A product includes a progressive power spectacle lens or a representation, stored on a data storage medium, of the progressive power spectacle lens. The progressive power spectacle lens has a front surface and a back surface and a spatially varying refractive index, wherein the front surface and/or the back surface is embodied as a progressive surface. The front surface is formed as a free-form surface in such a way that the maximum of the absolute value of the mean curvature of the front surface lies in the intermediate corridor and/or the back surface is formed as a free-form surface in such a way that the minimum of the absolute value of the mean curvature of the back surface lies in the intermediate corridor. Further, a computer-implemented method for planning a progressive power spectacle lens with a spatially varying refractive index and a progressive surface is disclosed.

In spectacle lens optics, progressive power spectacle lenses have been known and prevalent for decades. Like multifocal spectacle lenses (generally bifocal and trifocal spectacle lenses), these provide additional optical power for a presbyopic user in the lower portion of the lens for the purposes of observing close objects, e.g., when reading. This additional optical power is required since the lens of the eye loses its property of being able to focus on near objects more and more with increasing age. Compared to these multifocal lenses, progressive power lenses offer the advantage of providing a continuous increase in the optical power from the distance portion to the near portion such that sharp vision is ensured not only in the distance and nearby, but also at all intermediate distances.
Pursuant to section 14.1.1 of DIN EN ISO 13666:2013-10, the distance portion is that portion of a multifocal or progressive power spectacle lens that has the dioptric power for distance vision. Accordingly, the near portion pursuant to section 14.1.3 of this standard is that portion of a multifocal or progressive power spectacle lens that has the dioptric power for near vision.
Until now, progressive power spectacle lenses have usually been manufactured from a material with a uniform constant refractive index. This means that the dioptric power of the spectacle lens is only set by appropriate shaping of the two surfaces, adjoining the air (front or object-side surface and back or eye-side surface according to the definitions provided in sections 5.8 and 5.9 of DIN EN ISO 13666:2013-10), of the spectacle lens. Pursuant to the definition in section 9.3 of DIN EN ISO 13666:2013-10, dioptric power is the collective term for the focusing and the prismatic power of a spectacle lens.
In order to produce the continuous increase of the focusing power in a progressive power spectacle lens made of a material with a uniform constant refractive index, a corresponding continuous change in the surface curvature must be present on at least one of the two spectacle lens surfaces, as also reflected in section 8.3.5 of the DIN EN ISO 13666:2013-10 standard, which defines the term "progressive power spectacle lens" as "lens with at least one progressive surface, that provides increasing (positive) addition power as the wearer looks down." Pursuant to section 7.7, a progressive surface is a surface, which is non-rotationally symmetrical, with a continuous change of curvature over part or all of the surface, generally intended to provide increasing addition or degression power.
WO 89/04986 A1 initially proceeds from progressive power spectacle lenses (this document uses the expression "progressive spectacle lenses") of the type set forth at the outset. From page 1, 2nd and 3rd section of the document, it is possible to gather that "the manufacturing process and, more particularly, polishing" of progressive surfaces of progressive power spectacle lenses are "difficult" on account of the surface form of the latter that "deviates very strongly from the spherical form" and that the manufactured surface deviates strongly from the calculated intended form. "Moreover, it is not possible—at least with one progressive surface—to keep the imaging aberrations and, more particularly, the astigmatism and distortion small over the entire lens."
On page 2, WO 89/04986 A1 explains further that although spectacle lenses with a changing refractive index are known, the realization of progressive spectacle lenses by replacing the complicated surface form of the progressive surface by a varying refractive index has failed in the past, presumably due to the expected similarly complicated refractive index function thereof.
WO 89/04986 A1 claims to achieve "a simplified manufacture in the case of comparable imaging properties if [ . . . ] a refractive index of the lens material that changes at least along the principal line of sight in the intermediate portion at least partly contributes to the increase in the optical power." However, this is realized under the goal of "decreasing the differences in the radii of curvature between distance portion and near portion such that, firstly, the processing of a blank with spherical boundary surfaces for the purposes of manufacturing a progressive surface is reduced" and "secondly, the polishing procedure, which substantially corresponds to that of the spherical lens in the progressive spectacle lenses according to the prior art, is simplified and the result of the polishing process is improved." This is because the use of large-area polishing tools, the polishing surfaces of which had approximately the size of the progressive surface to be polished, was usual at time of the filing date of WO 89/04986 A1.
Further, on page 5, line 15ff., the document explains: "If the astigmatism is additionally also reduced along the principal meridian as a result of the variation in the refractive index, this means that the restriction when forming the spectacle lens of the surface astigmatism having to be small along the principal meridian or the principal line of sight is dispensed with, and so the spectacle lens [ . . . ] is not subject to Minkwitz's theorem and the spectacle lens can be formed substantially more cost-effectively under other aspects."
The declared object of this document is that of obtaining polishable surfaces in a simple manner by virtue of the refractive index variation having a correspondingly complicated form. The penultimate paragraph on page 6 expressly explains: "In the extreme case, it is even possible here for both surfaces of the progressive spectacle lens to be spherical surfaces. However, it is naturally also possible to use rotationally symmetric aspherical surfaces." On the other hand, the document mentions no restrictions in respect of the complexity of the refractive index function which, according to the last sentence on page 6, can be "described by means of spline functions, for example."
The document discloses two exemplary embodiments. In the second exemplary embodiment "both the front surface and the eye-side surface are spherical surfaces" (see ibid., page 11, last sentence). In the first exemplary embodiment, the front surface has a principal meridian in the form of a circle (see ibid., page 12, lines 6-13) and, perpendicular thereto, it has the form of conic sections (see ibid., page 11, lines 6-14). The back side is spherical in the first exemplary embodiment.
In respect of the first exemplary embodiment, the document expressly refers [ . . . ] "to the fact that the correction of imaging aberrations has not been taken into account during the optimization and that, nevertheless, lenses with very good imaging properties in the lateral regions have emerged. A further improvement in the imaging properties in the regions laterally to the principal meridian are obtained by further optimization of the index function."
WO 99/13361 A1 describes a so-called "MIV" lens object, which is intended to have all functional features of progressive power lenses, specifically a distance portion, a near portion and a progressive zone, but whose edge regions should be free from astigmatic aberrations. This document describes that such a lens object may comprise a spherical front surface and a spherical back surface. The lens object should comprise a progressive zone with a refractive index that continuously increases from the distance portion to the near portion. However, as a rule, it is not possible to realize all desired additions in such an exemplary embodiment. Therefore, the document explains: "If desired, the range of additions can be bridged, in case that is impossible by the sole variable refraction index, also by manufacturing the lenses with a variable refraction index material rough block, as described above, and forming variable geometry curves as the traditional progressive lenses thus obtaining the result of having far higher performances in comparison to these latters, because the lens, having different indexes in the different areas, will allow to reach the desired addition by using much less differentiated curves between the far sight and the near sight with a reduction of the aberration area and an increase of the useful sight area."
US 2010/238400 A1 describes progressive power spectacle lenses consisting of a plurality of layers in each case. At least one of the layers may have a varying refractive index, which is described with respect to two meridians that extend orthogonal to one another. Moreover, at least one of the surfaces of one of the layers may have a progressive surface form. It describes that the refractive index profile in the horizontal direction can be used for the full correction of the by the geometry of the surfaces.
Yuki Shitanoki et al: "Application of Graded-Index for Astigmatism Reduction in Progressive Addition Lens," Applied Physics Express, volume 2, 1 Mar. 2009, page 032401 describes how the astigmatism in a progressive power spectacle lens with a refractive index gradient can be reduced in relation to a progressive power spectacle lens without a refractive index gradient by a comparison of two progressive power spectacle lenses cast with the aid of the same mold.
In view of the distinguishability of the subject matter of the present patent application from the multiple layer spectacle lenses described in US 2010/238400 A1, a statement is provided herewith that spectacle lenses are regularly subject to one or more finishing processes. In particular, functional layers are applied to one or both sides. Such functional layers are layers which equip the spectacle lenses with predetermined properties, which are advantageous to the spectacle wearer and which the spectacle lenses would not have purely on the basis of the properties of the base or carrier material, onto which the functional layers are applied where necessary, and the forming. In addition to optical properties, such as an antireflection coating, silvering, light polarization, coloring, self-tinting etc., such advantageous properties also include mechanical properties, such as hardening, reduction of the adherence of dirt or reduction in steaming up, etc., and/or electrical properties such as shielding from electromagnetic radiation, conduction of electrical current, etc., and/or other physical or chemical properties. Examples of functional coatings are gathered e.g. from the documents WO 10/109154 A1, WO 01/55752 A1 and DE 10 2008 041 869 A1. These functional layers have no influence, or a negligible influence, on the dioptric properties of the spectacle lens discussed within the scope of the present patent application. The layers described in US 2010/238400 A1, by contrast, do not have a negligible effect on the dioptric power of the progressive power spectacle lens.
EP 2 177 943 A1 describes a method for optimizing an optical system such as, for example, an ophthalmic lens with the aid of a cost function. The ophthalmic lens is defined by the coefficients of the equations of all its surfaces, the refractive index of the spectacle lens and the position of each surface relative to one another (offset, rotation and inclination). In one exemplary embodiment, at least the coefficients of the equations of two optical surfaces of a working optical system are modified in order to obtain the optical system.
It is possible to gather from the document that, in general, it is difficult to optimize a lens taking account of a multiplicity of criteria of different nature if only the equation of a surface is considered to be variable. This exemplary embodiment allows optical builders to take account of a larger number of criteria in the optimization process and opens up the way for the geometric power increase of the optical system and for a better response to the physiological requirements of spectacle wearers. The use for the wearer is improved if a plurality of surfaces of the optical system are optimized at the same time.
In one exemplary embodiment, in which the optical system to be optimized comprises at least two optical surfaces, the modification of the optical working system is carried out in such a way that at least the index of the optical working system is modified. It is possible to manufacture a lens from an inhomogeneous material in which a gradient is present in the refractive index (this is known as a GRIN lens). By way of example, the distribution of the optimized index can be axial or radial and/or depend on the wavelength.
EP 0 347 917 A1 describes the spectacle lens with a front and an eye-side delimiting surface and with a changing refractive index, which contributes to the correction of the imaging aberrations. The spectacle lens is distinguished by at least a family of level surfaces with the constant refractive index, that, in the direction of their surface normals, respectively have the same distance at all points, and that, or the extension thereof, intersect the axis that connects the lens vertex of the front surface and the eye-side surface.
The document explains the variation in the refractive index is regularly used for reducing the image aberrations of single vision spectacles in the case of a specifically selected surface form and/or for reducing the central thickness. However, it is also possible to use the gradient for producing an astigmatic and/or progressive power, with the surface form contributing nothing, or only in part, to the astigmatic and/or progressive power.
A progressive power spectacle lens with two progressive surfaces, in which the back surface is formed in such a way that the minimum of the absolute value of the mean curvature lies in the intermediate corridor can be gathered from WO 2011/093929 A1.

