Systems, methods, and media for updating a classifier are provided, in some embodiments, systems for updating a classifier are provided, the systems comprising: a hardware processor that is configured to: receive a sample; for each of a first plurality of weak learners, classify the sample using the weak learner, determine an outcome of the classification, and determine an up-dated error rate of the weak learner based on the outcome of the classification and at least one of: (i) a count of positive samples used to update the classifier, and (ii) a count of negative samples used to update the classifier; select a first weak learner from the first plurality of weak learners based on the updated error rate of the first weak learner; and update tire classifier based on the first weak learner.

Automatic detection of certain content in images and/or other forms of data is of ever-increasing importance for machine vision, security, computer-aided diagnosis and other applications. For example, automated detection of anatomic structures is an important functionality for navigating through large 3D image datasets and supporting computer-aided diagnosis (CAD).
A classifier is a mechanism that can be used to perform automatic detection in such applications. Once trained, a classifier can indicate whether an image includes a certain object, such as an anatomic structure. Based on the amount of training, a classifier can exhibit a better or worse performance. With an on-line classifier, training may be performed during normal use of the classifier. Because of this ability to train during normal use, and hence continually improve performance while being used, on-line classifiers are increasing in popularity.
However, current on-line classifiers lack adaptations for dealing with training data sets where an imbalance exists between the proportions of true-positive, true-negative, false-positive, and false-negative samples. Furthermore, current on-line classifiers are unable to adapt to shifts in the proportions of positive and negative samples that occur as the sizes of training data sets expand over time.
Accordingly, new mechanisms for updating a classifier are desirable.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Arizona Board of Regents on behalf of Arizona State University


The present invention relates to a word sequence output device in which emotional synthetic speech can be output. The device outputs emotional synthetic speech. A text generating unit 31 generates spoken text for synthetic speech by using text as a word sequence included in action command information in accordance with the action command information. An emotion checking unit 39 checks an emotion model value and determines whether or not the emotion of a robot is aroused based on the emotion model value. Further, when the emotion of the robot is aroused, the emotion checking unit 39 instructs the text generating unit 31 to change the word order. The text generating unit 31 changes the word order of the spoken text in accordance with the instructions from the emotion checking unit 39. Accordingly, when the spoken text is “Kimi wa kirei da.” (You are beautiful.), the word order is changed to make a sentence “Kirei da, kimi wa.” (You are beautiful, you are.) The present invention can be applied to a robot outputting synthetic speech.

For example, a known speech synthesizer generates synthetic speech based on text or pronunciation symbols which are obtained by analyzing the text.
Recently, a pet-type pet robot which includes a speech synthesizer so as to speak to a user and perform conversation (dialogue) with the user has been proposed.
Further, a pet robot which has an emotion model for expressing the state of emotion has been proposed. This type of robot follows or does not follow the order of the user depending on the state of emotion indicated by the emotion model.
Accordingly, if synthetic speech can be changed in accordance with an emotion model, synthetic speech according to the emotion can be output, and thus the entertainment characteristic of pet robots can be developed.


The present invention describes apparatuses and methods that provide energy to ions in a non-thermal manner. The elevated ion energy minimizes or eliminates interferences due to clustering with polar molecules, such as water. The energized ions are separated in an ion mobility spectrometer. During the ion transportation and separation process, the elevated energy level of ions prevents them from clustering with neutral molecule inside the spectrometer. The additional electric field component only causes ions to reach elevated energy level, whereby the spectrometer can preserve its normal performance, meanwhile avoiding interference from water and other neutral molecules. A RF electric field is applied to the ions in ionization, reaction and separation region of ion mobility spectrometers.

Ion mobility spectrometers (IMS) are widely used in field chemical analysis. IMS separate ionic species based on their ion mobility in a given media (either gas or liquid). Recent development of the IMS technology results in two forms of IMS instruments and systems. The time-of-flight (TOF) IMS separate ions based on their steady state ion mobilities under constant electric field. High resolving power with IMS has been achieved with the TOF-IMS instruments. Alternatively, devices that separate ions based their mobility changes under high field conditions, such as field asymmetric ion mobility spectrometer (FAIMS) or differential mobility spectrometer (DMS), can also be used. These devices separate the ions through the use of nonlinear mobility, which occurs at high values of normalized electric field (E/n). The normalized electric field refers to the relation between the applied electric field at a given location in space divided by the neutral particle number density. The normalized electric field is a key parameter in ionized gases and plasmas, as the energy of ionized particles, the breakdown and sustaining voltages and other key parameters depend upon this ratio. The FAIMS and/or DMS devices have sensitivity and selectivity that are still substantially worse (less) than linear drift tubes.
In many cases, in a less-than ideal operating environments (in particular those with high humidity or other site-specific interferences), the spectrometer performance is significantly limited. The performance of the ion mobility spectrometers in these circumstances can be improved by increasing the temperature of the gas. High temperature ion mobility spectrometers are common in applications that require high resolution analysis, such as explosive detection. Unfortunately, the use of high temperature drift tubes in IMS devices results in high power consumption, limited portability and other operational disadvantages, including slow turn-on from cold conditions. In addition, dry drift gas is often required in these spectrometers. A dehumidifier in front of the unit has been used to address these problems (either as a water absorber or as a hydrophobic membrane) with significant trade-offs. The volume and weight, as well as the need for regeneration, makes the use of dehumifier cell impractical, while the use of the hydrophobic membrane decreases the volume/amount of the sample that is introduced into the device, decreasing its sensitivity.

Methods and apparatus of ion mobility spectrometer


A snowmobile comprises a frame assembly. An internal combustion engine is mounted to the frame assembly. A steering assembly is mounted to the frame assembly. The steering assembly comprises a steering shaft having a first portion and a second portion. The first portion of the steering shaft is coupled to a steering input mechanism. The second portion of the steering shaft is coupled to a power steering device. The power steering device is coupled to a steering linkage. The steering linkage is coupled to a steering ski.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to steering systems for vehicles. More specifically, the present invention relates to power steering systems for snowmobiles.
2. Description of the Related Art
With some snowmobiles, a rider straddles a seat and grips a steering handlebar provided in front of the seat. The steering handlebar typically is disposed in a position at an upper end of a steering shaft. The steering shaft usually is located centrally in a transverse direction of the vehicle. A lower end of the steering shaft is connected through a linkage mechanism to a pair of right and left steering skis. The steering shaft is supported for free rotation within a steering column. The steering column can be supported on a frame of the vehicle body. A snowmobile typically includes a drive track mechanism under the seat for propelling the snowmobile.
Turning the steering handlebar, while the snowmobile is traveling, transmits a steering force to the steering skis through the steering shaft and the linkage mechanism. The steering skis turn in response to the steering force. The weight of the front part of the snowmobile acts on the steering skis. Additionally, the forces generated while traveling forward also act on the steering skis. Such forces can make it difficult to turn the handlebar of the snowmobile, especially if the snowmobile is large and is traveling at high speeds.
A power steering device reduces the amount of force that a user must provide to steer the snowmobile. A power steering device includes an electric motor to generate additional steering force. The power steering device has an input shaft on a first end facing the rear of the vehicle body and an output shaft on a second end facing the front of the vehicle body.
In a snowmobile, the rear part of the vehicle body is supported by the drive track mechanism located generally centrally in the transverse direction of the vehicle. The weight of the front part of the vehicle body preferably is balanced in the transverse direction of the vehicle. In some cases, a power steering device is positioned on one side of the vehicle body.
The input shaft of the power steering device typically is connected to the steering shaft through a universal joint located generally centrally in a transverse direction of the vehicle. The output shaft extends toward the front of the vehicle body, and its front end connects to a rack and pinion type steering system near a front portion of the vehicle.


