An information processing method and an electronic device are provided. The method includes an electronic device obtaining an input information through a second collection manner when the electronic device is in a speech collection state for obtaining speech information through a first collection manner, and determining a logic boundary position in relation to a first speech information in accordance with the input information, the first speech information is obtained by the electronic device through the first collection manner which is different from the second collection manner. An electronic device corresponding thereto is also disclosed.

As science and technology from which various conveniences enjoyed by people are presented are developed persistently, the electronic technology is also getting a rapid development, and the categories of the electronic products are more and more fruitful as well. People can enjoy a comfortable life due to the development of science and technology through various categories of electronic devices now. For example, the electronic device, such as a mobile phone and the like, has become the indispensable article in the daily life, and people can enhance a social networking with others in a manner in which a phone call is made or a text message is sent out.
In the related art, the speech input manner is more natural and efficient and is used more universally. The speech input manner itself, however, is incomplete. A user often inputs a plurality of sentences in the manner of speech input, and a position at which the halt time by the user is longer would be considered generally as the intersection between two of a plurality of sentences by the electronic device. The user, however, would also halt midway when speaking one sentence due to the factors such as a possible incomplete consideration and the like; the last sentence input by the user would be regarded to be complete by the electronic device if the halt time is long, such that the content itself in which only one sentence is included is divided into two or more sentences; as such, it is possible that an error of the original connotation of the one sentence occurs, since the one sentence is divided up after the content of the speech input is recognized, causing a misunderstanding of the original intention.
It can be seen that the effect of the recognition on the speech by the speech input manner is awful, and an error of the semantics possibly occurs.

Processing method and electronic device for determining logic boundaries between speech information using information input in a different collection manner


