A one-way valve allows air to be drawn from a collapsible, flexible, airtight bag using a vacuum source. When the vacuum source is removed, the one-way valve prevents air from re-entering the bag. The valve assembly comprises a valve base attached to a bag wall and having an opening, a cap base coupled to the valve base, a flapper held in place by the valve base and cap base, and a cap connected to the cap base by a living hinge. When the cap is snapped onto the cap base after bag evacuation, the cap maintains the flapper in a position so that the opening in the valve base stays closed, preventing the admission of ambient air into the evacuated bag.

This invention generally relates to evacuable storage containers, and in particular, to evacuable reclosable storage bags.
Collapsible, evacuable storage containers typically include a flexible, airtight bag, an opening through which an article is inserted inside the bag, and a fixture through which excess air is evacuated. A user places an article into the bag through the opening, seals the opening, and then evacuates the air in the bag through the fixture. With the bag thus evacuated, a compressible article contained therein may be significantly compressed so that it is easier to transport and requires substantially less storage space.
Collapsible, evacuable storage containers are beneficial for reasons in addition to those associated with compression of the stored article. For example, removal of the air from the storage container inhibits the growth of destructive organisms, such as moths, silverfish, and bacteria, which require oxygen to survive and propagate. Moreover, such containers, being impervious to moisture, inhibit the growth of mildew.
Not only large, compressible items such as clothing may be stored in a collapsible, evacuable storage container. For example, it may be desirable to store bulk items made of small particles, such as powders or granulated resins, in an evacuated container. One situation that commonly occurs is that a particular bulk item is shipped in a large, rigid container such as a drum. Bulk items may be moisture sensitive and are sealed against moisture during shipment. But many times a user does not need to use the entire contents of the large container, and so once exposed to the moisture in the air the remaining bulk contents quickly become unusable and are thus wasted.
One collapsible, reusable, evacuable storage container is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,480,030. This patent discloses a one-way air valve assembly having a flexible diaphragm that seals against a valve seat. The valve assembly also has vanes positioned to prevent the bag material or bag contents from obstructing air holes or the diaphragm while air is being evacuated through the valve assembly.
There is a continuing need for improvements in the valve assembly of such evacuable storage containers.

One-way valve with flapper for vacuum bag


A backlight assembly that does not use a bottom chassis is presented. The absence of bottom chassis reduces manufacturing cost, simplifies the assembly process, and facilitates heat dissipation. The backlight assembly includes a lamp, a light guide plate, a mold frame and a securing mold. The lamp unit includes a lamp that generates light and a lamp cover that partially encloses the lamp. The light guide plate receives the light from the lamp unit and guides the light toward the front of the backlight assembly. The mold frame receives the lamp unit and the light guide plate through an open portion. The securing mold is coupled to the lamp unit and combines with the mold frame to secure the first lamp unit. The backlight assembly relies on one mold frame to hold its components together.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a backlight assembly and particularly to a backlight assembly without a bottom chassis.
2. Description of the Related Art
In general, a liquid crystal display (LCD) device displays an image by using the optical and electrical characteristics of liquid crystal molecules. The liquid crystal molecules have anisotropic refractivity and anisotropic dielectric constant. LCD devices have various advantages such as thinness, low driving voltage, and low power consumption, especially in comparison with other display devices such as a cathode ray tube (CRT) device, or a plasma display panel (PDP) device. For these advantages, LCD devices are widely used in a notebook computer, a monitor, a television receiver set, a mobile phone, etc.
The LCD device includes a lower substrate, an upper substrate and a liquid crystal layer disposed between the lower and upper substrates. When electric field is applied to the liquid crystal layer, the arrangement of liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal layer is altered to change its optical transmissivity, thus displaying the desired image.
As is well known, the liquid crystal display panel itself does not emit light—it only controls the propagation of light through the layer. Thus, the LCD device frequently uses a backlight assembly that provides the liquid crystal display panel with light.
The backlight assembly includes a lamp unit, a light guide plate (LGP), at least one optical sheet, and a reflecting plate. The lamp unit includes a lamp that outputs light and a lamp cover that covers the lamp. The LGP guides the light from the lamp unit toward the liquid crystal display panel. The optical sheet is disposed above the LGP in order to enhance the luminance of light exiting from the LGP. The reflecting plate is disposed under the LGP.
The backlight assembly includes a bottom chassis and one or two mold frames. The bottom chassis receives the lamp unit, the LGP, the optical sheet and the reflecting plate. The mold frame is combined with the bottom chassis for securing the lamp unit, the LGP, the optical sheet and the reflecting plate.
As mentioned above, a conventional LCD device includes a bottom chassis and a mold frame. These components increase manufacturing cost and assembly time. Furthermore, the bottom chassis covers the edges of the LCD device, necessitating an additional wire arranging element for securing a lamp wire and compromising heat dissipation.

Backlight assembly without a bottom chassis


A source of neutrons is pulsed. A resultant flow of pulsed neutrons is detected and initiates a time delay. During the time delay, more quickly moving sources of radiation, such as fast and epithermal neutrons as well as gamma rays pass by an imaging device which is not turned on. Accordingly, these sources of noise are not detected. At the end of the time delay, the detecting imaging device is turned on; and during a resulting window interval, the pulsed thermal neutrons are detected and imaged after passage through an intermediately positioned object.

The prior art includes a number of systems for radiographic imaging using neutrons. Typical applications include the inspection of aircraft parts. This method is more advantageous, in many respects, than X-ray inspection due to the fact that neutrons are easily absorbed by hydride compounds of aluminum which exist in corroded areas. Also, neutron radiography is superior to its X-ray counterpart in the inspection of hydrogenous zones. This allows accurate inspection of continuity of pyrotechnic materials in their containers.
Prior art neutron radiographic imaging systems have suffered from image degradation due to a number of factors. A primary factor is the inherent existence of fast/epithermal neutrons originating at a neutron source which constitutes noise. Extraneous gamma and X-rays from the source also contribute noise. Room scattered thermalized neutrons also contribute a component to detected noise. Finally, detected ambient radiation reduces the available signal-to-noise ratio of a detected image.
In conventional systems, the source of neutrons is moderated by thermalizing the neutrons in a material such as polyethylene. However, since the source and detection of such prior art systems work in a DC mode, the noise factors outlined above continue through a measurement cycle.
In the past, several hardware approaches have been employed to ameliorate the situation. For instance, heavy shielding has been employed for fast neutrons and gamma rays around a moderator component of a system. Further, heavy shielding and 90.degree. mirrors at the detector have been used. Clearly, this adds expense, complexity, and weight to a manufactured system.
The present invention is intended to increase the quality of a radiographic image by correspondingly increasing the signal-to-noise ratio of detection.

Detector time-gating for neutron radiographic imaging


An impact-modified polycarbonate composition is disclosed. The composition features good processing stability, low temperature toughness and chemical resistance to stress cracking. It includes two copolymers of a vinylaromatic compound and a functionalized vinylolefinic compound and is suitable for the production of complex components.

Thermoplastic molding compositions of polycarbonates and ABS polymers (acrylonitrile/butadiene/styrene) have been known for a long time. Thus, U.S. Pat. No. 3,130,177 A describes readily processable molding compositions of polycarbonates and graft polymers of monomer mixtures of acrylonitrile and an aromatic vinyl-hydrocarbon on polybutadiene.
EP 0 372 336 A2 discloses PC/ABS compositions (polycarbonate/acrylonitrile/butadiene/styrene) having a high toughness at low temperatures, which are characterized in that the graft polymers and/or the copolymers are replaced at least in part by graft polymers and/or copolymers in which the grafted-on material and/or the copolymer contains at least 86 wt. % of vinylaromatics.
DE 102 55 825 A1 discloses PC/ABS compositions of improved surface quality comprising a mixture, obtained by coprecipitation, of at least one graft polymer B*.1 prepared by emulsion polymerization and at least one thermoplastic vinyl (co)polymer B*.2 prepared by emulsion polymerization, as well as at least one thermoplastic vinyl (co)polymer C*.2 prepared by solution, bulk or suspension polymerization, wherein, in a preferred embodiment, the vinyl (co)polymers B*.2 and C* differ in the acrylonitrile content by 1 to 15 wt. %, preferably by 2 to 10 wt. %, particularly preferably by 2.5 to 7.5 wt. %.
EP 0 767 215 A1 discloses compositions comprising polycarbonate, a rubber-modified (acrylonitrile-free) styrene resin and, as a phase mediator, a copolymer or a graft copolymer. The copolymers or the graft shells of the graft copolymers in the compositions according to the invention of EP 0 767 215 A1 are distinguished in that, at the molecular level, they have a non-uniform distribution in respect of the ratio of amounts of the monomers on which they are based, which results in different individual solubility parameters. In the case of a styrene/acrylonitrile copolymer (SAN), the solubility parameters stated in EP 0 767 215 A1 correspond, from the calculation basis described, to a weight-average acrylonitrile content of from 2 to about 12.5 wt. % and a difference between the minimum and maximum individual molecular acrylonitrile contents of from 8 to 26 wt. %.
The object on which the invention is based comprises providing molding compositions having an improved processing stability for the production of complex moldings for automobile construction, which are distinguished by a combination of a good low temperature toughness over a wide processing window and good resistance to stress cracking under the action of chemicals. The present invention also provides molding compositions which, in addition to the abovementioned requirements, also meet the requirements of the European automobile industry on materials in automobile interior construction in limiting the emission of volatile organic components.