The present invention relates to a recovery function from a system failure such as a power failure and a media failure such as a breakage of disk at a transaction processing system of a plurality of user environment, and is applied in carrying out a checkpoint to reduce an amount of work required for failure recovery, and particularly to a fuzzy checkpoint method which is a method of enhancing a system performance by not interrupting other transactions ever for a moment at the time of checkpoint. According to the present invention, the occurrance of dangling transaction is prevented by deleting the corresponding transaction entry from the transaction table during performing of the redo step, for the transactions terminated between the point of time when the checkpoint start log record of the last completed checkpoint is logged and the point of time when the checkpoint end log record is logged.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method of prevention of dangling transaction occurrance using a terminated transaction process technique at redo step and, in particular, to a recovery function from a system failure such as a power failure and a media failure such as a disk crash at a transaction processing system of a plurality of user environment.
The present invention is applied in carrying out a checkpoint to reduce an amount of work required for failure recovery, and particularly to a checkpoint method, which is a method of enhancing a system performance by not interrupting other transactions even for a moment at the time of doing checkpoint.
2. Information Disclosure Statement
Among the conventional techniques which have been used in the present field, the transaction oriented checkpoint(TOC) method, transaction consistent checkpoint(TCC) method and action consistent checkpoint(ACC) method, etc. are methods in which while the checkpoints are carryied out, the performance of other transactions are interrupted, so they are excluded from consideration.
In a conventionally used fuzzy checkpoint method, errors are found that cancel a result of some transactions among already completed transactions, and these transactions are called dangling transactions. Error operation of this method will be described in detail below.
The fuzzy checkpoint is a method which asynchronously performs normal transactions and a checkpoint to improve the system performance. This method, first of all, records(logging) a checkpoint start log record at the time of carrying out the checkpoint, then finally records a checkpoint end log record after performing required operations, and updates/records master pages for supporting the recovery function there terminating the checkpoint process. The method checks a transaction table in the process of performing the checkpoint, collects the currently on-going (completion prepared state or completion not prepared state) transactions, writes the transactions on a transaction list of check point end log record, and logs the log record. If the check operation of transaction table is per formed without interleaving the normal transactions, the operation is precisely performed. However, in the fuzzy checkpoint, other cases can occur. For example, the performance of fuzzy checkpoint and the transaction T.sub.-- i can cause interference as in a scenario shown below.
1. Checkpoint process logged the checkpoint start log record. PA0 2. Checkpoint process checks the status of transaction T.sub.-- i at transaction table, registers the transaction list, and thereafter checks the status of other transaction T.sub.-- j. PA0 3. Since a context switching occurs, a process which performs transation T.sub.-- i is performed, and T.sub.-- i logged the transaction end log record. PA0 4. Checkpoint process resumes again, completes the checks of remaining entries at the transaction table to complete the checkpoint end log record, and records the log record to the log file. PA0 5. Checkpoint process changes the pages. PA0 6. Power failure occurred.
In the above example, the recovery function performance from the system failure(power failure) is as follows. First, at the analysis, log records are analysed from the checkpoint start log record of the last completed checkpoint, and if the transaction end log record of the transation T.sub.-- i is encountered the item of T.sub.-- i is removed from the transaction table. Thereafter, if the checkpoint end log record is encountered, the item of T.sub.-- i is registered again on the transaction table in the condition of T.sub.-- i(completion prepared condition or completion not prepared condition) written on the transaction list of the log record. The log record about the transaction T.sub.-- i does not appear after the checkpoint end log record. Therefore, upon completion of the analysis step of recovery function, T.sub.-- i is specified according to the status at the time when the checkpoint process checks the condition of T.sub.-- i on the transaction table. T.sub.-- i is specified as a transaction to be entirely rollbacked if the condition is completion not prepared condition, and as a completion prepared transaction if the condition is completion prepared condition. In case of being specified as a transaction to be entirely rollbacked, the transaction T.sub.-- i is forcible aborted by undoing all undoable log records sequencially(in the order of opposite direction to the log)from the last log record of T.sub.-- i which was checked at the time of performing the checkpoint at the undo step of recovery function. That is, the already terminated(completed or entirely rollbacked) transaction is cancelled from an intermediate state of the transaction or is made to be in completion prepared condition, therefore, the property of atomicity, consistency and durability of the transaction are not guaranteed. These transactions T.sub.-- i are called dangling transactions, and an error exist that dangling transactions occur in conventional Fox checkpoint method.

Method of prevention of dangling transaction occurrence using a terminated transaction process technique at redo step

Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute


The invention consists of a method of automatically detecting and classifying a device, comprising: a) receiving information from the device; b) looking up the information in a device directory to identify the device; c) applying a series of identity rules if the information is not found in the device directory; and d) identifying the device from the identity rules. Preferably, the device is a mobile device.

The rapid increase in the use of mobiles devices, such as cellular phones, Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) and similar devices to access the Internet has greatly increased the usefulness and accessibility of a number of applications, while at the same time creating a problem for the developers of those applications. As the type of device used to access the application may vary, so do the software requirements for that device, as there is little standardization of software and operating system platforms between competing manufacturers.
When a device accesses an application over the Internet, it sends information about itself to the application in an HTTP header information such as the type of browser being used and the type of device. This combination of information can be used to define and identify the device. Identification of the device is the key element in enabling support for multiple devices in a single application.
An issue that arises is the proper and consistent identification of the device which is accessing the application. Different mobile devices support and use different software, and in order to ensure that the proper version of the software is downloaded to the device to support the application, a mechanism is needed to identify the device and its software without user intervention.
Additionally, this device identification mechanism should be able to identify and support new devices as they are introduced, and not be limited only to those devices already supported.

Automatic detection and classification of a mobile device


Disclosed is a composition comprising a Sargassum horneri extract for alleviating lung injury or respiratory disease.

Due to advanced industrialization, air pollution such as particulate matter (PM) has increased. In addition, desertification in the Asian continent (including China) caused by climate change has increased the occurrence of yellow dust in Korea, with the resultant increase of the public's interest in particulate matter (Kim H S, Chung Y S, Yoon M B. An analysis on the impact of large-scale transports of dust pollution on air quality in East Asia as observed in central Korea in 2014. Air Qual Atmos Health, 2015 Jan. 15 [Epub]. dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11869-014-0312-5). Particulate matter contains various components, including carbon components such as soot and organic carbons; ionic components such as chlorine, nitric acid, ammonium, sodium, and calcium; metal components such as lead, arsenic, and mercury; and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzopyrene (Jang An-Soo. Impact of particulate matter on health. J Korean Med Assoc, 2014; 57:763-768). In addition, primary particles from vehicle exhaust gases, quarries, construction sites and the like, and secondary particles, such as sulfates, nitrates, sulfur dioxides, nitric oxides, ammonia, volatile organic compounds and the like, produced by chemical reactions of the primary particles, contribute to particulate matter occurrence. Furthermore, particulate matter is classified according to size into two categories: a particle diameter of 2.5 to 10 μm, and a particle diameter of less than 2.5 μm. Particulate matter having a diameter of less than 2.5 μm is called fine particulate matter. Dust is caught in the nose or throat and does not affect the airway. However, if dust is smaller than 10 μm, it is deposited in the upper respiratory tract, bronchus, small airway, and alveoli, and affects the respiratory tract, causing allergic rhinitis, bronchitis, asthma, alveolar damage, etc. (Allergy Asthma Respir Dis, 2015, 3:313-319). In addition, progression to chronic inflammation can lead to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which causes dyspnea due to decreased pulmonary function (J Int. Korean Med, 2017, 38:353-366). It is known that particulate matter can cause not only respiratory diseases but also allergic conjunctivitis, keratitis, cardiovascular diseases, and the like, and such impacts on the human body may be caused by inflammatory reactions due to secretion of cytokines, chemokines or the like, an increase in white blood cell count, production of reactive oxygen species, etc. (Cho C C et al. In Vitro and In Vivo Experimental Studies of PM2.5 on Disease Progression, Int J Environ Res Public Health 2018, 15(7)). Accordingly, it is necessary to study substances that can inhibit such impacts.
Sargassum horneri is a perennial brown algae belonging to the Sargassaceae family of the Fucales order, and is known to be widely distributed in the coasts of Korea, Japan, and China and to be a major constituent of floating drifting gulfweed that travels along currents in the East Sea and the Sea of Japan (Korean J Fish Aquat Sci, 2016, 49:689-693).
It is known that Sargassum horneri contains various components, including fucoidan, minerals such as alginic acid, and polyphenols, and has various pharmacological and physiological functions which are helpful for beauty or health. In addition, fucoidan, a type of sulfated polysaccharide isolated from Sargassum horneri, has been reported to reduce oxidative stress in LPS-stimulated macrophages (Int J Biol Macromol, 2014, 68:98-106). Furthermore, it has been reported that the polyphenol component of Sargassum horneri has strong antioxidant activity (Journal of Medicinal Food, 2016, 19:615-628), and fucoxanthin, a type of carotenoid pigment, exhibits antioxidant, antibacterial, and antihypertensive effects (Mar Drugs, 2015, 13:3422-3442).
The present disclosure discloses that a Sargassum horneri extract has an activity of alleviating a lung injury or respiratory disease caused by particulate matter or the like.

JEJU NATIONAL UNIVERSITY INDUSTRY-ACADEMIC COOPERATION FOUNDATION


A method of memory sharing implemented by logic of a computer memory control unit, the control unit comprising at least one first interface and second interfaces and is adapted to be connected with a main physical memory via the first interface, and a set of N≧2 non-cooperative processors via the second interfaces, the logic operatively coupled to the first and second interfaces. The method includes receiving, via the second interfaces, a request to access data of the main physical memory from a first processor of the set; evaluating if a second processor has previously accessed the data requested by the first processor; and deferring the request from the first processor when the evaluation is positive, or, granting the request from the first processor when the evaluation is negative.

