Provided is a method for detecting a target particle that is a method for detecting a non-luminescent target particle dispersed and randomly moving in a sample solution using an optical system of a confocal microscope or multi-photon microscope, having: (a) preparing a sample solution containing target particles, and labeling particles of which the average outer diameter is less than 15% of the diameter of a photodetection region of the optical system, binding two or more molecules of the labeling particles per molecule of the target particles in the sample solution, and forming a non-luminescent complex of which the outer diameter is 15% or more of the diameter of the photodetection region; and, (b) calculating the number of molecules of the complex in the sample solution prepared in the (a) using an inverse scanning molecule counting method.

Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method for detecting a target particle using an optical system of a confocal microscope or multi-photon microscope and the like capable of detecting light from a microregion in a solution.
Description of the Related Art
Due to progress made in the field of optical measurement technology in recent years, it has become possible to detect and measure feint light at the level of a single photon or single fluorescent molecule using the optical system of a confocal microscope and ultra-high-sensitivity photodetection technology capable of performing photon counting (detecting individual photons). Therefore, various devices or methods have been proposed that detect interactions between molecules such as biomolecules or coupling and dissociation reactions between molecules using such feint light measurement technology. In particular, according to a method such as fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS) or fluorescence intensity distribution analysis (FIDA) that uses a technology for measuring fluorescence of a microregion using the optical system of a confocal microscope and photocounting technology, the sample required for measurement is only required to be at an extremely low concentration and in an extremely small amount in comparison with that used in the past, and the amount used for a single measurement is roughly only several tens of microliters. In addition, measurement time is shortened considerably, and measurement of a duration on the order of several seconds for a single measurement is repeated several times. Furthermore, the aforementioned microregion refers to a confocal region where laser light of a microscope is focused, and is referred to as confocal volume. Moreover, one example of an aspect of FCS consists of calculating the value of an autocorrelation function of fluorescence intensity in a system in which detected light intensity decreases when non-luminescent particles dispersed in a solution in which a large amount of luminescent substances have been dissolved have entered a confocal volume, followed by calculating the translational diffusion time of the non-luminescent particles in the confocal volume along with the average value of the number of particles retained therein (inverse-FCS, or iFCS) (see, for example, International Patent Publication No. WO2010/119098).
More recently, an optical analysis technology (scanning molecule counting method) employing a novel approach has been proposed that individually detects luminescent particles (particles that emit light by fluorescence, phosphorescence, chemiluminescence, bioluminescence or light scattering and the like) crossing a photodetection region in a sample solution in the form of a microregion while moving the location of the microregion using an optical system capable of detecting light from a microregion in a solution, such as the optical system of a confocal microscope or multi-photon microscope (see, for example, International Publication No. WO 2011/108369; International Publication No. WO 2011/108370; and International Publication No. WO 2011/108371). More specifically, the scanning molecule counting method is a technique that enables counting of luminescent particles, or acquiring information relating to concentration or number density of luminescent particles in a sample solution, by detecting light emitted from the luminescent particles in a photodetection region to individually detect each of the luminescent particles in a sample solution while moving the location of the photodetection region of an optical system of a confocal microscope or multi-photon microscope in the sample solution using that optical system.
Since the photodetection mechanism per se of the scanning molecule counting method is composed so as to detect light from a photodetection region of a confocal microscope or multi-photon microscope in the same manner as in the case of optical analysis technologies such as FIDA, the amount of sample solution may also be an extremely small amount (such as roughly several tens of microliters) and only a short measurement time is required in the same manner as optical analysis technologies such as FIDA. On the other hand, the scanning molecule counting method differs from FIDA and the like, which requires statistical processing involving calculation of fluctuations in fluorescence intensity and the like, in that such statistical processing is not carried out. Consequently, optical analysis technology employing the scanning molecule counting method can be applied to sample solutions in which the number density or concentration of particles is considerably lower than the level required by optical analysis technologies such as FIDA. In other words, by detecting a target particle (an observation target particle) in a sample solution labeled with a luminescent probe using the scanning molecule counting method, the status or properties of the target particle can be detected and analyzed even in the case the concentration or number density of the target particles in the sample solution is extremely low (see, for example, International Publication No. WO 2012/014778).


A motorcycle having a pair of hinged storage compartments with a front wall, a rear wall, side walls and a floor are pivotally attached to the motorcycle fairing generally midway between the front and rear wheels, forward of the seat, rearward of the steering column and substantially adjacent and on opposite sides of the engine in order to promote a stabilizing influence and maintain aerodynamic balance for the motorcycle.

The present invention relates to a luggage compartment adapted for use in a motorcycle or like vehicle, and more specifically to a luggage compartment that is generally located at or forward the vehicle's vertical center of gravity and preferably located on, and interior, to the fairing or chassis of the cycle.
Generally, luggage compartments for motorcycles or the like are accessories attached at physically convenient locations behind the rider such as bags or containers mounted to or slung over rear mounted carrier racks or surfaces such as described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,195,757. A typical design is a pair of side mounted leather bags hung by straps over a framework that encloses the rear of the motorcycle. Other proposed designs include luggage carriers mounted to backrests such as those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,901,534 and 3,850,353. However, a problem with all of these conventional designs lies in their adverse effects on the operating stability of the cycle. A motorcycle's general handling, including weave and wobble stability, are degraded by adding significant amounts of weight behind the vertical center of gravity of the motorcycle, i.e. at the rear of the cycle. As such, large luggage compartments located behind the passenger can significantly degrade the stability and handling of a cycle. Generally, this limits the amount of weight that luggage compartments located behind the driver can carry. If larger capacity rear storage is desired, significant engineering efforts are required to make compensating improvements to counteract the potential destabilizing influences of such a luggage capacity.


A system disconnector for physically disconnecting an upstream liquid system from a downstream liquid system by means of an outlet valve (35;135) depending on the pressure difference between the upstream and the downstream liquid system comprises an upstream backflow preventer (48; 148), a downstream backflow preventer (88), and an outlet valve body in the form of a piston (26; 126) arranged between the backflow preventers (48, 88). The pressure difference at the outlet valve body (26; 126) between the inlet pressure and the medium pressure between the backflow preventers counteracts a biasing spring (82; 182) acting in the opening direction of the outlet valve body. An actuating member (64; 164), which is exposed to the inlet pressure on one side and to the medium pressure on the other side is adapted to move between two stops (54, 46; 171, 146) against the power of a spring (86; 182) to compensate for small changes in inlet pressure and prevent dripping of the valve.

The invention relates to a system disconnector for physically disconnecting an upstream liquid system from a downstream liquid system.
System disconnectors or pipe disconnectors serve the purpose to safely prevent the backflow of liquid from a downstream liquid system to an upstream liquid system. The upstream liquid system may be a drinking water system. The downstream liquid system may be, for example, a heating system. It must be prevented under all circumstances, that contaminated water from the heating system flows back into the drinking water system when it is filled or re-filled, for example due to a pressure drop in the drinking water system for some reason. So called backflow preventers are known. These are spring biased valves allowing a liquid flow only in one direction, i.e. from the upstream to the downstream system. Such backflow preventers, however, can leak. Therefore, it is not permitted, for example with drinking water and heating water, to separate the liquid systems only by backflow preventers. A physical separation of the liquid systems must be effected in such a way, that in the case of a defect between the systems a connection to an outlet and the atmosphere is established.
System or pipe disconnectors comprise an upstream backflow preventer connected to the upstream liquid system and a downstream backflow preventer connected to the downstream system. A pressure controlled outlet valve is positioned between the backflow preventers, establishing the passage from the upstream liquid system to the downstream liquid system, if there is a sufficient pressure difference between the two liquid systems, so that the liquid can flow only from the upstream to the downstream liquid system. If there is no such pressure difference the outlet valve connects the space between the backflow preventers to the atmosphere and an outlet.


A spectrometer, comprises: a semiconductor having a silicon substrate, the substrate having integrally formed thereon a plurality of layers forming photo diodes, each of the photo diodes having an independent spectral response to an input spectra within a spectral range of the semiconductor and each of the photo diodes formed only from at least one of the plurality of layers of the semiconductor above the substrate; and, a signal processing circuit for modifying signals from the photo diodes with respective weights, the weighted signals being representative of a specific spectral response. The photo diodes have different junction depths and different polycrystalline silicon and oxide coverings. The signal processing circuit applies the respective weights and sums the weighted signals. In a corresponding method, a spectrometer is manufactured by manipulating only the standard masks, materials and fabrication steps of standard semiconductor processing, and integrating the spectrometer with a signal processing circuit.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to the field of photo-spectrometers, and in particular, to photo-spectrometers realized in a standard semiconductor process, to an IC compatible photo diode spectral selectivity/enhancement method using multiple pn junctions and to a method for determining light spectra using optical detectors with controllable spectral response.
2. Description of Related Art
Photo-spectrometers are used in a variety of scientific and industrial applications including atmospheric measurements, medical instruments, flame monitoring in commercial hydrocarbon-fueled furnaces and aircraft engines, and a number of colorimetry applications ranging from color scanners to industrial process control. Even red-green-blue color imaging is a limited application of photo-spectroscopy.
Many photo-spectrometers consist of an array of photodiodes, an optical filtering or dispersive element, collimating and focusing optics, and data collection electronics. Each technique allocates a wavelength band to one photodiode in the array. Although these systems are capable of resolution better than 1 nm, they require precise alignment, are relatively expensive, and are too large for micro-instrumentation applications.
Micro-fabrication techniques are used to produce photo-spectrometers that overcome the disadvantages of the systems described above. There is on-going research to produce spectrometers based on silicon-on-insulator (SOI) photodiode arrays. Fabry-Perot micro-spectrometers have been produced using bulk and surface micro-machining techniques, and a spectrometer composed of a micro-fabricated diffraction grating attached to a CCD array has been realized. In addition, a calorimeter realized using an amorphous silicon (Si) Schottky photodiode has also been reported.
These micro-fabricated spectrometers or calorimeters are capable of good spectral resolution and are appropriate for micro-instrumentation. However, these devices require fabrication steps or materials that are not part of a low-cost, standard IC process and do not take full advantage of mass production in this mature technology. None of these spectrometers can be realized in a standard semiconductor process using only the standard masks, materials, and fabrication steps. Such prior art devices cannot be integrated with additional analog, digital, and wireless circuits constructed in the same semiconductor process to produce a true instrument-on-a-chip.