Progressive spectacle lens having a variable refractive index and method for the design and production thereof


Disclosed therein is a sampler. The sampler includes: a chamber accommodating a fluid or solid reagent therein and being sealed at both ends with penetrable films; a tube joined with the chamber at one side, the tube having a hollow portion therein; and a movable bar having a tip which is formed at one end and has a specimen extracting portion, the tip being guided and moved through a hollow portion, the tip being adapted for mixing the specimen extracted by the specimen extracting portion with the reagent so as to form a diluted solution while penetrating through one end of the chamber and adapted for quantitatively discharging out the diluted solution while penetrating through the other end of the chamber.

Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a sampler, and more particularly, to a sampler which can mix a reagent with a specimen to form a diluted solution and can quantitatively discharge the diluted solution.
Background Art
In general, analysis of a fluid sample has been widely used not only in the fields of chemistry and biotechnology but also in the field of diagnosis through analysis of blood and body fluids extracted from a patient.
Recently, in order to analyze such a fluid sample more simply and effectively, compact-size analysis and diagnosis apparatuses of various kinds have been developed.
In the meantime, one of important things to analyze the fluid sample is to preprocess the fluid sample.
Here, preprocessing of the fluid sample means to extract a specimen of a wanted amount before analysis of the fluid sample and to exactly treat the extracted specimen at a proper ratio, for instance, using a dilution buffer, or to mix the specimen with a solid or liquid reagent, or to separate and refine the specimen utilizing a filler or a supporter.
For this, typically, the fluid sample is preprocessed using a pipette or a dropper. However, in the case of a sample analysis of a lab-on-a-chip or lab-on-a-tip unit, because the sample used for preprocessing is very small in quantity and must be processed very accurately, it is not easy to accurately preprocess a very small amount of the sample using the pipette or the dropper.
Moreover, in the field inspection method, the extracted sample is preprocessed, and then, inputted into a measuring device, but in the inputting step, there occurs an error in amount of the inputted sample.
Therefore, in handling the very small amount of blood or other sample, necessity of a sampler, which can minimize the error in handling a very small amount of blood or sample and make the handling process easy so that unskilled persons can use it after listening to a simple explanation, is on the rise.


An improved and extended Reed-Solomon-like method for providing a redundancy of m≧3 is disclosed. A general expression of the codes is described, as well as a systematic criterion for proving correctness and finding decoding algorithms for values of m≧3. Examples of codes are given for m=3, 4, 5, based on primitive elements of a finite field of dimension N where N is 8, 16 or 32. A Horner's method and accumulator apparatus are described for XOR-efficient evaluation of polynomials with variable vector coefficients and constant sparse square matrix abscissa. A power balancing technique is described to further improve the XOR efficiency of the algorithms. XOR-efficient decoding methods are also described. A tower coordinate technique to efficiently carry out finite field multiplication or inversion for large dimension N forms a basis for one decoding method. Another decoding method uses a stored one-dimensional table of powers of α and Schur expressions to efficiently calculate the inverse of the square submatrices of the encoding matrix.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to method and apparatus for providing a multiply redundant RAID system.
2. Description of the Related Art
RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) is a data storage system that employs two or more disk drives (or storage devices in general) and delivers fault tolerance and performance. RAID architectures that can tolerate multiple disk failures (i.e. multiply redundant) are known. One such system is described in Wiencko et al., "Data Redundancy Methods and Apparatus", U.S. Pat. No. 6,557,123, filed 2 Aug. 1999, issued 29 Apr. 2003, assigned to the assignee of the present disclosure, which describes a method for encoding data that protects against simultaneous m disk failures in an array of n disks, as well as a code discovery method. Other methods for double- or triple-disk failure protection are also known; one category of such methods uses Reed-Solomon or Reed-Solomon-like codes.
Reed-Solomon (R-S) error correction is a coding scheme which works by first constructing a polynomial from the data symbols to be transmitted and then sending an over-sampled plot of the polynomial instead of the original symbols. (See Wikipedia: "Reed-Solomon error correction", http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reed-Solomon_error_correction.) Thus, a matrix for a massively over-sampling R-S on two symbols (matrix on the right notation and linear polynomials) would be
                              code                                (                          (              xy              )                        )                          =                              (            xy            )                                          (                                                            1                                                  1                                                  1                                                                                1                                                                                ⋯                                                                                α                                                  β                                                  γ                                                                                χ                                                      )                                              (        1        )            where α, β, γ, . . . χ are n distinct values in some finite field. If α is primitive and a generator of the multiplicative group, and the number of coded values (matrix columns) is less than the order of the field, then one may haveβ=α2γ=α3and so forth: this leads to straightforward algorithms (Berlekamp) for solving for errors. The coding of (1) is called "non-systematic" because nowhere among the entries to code((x y)) do x or y themselves necessarily appear. To get a systematic code, one for which the data appears in clear form among the coded values, one may multiply the matrix on the left by a 2×2 matrix that forces the left two columns to an identity matrix. But then, there is no simple expression for the matrix entries.
The above example has only two data points and n−2 parities. To increase the data dimension, add rows raising α, β, γ, . . . to consecutive powers, and use Vandermonde. Realistic cases will sample n times in a polynomial of degree n−m−1, where m is comparatively small (perhaps 2 or 3) and n large (perhaps 15 or larger). This makes the solution expression more complicated, if a systematic code is desired.
A variant, which only needs to be mentioned here, is that found in Murthy et al., "Multiple Drive Failure Recovery for a Computer System having an Array of Storage Drives", U.S. Pat. No. 6,694,479. This uses a matrix like that found in (1), but as an implicit condition, requiring multiplication with a data/parity vector on the right of the matrix to give zero. For this variant, the data dimension would be n−2 and the parity dimension 2. It is easily extended (by Vandermonde) to parity greater than 2 by adding rows raising α, β, γ, . . . to consecutive powers. This amounts to a "dual" form of standard Reed-Solomon.
Another algorithm has also been called "Reed-Solomon" (in Blaum et al., "EVENODD: An Optimal Scheme for Tolerating Double Disk Failures in RAID Architectures", IEEE, 1994, pp 245–254, 1063–6897/94, hereinafter [B2]), or "B-adjacent" (in Blaum et al., "Method and Means for B-Adjacent Coding and Rebuilding Data from up to Two Unavailable DASDs in a DASD Array", U.S. Pat. No. 5,333,143, hereinafter [B1]). It places the matrix like that found in (1) below an identity matrix and uses it to multiply by a data vector on the right, expressed as equation (2) below. This automatically gets a systematic code if it works. But Vandermonde, by itself, does not prove it works.
                              code                                (                          (                                                                    x                                                                                y                                                                                ⋮                                                                                z                                                              )                        )                          =                                            (                                                                    1                                                        0                                                        ·                                                        ·                                                        0                                                                                0                                                        1                                                        ·                                                        ·                                                        0                                                                                ·                                                        ·                                                        ·                                                        ·                                                        ·                                                                                ·                                                        ·                                                        ·                                                        ·                                                        ·                                                                                0                                                        0                                                        ·                                                        ·                                                        1                                                                                ζ                                                        η                                                        ·                                                        ·                                                        θ                                                                                ·                                                        ·                                                        ·                                                        ·                                                        ·                                                              )                                                  (                                                                    x                                                                                y                                                                                ⋮                                                                                z                                                              )                                =                                    (                                                                    I                                                                                P                                                              )                                                  (                                                                    x                                                                                y                                                                                ⋮                                                                                z                                                              )                                                          (        2        )            Here I is an identity matrix, and the parity matrix P has horizontal dimension equal to the vector to be encoded, and vertical dimension equal to the parity count (dimension of code vector minus dimension of vector that was encoded).
The requirement for a non-systematic expression of the form of (1) to give an erasure code, where any surviving set of code values of the count of the data values can be decoded, is for all square submatrices of maximal size of the matrix in (1) to be invertible. This is obvious in the case of equation (1) because they are Vandermonde.
The requirement for a systematic expression of the form of (2) to give an erasure code, where any surviving set of code values of the count of the data values can be decoded, is for all square submatrices of the parity matrix P to be invertible. This does not follow in general if maximal submatrices are Vandermonde.
However, if P in (2) is set equal to the row dimension 2 matrix in (1), and we require that α, β, . . . be unequal and nonzero, then the stronger requirement that all square submatrices be invertible is satisfied. Namely, one just needs to prove it for 1×1 square submatrices, which are invertible if nonzero. This is the approach used in [B1] to obtain a redundancy 2 code. This Reed-Solomon-based method has sometimes been referred to as "RAID6". It is also the code used in [B2] as a foil to Evenodd, and in [B2] it is called "Reed-Solomon". In the present disclosure it is referred to as "Reed-Solomon-like".