The invention relates to the field of computer science, and more specifically, to a method implemented by a logic of a computer memory control unit for memory sharing by processors, to a computer memory control unit comprising such logic, to a computer program comprising instructions for configuring such logic and to a data storage medium having recorded thereon such program.
Shared-memory architectures enable several processes to share portions of their address spaces. Existing shared-memory hardware architectures and their corresponding protocols for sharing memory assume a set of cooperative processors. One existing possibility is that all the processors implement a same memory access interface hardware, which is not standard, but is adapted for cooperation between the processors in order for them to access the shared memory in a smooth manner. Another existing possibility is that all processors have specific software components installed thereon that allow them to communicate together or with a central hardware in order to cooperate to emulate a virtual shared memory. Such existing possibilities require a specific component installed on each processor sharing the memory: a specific hardware interface adapted for cooperation in one case, or specific software and a virtual shared memory emulated using the unshared memories of the individual processors in the other case. This makes such architectures costly and complicated to achieve in the former case, or lagging the performance of physically shared memories in the latter.
With the growing popularity of heterogeneous architectures, there is an increased interest in the implementation of mechanisms that allow non-homogeneous architectures to execute processes that may communicate through a shared region of memory, even though the processors in question may not implement the same (or any) shared-memory protocol interface.
There is thus a need for an improved solution for memory sharing.

International Business Machines Corporation


The present invention provides for selectively blocking outgoing calls based on blocking criteria configured by a telephony subscriber or representative thereof. When a call is initiated, blocking criteria associated with the telephony terminal from which the call is being initiated are used to determine whether the call should be blocked or allowed to continue. Once a determination is made, a telephony switch or telephony server supporting the telephony terminal either blocks the call or allows the call to continue as dictated by the blocking criteria. The blocking criteria may be applied to one or more telephony terminals. Further, the blocking criteria may be based on the party being called, time of day, day of week, financial authorization, type of call, or any combination thereof. The subscribers or representatives thereof can easily and efficiently configure the blocking criteria to control whether or not outgoing calls are blocked or allowed to continue.

There are numerous reasons to limit or otherwise block the origination of outgoing calls. Parents may want to limit their children's ability to call certain people, or make certain types of calls. Further, parents may want to limit the times at which calls can be made. Office administrators or business owners often desire to impose similar limitations on employees.
Unfortunately, there are very few ways to limit outgoing calls. Typically, a telephony switch servicing a telephony terminal must be provisioned to block certain types of calls from that telephony terminal. Such provisioning is generally limited to blocking broad categories of calls, such as 900, long distance, or international calls. In addition to being limited to blocking certain categories of calls, such provisioning requires subscribers or their representatives to request that the service providers provision the telephony switch in the desired fashion. Accordingly, current techniques for blocking certain types of outgoing calls are not only inflexible, but also cumbersome. There is a need for an efficient and flexible way for subscribers or their representatives to block outgoing calls as they desire, as well as a telephony system in which such blocking of calls can be efficiently implemented.


A fuel injector includes a body, filter, and damper member. The body extends along a longitudinal axis between an inlet end and an outlet end and has a wall defining a flow passage extending therebetween. The filter is disposed in the flow passage proximate the inlet end. The damper member is secured to the flow passage between the inlet end and the filter. The damper member has outer and inner surfaces surrounding the longitudinal axis, the outer surface being contiguous to the wall of the flow passage to define at least one circumferential band about the longitudinal axis in the flow passage. The inner surface defines an aperture that extends through the damper member to permit fluid communication between the inlet end and the filter. A damper member is also shown and described. A method of reducing sound in the valve group subassembly is also disclosed.

It is believed that some fuel injectors include features that reduce undesirable noise associated with operation of the fuel injector. For example, it has been known to locate a silencing chamber around the outlet end of the fuel injector. But this is believed to address noise caused by the expansion of gaseous fuel, not noise propagated by the actuator.
It is also known to provide a noise insulator formed in or around the fuel injector to prevent transmission of noise from the fuel injector. In one example, annular dampening elements also have been included as part of the fuel injector nozzle body, but at the fuel-metering section of the armature such that it is believed to be difficult to install, particularly post-manufacturing.
Another known example provides for a sound-dampening element formed unitarily as part of a fuel filter. The sound-dampening element, however, is believed to absorb noise propagating between the fuel injector and a fuel rail instead of damping the structure to reduce the vibration or noise.

Modular fuel injector with a damper member and method of reducing noise


A nucleic acid sample is mixed with a nucleotide reagent under hybridizing conditions. The nucleotide reagent contains nucleotides each combined at 3'- and 5'-terminals thereof with particles. After cleaving double strands of hybridization products, at least ones of particles separated from each other by the cleaving and particles held in the unreacted reagent and subjected to no cleavage are detected for measuring nucleic acids in the sample. Since the particles separated from each other by the cleaving and the particles held in the unreacted reagent and subjected to no cleavage are different in size of particle masses from each other, these two groups of particles can be discriminated and detected. Therefore, a labeling substance in the unreacted reagent is no longer required to be washed and separated, enabling nucleic acids to be quickly measured with high sensitivity.

Detection and identification of pathogenic microorganisms are indispensable for diagnoses of infectious diseases. However, detection and identification of a microorganism responsible for an infectious disease by cultivation is so time consuming that it is often not available for practical diagnosis and treatment of the disease. Therefore, diagnoses using immunological inspection methods have become more popular. In immunological inspection methods, proteins on the cell surface layers of microorganisms or antigenic substances produced in large amount during the process of proliferation are mainly detected, but these proteins, etc. are not always related to the microorganisms responsible for the diseases. This is because measuring the increased antibody titer in the serum of a patient for a specific pathogenic microorganism or the specific antigen thereof is measurement of a response to the infectious disease and is not confirmation of the microorganism per se.
Recently, investigation of the existence of a specified base sequence in a nucleic acid sample using a hybridization technique for nucleic acids has made it possible to specify a microorganism responsible for an infectious disease and diagnosis of the infectious disease before crisis. Thus, a method using a DNA probe for microorganism detection has been practiced. In this method, a single-stranded DNA having a base sequence complementary to the base sequence of a nucleic acid which is contained in a sample to be detected (the single-stranded DNA is referred to as "DNA probe") is utilized as a specifically reactive reagent. The existence of objective pathogenic bacteria can be judged by investigating the existence, in a sample, of a base sequence complementary to the base sequence of the DNA probe. Various practical methods have been proposed in, e.g., (1) Nippon Rinsho (Clinical Medicine in Japan), Vol. 47, 737-754, (1989), (2) E. M. Southern, "Detection of Specific Sequences Among DNA Fragments Separated by Gel Electrophoresis", J. Mol. Biol., 98, pp503-517, (1975), and (3) J. Meinkoth & G. Wahl, "Hybridization of Nucleic Acids Immobilized on Solid Supports", Analytical Biochemistry, 138, pp267-284, (1984). One example of a method using the DNA probe is called dot hybridization. This method comprises attaching a single-stranded DNA (an SS-DNA) obtained by denaturation of a sample to a solid phase, allowing a radioisotope-labeled SS-DNA to act on the solid phase to form a hybrid between the labeled SS-DNA and the SS-DNA attached to the solid phase, removing the unreacted labeled SS-DNA, and measuring a radiation emitted from the solid phase (hereinafter referred to as "first prior art technique").
As a modification of the above method, there is a method of sandwich hybridization. This method makes it possible to reduce the background due to adsorption and hence is effective particularly when an impure sample is used. In this method, at least two DNA fragments derived from a target nucleic acid to be detected are used. One of the DNA fragments is attached to a solid phase and used as a capturing reagent. The other fragment is labeled as a reagent for detection and added to a solution containing the solid phase to which the capturing reagent is attached, together with a solubilized sample in a hybridizing solution. Then, the reagent for detection which has been bound to the solid phase by hybridization and the unreacted reagent for detection are separated from each other. When a base sequence homologous with both the reagents exists in the sample, the sequence is hybridized with both the capturing reagent and the reagent for detection. Whether the sequence has been hybridized or not can be known by measuring the label in the reagent for detection which has been bound to the capturing reagent in the solid phase through the sample. (This method will hereinafter be referred to as "second prior art technique".)
Further, JP, B, 3-78120 proposes a method using a restriction enzyme. The proposed method comprises bringing, in a solution, a single-stranded polynucleotide to be measured into contact with a solid phase combined with a single-stranded polynucleotide to which a labeling substance has been attached and which is capable of reacting with the single-stranded polynucleotide to be measured to form a double-stranded polynucleotide, thereby forming the double-stranded polynucleotide, allowing a restriction enzyme to act on the formed double-stranded polynucleotide to cleave this double-stranded polynucleotide, and measuring the labeling substance in the solution or solid phase (hereinafter referred to as "third prior art technique").
The above prior art methods however have the following problems.
The first and second prior art techniques are problematic, particularly when the amount of a nucleic acid to be detected is small, because the nucleic acid to be detected in the sample must finally be bound to the solid phase in either technique. Also, they require a large number of steps for completing measurement and, particularly, require the operation of separating the unreacted reagent in the solution for measuring the labeling substance in the reagent which has been hybridized with the nucleic acid to be detected. Further, immobilization of a sample slowly progresses because of a solid/liquid reaction and takes a long time. Thus, the first and second prior art technique are disadvantageous from the viewpoint of labor required for operations and time required for measurement.
In the third prior art technique, since a reagent capable of being treated beforehand is bound to a solid phase, immobilization of a sample is not necessary and the problems with the first and second prior arts are partly solved. However, the third prior art technique is disadvantageous in that a labeling substance is detected based on its concentration and hence detection sensitivity is not sufficient. For example, when an enzyme is used as the labeling substance, reliability of the measured values at low concentrations is poor because of not only limits in chemical amplification due to the enzyme reaction as high as about 104 at the maximum, but also influences of decomposition of the substrate, etc. The amplification due to the enzyme reaction is unstable because it is different depending on reaction conditions and is easily affected by coexisting substances. As a method of compensating for such a drawback, there is a method of amplifying DNA fragments of a sample. From the viewpoint of practical use, however, this method has problems of requiring a long time and causing contamination of a sample.
Additionally, in the third prior art technique, before cleaving each double strand formed by the reaction, completion of measurement also requires separation, in the solution, of the labeling substance which is in the unreacted reagent existing free in the solution and the labeling substance which has been attached to the solid phase by the reaction.