Lockheed Martin Energy Research Corporation


A multi-layer label for a dry-cell battery, having an outer layer comprised of non-shrinkable plastic material.

"Primary" batteries are those that, once discharged, are not readily capable of being recharged, and as a result, are discarded. Early primary batteries used liquid electrolytes for power and were not very portable. As technology advanced, a "dry" process for combining energy-generating compounds was developed which allowed for greater battery portability. These primary batteries became known as "dry cell" batteries.
A cross-sectional diagram of a typical ready-to-use consumer dry cell battery of the prior art is provided in FIG. 3. The energy generating components of that battery are encased within a metal canister, referred to as the battery wall, battery can, or battery cell. The battery can itself is typically encased in a battery cover. Such battery covers can serve three functions. First, they may insulate or otherwise protect the materials contained in the battery cell from the outer environment. Second, they may protect the consumer and the product into which the battery is placed from battery leakage. Third, they provide a surface for affixing a labelling image or other decoration identifying the product.
Until recently, most battery makers typically enclosed battery cans in "metal jacket" battery covers, with a protective fiberboard layer of insulation between the metal jacket and the battery can to prevent shorting. The labelling image in a metal jacket cover is imprinted on the jacket. Battery manufacturers that still use metal jacket covers typically contract with independent sources for the supply of such covers. These battery manufacturers typically apply the metal jacket covers and insulating fiberboard to the battery cans in the final stage of the battery manufacturing process.
Metal jacket battery covers suffer from two principal drawbacks. First, the metal casing of the cover is relatively thick (up to 3/64th of an inch) especially when combined with the insulating fiberboard layer. Within the limits of each battery size, the cover thickness limits the volume available to store chemical compounds within the battery can. Since battery life is a function of both the type and amount of compounds used, use of these relatively thick metal jacket covers leads to reduced battery life. Second, metal jacket covers allow a relatively high incidence of battery can leakage wherein inner substances leak through both the battery can and the metal jacket cover. Such leakage may result in battery short circuits, thereby terminating this battery's life. Additionally, this leakage may cause outwardly visible discoloration and corrosion, which, though relatively harmless to a battery from a functional standpoint, can seriously erode consumer confidence in a battery manufacturer's product.
By the mid-1980s, an alternative battery cover system was developed and made possible by technological breakthroughs in applications for polyvinyl chloride, or "PVC". PVD is a clear, plastic material that meets or exceeds the durability, flexibility, and strength characteristics of a metal jacket with much less thickness of material. In PVC-based battery covers, one or more very thin layers of PVC replace both the metal jacket and fiberboard insulating layer of the traditional metal jacket cover. Typically, a hard grade of PVC film is employed in such constructions, and this material may be referred to as "HPVC". Since PVC-based covers are considerably thinner than their metal jacket counterparts, they allow for much more dry cell material to be included in an enlarged battery cell, and thus allow for relatively longer-lived batteries. Other positive characteristics of PVC, including its strength, flexibility, and durability, allow PVC-based battery covers to perform the leak-prevention and insulation functions of battery covers better than metal jacket battery covers. Finally, PVC is a superior medium over the metal jacket for the printing of battery label information and decoration. For alkaline batteries, the combination of alkaline cell material and the larger cell size (achieved through use of the thinner PVC battery covers) leads to a dramatic increase in battery life. As a result, alkaline battery manufacturers have rapidly adopted the new PVC-based battery cover technology.
Pressure-sensitive PVC battery covers are flat covers, sometimes referred to as "labels", for ready-to-use consumer dry-cell batteries. Typically, pressure sensitive PVC battery labels have the following characteristics: (1) one or more layers of PVC film designed to allow for shrinkage in only the hoop (circumferential) direction when applied to the battery body, (2) printed label information and other decoration, (3) a layer of metal, typically vapor-deposited deposited aluminum, (4) a layer of adhesive material which allows the label to adhere to the battery body, and (5) a backer or liner which is removed just before the label is applied by the battery manufacturer. Pressure sensitive battery labels are normally sized so that the label is fractionally longer than the battery can at both ends. In applying these labels to batteries, the labels are initially removed from their backer and wrapped around the battery can. Next, the wrapped battery passes through a small heating unit where the ends of the label are heated, causing the label to shrink circumferentially (in the hoop direction) at its ends where it extends beyond the battery body. This shrinkage causes the label to wrap tightly around the ends of the battery can, forming a tight protective seal.
Pressure sensitive PVC labels can be arranged in a number of different configurations depending on, among other factors, the number of PVC layers used. Labels composed of a single layer of PVC are known as monofilm labels, those formed of two layers of PVC are known as duplex labels, and labels composed of three layers of PVC are known as triplex labels. As mentioned above, these labels typically include a thin metal layer, which gives the label a bright background and an overall appearance superior and brighter than that achievable through printing of metallic inks alone. Depending on the position of the metal layer relative to the PVC, the labels are further classified. For example, a metal-down duplex label has two layers of PVC with a metal layer disposed between the bottom (or innermost) layer of PVC and the battery body. Similarly, in a metal-up duplex label the metal layer lies between the two PVC layers. The position of the metal layer and the number of PVC layers used in a given application depend on the battery cell involved as well as battery-manufacturer preference.
Prior art pressure sensitive labels such as those disclosed by Ast et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 4,801,514, have all used shrinkable films for their top or outermost layer. These films, typically HPVC of varying thickness, shrink around the ends of the battery can, trapping the other layers of the multilayer label beneath them. The prior art teaches the necessity of these shrinkable top layers, and recites defects such as folds, seam-lifts, and visual imperfections which result from insufficient or improper shrinkage of the top layer of a multilayer battery label.

Battery label with non-shrinkable top layer


When a fully-closable expansion valve is used, there is a possibility that the expansion valve is fully closed thereby to block a refrigerant circuit. In an air conditioner 1 of the present invention, an indoor heat exchanger 14 includes an auxiliary heat exchanger 20 and a main heat exchanger 21 disposed leeward from the auxiliary heat exchanger 20. In an operation in a predetermined dehumidification operation mode, a liquid refrigerant supplied to the auxiliary heat exchanger 20 all evaporates midway in the auxiliary heat exchanger 20, i.e., before reaching the outlet. Therefore, only an upstream partial area in the auxiliary heat exchanger 20 is an evaporation region, while an area downstream of the evaporation region in the auxiliary heat exchanger 20 is a superheat region. Further, an evaporation temperature sensor 30 which detects an evaporation temperature is disposed downstream of an expansion valve 13 in an outdoor unit 3.

There has been a conventional air conditioner in which: an auxiliary heat exchanger is disposed rearward of a main heat exchanger; and a refrigerant evaporates only in the auxiliary heat exchanger to locally perform dehumidification so that dehumidification can be performed even under a low load (even when the number of revolution of a compressor is small), for example, when the difference between room temperature and a set temperature is sufficiently small and therefore the required cooling capacity is small.


Embodiments for anomaly detection on a web client are generally described herein. A processor on the web client is monitored, where a web browser is installed on the web client, with the web browser arranged to render a web page, the web page including content originating from a plurality of origins. A request from the web page to store data on the web client is intercepted, with the request originating from a particular origin of the plurality of origins. The request is analyzed and approved or denied based on the particular origin.

When a user browses a website, small amounts of information are stored on the user's machine. The information may be stored in a file that persists between browser restarts. When the user browses the same website in the future, the information may be retrieved from the file and used. One mechanism that is common is the use of cookies. A cookie, also known as an HTTP cookie, web cookie, or browser cookie, is a file that stores a limited amount of data for use during a user's browsing session (e.g., session cookie) or for multiple sessions (e.g., persistent cookie). Cookies are useful to preserve state, maintain user authentication information, or save user preferences for a website. However, cookies are limited in functionality partly due to their maximum allowable size.
In more modern browsers, a standard known as "Web Storage" supports larger storage allocation. Web Storage offers two different storage types—local storage and session storage—which act similar to persistent and session cookies, respectively. Data stored in local storage is per domain and persists after the browser is closed. Session storage is per-page-per-window and is limited to the lifetime of the window. Session storage is intended to allow separate instances of the same web application to run in different windows without interfering with each other, a use case that's not well supported by cookie.
However, with the increase of allowable size of storage objects (both local and session types), there is a threat of a malicious activity causing large amounts of data to be written or stored at a user's machine resulting in instability, inaccessibility, or other denial of service types of attacks.


