide a reference point from which to determine where to place horseshoe stakes, or provide flexible members for marking the installation point for the horseshoe stakes.

Horseshoes is a game played between two people (or two teams of two people each) which employs four horseshoes and two stakes as targets for the horseshoes. During a conventional horseshoe match, players alternate taking turns tossing their respective horseshoes at the stakes. Modern games of horseshoes generally employ a more stylized U-shaped bar type horseshoe, about twice the size of an actual horseshoe. As the horseshoes are formed of steel, they have a relatively large mass which results in a significant force when tossed forty feet. Since the stakes are constantly hit by a flying horseshoe, it is important that the stakes be firmly planted into the ground.
In order to insure consistency and a regulation match, it is also important that the stakes be placed exactly 40 feet apart in laying out an accurate horseshoe court. In addition to correct positioning of the stakes employed as the horseshoe targets, a tedious process is generally followed to set up the boundaries and foul lines of a regulation horseshoe court.
In such a process, the court makers first measure off 40 feet in a straight line and then drive two 36 inch×1 inch smooth iron rods into the ground at the endpoints of the 40-foot measurement. The stakes are generally driven into the ground either perpendicular to the ground or at a slight angle to the ground, until just 14 inches of the stake remains above ground. In some cases the stakes may be angled slightly such that each stake leans toward the opposite stake. In any case, insuring an accurate 40 foot spacing between the stakes is critical.
Next, a shovel or other digging tool is employed to loosen the top 2 to 4 inches of soil around the stakes. This provides a landing zone for the thrown horseshoes. In a further step in laying out the court, at least one foul line must be positioned at either 27 or 37 ft from each stake. A 27 foot foul line is to be used by children up thru 18 yrs of age, women, and elderly men (70 yrs of age or more). The more widely employed 37 ft. foul line is to be used by all other adult men.
As can be seen, setting up the court with proper distance between the stakes and then designating proper foul lines at proper distances from each other is a tedious process at best. Further, keeping the entire court square when measuring over soil while trying to keep foul lines parallel and within regulation is a daunting process at best, requiring numerous diagonal measurements to insure the court is not actually a trapezoid.
A game of horseshoes is a popular form of entertainment for people at picnics, at the beach and at family outings. However, because of the tediousness of setting up the regulation court, many times the court never gets assembled. As a consequence, picnic participants never get to play the game.
Accordingly, there is an unmet need for a portable horseshoe court demarcation device that is easily deployed to designate a horseshoe court. Such a device should eliminate the tedious and frequently inaccurate measurements required to set the stakes at a proper distance. Such a device should also provide an easy means to mark the foul lines which are measured at a distance from an opposite stake. Finally such a device should remain substantially squared on deployment to insure the court so designated is substantially according to regulation.
Further, in the most preferred mode, such a device should also be compact during transport to allow it to be taken in the trunk of a car. Also, such a device should be easily deployed using a simple tool readily available to users such as a hammer to completely set up the court according to regulation dimensions.