In generating sub decode signals for specifying a sub word line in a hierarchical word line structure, a first sub decode signal transmitted to a selected sub word line is generated from a sub decode first signal, and a second sub decode signal for holding a non-selected sub word line at a non-selected state is generated by a gate circuit receiving the first sub decode signal and the signal generated on the basis of the sub decode first signal. When the first sub decode signal is selected, the logic level of the second sub decode signal can be changed at high speed. Consequently, a period in which a path through which a through-current flows in a sub word driver can be made sufficiently short and accordingly, the current consumption can be reduced.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a semiconductor memory device and particularly, to a semiconductor memory device having a divided word line structure (hierarchical word line structure) that a word line is divided into a main word line and a sub word line. More particularly, the present invention relates to a configuration for driving a sub word line to a selected state.
2. Description of the Background Art
FIG. 10 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of an array portion of a conventional semiconductor memory device. In FIG. 10, in the memory cell array portion, memory cells MC are arranged in a matrix of rows and columns. Sub word lines SWL are arranged in correspondence to rows of memory cells MC. In FIG. 10, sub word lines SWL00, SWL01, SWL10, and SWL11 are representatively shown. Although not clearly shown, memory cells MC are divided into a plurality of memory blocks along the row direction (direction in which the sub word line extends). In each memory block, sub word line SWL is arranged in correspondence to a memory cell row, and memory cells MC in the corresponding row are connected to sub word line SWL.
In each memory block, a main word line ZMWL is arranged in correspondence to a predetermined number of sub word lines. Main word line ZMWL is arranged commonly to memory blocks aligned in the row direction.
In correspondence to sub word line SWL, a sub word driver SWD is arranged. In FIG. 10, sub word drivers SWD00, SWD01, SWD10, and SWD11 arranged in correspondence to sub word lines SWL00, SWL01, SWL10, and SWL11, respectively, are shown representatively.
Each of sub word drivers SWD00, SWD01, SWD10, and SWD11 drives a corresponding sub word line to a selected state in accordance with a signal potential on main word line ZMWL and a row selection signal RSL (sub decode signals SD and ZSD). Row selection signal RSL includes complementary sub decode signals SD and ZSD and designates one sub word line in a set of sub word lines arranged, in the column direction, in correspondence to one main word line. Specifically, in the layout shown in FIG. 10, according to sub decode signals SD and ZSD, one of sub word lines SWL00 and SWL10 is designated and one of sub word lines SWL01 and SWL11 is selected.
By disposing one main word line ZMWL in correspondence to a plurality of rows of memory cells MC, pitch condition on main word lines ZMWL is relaxed. To main word line ZMWL, only sub word drivers are connected, but memory cells MC are not connected. Therefore, the load on main word line ZMWL can be reduced, and a word line can be driven to the selected state at high speed. The configuration that the word line is divided into main word line ZMWL and sub word lines SWL (generically indicating sub word lines SWL00, . . . , and SWL11) is called a divided word line structure or hierarchical word line structure.
In FIG. 10, a bit line pair BLP arranged in correspondence to a column of memory cells is shown. Bit line pair BLP includes complementary bit lines BL and /BL, and a memory cell MC is connected to one of bit lines BL and /BL.
FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the configuration of sub word driver SWD illustrated in FIG. 10. In FIG. 11, sub word driver SWD includes: a P-channel MOS transistor (insulated gate field effect transistor) Q1 which is made conductive, when the signal potential on main word line ZMWL is at the L level (ground voltage Vss level), to transmit sub decode signal SD onto sub word line SWL; an N-channel MOS transistor Q2 which is made conductive, when the signal potential on main word line ZMWL is at the H level (high voltage Vpp level), to drive sub word line SWL to a non-selected state (ground voltage Vss level); and an N-channel MOS transistor Q3 which is made conductive, when complementary sub decode signal ZSD is at the H level (array power supply voltage Vdda level), to drive sub word line SWL to a non-selected state (ground voltage Vss level).
Sub decode signal SD changes between a high voltage Vpp and a ground voltage Vss, and complementary sub decode signal ZSD changes between an array power supply voltage Vdda and ground voltage Vss. High voltage Vpp is higher than array power supply voltage Vdda. High voltage Vpp is supplied to a selected sub word line SWL by sub decode signal SD for the following reason.
As shown in FIG. 11, each memory cell MC includes a memory capacitor MQ for storing information and an access transistor MT which is made conductive, in response to the signal potential on sub word line SWL, to connect memory capacitor MQ to a corresponding bit line BL (or /BL). Access transistor MT is formed of an N-channel MOS transistor. The voltage level of H-level data transmitted to bit lines BL and /BL is the array power supply voltage Vdda level. In the case of writing H-level data to memory capacitor MQ, it is therefore necessary to prevent that the voltage level of the H-level data in memory capacitor MQ drops due to a threshold voltage loss in access transistor MT for the following reasons:
(i) At the time of reading memory cell data, a sufficiently large voltage change has to be brought about on a corresponding bit line.
(ii) A voltage applied to the main electrode (cell plate electrode) of a memory capacitor is usually an intermediate voltage between the array power supply voltage and the ground voltage, and a precharge voltage on a bit line is similarly at the intermediate voltage level. Consequently, by equaling a bit line voltage change when H-level data is read on a corresponding bit line with that when L-level data is read, a sense margin of a not-shown sense amplifier is increased.
(iii) A sufficient amount of charges is accumulated in memory capacitor MQ, to prevent the stored information from being lost due to a leak current or the like. A sense amplifier is arranged in correspondence to each bit line pair and activated to amplify the difference between voltages of bit lines in a corresponding pair.
In order to prevent the threshold voltage loss in voltage level of the H-level data, high voltage Vpp higher than array power supply voltage Vdda is supplied onto a selected sub word line SWL. Main word line ZMWL is set to the high voltage Vpp level in a non-selected state for the reason that even if sub decode signal SD at the high voltage Vpp level is applied, in sub word driver SWD, P-channel MOS transistor Q1 is set in the off state with reliability to hold the corresponding sub word line SWL in the non-selected state.
In the configuration of sub word driver SWD shown in FIG. 11, when main word line ZMWL is at the high voltage Vpp level, MOS transistor Q1 is in the off state and MOS transistor Q2 is in the on state. In this state, since MOS transistor Q1 is in the off state and MOS transistor Q2 is in the on state, irrespective of the logic level of each of sub decode signals SD and ZSD, sub word line SWL is driven to the ground voltage Vss level. Therefore, when main word line ZMWL is at the high voltage Vpp level in the non-selected state, corresponding sub word line SWL is held at the ground voltage Vss level or the non-selected state.
On the other hand, when main word line ZMWL is driven to the selected state at the ground voltage Vss level, MOS transistor Q1 is turned on or off, and MOS transistor Q2 is turned off. When sub decode signal SD is at the high voltage Vpp level, MOS transistor Q1 is turned on and sub decode signal SD at the high voltage Vpp level is transmitted to sub word line SWL.
On the other hand, when sub decode signal SD is in the non-selected state at the ground voltage Vss level, the gate and source of MOS transistor Q1 become at the same voltage level and MOS transistor Q1 is turned off. In this state, both MOS transistors Q1 and Q2 are in the off state. Sub decode signal ZSD is at the array power supply voltage Vdda level at this time, and MOS transistor Q3 is turned on to drive not-selected sub word line SWL to the ground voltage Vss level. That is; by using complementary sub decode signals SD and ZSD, sub word line SWL is prevented from entering a floating state, and a non-selected sub word line SWL is held at the ground voltage Vss level with reliability.
FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the configuration of a conventional sub decode signal generating portion. In FIG. 12, the sub decode signal generating portion includes: a sub decoder 900 for generating a sub decode first signal ZSDF in accordance with a predecode signal Z; and a sub decode signal generating circuit 910 for generating a complementary sub decode signal (row selection signal) from sub decode first signal ZSDF.
Sub decoder 900 includes: a P-channel MOS transistor 901 connected between a high voltage node receiving high voltage Vpp and a node 902, and receiving a reset signal ZRSET at a gate thereof; and an N-channel MOS transistor 903 connected between node 902 and a ground node, and receiving predecode signal X at a gate thereof. Reset signal ZRSET changes between high voltage Vpp and ground voltage Vss.
Predecode signal X changes between a peripheral power supply voltage Vddp and ground voltage Vss. Predecode signal X is generated by predecoding a predetermined bit in a row address signal. For example, in the case where two sub word lines are arranged in correspondence to one main word line as shown in FIG. 10, predecode signal X is generated by predecoding one bit of a row address signal.
Sub decode first signal ZSDF changes between high voltage Vpp and ground voltage Vss.
Sub decode signal generating circuit 910 includes: an inverter 911 for receiving sub decode first signal ZSDF and generating sub decode signal SD; an inverter 912 for receiving sub decode first signal ZSDF; and an inverter 913 for receiving an output signal of inverter 912 and generating complementary sub decode signal ZSD.
Inverter 911 receives high voltage Vpp as an operation power supply voltage, and inverters 912 and 913 receive array power supply voltage Vdda as an operation power supply voltage. Therefore, sub decode signal SD has an amplitude of the high voltage Vpp level, and complementary sub decode signal ZSD has an amplitude of the array power supply voltage Vdda level.
The operation of the sub decode signal generating portion shown in FIG. 12 will now be described briefly.
In a standby state, reset signal ZRSET is at the ground voltage Vss level, and predecode signal X is at the ground voltage Vss level. Node 902 is therefore charged to the high voltage Vpp level by MOS transistor 901 that is in the on state.
Therefore, sub decode first signal ZSDF is at the high voltage Vpp level, sub decode signal SD is at the L level of the ground voltage level, and complementary sub decode signal ZSD is at the H level of the array power supply voltage Vdda level. Consequently, in sub word driver SWD shown in FIG. 11, MOS transistor Q3 is in the on state, main word line ZMWL is at the high voltage Vpp level, and sub word line SWL is maintained at the ground voltage level.
When an active cycle of selecting a memory cell is started, reset signal ZRSET turns high voltage Vpp level, and MOS transistor 901 is turned off. When predecode signal X is in the selected state, it attains the H level of the peripheral power supply voltage Vddp level, MOS transistor 903 is turned on, and sub decode first signal ZSDF from node 902 is driven to the ground voltage Vss level. Accordingly, sub decode signal SD attains the high voltage Vpp level, and complementary sub decode signal ZSD attains the ground voltage Vss level.
On the other hand, in the non-selected state, predecode signal X is at the ground voltage level. MOS transistor 903 is in the off state, and node 902 maintains the high voltage level set in the standby state. Although not shown in FIG. 12, a P-channel MOS transistor for latching node 902 at the high voltage Vpp level in the non-selected state is arranged for node 902. In the active cycle for selecting a memory cell, therefore, output signal ZSDF of not-selected sub decoder 900 is reliably held at the high voltage Vpp level in the non-selected state.
By setting the amplitude of complementary sub decode signal ZSD at the array power supply voltage Vdda, power consumption is reduced as compared with the case of using a complementary sub decode signal having an amplitude of the high voltage Vpp level. In addition, by using stable array power supply voltage Vdda, the voltage level of complementary sub decode signal ZSD is stabilized.
FIG. 13 is a signal waveform diagram representing the operation of sub decode signal generating circuit 910 illustrated in FIG. 12. Referring to FIG. 13, the operation of sub decode signal generating circuit 910 shown in FIG. 12 will now be described.
The amplitude of an input signal (sub decode signal SD) of inverter 912 is at the high voltage Vpp level and is larger than that of an output signal of inverter 912. Consequently, an input logic threshold voltage of inverter 912 is set to be relatively high. By setting the input logic threshold voltage to be relatively high, the rising and the falling times of the output signal are made equal with respect to a change in the input signal of inverter 912.
In the standby state, sub decode first signal ZSDF is at the H level which is the high voltage Vpp level. Consequently, sub decode signal SD is at the L level which is the ground voltage level, and sub decode signal ZSD is at the H level which is the array power supply voltage level.
When a memory cycle is started, the address of a corresponding sub word line is designated, and sub decode first signal ZSDF lowers from the high voltage Vpp level to the ground voltage level at time T0, inverter 911 drives sub decode signal SD to the high voltage Vpp level at high speed. This is because CMOS transistors are used for inverter 911, and generally, the current driving power of a MOS transistor increases as the gate voltage thereof increases in absolute value.
On the other hand, in response to the falling of sub decode first signal ZSDF, inverter 912 raises its output signal to the H level at time T1. Inverter 912 uses array power supply voltage Vdda as an operation power supply voltage, and therefore, the current driving capability of inverter 912 is lower than that of inverter 911. Thus, an output signal of inverter 912 changes relatively slowly as compared with an output signal of inverter 911.
When the voltage level of the output signal of inverter 912 becomes higher than the input logic threshold voltage of inverter 913, the voltage level of complementary sub decode signal ZSD from inverter 913 drops and reaches the ground voltage level at time T2. Inverter 913 also uses the array power supply voltage as an operation power supply voltage, and therefore, output driving capability of inverter 913 is lower as compared with inverter 911, and a change of the input signal of inverter 913 is relatively slow. Consequently, complementary sub decode signal ZSD from inverter 913 changes with a certain delay from the output signal of inverter 911 and attains the ground voltage level at time T2.
As shown in FIG. 13, therefore, because of the delay time in inverter 913, during a period Ta from time T1 to time T2, both sub decode signals SD and ZSD are at the H level. When main word line ZMWL is in the selected state for the period Ta in sub word driver SWD shown in FIG. 11, as shown in FIG. 14, a through current flows via MOS transistors Q1 and Q3, and current consumption increases. Since MOS transistor Q3 is in the on state until sub decode signal ZSD becomes equal to or lower than the threshold voltage Vth, the period in which the through current flows is actually longer than period Ta.
In a normal operation mode, when high voltage Vpp is consumed by the through current and further, there is a possibility that the voltage level of high voltage Vpp drops, and accordingly the voltage level of selected sub word line SWL drops. Under such situation, data of the H level at a sufficient voltage level could not be written to a memory cell. In addition. H-level data stored in a memory cell could not be read out onto the corresponding bit line at high speed. Consequently, the memory cell data could not be sensed and amplified accurately by a not-shown sense amplifier, so that an accurate memory operation cannot be guaranteed.
Particularly, in an accelerated test mode such as wafer burn-in test, all the word lines (sub word lines) or half of sub word lines, that is, sub word lines of odd-number or even-number addresses are simultaneously selected. In the case that a plurality of sub word lines are simultaneously selected, sub word lines greater in number than those in the normal operation mode are selected, charges supplied from the high voltage generating circuit are consumed more, and the degree of drop of high voltage Vpp becomes greater. This is because the number of selected sub word lines increases and the number of paths of the through current increases. In the case where all of charges supplied from the high voltage generating circuit or more are consumed due to such a through current, the voltage level of high voltage Vpp is kept at the dropped level, a high voltage at an intended level cannot be applied to selected word lines (main and sub word lines), a voltage stress cannot be applied accurately. Consequently, such a problem arises that the reliability of a product (chip) cannot be assured even if a burn-in test is carried out.
An object of the invention is to provide a semiconductor memory device in which a through current is not caused in a sub word driver in selecting a word line.
Another object of the invention is to provide a semiconductor memory device capable of driving a selected sub word line to a predetermined voltage level at high speed with accuracy.
Further object of the invention is to provide a semiconductor memory device with reduced power consumption.
A semiconductor memory device according to a first aspect of the invention includes: a first decoding circuit for generating a sub decode first signal for specifying one of sub word lines arranged in correspondence to a main word line in accordance with an address signal; a first driving circuit receiving a first voltage as an operation power supply voltage and generating a first sub decode signal in accordance with the sub decode first signal; a second driving circuit receiving a second voltage as an operation power supply voltage and generating an internal sub decode signal in accordance with the sub decode first signal; and a gate circuit receiving the second voltage as an operation power supply voltage and generating a second sub decode signal complementary to the first sub decode signal in accordance with output signals of the first and second driving circuits. One sub word line is designated in accordance with a set of the first and second sub decode signals.
A semiconductor memory device according to a second aspect of the invention includes: a plurality of memory cells arranged in rows and columns; a plurality of sub word lines arranged in correspondence to the memory cell rows and each having memory cells of a corresponding row connected; a plurality of main word lines each arranged in correspondence to a predetermined number of sub word lines; a main word line selecting circuit for driving one of the plurality of main word lines to a selected state in accordance with a first address signal; a sub decode circuit for generating a sub decode first signal for selecting one of the predetermined number of sub word lines in accordance with a second address signal; and a sub decode driving circuit for generating a pair of complementary sub decode signals in accordance with the sub decode first signal. The sub decode driving circuit includes: a first driving circuit receiving a first voltage as an operation power supply voltage and generating a first sub decode signal in accordance with the sub decode first signal; a second driving circuit receiving a second voltage as an operation power supply voltage and generating an internal sub decode signal in accordance with the sub decode first signal; and a gate circuit receiving the second voltage as an operation power supply voltage and generating a second sub decode signal complementary to the first sub decode signal in accordance with output signals of the first and second driving circuit. One of the predetermined number of sub word lines is designated in accordance with the first and second sub decode signals
The semiconductor memory device according to the second aspect of the invention further includes a sub word driver arranged in correspondence to the respective sub word lines, for driving a corresponding sub word line to a selected state in accordance with a signal on a corresponding main word line and a pair of complementary sub decode signals from the sub decode driving circuit.
By generating the second sub decode signals in accordance with output signals of the first and second driving circuits, the second sub decode signal can be changed at high speed in response to a change in the first sub decode signal. The period in which both complementary first and second sub decode signals are in the state where a through current flows in a corresponding sub word driver can be shortened, and accordingly current consumption can be reduced. In addition, a signal at a predetermined voltage level can be transmitted to a selected sub word line with reliability, and the selected sub word line can be reliably driven to the selected state at the predetermined voltage level.
The foregoing and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Semiconductor memory device having hierarchical word line structure