A holder and coating device for use with handle-mounted confectionery products such as lollipops, or ice cream treats or the like. The confectionery holder holds and stores both a handle-mounted confectionery product and an edible topping of a particulate material, and facilitates coating the confectionery product with the topping. The holder has a base and a removable cover for gaining access to the confectionery product. The base holds a supply of the edible coating. When the device is manipulated, the edible coating is applied to the confectionery product.

A wide variety of confectionery products having handles are available in the marketplace. These include lollipops, frozen confections such as ice cream bars, among others. Frequently, such confectionery products are coated with edible particulate material, such as candy sprinkles or jimmies, crushed nuts, powders and the like, and are provided to the consumer in that form.
It has been considered potentially desirable to provide consumers with granulated or particulate materials, such as sprinkles, jimmies or the like, to be applied to such confectionery products. However, the application of such materials is difficult, and can be exceedingly messy. Further, when such products can be stored (such as lollipops and suckers can be), it is sometimes desirable to provide for the storage of such products. Because such products are often sticky, a means for preventing their contamination and avoiding their contact with the surrounding environment would be desirable.
Thus, it would be of advantage to provide a device which makes it possible both to easily and cleanly store a confectionery product having a handle, as well as to coat such a product with a granulated or particulate material.
The prior art does not provide such a device. For example, Coleman U.S. Pat. No. 5,370,884 discloses a powder reservoir and a threaded cap. The cap is adapted to hold a candy sucker which can be wetted and dipped into the powder reservoir. To use the device of U.S. Pat. No. 5,370,884, the user must employ both hands to unscrew the cap and must dip the sucker into the powder reservoir. This device requires a level of dexterity and coordination often lacking in children, can result in spillage and is difficult to use in a manner which will provide a uniform coating.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a device for both cleanly storing a confectionery product having a handle and for coating such a product with a granulated or particulate material in a generally uniform manner, all while minimizing spillage.

Device for storing and coating a confectionery product having a handle


The present invention is discloses an improved method of producing infectious papillomavirus in vitro, with a method comprising (a) introducing papillomavirus or papillomavirus DNA or portions thereof necessary for replication, into an epithelial cell; and (b) providing conditions that produce papillomavirus, wherein the conditions comprise not contacting the epithelial cell a fibroblast and does not comprise an organotypic raft culture or a dermal equivalent. The present invention also discloses a papillomavirus infected non-keratinocyte epithelial cell produced by the methods of the present invention. Further, uses of the disclosed method includes detection methods, methods for screening anti-papillomavirus drugs, methods of making recombinant papillomavirus for vaccines and studying the life cycle. Additionally, a method of reducing and assessing the risk of spontaneous abortion is disclosed.

The present invention relates to an improved method of producing infectious papillomavirus in vitro, with a method comprising (a) introducing papillomavirus or papillomavirus DNA or portions thereof necessary for replication, into an epithelial cell; and (b) providing conditions that produce papillomavirus, wherein the conditions comprise not contacting the epithelial cell a fibroblast or an organotypic raft culture or dermal equivalent.
In earlier studies it was found that HPV infection is three fold more prevalent in spontaneous aborted products of conception compared to elective abortions (60% vs 20%), and that the HPVs were preferentially infecting the trophoblasts within the placenta (1,2). Other studies are supportive of our findings (3-5), that HPVs are present in spontaneous abortions or in trophoblasts. Malhomme et al. (1997)(3) have found that 70% of spontaneous abortion specimens contain HPV by PCR analysis. In addition, Sikstrom et al. (1995) found that women with a history of HPV infection had a higher risk of spontaneous abortion (odds ratio of 3) (6). Pao et al. (1995) found that HPV-18 was present in 50% of choriocarcinomas (malignant trophoblasts) and in some placentas (7). Also related to this issue, HPV DNA has been detected by PCR amplification of DNA from cells taken from amniotic fluids of pregnant women with evidence of HPV genital infection (60% HPV positive), indicating that HPV has the capacity to cross the placental barrier when already present in the cervix (8). In the same report the investigators were unable to detect HPV DNA sequences in amniotic fluid cells from women with no cervical HPV infection.
Trophoblasts are the cells of the placenta that are in direct contact with the maternal tissues. These cells are critical for anchoring the placenta to the maternal tissues. It is also through the trophoblasts that all nutrient exchange and waste exchange takes place. Thus, the disruption of the trophoblastic layer, by HPV or any other infectious or chemical agent, could likely result in abnormal plantation and subsequent expulsion of the gestation (5,9).
The present invention demonstrates that HPV-16 is fully active in trophoblasts. HPVs are already well known to be pathogenic viruses, and are the largest risk factor in the development of cervical cancer (18). Thus, trophoblasts become the second host cell type, in addition to the well studied replication of HPVs in differentiating keratinocytes. These data also support the hypothesis that HPV infection of trophoblasts may be linked to some spontaneous abortions. The search for factors that may be implicated in spontaneous abortion has led to the examination of numerous factors, including maternal age, environmental exposures, tobacco use, and nutritional factors (19-29). However, the studies exploring these relationships have been inconsistent in their findings. For every study supporting an association with spontaneous abortions, there is another study that does not support a relationship. The only uncontested factor thus far is maternal age. If the link between HPV infection and gestational loss can be further substantiated then specific treatment protocols might be developed. Finally, these data represent a technological advance in the ease of studying or generating HPVs, over the tedious and expensive organotypic raft culture system as described in (15) and in U.S. Pat. No. 5,994,115.
The present invention is directed to an improved method of producing infectious papillomavirus in vitro, with a method comprising (a) introducing papillomavirus or papillomavirus DNA or portions thereof necessary for replication, into an epithelial cell; and (b) providing conditions that produce papillomavirus, wherein the conditions comprise not contacting the epithelial cell a fibroblast.
Further, the present invention is directed to a method of producing infectious papillomavirus in vitro, comprises (a) introducing papillomavirus or papillomavirus DNA or portions thereof necessary for replication, into an epithelial cell; and (b) providing conditions that produce infectious papillomavirus, wherein the conditions comprise the epithelial cell not contacting an organotypic raft culture or a dermal equivalent.
Additionally, the present invention also is directed to a papillomavirus infected non-keratinocyte epithelial cell produced by the method comprising (a) introducing papillomavirus or papillomavirus DNA or portions thereof necessary for replication, into an epithelial cell; and (b) providing conditions that produce papillomavirus, wherein the conditions comprise not contacting the epithelial cell a fibroblast.
The present invention is further directed to a method of detecting the presence of papillomavirus in a subject comprising: (a) introducing papillomavirus or papillomavirus DNA or portions thereof necessary for replication, into an epithelial cell; (b) providing conditions that produce infectious papillomavirus in the epithelial cell, where the conditions comprise the epithelial cell not contacting a fibroblast; and (c) detecting the presence of papillomavirus in the epithelial cell.
The present invention further is directed to a method of evaluating the inhibition of a papillomavirus comprising (a) introducing papillomavirus or papillomavirus DNA or portions thereof necessary for replication, into an epithelial cell; (b) providing conditions that produce infectious papillomavirus in the epithelial cell, wherein the conditions comprise the epithelial cell not contacting a fibroblast; (c) contacting a potential inhibitor of papillomavirus with the infectious papillomavirus produced in the epithelial cells; and (d) evaluating the presence or absence of the papillomavirus to determine the effectiveness of potential inhibitors.
The present invention also is directed to a method of producing a mutant or recombinant papillomavirus, wherein the method comprises: (a) introducing mutant or recombinant papillomavirus DNA or portions thereof necessary for replication, into an epithelial cell; and (b) providing conditions that produce infectious mutant or recombinant papillomavirus in the epithelial cell, wherein the conditions comprise epithelial cell not contacting a fibroblast.
The present invention further is directed to a method of producing a non-keratinocyte epithelial helper cell for production of mutant or recombinant papillomavirus comprising: (a) introducing papillomavirus DNA or portions thereof, into a non-keratinocyte epithelial cell, wherein the DNA or portions thereof, supplements the replication of the mutant or recombinant papillomavirus; and (b) providing conditions that produce said non-keratinocyte epithelial helper cell containing said papillomavirus DNA or portions thereof, that supplements the replication of the mutant or recombinant papillomavirus, wherein the conditions comprise the epithelial cell not contacting a fibroblast.
A method of reducing the risk of spontaneous abortion caused by papillomavirus comprising administering to a subject at risk of spontaneous abortion a drug that inhibits papaillomavirus.