In a finite state machine having a plurality of registers, a stream of pseudo-random numbers is generated by a method having characteristic non-zero integral value N. Repeatedly, over a series of time steps, a set of N combined values is calculated by applying N non-linear combining functions to N input sets of values and registering each combined value in one of N registers. At any time step after N time steps each input set consists of combined values, except that one input set may include as one value the result of combining a combined value with a value from an input stream, and at least two input sets comprise only registered values from distinct registers.

The invention relates generally to pseudo-random number generation, and more particularly to pseudo-random number generators efficiently executing on processors having instruction-level parallelism for generating enciphered data streams.
Many existing cipher designs stem from an era when processors exhibited little or no instruction parallelism or concurrency. The route to achieving the ultimate in performance for software based encryption algorithms for these processors was to reduce to a minimum the total number of operations required to encrypt each symbol. Examples of algorithms that epitomize this strategy are RC4, SEAL, and WAKE.
However, recent microprocessors gain much of their performance improvement over their predecessors by having a greater degree of instruction-level parallelism. Instruction-level parallelism is achieved, in part, through pipelining the execution unit or units, and in part through architectures that incorporate multiple execution units or multiple data paths that operate concurrently. Examples include superscalar, very-long-instruction-word (VLIW), and single-instruction multiple-data (SIMD) processor architectures.
Several recent cryptographic pseudo-random number generators claim to have been designed for efficient software implementation. However RC4, SEAL, and WAKE, which are three of the fastest known cryptographic pseudo-random number generators, have been analyzed and found to be incapable of efficiently exploiting the instruction-level parallelism extant in the microprocessor for which the analysis was performed and in other processors with similar instruction-level parallelism.
A known technique for introducing additional parallelism into the encoding process is that of interleaving the outputs of several generators that run concurrently. While this technique has obvious application to parallel hardware implementations, and to software implementations on multi-processors, its effectiveness on single processors having substantial instruction-level parallelism has not been demonstrated, and this method can result in reduced performance on single processors that have few internal registers as is typical of some legacy processor architectures.
When the outputs of multiple instances of a generator are interleaved, it is necessary to maintain state information for each instance of the generator. For generators that do not naturally exploit parallelism to take advantage of a processor's instruction-level parallelism, the concurrent implementation of the generators must be accomplished by interleaving their implementations on an instruction-by-instruction basis. For this method to be efficient, the processor should have enough internal registers to simultaneously hold the states of all the generators, or else there will be a performance penalty due to having to frequently save and restore generator states from memory. Also, if the generators make use of look-up-tables, as is common in fast cryptographic pseudo-random number generators, then multiple generators may dictate the need for multiple look-up-tables, which by increasing the amount of data needed to be held in cache memory can adversely affect performance.
On processors having little instruction-level parallelism, there is nothing to be gained by instruction-level interleaving of multiple generators. Therefore, an alternative strategy, that reduces the amount of state information in use at any one time to that of just one generator, while maintaining a compatible interleaved data stream, is to interleave the generators on a coarse-grained, or block-by-block, basis. However, the required fine grained interleaving of the data stream then dictates a less efficient data access pattern which, most likely, will result in lost performance through increased cache misses, whether the interleaving is performed on-the-fly or as a second pass over the data.
It is an object of the invention to achieve, on processors having sufficient instruction-level parallelism, substantially better efficiency and throughput than previously disclosed cryptographic pseudo-random number generators.
Advantageously, the ability of the invention to exploit instruction-level parallelism does not penalize its ability to also operate efficiently on older processors that have little instruction-level parallelism and those that have few internal registers. In particular, the invention does not use substantially more registers or cache memory than other fast algorithms that are poor at exploiting instruction-level parallelism.
Compared to interleaving multiple traditional generators, the invention further, advantageously, requires less state information to be maintained, which in a software implementation uses fewer registers and/or less cache memory, thus making it efficient on a broader spectrum of processors. Further, by having only one generator, the invention avoids the inconvenience and data overhead of needing to specify initialization parameters for multiple generators. (Note also that interleaved generators also suffer a performance penalty from replication of the generator initialization procedure.) Another difficulty is the need for the outputs of the multiple generators to be decorrelated from one another, which can be non-trivial to guarantee when all are essentially copies of the same state machine. A single generator, according to the invention, advantageously does not suffer these drawbacks.
The invention is advantageously amenable to the technique of interleaving and the amount of instruction-level parallelism which can be exploited is thus further increased.
The invention, advantageously, is efficient across a broad spectrum of processors, including those that have substantial instruction-level parallelism and those that have few internal registers. It is particularly advantageous to applications in which an encryption protocol is to be standardized while leaving a wide range of price/performance options available for the equipment that will implement the protocol. Such choice is especially advantageous where the encryption protocol will persist into the future in which the best price/performance trade-offs are as yet unknown.

Pseudo-random number generator capable of efficiently exploiting processors having instruction-level parallelism and the use thereof for encryption


A manufacture method for a ZnO based semiconductor device includes the steps of: (a) preparing a ZnO based semiconductor wafer including a ZnO based semiconductor substrate having a wurzeit structure with a +C plane on one surface and a −C plane on an opposite surface, a first ZnO based semiconductor layer having a first conductivity type epitaxially grown above the +C plane of the ZnO based semiconductor substrate, and a second ZnO based semiconductor layer having a second conductivity type opposite to the first conductivity type epitaxially grown above the first semiconductor layer; and (b) wet-etching the ZnO based semiconductor wafer with acid etching liquid to etch the −C plane of the ZnO based semiconductor substrate

A) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a manufacture method for a ZnO based semiconductor device.
B) Description of the Related Art
Zinc oxide (ZnO) is expected, for example, as high efficiency light emitting material, and light emitting devices using ZnO based compound semiconductor have been proposed.
In order to improve a light pickup efficiency of a semiconductor light emitting device, it is generally known a method of performing irregularity (concavity/convexity) portions forming on the device surface. For example, JP-A-2003-318443 and JP-A-2003-258296 disclose techniques of improving a light pickup efficiency of a nitride semiconductor light emitting device through irregularity processing.

ZnO based semiconductor device manufacture method


A tire 2 comprises a tread 4, a sidewall 6, a bead 8, a carcass 10 and a belt 12. The belt 12 includes a belt ply 26. The belt ply 26 is formed by a ribbon 28 wound spirally in a circumferential direction of the tire 2. The carcass 10 includes a first carcass ply 22 and a second carcass ply 24 provided on an outside in a radial direction of the first carcass ply 22. The first carcass ply 22 is turned up around the bead 8. The first carcass ply 22 includes a turned-up portion 34 extended almost outward in the radial direction and a turned-up end 36 positioned on an outside in the radial direction of the turned-up portion 34. The turned-up end 36 is positioned on an inside of the second carcass ply 24.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a pneumatic tire for a motorcycle.
2. Description of the Related Art
An improvement of a highway network has advanced and a vehicle is caused to run at a high speed for a long time. A performance of the vehicle has been enhanced remarkably. In a tire to be used in the vehicle, a further enhancement in a critical performance has been demanded.
As a tire for a motorcycle, a radial tire is used. The tire includes a carcass ply in a carcass. The carcass ply is turned up around a bead.
Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2004-352226 has disclosed a tire for a motorcycle which suppresses an increase in a weight of the tire and is excellent in a straight running stability and a cornering stability. In the tire, a carcass portion includes a first ply and a pair of second plies. The first ply is wrapped around a bead core and is turned-up toward an outside. The first ply has an overlapping portion. The second ply is inserted in the overlapping portion and is extended along the first ply.
In a tire in which the carcass is constituted by a first carcass ply and a second carcass ply stacked on an outside in a radial direction of the first carcass ply, the first carcass ply and the second carcass ply are turned up around a bead from an inside toward an outside in an axial direction in some cases. A sidewall of the tire has a high stiffness. An excessive stiffness damages a ride comfort of the tire.
In respect of an enhancement in the ride comfort, in a tire in which only the first carcass ply is turned up around the bead, a turned-up portion extended almost outward in a radial direction of the first carcass ply is stacked on an outside of the second carcass ply in some cases. In the tire, the effect of reinforcing the carcass by the turned-up portion is insufficient. In the tire, a sufficient cornering force cannot be obtained. In cornering, a twist is easily generated on the tire. Such a tire has a worse cornering stability.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a pneumatic tire for a motorcycle in which a handling stability and a ride comfort are not damaged but a cornering stability is enhanced.