Method of measuring nucleic acids and reagent used therefor


Improved process for implementing the Diels-Alder reaction that consists in using reagents in the presence of at least one liquid salt of general formula Q.sup.+ A.sup.-, in which Q.sup.+ represents a quaternary ammonium and/or phosphonium and A.sup.- represents an anion and optionally at least one Lewis acid. The anion is preferably selected from the group that is formed by tetrafluoroborate, hexafluorophosphate, hexafluoroantimonate, hexafluoroarsenate, perfluoroalkylsulfonate, fluorosulfonate or else dichlorocuprate, tetrachloroborate, tetrachloroaluminate, and trichlorozincate. At the end of the reaction, the organic phase is separated, and the polar phase is reused.

The dienoic condensation or cycloaddition 4.pi.+2.pi.!, which is also known as the Diels-Alder reaction, is the most important method for synthesizing hexacyclic structures. It consists in thermally reacting a diene that is conjugated on a dienophile, which can be the diene itself, another diene or a monoene, resulting in a 1:1 adduct. When the reactivity of the diene or the dienophile is low, it is necessary to operate at high temperature; this often leads to undesirable polymerization reactions of the diene or polyaddition of the adduit. By contrast, the regioselectivity, diastereofacial selectivity, and the cis/trans ratio of the condensation are fixed and do not always correspond to the product that is sought.
For this reason, it has been proposed that organic solvents be used to improve the speed, regioselectivity, and stereoselectivity of these reactions. In addition to the fact that the effect of these solvents is relatively limited, however, their use poses the problem of separating them from reagents and products.
It has also been proposed to implement the Diels-Alder reaction in the presence of water. The effect of water, or water-rich aqueous alcohol solutions, on the reaction speed is often significant. Furthermore, the endo/exo ratio is always higher there than in the organic medium. The presence in the water of mineral salts, such as lithium salts, further accelerates the reaction.
Furthermore, it has been shown that the Lewis acids, such as TiCl.sub.4, BF.sub.3 or AlEtCl.sub.2, and their alkoxy substitutes, and various cationic complexes of transition metals with acid properties enhance the reaction and its stereoselectivity. In this case, the reaction can be considered as catalyzed. The presence of optically active groups in these compounds also makes it possible to induce a catalytic enantioselective reaction.
All of these effects have been discussed in articles published in Chemical Reviews by U. Pindur and Associates, Vol. 93, p. 741, and by H. Kagan and O. Riant, Vol. 92, p. 1007.
Very recently, J. Engberts and Associates showed in an article in the Journal of the American Chemical Society, Vol. 118, p. 7702, that the combined effect of water and certain weak Lewis acids such as the nitrates of Co, Cu, Ni and Zn made it possible to carry out at ambient temperature Diels-Alder reactions with fairly unreactive dienophiles, and to do so at significant speeds. In contrast, the growing endo/exo ratio observed in pure water disappeared in the presence of a Lewis acid.

Process for dienoic condensation known as the diels-alder reaction


The present invention relates to an improvement of the mouthpiece of a dry powder inhalation device wherein the medicament is packed in the blisters of single dose blister strips. According to the invention a portion of the air which enters the mouthpiece does not pass through the powder containing blister, but follows an alternative path through the mouthpiece, enabling therefore the modification of the resistance of the device in a simple and cost effective manner.

The administration of medicaments by inhalation is one of the most promising approaches in therapy that can be applied to a wide variety of diseases. The first inhaled medicaments were used for the treatment of diseases affecting the airways; however there has been an increased interest recently for the development of inhaled forms of medicaments that target various other diseases, such as diabetes.
The administration of medicaments by inhalation is carried out by using inhalation devices (inhalers). A large number of such devices are comprised in the state of the art. A large category of inhalers includes those wherein the medicament is situated in a receptacle in the form of dry powder and wherein the patient, by using the power of his/hers lungs, creates a streaming of air which carries along the powder which is subsequently inhaled through a mouthpiece. These devices are known as dry powder inhalers (DPIs). The powder in said devices is either situated in a container from where the required amount is measured using an internal mechanism, or it is packed as individual doses in the corresponding receptacles such as blister packs or capsules. The powder comprises the active ingredient which in most cases is combined with one or more excipients.
International patent application WO03082389 discloses a dry powder inhaler wherein the medicament is stored in the blisters of specially designed single dose blister strips. The device comprises a mouthpiece, a blister strip support surface and a strip storage compartment. The strip support surface comprises an attachment point (e.g. a protrusion), a cavity which receives the blister of the strip and guides for the correct alignment and firm placement of the strip. The mouthpiece is movably joined to the support surface in such a way that when the blister strip is placed on the support surface and the mouthpiece is in its basic position, the base of the mouthpiece touches the strip and covers completely the powder containing blister.
The mouthpiece of said device is comprised of three parts, an exterior part and two interior parts of conical shape. The first of the interior parts, whose lower side has two openings and touches the blister of the strip, is divided into two chambers through which the air which enters the mouthpiece carries the powder. Then, the mixture of air and powder passes through the second interior part of the mouthpiece and exits the device.
Although the mouthpiece of the above mentioned device functions satisfactorily, there are some points which could be improved. First, due to the design of the mouthpiece, the resistance of the device is pretty high. The resistance of the device corresponds to the force with which the patient has to inhale in order to receive the medicament. It is desirable that the resistance of the device is not very high, so that the device may be used by a wide variety of patients. Furthermore, when the above device is used, a small amount of powder is accumulated in the interior wall of the mouthpiece. Although the amount powder is so small that the therapeutic efficacy of the device is not affected, this accumulation may create problems after long use since in such cases the device would have to be cleaned.
The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems since on the one hand it provides the possibility of reducing the resistance of the device, and on the other it eliminates the possibility of powder accumulation in the interior of the mouthpiece.


A method for assembling a motor vehicle frame including a rail having a generally planar outer surface and upper and lower ends, and a bracket including a wall portion having a lower end, the method comprising the steps of positioning the bracket against the side rail outer surface so that the wall portion extends transversely to the rail outer surface, and welding the bracket to the rail by providing a weld bead along the junction between the wall portion and the rail outer surface and extending the weld bead along the rail outer surface substantially beyond the lower end of the wall portion to the lower end of the rail.

The invention relates generally to welded parts, and more particularly to welded parts such as brackets on a truck frame, including a weld arrangement configured to improve strength and fatigue properties of the welded part.
A motor vehicle frame generally includes a pair of spaced apart side rails which extend the length of a vehicle and which are connected by laterally extending cross members to form a rigid structure. Various parts, such as body mount brackets for example, are welded to the side rails. A typical body mount bracket is generally shaped as an inverted U and includes a pair of spaced apart vertical side legs or walls and a horizontal top wall. The body mount bracket is welded to the side rail by applying a weld bead along the outer periphery of the U, terminating the weld bead about one quarter inch or more before reaching the lower ends of the bracket side walls.