This invention relates to novel amorphous and crystallline forms of 3-{(3R,4R)-4-methyl-3-[methyl-(7H-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4-yl)-amino]-piperidin-1-yl}-3-oxo-propionitrile mono citrate salt, useful as inhibitors of protein kinases, and to their methods of preparation.

This invention relates to a novel crystalline form of 3-{(3R,4R)-4-methyl-3-[methyl-(7H-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4-yl)-amino]-piperidin-1-yl}-3-oxo-propionitrile mono citrate salt and to its method of preparation.
3-{(3R,4R)-4-methyl-3-[methyl-(7H-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4-yl)-amino]-piperidin-1-yl}-3-oxo-propionitrile has the chemical formula C16H20N6O and the following structural formula Its synthesis is described in co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/732,669, filed Dec. 8, 2000 and U.S. provisional patent application serial No. 60/294,775, filed May 31, 2001, commonly assigned to the assignee of the present invention and which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 3-{(3R,4R)-4-methyl-3-[methyl-(7H-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4-yl)-amino]-piperidin-1-yl}-3-oxo-propionitrile, and its corresponding citrate salt, are useful as inhibitors of protein kinases, such as the enzyme Janus Kinase 3 (hereinafter also referred to as JAK3) and as such are useful therapy as immunosuppressive agents for organ transplants, xeno transplation, lupus, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, Type I diabetes and complications from diabetes, cancer, asthma, atopic dermatitis, autoimmune thyroid disorders, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, Alzheimer's disease, Leukemia and other indications where immunosuppression would be desirable.
The crystalline form of 3-{(3R,4R)-4-methyl-3-[methyl-(7H-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4-yl)-amino]-piperidin-1-yl}-3-oxo-propionitrile mono citrate salt was determined to have solid state properties which are acceptable to support tablet development.
The present invention is also directed to processes for preparing crystalline 3-{(3R,4R)-4-methyl-3-[methyl-(7H-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4-yl)-amino]-piperidin-1-yl}-3-oxo-propionitrile mono citrate salt.


An electronic device chassis includes a base plate for disposing an electronic device circuit thereon, and a cover for the electronic device circuit housing. The base plate includes a bottom portion and a wall portion. The wall portion includes a screw fastening portion including a contact surface that contacts the cover. The cover includes a screw hole for attaching the base plate. The contact surface of the screw fastening portion is higher than an upper surface other than the contact surface of the wall portion. The upper surface portion covers the side of the housing space facing the base plate. The external side surface cover is provided at a peripheral edge of the upper surface cover portion, and extends toward the base plate so as to be longer than a difference between the contact surface of the screw fastening portion and the upper surface of the wall portion.

The present invention relates to an electronic device chassis for housing an electronic device circuit, and an electronic device.
Conventionally, in hybrid vehicles, electric vehicles and the like, electronic devices such as, for example, DC-DC converter units are used. In such electronic devices, in order to protect a circuit of the electronic device (electronic device circuit) from dew condensation, dirt, dust and the like, the electronic device circuit is housed in a chassis.
As techniques for a chassis for housing an electronic device circuit, for example, an in-vehicle electronic device circuit module in which a chassis is divided into a first body and a second body, a substrate is held by a support portion of the second body, and a protection defining wall is in close pressure contact with the substrate is known (see, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2007-216836).

Electronic device chassis and electronic device


A rotary transmission mechanism is disclosed for use with an air/hydraulic cylinder or chuck, consisted of a cylindrical mount, an intermediate ring inserted in the cylindrical mount, a stepped inner socket inserted into the intermediate ring, a flow guide inserted in the stepped inner socket, a rear packing member covered on the flow guide, a front packing member connected to the rear packing member, a slide ring retained between the front and rear packing members, and a spindle fastened to the slide ring through a screw joint and inserted through all the aforesaid parts, wherein compressing a flow of compressed air through either of two inlet holes on the cylindrical mount causes the spindle to be moved forwards or backwards by the slide ring, and simultaneously causes the spindle, the flow guide, the stepped inner socket, and the rear and front packing members to be floated concentrically without producing any friction resistance.

The present invention relates to a rotary transmission mechanism for use with an air/hydraulic chuck or cylinder which eliminates friction loss, greatly increases transmission efficiency, and minimizes installation space.
A bearing is commonly used to support a rotary member to a fixed member so that the rotary member can be rotated concentrically on the fixed member without causing much transmission loss. However, the revolving speed of the rotary member must be maintained within a limited range to prevent the occurrence of overheat, which may cause the rotary member to deform.
FIG. 1 illustrates a rotary transmission mechanism for use with an air/hydraulic cylinder which comprises two thinner bearings 130 to support a cylindrical rotary member 14, and an idle shaft 15 inserted in the cylindrical rotary transmission device 14. As a flow of compressed air (hydraulic fluid) P is continuously compressed into inlet connectors 16, 17, it immediately flows through passage ways 18, 19 to force a cylinder in holding down a chuck or releasing it. At the same time, part of the compressed air fills up the gap 157 between the cylindrical rotary member 14 and the idle shaft 15 to reduce the friction between the bearings 130 and the rotary member 14. This mechanism requires high precision, i.e., the roundness of the rotary member 14 and the idle shaft 15 and the concentricity therebetween are critical (tolerance below 0.005 mm is demanded), and the materials to be used should be of low coefficient of thermal expansion. Therefore, this structure of rotary transmission mechanism is expensive to manufacture, and the manufacturing cost of this structure of rotary transmission mechanism is directly proportional to its capacity. Because bearings are used, the revolving speed of the mechanism is limited. Further, before shifting the idle shaft 14 forwards or backwards, the rotary motion of the idle shaft 14 must be stopped by a brake or like means. Stopping the rotary motion of the 20 idle shaft 14 during the operation of the rotary transmission mechanism consumes additional power and causes a friction loss.


A Colpitts-type oscillation circuit, employing a ceramic resonator vibrating in the energy trapping thickness shear slide mode is disclosed in which, an antiresonance frequency of the ceramic resonator has a negative temperature characteristic which is less step than that of its resonance frequency. Capacitance between terminals of the ceramic resonator is set so that an oscillation frequency (Fosc) of the oscillation circuit at the ordinary temperature is higher than a central frequency ((Fr+Fa)/2) of the ceramic resonator. Thus, it is possible to employ a ceramic resonator having a large bandwidth (.DELTA.F), thereby improving the temperature characteristic of the oscillation frequency.

The present invention relates to an oscillation circuit of the Colpitts-type that employs a ceramic resonator which vibrates in the energy trapping thickness shear slide mode.
FIG. 1 shows a well-known ceramic resonator which vibrates in the energy trapping thickness shear slide mode. This resonator comprises a rectangular ceramic substrate S, an electrode e.sub.1, which extends from an end of one major surface of the substrate S, and another electrode e.sub.2, which extends from another end of the other major surface of the substrate S to partially overlap the electrode e.sub.1. The resonator has an impedance characteristic shown in FIG. 2. The width W and an overlap length .DELTA.L of the electrodes e.sub.1 and e.sub.2 are selected so as to prevent abnormal oscillation and to suppress a ripple R caused in the frequency band .DELTA.F to a minimum.
The width of the frequency band .DELTA.F is varied with the ceramic material. A ceramic resonator having a large bandwidth, i.e., having a large electromechanical coupling factor, is applicable in a wide range excluding a reference clock source for a microcomputer since such a resonator can reduce the rise time of oscillation and oscillate at a low voltage.
When a ceramic material having a large bandwidth is employed for a resonator, however, temperature characteristics of both resonance and antiresonance frequencies Fr and Fa have a negative trend the temperature characteristic of the frequency Fr is steeper in the negative trend than that of the frequency Fa. For example, an impedance characteristic of such a resonator is sifted toward the negative under high temperature, as shown by a dotted line in FIG. 2. When a resonator made of such a material is applied to a Colpitts-type oscillation circuit, therefore, its oscillation frequency Fosc also has a negative temperature characteristic, since the oscillation frequency Fosc is necessarily present between the frequencies Fr and Fa, i.e., in the frequency band .DELTA.F. Particularly, when the oscillation frequency Fosc is closer to the frequency Fr, its temperature characteristic is affected by that of the frequency Fr and is deteriorated.
In order to improve the temperature characteristic of the oscillation frequency Fosc, it is possible to shift the oscillation frequency Fosc toward the antiresonance frequency Fa by reducing load capacitance C.sub.L of the oscillation circuit. In this case, however, a high frequency gain in the circuit is increased so that the circuit could oscillate in an overtone mode to cause spurious results such as a third harmonic wave. Therefore, it is not preferred to change the load capacitance C.sub.L of the oscillation circuit.