A process and apparatus for driving an agitator to prevent the cohesion or compacting of developing material due to non-performance of the printing operation for a long period of time. The method and apparatus for driving the agitator in an image forming apparatus uses an electrophotographic developing system by driving the agitator at regular intervals of time so as to prevent developing material within a toner housing from becoming coherent or compacted.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus adapting an electrophotographic developing system and, more specifically, to a process and apparatus for driving an agitator to prevent cohesion of developing material.
2. Related Art
In general, electrophotographic developing systems have been widely used in image forming apparatuses such as copying machines, laser beam printers, LED (light emitting diode) printers, and facsimile machines using ordinary paper. As stated herein, conventional electrophotographic developing systems operate by repeating a cycle of charging, exposing, developing, transferring, and fixing operations in a sequential order.
I have noticed that one problem associated with the operation of such systems relates to the fact that, once a developing operation is completed, the developing material sits idle for a period of time and tends to become coherent or compacted. In certain systems, such as that noted in U.S. Pat. No. 5,055,881 to Fukuchi, entitled Device For Supplying A Toner To A Developing Unit, once toner is fed from a toner cartridge to a toner supply device, an agitating member is operated for a predetermined period of time to agitate the toner. As an elaboration on that concept, U.S. Pat. No. 5,523,832 to Hamamichi et al., entitled Electrophotographic Image Fonning Apparatus With Controlled Mixing Of Developer, discloses an image forming apparatus having a developing device in which the developer standing idle time is measured by a counter once a particular developing operation has ended, and once it is determined that another developing operation is to commence, the determined developer idle time is used to adjust the period of time during which the developer is mixed prior to commencement of the second developing operation. Finally, U.S. Pat. No. 4,977,428 to Sakakura et al., entitled System For Drive Control Of Toner Agitator In Image Forming Apparatus, discloses an arrangement wherein low torque is applied to the agitator on "start up", and then higher torque is applied after a predetermined period of time after "start up".
Other efforts in the art relative to developing apparatus and image forming apparatus may be seen in U.S. Pat. No. 5,353,102 to Sato et al., entitled Two Component Developing Apparatus In A Printer, U.S. Pat. No. 5,317,370 to Kohyama et al., entitled Developing Apparatus Including Means For Collecting Used Developing Agent, U.S. Pat. No. 5,177,546 to Tsubo, entitled Image Forming Apparatus, U.S. Pat. No. 5,134,444 to Tabuchi et al., entitled Image Forming Apparatus, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,124,752 to Kanno et al, entitled Developing Apparatus.
I have found that systems which perform a mixing operation for a predetermined period of time prior to commencement of a developing process (as disclosed in Fukuchi '881), and systems which perform mixing for a period of time determined by the developer standing idle time (as disclosed in Hamamichi et al., '832) do not provide adequate mixing. That is to say, such systems do not agitate the toner or developing material frequently enough so that, when agitation commences, an excessive amount of torque is required. Since such an excessive amount of torque can exceed the system driving torque provide in the engine mechanism, this can cause damage to the motor in a form of gear abrasion, printing impossibility, paper jam, and so forth. Moreover, the reliability of the apparatus is reduced.
If the image forming apparatus is a facsimile machine utilizing general paper or a complex device, a user cannot transmit or receive the fax document for a long time. In addition, often the printing operation cannot be performed for a long time after turning on the laser beam printer. Thus, the electrophotographic developing processor of the image forming apparatus cannot perform an operation for a long time. I have found that with designs found in such contemporary exemplars require more torque than the torque for agitating the toner due to compaction of the toner as a result of non-usage for a long time. That is, since the density of the toner becomes greater, even if the agitator agitates the toner of equal size. Consequently, more force is required to agitate toner which has more weight and is compacted and coherent.
As a result, when driving an agitator to distribute the compacted toner, the torque required exceeds the system driving torque provided in the engine mechanism, thereby causing damage to the motor in the form of gear abrasion, printing impossibility and paper jams, among other malfunctions, thus deleteriously reducing the reliability of the apparatus.


A three-dimensional shape measurement system includes a three-dimensional shape measuring machine that outputs spatial coordinate data on a probe for measuring a work, and a control PC that processes the spatial coordinate data. The three-dimensional shape measurement machine includes a plurality of articulated-armed three-dimensional shape measuring machines that are arranged so that measurement ranges of the probes overlap each other to allow measurement of part or all of the work, and configured such that each can output spatial coordinate data. The control PC includes a coordinate data pool that retains the spatial coordinate data in an identifiable manner with respect to each of the three-dimensional shape measuring machines, and a synthesis unit that synthesizes the spatial coordinate data retained in the coordinate data pool.

In order to measure a large work exceeding the measurement range of a single (general-purpose) three-dimensional shape measuring machine, it has heretofore been proposed to prepare a plurality of installation positions for the three-dimensional shape measuring machine around the large work, as described in Japanese Translation of PCT Application Publication No. 2009-529132 (hereinafter, Patent Literature 1). It has been proposed that the three-dimensional shape measuring machine is successively moved to the installation positions to measure the entire work. Such a technique can be used to measure a work of considerable size at minimum cost. Suppose that there are four installation positions. According to the technique, the three-dimensional shape measuring machine measures spatial coordinate data on the measurement range (zone) in each installation position before the spatial coordinate data of the four zones is synthesized into the same coordinate system. The three-dimensional shape measuring machine includes a probe for measuring a work. The probe is moved by manual operations, and the three-dimensional shape measuring machine outputs the spatial coordinate data on the probe.