A system and method are presented for forming a grid array device package around an integrated circuit (i.e., chip). The device package includes a substrate and a heat spreader. The chip includes multiple I/O pads preferably arranged in a two-dimensional array on an underside surface. The substrate includes a first set of bonding pads on an upper surface configured to vertically align with the I/O pads. The chip is connected to the first set of bonding pads using the C4 method. The substrate maintains its substantially planar shape during C4 heating. The heat spreader is thermally conductive and preferably dimensioned to substantially cover the upper surface of the substrate. An underside surface of the heat spreader includes a cavity dimensioned to receive the chip and multiple pins extending outwardly therefrom. The substrate includes multiple holes adapted to receive the pins of the heat spreader. Following the C4 mounting of the chip upon the substrate, the heat spreader is attached to the upper surface of the substrate such that the pins of the heat spreader extend into the holes of the substrate and the chip resides within the heat spreader cavity. The ends of the heat spreader pins are connected to at least one member of a second set of bonding pads on the underside surface of the substrate, providing additional thermal paths for the dissipation of heat energy produced by the chip during operation.

1. Field of Invention
This invention relates to semiconductor device packages, and more particularly to grid array packages using the controlled collapse chip connection (C4) method to attach an integrated circuit (i.e., a chip) to a substrate.
2. Description of Related Art
During manufacture of an integrated circuit (e.g., a microprocessor), signal lines formed upon the silicon substrate which are to be connected to external devices are terminated at flat metal contact regions called input/output (I/O) pads. Following manufacture, the integrated circuit is typically secured within a protective semiconductor device package. Each I/O pad of the chip is then connected to one or more terminals of the device package. The terminals of a device packages are typically arranged about the periphery of the package. Fine metal wires are typically used to connect the I/O pads of the chip to the terminals of the device package. Some types of device packages have terminals called "pins" for insertion into holes in a printed circuit board (PCB). Other types of device packages have terminals called "leads" for attachment to flat metal contact regions on an exposed surface of a PCB.
As integrated circuit fabrication technology improves, manufacturers are able to integrate more and more functions onto single silicon substrates. As the number of functions on a single chip increases, however, the number of signal lines which need to be connected to external devices also increases. The corresponding numbers of required I/O pads and device package terminals increase as well, as do the complexities and costs of the device packages. Constraints of high-volume PCB assembly operations place lower limits on the physical dimensions of and distances between device package terminals. As a result, the areas of peripheral-terminal device packages having hundreds of terminals are largely proportional to the number of terminals. These larger packages with fine-pitch leads are subject to mechanical damage during handling or testing. Mishandling can result in a loss of lead coplanarity, adversely affecting PCB assembly yields. In addition, the lengths of signal lines from chip I/O pads to device package terminals increase with the number of terminals, and the high-frequency electrical performance of larger peripheral-terminal device packages suffer as a result.
Controlled collapse chip connection (C4) is a well known method of attaching an integrated circuit chip directly to a PCB, and is commonly referred to as the "flip chip" method. In preparation for C4 attachment, the I/O pads of the chip are typically arranged in a two-dimensional array upon an underside of the chip, and a corresponding set of bonding pads are formed upon an upper surface of the PCB. A solder "bump" is formed upon each of the I/O pads of the chip. During C4 attachment of the chip to the PCB, the solder bumps are placed in physical contact with the bonding pads of the PCB. The solder bumps are then heated long enough for the solder to flow. When the solder cools, the I/O pads of the chip are electrically and mechanically coupled to the bonding pads of the PCB. After the chip is attached to the PCB, the region between the chip and the PCB is filled with an "underfill" material which encapsulates the C4 connections and provides other mechanical advantages.
Like flip chips, grid array semiconductor device packages have terminals arranged in a two-dimensional array across the underside surface of the device package. As a result, the physical dimensions of grid array device packages having hundreds of terminals are much smaller than their peripheral-terminal counterparts. Such smaller packages are highly desirable in portable device applications such as laptop and palmtop computers and hand-held communications devices such as cellular telephones. In addition, the lengths of signal lines from chip I/O pads to device package terminals are shorter, thus the high-frequency electrical performances of grid array device packages are typically better than those of corresponding peripheral-terminal device packages. Grid array device packages also allow the continued use of existing PCB assembly equipment developed for peripheral-terminal devices.
An increasingly popular type of grid array device package is the ball grid array (BGA) device package. A BGA device includes a chip mounted upon a larger substrate made of, for example, fiberglass-epoxy printed circuit board material or a ceramic material (e.g., aluminum oxide, alumina, A1.sub.2 O.sub.3, or aluminum nitride, A1N). The substrate includes two sets of bonding pads: a first set adjacent to the chip and a second set arranged in a two-dimensional array across the underside surface of the device package. Members of the second set of bonding pads function as device package terminals, and are coated with solder. The resulting solder balls on the underside of the BGA device package allow the device to be surface mounted to an ordinary PCB. The I/O pads of the chip are typically connected to corresponding members of the first set of bonding pads by signal lines (e.g., fine metal wires). The substrate includes one or more layers of signal lines (i.e., interconnects) which connect respective members of the first and second sets of bonding pads. During PCB assembly, the BGA device package is attached to the PCB by reflow of the solder balls just as a flip chip is attached to a PCB.
Semiconductor devices (e.g., integrated circuit chips) dissipate electrical power during operation, transforming electrical energy into heat energy. At the same time, several key operating parameters of a semiconductor device typically vary with temperature, and reliable device operation within specifications occurs only within a defined operating temperature range. For high performance devices, such as microprocessors, specified performance is only achieved when the temperature of the device is below a specified maximum operating temperature. Operation of the device at a temperature above an upper limit of the operating temperature range, or above the maximum operating temperature, may result in irreversible damage to the device. In addition, it has been established that the reliability of a semiconductor device decreases with increasing operating temperature. The heat energy produced by a semiconductor device during operation must thus be removed to the ambient environment at a rate which ensures operational and reliability requirements are met.
The operating temperature of an integrated circuit chip enclosed within a semiconductor device package is governed by: (i) the temperature of the ambient surrounding the device package, (ii) the amount of electrical power dissipated by the chip, and (iii) the sum of thermal resistances of elements and interfaces along a heat transfer path from the chip to the ambient. More complex heat transfer (i.e., cooling) mechanisms, such as heat sinks and forced air cooling, permit semiconductor devices to dissipate more electrical power than direct exposure to the ambient would otherwise allow.
It would be beneficial to have a packaged integrated circuit device including an integrated circuit chip enclosed within a semiconductor device package, wherein the device package includes grid array terminals, and wherein the chip is mounted upon a substrate of the device package using the C4 or flip chip attachment method. The use of C4 attachment would reduce many of the problems associated with using fine metal wires to connect the I/O pads of the chip to corresponding bonding pads of the BGA package, including wire crossover problems and the added electrical inductances of the wires. The use of C4 attachment would also reduce the required dimensions of a cavity within the device package provided to contain the chip, thereby allowing the outer dimensions of the desired device package to be reduced. Due to size reduction, the weight of the desired packaged integrated circuit device would be reduced as well. Such a small and light packaged integrated circuit device would be especially desirable for portable applications. The relatively small packaged integrated circuit device would necessarily employ sophisticated heat transfer mechanisms in order to remove the heat energy generated by the chip during operation.