Method of producing infectious papillomavirus in placental cells


A tool for use in initiating a hydraulic fracture in a bore hole comprises an elongate cylindrical bore hole packer structure (11) having an inner longitudinal passage (12), a mid-portion (13) provided with ports (14) extending outwardly from passage (12) to the exterior periphery of the packer structure (11) and expandable circumferential well portions (15A) surrounding the inner longitudinal passage (12) to each side of the mid-portion (13). In use of the tool the circumferential wall portions (15A) can be expanded by injection of hydraulic fracturing fluid into passage 12) and exit of the injected fluid through the ports (14) to produce a pressure difference between the inside of the packer structure and the outside of the packer structure as the fluid passes through the ports (14) such that the hydraulic fluid exiting the packer structure can initiate a fracture. The packer structure (11) is disposed between a pair of tool end pieces (16) one of which provides a fluid inlet for injection of hydraulic fluid into one end of passage (12) and the other of which closes the other end of passage (12) against outflow of hydraulic fluid therefrom.

Caving is a mining technique in which an ore body or rock mass is undercut under a sufficient area that material caves into the undercut area from which it can be progressively withdrawn, for example, through drawbells into extraction tunnels beneath the undercut. The rate at which caving action progresses is dependent on the rate at which the broken material is extracted.
In ore bodies that are marginally caveable it is possible that instead of continuously caving a stable arch can form if the rock mass is strong enough and it then becomes difficult to promote further caving. U.S. Pat. No. 6,123,394 discloses a method for overcoming problems associated with caving stronger rock by utilising the technique of hydraulic fracturing. By that technique an ore body can be conditioned to promote caving by drilling bore holes into the ore body and initiating fractures at locations within the bore holes by the installation of inflatable packers and pumping hydraulic fluid into spaces between the packers. The ore body may be hydraulically fractured before caving is initiated or after caving has been initiated if necessary to maintain or promote further caving.
Various inflatable straddle tools have been developed for placement within bore holes to initiate hydraulic fracturing. These tools generally have separate spaced packers held apart by rigid steel straddles with hydraulic fluid passages for the supply of hydraulic fracturing fluid to firstly inflate the two separate packers and then to direct fluid to the space between the packers to initiate hydraulic fracturing. Some tools have valving to control and divert the flow of hydraulic fluid between the packers and the space for fracturing. Alternatively, some tools have an external inflation line that is used to inflate the packers separately from the injection fluid. The present invention enables construction of a tool which is of simpler construction and which can be more rapidly deployed and retrieved than conventional straddle packet tools. The invention may also enable initiation of fractures at closer spacing along a bore hole than is possible with conventional straddle packer tools.

Tool and method for initiating hydraulic fracturing

COMMONWEALTH SCIENTIFIC AND INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH ORGANISATION


A system and method are disclosed for reliable communications in a packet network. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a network management system (NMS) having a controller programmed to establish between first and second customer edge (CE) routers in a full mesh packet network first and second logical data tunnels conforming to an isolation protocol, synchronize packet data in the first and second logical data tunnels, enable packet data exchanges between the first and second CE routers over the first logical data tunnel, direct the first and second CE routers to duplicate the packet data exchanged between them over the second logical data tunnel, and direct the first and second CE routers to synchronously switch to the second logical data tunnel upon detecting a fault in the first logical data tunnel.

Consumers such as law enforcement agencies, banks, financial institutions and so on in some applications require reliable communications with preferably no interruptions or minimal loss of data transport. Much of the communications infrastructure used by these consumers is based on an Internet architecture which generally does not support the aforementioned reliability demands.
A need therefore arises for a method and apparatus for reliable communications in a packet network.

Method and apparatus for reliable communications in a packet network


An occlusive peristaltic pump type fluid pump that includes a pump rotor rotatable in the fluid pump. The fluid pump includes a base, a first cover element fastened to an upper side of the base and a second cover element fastened to a lower side of the base, and at least one pressure element accommodated in the base and including a pressure member for occluding a fluid-guiding hollow conductor portion against a rounded bearing surface on a housing portion of the fluid pump. The at least one pressure element is linearly guided in the effective direction of an occlusion force by the first cover element and the second cover element.

The function of a peristaltic pump is generally based on pressure and relief which alternately act on a hollow conductor such as a tube or a pipe.
At least one rotating element, for example in the form of a shoe or a roller, cyclically runs along a predetermined section of the hollow conductor while exerting pressure on the hollow conductor so that the degree of opening thereof is decreased and a sealing effect is generated between the suction side and discharge side of the pump. Without the action of pressure, i.e. after the rotating element has passed the predetermined section of the hollow conductor, the hollow conductor returns to its original state and a vacuum is formed which sucks content provided in the hollow conductor into the hollow conductor and draws a substance to be pumped into the pump. Frequently, for this purpose rotating elements are arranged to be offset against each other and to be revolving for a low-pulsation volume flow and lower mechanical load of the hollow conductor.
Known occlusive peristaltic pumps are those, for example, in which at least one roller is loaded with force by a spring attached to a rocker. The rocker is attached to a base with an additional bolt and is movably arranged as a lever. The bearing of the roller is located within the rocker. The spring is located level with the roller or further behind the roller. Force is transmitted by form closure or force closure, wherein the force transmission may start without changing the grip and, respectively, automatic alignment may take place upon the start of force transmission. Bayonet locks without self-centering including a separate flap or including a non-suspended cap may be provided.
It is especially a drawback of the known arrangements that the roller for occluding the tube is loaded with spring force via an articulated rocker as a lever, wherefrom an increased number of parts required, a higher machining expenditure and increased assembly costs are resulting.