Three-dimensional shape measurement system and software for controlling the same


A thin film transistor array substrate includes a gate line formed on a substrate, a data line formed on the substrate intersecting with the gate line to define a pixel region, a thin film transistor formed at the intersection of the gate line and the data line, the thin film transistor including gate electrode formed on the substrate, a gate insulating layer formed on the gate electrode and the substrate, a semiconductor layer formed on the gate insulating layer, an ohmic contact layer on the semiconductor layer, and a source electrode and a drain electrode on the ohmic contact layer, and a transparent electrode material within the pixel region and connected to the drain electrode of the thin film transistor, wherein the gate insulating layer includes a gate insulating pattern underlying the data line and the transparent electrode material, and covering the gate line.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an array substrate and method of fabricating an array substrate, and more particularly, to a thin film transistor array substrate and a method of fabricating a thin film transistor array substrate.
2. Description of the Related Art
In general, liquid crystal display (LCD) devices control light transmittance of liquid crystal material using an induced electric field to display images. The LCD device includes a common electrode formed on an upper substrate and a pixel electrode formed on a lower substrate, wherein the light transmittance of the liquid crystal material is controlled by the induced electric field formed between the common electrode and the pixel electrode. The LCD device comprises a thin film transistor (TFT) array substrate (a lower substrate) and a color filter array substrate (an upper substrate) attached together to face each other. In addition, a spacer is provided between the lower and upper substrates to provide a uniform cell gap therebetween, and the liquid crystal material is injected into the cell gap provided by the spacer. The TFT array substrate includes a plurality of signal lines, a plurality of thin film transistors, and an alignment film for providing liquid crystal alignment. The color filter array substrate includes a color filter for producing colored light, a black matrix for preventing light leakage, and an alignment film for providing liquid crystal alignment.
Since fabrication of the TFT array substrate involves semiconductor fabricating processes including a plurality of mask processes, the fabrication process is both complicated and costly. In order to solve this problem, the TFT array substrate has been developed having a reduced number of mask processes. Accordingly, because a single mask process includes individual sub-processes, such as thin film deposition, cleaning, photolithography, etching, photo-resist stripping, and inspection processes, a four-round mask process has been developed.
FIG. 1 is a plan view of a thin film transistor array substrate according to the
FIG. 1 is a plan view illustrating a related art thin film transistor array substrate using the four-round mask process, and FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view along I–I′ of FIG. 1 according to the related art. In FIGS. 1 and 2, a TFT array substrate comprises a gate line 2 and a data line 4, which have a gate insulating film 46 therebetween, formed to intersect on a lower substrate 45. In addition, a TFT 6 is formed at each intersection of the gate and data lines 2 and 4, a pixel electrode 14 is formed in a pixel region defined by the intersection of the gate and data lines 2 and 4, a storage capacitor 20 is formed at an overlapped portion between the gate line 2 and a storage electrode 22, a gate pad 24 is connected to the gate line 2, and a data pad 30 is connected to the data line 4.
The TFT 6 responds to gate signals transmitted along the gate line 2 such that pixel signals transmitted along the data line 4 are charged to the pixel electrode 14. Accordingly, the TFT 6 comprises a gate electrode 8 connected to the gate line 2, a source electrode 10 connected to the data line 4, and a drain electrode 12 connected to the pixel electrode 14. Furthermore, the TFT 6 includes an active layer 48 overlapping the gate electrode 8 with a gate insulating film 46 positioned between the TFT 6 and the gate electrode 8, thereby defining a channel between the source electrode 10 and the drain electrode 12. In addition, the data line 4, a lower data pad electrode 32, and the storage electrode 22 each overlie the active layer 48, wherein an ohmic contact layer 50 is formed on the active layer 48 for making ohmic contact with the data line 4, and the source electrode 10, the drain electrode 12, the lower data pad electrode 32, and the storage electrode 22 are formed on the ohmic contact layer 50. The pixel electrode 14, which is connected to the drain electrode 12 of the TFT 6 via a first contact hole 13 passing through a passivation film 52, is formed within the pixel region 5.
In FIGS. 1 and 2, an electric field is formed between the pixel electrode 14, which receives the pixel signals via the TFT 6, and a common electrode, which receives reference voltages. Accordingly, liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal material (not shown) arranged between the TFT array substrate and the color filter array substrate rotate due to dielectric anisotropy. Thus, the light transmittance within the pixel region 5 differs in accordance with a rotation amount of the liquid crystal molecules, thereby producing images.
In FIG. 2, the storage capacitor 20 consists of a storage electrode 22, which overlaps the gate line 2 with the gate insulating film 46, the active layer 48, and the ohmic contact layer 50 positioned therebetween, and a pixel electrode 14 connected via a second contact hole 21 passing through the storage electrode 22 and the passivation film 52. Accordingly, the storage capacitor 20 allows a pixel signal transmitted to the pixel electrode 14 to be stably maintained until a next pixel signal is transmitted to the pixel electrode 14.
In FIG. 2, the gate pad 24 consists of a gate pad lower electrode 26 extending from the gate line 2, and a gate pad upper electrode 28 connected, via a third contact hole 27 passing through the gate insulating film 46 and the passivation film 52, to the gate pad lower electrode 26. Although not shown, the gate pad 24 is connected to a gate driver and supplies gate signals to the gate line 2.
In FIG. 2, the data pad 30 consists of a lower data pad electrode 32 extending from the data line 4, and an upper data pad electrode 34 connected, via a fourth contact hole 33 passing through the passivation film 52, to the lower data pad electrode 32. Although not shown, the data pad 30 is connected to a data driver and supplies data signals to the data line 2.
FIGS. 3A to 3D are cross sectional views of a method of fabricating the thin film transistor array substrate of FIG. 2 according to the related art. In FIG. 3A, a first conductive pattern group including the gate line 2, the gate electrode 8, and the gate pad lower electrode 26 is formed on the lower substrate 45 using a first mask process. For example, a gate metal layer is formed on the upper substrate 45 by a deposition technique, such as sputtering, to form a double gate metal layer including aluminum. Then, the gate metal layer is patterned by photolithographic and etching processes using a first mask to form the first conductive pattern group including the gate line 2, the gate electrode 8, and the gate pad lower electrode 26.
In FIG. 3B, the gate insulating film 46 is formed on the lower substrate 45 provided with the first conductive pattern group. Then, a semiconductor pattern group including the active layer 48 and the ohmic contact layer 50 and a second conductive pattern group including the data line 4, the source electrode 10, the drain electrode 12, the lower data pad electrode 32, and the storage electrode 22 are formed on the gate insulating film 46 using a second mask process. For example, the gate insulating film 46, an amorphous silicon layer, a n+ amorphous silicon layer, and a source/drain metal layer are sequentially formed on the lower substrate 45 provided with the first conductive pattern group by deposition techniques, such as plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) and sputtering. The gate insulating film 46 is made of an inorganic insulating material, such as silicon oxide (SiOx) or silicon nitride (SiNx), and the source/drain metal layer is made of a molybdenum (Mo), a titanium (Ti), tantalum (Ta), or a molybdenum alloy.
Then, a photo-resist pattern is formed on the source/drain metal layer by photolithographic processes using a second mask. Accordingly, a diffractive exposure mask having a diffractive exposure portion corresponding to a channel region of the TFT is used as a second mask. Thus, a photo-resist pattern of the channel portion has a lower height than other photo-resist patterns corresponding to other regions. Subsequently, the source/drain metal layer is patterned by a wet etching process using the other photo-resist patterns to provide a second conductive pattern group including the data line 4, the source electrode 10, the drain electrode 12, which is integral to the source electrode 10, and the storage electrode 22. Next, the amorphous silicon layer and the n+ amorphous silicon layer are simultaneously patterned by a dry etching process using the same photo-resist pattern to provide the ohmic contact layer 50 and the active layer 48.
Then, relatively low height portions of the photo-resist pattern are removed from the channel region by an ashing process, and the source electrode, the source/drain metal pattern, and the ohmic contact layer 50 of the channel region are etched using the dry etching process. Thus, the active layer 48 of the channel region is exposed to electrically separate the source electrode 10 from the drain electrode 12. Next, remaining portions of the photo-resist pattern on the second conductive pattern group are removed using a stripping process.
In FIG. 3C, the passivation film 52 including first, second, third, and fourth contact holes 13, 21, 27, and 33 are formed on the gate insulating film 46 provided with the second conductive pattern group using a third mask process. For example, the passivation film 52 is entirely formed on the gate insulating film 46 provided with the second conductive pattern group by a deposition technique, such as PECVD. Then, the passivation film 52 is patterned by photolithographic and etching processes using the third mask to form the first, second, third, and fourth contact holes 13, 21, 27, and 33. The first contact hole 13 is formed to pass through the passivation film 52 and expose a portion of the drain electrode 12, and the second contact hole 21 is formed to pass through the passivation film 52 and expose a portion of the storage electrode 22. The third contact hole 27 is formed to pass through the passivation film 52 and the gate insulating film 46 and expose a portion of the gate pad lower electrode 26, and the fourth contact hole 33 is formed to pass through the passsivation film 52 and expose a portion of the lower data pad electrode 32. When a metal having a high ratio of dry etching, such as molybdenum (Mo), is used for the source/drain metal, the first contact hole 13, the second contact hole 21, and the fourth contact hole 33 are formed to pass through to the exposed portions of the drain electrode 12, the storage electrode 22, and the lower data pad electrode 32, respectively. In addition, the passivaion film 52 is made of an inorganic insulating material, such as the gate insulating film 46, or made of an organic insulating material having a small dielectric constant, such as an acrylic organic compound, benzocyclobutene (BCB) or perfluorocyclobutane (PFCB).
In FIG. 3D, a third conductive pattern group including the pixel electrode 14, the gate pad upper electrode 28, and the upper data pad electrode 34 is formed on the passivation film 52 using a fourth mask process. For example, a transparent conductive film is coated onto the passivation film 52 by a deposition technique, such as sputtering, and is patterned by photolithographic and etching processes using a fourth mask. The transparent conductive film may be made of indium-tin-oxide (ITO), tin-oxide (TO), indium-zinc-oxide (IZO), or indium-tin-zinc-oxide (ITZO). Accordingly, the third conductive pattern group includes the pixel electrode 14, the gate pad upper electrode 28, and the upper data pad electrode 34. The pixel electrode 14 has a first end electrically connected to the drain electrode 12 through the first contact hole 13, and a second end electrically connected to the storage electrode 22 through the second contact hole 21. In addition, the gate pad upper electrode 28 is electrically connected to the gate pad lower electrode 26 through the third contact hole 27, and the upper data pad electrode 34 is electrically connected to the lower data pad electrode 32 through the fourth contact hole 33.
However, as described above, the TFT array substrate and method of fabricating the TFT array substrate includes a four-round mask process that includes complex, individual fabrication processes having relatively high production costs.

Thin film transistor array substrate and method of fabricating the same


A mammography system including a compression device, comprising two compression members to compress a breast, a sensor to sense the pressure exerted by the breast on one of the members and/or a device to determine the distance between the two members, an X-ray image acquisition system, means to adjust an initial position of the members. The system further comprises means to monitor variations in pressure and/or variations in thickness relative to their initial value, for an estimation of the risk of breast movement. The system further comprises means to present the user with information signaling breast movement, in relation to the estimation.

1. Field of the Invention
The field of the invention relates to mammography.
2. Description of Related Art
In the area of application of an embodiment of the invention, one or more X-rays of a breast are taken, e.g. to investigate the breast tissue with a view to detecting the presence of tumours for example.
For this purpose, a device is used to compress the breast to be X-rayed between two compression members, so as to position the breast at the point provided for image acquisition and to obtain a substantially constant thickness of the breast between the two compression members over a certain width thereof, to achieve an image of the breast having substantially homogenous contrast over this width.
During a mammography examination requiring a series of images to be taken, the patient's breast remains between the compression members for ten seconds to a few minutes.
Said examinations using a series of images are described for example in the references given below: [1] concerning digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT), [2] concerning contrast-enhanced digital breast tomosynthesis and [3] concerning temporal contrast-enhanced digital mammography (Temporal CEDM).
In general, the objective of these methods is to take a limited number of breast X-ray images and, using adequate image processing systems, to reconstruct a three-dimensional, digital volume of the breast. The reconstructed three-dimensional volume consists of a plurality of reconstructed two-dimensional images called sectional planes, parallel to the plane of the X-ray detector and stacked along the axis perpendicular to the detector plane.
The compression exerted by the compression members on the breast does not, however, prevent the breast from moving as and when the successive X-ray images are taken.
Breast movements during image acquisition create artefacts and localization errors on the images, which may lead to deterioration of image quality and even make images unusable.
Frequently, several successive images of the breast are therefore taken at different angles using the same image acquisition apparatus.
If the acquisition time is short (a few seconds) the female patient can be requested not to breathe and not to move.
If the examination lasts longer, breathing and involuntary movements are difficult to prevent.
Movement of the breast, when an image is being taken, blurs the image. If the breast has moved between two images, there is no blur but shifting of the breast between the two images which may give rise to problems during post-processing of the images, thereby distorting the three-dimensional reconstruction of the breast.
Document U.S. Pat. No. 7,187,749 describes a blur compensation device for X-ray images, in which a sensor is moved by the movement of the object to be imaged, in this case a person's head. The sensor detects the change in position relative to a reference position on the basis of acceleration, angular speed or the angle of a supporting means for the object. Compensation means are provided to compensate for blur on a plurality of images, on the basis of movement calculated using the change in position, and the series of images thus compensated is then stored.
Document U.S. Pat. No. 5,099,503 describes a device to control the functioning of mammography equipment, in which the compression force applied by the breast holding means is measured. On the basis of this measurement, the speed of the compression movement is adjusted. When the breast is compressed by a compression plate, the speed of the compression motor is slowed when the compression force increases and, when the maximum allowable compression force has been reached, the compression motor is completely stopped to avoid excessive compression forces.
Document U.S. Pat. No. 5,023,894 relates to a device to correct data in a topographic image of a patient's head, in which head movement detection means, comprising a marker affixed to the head and a detector sensitive to the position of the marker or a camera, are provided to detect movements of the head. The head movement sensor is coupled to an address converting unit, which converts the data detected by the sensor into address correction data, in order to correct the tomographic image of the head.
Document US-A-2007/0025503 describes a method to acquire mammographic images which provides for image data acquisition by an X-ray system and automatic analysis of the acquired images by said system, analysing blur due to movement, and indicates whether there is blur due to movement.
These known prior art systems have several drawbacks.
The compensation or correction of an image by calculation, in the event of breast movement, is cumbersome and complicated to apply. In practice it is difficult to implement automatic image or image data analysis that is satisfactory. Additionally, image correction is most often oversized compared with the actual needs of a mammography technician.
A marker placed on the breast is not recommended for the following reasons:    the marker will inevitably lie in the field of the images and may affect the images taken if it is radioopaque,    the positioning of the marker must be fairly precise and constant irrespective of breast morphology, so that it remains within the detection limits of movement,    the movement system must be initialized so that it records the initial position of the marker after breast compression,    the examination is already sufficiently traumatizing and painful for the patient without adding any additional steps to the imaging protocol.
Finally, control over the speed of the motor moving the breast compression plate is sufficient to achieve proper breast compression before taking any images, but does not prevent the breast from moving once the motor is stopped and the compression plate has been immobilized.