Disclosed are a method and device for a proxy access of an open platform for solving technical problems that resource occupancy is excessive, a password security is low, and a local file cannot be uploaded. In the present invention, an official application is established in a user terminal, and the official application interacts with the open platform by an SDK provided by the open platform; the official platform is bound by applying for a protocol with the URL format from an operating system of the user terminal, and provides an interaction interface for the third party application through the protocol with the URL format. Therefore, the present invention reduces the system resource which the third party application occupies in the user terminal and the development cost of the third party application, and protects the security of the user's account.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an open platform application field, and more particularly to a method and device for a proxy access of an open platform.
2. Description of Prior Art
In order to support a third party to develop third party application programs for fulfilling various application requirements, an open platform provides an application programming interface (API) for a third party application, and the open platform usually provides a software development kit (SDK) of the API for the third party application to download so that the third party may use the fast and convenient developments. The third party application developed by a developer exchanges data with the open platform by calling the SDK to provide plentiful terminal applications for a user. When the third party application for the open platform which requires an authentication is utilized, the user needs to input a username and a password, so as to call a functional interface of the open platform normally after the open platform has gone through authentication.
For example, microblog systems of some large websites provide particular open platforms, and the open platforms provide the API and SDKs for a third party software developer, and a vast number of microblog messages, relationships of fans, and hot topics occurring anywhere and anytime are provided through the API. An application developer of a mobile terminal can directly read and write the contents provided by the microblog systems through the API or using the SDK, so as to find out new applications of the microblog systems. Taking a client application at a client end using the microblog by a mobile phone for example, a user can share contents of pictorials, pictures or the like on a microblog open platform at anytime after the user inputs the username and password, which have been already pre-registered in the microblog by himself or herself, at the client end. However, a defect in implementing the scheme in this way is that the SDK is required to be embedded in the third party application to process registration and authentication logics. For the third party application which only utilizes a few functions of the open platform, such an implementation may have larger resource occupancy and a higher development cost. Furthermore, the user needs to input the username and password while utilizing the third party application, a security problem that the username and password are embezzled may occur.
The open platform has further a scheme without the registration and authentication in the third party application. In this scheme, the embedded SDK is not required in the third party application. The third party application sends a request of a uniform resource locator (URL) in a specific format to the platform through a browser. The URL includes particular data parameters. If the open platform requires the authentication and registration, then the user needs to input the username and password, which are acquired from the open platform, in a web page returned by the open platform to complete the request. Taking the open platform of Tencent microblog (http://open.t.qq.com/) for example, the third party application may send a request of URL in the specific format as follows to post a microblog item:
http://v.t.qq.com/share/share.php?title=mytitle&url=myurl&pic=mypic
Amongst, the string "mytitle" is a microblog content to be posted, and the string "myurl" is a link to be added to the content. The string "mypic" is a picture required to be attached. The third party application fills the content to be posted, link, and picture according to a practical situation. If it is under an unregistered state, then the user needs to input the username and password in the page returned by the platform and then posts after confirmation.
A drawback of the above-mentioned second implementation scheme is that since the URL format and the open platform interact and the URL attains a format limitation of the carried parameters, hence a local file cannot be uploaded and the file indicated by the parameters can only come from the internet source. Furthermore, the user is required to input the username and password in the third party application, and thus lead to a security problem that the username and password are embezzled may occur.

Method and device for proxy access of open platform

Tencent Technology (Shenzhen) Company Limited


The present invention includes a golf scoring system for at least one golf competition, wherein at least one participant plays at a first geographic location with a set of results and at least one participant plays at a second geographic location with another set of results. This system includes determining at least one normalizing factor for each of the geographic locations relative to each other; compiling results from each of the participants; applying the normalizing factor to each of the results; and determining a final score for each of the participants. The normalizing factor can be stored in a data source; wherein the results are compiled also stored in the data source. The final score for each of the participants may also be stored in the data source and users can access the data source to view the final score for each of the participants. Moreover, participants can communicate with each other using email or chat rooms.

Not applicable.
Not applicable.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a system for tracking and comparing golf scores from geographically diverse location through the use of a computer network, and particularly to a system verifying tabulating geographically diverse golf scores using the Internet.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Historically, golf competitions have been conducted on one course in one specific geographic location. Each competition is localized and is conducted at one period of time to put all participants on equal footing. It has previously been extremely difficult, if not impossible, to effectively conduct a single golf competition in geographically diverse areas due to variations in playing conditions and the inability to quickly communicate and compare competition results. Moreover, the disparity in course conditions due to weather and other factors has prevented competitions held at multiple locations because the participants cannot be scored on an equal footing.
The advent of computers and computer networks has enhanced the speed with which participants, who may be playing on different holes on the same golf course, may quickly communicate their scores to a central location, may compute their handicap or ranking, and may rate themselves against other players. Examples of such conventional systems are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,949,679; 5,283,733; and 4,910;677xe2x80x94the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein. However, these prior art system all have the distinct disadvantage that they do not allow for the same competition to be held on multiple courses or in multiple locations.
Accordingly, there is a growing need to provide a scoring system that allows participants to compete in a single competition on a national and even international basis, while playing in geographically diverse locations and differing periods of times. Moreover, a system is needed for effectively compiling player scores from each location, calculating the results and determining rankings.
The present invention includes a golf scoring system for at least one golf competition, wherein at least one participant plays at a first geographic location with a set of results and at least one participant plays at a second geographic location with another set of results. This system includes determining at least one normalizing factor for each of the geographic locations relative to each other; compiling results from each of the participants; applying the normalizing to each of the results; and determining a final score for each of the participants.
The normalizing factor can be stored in a data source; wherein the results are also compiled and stored in the data source. The final score for each of the participants may also be stored in the data source and users can access the data source to view the final score for each of the participants. Moreover, participants can communicate with each other using email or chat rooms.

Golf scoring system for a golf competition


The invention provides peptides and the nucleic acid sequences that encode them. The invention further provides therapeutic, diagnostic and research methods for diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of apoptosis associated disorders.

Programmed cell death, referred to as apoptosis, plays an indispensable role in the development and maintenance of tissue homeostasis within all multicellular organisms (Raff, Nature 356: 397-400, 1992). Genetic and molecular analysis from nematodes to humans has indicated that the apoptotic pathway of cellular suicide is highly conserved (Hengartner and Horvitz, Cell 76: 1107-1114, 1994). In addition to being essential for normal development and maintenance, apoptosis is important in the defense against viral infection and in preventing the emergence of cancer.
Diverse intrinsic death signals emanating from multiple subcellular locales all induce the release of cytochrome c from mitochondria to activate Apaf-1 and result in effector caspase activation. Proteins in the BCL-2 family are major regulators of the commitment to programmed cell death as well as executioners of death signals at the mitochondrion.
Members of this family include both pro- and anti-apoptotic proteins and share homology in up to four conserved regions termed BCL-2 homology (BH) 1-4 domains (Adams and Cory, 1998). The family can be divided into three main sub-classes. The anti-apoptotic proteins, which include BCL-2 and BCL-XL, are all "multidomain," sharing homology throughout all four BH domains. However, the pro-apoptotic proteins can be further subdivided and include multidomain proteins, such as BAX and BAK, which possess sequence homology in BH1-3 domains. The more distantly related "BH3-only" proteins are to date all pro-apoptotic and share sequence homology within the amphipathic α-helical BH3 region, which is required for their apoptotic function (Chittenden et al., 1995; O'Connor et al., 1998; Wang et al., 1996; Zha et al., 1997).
Multidomain pro-apoptotic proteins such as BAX and BAK upon receipt of death signals participate in executing mitochondrial dysfunction. In viable cells, these proteins exist as monomers. In response to a variety of death stimuli, however, inactive BAX, which is located in the cytosol or loosely attached to membranes, inserts deeply into the outer mitochondrial membrane as a homo-oligomerized multimer (Eskes et al., 2000; Gross et al., 1998; Wolter et al., 1997). Inactive BAK resides at the mitochondrion where it also undergoes an allosteric conformnational change in response to death signals, which includes homo-oligomerization (Griffiths et al., 1999; Wei et al., 2000). Cells deficient in both BAX and BAK are resistant to a wide variety of death stimuli that emanate from multiple locations within the cell (Wei et al., 2001).
The BH3-only molecules constitute the third subset of this family and include BID, NOXA, PUMA, BIK, BIM and BAD (Kelekar and Thompson, 1998). These proteins share sequence homology only in the amphipathic α-helical BH13 region which mutation analysis indicated is required in pro-apoptotic members for their death activity. Moreover, the BH3-only proteins require this domain to demonstrate binding to "multidomain" BCL-2 family members. Multiple binding assays, including yeast two-hybrid, co-immunoprecipitation from detergent solubilized cell lysates and in-vitro pull down experiments indicate that individual BH3-only molecules display some selectivity for multidomain BCL-2 members (Boyd et al., 1995; O'Connor et al., 1998; Oda et al., 2000; Wang et al., 1996; Yang et al., 1995). The BID protein binds pro-apoptotic BAX and BAK as well as anti-apoptotic BCL-2 and BCL-XL (Wang et al., 1996; Wei et al., 2000). In contrast, BAD, NOXA and BIM as intact molecules display preferential binding to anti-apoptotic members (Boyd et al., 1995; O'Connor et al., 1998; Oda et al., 2000; Yang et al., 1995).