A drive circuit 270 having a differential amplifier 271, a current controller 272 formed from an n-channel MOSFET, and a drive ability control circuit sets its output drive ability in a high state only in a signal read, and otherwise sets the output drive ability in a low state to reduce power consumption. Thus, a solid-state image sensing device which can perform a high-speed read while ensuring low power consumption and wide dynamic range can be implemented. As the drive ability control circuit, for example, a current source 273 formed from an n-channel MOSFET and voltage switching by a drive change-over switch 274 can be used.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a solid-state image sensing device for sensing an input one- or two-dimensional optical image.
2. Related Background Art
Image sensing devices using solid-state image sensing elements represented by a charge-coupled device (CCD) are used in various fields including home video cameras. However, when a CCD is used as an image sensing element having a relatively large light-receiving area, charges cannot be sufficiently transferred because of the low charge transfer efficiency of the CCD. Hence, of solid-state image sensing devices, MOS image sensors are used in specific fields because they have no problem of charge transfer efficiency.
A MOS image sensor for sensing a one- or two-dimensional optical image conventionally employs a scheme in which one discrete amplifier is arranged for a one- or two-dimensional photodiode array, and a photodetection signal from each photodiode is amplified and then extracted. In recent years, there is proposed an optical sensor device which maintains a linear photoelectric conversion characteristic even in an area with a small light amount in a short read time while exploiting the advantages of the MOS image sensor.
In this device, the output from a photodiode is read through a charge amplification circuit and source follower circuit (xe2x80x9cJapanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-215602 (prior art 1)xe2x80x9d, and xe2x80x9cJ. C. Stanton, IEEE Transactions on Nuclear Science, Vol. 36, No 1, February 1989, pp. 522-527 (prior art 2)xe2x80x9d.
FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram of a device disclosed in prior art 1. A device disclosed in prior art 2 also substantially has the same circuit arrangement as that of prior art 1. As shown in FIG. 4, the device comprises (a) sensors 9301 to 930N each having a photodiode 910 and charge amplification circuit 920 for receiving a photodetection signal output from the photodiode 910 and integrating charges, and (b) a buffer circuit 970 having a clamp circuit 950 for receiving a signal output from a sensor 930i alternatively selected by a scanning circuit 940 and clamping the signal and a source follower circuit 960 for receiving the signal output from the clamp circuit 950 and generating a source follower output.
In this device, the charge amplification circuit 920 receives a current signal by charges generated in accordance with light incidence on the photodiode 910 and integrates the charges. An integration signal as a signal output from the sensor 930i alternatively selected in accordance with a scanning instruction signal output from the scanning circuit 940 is sequentially obtained through the clamp circuit 950 and then through the source follower circuit 960.
In the above optical sensor device, when a two-dimensional image sensor or an image sensor having a one-dimensional array of photodiodes each paired with a signal processing circuit is formed, the following problems are posed.
(1) Problem of Linearity
In the device shown in FIG. 4, by the source follower circuit 960 of the MOSFET, the charge integration result output from the charge amplification circuit 920 is input from the gate of the MOSFET and output to an external circuit from the source of the MOSFET. Hence, letting VG be the gate potential, and VS be the source potential,
VS=VGxe2x88x92Vthxe2x88x92(2I/Kp)1/2xe2x80x83xe2x80x83(1)
holds, where
Vth: threshold voltage of the MOSFET
I: drain current of the MOSFET
Kp: Constant based on manufacturing parameters and size of the MOSFET
The value Vth varies depending on the source potential VS. Hence,
Vth=Vth0+xcex3((VS+Vb)1/2xe2x88x92Vb1/2)xe2x80x83xe2x80x83(2)
where
Vth0: threshold voltage unique to the MOSFET
xcex3: substrate constant unique to the MOSFET
Vb: base potential of the MOSFET
The base potential Vb is generally fixed to a predetermined potential by, e.g., grounding it for an NMOS.
As is apparent from equations (1) and (2), it is difficult to maintain a linear relationship between the gate potential VG, i.e., integration result signal and the source potential VS, i.e., output signal.
To prevent this, when interconnection is done such that the well potential of the MOSFET becomes the source potential VS, the parasitic capacitance largely increases due to the well, resulting in difficulty in high-speed operation.
(2) Problem of Operation Speed
In the device shown in FIG. 4, when the sensor 930i is selected by the scanning circuit 940, the parasitic capacitance of the source terminal is immediately charged up to obtain the source potential VS shown in equation (1). To increase the charge-up speed of the parasitic capacitance of the source terminal for a high-speed operation, the value of steady-state current flowing to the source follower circuit must be increased.
However, when the value of steady-state current is increased, the voltage value between the gate and the source in the source follower circuit increases. As a result, the dynamic range of the output signal voltage narrows.
If the MOSFET size is increased to solve the above problem, the parasitic capacitance also increases, resulting in difficulty in high-speed operation.
That is, the device shown in FIG. 4 cannot simultaneously realize high-speed operation and ensure the dynamic range of the output. This problem especially becomes serious when the constituent elements are integrated as an array.
The present invention has been made in consideration of the above situation, and has as its object to provide a solid-state image sensing device which enables high-speed operation while sufficiently ensuring the dynamic range of the output signal and reduces power consumption even when the elements are integrated.
In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, there is provided a solid-state image sensing device for sensing an input optical image, characterized by comprising (1) a light-receiving section in which the first number of light-receiving elements are arrayed along a first direction, each light-receiving element including a photoelectric conversion element for converting an input optical signal into a current signal and a switch element having a first terminal connected to a signal output terminal of the photoelectric conversion element and a second terminal for outputting the current signal generated by the photoelectric conversion element in accordance with a vertical scanning signal, and the second number of vertical light-receiving sections each having a signal output terminal electrically connected to the second terminals of the switch elements of the respective light-receiving elements are arrayed along a second direction, (2) the second number of integration circuits each for individually receiving an output from a corresponding one of the vertical light-receiving sections and performing an integration or non-integration operation of the current signal output from the vertical light-receiving section in a first capacitive element connected between an input and output terminals in accordance with a reset instruction signal, (3) the second number of sample-and-hold circuits each for receiving the signal output from a corresponding one of the integration circuits and performing a charge sample operation or charge hold operation for a second capacitive element in accordance with a sample instruction signal, (4) the second number of drive circuits each for receiving the signal output from a corresponding one of the sample-and-hold circuits and controlling an output drive ability in accordance with a horizontal scanning signal, (5) the second number of horizontal read circuits each for receiving the signal output from a corresponding one of the drive circuits and selectively outputting the signal in accordance with the horizontal scanning signal, and (6) a timing control section for issuing the vertical scanning signal, reset instruction signal, sample instruction signal, and horizontal scanning signal, wherein (7) the drive circuit comprises a differential amplifier, a current controller formed from a MOSFET to control a current from a constant voltage terminal, and a drive ability control circuit, the differential amplifier is arranged while having a positive input terminal connected to an output from the sample-and-hold circuit and a negative input terminal connected to an input to the horizontal read circuit, the current controller is arranged between the constant voltage terminal and the negative input terminal of the differential amplifier while having a gate terminal connected to an output terminal of the differential amplifier, the drive ability control circuit is connected to the negative input terminal of the differential amplifier, and when the horizontal scanning signal is insignificant to disable output, the output drive ability of the drive circuit is set in a low state through the drive ability control circuit, and when the horizontal scanning signal is significant to enable output, the output drive ability is set in a high state through the drive ability control circuit.
In such a solid-state image sensing device, first a current signal is output from the first light-receiving element of each vertical light-receiving section for which output is instructed by the vertical scanning signal. More specifically, after the reset instruction signal is temporarily set in the significant state, a vertical scanning signal for turning on only the switch element of the first light-receiving element in vertical scanning of each vertical light-receiving section is output. When the switch element is turned on, charges stored in the photoelectric conversion element by light reception so far are output from the light-receiving section as a current signal. The charges are instantaneously stored in the feedback capacitance by the integration circuit and output as a voltage. The signal output from the integration circuit is input to the sample-and-hold circuit.
The sample-and-hold circuit stores a charge amount corresponding to the charge amount stored in the photoelectric conversion element in accordance with the sample instruction signal, and outputs the charges to the drive circuit. Almost at the end of sampling operation, the vertical scanning signal is set not to select any light-receiving element.
Next, the horizontal scanning signal is set to sequentially alternatively select the horizontal read circuit and instruct the drive circuit corresponding to the vertical light-receiving section as a read target to switch to the high output drive ability state, and a detection signal corresponding to the first light-receiving element of each vertical light-receiving section is sequentially read.
In this way, the start of signal read and switching of the output drive ability are synchronized by the horizontal scanning signal. Hence, when no read is performed, the output drive ability is set to be low such that the solid-state image sensing device operates at low power consumption. When a read is to be performed, the output drive ability is set to be high to increase power consumption, thereby realizing a high-speed signal read. Hence, a solid-state image sensing device capable of a high-speed read operation and having low power consumption can be obtained.
Especially, when the current controller formed from a MOSFET for switching the drive ability and a drive ability control circuit are set independently of the differential amplifier and used to switch the output drive ability, a solid-state image sensing device which sufficiently ensures a dynamic range while maintaining the linearity of the output signal and can perform a high-speed operation can be obtained.
The reset instruction signal is set in the significant state until the signal read corresponding to the first light-receiving element of each vertical light-receiving section is ended after the completion of the sampling operation.
When the signal read for the first light-receiving element of each vertical light-receiving section is ended, the horizontal scanning signal is set not to output a signal corresponding to any vertical light-receiving section, the reset instruction signal is set in the insignificant state, and then, operation for the second light-receiving element of each vertical light-receiving section is started. By the same operation as described above, signals from the light-receiving elements of each vertical light-receiving section are sequentially read, thereby collecting signal data from all the light-receiving elements.
The present invention will be more fully understood from the detailed description given hereinbelow and the accompanying drawings, which are given by way of illustration only and are not to be considered as limiting the present invention.
Further scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.


A bed exit and patient detection system especially adapted for use in the general medical or surgical floor area of a hospital or other healthcare facility as part of a vital signs monitoring and remote warning system includes a plurality of pressure sensors disposed in the patient's bed in a series of rectangular strips or zones that run laterally across the bed in the area of the patient's mid-back, hips and mid-legs, respectively. Each zone contains a plurality of sensors, arranged symmetrically about the centerline of the bed, with the corresponding sensors on opposite sides of the centerline in each zone being connected in parallel. The sensors are connected to a processor with multiple input channels that continuously monitors the sensor states to determine, from the pattern of sensor states observed, whether the patient is in bed, out of bed or is actively attempting to exit the bed at the sides or foot of the bed. At least three different sets of bed exit logic rules are available for user selection to configure the system for high, medium or low sensitivity, or bed exit privileges, for any particular patient. In some embodiments, the system also is capable of detecting when a patient is attempting to assume certain prohibited in-bed positions, such as sitting positions or slumping positions. An alarm in the form of a pre-recorded voice announcement or an alarm over a pre-existing nurse call system is provided when the sensor states are indicative of an out-of-bed or an exiting bed condition, or other prohibited in-bed positions, for a predetermined minimum period of time.