Mammography system and method for its operation


An injection mold for insert molding includes a stationary plate, a first core and a second core. The stationary plate defines an upper surface and a side surface perpendicular to the upper surface. The upper surface has a slot at a middle portion thereof. The slot extends perpendicular to the side surface and reaches the side surface. The first core is received in the slot of the stationary plate and defines a holding element on a top surface thereof for securing an insert. The second core is closed with the first core to form a mold cavity, with the insert extending into the mold cavity. The first core is capable of being taken off from the slot of the stationary plate when the first core and the second core are detached from each other.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an injection mold, and in particular to an injection mold for insert molding.
2. The Related Art
Insert molding is a highly efficient process by which metal stampings, bushings, electromechanical parts, filtration materials, and other discrete parts are combined into a single component through the injection of thermoplastic around the carefully placed parts (inserts). A conventional injection mold for insert molding includes a cavity plate and a core plate. The cavity plate has a cavity insert fixed thereon, and the core plate has a core insert fixed thereon. The cavity insert and the core insert form a mold cavity therebetween when the cavity plate closes to the core plate. A set of inserts are fixed on the core insert beforehand and extended into the mold cavity for incorporating with thermoplastic to form a molding product.
However, because the core insert is fixed on and can be not taken off from the core plate, when it comes to carry out the next molding process, people have to take off the molding product from the core insert, and be aware of other sets of the inserts on the core insert. It takes a long time. Therefore, the molding cycle is prolonged and the injection molding process is inefficient.


A new Petunia plant named ‘Pethorove’ particularly distinguished by its trailing, outwardly spreading plant habit, strong branching habit, floriferous habit, its single flowers that are pink colored with strong colored veins, and its good garden performance.

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Petunia plant, botanically known as Petunia hybrida, and hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name 'Pethorove'.
The new Petunia is a product of a planned breeding program conducted in Cambridge, United Kingdom. The new Petunia cultivar has a trailing and spreading plant habit, and big flowers with strong colored veins.
The new Petunia originated from a cross between a Petunia hybrida seedling selection as the female, or seed, parent identified as 'C4431-1', and a Petunia hybrida seedling selection as the male, or pollen, parent identified as 'A0971-1'. This cross was made in August 2003. The new Petunia was discovered and selected as a single flowering plant within the progeny of the stated cross in May 2004.
Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar by terminal cuttings at Enkhuizen, The Netherlands since August 2004, has shown that the unique features of this new Petunia are stable and reproduced true to type in successive generations.


This invention is directed to an ornamental pet collar cover having an ornamental figure secured thereto, to a kit containing the ornamental pet collar cover together with a plurality of ornamental figures, to a combination of the ornamental pet collar cover together with a pet collar, and to a combination of the ornamental pet collar together with an ornamental pet leash cover. The ornamental figure has a decorated shape and appearance to celebrate a holiday or special event. For example, the ornamental figure may be a flag to celebrate the 4th of July or other national holiday. The ornamental figure may be a heart to celebrate Valentine's day. The ornamental figure may be a cross to celebrate Easter or Christmas. The ornamental figure may be a turkey to celebrate Thanksgiving.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention is directed to an ornamental pet collar cover having an ornamental figure secured thereto, to a kit containing the ornamental pet collar cover together with a plurality of ornamental figures, to a combination of the ornamental pet collar cover together with a pet collar, and to a combination of the ornamental pet collar cover together with an ornamental pet leash cover.
2. Description of Related Art
Pet owners are spending an increasing degree of attention and money on their pets. From the standpoint of basic essentials, pet owners are more likely now than ever in the past to provide their pets with adequate health care, quality food, vitamins, and medicines. From the standpoint of luxury items, pet owners are demanding increased choices in grooming, toys, jewelry and ornamental accessories.
Among ornamental accessory items for pets, various ornamental pet collars and covers are known. See for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,266,511; 4,407,233; 5,467,743; and U.S. Design Pat. No. Des. 243,411.
No ornamental pet collar cover, however, has ever been known which is an attractive way to ornament your pet for a special holiday or event. More specifically, no ornamental pet collar cover has ever before been known which comprises a cylindrical member made of a pliable material for covering the collar, having an ornamental figure secured to an outer surface of the cylindrical member at an intermediate location between the opposing ends of the cylindrical member.


An apparatus for conveying magazines which are for electronic devices such as semiconductors, etc. including a magazine pusher that pushes the magazines placed on a magazine stand toward an elevator, slide rails that are movable back and forth between the magazine stand and the elevator, and a slide rail pusher that drives the slide rails. When all the magazines on the magazine stand are pushed by the magazine pusher and the front most magazine among them is transferred onto the slide rails, slide rail pusher brings the slide rails to the elevator so that the elevator lifts the magazine to a predetermined height so that electronic devices are brought into or out of the magazine. Thus, many magazines are placed on the magazine stand without inviting any positioning errors, and the apparatus can meet any change of the size of the magazines to be conveyed.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a magazine conveying apparatus that transfers one magazine at a time from a magazine stand to a magazine receiver of an elevator means.
2. Prior Art
FIG. 6a-f shows one of the conventional devices for conveying magazines that stores electronic devices such as semiconductors, etc. in the vertically arranged accommodation sections provided therein.
As shown in FIG. 6(a), the elevator 10 of the conveying device has a slider 12 that is engaged with a screw 11. When the screw 11 is rotated, the slider 12 is moved up and down. The slider 12 has a magazine receiver 13.
A magazine stand 14 that carries magazines 1 and 2 thereon is installed in front of the elevator 10, i.e., on the left side of the elevator 10 in the drawing. The magazine stand has an open space in the middle, and two sets of magazine receivers 15 and 16 are installed in the open space of the magazine stand 14. The magazine receivers 15 and 16 are installed on a U-shaped arm 17 which is moved up and down and also moved to the right and left by a driving means (not shown).
As shown in FIG. 6(f), the conveying device further includes a conveyor 21 installed above the magazine stand 14 to convey a workpiece 20. Magazine guide rails 22 for stabilizing the magazines, that are lifted by the magazine receiver 13, are installed above the magazine receiver 13. In addition, a clamper 23 is installed on the magazine guide rails 22. The clamper 23 holds the magazines which are filled with workpiece 20 or from which the workpieces 20 have been fed out.
In operation, as shown in FIG. 6(a), two magazines 1 and 2 are placed at two predetermined positions on the magazine stand 14. Then, as shown in FIG. 6(b), the arm 17 is raised to lift the magazines 1 and 2, and as shown in FIG. 6(c), the arm 17 is moved to the right (in the drawing) so that the first magazine 1 is positioned above the magazine receiver 13. Next, as shown in FIG. 6(d), the arm 17 is lowered, letting the magazine 1 be on the magazine receiver 13, and as shown in FIG. 6(e), the arm 17 moves to the left and returns to a waiting position. After this, as shown in FIG. 6(f), the screw 11 is rotated to raise the magazine receiver 13 until the uppermost accommodating section of the magazine 1 is positioned at the level of the conveying surface of the conveyor 21. The workpiece 20 on the conveyor 21 is brought into the magazine 1 or a workpiece inside the uppermost accommodating section of the magazine 1 is fed out onto the conveyor 21.
Each time the workpiece 20 is brought into the magazine or fed out from the magazine, the magazine is raised by one pitch so that the next accommodation section of the magazine comes to the height level of the conveyor 21. If the magazine is filled with the workpieces 20, or if all the workpieces 20 have been fed out from the magazine 1, then the magazine receiver 13 is raised, and the magazine 1 is temporarily held by the clamper 23 (until the next magazine is sent to the conveyor 21). Afterward, the magazine receiver 13 is lowered in order to receive the next magazine 2, and a new magazine 3 is placed on the magazine stand 14 for the next transfer operation.
In this prior art device, the arm 17 transfers the magazines to the magazine receiver 13 of the elevator 10 by repeating the vertical and horizontal movements. Accordingly, only a small number of magazines are placed on the magazine stand 14. In addition, the positions where the magazines 1 and 2 are placed are limited (only two), and positioning errors are easily made by the operator. Moreover, if the size of the magazines changes, the magazine receivers 15 and 16 must be changed accordingly (in the space distance, etc.).