There is provided an efficient industrial process for the preparation of 21-cyclopropyl-7α-(2-hydroxy-3,3-dimethyl-2-butyl)-6,14-endo-ethano-6,7,8,14-tetrahydro-oripavine, i.e. buprenorphine of Formula-I in high yield and purity, with enhanced safety and eco-friendly norms. The invention further relates to an improved process for preparation of intermediates thereof in high yield and purity.

Buprenorphine, chemically known as 21-cyclopropyl-7α-(2-hydroxy-3,3-dimethyl-2-b 1)-6,14-endo-ethano-6,7,8,14-tetrahydrooripavine, is a semi-synthetic opiate used as a powerful analgesic and is indicated for the treatment of moderate to severe pain and opioid dependence. The compound was first reported by K. W. Bentley in U.S. Pat. No. 3,433,791. This patent reports the semi-synthesis of buprenorphine from thebaine as depicted in Scheme-1.

Various methods for the preparation of buprenorphine are reported in the prior art. The following documents disclose methods for preparing buprenorphine wherein thebaine is used as a key starting material.
US 2011/0152527A1 discloses a process for the preparation of buprenorphine as depicted in Scheme-2. The process up to Formula-V is similar to the Bentley process reported in U.S. Pat. No. 3,433,791. However, major modifications include the use of ethyl chloroformate and then heating at 130° C. to 140° C. with KOH and diethylene glycol for N-demethylation of the compound of Formula-V to get the compound of Formula-VII; the subsequent reaction with cyclopropyl methyl alcohol with mesyl chloride for N-alkylation; and finally the use of thiophenol for O-demethylation to get buprenorphine base of Formula-I. The overall reported yield of the process is only 27% of buprenorphine base from thebaine. In addition, the workup procedure for O-demethylation is tedious and there is no mention of the purity of the product and intermediates. Furthermore, the process uses hazardous, highly flammable and peroxide forming solvents, for example diethyl ether and THF, which makes the process unsuitable at an industrial scale. Finally, the process requires an extra step for purification, resulting in a low yield of the final product.

WO 2013/050748 of Johnson Matthey PTC discloses a process for the preparation of buprenorphine or its derivatives, as shown in Scheme-3 below. The preparation of the compound of Formula-VI is performed by known processes. However, major modifications include N-demethylation, which is carried out at lower temperatures using NaOH, water and ethylene glycol or methoxy ethanol and then subsequent O-demethylation using a different combination of thiols and bases to get the compound of Formula-XI. This compound is further converted to buprenorphine using methods known in the prior art. The publication does not disclose the formation of compound of Formula-VI and starts with this advance intermediate. The first reaction is N-demethylation, which is followed by 3-O-demethylation to get the compound of Formula-XI which is further converted to buprenorphine. A disadvantage associated with this process is the formation of impurities which arises during the final step of N-alkylation, as alkylation can occur on both the NH group and 3-phenolic group. Thus, additional steps for purification may be required, which lead to poor yield and lower quality of the final product. It is further mentioned that 3-O-demethylation cannot happen on the N-alkylcycloalkylated intermediate. For that reason, both N-demethylation and O-demethylation are carried out prior to the N-alkylation step.

One drawback associated with the prior art processes is an overall low yield of product buprenorphine. Another drawback associated with the prior art processes is the use of toxic, highly flammable and hazardous solvents in the Grignard reaction step, for example benzene, diethyl ether and THF, making the process unsuitable for scaling-up to industrial scale due to safety and environmental concerns. Additionally, the prior art processes are prone to the formation of by-products/impurities and thus, require extra steps for purification at intermediate stages as well as at the final product stage. This leads to poor yield and inferior quality at intermediate stages as well as at the final product stage. It is clearly mentioned in WO 2013/050748 that when the amino group is substituted with an -alkylcycloalkyl group, such as methyl cyclopropane, the 3-O-demethylation reaction does not work efficiently. The attempted O-demethylation of 3-O-methyl buprenorphine (N-alkylated) gives a conversion to buprenorphine of no more than 2.1% using potassium tert.butoxide and 1-dodecanethiol. The same reaction when attempted using sodium propane thiolate was unsuccessful and no product was detected.
Thus, there remains a need in the art to provide an efficient, industrially scalable process for the conversion of thebaine to buprenorphine and the intermediates thereof, in a high yield and purity.
Further to this, there remains a need in the art to reduce the number of solvents used in the process for preparing buprenorphine and the intermediates thereof, in order to render the process economically viable.

Industrial process for the preparation of buprenorphine and its intermediates


In a solid electrolytic capacitor which employs a conducting polymer as the solid electrolyte, a first solid electrolytic layer (3) consisting of a sole conducting polymer is formed by chemical polymerization on an oxide film (2) formed on the surface of an anode body (1). Next, a second solid electrolytic layer (4) consisting of a conducting polymer containing fine powder, obtained by chemical polymerization using a solution in which fine powder is dispersed in a reaction solution for chemical polymerization, is formed on the first solid electrolytic layer (3). The fine powder is harder than the conducting polymer. With this arrangement, it is possible to prevent the application of a stress to the oxide film (2) by the solid electrolytic layer (4) consisting of a conducting polymer containing fine powder even if there is generated a stress at the time of curing of a molded resin (8).

(1) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a solid electrolytic capacitor and a method of manufacturing the same, and more particularly, to a solid electrolytic capacitor having a two-layer structure of a electrically conducting polymer as a solid electrolyte layer.
(2) Description of the Related Art
A solid electrolytic capacitor comprises an etched foil or a sintered body of powder of a valve metal such as aluminum or tungsten as the anode body, and an oxide film formed on the surface of the anode body serving as a dielectric body. The capacitor further comprises a negative electrode layer formed on the oxide film consisting of a solid electrolytic layer, a graphite layer formed thereon, and a metallic layer such as a silver paste layer.
In recent years, a conductive polymer is used as the solid electrolyte instead of using a conventional manganese dioxide. Since a conductive polymer has a higher electrical conductivity compared with the manganese dioxide, it is expected to obtain a solid electrolytic capacitor having an excellent frequency characteristic with small loss component even at high frequencies.
The conductive polymer as a solid electrolyte can be formed by using either one of methods of vapor phase polymerization, chemical polymerization or electrolytic polymerization.
The vapor phase polymerization is a method in which the anode body is immersed in a solution containing an oxidant and a dopant, then exposing the anode body to the monomer vapor of the conductive polymer to induce polymerization.
The chemical polymerization is a method in which polymerization is effected by alternately immersing the anode body in a solution containing an oxidant and a dopant and a monomer solution of a conductive polymer, or by preparing a reaction solution at a low temperature in advance, immersing the anode body in the reaction solution, then effecting polymerization in the process of raising the temperature.
The electrical polymerization is a method in which the anode body is immersed in an electrolytic solution containing the monomer of a conductive polymer dissolved therein, and effecting polymerization by applying a voltage.
Each of these polymerization methods has its own feature. Namely, the vapor polymerization produces a layer which shows an excellent adhesion to the dielectric body, but the layer produced is coarse such that its adhesion to the graphite layer and the silver paste layer is poor when left as it is and its characteristics are unstable.
The chemical polymerization also produces a layer with an excellent adhesion to the dielectric body, but the compactness of the produced layer is inferior to that obtained by the electrolytic polymerization. The electrolytic polymerization can form a compact layer, but its adhesion to the dielectric body is poor, and the method requires an underlying layer which serves as an electrode in applying a voltage.
For these reasons, two-layer structure of conductive polymer as the solid electrolytic layer is suggested. For example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application (Kokai) No. 64-21913 (1989) shows a method in which a solid electrolytic layer consisting of a second conductive polymer compound obtained by the electrolytic polymerization is formed on a solid electrolytic layer consisting of a first conductive polymer compound obtained by the vapor phase polymerization. Further, another Japanese Unexamined Patent Application (Kokai) No. 3-46215 (1991) discloses a method in which a conductive polymer film obtained by the electrolytic polymerization is formed after the formation of a conductive polymer film obtained by the chemical polymerization is formed, in order to obtain a solid electrolytic layer.
In these two-layer structure, since the solid electrolytic layer is constituted exclusively of a soft conductive polymer, the strength for protecting the oxide film against an external stress is not sufficiently high compared with manganese dioxide.
Because of this, when an external mechanical stress is applied to the outside of the capacitor, the oxide film tends to be damaged, and the leakage current characteristic of the capacitor is deteriorated. In particular, since a large stress is generated at the time of the external packaging with resin during the manufacturing processes, the leakage current increases after this process.