Grid array device package including advanced heat transfer mechanisms


A point tool assembly includes a vertical moving table disposed on a forming table and movable in a direction parallel to the forming table surface and perpendicular to the feed direction of a wire, and a longitudinal moving table disposed on the forming table and movable in a direction parallel to the forming table surface and the feed direction of the wire independently of the vertical moving table. A link arm moves a parallel slide table and first and second inclined slide tables the same distance upon longitudinal movement of the longitudinal moving table. A forming table includes first and second independent tool drive units for supporting first and second point tools in positions where the first and second point tools oppose the wire and moving the tools in a direction substantially parallel to the forming table surface and substantially perpendicular to the feed direction of the wire and in a direction parallel to the forming table surface and the feed direction of the wire. The first and second tool drive units are controlled independently of each other so that the end portions of the first and second point tools draw predetermined loci.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a spring manufacturing apparatus and, more particularly, to a spring manufacturing apparatus for continuously feeding a wire to be formed into a compression spring or a tension spring, winding the wire into a predetermined coil diameter by pressing a point tool against the wire, and growing a coil having a predetermined pitch by winding the wire using a pitch tool, thereby forming a coil spring with a desired shape.
2. Description of the Related Art
[Twin pin right hand wind]
For example, as shown in FIG. 31, a spring manufacturing apparatus for forming a right hand coil by using two point tools has a forming table 102 parallel to the direction in which a wire is fed. On this forming table 102, feed rollers 110 for feeding a wire W, a mandrel 103 for applying shearing force to the wire in cooperation with a cutting tool (not shown) during cutting, and two point tool assemblies 116 and 126 are arranged. These two point tool assemblies 116 and 126 are radially arranged around an output portion O2 of the wire W from the feed rollers 110. The vertical position of the mandrel 103 on the forming table can be properly changed in accordance with the coil diameter. The mandrel 103 is arranged above a straight line along the feed direction of the wire W, and the distance from the output portion O2 of the wire W is set in accordance with a desired coil diameter.
The point tool assembly 116 is attached to a tool driving shaft R1 which is above the output portion O2 off to the right at an angle of 45.degree.. The point tool assembly 116 has rails 111 fixed on the forming table, a slider 112 slidably disposed on the rails 111, and a driven shaft 113 which is disposed at one end of the slider 111 and abuts against a cam (not shown) pivotally, axially supported by the tool driving shaft R1. A tool fixing arm 114 is fixed to the slider 112, and a point tool T1 is fixed to the end portion of the tool fixing arm 114. This point tool T1 can be finely adjusted by a micrometer 115.
The point tool assembly 126 is attached to a tool driving shaft R2. The axial center of this tool driving shaft R2 is on a straight line L1 which passes through the output portion O2 and extends along the feed direction of the wire W. The tool driving shaft R2 is disposed to the right of the output portion O2. The point tool assembly 126 has components identical to those of the point tool assembly 116. Therefore, the same reference numerals denote the same components, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted. A tool fixing arm 124 is fixed to a slider 112, and a point tool T2 is fixed to the end portion of the tool fixing arm 124. This point tool T2 can be finely adjusted by a micrometer 125.
The tool fixing arms 114 and 124 are so constituted that the point tools T1 andT2 form an angle of 90.degree. around a desired coil diameter.
[Twin pin left hand wind]
To form a left hand coil by using two point tools, as shown in FIG. 32, two point tool assemblies 136 and 146 are radially arranged around an output portion O2 of a wire W from feed rollers 110 on a forming table 102. A mandrel 103 is arranged below a straight line along the feed direction of the wire W, and the distance from the output portion O2 of the wire W is set in accordance with a desired coil diameter. Note that the same reference numerals as in the point tool assembly 116 explained in FIG. 31 denote the same parts in FIG. 32, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.
The point tool assembly 136 is attached to a tool driving shaft R2. The axial center of this tool driving shaft R2 is on a straight line L1 which passes through the output portion O2 and extends along the feed direction of the wire W. The tool driving shaft R2 is disposed to the right of the output portion O2. A tool fixing arm 134 is fixed to a slider 112, and a point tool T1 is fixed to the end portion of the tool fixing arm 134. This point tool T1 can be finely adjusted by a micrometer 135.
The point tool assembly 146 is assembled to a tool driving shaft R3 which is below the output portion O2 off to the right at an angle of 45.degree.. A tool fixing arm 144 is fixed to a slider 112, and a point tool T2 is fixed to the end portion of the tool fixing arm 144. This point tool T2 can be finely adjusted by a micrometer 145.
The tool fixing arms 134 and 144 are so constituted that the point tools T1 and T2 form an angle of 90.degree. around a desired coil diameter.
[Single pin right hand wind]
To form a right hand coil by using one point tool, as shown in FIG. 33, one point tool assembly 156 is radially arranged around an output portion O2 of a wire W from feed rollers 110 on a forming table 102. A mandrel 103 is arranged above a straight line along the feed direction of the wire W, and the distance from the output portion O2 of the wire W is set in accordance with a desired coil diameter. Note that the same reference numerals as in the point tool assembly 116 explained in FIG. 31 denote the same parts in FIG. 33, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.
The point tool assembly 156 is attached to a tool driving shaft R2. The axial center of this tool driving shaft R2 is on a straight line L1 which passes through the output portion O2 and extends along the feed direction of the wire W. The tool driving shaft R2 is disposed to the right of the output portion O2. A tool fixing arm 154 is fixed to a slider 112, and a point tool T1 is fixed to the end portion of the tool fixing arm 134. This point tool T1 can be finely adjusted by a micrometer 155.
The tool fixing arm 154 is so constituted that the point tool T1 is parallel to the straight line L1 which passes through the center of a desired coil diameter and extends along the feed direction of the wire W.
[Single pin left hand wind]
To form a left hand coil by using one point tool, as shown in FIG. 34, one point tool assembly 166 is radially arranged around an output portion O2 of a wire W from feed rollers 110 on a forming table 102. A mandrel 103 is arranged above a straight line along the feed direction of the wire W, and the distance from the output portion O2 of the wire W is set in accordance with a desired coil diameter. Note that the same reference numerals as in the point tool assembly 116 explained in FIG. 31 denote the same parts in FIG. 34, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.
The point tool assembly 166 is attached to a tool driving shaft R3 which is off to the lower right of the output portion O2. A tool fixing arm 164 is fixed to a slider 112, and a point tool T1 is fixed to the end portion of the tool fixing arm 164. This point tool T1 can be finely adjusted by a micrometer 165.
The tool fixing arm 164 is so constituted that the point tool T1 is parallel to a straight line L1 which passes through the center of a desired coil diameter and extends along the feed direction of the wire W.
In the conventional spring manufacturing apparatus as described above, the point tools are slidably disposed to abut against a wire being fed and define the coil diameter of a spring. On the forming table, the arrangement of the point tools can be appropriately changed in accordance with a desired spring shape. The forming table defines thespring formation space in the apparatus main body.
Also, Japanese Patent Publication No. 2553406 has disclosed a coiling apparatus including a link mechanism which links two coiling pins.
In the above spring manufacturing apparatus, however, when the wind direction, the coil diameter, or the like of a coil is to be changed, it is necessary to readjust the relative positional relationship by removing the mandrel and the point tool assemblies from the forming table, while the tip shape of a tool is changed where necessary.
In the coiling apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 2553406, on the other hand, to change the wind direction of a coil it is necessary to manually change the position of the link mechanism although the positions of slide members for sliding the two coiling pins need not be changed.
These efforts require much labor and time of workers, and skill is necessary to accurately set the tool positions.


A method and apparatus are provided for a therapy current to be applied for treatment for increasing circulation and allowing for rapid healing of injured tissue, tendon, or muscle areas. The apparatus applies a therapeutic current to the area of injury with little or no discomfort using three or four associated channels of electrical stimulation with a novel waveform and channel interaction.

When animals are affected by conditions or ailments that affect circulation or the ability to contract muscle, there are not many options available for the therapy necessary to decrease healing time. Among these ailments are post-surgical edema, muscle aches and pains, tendon injuries, bone healing and wound healing. Specifically in equine, bucked shins, bowed tendons, laminitis and other leg ailments are common. Many of the same problems occur in humans.
Some devices have been developed that attempt to increase circulation through the use of magnetics, laser light, infrared light and other forms of non-invasive methods. While many animals do not have traumatic reactions to the therapy as they would with more invasive procedures, the safety and efficacy of these products have not been proven.
Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) is an effective treatment for muscle and circulation disorders and ailments in humans as well as animals. Unfortunately, whereas humans tend to rationalize the immediate discomfort produced by FES in favor of the overall long term benefits, non-human animals are less accommodating. When the sensation of the treatment is introduced, most animals, especially horses, tend to react in unfavorable ways, such as kicking and biting, in an attempt to cause the sensation to cease. The challenge has been to produce a technique that employs FES where the animal will tolerate the higher levels of stimulation necessary to treat effectively the affected area.
When a person sustains a spinal cord injury or stroke, the body is not very good at things like circulation and wound healing. It takes the help of sophisticated technology to replace these functions that were once taken for granted. Surprisingly, there are many similarities to the horse limb. While it is designed for long periods of standing, the horse limb does not deal well with blood circulation. Because of this, a horse is more prone to injury and other ailments in the legs. When an injury occurs, it is difficult to heal.

Electrical stimulation therapy method and apparatus


A loop circuit including a variable delay element whose delay time amount can be set arbitrarily is formed, a loop control circuit controls so that the positive/negative logic of input pulse signal to the variable delay element is always constant, the number of output of output pulse signal of the variable delay element is counted, agreement of that count value and a predetermined set value is detected, an agreement detection signal is generated when the agreement is detected, and the transmission of output pulse signal of the variable delay element to the following circuits is controlled based on this agreement detection signal.