The present invention relates generally to medical monitoring systems, and more particularly has reference to a new and improved system and method for providing an accurate and reliable indication of whether a patient in a hospital, nursing home, assisted living facility or other healthcare facility, is in bed, out of bed, or is actively attempting to exit the bed.
Monitoring patients is an important aspect of patient care in many different settings. In a general medical or surgical ward or floor of a hospital, for example, monitoring vital signs such as heart rate and respiratory rate is a basic component of patient care. Monitoring the presence or absence of a patient in his or her bed also may be beneficial in a general medical or surgical ward or other area of a hospital or healthcare facility. If certain patients leave their beds, they run a risk of falling and injuring themselves, or of becoming detached from important treatment apparatus such as IV lines, drainage tubes and like. Confused patients (e.g., those suffering from some form of mental disability), might become lost or wander off from the healthcare facility.
Current systems for patient monitoring used in most hospitals generally do not provide for constant, around-the-clock monitoring. Instead, on a general medical or surgical ward of a hospital, for example, monitoring typically consists of a team of nurses circulating from patient to patient, at three- or four-hour intervals, to take vital signs. In some hospitals, this monitoring may be augmented by one or more devices, such as a bedside pulse-oximeter, which monitors pulse and oxygen saturation via a small clamp-like device attached to a patient's finger. The method for determining whether a patient on bed restrictions actually remains in bed, often involves direct observation by a nurse or other caregiver.
Recently, some efforts have been made to develop a system for accurately measuring basic physiological parameters, such as heart rate and respiratory rate continuously, without the use of electrodes, leads or other devices that require direct attachment to the patient's body. The system is designed to utilize a signal processor with data collection sensors disposed invisibly in the patient's bed that produce an electrical signal in response to physiological patient stimuli as the patient lies in bed on the sensor device. Upon detecting a change signifying a deterioration in the patient's condition, the system is designed to notify and report the event to the care staff utilizing the hospital's existing nurse call system.
Bed exit systems of various kinds are known. Historically, physical restraints (such as vests, ankle or wrist restraints) were used to try to keep patients safe in healthcare facilities. In recent years, however, the healthcare community has come to recognize that physically restraining a patient can be dangerous. Bed rails are sometimes used as restraints, but these too have proven to be a safety concern. Additionally, some hospitals incur considerable expense to employ bed-sitters to watch patients, primarily to guard against unauthorized exiting the bed.
More recently, alarm-based systems of two types have been developed. There are bed-based systems designed to be attached to a bed or selectively deployed near a patient's bed as needed. There also are patient-applied systems, such as clips or RF sensors (bracelets) designed to be worn by the patient.
The bed-based alarm systems generally include integrated position sensor systems that are designed to be built into the bed structure in a permanent fashion. These systems are intended to be dedicated devices that generally rely on the use of advanced technology, such as load cells, capacitive sensors or resistive sensors, to sense a patient's weight and position on the bed. They tend to be costly and difficult to install and cannot be separated from the bed once they have been installed.
Pressure sensitive pad systems, on the other hand, are generally stand-alone devices intended to be selectively deployed, which require the use of obtrusive and cumbersome pads designed to be placed over a mattress, under the mattress, or on the floor near the patient's bed. Typically, these pad-type sensors are relatively small in size and provide only localized detection (e.g., one or two detection zones in the hip and occasionally shoulder areas). Typically, they are not designed for use with smaller or lighter patients or with in-bed vital signs monitoring systems.
Many of the existing pressure sensitive pad systems also are prone to false positives, i.e., the patient is in bed, but is sensed as being out of bed, resulting in unnecessary nuisance alarms that care staff must respond to. This deficiency often is due to the use of latching alarms, insufficient sensor size, insufficient sensitivity, impacts of the mattress and/or bedding, and the lack of a delay before actuating the alarm. Pad placement also tends to be critical with many of these designs, and many false alarms are caused by improper pad placement. Another drawback is the frequent occurrence of false negatives, i.e., the patient is out of bed, but is sensed as being in bed. This is a potential safety concern for a hospital patient on bed exit restrictions, as the patient may have fallen or be at risk for falling while no alert to care staff has been generated.
A need exists for an improved bed exit detection system that is more reliable than current pad systems and easier to use, but is more adaptable and less costly and complex than current integrated systems. Ideally, such a system would be capable of being retrofit to an existing hospital bed in a way that would be virtually invisible to the patient and staff. In order to enhance the work flow of nurses and other caregivers in a hospital or other healthcare facility, the system should alert reliably and accurately, and should be able to accurately detect virtually all in-bed conditions regardless of patient size, position or location in the bed (i.e., not be prone to false negatives). The system should be capable of alerting hospital staff not only when patients are out of bed when they have orders to stay in bed, but for some patients (such as slow moving patients, for example), of providing a warning before the patient actually exits the bed.
However, the general medical or surgical floor area of a hospital is a particularly challenging environment for a bed exit detection system. A system designed for use in such an environment needs to accommodate different kinds of beds, including flat beds and articulated beds (i.e., beds with articulated frame sections which can be angled upwardly in order to position the upper torso and head of the patient or the patient's feet, in a more upright fashion), and beds with full-length rails or half-length rails (i.e., rails that extend only along the upper torso portions of the bed), each of which presents possibly different bed exit scenarios. Most hospital beds in use today include some form of articulation and some form of a half-rail configuration, either a single half-rail in the torso area or split rails, i.e., two half-rails side-by-side, one in the torso area and another in the leg area, with a gap in between.
There are further factors as well which make the hospital a challenging environment for bed exit detection. Compatibility is necessary with a large variety of hospital beds and mattresses of differing size, weight and structure (e.g., a powered, fluid-filled mattress has different characteristics than a passive foam mattress). Hospital patients also come in a wide variety of sizes and weights, and while the majority of patients are supine with elevated head of bed, they may assume a variety of different positions on the bed, including side, prone or sitting positions, with the bed flat, or with the head or feet elevated. Additionally, hospital patients often sit up and eat in bed. Visitors in the patient's room provide another source of potential complications, since they might touch, lean on, or sit on the patient's bed, providing false indications. Hospital staff also tend to move or adjust the patient in the course of treatment. The presence of various kinds of bedding (such as pillows or support cushions), hospital equipment or other apparatus in the vicinity of a patient's bed also creates the risk of a foreign object on the bed that may potentially provide a false indication that a patient is present in the bed. Additionally, since hospital patients are in bed a high percentage of the time, wear and tear issues also can be a significant challenge.
Further challenges include the need for both remote and local alarms to alert the patient and care staff of possible bed exit conditions, and the need for a system which is comfortable to the patient and does not create a pressure distribution on the bed which could compromise skin integrity or the patient's health. Further, the system must be reliable, because there often is a minimal tolerance of false alarm by care staff, and should be flexible enough to accommodate the differing needs of different patients.
A bed exit system intended for use in the general medical or surgical floor area of a hospital or other institution also should be compatible with a remote in-bed vital signs monitoring system. Proper selection and relative placement of the different kinds of sensors used for vital signs and bed exit detection, respectively, thus becomes an important consideration. Ideally, means should be provided to maintain the integrity of those sensor placements, while allowing for easy adaptability to a variety of beds and bed configurations.
Thus, a need exists for a bed exit detection system suitable for use in the general medical or surgical floor areas of a hospital or other healthcare facility, which is compatible with a remote vital signs monitoring system, can be easily adapted to a variety of different kinds of beds, and which is sufficiently reliable both for in-bed and out-of-bed detection over the full range of patient positions and bed exit maneuvers commonly encountered in a hospital environment, so as to improve patient safety and care, free-up nursing staff for other important tasks, and improve overall clinical operations in the institution, all at a reasonable cost.
The present invention fulfills these and other needs.


A method for fabricating a cathode plate of a field emission display is disclosed. A patterned electrode layer is formed on a surface of the substrate, and emitters for absorbing a light source are formed on the patterned electrode layer. Next, a dielectric layer is formed over the substrate, and a patterned gate layer is formed on the dielectric layer. Thereafter, a backside exposure process is carried out using the emitters as a mask, and portions of the dielectric layer not masked by the emitters react with a light used in the backside exposure process. Next, portions of the dielectric layer not exposed to the light and portions of the gate layer are removed to form via holes and gate holes.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a display and a cathode plate thereof and a method for fabricating the same, and more particularly to a field emission display and a cathode plate thereof and a method for fabricating the same.
2. Description of Related Art
The field emission display has the advantages of light weight, low electric power consumption, no parallex etc.; therefore, currently it has become a widely researched topic. In the field emission display, the distance between the emitter and the gate, and the alignment of the emitters with via holes and gate holes are important factors for the field emission current uniformity of the field emission element pixels. In the prior process, the structure alignment is achieved through photolithography processes step-by step. The deviation will finally be significantly large, because of the alignment error and the deforming affect due to high temperature sintering, such that the via hole and the gate hole cannot be aligned with the emitter, and thereby the field emission uniformity of the element is affected.

Field emission display device and cathode plate thereof

Industrial Technology Research Institute


In a computer system having a hierarchical file structure, a file system is provided which permits users of the system to share a file hierarchy and also have a private hierarchy in which files are automatically copied to as they are modified. Through the system of the present invention, a directory appears to the user as a single directory but may actually comprise files originating from a number of directories which are connected to one another through search links. Each directory has a search link associated with it which contains the path name of the back layer or directory behind it. The first layer seen through the system of the present invention is the front layer, private to the user. The back layers behind the front layer and connected to the front layer through the search links are shared layers accessible to multiple users. Thus transparent to the user of the directory accessible comprises multiple layers comprising shared and private files. The system further provides a copy-on-write feature which protects the integrity of the shared files by automatically copying a shared file into the users private layer when the user attempts to modify a shared file in a back layer.