Solid electrolytic capacitor having two solid electrolyte layers and method of manufacturing the same


A loader arrangement is provided with a first conveyor for delivering an article to a first station, and a second conveyor for delivering a container to a respective first station. A gripper engages the article at the first station of the first conveyor, and a linear actuator, which is coupled to the gripper, moves the gripper along a first linear axis. Once the article has been engaged by the gripper, a rotator moves the linear actuator rotatively so that it parallels a second linear axis which is angularly displaced first the first linear axis. The gripper then is moved along the second linear axis, which is arranged to intersect with the first station of the second conveyor. A tilting arrangement is provided at one or both of the first stations for moving the container and/or the article arcuately to achieve an orthogonal orientation with respect to the second linear axis. At least one of the tilting arrangements is provided with an indexing system which moves the articles, or their containers, by a predetermined incremental distance which corresponds to the dimension of the product. The direction of the incrementation can be parallel with, or transverse to, the direction of the path of the conveyor. The invention incorporates a process for loading and unloading articles from a container. During the transfer of the article(s), a gripper rotator rotates the gripper to any desired angular extent to permit article columns or non-symmetrical articles to be loaded.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to robotic loader systems, and more particularly, to a two-axis arrangement for loading, unloading, and transferring articles between conveyor stations.
2. Description of the Related Art
Arrangements for loading and unloading articles between conveyor systems, or between containers and conveyor systems typically are expensive and complex. Generally, an overhead transport arrangement is employed to transfer the articles between the unloading and loading stations. For example; a mechanical gripper engages one or more articles at the unloading station; transports same in a first direction, typically upward, to clear the container, conveyor, or other mechanisms; utilizes the overhead transport arrangement to deliver the articles by horizontal travel to a location over the loading station; and transport the articles in a second direction, typically downward, into another container or conveyor at the loading station. Clearly, significant overhead structure, sufficient to span both stations, is required in this conventional arrangement. Programming of a variety of parameters, such as trolley travel distance, acceleration, etc., is required in an automated version of such an arrangement.
Such arrangements are generally quite massive and do not lend themselves to modifications in the manufacturing layout. The transom, or crane runway portion of the apparatus is fixed in its length, and is not readily movable. No variation in the path is permitted.
In addition to the foregoing, an overhead trolley arrangement poses problems with respect to cleanliness, particularly in areas where airborne matter is to be prevented. More specifically, it is difficult to enclose an elongated overhead trolley and track arrangement. This problem is compounded by the fact that the wheels or rollers of the trolley are continually wearing and require periodic lubrication. An overhead trolley arrangement can disperse lubricants and particles into the air, and will collect dust which can be released when the trolley is moved.
There is, therefore, a need for an arrangement for loading and unloading articles which does not require the use of massive or extensive overhead structure.
It is additionally a problem with trolley or shuttle arrangements that, as the rows of a container are loaded, the length of travel of the trolley must be incremented by a distance which corresponds to a dimension of the article(s) being loaded. Thus, a relatively massive combination, i.e., trolley and article, must be moved over incrementally varying distances, requiring a programmable high-powered motor arrangement. Such an arrangement is both, complex and expensive. In order to improve operating speed, it is necessary to employ motors rated for higher continuous power levels, and to strengthen the track on which the trolley travels and its associated support structure in view of the increased operating loads and accelerations.
It is, therefore, an object of this invention to provide a simple and inexpensive loading and unloading arrangement wherein articles such as bottles can be transferred between a container, on a container conveyor, and a transfer station on an article conveyor.
It is another object of this invention to provide a loading and unloading arrangement which transfers articles between at least to transfer stations without the need of a transfer trolley.
It is also an object of this invention to provide a loading and unloading arrangement which does not employ extensive or complex structure disposed over the loading or unloading stations. It is a further object of this invention to provide a loading and unloading arrangement wherein the moving parts and their associated bearings can readily and effectively be sealed.
It is additionally an object of this invention to provide a loading and unloading arrangement which can be utilized in an automated environment with reduced complexity of control system programming.
It is yet a further object of this invention to provide a loading and unloading arrangement which requires less maintenance than systems which employ overhead shuttle trolleys.
It is also another object of this invention to provide an unloading arrangement for removing articles from a container.
It is yet an additional object of this invention to provide a loading and unloading arrangement for unloading articles from a container and loading the articles onto a conveyor.
It is still a further object of this invention to provide a loading and unloading arrangement wherein the work which otherwise would be required to be performed by a trolley motor can be divided over several less powerful motors.


A security device comprises a handle extending from an adjustable collar with the latter designed to contiguously encircle a club, flashlight or other security baton-type device. A chemical canister is releasably embedded within the handle with the latter presenting a seat for the user's thumb. The user, upon grasping the handle, positions the thumb in the seat and adjacent the activating mechanism of the canister. The device allows for transport and/or use of a club-like object and chemical canister embedded therein.

The present invention pertains to a security device, and more particularly, to a handle for facilitating the concurrent use of a flashlight/club and/or a chemical retardant such as a mace canister or the like.
The uses of flashlights, clubs, nightsticks and chemical retardants for security purposes are well known. Security officials such as policeman, security guards, watchmen and the like are normally equipped with one or more of such devices in order to be able to fully perform the multitude of tasks which may arise during their security job duties. Heretofore such devices were independent of each other which required the security official to have to awkwardly transport the separate devices on a belt or the like. This decreased the effectiveness of access and use of the devices which created a dangerous situation to the user. For example if the official was holding the weapon in one hand, it would be impossible for him to access both a flashlight and the chemical retardant in the other. Thus it is desirable to have a device which can provide for the concurrent access and use of a flashlight/club and/or chemical retardant.
In response thereto I have invented a security device in the form of a handle which comprises an elongated grip extending from an adjustable collar. The collar receives a flashlight, security baton or club therein and is adjustable so as to contiguously surround the same. The grip has a bore therein for releasably receiving a chemical retardant canister containing mace, hot pepper or the like. The grip presents a port for discharge of the chemical therefrom as activated by the user's thumb seated at the top of the grip and adjacent the container's activating lever. Across the top of the grip is a cap for covering the canister during transport. The handle positions the flashlight and chemical mace so as to enable the user to allow concurrent access and/or use of the same. It is understood that an elongated flashlight could also be used as a club. Also, a club may be used in lieu of the flashlight if no illumination is desired.
It is therefore a general object of this invention to provide a security device for simultaneously transporting and using a club and chemical retardant device.
Another object of this invention is to provide a dual function security device, as aforesaid, such functions being readily available for concurrent or separate use.
Still a further object of this invention is to provide a security device, as aforesaid, which releasably receives a flashlight/club of various sizes and/or a chemical retardant canister therein.
A more particular object of this invention is to provide a device, as aforesaid, which positions the flashlight/club, the chemical retardant canister and the user's fingers in user-ready positions.
A particular object of this invention is to provide an effective clamping device for maintaining the flashlight/club in place during transport and use.
Other objects and advantages of this invention will be readily apparent as set forth from the accompanying specification, drawings and claims.