An information processing device sends task unit indicator information for a set of task units having an assigned execution sequence to a robot control device and numerical control device which are work performing elements. A work performing element that can execute the first task unit sends back a notification for executability. The information processing device selects one of the work performing elements which has output a notification for executability, and issues an execution command to same. After execution, the task unit indicator information, from which the first task unit that has been executed is deleted, is returned to the information processing device. The information processing device then sends this task unit indicator information to all of the work performing elements. Thereafter, this processing is repeated until task units disappear in the task unit indicator information.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a production cell having a plurality of work performing elements, such as a robot, processing machine, or the like.
2. Description of the Related Art
In a production system for machine parts, or the like, a sequence of work tasks is carried out automatically, whereby a workpiece is received, processed, and then passed on to the next process. A production cell forming a production system that is highly automated is based on the operation of work performing elements which actually carry out the production tasks, such as a plurality of industrial robots or processing machines, or the like. The industrial robots and processing machines each have a work program, and operate individually, and they are connected mutually by communications means, such as I/O units, or the like.
When designing a production system, the production steps in each production cell are planned, the production tasks in each production step are planned, the work performing elements, such as industrial robots, processing machines, and the like, required for each production task in each step are planned, and work tasks are planned to be carried out by the individual work performing elements, such as the industrial robots, processing machines, and the like. In other words, the production work required by the production cell is achieved by dividing it up into individual production tasks for the work performing elements, such as industrial robots, processing machines, and the like, which are the constituent elements of the production cell.
A cell controller which controls the production cell indicates, via the I/O units, or other such communications means, when a work performing element, such as a robot, machine, or the like, should execute its allocated task. For example, the behaviour of a cell controller in one of a plurality of production cells performing machine processing will be considered. A robot receives a workpiece processed in an upstream cell, by means of a temporary workpiece stand, or a conveyance device. It grasps the workpiece, installs it on a processing machine, and then waits until processing has completed. When the processing by the machine has been completed, the workpiece is removed from the processing machine and is conveyed by means of a temporary workpiece stand or a conveyance device, to a downstream production cell. The cell controller controls this production step, and the cell controller performs the operations of: receiving an indication that the preparation of the workpiece from the upstream cell has been completed, by means of an input signal, notifying the processing machine to prepare for processing, by means of an output signal, receiving a processing preparation completed signal from the processing machine by means of an input signal, requesting the robot to grasp the workpiece from the upstream step and install it in the processing machine, by means of an output signal, receiving an indication that the workpiece has been installed in the processing machine from the robot, by means of an input signal, outputting a processing start instruction to the processing machine by means of an output signal, receiving a processing completed signal from the processing machine, and instructing the robot to remove the workpiece from the processing machine and supply it on to the downstream step, and when the cell controller is notified by the robot that the supply of the workpiece to the downstream step has been completed, then it waits until another workpiece is supplied from the upstream process.
In the work program of the robot, firstly, the robot waits until it receives a signal from the cell controller indicating the arrival of a workpiece from the upstream cell, and it then performs the tasks of grasping the workpiece, conveying the workpiece to the processing machine, and installing the workpiece in the processing machine, whereupon it outputs a task completed signal to the cell controller. Thereupon, the robot waits for the cell controller to send a request for the workpiece to be removed from the processing machine, upon which it performs the task of removing the workpiece, and then the task of supplying the workpiece to the downstream cell.
The foregoing operation of a production cell refers to the most simple example, involving a single processing machine and a single robot, and the production work comprises a single predetermined sequence, starting with the arrival of a workpiece from the upstream cell, and ending with the output of the workpiece to the downstream cell. In general, since the processing machine takes a long time to process the workpiece, the production capacity of the production cell is determined by the capacity of the processing machine. If the capacity of the production cell is insufficient, then the number of processing machines is raised to two, and a composition comprising a single robot and two processing machines is adopted. In this case, the program for the robot and the program for the cell controller are much more complicated than in the case of a single processing machine and single robot scenario. The cell controller monitors three states: the arrival of a workpiece from the upstream cell, the completion of processing by processing machine 1 and the completion of processing by processing machine 2. When a workpiece arrives from the upstream cell, it is investigated which of the processing machines 1 and 2 is not in use, and the work is installed in the machine that is not currently processing. In this case, it is also necessary to recognize situations where both of the processing machines are in use and the workpiece cannot be installed, and temporary stands must be provided, for example, for each of the processing machines. The robot program also becomes complicated, and must simultaneously monitor four signals: a request to install a workpiece on processing machine 1, a request to install a workpiece on processing machine 2, a processing complete signal from the processing machine 1 and a processing complete signal from processing machine 2, and it must change the contents of its work in accordance with the signal that arises.