Systems and methods for auto-commissioning and self-diagnostics of equipment in a building management system are provided. A self-testing module is implemented in a control unit of the building management system. The self-testing module exercises equipment of the building management system using a state-based testing procedure that differs from normal operation of the equipment and monitors feedback received from a sensor of the building management system in response to exercising the equipment. The self-testing module uses the feedback from the sensor to evaluate a state transition condition of the state-based testing procedure and to transition between states of the state-based testing procedure using a result of the evaluation.

The present invention relates generally to the field of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. The present invention relates more particularly to systems and methods for automating the commissioning and testing of HVAC equipment.
HVAC control systems are used to monitor and control temperature, humidity, air flow, air quality, and/or other conditions within a building or building system. HVAC control systems typically include a plurality of measurement devices (e.g., temperature sensors, pressure sensors, flow sensors, etc.), control devices (e.g., chillers, boilers, air handling units, variable air volume units, etc.), and a controller for receiving feedback from the measurement devices and providing a control signal to the control devices. Some HVAC control systems include a main controller and one or more auxiliary controllers (e.g., a fan controller, a cooling controller, a heating controller, a damper controller, etc.).
Commissioning and testing HVAC equipment can be a time-consuming process. Current commissioning and testing methods typically require the involvement of a service technician throughout the commissioning process. The service technician may be required to initiate and manage the testing of multiple HVAC systems or devices. Additionally, the technician may be required to interpret the testing results and to diagnose any issues with the HVAC equipment. For large buildings with many HVAC systems, sub-systems, or devices, the process of commissioning and testing the HVAC equipment can be challenging and time-consuming.


A clamping mechanism and method are disclosed for a mixing machine that detects when the upper clamping member engages the tops or lids of the containers loaded into the mixing machine. The disclosed clamping mechanism includes a lower base and an upper plate defining an adjustable clamping distance disposed therebetween. At least one of the lower base and upper plate is moveable to increase or decrease the clamping distance. The upper plate is pivotally connected to a cross member so the upper plate is at least partially pivoted away from the cross member when nothing is clamped between the upper plate and lower base. At least one of the cross member and upper plate is associated with a sensor. The sensor is linked to a controller, which controls the movement of the upper plate or the lower base (or both) for clamping and unclamping articles disposed on the lower base. The sensor is activated and sends a signal to the controller when the upper plate has been pressed against the cross member by a top surface of an article clamped between the upper plate and lower cross member under movement controlled by the controller.

1. Technical Field
An automated clamp system for a fluid mixer is disclosed with an effective means for accurately detecting when the upper clamp plate engages the top of a container placed in the mixer and for communicating the engagement of the upper clamp plate with the container to the controller for use in carrying out a clamping algorithm.
2. Description of the Related Art
Many types of fluids need to be mixed or blended into homogenous mixtures in the same containers in which they are sold to a consumer. One example of such in-container mixing results from colorants or pigments being added to base paints at a retail paint store or paint department of a home improvement store. The mixers or mixing machines may operate by vibration, roto-vibration, gyroscopic motion or rotational motion. The forces exerted on the containers during the mixing process are violent.
To ensure that the container or containers stay in position during the violent mixing operation, various clamping mechanisms have been employed. Until recently, the amount of clamping force imposed on a conventional metal cylindrical container (e.g., 1 gal.) or plastic cylindrical container (e.g., 5 gal.) was not crucial as the containers were extremely rugged, and therefore it is difficult to damage a conventional container by over-clamping.
However, paint has become available in rectangular and cubical plastic containers which are not as robust as the conventional cylindrical containers. Further, there is a need to blend or custom mix colors of paint in the new rectangular containers. One rectangular paint container has a handle molded into one corner for the painter's convenience in pouring paint from the container. Such a rectangular paint container has a rectangular or square footprint or cross section. Another new type of container includes rectangular trays or trough-like buckets sized to receive a paint roller. Some of the rectangular trays or troughs may be pre-equipped with a screen or insert for engaging the roller. Smaller plastic cylindrical containers are also being used instead of the traditional metal cylindrical containers.
The new types of containers are fabricated from plastic and are less robust than the conventional counterparts. Hence, an automatic clamping mechanism of a prior mixing machine is capable of crushing most, if not all, of the new types of containers. To avoid the problem of containers being crushed by the mixing machines and the spillage of paint, new and improved clamping mechanisms and automated clamping mechanisms are needed. Further, such clamping mechanisms must be versatile and capable of use on the various types of containers in the marketplace, both old and new.
In that connection, one key element of any automated clamping system is determining when the upper clamping plate engages the top or lid of the container or containers that has been loaded into the mixer. The initial engagement of the upper plate with the container or containers loaded into the machine is a starting point for many sophisticated clamping algorithms and needs to be communicated accurately to the control circuit or controller. If this information is not accurately detected and communicated, the timing of the clamping algorithm may be off resulting in damage to the container or containers by the over application or under application of clamping force.

Clamp system for fluid mixer with pivoting upper plate for detecting container top


Disclosed herein are novel probes, which can be used to detect and identify target molecules of interest in a sample. The disclosed probes can be used to monitor conformational changes induced by molecular recognition events in addition to providing signaling the presence and/or identity of a target molecule. Methods, including solid phase synthesis techniques, for making probe molecules that exhibit changes in their optical properties upon target molecule binding are described in the disclosure. Also disclosed herein are novel chromophore moieties, which have tailored fluorescent emission spectra.

Reagents and techniques that permit the specific detection of target molecules are important tools in many research areas and in clinical diagnostics. Many techniques have been developed for detecting target nucleic acid sequences, typically by detecting the hybridization of a complementary oligonucleotide probe sequence with a target sequence. These techniques often rely upon fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET), a phenomenon in which a change in fluorescence is caused by the interaction of two fluorophore groups.
One example of a class of oligonucleotide probes useful for detecting specific nucleic acid target sequences is referred to as "molecular beacons." Molecular beacons are nucleic acid sequences that contain both a fluorophore and group that quenches the fluorescence of the fluorophore (Tyagi and Kramer, Nat. Biotech. 14:303–308, 1996). By design, molecular beacons yield "on/off" signals, and usage of molecular beacons is mainly in detecting DNA through hybridization. Molecular beacons are limited because the 3′ and 5′ donors and acceptors need to be within nanometer-scale proximity for effective energy transfer to occur.
In general the detection of molecules using molecular recognition events other than complementary oligonucleotide hybridization is a more difficult proposition. Indeed, no single method is universally applicable. Specific proteins can be detected by using antibody-based assays, such as an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). However, this technique can only be used to detect molecules for which antibodies exist. Furthermore, it is time-consuming and expensive to generate new antibodies, particularly antibodies that bind to a specific target portion of the analyte molecule. If the antibody is not directed against the functional portion of the analyte molecule, for example, when the analyte is a protein, the ELISA may not be able to distinguish an active from an inactive protein. Moreover, many molecules of interest, such as small molecules, tend to be refractory to antibody production.

Washington State University Research Foundation


A method is provided for reducing the number of data bits required for storage or transmission of the data representing the alpha masks of objects in a single image or frame of a video sequence by jointly encoding overlapping boundaries between two adjacent objects within the image and by avoiding redundant encoding and transmission of an alpha mask which can be reconstructed from other encoded alpha mask data.

In preparing single still images or a frame of a video sequence for storage or for transmission, the objects contained within the image or frame are divided into foreground and background planes. These planes are referred to as alpha planes.
The traditional method of encoding the multiple alpha planes of the still image or frame of video sequence composed of multiple objects is to compress each plane independently. One common method of encoding the alpha masks of various objects in a frame is to encode the contour of each object's alpha mask independently. If the alpha mask of an object is in gray scale, the intensity of the interior of alpha mask is also encoded for that object.
This approach is inefficient, however, since it does not take advantage of the correlation between the alpha planes. Further, in some computer graphic application, the background layer often does not have an alpha mask associated with it as it was held to exist everywhere on the image and was included as appropriate by the foreground objects or planes.
The necessity for the background layer to have an alpha mask associated with it arises in low bit rate coding applications where the areas of the background not visible in the scene will not be transmitted. Some current video models, for example, require that explicit alpha masks for the background be available so that the encoder can correctly fill in the regions in which the background exists before transformation with a discrete cosine transform. Thus, the decoder also requires that the background alpha mask be transmitted to it so that the background layer can be decoded correctly. By way of example, with the current MPEG 4 low bit rate video verification models, the losslessly encoded alpha mask of the background layer of a test sequence requires approximately 2500 bits per frame. For a sequence compressed at 128 kilobits per second, with 10 frames per second, the alpha mask of the background layer alone constitutes about 20% of the final bit rate. Additionally, the coding of each alpha mask independently is inefficient since it does not take advantage of the correlation between the alpha planes intersection or overlap, in addition to the masking effect of the foreground planes.