Multiply redundant raid system and XOR-efficient method and apparatus for implementing the same


A vacuum valve controller for a vacuum sewer system having a suction pipe which is communicated with a vacuum system by opening a vacuum valve, and which is cut off from the vacuum system by closing the vacuum valve, so that soil water in a soil water basin is sucked through the suction pipe and sent to a predetermined place by opening said vacuum valve is disclosed. The vacuum valve controller comprises a vacuum valve actuating means movable between a first position and a second position for actuating the vacuum valve between an open position and a closed position, respectively, means for normally biasing the vacuum valve actuating means to the second position, a pressure sensing tube for converting a change in level of soil water in the soil water basin to a change in pressure, a first pressure chamber communicated with the pressure sensing tube and associated with the vacuum valve actuating means for moving the vacuum valve actuating means to the first position when a level in the soil water basin reach a predetermined level, and means for urging the vacuum valve actuating means to the second position while soil water is sucked through the suction pipe. The first pressure chamber is so associated with the vacuum valve actuating means that the pressure chamber is capable of moving the vacuum valve actuating means to the first position while being incapable of moving the vacuum valve actuating means to the second position. By this means, it is possible to prevent the vacuum valve from moving to the closed position while the soil water is sucked through the suction pipe even if a negative pressure is established in the first pressure chamber whereby any water-hammer may be prevented.

The present invention relates to a vacuum valve controller for controlling a vacuum valve for use in a vacuum transfer system for transferring soil water accumulated in a soil water basin to a predetermined place, such as a sewage disposal plant. The vacuum transfer system sucks the soil water from the soil water basin through a suction pipe by opening the vacuum valve.
There has been proposed a vacuum soil water transfer system which utilizes a vacuum for transferring soil water accumulated in each of a plurality of broadly distributed soil water basins to a predetermined place, such as a sewage disposal plant. In such a vacuum soil water transfer system, each soil water basin is provided with a soil water suction pipe, a vacuum valve for selectively communicating the suction pipe with a vacuum system and a vacuum valve controller for controlling the vacuum valve to open and close depending on the level of the soil water accumulated in the soil water basin.
FIGS. 3 and 4 show an exemplified system arrangement using a prior art vacuum valve controller of the type described above, which is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application No. Hei-7-39362 (No. 39362/1995). In FIGS. 3 and 4, reference numeral 1 denotes a soil water basin, which is provided with a suction pipe 3 having a distal end disposed in the soil water basin 1 and a proximal end connected to a line 5 (forming a part of a vacuum system) through a vacuum valve 4 having a valve body 6. The line 5 is in communication with a vacuum tank (not shown). The vacuum valve 4 further includes a diaphragm 4b and a spring 4a for biasing the diaphragm 4b, both housed in a piston chamber 4c.
Reference numeral 11 denotes a controller, which comprises a casing 12 having a large-diameter portion 12a and a smaller-diameter portion 12b contiguous to the larger-diameter portion 12a. The larger-diameter portion 12a has a partition wall 15 formed therein substantially at the center of the larger-diameter portion 12a and dividing the inside of the larger-diameter portion 12a into left- and right-hand regions. The partition wall 15 has a hole formed therein through which extends a shaft 14 supporting a valve body 13. The left-hand region, in turn, is divided into first and second pressure chambers 17 and 18 by means of a first diaphragm or a sensor diaphragm 16 provided substantially at the center of the left-hand region. The right-hand region, in turn, is divided into third and fourth pressure chambers 20 and 21 by means of a second diaphragm 19 provided substantially at the center of the right-hand region. Further, the inside of the smaller-diameter portion 12b is divided into left- and right-hand regions by means of a partition wall 22. The left-hand region of the smaller-diameter portion 12b defines a chamber which is contiguous to and in communication with the fourth chamber 21. The right-hand region of the smaller-diameter portion 12b, in turn, is divided into fifth and sixth pressure chambers 24 and 25 by means of a partition wall 23.
The valve body 13, which is secured to a distal end of the shaft 14, is disposed in the sixth chamber 25. The proximal end of the shaft 14 is fixedly secured to the first diaphragm 16 at the center thereof by means of a screw 14a. The shaft 14 extends through the partition wall 15, as well as through the second diaphragm 19 (which is fixedly secured to the shaft 14). The shaft 14 further extends through the partition walls 22 and 23. A seal 26 is provided between the shaft 14 and the partition wall 15 and another seal 27 is provided between the shaft 14 and the partition wall 22. The partition wall 23 has a through hole 23a formed therein, through which the shaft 14 extends, and which may be closed by the valve body 13. A spring 28 is provided for urging the second diaphragm 19 in a leftward direction seen in the figure.
A magnet 29 is provided on the rear end wall of the casing 12 at a position where it faces the rear end (or the proximal end) of the shaft 14, and more specifically the above-mentioned screw 14a made of a suitable ferromagnetic material and which is threadingly secured to the rear end of the shaft 14. The sixth chamber 25 has a hole 30 for communicating with the atmosphere, which may be opened or closed by the valve body 13. The suction pipe 3 has pressure detection holes 9 and 10 provided at different levels, with a predetermined spacing in the vertical direction defined between the holes 9 and 10. One pressure detection hole 9 is in communication with the fourth chamber 21 through a pipe 31, while the other pressure detection hole 10 is in communication with the third chamber 20 through a pipe 32. A pressure sensing tube 2 is disposed in the soil water basin 1 and in communication with the first chamber 17 through a pipe 33. The second chamber 18 is in communication with the atmosphere through a hole 34. The fifth chamber 24 is in communication with the line 5 through a pipe 35 and the sixth chamber 25 is in communication with the piston chamber 4c of the vacuum valve 4 through a pipe 36.
In the vacuum valve controller having the above arrangement, as the level of soil water in the soil water basin 1 rises, the pressure in the pressure sensing tube 2 builds up, and this pressure is led through the pipe 33 into the first chamber 17 in the controller 11. By means of the pressure in the first chamber 17, the first diaphragm 16 is displaced in the rightward direction against the biasing force of the spring 28 as well as against the magnetic attraction force of the magnet 29, so that the shaft 14 is displaced in the right direction to cause the valve body 13 to close the hole 30 communicating with the atmosphere. Thus, the vacuum in the line 5 is led through the pipe 35 into the fifth and sixth chambers 24 and 25, and thence into the piston chamber 4c of the vacuum valve 4. By this, the valve body of the vacuum valve 4 is lifted away from the valve seat 7.
In the above sequence of operations, when the first diaphragm 16 is displaced by the pressure built-up in the pressure sensor tube 2 and the shaft 14 starts to move, the biasing force provided by the spring 28 gradually increases with the displacement of the shaft 14, while the attraction force provided by the magnet 29 suddenly decreases (proportional to the square of the displacement). Accordingly, the shaft 14 snaps into its displacement limit, or closing position, where the hole 30 is closed by the valve body 13. It should be noted that the holes 23a and 30, the fifth and sixth chambers 24 and 25, the valve body 13 and the shaft 14 together form a vacuum valve actuating means for opening and closing the vacuum valve 4.
When the valve body 6 is lifted away from the valve seat 7, the line 5 and the suction pipe 3 are communicated with each other, so that soil water in the soil water basin 1 is sucked into the line 5 through the suction pipe 3. This produces a pressure difference between the pressure detection holes 9 and 10, and the different pressures at the pressure detection holes 9 and 10 are led through the pipes 31 and 32 to the fourth and third chambers 21 and 20, respectively. As a result, the pressure difference therebetween acts on the second diaphragm 19 to displace it in a rightward direction, so that the valve body 13 is further pressed against the hole 30 through the shaft 14. Thus, as the level of soil water in the soil water basin 1 is lowered by sucking the soil water from the basin 1, and even the pressure difference between the first and second chambers 17 and 18 is reduced to zero, the valve body 13 remains pressed against the hole 30 by virtue of the rightward force provided by the pressure difference between the fourth and third chambers 21 and 20. The pressure difference lasts as long as soil water flows into the line 5 through the suction pipe 3.
When the soil water level in the basin 1 is further lowered and air begins to be sucked into the suction pipe 3 through its lower end, the pressure difference between the pressure detection holes 9 and 10 is lost. Consequently, the second diaphragm 19 is displaced in the leftward direction by means of the spring 28, so that the valve body 13 is pressed against the through hole 23a formed in the partition wall 23 to close the through hole 23a. Since the hole 30 is thus opened, atmospheric air flows into the sixth chamber 25 through the hole 30, and thence into the piston chamber 4c of the vacuum valve 4 through the pipe 36. As the result, the valve body 6 is moved back into the closed position by the biasing force of the spring 4a. Thus, the valve body 6 closes the valve port in the valve seat 7 and shuts off communication between the suction pipe 3 and the line 5.
The prior art vacuum valve controller having the arrangement described above, however, suffers from a problem as follows. Namely, in a case where a leakage occurs in the pressure sending tube 2 and when a water level in the basin 1 is lowered, a soil water column may be formed in the pressure sensing tube 2. In another case, it is also possible that the vacuum valve controller 11 and the pressure sensing tube 2 are initially connected to each other with a soil water column inadvertently left in the pressure sensing tube 2. In either case, the pressure in the pressure sensing tube 2 becomes negative when the soil water in the basin 1 is sucked through the vacuum valve 4, thereby lowering the soil water level in the basin 1 to a certain level near the lower end of the suction pipe 3. Due to the negative pressure in the pressure sensing tube 2, the first diaphragm 16 may be displaced back to its standby position or leftward limit position forcibly. If this occurs, the shaft 14 is also moved back to its standby position, and, thus, the valve body 6 of the vacuum valve 4 forcibly closes the valve port in the valve seat 7 while the soil water is sucked from the basin 1. This results in an occurrence of water-hammer in a region of the vacuum valve 4 upstream of the valve body 6, which leads to a possible, unintended disconnection of the vacuum valve 4 from the suction pipe 3.
In view of the foregoing, it is an object of the present invention to provide a vacuum valve controller for controlling a vacuum valve, which can prevent any forced closing of the vacuum valve during suction of soil water from a soil water basin, even when a soil water column is formed in a pressure sensing tube due to a possible leakage occurring in the sensing tube or for some other reason, and which ensures that the vacuum valve is actuated to close only after air is sucked through the suction pipe.