This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from the prior Japanese Patent Application No. 11-268352, filed Sep. 22, 1999, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
The present invention relates to a variable delay element test circuit. Further, the present invention relates to a test circuit used for measuring variable delay element delay characteristics, during the success or failure decision made after product shipping inspection, reception inspection or system integration of variable delay elements.
Now, the prior art for measuring delay characteristics of variable delay elements used for various measuring instruments such as pulse generator and LSI tester timing generation section, or timing adjustment circuit in an LSI shall be described typically below.
A first prior art is a method for searching for variation points of xe2x80x9cHxe2x80x9d edge or xe2x80x9cLxe2x80x9d edge of a signal delayed by a delay time corresponding to a control signal by a variable delay element to be measured, using a reference signal at the side of measuring instrument, for instance, LSI tester or individual measuring instrument, and finding edge boundaries.
A second prior art is a technique used generally for evaluating AC characteristics of an LSI and is a method for constituting a ring oscillator in a way to contain a variable delay element to be measured, measuring by frequency measuring instrument the ring oscillator oscillation frequency before and after the variation of delay amount of the variable delay element, and determining the delay amount from the variation of oscillation frequency.
A third prior art is a technique using phase difference/voltage conversion and is a method for integrating a pulse signal corresponding to the phase difference between a signal to be measured that has passed through the variable delay element and the reference signal, converting into voltage and A/D converting this voltage value to determine the delay amount.
Now, inconveniences of these prior arts will be described below.
The first prior art requires an LSI tester having high performance or individual measuring instrument, and the running cost of measuring environment becomes expensive, because, if there is a plurality of variable delay elements, it is necessary to test each delay element one by one. Moreover, it is necessary to exchange data between the measurement system and the control system, because it is necessary to control the timing of reference signal used for search by a control system using a CPU or the like, when edge boundary is to be detected during the search of signal xe2x80x9cHxe2x80x9d edge, xe2x80x9cLxe2x80x9d, edge variation points, thus requiring a considerable processing time.
In the second prior art, given the circuit restriction of the ring oscillator, it is necessary to measure the duty ratio, when a test is to be performed with respect to either one of rising or dropping of a signal output from the ring oscillator, thus requiring special circuits or measuring instruments. In addition, as in the aforementioned first prior art, it is necessary to exchange data between the measurement system and the control system, thus requiring a considerable processing time.
In the third prior art, settling time is necessary for the A/D conversion of integrated voltage value, thus requiring a considerable processing time as in previous two examples. Moreover, it is necessary to adapt the aforementioned integrated voltage value to the voltage range of the A/D converter.
This third prior art is certainly more effective than the aforementioned two examples; however, error will occur due to jitter generated in the signal transmission system or A/D converter or to the measurement system characteristics, when the delay variation amount of the variable delay element is minute. Besides, the reproducibility of measurement data can not be assured.
As described above, the conventional variable delay element test circuit of the method constituting ring oscillator including the variable delay element to be measured requires special circuits or measuring instruments when a test is to be performed with respect to either one of rising or dropping of ring oscillator signal, and it is necessary to exchange data between the measurement system and the control system, thus requiring a considerable processing time.
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a variable delay element test circuit for measuring with high accuracy a fine delay time variation amount, event when the delay time variation amount of the variable delay element is extremely small and, allowing to decide success or failure of variable delay element rapidly with a high precision.
According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a variable delay element test circuit comprising a variable delay element having an input node and an output node, a delay time amount to output by delaying an input pulse signal input to the input node being set arbitrarily; a loop control circuit having a loop circuit, the variable delay element being included in this loop circuit, for controlling so that the positive/negative logic of the input pulse signal input to the input node of the variable delay element is always constant; a count control circuit for receiving an output pulse signal output from the output node of the variable delay element, counting the number of receptions of this output pulse signal, detecting agreement of that count value and a predetermined set value, and for generating an agreement detection signal when the agreement is detected; and an output control circuit connected to the count control circuit, for controlling the transmission of the output pulse signal output from the variable delay element to following circuits of the variable delay element, based on the agreement detection signal-generated by the count control circuit.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a variable delay element test circuit comprising a first variable delay element having an input node and an output node, a delay time amount to output by delaying a first input pulse signal input to the input node being set arbitrarily; a loop, control circuit having a loop circuit, the first variable delay element being included in this loop circuit, for controlling so that the positive/negative logic of the first input pulse signal input to the input node of the first variable delay element is always constant; a count control circuit for receiving an output pulse signal output from the output node of the first variable delay element, counting the number of receptions of this output pulse signal, detecting agreement of that count value and a predetermined set value, and for generating an agreement detection signal when the agreement is detected; and an output control circuit connected to the count control circuit, for controlling the transmission of the output pulse signal output from the variable delay element to following circuits of the variable delay element, based on the agreement detection signal generated by the count control circuit; wherein the loop control circuits comprises a second variable delay element having an input node and an output node, a second input pulse signal having a logic opposite to the logic of the first input pulse signal input into the input node of the first variable delay element being supplied to the input node of the second variable delay element; a flip-flop circuit having a set signal input node, a reset signal input node and an output node, the set signal input node of the flip-flop circuit being connected to the output node of the first variable delay element, and the reset signal input node of the flip-flop circuit being connected to the output node of the second variable delay element; and a feedback circuit for feeding back signal output from the output node of the flip-flop circuit to the input node of the first variable delay element; and wherein the first variable delay element, flip-flop circuit and feedback circuit form a ring oscillator and the ring oscillator is started by a predetermined input signal.
Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and obtained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out hereinafter.


A deficiency candidate detection circuit detects a deficient pixel candidate by comparing the image signal of a target pixel with the image signals of peripheral pixels, and address information of the deficient pixel candidate is stored in a position memory circuit. A deficiency determining circuit repeats the determination of a deficient pixel a number of times based on the address information stored in the position memory circuit, and determines address information of a deficient pixel from the continuity of the determination results. A deficiency registering circuit registers the determined address information in the position memory circuit. A deficiency correction circuit corrects the image signal of the deficient pixel according to the registered address information of the deficient pixel.

The present invention relates to an image signal processor, and, more particularly, to an image signal processor and a deficient pixel detection method which detect a deficiency contained in image signals and correct the deficiency.
Solid state image pickup devices, such as CCD image sensors, may store a constant charge in a pixel regardless of the level of the received light. As a result, the pixel becomes a deficient pixel and outputs an image signal of a fixed level.
To eliminate the influence of deficient pixels on an image reproduction screen, deficiency correction is performed on the image signals of deficient pixels acquired from the solid state image pickup device.
FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of an image pickup device 100. The pickup device 100 has a CCD image sensor 1, a drive circuit 2, a timing control circuit 3, a signal processing circuit 4, a deficiency correction circuit 5 and a correction information memory 6.
The CCD image sensor 1 has a matrix of light receiving pixels (not shown) which store charges according to the received image of a subject. The CCD image sensor 1 transfers charges stored in the individual light receiving pixels line by line in accordance with a vertical drive signal ΦV and a horizontal drive signal ΦH, and produces an image signal Y0 according to a predetermined format.
The drive circuit 2 produces the vertical drive signal ΦV and horizontal drive signal ΦH for driving the CCD image sensor 1 in accordance with a vertical sync signal VD and a horizontal sync signal HD, and sends those drive signals to the CCD image sensor 1.
The timing control circuit 3 frequency-divides a reference clock having a given period to thereby produce the vertical sync signal VD that determines the vertical scan timing and the horizontal sync signal HD that determines the horizontal scan timing, and sends the sync signals VD and HD to the drive circuit 2. In the NTSC format, for example, the horizontal sync signal HD is produced by frequency-dividing a reference clock of 14.32 MHz by 910, and the vertical sync signal VD is produced by frequency-dividing the horizontal sync signal by 525/2. The timing control circuit 3 supplies the signal processing circuit 4 and the deficiency correction circuit 5 with a timing signal synchronous with the operational timing of the CCD image sensor 1.
The signal processing circuit 4 performs a sample and hold process and level correction on the image signal Y0 supplied from the CCD image sensor 1, thereby generating an image signal Y1. The image signal Y0 repeats a signal level and reset level. In the sample and hold process, the signal processing circuit 4 produces the image signal Y1 having the signal level from the image signal Y0 by clamping the reset level, for example. In the level correction, the signal processing circuit 4 performs gain feedback control on the image signal Y0 in such a manner that the average level of the image signal Y1 lies in a target range. The signal processing circuit 4 samples and holds the image signal Y0 and performs A/D conversion on the resultant image signal Y0, thus yielding a digital image signal Y1.
The deficiency correction circuit 5 adjusts the image signal Y1 using correction information stored in the correction information memory 6. For instance, information of a deficient pixel is replaced with the average value of information of pixels before and after the deficient pixel.
The correction information memory 6 stores the positions of deficient pixels of the CCD image sensor 1. For example, the positions of deficient pixels are detected by monitoring the output of the CCD image sensor 1 beforehand, and the detection result is stored as correction address information in the memory 6.
Even when plural CCD image sensors 1 are constructed from semiconductor substrates that have been manufactured with the same process, the positions of deficient pixels differ from one sensor to another. It is therefore necessary to generate correction address information by detecting the positions of deficient pixels for each CCD image sensor 1. This increases the cost involved in the assembling process.
The number of deficient pixels in the CCD image sensor 1 may increase with time. When such time-dependent changes occur, the correction address information in the correction information memory 6 should be rewritten. However, ordinary users of image pickup devices do not have means for rewriting the contents of the correction information memory 6. This makes it harder to rewrite the correction address information.