What would be the situation if the number of processing machines in the production cell were raised to three? In this case, the processing capacity provided by the three machines may outstrip the capacity of the robot to install and remove workpieces. If this is the case, then the number of robots is increased, and the production cell will be constituted by three processing machines and two robots. When a workpiece arrives from the upstream cell, the cell controller must identify a robot that is not in use and a processing machine that is not in use, and it must then issue operating commands to this robot and processing machine. If a processing complete signal arrives from any one of the processing machines, it must identify a robot that is not in use and command it to remove the workpiece. In this way, the more complex the work operations in the production cell become, the greater the burden on the cell controller, and if the composition of the production cell is to be changed, or if the workpieces for machine components, or the like, that are to be processed by the production cell are changed, then it becomes very difficult to plan production.
Conventionally, when carrying out processing in a production cell of this kind, programs for controlling the operation of the robots and processing machines are stored respectively as sequential programs in such a manner that the work tasks are executed from the start of production until the end. Therefore, if the type of product that is to be produced is changed, or the like, then the whole program must be revised. However, in order to be able to adapt readily to a change in the type of product, or the like, Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 9-57576 discloses a method wherein tasks of a plurality of different types are executed sequentially and the production plan can be changed easily, by adapting a numerical control device for controlling the processing machines to each type of workpiece and each type of work task, storing a plurality of processing programs containing system constants relating to each type of workpiece and each type of work task, and supplying a processing program and the established values for the system constants to the numerical control device, from a cell controller.
Even in the case of a relatively simple production cell using processing machines and robots of this kind, the cell controller for controlling same, and the programs for the robots and processing machines forming the work performing elements, become very complicated. In this method, the cell controller and the work programs for the robots describe a sequence of production operations from start to finish, these programs being stored in storage devices of the cell controller or robots, and being read out from same and executed, and therefore it is not possible to combine them freely when executing individual work tasks on their own. In Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 9-57576 mentioned above, a processing program is prepared for each type of product to be processed, and by selecting a processing program, a particular sequence of production tasks is executed, but it is not possible freely to combine and execute individual task units.
In particular, if the constituent elements of the processing cell change, or if the production steps change, then it is necessary to cause the constituent elements of the system to operate according to a different procedure, and hence the program of the cell controller must be rewritten accordingly. In accordance with the changes made to the program of the cell controller, new programs must also be prepared for the robots and processing machines. Therefore, if the number of processing machines or robots is increased or decreased, or new processing steps are added, from the viewpoint of the production capacity of the cell, then it will be necessary to change the programs of all the constituent elements of the system.
Moreover, the constituent elements of the system operate on the basis of input and output communications using digital signals. Supposing that the output signal 1 from the cell controller is a request to robot 1 to convey a workpiece from an upstream cell, then this is taken to be connected to the input signal 1 of the robot 1. If the output signal 2 of the cell controller is a request to robot 2 to convey a workpiece, then this is taken to be connected to the input signal 2 of the robot 2. In this way, with regard to such digital signals, it is necessary to manage the correspondences between the meaning of the signals and the signal numbers, for each one of the respective constituent elements. Therefore, each time the number of elements is increased, or the processing step is changed, new signals are required, and on each occasion, the correspondences between signal numbers and meanings must be reviewed. Therefore, in many cases, the signal meanings and signal numbers are defined incorrectly at the stage of rewriting the programs for the cell controller, the robots and the processing machines. Furthermore, even if a workpiece conveyance processing program created for robot 1 is to be reused for robot 2, for example, since the correspondence between signal numbers and meanings is different for each robot, the program cannot be reused without modification.
Moreover, only the cell controller is able to issue work commands to the robots and processing machines, and the cell controller is not able to issue these work commands unless it follows a previously determined procedure. Therefore, it is not possible, for instance, to execute only a portion of the processing step. Furthermore, if many different types of product are to be manufactured, then previously determined procedural programs are prepared for each type of product, and it is not possible to carry out manufacture of plural types of products, in a parallel fashion.