Capsule (1) designed in particular for preparing a beverage by centrifugation of a capsule in a centrifugal preparation device, comprising:—a body (2) comprising a containment wall delimiting a main cavity (6) of central axis (I) and,—a lid (7) associated to the body for delimiting a compartment containing beverage ingredients; said capsule further comprising at least one breakable outlet area positioned at the body and/or lid; said at least one breakable area being positioned at a distance from the central axis (I) and being obtained by any of means (a) to (d): e) A breakable and dedicated membrane (9, 16) covering a predefined opening (8, 15) in the containment wall or lid and connected to the wall or lid, f) A dedicated membrane covering a predefined opening in the containment wall or lid and connected to the wall or lid by a breakable sealing joint or, g) A dedicated, breakable and localized reduction of thickness of the material of the containment wall or lid, h) Any possible combinations of a), b) or c).

The preparation of a beverage by a capsule containing beverage ingredients is known. In general, the capsule is inserted in a beverage production device, such as a coffee machine, liquid is fed in the capsule, the liquid interacts with the beverage ingredients and a beverage is extracted from the capsule under pressure or by gravity.
The preparation of a beverage by using the centrifugation is known. The principle mainly consists in providing beverage ingredients in a container of the capsule, feeding liquid in the receptacle and rotating the receptacle at elevated speed to ensure the interaction of liquid with ingredients while creating a gradient of pressure of liquid in the receptacle; such pressure increasing gradually from the centre towards the periphery of the receptacle. As liquid traverses the ingredients, e.g., ground coffee, extraction of the food compounds takes place and a liquid extract is obtained that flows out at the periphery of the receptacle.
The term "capsule" refers to any flexible, rigid or semi-rigid packaging container containing beverage ingredients. Other synonyms to a capsule are: "pod", "pad", "cartridge" or "sachet". The capsule can be designed for a single use. The container can also be filled with ingredients by the user to form the capsule just before use.
The term "ingredients" means any suitable beverage substance such as ground coffee, soluble coffee, leaf tea, soluble tea, herbal tea, dairy powder, culinary powder, baby food, other beverage nutritional ingredients and any combinations thereof.
A capsule system and method for preparing a beverage from a capsule using centrifugation forces is described in the following documents: EP2210539, WO2008/148604, WO2008148650, WO2008/148646, WO2008/148656 and WO2010/026045.
It is known to use a capsule in a beverage brewing device using centrifugation wherein a closing wall of the capsule is removed or perforated for enabling insertion of beverage extracting means.
EP2119383A1 relates to a portion capsule which can be inserted into a rotary brewing device. The portion capsule has a casing, a lid and a base. The casing can be provided with openings or perforations. The openings may be covered by a cover on the openings which is removed by the user before inserting the capsule into the device. The perforations can be provided in the casing by a number of perforation needles which are generally displaced radially with respect to the rotation axis of the device towards the rotation axis.
In WO 2008/148834, a capsule is proposed with pre-made outlets at its periphery; the outlets being covered by a gastight sealing membrane. The sealing membrane can be a flexible band surrounding the wall and which can be pierced, cut or removed by the user for uncovering the outlets before the capsule is inserted in the centrifugal brewing device. However, due to the monolithic arrangement of the sealing membrane, the opening of the membrane cannot be properly controlled without dedicated perforating members properly positioned in the brewing device. Another proposed capsule comprises an upper wall, a lower wall and a peripheral sealing edge which is designed to open as a result of the pressure of liquid which applies against it. The problem is to control the opening of the sealing edge by effect of the pressure of liquid thereon while ensuring a proper closure of the capsule at the sealing edge before opening (e.g. during storage, transport, etc.). This is relatively difficult to ensure in practice because the opening resistance of the closure to provide a proper bond of the elements of the capsule and/or avoid spillage of the ingredients during handling or storage may not be adapted for an opening under the conditions of pressure of the centrifuged beverage.
WO 2010/026053 relates to a single-use capsule which contains portioned food ingredients which can be sealed in a gastight manner with a perforable sealing membrane. The capsule experiences the same disadvantage as the capsule of WO 2008/148834.
The present invention aims at proposing a simpler, easier and more reliable solution for facilitating the opening of a capsule to allow the beverage release, by the effect of the centrifugal forces exerted by the beverage.

Capsule and method for the preparation of a beverage by centrifugation


An electromagnetic transducer such as an audio speaker which includes an asymmetric diaphragm to deliver smooth frequency response with reduced distortion by reduction of common modes in the diaphragm. Other benefits such as asymmetric directivity patterns can be realized. The asymmetric cone has a perimeter OD at which a surround may be coupled, and an ID at which a bobbin or spacer may be coupled. The center of the ID is not coincident with the center of the OD. The transducer further includes a stabilization mechanism for reducing rocking of the diaphragm assembly. The stabilization mechanism may include mass balancing of the diaphragm and/or adjustments to the location or symmetry of the suspension components.