Gas ejecting handle attachment for batons and flashlights


A method for making a color transform for an output device is provided. The color transform represents a correspondence relation between a first and a second color space. Each of the two color spaces involves a number of color channels and the color channels of the second color space control the colorants in the output device. An excess relation for the color channels of the color space associated with the output device is established and only color points in the second color space wherefor a sum of the excess values related to the color point is lower than a predetermined limit, are included in the color transform. This enables to adapt the shape of a color gamut to a behavior of the colorants and enhances the flexibility in making a color transform for various print processes.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method for making a color transform for an output device, the color transform representing a relation between a first and a second color space, each color space comprising color points for defining a color, each color point comprising a number of color channel values, the color channel values of the color points in the second color space controlling one or more colorants in the output device. The present invention further relates to a computer program product comprising instructions for executing the invented method.
2. Description of the Related Art
Reproductions of images involving color are often sensitive to the amount of colorants that are used to render an image on a receiving medium. Furthermore, the properties of the colorants, comprising both coloring material, such as dye or pigment, and a carrier, such as resin, water or another solvent, the properties of the receiving medium, such as paper or polymer film, and the applicating conditions, such as the temperature and humidity of the environment, all affect the output colors of a color imaging device, such as a printer. Colorants are applied either by varying a quantity of material emitted on a predefined position of the receiving medium, or by varying a number of fixed quantities of material around a predefined position, both identifiable as an adjustable colorant amount for an image position, controlled by a value of a control variable, sometimes referred to as a code value. If, for example, the colorant is ink, a colorant amount may be adjusted by varying the volume of an ink drop on a predefined position, or by the amount of ink drops with a fixed volume around this predefined position. Also combinations of these two variations are possible.
A single control variable, or a single color channel, is sufficient for an output device for monochrome reproductions, but for full color reproductions at least three color channels are necessary and most commonly, four color channels are used. An output device applies at least as many colorants as the number of available color channels. Each control variable in a color channel may be used for controlling a single colorant, indicating a value in a range from a minimum amount of colorant, most often equivalent to no colorant, to a maximum amount of colorant. A control variable may also be used to control more than one colorant, e.g. in the case of a combination of a light, or diluted, and a dark, or concentrated, colorant for varying an output color. A separation of the control variable to control the individual amounts of the two colorants is made within the output device. For color controlling purposes, such as by an external print controller, only the available color channels are relevant.
A color imaging device prints a digital image that is derived from print job data. A print job that is sent to the imaging device is first interpreted by a print controller, thereby converting colors as defined in the print job in a first color space to color channel values of a color point in a second color space, the color channel values being appropriate for obtaining a color by the imaging device corresponding to the defined color in the print job. In general, in the processing of digital images, colors may have to be converted using a predefined color transform, that represents a correspondence relation between two color spaces. Each color space comprises color points having a number of color channel values for defining a color. In a color space, a gamut is the set of colors that is available by a combination of color channel values in a color point.
Digital images use different combinations of channels for defining a color of image elements, such as pixels. The channels in a color imaging device, that is configured to make a reproduction of a digital image, may or may not correspond to the channels of an input image. An example is the common use of the three channels R, G, and B, also known as a red, green and blue channel, that define a color for each pixel of a raster image, and the four channels C, M, Y, and K, also known as a cyan, magenta, yellow and black channel, that are used to control the application of colorants in a printer. Each of these combinations of color channels is associated with a customary scheme for color generation by mixing the various channels. In the case of RGB-channels, additive mixing is usual, leading to a white color when all the channels have their maximum value, whereas in the case of CMYK-channels, subtractive mixing is conventional, leading to a black color when all the color channels have their maximum value. In order to accommodate the various sets of color channels, digital print systems comprise a conversion module for converting the channel control values of each pixel of the input image into channel control values that are applicable in the imaging, or output, device. This conversion module uses a color transform based on calibration data for characterising the input color space of the digital image and the output color space of the imaging device. In the calibration process, a color is established in its device dependent set of control values and related to a color definition in scientific, device independent variables, such as CIE XYZ or CIE L*a*b. An often used model for color matching is the combination of two characterising color profiles, one for the input side and one for the output side of the conversion, as prescribed by the International Color Consortium (www.color.org). These profiles are linked through a profile connecting space, such as the CIE XYZ or CIE L*a*b* color space, thereby obtaining a conversion table, also known as a device link or color transform, for the conversion module. The size of the conversion table is not fixed and the conversion module is capable to perform the necessary interpolations to convert input values that are not on a grid point of the table. Each profile defines a gamut, which is formed by the colors that may be represented by the color points in the device dependent color space. In general, a gamut is the set of colors that may be defined in a color space. A gamut may be limited by a predefined range for the color channels, such as e.g. by the limited range of 8-bit digital values. For colors outside the gamut, an alternative color point may be used. This alternative color point is also related to another color, a color within the gamut. The process for establishing a relation between a color outside the gamut and a color point that represents a color within the gamut is called gamut mapping.
A color profile, and in general a color transform, may be made by associating color channel values for an input or output device and their corresponding colors with their device independent color values in a black-box analysis. This means that the further processing of the color channel values with a device remains hidden during the making of a color profile. For a scanner, this comes down to determining the response in the color channels of the scanner to a number of color areas on a test chart. For a printer, this comes down to printing a test chart with a number of areas, each area having pixels with stimulant color channel values, on a representative medium and optically measuring the output colors of these areas. No further analysis of the color filters in a light sensitive element of the scanner or of the application of colorants in the printer is made. A resulting profile defines a relation between color channel values of the output device, and corresponding colorimetric values, in both conversion directions.
Not all media that receive colorants for the reproduction of an image in a printer, are capable of digesting large amounts of colorants. For this reason many profiling methods offer the possibility to limit the total ink coverage (TIC) or the total area coverage (TAC). This feature may also be used to reduce the amount of ink for economic reasons. For example, in a four channel print process, each channel is controlled from 0% to 100%, or from 0 to 1. If a color point comprises 100% for each channel, this results in a total area coverage of 400%. In many color management systems, it is possible to limit this value to a lower value, e.g. 250% or 320%, to prevent exceeding the technical limitations of the print process or to make a less expensive print by using less ink in high coverage areas, in dependence on the receiving medium and other process parameters. A limitation of the total coverage affects the gamut as, in addition to colors for which no color point exists, also colors for which the color point exceeds the established TAC limit, are excluded from the gamut. Therefore, the gamut shrinks by using a TAC limit.
It has been found that, by establishing a TAC limit, also the shape of the gamut changes relative to the shape of the gamut without a TAC limit. This has a considerable effect on the performance of gamut mapping for out of gamut colors, since colors outside the gamut without a TAC limit will often be mapped on the contour of the gamut. This is the part of the gamut where most of the colors transgressing the TAC limit are found. The colors on the gamut boundary are selectively eliminated, depending on the sum of the color channel values of the color point that produce these colors. Only colors that result from combinations of colorants for which the sum of the color channel values is lower than the TAC limit, are maintained and only these colors will be available for mapping out of gamut colors to.
A method for profiling, or more generally, a method for making a color transform, may be used for many different print processes or image processing purposes in which color channel values lead to colors in different ways. However, it has been found that in most processes, the use of a TAC limit leads to a concave gamut shape, wherein the parts of the gamut in which colors are composed of a single colorant or a few colorants stand out relative to colors using all colorants, whereas for many gamut mapping algorithms a convex shape is preferred.
Hence, a problem exists in controlling the volume and the shape of a gamut in a method for making a color transform, that relates different color channel values to each other, when a limit is imposed that restricts the available color points in the output color space.
An object of the present invention is to provide a method for making a color transform wherein control means are available for influencing the volume and the shape of the gamut in the output color space.


In some embodiments, an apparatus and a system, as well as a method and an article, may operate to receive a vibration signal having a frequency and a characteristic (e.g., voltage) proportional to the vibration amplitude of a tube in a vibrating tube density sensor. Further activity may include transmitting the density of a fluid flowing through the tube based on the frequency and an elastic modulus of the tube determined by the value of the characteristic. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are described.

Understanding the structure and properties of geological formations can reduce the cost of drilling wells for oil and gas exploration. Measurements made in a borehole (i.e., down hole measurements) are typically performed to attain this understanding, to identify the composition and distribution of material that surrounds the measurement device down hole. To obtain such measurements, a variety of sensors are used.
For example, a vibrating tube density sensor can be used down hole to determine formation fluid density. However, the resonance frequency of the vibrating tube within the sensor depends heavily on the elastic modulus of the tube material, which in turn depends upon the tube temperature. Thus, to achieve satisfactory measurement accuracy and resolution under down hole temperature variations, the elastic modulus temperature dependency of the tube material is often established through a comprehensive and time consuming temperature calibration procedure, applied to each sensor before it is used in the field.

Sensor characterization apparatus, methods, and systems


Disclosed is a liquid formulation which allows long-acting G-CSF conjugates, that have improved in vivo duration and stability, to be stable when stored for a long period of time. It comprises a stabilizer composition characterized by buffer and mannitol. Being free of human serum albumin and other potential factors harmful to the body, the liquid formulation is free of concerns about viral infections and guarantees excellent storage stability to long-acting G-CSF conjugates.

Granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) is a cytokine that stimulates stem cells of bone marrow and leukocytes to induce them to differentiate and proliferate. It is a glycoprotein ranging in molecular weight from 18,000 to 19,000 Da with a pI of 6.1 (5.5-6.1 depending on the degree of glycosylation (Nomura et al., EMBO J. 5(5): 871-876, 1986).
Recombinant DNA technology discovered the molecular and genetic properties of G-CSF (Clark and Kamen, Science, 236:1229-1237, 1987). Since the cloning of human G-CSF gene from the cDNA libraries constructed with mRNAs isolated from CHU-2 and human bladder carcinoma 5637 cell lines (Nagata et al., Nature, 319: 415-418, 1986; Nagata et al., EMBO J., 5(3): 575-581, 1986; Souza et al., Science, 232: 61-65, 1986), recombinant DNA technology has allowed G-CSF to be produced from mammal cells and prokaryotes. In addition, the present inventors have found that a modified hG-CSF, which is different from the wild-type in that at least one amino acid residue, especially the cysteine residue at position 17 is substituted with a different amino acid residue, can be secreted in a form free of methionine residues at the N-terminus thereof on a large scale into a periplasm (Korean Patent No. 10-356140).
Since polypeptides tend to easily denature due to their low stability, be degraded by proteolytic enzymes in the blood and easily passed through the kidney or liver, protein medicaments, including polypeptides as pharmaceutically effective components, need to be frequently administered to patients to maintain the desired blood level concentrations and titers. However, this frequent administration of protein medicaments, especially by injection, causes pain in patients.
To solve these problems, a lot of effort has been put into improving the serum stability of protein drugs and maintaining the drugs in the blood at high levels for a prolonged period of time, and thus maximizing the pharmaceutical efficacy of the drugs. For use in long-acting formulations, protein drugs must be formulated to have high stability and have their titers maintained at sufficiently high levels without incurring immune responses in patients.
To stabilize proteins and prevent enzymatic degradation and clearance by the kidneys, a polymer having high solubility, such as polyethylene glycol (PEG), was conventionally used to chemically modify the surface of a protein drug. By binding to specific or various regions of a target protein, PEG stabilizes the protein and prevents hydrolysis, without causing serious side effects (Sada et al., J. Fermentation Bioengineering 71:137-139, 1991). However, despite its capability to enhance protein stability, PEGylation has problems such as greatly reducing the titers of physiologically active proteins. Further, the yield decreases with increasing molecular weight of the PEG due to the reduced reactivity of the proteins.
An alternative method for improving the in vivo stability of physiologically active proteins is by linking a gene of a physiologically active protein to a gene encoding a protein having high serum stability by genetic recombination technology and culturing the cells transfected with the recombinant gene to produce a fusion protein. For example, a fusion protein can be prepared by conjugating albumin, a protein known to be the most effective in enhancing protein stability, or its fragment to a physiologically active protein of interest by genetic recombination (PCT Publication Nos. WO 93/15199 and WO 93/15200, European Pat. Publication No. 413,622).
Another method is to use an immunoglobulin. As described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,045,312, human growth hormone is conjugated to bovine serum albumin or mouse immunoglobulin by use of a cross-linking agent. The conjugates have enhanced activity when compared with unmodified growth hormone. Carbodiimide or glutaraldehyde is employed as the cross-linking agent. Non-specifically bonding to the peptides, however, such low-molecular weight cross-linking agents do not allow the formation of homogeneous conjugates and are even toxic in vivo. In addition, the patent shows activity enhancement only thanks to chemical coupling with the growth hormone. The method of the patent cannot guarantee activity enhancement to various kinds of polypeptide drugs, so that the patent does not recognize even protein stability-related factors, such as duration, blood half-period, etc.
Recently a drug formulation has been suggested that is a long-acting protein drug formulation with improvement in both in vivo duration and stability. For use in the long-acting drug formulation, a protein conjugate is prepared by covalently linking a physiologically active polypeptide, a non-polypeptide polymer and an immonoglobulin Fc fragment (Korean Patent No. 10-0567902 and 10-0725315).
In this method, G-CSF can be used as a physiologically active polypeptide to afford a long-acting G-CSF conjugate. To apply long-acting G-CSF conjugates to drug products, it is necessary to maintain the pharmaceutical efficacy thereof in vivo while restraining physicochemical changes such as light-, heat- or additives-induced degeneration, aggregation, adsorption or hydrolysis during storage and transportation. Long-acting G-CSF conjugates are more difficult to stabilize than an G-CSF polypeptide itself because they are increased in volume and molecular weight.
Generally, proteins have a very short half life and, when exposed to unsuitable temperatures, water-air interfaces, high pressures, physical/mechanical stress, organic solvents, microbial contamination, etc., they undergo such degeneration as the aggregation of monomers, precipitation by aggregation, and adsorption onto the surface of containers. When degenerated, proteins lose their physicochemical properties and physiological activity. Once degenerated, proteins almost cannot recover their original properties because the degeneration is irreversible. Particularly in the case of the proteins that are administered in trace amounts of hundreds migrograms per injection, such as G-CSF, when they lose stability and thus are absorbed onto the surface of the container, a relatively great amount of damage results. In addition, absorbed proteins easily aggregate during a degeneration process, and aggregates of the degenerated proteins, when administered into the body, act as antigens, unlike proteins synthesized in vivo. Thus, proteins must be administered in a stable form. Many studies have been done to prevent the degeneration of proteins in solutions (John Geigert, J. Parenteral Sci. Tech., 43(5): 220-224, 1989; David Wong, Pharm. Tech., 34-48, 1997; Wei Wang., Int. J. Pharm., 185: 129-188, 1999; Willem Norde, Adv. Colloid Interface Sci., 25: 267-340, 1986; Michelle et. Al., Int. J. Pharm. 120: 179-188, 1995).
Lyophilization is applied to some protein drugs to achieve the goal of stability. However, lyophilized products are inconvenient in that they must be re-dissolved in injection water for use. In addition, they need massive investment on large-capacity freeze-driers because lyophilization process is included in the production processes thereof. The confrication of proteins by use of a spray drier was suggested. However, this method is economically unfavorable due to low production yield. Further, a spray-drying process exposes the proteins to high temperatures, thus having negative influences on the stability of the proteins.
As an alternative to overcome the limitations, stabilizers have appeared that, when added to proteins in solution, can restrain physicochemical changes of protein drugs and maintain in vivo pharmaceutical efficiency even after having been stored for a long period of time. Among them are carbohydrates, amino acids, proteins, surfactants, polymers and salts. Inter alia, human serum albumin has been widely used as a stabilizer for various protein drugs, with certification for its performance (Edward Tarelli et al., Biologicals, 26: 331-346, 1998).
A typical purification process for human serum albumin includes inactivating biological contaminants such as mycoplasma, prion, bacteria and virus or screening or examining one or more biological contaminants or pathogens. However, there is always the risk that patients are exposed to the biological contaminants because they are not completely removed or inactivated. For example, human blood from donators is screened to examine whether it contains certain viruses. However, this process is not always reliable. Particularly, certain viruses existing in a very small number cannot be detected.
Alternatives to human serum albumin have recently been suggested, including recombinant albumin (Korean Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 10-2004-0111351) and albumin-free G-CSF (Korean Patent Nos. 10-0560697 and 10-0596610).
Although employing stabilizers free of albumin, different proteins may be gradually inactivated due to the chemical differences thereof because they are subjected to different ratios and conditions during storage. The effect of a stabilizer on the storage term of proteins differs from one protein to another. That is, various stabilizers may be used at different ratios depending on physicochemical properties of the proteins of interest.
In addition, different stabilizers, when concurrently used, may bring about reverse effects due to competition and the erroneous operation thereof. A combination of different stabilizers also elicits different effects because they cause the proteins to change in characteristics or concentration during storage. Because each stabilizer suitably performs its stabilizing activity in a certain range of concentrations, many efforts must be made to combine the kinds and concentrations of different stabilizers, with care.
Particularly, as for long-acting G-CSF conjugates which are improved in in vivo duration and stability, their molecular weights and volumes are quite different from those of general G-CSF compounds because they are composed of the physiologically active peptide G-CSF and immunoglobulin fragment Fc. In addition, the stability of immunoglobulin Fc fragments varies highly depending on pH. Thus, conventional stabilizers for G-CSF cannot be employed as they are. Accordingly, stabilizers with special compositions different from those of stabilizers for G-CSF are required for long-acting G-CSF conjugates.
Leading to the present invention, intensive and thorough research into the development of the development of a stable liquid formulation for long-acting G-CSF conjugates, capable of retaining pharmaceutical efficacy for a long term without viral infection, resulted in the finding that a stabilizer comprising buffer in a certain pH range and a highly concentration of mannitol endows long-acting G-CSF conjugates with enhanced stability and allows the formation of economical and stable liquid formulations of long-acting G-CSF conjugates.

Liquid formulations for long-acting G-CSF conjugate


The invention discloses a roll film coating device for photovoltaic glass coated with an AR coating liquid, which comprises a frame, a support roller is arranged on the upper end of the frame, and the upper end of the support roller is provided with a glass to be processed, and the frame is The middle part is provided with a column, a slide rail is arranged at the upper end of the column, and a plurality of movable bearing seats are installed in the slide rail. The column is driven by a screw to move the movable bearing seat, and the column passes left to right through the movable bearing. The seat is provided with a front roller, a rear roller and a compaction roller in this order. The coating device designed in the present invention can enhance the uniformity of glue coverage and prevent the local generation of droplets, and is suitable for the mass production of laminated photovoltaic glass. The increase of production efficiency and production quality has high practical value.

Solar photovoltaic glass needs better light transmittance and lowers reflectivity. However, the actual reflection of glass is difficult to make into a glass plate that meets the requirements. Therefore, it is necessary to provide an interference layer on ordinary glass and use the principle of interference of light to make it. Photovoltaic glass, hand-coated photovoltaic glass is difficult to ensure the smoothness of the film, which greatly affects the performance of the glass, and coating efficiency is low, the small coating machine on the market is difficult to adjust the film thickness, If a new roller coating device capable of rapidly adjusting the film thickness can be invented to solve such problems, a roller coating device for photovoltaic glass coated with an AR coating liquid is provided.

Roller coating device for photovoltaic glass coated with AR coating liquid


According to one embodiment, a driver circuit includes an output transistor where a main current path is connected between a voltage supply terminal and a voltage output end and which supplies an output current to the voltage output end, a drive circuit that outputs a drive signal, a variable resistance connected between an output terminal of the drive circuit and a gate of the output transistor, a current detection circuit that detects a current flowing through the output transistor, and a control circuit that changes a value of the variable resistance in response to an output signal of the current detection circuit.

A technique has been disclosed which turns off an output transistor when an overcurrent state is detected and avoids breakdown of the output transistor due to an overcurrent. A driver circuit can be operated at high speed by increasing a response speed of the output transistor. On the other hand, when instantly turning off an output transistor whose response speed is high, an induction voltage generated in a parasitic inductance of a signal wiring increases in response to change of current flowing through the driver circuit, an internal voltage rises, and an overvoltage is applied to the output transistor, so that there is a risk that the output transistor is broken down. Therefore, a driver circuit is desired which can increase a response speed of the output transistor an a steady operation and can suppress generation of overvoltage in a protection operation against an overcurrent.

Toshiba Electronic Devices & Storage Corporation