1. Field of the Invention:
The field of the Invention is computer systems utilizing hierarchical file structures, such as the hierarchical file structure used in the UNIX operating system environment.
2. Art Background:
Computer systems available today range in cost and sophistication from low cost micro-processor personal computers to sophisticated, high cost mainframe computers. However, the computer systems can be said to include the same basic components: at least one central processing unit (CPU) which controls the performance of computer operations, input/output units which control the input and output of information within and out of the computer system, and memory or storage space which stores information used by the CPU to perform computer operations.
The CPU is controlled by the operating system which dictates how certain computer operations are to be performed. One portion of the operating system is the file system module which determines and controls the file structure in the computer system.
One type of file structure in use is referred to as a hierarchical file structure. In a hierarchical file structure files are organized into a tree structure commencing with a single root node often referred to as the "root". One or more nodes may then be connected to the root and one or more nodes may be connected to each node. Every non-leaf node of the file system structure, that is a node which has another node connected to it, is a directory of files; and the files at the leaf nodes of the tree are either directories, regular files, or a special type of file such as a device file.
In a particular hierarchical file system, the name of this file is the path name that describes how to locate the file in the system hierarchy. A path name is a sequence of component names separated by the "/" character. A full path name starts with a "/" character which specifies that a file is found by starting at the file system root and traversing the file tree, following the branches that lead to successive paths. For example, the path name /usr/src/cmd/two.c follows a path such as that shown within the box in FIG. 1 and designates the two.c file labeled 5 in the tree shown.
In the software development environment, numerous computer programmers may be working concurrently on a single program or a group of programs which are interrelated and operate together. It is quite desirable that the work be done simultaneously so that it may be completed in the shortest amount of time. Typically, each software programmer makes a copy of those files in the portion of the file structure he is working in and works on those particular copies to achieve his goal. Thus, if a product consists of twenty programs, each programmer may have a copy of those twenty programs in his user area.
The problem with this arrangement is that each programmer must usually work with a large number of files in order to work on a single file. Consequently, multiple copies of these files exist in numerous places on the system, requiring a large amount of disk memory space and adding to the complexity of the arrangement and the identification of the files. Furthermore, it is quite easy to lose track of or confuse older versions of programs with the current versions of programs. For example, programmer one may be working on certain portions of a program that has a revision date of may, and programmer two may be working on a program that has a revision date of June. Thus the changes made by either programmer are contained in different versions; and, in order to incorporate the new software developed by the programmers, the code must be incorporated into the latest version of the code, a repetitive and cumbersome task.

Method and apparatus for translucent file system


A remote operation system remotely controls a vehicle. The system may include a RF receiver and a remote interface device. The RF receiver resides in the vehicle and receives RF commands via a RF communication link. The remote interface device may be packaged in a housing and installed in the vehicle. The remote interface device includes a cellular transceiver, a RF transmitter, and a controller. The cellular transceiver may receive a given command via a cellular communication link. The controller may retrieve the given command from the cellular transceiver, and translate the given command to a RF command. The controller may transmit the RF command to the RF receiver by way of the RF transmitter.

Numerous car remote starters are available in automotive markets. There are more than 40 brands and 250 products available in the US market. The price can vary in range from $100 to $1000, based on the brand and the features chosen. Most of these products work over infrared signal and other types of short-range communications, which in most cases does not satisfy the customer needs nor cope with the revolution of long-distance communications.
On the other hand, remote starters with satellite capabilities cost a lot of money to own and install. On average, a user would pay around $500 to get a basic remote starter installed, and a monthly subscription payment to maintain the satellite service.
Therefore, it is desirable to develop a universal cellular-based device for implementing a vehicle remote starter and alarm system.
This section provides background information related to the present disclosure which is not necessarily prior art.

Remote interface device for vehicular remote control

The Regents Of The University Of Michigan


A system and method for detecting a man overboard incident on structures such as cruise vessels and oil rigs. The system includes at least two opposed imaging devices which record video streams of a detection cuboid within an overlapping region of view volumes for the imaging devices. The imaging devices are located at the lowest deck of the structure and monitor a fall that passes through the cuboid. Identified objects within the video streams are paired, their conformance is determined, and real world information such as size, trajectory, and location is determined.

"Man overboards"—the event of a person falling from some height into the water, are serious concerns. There are many elements which make man overboard events dangerous. They often occur under adverse conditions, such as at night or in high seas. If the air or water temperature is cold, a more than temporary exposure can lead to hypothermia and death. If the fall is from a great height, such as the top of a cruise vessel or oil platform, the fall can injure, knock unconscious, or even kill the fall victim. For reasons such as these, hobbyist, commercial, and military vessels all have protocols for rescuing people who have fallen into the water. However, given the conditions in which a man overboard event happens, protocols are no substitute for immediate detection and speed of recovery.
The incidence of man overboard events on ocean-going passenger cruise vessels has been of such increasing concern recently that it led to a Congressional mandate. In 2010, Congress passed the Cruise Vessel Safety and Security Act ("CVSSA") to address the issue of properly detecting persons who fall overboard. The CVSSA requires that "the vessel shall integrate technology that can be used for capturing images of passengers or detecting passengers who have fallen overboard, to the extent that such technology is available."
Such technology is virtually non-existent, and where extant, is crude at best. Man overboard detection systems are confronted with the formidable challenges of being automatic or semi-automatic, performing in and out of daylight, and operating with high levels of certainty and extremely low false alarm rates at all times and in all waters. Moreover, they must perform under adverse weather conditions and cope with at least moderate vessel movement such as pitching and listing. An improved system and method for detecting man overboard incidents is needed.

System and method for man overboard incident detection


A backpack work machine is provided and may include a backpack frame, a motor mounted on the backpack frame, a driven device driven by the motor, and an arm provided at a lower portion of the backpack frame. The arm is rotatable around an axis line that extends in a left-right direction of the backpack frame and has in a fore end portion thereof a throttle lever regulating output of the motor. The backpack frame also has in the lower portion thereof a support axis having an axis line, and the arm is supported by the support axis so as to be rotatable around the axis line of the support axis within a rotation range that extends between an up-down direction of the backpack frame and a front-rear direction of the backpack frame.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a backpack work machine that a worker carries on the back for use. Specifically, the present invention relates to a backpack work machine having a motor mounted on a backpack frame that a worker carries on the back and a throttle lever provided to a fore end portion of an arm provided to a lower portion of the backpack frame, the throttle lever regulating output of the motor.
2. Description of Related Art
Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. H10-299503 discloses a backpack blower having a blower unit that blows out air and is mounted on a backpack frame. In this backpack blower, the blower unit driven by an engine is mounted on the backpack frame that a worker carries on the back and air is discharged from a blower tube extending from a blowout duct of the blower unit. This backpack blower has an arm supported in a left side portion of the backpack frame, the arm being rotatable around a horizontal axis line of a left-right direction in a lower front portion. A throttle lever regulating output of the engine is provided to a fore end portion of the arm.
When using this backpack blower, a worker operates a grip handle of the blower tube with the right hand such that air discharged from a fore end opening of the blower tube is directed to fallen leaves scattered on the ground, and concurrently holds a grip in the fore end portion of the arm with the left hand and operates the throttle lever with the fingers so as to control an air volume discharged from the blower tube.
In the backpack blower of Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. H10-299503, the arm is supported in the lower front portion of the left side portion of the backpack frame so as to be rotatable around the horizontal axis line of the left-right direction. When using the backpack blower, the worker rotates the arm from a position extending perpendicularly upward to a position extending forward, and holds the grip in the fore end portion of the arm in front of himself/herself with the left hand and operates the throttle lever with the fingers. In a state, however, where the arm is positioned in front of the body, the worker must hold the arm while closing off the left side of the body, thus getting tired from holding the arm in some cases. With the grip in the fore end portion of the arm positioned outward from the body, the worker can hold the grip of the arm in a position comfortable for the left hand without closing off the left side of the body. To this end, a coil spring is provided between the grip in the fore end portion and a pipe member in a base end portion of the arm. A portion where the coil spring is provided is freely deformable in a direction orthogonal to a longitudinal direction. Bending the coil spring allows the grip of the arm to be positioned outward from the body to some extent. However, the coil spring cannot be bent sufficiently to allow the left hand to be in a comfortable position.
In addition, the throttle lever in the fore end portion of the arm is a projection smaller than the grip in the fore end portion, the projection being rotated around the horizontal axis line of the left-right direction. Thus, the throttle lever is difficult to rotate. Furthermore, in a state of holding the grip of the arm, the worker can operate the throttle lever only with the thumb of the left hand. Thus, the worker tends to feel tired in the thumb of the left hand when performing the same operation for a long time.


An object of the present invention is to provide a method for producing a stable isotope-labeled target peptide fragment in mass spectrometry, which achieves inexpensive and convenient production. As a solution to attain the object, the stable isotope-labeled target peptide fragment in mass spectrometry is produced using a method comprising the steps of: expressing a DNA conjugate in a system having a stable isotope-labeled amino acid to thereby prepare a stable isotope-labeled protein, wherein the DNA conjugate comprises: a tandemly linked DNA in which two or more DNAs encoding one or more types of target peptide fragments are linked in tandem; and a DNA encoding a peptide fragment for concentration measurement; subjecting the stable isotope-labeled protein to fragmentation treatment with trypsin to prepare a stable isotope-labeled peptide fragment for concentration measurement and stable isotope-labeled target peptide fragments; quantifying the stable isotope-labeled peptide fragment for concentration measurement using a liquid chromatograph-tandem mass spectrometer (LC/MS/MS); and calculating the concentration of the stable isotope-labeled target peptide fragment of each type from the quantification value of the stable isotope-labeled peptide fragment for concentration measurement.