1. Technical Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to electromagnetic transducers such as audio speakers, and more specifically to an electromagnetic transducer having a diaphragm or cone which is asymmetric, meaning that the ID of the cone is not at the geometric center of the OD of the cone. The ID or inner diameter refers to the location, typically but not always a hole, where the bobbin attaches to the diaphragm. The OD or outer diameter refers to the outer perimeter where typically the surround attaches to the diaphragm.
2. Background Art
FIG. 1 illustrates a conventional audio speaker 10 such as is known in the prior art. The speaker includes a motor assembly 12 coupled to a diaphragm assembly 14 by a frame 16. The motor assembly includes a magnetic air gap 18 over which magnetic flux flows. The diaphragm assembly includes an electrically conductive voice coil 20 which is rigidly attached to a bobbin or voice coil former 22. The voice coil is suspended within the magnetic air gap to provide mechanical force to an acoustical radiating member 24, often termed a diaphragm or cone, which is coupled to the bobbin. When an alternating electric current is passed through the voice coil, the voice coil moves axially in the air gap, causing the diaphragm to generate sound waves. The diaphragm assembly further includes two suspension components which serve to keep the bobbin and diaphragm centered and aligned with respect to the motor assembly, while allowing axial movement. A damper or spider 26 is coupled to the bobbin and the frame, and a surround 28 is coupled to the diaphragm and the frame. A dust cap 30 seals the assembly and protects against infiltration of dust particles and other stray materials which might contaminate the magnetic air gap and thereby interfere with the operation or quality of the speaker.
The motor assembly has an axis Am typically understood to be at the axial center of the magnetic air gap in which the voice coil rides. The diaphragm has an OD or outer perimeter which has a geometric center or axis Aod. It is the same distance OD1 from the axis Aod to a first point on the OD and to a second point on the OD, which two points are radially opposite each other. The diaphragm may be axisymmetric, in the case of e.g. a round 6″ speaker. Alternatively, the diaphragm may be bilaterally symmetric, in the case of e.g. an elliptical 6×9 speaker. Other diaphragm OD shapes are known in the art, as well. The diaphragm also has an ID or inner perimeter which has a geometric center or axis Aid. It is the same distance ID1 from the axis Aid to a first point on the ID and to a second point on the ID, which two points are radially opposite each other. In nearly all cases, speakers use a cylindrical bobbin and a circular ID, but a few exceptions are known. The spider has a center or axis of suspension Asp, and the surround has an center or axis of suspension Asu.
As shown in FIG. 1, virtually all known speakers are constructed such that the motor axis Am, the axis Aod of the OD, the axis Aid of the ID, the axis of suspension Asp of the spider, and the axis of suspension Asu of the surround, are all coaxial with one another.
Ordinarily, in most engineering applications it is desirable to achieve symmetry. However, in audio applications, symmetry has some disadvantages. For example, a symmetric cone exhibits the same breakup modes in all radial segments, as each radial segment has the same shape, size, mass, etc. as the others. As another example, a symmetric speaker exhibits equal diffraction characteristics and cone/edge junction modes at all radial segments.
FIGS. 2 and 3 are copied from U.S. Pat. No. 5,022,488 "Transducer Enclosure" issued Jun. 11, 1991 to William House and assigned to Harman International. The House patent teaches a speaker 31 having an asymmetric diaphragm 33. That inventor was addressing a completely unrelated problem, that of fitting two speakers 35, 37 into a single cabinet 39 with separate pressure venting for each. He appears to have moved the woofer's motor structure 41 away from the center of the woofer's diaphragm 33 merely for the purpose of providing physical space for the tweeter 37 to fit in front of a portion of the woofer's diaphragm, and not to have recognized any other benefits from the asymmetry. Indeed, the patent states that "it is not necessary for diaphragm [of the woofer] to be asymmetric, nor for diaphragm [of the tweeter] to be symmetric, nor for either transducer to be a diaphragm type at all." (col. 3 lines 57–60, reference numbers omitted, bracketed text added). It is noteworthy that the woofer diaphragm is an inverted cone, rather than a conventionally oriented cone with its bell facing outward. This was clearly done to make still more room for the tweeter within the design constraint of gaining "the benefits of shallow loudspeaker mounting" (col. 1 line 11).

Electromagnetic transducer with eccentrically mounted voice coil former


A dosing device for an injection device, including a dosing element moveable or rotatable in a first direction to select a dose and a guiding element for guiding a component of the injection device, the dosing element being moved or rotated relative to the guiding element to select the dose, wherein the guiding element is rotated or moved along with the dosing element when the dosing element is moved or rotated against the first direction to adjust the selected dose. A method of adjusting a dose selected by a dosing device is encompassed, the method including selecting the dose by moving or rotating a dosing element relative to a guiding element which is moved or rotated along with the dosing element during the selecting and adjusting the selected dose by moving or rotating the dosing element in an opposite direction.

The present invention relates to devices for delivering, administering, infusing, injecting or dispensing a substance, and to methods of making and using such devices. More particularly, the present invention relates to an injection device which enables a substance contained in the injection device, for example in an ampoule, to be dispensed in measured doses after setting or selecting a dose using the injection device or a feature thereof, the intention being that it should be easy to correct or adjust the set dose. More particularly, in some embodiments, the present invention relates to a dose setting device for use in combination with a container filled with fluid, wherein the dose setting device and/or the container are designed for repeatedly administering individually set or selected doses from the container.
A dose setting device which can be moved in two directions is known from documents EP 1 351 732 B and DE 2 951 321 4 U1.

Rotatable guide sleeve with spring secured to prevent excessive tensioning


A UV-curable ink-jet ink is provided, which has a high sensitivity and allows soft and highly fine patterns to be formed. The UV-curable ink-jet ink includes a mono-functional polymerizable monomer (A) having a hydroxyl group, a di(meth)acrylate ester (B) and a photo-polymerization initiator (C).

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a UV-curable ink-jet ink for fabricating liquid crystal display devices, electroluminescence display devices, electronic circuit boards and so on, to a UV-cured film formed by using the same, and to a display device and an electronic circuit board comprising the UV-cured film.
2. Description of Related Art
Methods of forming desired patterns on a substrate by ink-jet printing with a UV-curable ink-jet ink at a lower cost are well known. Moreover, for this application, various UV-curable ink-jet inks have been proposed, as described in WO2004/099272, for example. In recent years, UV-curable ink-jet inks are required to be capable of being set with less irradiation energy (i.e., having a high sensitivity), forming a soft film suitably to be formed on a flexible substrate and forming highly fine patterns, while the UV-curable ink-jet inks in the prior art have the following problems. Highly fine patterns cannot be formed with them, since the ink diffuses widely after the ink droplet is dropped on a substrate. Additionally, as the ink has a high sensitivity, the film is formed harder.

UV-curable ink-jet ink, electronic circuit board, electronic component and display device


Method of treating autoimmune conditions are disclosed comprising administering to a mammalian subject IL-12 or an IL-12 antagonist. In certain preferred embodiments the autoimmune condition is one which is promoted by an increase in levels of IFN-γ or TNF-α. Suitable conditions for treatment include multiple sclerosis, systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, autoimmune pulmonary inflammation, Guillain-Barre syndrome, autoimmune thyroiditis, insulin dependent diabetes melitis and autoimmune inflammatory eye disease.

Gamma interferon (IFN-γ) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) have been implicated in the development, exacerbation and/or recurrence of numerous autoimmune conditions. For example, both IFN-γ and TNF-α have been associated with the course of multiple sclerosis [Choflon et al., Eur. Cytokine Netw. 3(6), 1992, pp. 523–531; Steinman, Scientific American, September 1993, pp. 107–114; Hofman et al., J. Exp. Med. 170, 1989, pp. 607–612; Panitch et al., Neurology, 37, 1987, pp. 1097–1102] and Type-I diabetes (insulin-dependent diabetes melitis, IDDM) [Castano et al., Annu. Rev. Immunol. 8, 1990, pp. 647–679; Campbell et al., J. Clin. Invest. 87, 1991, pp. 739–742]. While TNF-α has been found to promote development of rheumatoid arthritis [Feldmann et al., Progress in Growth Factor Research, 4, 1992, pp. 247–255], administration of IFN-γ has been linked to improvements in arthritic subjects [Veys et al., J. Rheumatology, 15(4), 1988, pp. 570–574]. Studies have also demonstrated the involvement of IFN-γ in the autoimmune diseases processes associated with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) [Funauchi et al., Tohoku J. Exp. Med., 164, 1991, pp. 259–267; Bankhurst, J. Rheumatology, 14(supp. 13), 1987, pp. 63–67], autoimmune thyroiditis [Tang et al., Eur. J. Immunol. 23, 1993, pp. 275–278], and autoimmune inflammatory eye disease (e.g., autoimmune uveoretinitis) [Charteris et al., Immunology 75, 1992, pp. 463–467]. Development of autoimmune pulmonary inflammation [Deguchi et al., Clin. Exp. Immunol. 85, 1991, pp. 392–395] and Guillain-Barre syndrome [Baron et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 90, 1993, pp. 4414–4418] have also been tied to TNF-α activity.
Interleukin-12 (IL-12) is a heterodimeric cytokine which was originally identified as a factor which induces IFN-γ from T cells and natural killer cells as set forth in PCT/US91/06332, published Apr. 2, 1992. PCT/US91/06332 refers to IL-12 as Natural Killer Cell Stimulating Factor or NKSF. EP 433827, published Jun. 26, 1991 discloses IL-12 as a cytotoxic lymphocyte maturation factor (CLMF). IL-12 also stimulates natural killer cells in vitro by increasing their ability to lyse target cells at a level comparable to that obtained with IFN-α and IL-2, well-known activators of natural killer cells' cytotoxic activity. Additional in vitro activities of IL-12 which have been identified include induction of TNF-α; induction of T cell proliferation as a co-stimulant; suppression of IL-2 induced proliferation of natural killer blasts; suppression of IL-2 induced proliferation of T cell receptor-γδ-positive cells; promotion of Th1 T cell differentiation from progenitors; enhancement of Th1, but not Th2 proliferation; enhancement of T cell cytolytic activity; enhancement of cytotoxic lymphocyte generation; enhancement of natural killer and natural killer blast cytolytic activity; ex vivo enhancement of natural killer activity in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of IL-2-treated patients; induction of adhesion molecules on natural killer cells; induction of perforin and granzyme B mRNAs in natural killer blasts; induction of IL-2 receptor subunits (p55, p75) on natural killer cells; suppression of IgE synthesis by IFN-γ-dependent and independent mechanisms; modulation of T cell development in fetal thymic organ cultures; and synergy with kit ligand to promote growth of myeloid and B cell progenitors. The known in vivo activities of IL-12 include induction of IFN-γ; enhancement of natural killer cell activity in spleen, liver, lungs and peritoneal cavity; enhancement of generation of allo-specific cytotoxic lymphocytes; induction of extramedullary hematopoiesis in mouse spleen; reversible suppression of hematopoiesis in bone marrow; reversible induction of anemia, lymphopenia, and neutropenia in mice; suppression of anti-IgD induced IgE, IgG1, and IL-4 expression; increased survival in SCID mice treated with Toxoplasma gondii; cure of leishmaniasis in susceptible strains of mice; decreased bioburden in cryptococcoses model; suppression of tumor growth; and promotion of immunity to tumor cells. IL-12 is also induced in vivo in the shwarzman reaction model of septic shock.
Although IL-12 can induce production of IFN-γ and TNF-α in vivo, the relationship of in vivo levels of IL-12 to autoimmune diseases which are affected by levels of IFN-γ and TNF-α has not been established. Furthermore, the effects of administration of IL-12 or antagonists of endogenous IL-12 (such as anti-IL-12 antibodies) on autoimmune diseases associated with induction of IFN-γ or TNF-α have not been examined.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Use of IL-12 and IL-12 antagonists in the treatment of autoimmune diseases


Compositions and methods are provided for the treatment and diagnosis of diseases amenable to modulation of the production of selected proteins. In accordance with preferred embodiments, oligonucleotides and oligonucleotide analogs are provided which are specifically hybridizable with a selected sequence of RNA or DNA wherein at least one of the 2'-deoxyfuranosyl moieties of the nucleoside unit is modified. Treatment of diseases caused by various viruses and other causative agents is provided.