Image signal processor and deficient pixel detection method


An inflatable penile prosthesis can comprise a reservoir, an inflatable member, and a pump assembly. The pump assembly can include at least one valve comprising an entry tube interface configured to attach to the entry tube and defining an entry passageway, an entry portion adjacent to the entry tube interface, a middle portion adjacent to the entry portion, an exit portion adjacent to the middle portion, the exit portion being narrower than the middle portion, the exit portion defining an exit portion passageway and comprising multiple guides extending toward a longitudinal exit axis, the multiple guides being symmetrical about the longitudinal exit axis, the exit tube interface adjacent to the exit portion, and a poppet disposed inside the chamber, the poppet being biased to rest against the entry portion.

One treatment for male erectile dysfunction is the implantation of a penile prosthesis that mechanically erects the penis. Some existing penile prostheses include inflatable cylinders or members that can be inflated or deflated using a pump mechanism. The pump mechanism pulls fluid from a fluid reservoir and then transfers the fluid to the inflatable members. In some existing devices, the pump mechanism includes a pump bulb that creates a vacuum by expanding after a manual compression, which is applied by a patient or physician. This expansion creates negative pressure (vacuum) pulling fluid through a refill valve (from the fluid reservoir to the pump bulb). Then, compression of the pump bulb results in pressure rising in the pump bulb until the point at which an inflation valve opens which allows the fluid to transfer out of the pump valve and into the inflatable cylinders. In some existing devices, which focused on maximizing efficiencies through fluid pathways, oscillation results in noise and vibration within the pump. The noise can be annoying, unnatural, and/or non-discrete to the patient.

Inflatable penile prosthesis with guides in valve of pump assembly


A mounting apparatus for fan includes a receiving bracket for receiving the fan, and two securing boards for sandwiching the fan therebetween. The receiving bracket includes a pair of opposite sidewalls. A top flange is perpendicularly bent from a top edge of each sidewall. A slot is defined in the top flange and corresponding sidewall. The securing boards are perpendicular to the pair of sidewalls and mounted therebetween. Two securing tabs protrude laterally from two sides of each securing board and are respectively received in the slots of the receiving bracket. The securing tabs are blocked by the top flanges to prevent the securing boards moving with the fan in directions parallel to the sidewalls.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to mounting apparatus, particularly to a mounting apparatus for mounting a fan to an electronic device enclosure.
2. Description of Related Art
Electronic devices typically generate heat during operation due to the flow of electricity through electronic components housed within the device. Electronic components may be damaged if this heat is not removed. Generally, an electronic device uses a fan to produce a flow of air for cooling the electronic components. Conventionally, a fan is mounted in the electronic device by a plurality of screws passing through corresponding holes of the fan, making it difficult and time consuming to replace or remove the fan for repair. Many electronic systems, such as servers, produce a great deal of heat because of the large number of electronic components contained therein. So, more than one fan may be required for cooling the components efficiently. Thus requiring many screws to mount the fans to the electronic device, making the replacement and removal process more difficult.
Accordingly, what is needed is a mounting apparatus whereby fans can be more easily attached and removed from the electronic device enclosure

Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd.


Described is a needle assembly magazine comprising of a housing adapted to contain a plurality of needle assemblies and a slider movably disposed within the housing. The housing has a first opening providing access to an unused needle assembly and a second opening for receiving into the housing a used needle assembly. The slider separates the housing into a first region for unused needle assemblies and a second region for used needle assemblies. Movement of the slider advances the unused needle assemblies within the housing toward the first opening.

Patients suffering from diseases like diabetes have to frequently self-administer injections. Injection devices like auto-injectors or pen injectors have been developed to facilitate self-administering injections. Typically, such injection devices can be used for several injections and are refitted with sterile injection needle assemblies to minimize the risk of infections.
Conventionally, the needle assemblies are packaged in a box or container, which not easily transported. There are some examples of needle assembly storage devices, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 4,848,569, US 2002014430 A1, and US 2003015444 A1. However, there remains a need for a portable device for storing the needle assemblies. Such a device would provide additional usefulness if used needle assemblies could also be stored in the device, e.g., if there is not ready access to a disposal unit for needle devices.


Provided herein are teachings directed to the creation of moiré-based auto-stereoscopic watermarks in rendered images. By choosing different halftone structures, which differ by having different spatial frequencies for each of two delineated partitions in an image, it becomes possible to embed arbitrary binary patterns into printed documents as digital watermarks. The invisible watermarks become moiré auto-stereoscopic images when the prints are viewed through an overlaid transparency “decoder” suitably prepared by virtue of being rendered with a uniform halftone structure having the correct special frequency in relationship with the partition frequencies employed in the printed document.

The teachings presented herein relate generally to stereoscopic images. More specifically, the teachings presented herein relate to the creation of moiré-based auto-stereoscopic watermarks in rendered images.
The principle of stereoscopic vision is well understood. At the most basic level, each of the viewer's two eyes must perceive the subject matter to be viewed from a slightly different perspective. That is to say that, although the differences are generally quite subtle, each eye receives a different image.
Several methods are commonly used to produce stereoscopic images. On the one hand, these include the use of direction selective screens onto which two or more images may be projected simultaneously. Depending on the viewer's position, a different image may be observed by each eye. Where only two images are required, it is common practice to use polarizing techniques. Each image is projected with a characteristic polarization and when viewing through complementary polarizing viewing spectacles, each eye only sees the picture intended for its reception.
Most existing methods to view printed stereoscopic images require either special glasses (colored or polarized) or lenticular lenses. The stereogram may be the one exception which does not need any special viewing aid; however, many people find that it is very difficult and uncomfortable to see the hidden stereo image. Lenticular lenses are common but incur some additional expense and complexity as they require an embossed transparent material for operation.
With most current digital watermark technologies, to retrieve embedded watermark information from printed documents requires scanning and processing by a scanner and a computer. It is desirable to provide a simple and quick way to provide invisible watermarks embedded in documents. It is desirable to provide these invisible watermarks with means that will quickly make them visible in a given print item, where an observer is provided only with a simple overlay without the need for lenticular or other special lenses, and for which this means is readily and inexpensively generated with common materials using conventional printing apparatus.
Disclosed in embodiments herein is a moiré-based auto-stereoscopic watermark system. The watermark system comprises a substantially transparent substrate having a first side. As applied to and placed on the first side of the substantially transparent substrate is a first side applied marking material of periodic structure having a first frequency. The watermark system further comprises a second substrate. As applied to the second substrate is a second side applied marking material which further comprises a first partition and a second partition, the first partition having a periodic structure at a second frequency, that second frequency being related to but some delta away from the first frequency. The second partition has a periodic structure at a third frequency, that third frequency being related to but some delta away from the first frequency, such that when the substantially transparent substrate is placed upon the second substrate in substantial alignment with the second side applied marking material, a moiré-based auto-stereoscopic watermark image is evident to an observer.
Further disclosed in embodiments herein is an alternate moiré-based auto-stereoscopic watermark. The watermark includes a substantially transparent substrate having a first side applied marking material having a periodic structure at a first frequency, as applied to and placed on at least one side of the substantially transparent substrate. The watermark also includes an additional substrate having a selected side, and a second side applied marking material as applied to the selected side of the additional substrate. The second side applied marking material further comprises a first partition and a second partition, the first partition having a periodic structure at a second frequency, that second frequency being related to but some delta away from the first frequency, and the second partition having a periodic structure at the first frequency. The above are arranged such that when the substantially transparent substrate is placed upon the additional substrate in substantial alignment with the second side applied marking material a moiré-based auto-stereoscopic watermark image is made evident to an observer.
Further disclosed in embodiments herein is a method for providing a moiré-based auto-stereoscopic watermark imaging system, by applying marking material with a halftone periodic structure at a first frequency to a substantially transparent substrate. The method further comprises applying marking material within a first partition on a selected side of a second substrate with a halftone periodic structure at a second frequency, that second frequency being related to but some delta away from the first frequency. The method also comprises applying marking material within a second partition on the selected side of the second substrate with a halftone periodic structure at a third frequency, that third frequency being related to but some delta away from the first frequency. This is followed by placing the substantially transparent substrate upon the second substrate in substantial alignment with the selected side applied marking materials such that a moiré-based auto-stereoscopic watermark image is evident to an observer.