With the recent progress of the human genome project, the pharmacogenomics, which involves individualizing drug susceptibility at the genetic level and applying the analysis results to pharmaceutical development, has been actively studied. Diagnosis capable of individualizing drug susceptibility enables so-called personalized therapy, which allows for appropriate medication at the early stage of treatment without carrying out medication by trial and error. Particularly, molecular target drugs with fewer adverse reactions compared with conventional anticancer agents have been actively developed in the field of cancer therapy and have also started to be used in clinical practice (see for example, patent document 1). The molecular target drugs are drugs that specifically act on targeted proteins. If protein expression levels in individual patients can be profiled to determine what target protein is highly expressed, appropriate personalized therapy may be planned and practiced.
Current testing methods mainly used in clinical practice, however, are intended for the detection of single proteins and cannot simultaneously detect a large number of different proteins. Most of these testing methods employ antibodies and therefore have difficulty in conducting specific quantification tests due to cross-reaction or the like (see for example, non-patent documents 1 and 2). In addition, different antibodies must be used on a protein basis and therefore require enormous labor and cost for detecting a large number of proteins. In order to solve such problems, microarray gene expression analysis methods have been developed recently and have led to the establishment of gene expression testing methods capable of quantifying the expression of various types of RNAs at once (see for example, non-patent documents 3 to 6). Many target proteins of the molecular target drugs, however, are membrane proteins expressed on cell membranes. Since membrane protein expression levels very poorly correlate with RNA expression levels, it is not considered that RNA expression profiles obtained by microarray analysis always agree with the protein expression profiles of patients. For these reasons, personalized therapy using molecular target drugs based on the results of microarray analysis is difficult to achieve. Thus, there is a strong demand for the establishment of a testing method capable of comprehensively quantifying actually expressed proteins.
In recent years, mass spectrometry has progressed drastically and has been applied to the detection or assay of various biological materials. Mass spectrometers (MS) having various functions have been developed so far, such as electrospray ionization mass spectrometers, liquid chromatograph-mass spectrometers (LC/MS) composed of a liquid chromatograph (LC) unit connected upstream of a mass spectrometer, tandem mass spectrometers (MS/MS) composed of two mass spectrometers connected in series, and liquid chromatograph-tandem mass spectrometers (LC/MS/MS) composed of a liquid chromatograph unit connected upstream of a tandem mass spectrometer. These apparatuses are widely used in the assay or quantification of biological materials (see for example, patent documents 2 to 4).
Mass spectrometry using stable isotope labels has been developed recently and used in the detection or assay of biological materials. This method involves quantifying proteins in a sample by mass spectrometry using stable isotope-labeled proteins. According to reports, this method has been used to quantify a diagnostic marker C-reactive protein (CRP) in the serum of rheumatism patients or β-amyloid in mammalian tissue samples and body fluids. In patent documents 5 to 7, the present inventors have modified such mass spectrometry and established a method for collectively determining the absolute expression levels of membrane proteins and metabolic enzymes using LC/MS/MS. This method employs, as internal standards, stable isotope-labeled target peptide fragments consisting of the same amino acid sequence as that of target peptide fragments contained in a target protein. As a result, the absolute amount of the target peptide fragments in a biological sample digested with trypsin can be quantified. This means that the expression level of the target protein can be determined. Unfortunately, the synthesis of stable isotope-labeled peptide fragments costs around 100,000 yen per type. Thus, cost reduction has been a challenge to the method.

Method for fabricating stable-isotope-labeled target peptide fragment in mass spectrometry


A technique for handling server session requests in a system having a plurality of servers is disclosed. In one embodiment, the technique includes receiving a request to create a session on one of the plurality of servers. In response to the request, a primary session is created on a first of the plurality of servers. After the primary session is created, at least one other of the plurality of servers are notified that the primary session has been created. Such notification allows for a backup session on the at least one other of the plurality of servers to take over for the primary session upon a failure on the first of the plurality of servers.

The ability to act quickly and decisively in today's increasingly competitive marketplace is critical to the success of any organization. The volume of data that is available to organizations is rapidly increasing and frequently overwhelming. The availability of large volumes of data presents various challenges. One challenge is to avoid inundating an individual with unnecessary information. Another challenge is to ensure all relevant information is available in a timely manner.
One known approach to addressing these and other challenges is known as data warehousing. Data warehouses, relational databases, and data marts are becoming important elements of many information delivery systems because they provide a central location where a reconciled version of data extracted from a wide variety of operational systems may be stored. As used herein, a data warehouse should be understood to be an informational database that stores shareable data from one or more operational databases of record, such as one or more transaction-based database systems. A data warehouse typically allows users to tap into a business's vast store of operational data to track and respond to business trends that facilitate forecasting and planning efforts. A data mart may be considered to be a type of data warehouse that focuses on a particular business segment.
Decision support systems (DSS's) have been developed to efficiently retrieve selected information from data warehouses. One type of decision support system is known as an on-line analytical processing system (OLAP). In general, OLAP systems analyze the data from a number of different perspectives and support complex analyses against large input data sets.
There are at least three different types of OLAP architectures: Relational On-Line Analytical Processing (ROLAP), Multidimensional On-Line Analytical Processing (MOLAP) and Hybrid On-Line Analytical Processing (HOLAP) systems. ROLAP systems use a dynamic server connected to a relational database system. MOLAP systems utilize a proprietary multidimensional database (MDDB) to provide OLAP analyses. The main premise of this architecture is that data must be stored multidimensionally to be viewed multidimensionally. HOLAP systems are a hybrid of the other two.
ROLAP is a three-tier, client/server architecture comprising a presentation tier, an application logic tier, and a relational database tier. The relational database tier stores data and connects to the application logic tier. The application logic tier comprises a ROLAP engine that executes multidimensional reports from multiple end users. The ROLAP engine integrates with a variety of presentation layers, through which users perform OLAP analyses. The presentation layers enable users to provide requests to the ROLAP engine. The premise of ROLAP is that OLAP capabilities are best provided directly against a relational database (e.g., the data warehouse).
In a ROLAP system, data from transaction-processing systems is loaded into a defined data model in the data warehouse. Database routines are run to aggregate the data, if required by the data model. Indices are then created to optimize query access times. End users submit multidimensional analyses to the ROLAP engine, which then dynamically transforms the requests into standard query language (SQL) execution plans. The SQL is submitted to the relational database for processing, the relational query results are cross-tabulated, and a multidimensional result set is returned to the end user. ROLAP is a fully dynamic architecture capable of utilizing pre-calculated results when they are available, or dynamically generating results from atomic information when necessary.
The ROLAP architecture directly accesses data from data warehouses, and therefore supports optimization techniques to meet batch window requirements and to provide fast response times. These optimization techniques typically include application level table partitioning, aggregate inferencing, denormalization support, and multiple fact table joins.
MOLAP is a two-tier, client/server architecture. In this architecture, the MDDB serves as both the database layer and the application logic layer. In the database layer, the MDDB system is responsible for all data storage, access, and retrieval processes. In the application logic layer, the MDDB is responsible for the execution of all OLAP requests. The presentation layer integrates with the application logic layer and provides an interface through which the end users view and request OLAP analyses. The client/server architecture allows multiple users to access the multidimensional database.
Information from a variety of transaction-processing systems is loaded into the MDDB system through a series of batch routines. Once this atomic data has been loaded into the MDDB, the general approach is to perform a series of batch calculations to aggregate along the orthogonal dimensions and fill the MDDB array structures. For example, revenue figures for all of the stores in a state would be added together to fill the state level cells in the database. After the array structure in the database has been filled, indices are created and hashing algorithms are used to improve query access times. Once this compilation process has been completed, the MDDB is ready for use. Users request OLAP reports through the presentation layer, and the application logic layer of the MDDB retrieves the stored data.
The MOLAP architecture is a compilation-intensive architecture. It principally reads the pre-compiled data, and has limited capabilities to dynamically create aggregations or to calculate business metrics that have not been pre-calculated and stored.
The HOLAP solution is a mix of MOLAP and relational architectures that support inquiries against summary and transaction data in an integrated fashion. The HOLAP approach enables a user to perform multidimensional analysis on data in the MDDB. However, if the user reaches the bottom of the multidimensional hierarchy and requires more detailed data, the HOLAP engine generates an SQL to retrieve the detailed data from a source relational database management system (RDBMS) and returns it to the end user. HOLAP implementations rely on simple SQL statements to pull large quantities of data into the mid-tier, multidimensional engine for processing. This constrains the range of inquiry and returns large, unrefined result sets that can overwhelm networks with limited bandwidth.
As described above, each of these types of OLAP systems are typically client-server systems. The OLAP engine resides on the server-side and a module is typically provided at a client-side to enable users to input queries and report requests to the OLAP engine. In some systems, such queries and report requests are directed to a single designated server upon which the OLAP engine resides. Thus, if this single designated server fails, all previously input queries and report requests are typically lost and each user typically has to input new queries and report requests to another single designated server upon which another OLAP engine resides. This can obviously be time consuming and costly.
In other systems, such queries and report requests may be directed to one of several servers, each of which contains an OLAP engine. Typically, a user is assigned to one of these servers based upon a simple sequential scheme (e.g., a round-robin scheme). However, as with the single designated server described above, if any one of these several servers fails, all previously input queries and report requests are typically lost and each user typically has to input new queries and report requests to another one of several servers. Even if none of these several servers fails, there still may be loading problems associated with the servers. That is, some queries and report requests may be significantly more intensive and time consuming than others, and these more intensive and time consuming queries and report requests may be assigned to the same server. Thus, some servers may be overloaded, while other servers may be underutilized. This can obviously be very inefficient.
In view of the foregoing, it would be desirable to provide a technique for processing queries and report requests which overcomes the above-described inadequacies and shortcomings. More particularly, it would be desirable to provide a technique for handling server session requests in a system having a plurality of servers in an efficient and cost effective manner.