It has been recognized that oligonucleotides can be used to modulate mRNA expression by a mechanism that involyes the complementary hybridization of relatively short oligonucleotides to mRNA such that the normal, essential functions of these intracellular nucleic acids are disrupted. Hybridization is the sequence-specific base pair hydrogen bonding of an oligonucleotide to a complementary RNA or DNA.
One deficiency of oligonucleotides for these purposes is their susceptibility to enzymatic degradation by a variety of ubiquitous nucleases which may be intracellularly and extracellularly located. Unmodified, "wild type", oligonucleotides are not useful as therapeutic agents because they are rapidly degraded by nucleases. Therefore, modification of oligonucleotides for conferring nuclease resistance on them has been a focus of research directed towards the development of oligonucleotide therapeutics and diagnostics.
In addition to nuclease stability, the ability of an oligonucleotide to bind to a specific DNA or RNA with fidelity is a further important factor.
The relative ability of an oligonucleotide to bind to complementary nucleic acids is compared by determining the melting temperature of a particular hybridization complex. The melting temperature (T.sub.m), a characteristic physical property of double helices, is the temperature (in 0.degree. C.) at which 50% helical versus coil (unhybridized) forms are present. T.sub.m is measured by using UV spectroscopy to determine the formation and breakdown (melting) of hybridization. Base stacking, which occurs during hybridization, is accompanied by a reduction in UV absorption (hypochromicity). Consequently, a reduction in UV absorption indicates a higher T.sub.m. The higher the T.sub.m, the greater the strength of the binding of the nucleic acid strands.
Therefore, oligonucleotides modified to exhibit resistance to nucleases and to hybridize with appropriate strength and fidelity to its targeted RNA (or DNA) are greatly desired for use as research reagents, diagnostic agents and as oligonucleotide therapeutics. Various 2'-substitutions have been introduced in the sugar moiety of oligonucleotides. The nuclease resistance of these compounds has been increased by the introduction of 2'-substituents such as halo, alkoxy and allyloxy groups.
Ikehara et al. European Journal of Biochemistry 139, 447 (1984)! have reported the synthesis of a mixed octamer containing one 2'-deoxy-2'-fluoroguanosine residue or one 2'-deoxy-2'-fluoroadenine residue. Guschlbauer and Jankowski Nucleic Acids Res. 8, 1421 (1980)! have shown that the contribution of the 3'-endo increases with increasing electronegativity of the 2'-substituent. Thus, 2'-deoxy-2'-fluorouridine contains 85% of the C3'-endo conformer.
Furthermore, evidence has been presented which indicates that 2'-substituted-2'-deoxyadenosine polynucleotides resemble double-stranded RNA rather than DNA. Ikehara et al. Nucleic Acids Res., 5, 3315 (1978)! have shown that a 2'-fluoro substituent in poly A, poly I, or poly C duplexed to its complement is significantly more stable than the ribonucleotide or deoxyribonucleotide poly duplex as determined by standard melting assays. Ikehara et al. Nucleic Acids Res., 4, 4249 (1978)! have shown that a 2'-chloro or bromo substituent in poly(2'-deoxyadenylic acid) provides nuclease resistance. Eckstein et al. Biochemistry, 11, 4336 (1972)! have reported that poly(2'-chloro-2'-deoxyuridylic acid) and poly(2'-chloro-2'-deoxycytidylic acid) are resistant to various nucleases. Inoue et al. Nucleic Acids Research, 15, 6131 (1987)! have described the synthesis of mixed oligonucleotide sequences containing 2'-OMe substituents on every nucleotide. The mixed 2'-OMe-substituted oligonucleotide hybridized to its RNA complement as strongly as the RNA--RNA duplex which is significantly stronger than the same sequence RNA-DNA heteroduplex (T.sub.m s, 49.0 and 50.1 versus 33.0 degrees for nonamers). Shibahara et al. Nucleic Acids Research, 17, 239 (1987)! have reported the synthesis of mixed oligonucleotides containing 2'-OMe substituents on every nucleotide. The mixed 2'-OMe-substituted oligonucleotides were designed to inhibit HIV replication.
It is believed that the composite of the hydroxyl group's steric effect, its hydrogen bonding capabilities, and its electronegativity versus the properties of the hydrogen atom is responsible for the gross structural difference between RNA and DNA. Thermal melting studies indicate that the order of duplex stability (hybridization) of 2'-methoxy oligonucleotides is in the order of RNA--RNA>RNA-DNA>DNA--DNA.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,013,830, issued May 7, 1991, discloses mixed oligonucleotides comprising an RNA portion, bearing 2'-O-alkyl substituents, conjugated to a DNA portion via a phosphodiester linkage. However, being phosphodiesters, these oligonucleotides are susceptible to nuclease cleavage.
European Patent application 339,842, filed Apr. 13, 1989, discloses 2'-O-substituted phosphorothioate oligonucleotides, including 2'-O-methylribooligonucleotide phosphorothioate derivatives. This application also discloses 2'-O-methyl phosphodiester oligonucleotides which lack nuclease resistance.
European Patent application 260,032, filed Aug. 27, 1987, discloses oligonucleotides having 2'-O-methyl substituents on the sugar moiety. This application also makes mention of other 2'-O-alkyl substituents, such as ethyl, propyl and butyl groups.
International Publication Number WO 91/06556, published May 16, 1991, discloses oligomers derivatized at the 2' position with substituents, which are stable to nuclease activity. Specific 2'-O-substituents which were incorporated into oligonucleotides include ethoxycarbonylmethyl (ester form), and its acid, amide and substituted amide forms.
European Patent application 399,330, filed May 15, 1990, discloses nucleotides having 2'-O-alkyl substituents.
International Publication Number WO 91/15499, published Oct. 17, 1991, discloses oligonucleotides bearing 2'-O-alkyl, -alkenyl and -alkynyl substituents.
It has been recognized that nuclease resistance of oligonucleotides and fidelity of hybridization are of great importance in the development of oligonucleotide therapeutics. Oligonucleotides possessing nuclease resistance are also desired as research reagents and diagnostic agents.


Provided is a curable composition which can easily regulate the properties of a cured object prepared therefrom, which can prepare a cured object that does not substantially discolor or soften a finishing agent or coating material applied to the surface thereof, and which has a high curing rate in the inner regions. The curable composition contains (A) a polymer having at least one mercapto group at the molecular ends, the polymer being derived from a thiocarbonylthio group-containing polymer (a2) prepared by polymerizing a monomer (a1) which contains an acrylic ester as a principal component and which contains 50% by weight or more of the acrylic ester and less than 50% by weight of a monomer copolymerizable with the acrylic ester in the presence of a thiocarbonylthio group-containing compound; (B) a compound having at least two mercapto groups per molecule; and (C) an oxidizing agent.

Examples of known curable compositions which contain mercapto group-containing polymers as essential components and which can be cured by disulfide bond formation reaction include compositions containing a polysulfide polymer, such as Thiokol (manufactured by Toray Thiokol Co., Ltd.); a modified polysulfide polymer, such as Permapol (manufactured by Nippon Shokubai Co., Ltd.); a mercapto group-terminated polyisobutylene-based polymer disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2001-106726; or the like as an essential component. These compositions are used for sealants, oil-resistant coating materials, lining materials, hose materials, printing rollers, cold casting materials, potting materials, modifiers for paint and adhesives, softeners, etc.
However, in some cases, polysulfide polymers may discolor or soften finishing agents or paint applied to surfaces of cured objects, which gives rise to problems particularly when used as elastic sealants. With respect to the compositions using the polyisobutylene-based polymer disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2001-106726, cured objects exhibit poor heat resistance, oil resistance, and weatherability. The modified polysulfide polymer has a long curing time in the inner regions. Furthermore, in polysulfide polymers and modified polysulfide polymers, it is difficult to accurately control the molecular weight or narrow the molecular weight distribution, and hence it is difficult to accurately control the physical properties, such as moduli and elongation, of cured objects, which are affected by the molecular weights and molecular weight distributions.