An image-pickup apparatus includes an image-pickup device having a flexible shape characteristic; and a retaining member for retaining the image-pickup device in a state being curved in the thickness direction. The image-pickup apparatus is capable of suitably correcting a lens aberration occurring in an imaging optical system.

The present invention relates to an image-pickup apparatus including an image-pickup device, a method of fabricating the image-pickup apparatus, and a camera system using the image-pickup apparatus.
In general, image-pickup devices used for image-pickup apparatuses are fabricated by forming image-pickup elements on a semiconductor wafer by semiconductor fabrication processes, and cut the semiconductor wafer into chips. The image-pickup device thus obtained has a flat-plate shape having a large thickness as a whole, and thereby it exhibits a rigid, non-deformable shape characteristic. Further, an image-pickup plane formed on a principal plane of the image-pickup device is planar along the principal plane.
On the other hand, an object is imaged on an image-pickup plane of an image-pickup device through imaging lenses built in an imaging optical system.
FIG. 17 is a schematic side view showing a state in which an image-pickup device is arranged in combination with an imaging optical system. Referring to FIG. 17, a diaphragm portion 51A is integrally formed at the leading end of a lens barrel 51, and two imaging lenses 52A and 52B and an intermediate diaphragm 51B are built in the lens barrel 51. An image-pickup device 53 is arranged relative to the imaging optical system having the above configuration, with the central portion of the image-pickup device 53 aligned to the optical axis (optical center) of the imaging optical system.
In the case of imaging an object through imaging lenses, there generally occurs a lens aberration called xe2x80x9ccurvature of fieldxe2x80x9d. As shown in FIG. 18, if a focal point is adjusted to P1 at a central portion of the image-pickup device 53, the focal point becomes P2 at a peripheral portion of the image-pickup device 53 by the effect of the above-described curvature of field, to cause a deviation in focal point between the central portion and the peripheral portion of the image-pickup device 53. As a result, there occurs degradation of image-pickup characteristics such as unevenness in image quality between the central portion and the peripheral portion of the image-pickup device 53.
To cope with such an inconvenience, in the case of an imaging optical system having a large number of lenses, a lens aberration occurring in the imaging optical system has been corrected by suitable combination of these lenses, and in the case of an imaging optical system having a small number of lenses, a lens aberration has been corrected by adopting an aspherical lens.
The correction of a lens aberration by an imaging optical system, however, puts a large load on the design of the imaging optical system including lenses, and since the load on the design of the imaging optical system becomes larger with an increase in corrected amount of a lens aberration, the production tolerance of each lens becomes correspondingly stricter. Further, if the amount to be corrected of a lens aberration becomes larger to some extent, there is a possibility that the lens aberration cannot be sufficiently corrected, to thereby cause degradation of image quality.
An object of the present invention is to provide an image-pickup apparatus allowed to suitably cope with a lens aberration occurring in an imaging optical system, a method of fabricating the image-pickup apparatus, and a camera system using the image-pickup apparatus.
To achieve the above object, according to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image-pickup apparatus including: an image-pickup device having a flexible shape characteristic; and a retaining member for retaining the image-pickup device in a specific shape.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a camera system using an image-pickup apparatus, the image-pickup apparatus including: an image-pickup device having a flexible shape characteristic; and a retaining member for retaining the image-pickup device in a specific shape.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of fabricating an image-pickup apparatus including an image-pickup device having a flexible shape characteristic and a retaining member for retaining the image-pickup device in a specific shape, the method including the step of: making the retaining member retain the image-pickup device in a specific shape by disposing the image-pickup device on the retaining member, and in such a state, blowing air to the image-pickup device from an image-pickup plane side of the image-pickup device or sucking air from the opposed side to the image-pickup plane through the retaining member.
With these configurations of the image-pickup device, the fabrication method thereof, and the camera system using the image-pickup apparatus, since the image-pickup device having a flexible shape characteristic is retained by the retaining member, when the image-pickup device is used in combination with an imaging optical system, a lens aberration occurring in the imaging optical system can be suitably corrected by making the retaining member retain the image-pickup device in a state in which the image-pickup device is curved in the thickness direction.

Image-pickup apparatus, fabrication method thereof, and camera system


Right and left handpieces have five manually operated control switches each and are pivotally connected, face-to-face, with contactors in each handpiece face contacting contacts in the other to provide a plurality of sets of discreet signals as the handpieces are pivotally repositioned.

Devices for manual input of control signals are common in the hardware of the electronic age. Where only a few functions are involved, a mouse, a joystick or a small arrangement of push-button switches is adequate. Where more extensive signal sets are needed, the arrangement of switches may be expanded to become a keyboard of either alpha-numeric or musical form. In an application where a hand-held controller is indicated, as in many electronic games, hardware is readily available in the form of handpieces with suitable switch actuators for a few essential functions. Extensive signal sets pose obvious ergonomic difficulties in a handheld controller since the switch actuators are necessarily smaller, and must be crowded together, making operation more difficult as their number increases. Where fingers must move from one actuator to another, tactile identification becomes increasingly difficult as size is reduced and density increases. The crowding problem is solved in some applications, such as calculators, by a keyboard "shift" selection, which assigns an alternate function to each key, to increase the available number of signals. Another way to minimize the number of keys required for an extensive signal set is the so-called "tonal" keyboard, where discreet control functions are addressed by different combinations of keys, or "chords". Although either system is acceptable, keyboard "shifting" obviously introduces yet another key for each "shift" required, while chord combinations tend to be difficult to remember and consequently intimidating. Input error frequency is also higher with the tonal system.
The object of the present invention is therefore, to provide method and apparatus for maximizing the discreet signal potential of a handheld controller while using one switch actuator per finger. It is furthermore, another object of this invention to provide a systematic arrangement of functions in a pattern that an operator can most readily commit to memory. It is yet a further object of the invention to maximize the discreet signal potential of a handheld controller in a compact, inexpensively producible and convenient form.
The present invention achieves these objectives by a method of maintaining a one switch actuator per finger relationship in a two-part, handheld unit and incorporating channel selection capability through the relative positioning of the of the two parts. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, right and left handpieces have five manually operated control switches each, and are pivotally connected, face-to-face. The contactors and contacts in each face are arranged in like, rather than mirror image, patterns so that contactors in the face of each handpiece mate with contacts in the other handpiece to provide a plurality of sets of discreet signals in successive "channels". In operation, each finger is assigned to a single switch and channel selection is achieved by selecting the angular relationship of the handpieces. Thus, ten switch actuators provide ten discreet signals per channel and three, four, five or six channels will provide a total of thirty, forty, fifty or sixty discreet control signals.

Method and apparatus for a multi-function manual controller