Technique for handling server session requests in a system having a plurality of servers


A multi-function day/night observation, ranging, and sighting device with active acquisition of optical targets includes a single objective lens and a single eyepiece lens and provides an image of a scene. The single objective lens leads to a visible-light first optical path and to an invisible-light second optical path. The invisible-light second optical path includes an image intensifier tube providing a visible image. The first and second optical paths converge with visible images provided by each pathway being overlaid at a reticule plane. A single light path leads from the reticule plane to the eyepiece lens. A laser provides pulses of laser light projected into the scene via the single objective lens, and the image intensifier tube is used as a detector for a portion of the laser light pulses reflected from an object in the scene in order to provide both a laser range finding function and an active optical target acquisition mode. The device includes a light-emitting display visible through the eyepiece lens providing ranging information superimposed over the image of the scene as seen by a user of the device. Methods of the device's operation are also disclosed.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is in the field of image-magnifying viewing devices (i.e., telescopes) which can be used both in the day time to obtain a magnified view of a distant scene, and which can also be used at night or under other conditions of low ambient lighting in order to view such a distant scene. The view of the distant scene is magnified, and at night is also intensified or amplified by use of an image intensifier tube to provide a visible image when the scene is too dark to be viewed with diurnal vision. Accordingly, this invention relates to telescopes and other such viewing devices which may be used both in day and at night for observation and surveillance.
The present invention also relates to laser range finding apparatus and method. Such laser range finding apparatus and methods ordinarily project a pulse of laser light into a scene. The laser light pulse illuminates objects in the field of view and is partially reflected from at least one object in the scene whose distance from the observer is to be determined. In order to select this one object, the device may include a reticule and the laser light pulse may be of "pencil beam" configuration. The reflected portion of the laser light pulse is detected at the device, and the transit time for the laser light pulse to travel to and from the object is used to calculate a range to the object using the speed of light as a measuring standard.
This invention is also in the field of telescopic weapon aiming sights which provide a user with an aiming reticule, and which include provisions for bore-sighting the relative position of the reticule on a scene to the trajectory of a projectile. In other words, the telescopic device allows adjustments to place the reticule image on the viewed scene at the location where a bullet or other projectile will strike at a particular range.

Multi-functional day/night observation, ranging, and sighting device with active optical target acquisition and method of its operation


Apparatus is provided for cranial X-ray tomography and radiography which includes a housing having a horizontal support projecting forwardly therefrom. A pivot arm is pivotally supported by the horizontal support by means of a pivot bearing. The pivot arm provides support for a narrow beam tomographic X-ray source and film holder and is provided with a guide bearing which has guided relation with a horizontal guide shaft within the housing to provide for horizontal pivotal oscillation of the support arm during tomographic procedures. The pivot arm is controllably moved by means of a reversible electric motor which imparts driving movement to the guide bearing by means of a flexible drive element. The electric motor is controllably energized and deenergized by means of electrical circuitry incorporating limit switches which limit pivotal movement of the pivot arm. A patient head locator is provided in the form of a locator device which projects laterally from the fixed horizontal support and adjustably presents a mouthguard-type dentition engaging element so as to enable patient location with an anatomical area of interest located precisely at the focal point of the X-ray source. Proper location is achieved by means of an elongate pointer which is removably positioned along the axis of rotation of the pivot arm with its lower pointed end precisely at the focal point of the X-ray source.

X-ray tomographic apparatus has been marketed for many years for the purpose of conducting X-ray cranial tomography to obtain plural, evenly spaced X-ray cuts of cranial sites of interest such as the temporo-mandibular joint for example. In every case tomographic apparatus is positioned such that an X-ray source and an X-ray film cassette are positioned on opposite sides of the patient's anatomical site of interest. The X-ray source and film cassette are movable about the anatomical site of interest while the X-ray source is energized to achieve each tomographic image on the film. Typically the X-ray source and film holder are supported on a movable support that is rotated about a pivot point during film exposure. This pivotal motion blurs out all anatomy in front of and behind the focal point of the X-ray source and thus provides an X-ray exposure that is representative of a cross-section taken through the anatomical area of interest. In many cases, depending upon the character of X-ray tomography that is desired, the apparatus accomplishing rotary movement of the X-ray head and film holder will move either the X-ray head or film holder or both along an elliptical path such as substantially conforming to the configuration of the mandible of the patient. This type of apparatus is widely utilized in dentistry and for maxillo-facial surgery although it has a number of other uses as well. X-ray tomography is especially important in cases where confirmation of precision location is desired for dental implant location in the alveolar arch.

Apparatus for conducting cranial X-ray tomography and radiography


A heating line pattern structure of a defogger comprising a meander shape heating line portion is provided, in which the local temperature rise of a glass panel may be suppressed and which has a good outward appearance. Two lateral heating lines each having a thick width are provided under the meander shape heating line portion. Tow lateral heating lines are connected to each lateral heating line under the meander shape heating line portion through a vertical heating line.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a structure of a defogger formed on a window glass panel of a motor vehicle, particularly to a heating line pattern structure of a defogger formed on a window glass panel on which an antenna is provided
2. Related Art
When a TV (television) antenna, particularly a digital TV antenna for 470˜710 MHz band is provided on a rear window glass panel on which a defogger comprising a plurality of heating lines arranged between two bus-bars is formed, a problem is caused such that the control for the directivity of an antenna to a target electric wave becomes difficult due to an effect by the heating lines of the defogger. This is due to the fact that the directivity of an antenna on the rear window glass panel is varied in a vertical direction as shown in FIG. 1 by the dotted line 8 to decrease the sensitivity of the antenna in a horizontal direction.
In order to resolve such a problem, the applicant of the present application has proposed that a part of heating line of a defogger opposed to an antenna is patterned as a meander shape in Japanese Patent Publication No. 2002-8081.
FIG. 2 shows a heating line pattern having a meander shape proposed in the above-described publication. In the figure, the heating line pattern is symmetrical in right and left, so that the left end portion of the pattern is only shown for the simplicity of the drawing.
A monopole antenna 16 for a digital TV is provided between a defogger 12 on a rear window glass panel 10 of a motor vehicle and a roof 14 of a vehicle body, and on a side portion neighbored to a pillar 17. Reference numeral 18 designates a feeding point of the monopole antenna 16. The defogger 12 and monopole antenna 16 are made with silver print lines that are formed by printing a silver paste and then firing the paste.
The defogger 12 is structured by bus-bars 20 on both side portion and a plurality of heating lines arranged between the bus-bars 20. A part of the upper most heating line 12-1 neighbored to the monopole antenna 16 has a meander shape. The heating line is meandered in a rectangular manner at regular intervals to form a meander shape heating line portion 22.
Under the meander shape heating line portion 22, one lateral heating line 13 is extended and connected to a vertical heating line 15. Four lateral heating lines 12-2, 12-3, 12-4 and 12-5 are commonly connected to the vertical heating lines 15. The lateral heating line 13 under the meander shape heating line portion 22 is on the same horizontal position as the heating line 12-5. A plurality of heating lines under the heating line 12-5 are normal linear heating lines 12-6 extending between the bus-bars 20.
In order to increase the defogging effect of the heating lines of the defogger 12, a meander shape structure is generally adopted for the heating lines. For example, Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 1990-139161 disclosed that a heating line is formed in a zigzag manner, the pitch of zigzagged line being made small in a region required to be strongly heated.
However, the meander shape structure shown in FIG. 2 has been adopted to decrease the effect of the heating lines to an antenna provided neighbored to a defogger, so that the meander shape structure proposed by the present applicant is different in concept from that disclosed in the Utility Model Publication.
In the heating line pattern of the defogger shown in FIG. 2, the currents through the four heating lines 12-2, 12-3, 12-4 and 12-5 flows into the heating lines 13 and 15 under the meander shape heating line portion 22, so that the width of respective heating lines 13 and 15 is selected to be three-four times that of a normal heating line to suppress the increasing of heating due to the lines 13 and 15. In this case, the width of respective heating lines 13 and 15 is too thick, so that the heating lines have a poor-looking.

Heating line pattern structure of defogger