Method for reducing alpha plane bit mask size


A trash container is formed from an open fronted housing having a pivotally mounted front wall movable between a closed position closing the open ft and an open position displaced from the open front to allow a full trash bag to be removed readily from the housing, without having to lift the bag up and clear of the open upper end of the housing. A releasable locking device releasably locks the front wall in the closed position.

The present invention relates generally to trash or garbage containers for holding garbage in bags which may be secured around the rim of the container.
Typically, such containers comprise an open-topped housing of square or round cross-section, with a removable or hinged lid for closing the open top. Smaller trash containers of this type are used to collect garbage within residences and businesses, while larger containers or trash cans located outside or in garages are used to collect garbage from smaller trash containers when full. The larger trash cans or containers may be four feet high or more.
One problem with trash containers of all sizes is that the polyethylene film bags usually used to collect trash within a container can tend to stick to the sides of the plastic trash can when full, making them difficult to lift up out of the can. Another problem, particularly with large trash cans or containers, is the difficulty of lifting a full trash bag upwardly and out of the can. In some cases, a heavy, full trash bag must be lifted upwardly through a distance of four feet or more in order to clear the rim of the trash can. This causes excessive back strain and may result in back injuries.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,348,222 of Patey describes a pedal operated garbage container with improved access to the interior when the lid is opened. In this container, a platform for supporting waste is pivoted to the opposite side walls at its forward edge, and a front wall extends upwardly from the forward edge of the platform. Operation of a pedal pivots the platform upwardly and the front wall outwardly, providing access to the interior. One or more waste receptacles are placed on the platform, and must be lifted out for emptying as needed. Trash cannot be placed directly into the container, nor can a bag be suspended from the rim of the container, due to its design and the pivotal mounting of the lid at the rear edge of the container opening. This is a relatively complex structure, with several internal pivotal linkages within the container linked to the pedal actuator, making it unsuitable for directly receiving trash. Patey does not solve the problem of having to lift a heavy, full trash bag upwardly out of a container which supports the bag.

Vincent P. Mario and Richard Haskel, DBA EZMT, A CA General Partnership


The door stop comprises a stop block. One of the surfaces of the stop block has an angular recess therein with angular faces positioned at an acute angle with respect to the stop block surfaces. The stop block is configured to insert into the jamb when the door is opened and the angular faces engaged over the top corner of the hinge edge stile of the door to hold the door open. A handle is attached to the stop block so that it may be easily inserted and removed.

Doors are hinged to door frames to selectively close the opening through the door frame. Sometimes, it is desirable to keep the door open, particularly when regular passage therethrough is needed and when ventilation is desired. Another case is when the privacy achieved by the closing of the door is not desired. Maintaining the door in the open position is sometimes difficult because of wind or the presence of a door closer. In such a case, a door stop is needed.
There are many different designs of door stops. The simplest are wedges of various shapes and of various materials for fitting under the door when it is open. These wedge-type door stops engage on the floor beneath the open door. Such door stops can be mislaid. As a consequence, there is a class of door stops which re basically rubber-tip legs which are hinged on the inside of the door. When these are swung down, they angularly engage upon the floor to hold the door open to the selected position. In any event, door stops of this nature require that the user bend down to the floor to install or remove the door stop, or in the case of a hinged leg, to swing the leg down and into the active position and back up into the inactive position. Accordingly, there is need for a door stop which can be easily installed and removed without bending.


‘Prim 19’ is a new and distinct variety of sweet cherry characterized by producing large kidney shaped fruits with a dark red color. The fruits of ‘Prim 19’ ripen in medium early time, about 2 days after ‘Burlat’. The fruits are firm with a good cherry flavor. ‘Prim 19’ produces a large number of high-quality fruits even when the temperature is cold at blooming time. ‘Prim 19’ is very frost hardy.

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of sweet cherry tree which is characterized by producing large size dark red fruits having a reniform shape. Fruits ripen early, have medium firm, medium acid fruit with a pleasant cherry flavor and strong stem attachment. 'Prim 19' is very frost hardy and its fruits have medium shelf-life.
The new and distinct cherry variety described and claimed herein was developed in 2007 in Baden-Wuerttemberg, Germany and originated from open pollinated seeds of fruits of the female parent 'Teiton' (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 8,051, also known as 'PC 7144-7'). The male parent is unknown. The present variety of sweet cherry plant was selected as a single plant and was first asexually propagated in February 2008 by grafting on 'Gisela 5' rootstock in Kressbronn, Baden-Wuerttemberg, Germany.
'Prim 21' (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 31,445 P2) is believed to be the variety most similar to 'Prim 19'. 'Prim 19' ripens at about the same time as 'Prim 21' and the fruits have a similar color. 'Prim 19' is distinguished from Prim 21 by at least its fruit size with 'Prim 19' having bigger fruits, as well as 'Prim 19' is less heart-shaped than 'Prim 21'. Also, 'Prim 19' has slightly shorter stem length than 'Prim 21'. 'Prim 19' has the same flowering time as 'Burlat' (unpatented) but exhibits a fruit ripening time that is 2 days later than 'Burlat'. In addition, the fruit of 'Prim 19' is firmer than that of 'Burlat'. 'Prim 19' is weaker in tree growth than 'Burlat'. 'Prim 19' has larger fruit size with a much darker fruit color when compared to 'Bellise' (unpatented). 'Prim 19' has a shorter stem than 'Kordia' (unpatented) and a lighter fruit flesh color than 'Satin' (unknown patent protection). 'Prim 19' exhibits less fruit cracking than 'Grace Star' (unknown patent protection).
When compared to its female parent, 'Teiton', 'Prim 19' exhibits a fruit ripening time that is about 6 days earlier than 'Tieton' and has a different fruit shape and tree habit than 'Tieton'. The dark red fruit color and firmness observed for 'Prim 19' are very similar to 'Tieton'.
Asexual reproduction of this new variety by grafting and budding onto rootstock shows that the foregoing and all other characteristics and distinctions described herein remain true to type and are established and transmitted through successive propagations. 'Prim 19' has not been evaluated under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary with variations in environment without a change in the genotype of the plant.


An apparatus for estimating a property of a subsurface material includes a carrier configured to convey an acoustic wave guide though a borehole. The acoustic wave guide includes an acoustic plate configured to guide an acoustic wave along a path of the plate and an acoustic reservoir coupled to the acoustic plate and at least partially surrounding the acoustic plate. The acoustic reservoir has a mass greater than the mass of the acoustic plate and is configured to absorb acoustic wave leakage from the acoustic plate. A first acoustic transducer is coupled to the acoustic plate and configured to transmit an acoustic wave along the path. A second acoustic transducer is coupled to the acoustic plate and configured to receive the acoustic wave that travels along the path. A controller is configured to operate the first acoustic transducer and the second acoustic transducer in order to estimate the property.

Earth formations may be used for various purposes such as hydrocarbon production, geothermal production, and carbon dioxide sequestration. In order to efficiently use an earth formation, the formation is characterized by performing measurements of many different properties using one or more tools conveyed through a borehole penetrating the formation. One category of tools is acoustic tools that use sound waves to perform various measurements such as measuring fluid impedance or fluid velocity of a fluid disposed in a borehole. One challenge presented by such tools is signal leakage, which can lower signal to noise ratio. Another challenge is signal interference caused by reflections of the signal leakage, which can distort the received signal. Hence, it would be well received in the drilling industry if acoustic downhole tools were developed that reduced acoustic signal leakage and acoustic signal reflections.

Guided acoustic waves isolation system for downhole applications


A method of preventing a container from becoming colored by contents of the container in a packaging process comprising filling and sealing colored contents in a packaging container having an inner surface comprising a plastic material and then disinfecting and sterilizing the contents by heat treatment, wherein said inner surface plastic material comprises a thermoplastic resin having a glass transition temperature (Tg) 10.degree. C. or more higher than the temperature of said heat treatment and a coefficient of moisture permeability at 40.degree. C. and 90% RH of 2.0 g.mm/m.sup.2.24 hr or less.

Conventionally, a metal can, a glass bottle and various plastic containers have been used as packaging containers. However, in view of light weight, impact resistance and cost, plastic containers prevail in a variety of applications.
However, even in the field of light packaging using a plastic material, preservability of the contents is an important factor. In order to kill microorganisms or spores, sterilization packaging is widely used. Examples of sterilization packaging include (1) a sterile filling method of heat sterilizing contents outside the container and filling the contents in a package subjected to disinfection treatment, (2) a heat sterilization method of filling contents into a container and then heat sterilizing the contents in a retort or boiling water, and (3) a hot filling method of filling heated contents into a package. Among these sterilization packaging techniques, in view of ease in operation and cost of the apparatus, the heat sterilization method is advantageous.
Popular light packages made of plastic, including flexible packages such as a pouch or a semi-rigid package such as a cup or a tray, comprise an intermediate layer of a metal foil having a gas barrier property and an inner surface layer of a heat sealable resin such as an olefin-base resin.
However, when colored contents are filled in the above-described plastic container and then subjected to heat sterilization, the plastic inner surface layer is often colored by the contents.
Coloring of the plastic inner surface layer by the contents not only involves loss of the dye or flavor component from the contents, but also affects quality and appearance and raises a problem with respect to quality retention. Furthermore, a container having a colored inner surface fails to assure users of the reliability of the package.

Method of preventing a container from becoming colored by the container contents