A “water free,” proton conducting membrane for use in a fuel cell is fabricated as a highly conducting sheet of converted solid state organic amine salt, such as converted acid salt of triethylenediamine with two quaternized tertiary nitrogen atoms, combined with a nanoparticulate oxide and a stable binder combined with the converted solid state organic amine salt to form a polymeric electrolyte membrane. In one embodiment the membrane is derived from triethylenediamine sulfate, hydrogen phosphate or trifiate, an oxoanion with at least one ionizable hydrogen, organic tertiary amine bisulfate, polymeric quaternized amine bisulfate or phosphate, or polymeric organic compounds with quaternizable nitrogen combined with Nafion to form an intimate network with ionic interactions.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to fuel cells and in particular to polymer electrolyte membranes in fuel cells capable of operating at temperatures in excess of 120° C.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A fuel cell is an electrochemical device which reacts a fuel and an oxidant to produce electricity and water. A typical fuel supplied to a fuel cell is hydrogen, and a typical oxidant supplied to a fuel cell is oxygen (or ambient air). Other fuels or oxidants can be employed depending upon the operational conditions and type of fuel cell
The basic process in a fuel cell is highly efficient, and for those fuel cells fueled directly by hydrogen, pollution free. Further, since fuel cells can be assembled into stacks of various sizes, power systems have been developed to produce a wide range of electrical power outputs and thus can be employed in numerous industrial applications. The teachings of prior art patents, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,242,764; 6,030,718; 6,096,449, are incorporated by reference herein.
A fuel cell produces an electromotive force by reacting fuel and oxygen at respective electrode interfaces which share a common electrolyte. For example, in proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells, the construction of same includes a proton exchange membrane which acts not only as an electrolyte, but also as a barrier to prevent the hydrogen and oxygen from mixing. One commercially available proton exchange membrane is manufactured from a perfluorcarbon material which is marketed under the trademark Nafion, and which is sold by the E. I. DuPont de Nemours Company. Proton exchange membranes may also be purchased from other commercial sources. As should be understood, the proton exchange membrane is positioned between, and in contact with, the two electrodes which form the anode and cathode of the fuel cell.
In the case of a PEM type fuel cell, hydrogen gas is introduced at a first electrode (anode) where it reacts electrochemically in the presence of a catalyst to produce electrons and protons. The electrons are circulated from the first electrode to a second electrode (cathode) through an electrical circuit which couples these respective electrodes. Further, the protons pass through a membrane of solid, polymeric electrolyte (a proton exchange membrane or PEM) to the second electrode (cathode). Simultaneously, an oxidant, such as oxygen gas, (or air), is introduced to the second electrode where the oxidant reacts electrochemically in the presence of the catalyst and is combined with the electrons from the electrical circuit and the protons (having come across the proton exchange membrane) thus forming water. This reaction further completes the electrical circuit.
The following half cell reactions take place:H2→2H++2e-(½)O2+2H++2e-→H2O
As noted above the hydrogen or fuel-side" electrode is designated as the anode, and the oxygen (skip "side") electrode is identified as the cathode. The external electric circuit conveys the generated electrical current and can thus extract electrical power from the cell. The overall PEM fuel cell reaction produces electrical energy which is the sum of the separate half cell reactions occurring in the fuel cell less its internal losses.
Polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells are promising as power sources for transportation applications. In recent years, great strides have been made in the development of reformate-air fuel cells. Perfluorinated ionomeric membranes such as Nafion®) have been widely used in PEM fuel cells as electrolytes due to the excellent stability, high ionic conductivity and mechanical strength that these polymeric materials offer. This is particularly true for stack operation below 120° C.
More recently, there is a new emphasis on increasing the temperature of fuel cell operation to 150° C. or even as high as 200° C. so that carbon monoxide tolerance can be enhanced from the current levels of 100 ppm to 10,000 ppm. However, at temperatures greater than 120° C., the water retentivity of Nafion-type membranes is poor. Consequently, the ionic conductivity of Nafion suffers resulting in poor fuel cell performance.
Thus, an alternate membrane that retains high conductivity at temperatures as high as 200° C. is needed.
It is also important that such a membrane exhibits sufficient thermal and electrochemical stability and favorable interfacial properties for electro-reduction of oxygen and electro-oxidation of hydrogen.

Proton conducting membranes for high temperature fuel cells with solid state “water free” membranes


An electrical circuit for simultaneously energizing at least a pair of CCFLs that are connected in series. The circuit also includes a transformer having a primary winding adapted to receive an alternating current. A secondary winding is coupled in series with the CCFLs to energize their operation. A shunt capacitor, connected in parallel across one CCFL, significantly reduces the peak voltage that must be applied across the CCFLs. Usually, the circuit also includes an isolation capacitor connected in series between the CCFLs and the secondary winding of the transformer. The isolation capacitor provides both DC blocking and electrical isolation between the secondary winding and the CCFLs.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to electrical circuits for supplying electrical energy for energizing cold-cathode fluorescent lamps ("CCFLs") and, more particularly, to electrical circuits for simultaneously energizing at least a pair of CCFLs with electrical energy supplied from a single transformer.
2. Description of the Prior Art
CCFLs are used extensively to provide backlighting for passive displays, particularly for backlighting liquid crystal displays ("LCDs") used with digital computers. However, traditionally such backlighting applications have required only a single CCFL which is generally energized using an electrical circuit such as that illustrated in FIG. 1. As depicted in FIG. 1, for a typical backlighting application an alternating current ("AC") energy source 22 applies electrical energy at a frequency of approximately 20 to 100 kilohertz ("KHz"), and at a comparatively low voltage, e.g. 3.0 to 25.0 volts, across a primary winding 24 of a step-up transformer 26. The transformer 26 also includes a secondary winding 28 that has many more turns than that of the primary winding 24, e.g. 100 times more turns. Thus, the transformer 26 increases the comparatively low voltage AC applied across the primary winding 24 to an approximately 300 to 2,500 volt AC voltage across the secondary winding 28.
To energize operation of a single CCFL 32, the CCFL 32 is connected in series both with the secondary winding 28 of the transformer 26 and with an isolation capacitor 34. The isolation capacitor 34 provides both direct current ("DC") blocking and electrical isolation between the secondary winding 28 and the CCFL 32. For conventional CCFLs 32 used for backlighting computer LCDs, the isolation capacitor 34 usually has a capacitance of approximately 10 to 68 pico-farads ("pf").
When the CCFL 32 is off, i.e. not emitting any light, initially the AC voltage applied across the CCFL 32 rises to a break-down voltage of approximately 1,000 to 1,600 volts. Before the voltage across the CCFL 32 reaches the break-down voltage, the CCFL 32 is in a non-conductive state, i.e. essentially no electrical current flows through the CCFL 32, and only leakage electrical currents flow through the secondary winding 28 and the isolation capacitor 34. When the CCFL 32 breaks-down, enters a conductive state in which an appreciable electrical current flows through the CCFL 32, and the CCFL 32 begins emitting light; the voltage across the CCFL 32 drops to a sustaining voltage of approximately 350 to 600 volts. This phenomenon in which the voltage across the CCFL 32 drops to the sustaining voltage when the CCFL 32 becomes electrically conductive is frequently referred to as negative-impedance. After the CCFL 32 becomes conductive and begins emitting light, the voltage across the isolation capacitor 34 remains essentially constant during an interval which lasts until the AC voltage across the secondary winding 28 drops below the sustaining voltage for some interval of time. Because comparatively high frequency AC energy is supplied to the primary winding 24 of the transformer 26, returning the CCFL 32 to the non-conductive state requires reducing the voltage across the lamp below the sustaining voltage for an interval of time that is much longer than one cycle of the AC voltage across the CCFL 32. When the AC voltage across the secondary winding 28 drops below the sustaining voltage for a sufficiently long interval of time, the CCFL 32 again becomes non-conductive and stops emitting light. During each cycle of the AC voltage after break-down initially occurs, the CCFL 32 conducts electricity twice with electrical current flowing through the CCFL 32 first in one direction during a first sustaining voltage interval, and then in the opposite direction during a second sustaining voltage interval.
Recently, computer displays have begun using larger area LCDs that require using at least two (2) CCFLs 32a and 32b for proper backlighting. FIG. 2 depicts one circuit that may be used for energizing operation of two (2) CCFLs 32a and 32b in which the two (2) CCFLs 32a and 32b are connected in parallel across the secondary winding 28 of the transformer 26 respectively by identical, individual isolation capacitors 34. However, the negative-impedance characteristics of the CCFLs 32a and 32b implies that the lower, sustaining voltage across the CCFLs 32a and 32b occurs during intervals in each AC cycle in which a significant electrical current flows through the CCFLs 32a and 32b. Thus, selection of the isolation capacitors 34a and 34b becomes very critical in achieving proper operation of the CCFLs 32a and 32b in the electrical circuit depicted in FIG. 2.
The amount of light produced by each of the CCFLs 32a and 32b depicted in FIG. 2 depends strongly upon the electrical current flowing through the respective CCFLs 32a and 32b. The more electrical current flowing through the CCFLs 32a and 32b, the brighter the light emitted. As set forth below electrical current flows through each of the parallel connected isolation capacitors 34a and 34b and CCFLs 32a and 32b in accordance with Kirchoff's voltage law. EQU V.sub.P =V.sub.C.sbsb.1 +I.sub.1 Z.sub.1 =V.sub.C.sbsb.2 +I.sub.2 Z.sub.2
where
V.sub.P is the voltage across the secondary winding 28. PA1 V.sub.Ci is the voltage across capacitor "i." PA1 I.sub.i is the current flowing through the CCFL 32.sub.i PA1 Z.sub.i is the impedance of the CCFL 32.sub.i PA1 1. the size of the transformer 26 increases approximately 1.8 to 2.0 times; PA1 2. it is difficult to design isolation capacitors 34a and 34b to match with the CCFLs 32a and 32b under all operating conditions; and PA1 3. the CCFLs 32a and 32b exhibit non-uniform brightness due to current-hogging which also reduces the life of the CCFLs 32a and 32b, and the reliability and performance of the electronic system that includes the CCFLs 32a and 32b. PA1 1. the transformer 26 is approximately 1.8 to 2.0 times larger; PA1 2. the voltage rating of the isolation capacitor 34 depicted in FIG. 3 must be two (2) times greater than for the isolation capacitor 34 depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2; and PA1 3. parasitics such as stray capacitances and wire inductance between the CCFLs 32a and 32b make equalizing the current flowing through each of the CCFLs 32a and 32b difficult.
The " " over each of the parameters represents the phase of AC flowing through the electrical component described by that parameter.
It is readily apparent from the circuit depicted in FIG. 1 and from the preceding equation that either of the two (2) CCFLs 32a and 32b can "hog" substantially all the electrical current supplied by the secondary winding 28 of the transformer 26. If one (1) of the two (2) CCFLs 32a and 32b hogs all the current, the life of that particular CCFL 32 will be shortened which correspondingly shortens the life of the pair of CCFLs 32a and 32b. Correspondingly, if one of the CCFLs 32a and 32b hogs all the electrical current supplied by the secondary winding 28, then that particular CCFL 32 will be brighter than the other CCFL 32, and backlighting of a LCD will not be uniform.
Another disadvantage of the preceding circuit is that the wire used for the secondary winding 28 of the transformer 26 depicted in FIG. 2 must be significantly larger than that used for the secondary winding 28 depicted in FIG. 1. Normally, the full-rated electrical current for each of the CCFLs 32a and 32b is approximately 5 milliamperes ("mA") root-mean-square ("rms"). Therefore, the rms electrical current flowing through the secondary winding 28 of the transformer 26 depicted in FIG. 2 is approximately 10 mA rms. To maintain electrical efficiency of the transformer 26, doubling the electrical current flowing through the secondary winding 28 requires doubling the size of the wire used for the secondary winding 28. Doubling the size of the wire used for the secondary winding 28 approximately doubles the size of the transformer 26.
In summary then, the circuit depicted in FIG. 2 for energizing the operation of two CCFLs 32a and 32b, which is a conventional extension of the circuit depicted in FIG. 1, exhibits the disadvantages that:
FIG. 3 depicts another circuit that may be used for energizing operation of two (2) CCFLs 32a and 32b in which the two (2) CCFLs 32a and 32b are connected in series with a single isolation capacitor 34 across the secondary winding 28 of the transformer 26. In comparison with the circuit depicted in FIG. 2, the circuit in FIG. 3 ensures that substantially the same electrical current flows through both of the CCFLs 32a and 32b. Therefore when incorporated into the circuit depicted in FIG. 3, both of the CCFLs 32a and 32b emit approximately the same amount of light, and operation in the circuit depicted in FIG. 2 does not significantly reduce the life of either of the CCFLs 32a and 32b.
However, to ensure that the voltage applied to the series connected CCFLs 32a and 32b exceeds twice the break-down voltage of the individual CCFLs 32a and 32b, the output voltage that the secondary winding 28 may apply across the series connected isolation capacitor 34 and CCFLs 32a and 32b must be twice the output voltage applied by the secondary winding 28 of the transformer 26 depicted in either FIGS. 1 or 2. Consequently, in general the secondary winding 28 of the transformer 26 depicted in FIG. 3 must have twice as many turns as the secondary winding 28 of the transformer 26 depicted either in FIG. 1 or FIG. 2 even though the size of the wire used for the secondary winding 28 remains the same. However, doubling the voltage produced by the transformer 26 not only increases the number of turns required for the secondary winding 28, but also mandates increased electrical insulation to prevent break-down and arcing at the higher peak voltage.
In summary then, the circuit depicted in FIG. 3 for energizing the operation of two CCFLs 32a and 32b, which is also a conventional extension of the circuit depicted in FIG. 1, exhibits the disadvantages that:

Circuit for energizing cold-cathode fluorescent lamps


An installation system for use with a motor comprising a motor base coupled to the motor and having a first aperture through the motor base, and a first post coupled to a support structure and configured to cooperate with the first aperture, wherein the first post is configured to temporarily support the motor while the motor is removably coupled to the support structure. The present invention also provides a method of manufacturing the motor installation system.

Electric motors are used in many applications to drive machinery or other devices. It is not uncommon to encounter heavy electric motors that, in order to install them, require the installer to support the motor in approximately the final location while mounting bolts are inserted through slots in a motor mount base and into or through a mounting structure which is part of a motor-driven device, e.g., air conditioning unit. Securing nuts are then coupled to the mounting bolts, the mounting bolts and nuts tightened to the point that motor alignment to the driven machinery can be accomplished and then the nuts are tightened to securely hold the motor in place. Frequently these motors, such as for powering large air conditioner installations, are quite heavy, requiring the installer to use both hands to position the motor and to perform a "juggling act" to insert the bolts and attach the nuts. Failure of the motor necessitates a similar juggling act to dismount the motor and to install a new one. Losing a grip on a heavy motor can be both painful and dangerous.
Accordingly, what is needed in the art is a motor mounting system that does not suffer the shortcomings of the prior art and frees the hands of the installer from the weight of the motor when inserting and coupling the mounting bolts and nuts, while still allowing for final alignment of the motor with the driven machinery.


A television signal receiving device and a method for determining whether a target channel includes a television program signal are provided. The television signal receiving device, including a tuner to receive a radio-frequency (RF) signal, to select the target channel from a plurality of channels in the RF signal, and to down-convert the target channel, includes: an analog-to-digital converter (ADC), configured to convert an analog signal carried in the down-converted target channel to a digital signal; an operation circuit, configured to perform an operation on the digital signal to obtain a correlation comparing result; and a control circuit, configured to determine whether the target channel includes the television program signal according to the correlation comparing result.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates in general to a television signal receiving device and a method for determining whether a channel includes a television program signal, and more particularly to a device and a method capable of quickly determining whether a channel includes a television program signal for an Integrated Services Digital Broadcasting-Terrestrial (ISDB-T) television system or a Digital Video Broadcasting-Terrestrial (DVB-T) television system.
2. Description of the Related Art
One function of a television receiver is scanning television channels, i.e., determining whether a specific television channel includes a television program signal. FIG. 1 shows a functional block diagram of a conventional Integrated Services Digital Broadcasting-Terrestrial (ISDB-T) signal receiver. In digital television broadcasting, a radio-frequency (RF) signal includes multiple television channels, each of which including more than one television program signals. After receiving the RF signal from an antenna 105, a tuner 110 selects a target channel from the multiple channels, and down-converts the RF signal in the target channel to an intermediate low frequency signal. The target channel is inspected by a subsequent circuit whether it includes the television program signal. An analog-to-digital converter (ADC) 115, coupled to the tuner 110, converts an analog signal carried in the target channel to a digital signal. A fast Fourier transform (FFT) circuit 125 converts the digital signal from the time domain to the frequency domain, and includes synchronization circuits at its front and rear ends. As the two synchronization circuits respectively process the synchronization procedure of the digital signal in the time domain and the frequency domain, they are respectively named as a time-domain synchronization circuit 120 and a frequency-domain synchronization circuit 130. The time-domain synchronization circuit 120 is coupled to the ADC 115. Since the time-domain synchronization circuit 120 and the frequency-domain synchronization circuit 130 are respectively located and front and rear ends of the FFT circuit 125, the two may also respectively be referred to as a pre-FFT synchronization circuit and a post-FFT synchronization circuit.
The time-domain synchronization circuit 120 analyzes and obtains required synchronization information of signals in the time domain; the frequency-domain synchronization circuit 130 analyzes and obtains required synchronization information of signals in the frequency domain. In practice, it may be regarded that the time-domain synchronization circuit 120 processes a coarse-tune step of the synchronization procedure of the digital signal, and the frequency-domain synchronization circuit 130 processes a fine-tune step of the synchronization procedure for the digital signal. The synchronization procedure that the frequency-domain synchronization circuit 130 handles for the digital signal includes a correlation operation to obtain a plurality of correlation values, according to which a carrier frequency offset (CFO) of the digital signal can be determined. More specifically, the CFO may include an integer carrier frequency offset (ICFO) and a fractional carrier frequency offset (FCFO), and the correlation values may be further categorized into ICFO correlation values and FCFO correlation values. As shown in FIG. 1, the frequency-domain synchronization circuit 130 is directly coupled to the time-domain synchronization circuit 120, in the aim of transmitting ICFO information to the time-domain synchronization circuit 120. Thus, the time-domain synchronization circuit 120 may compensate the digital signal according to the ICFO correlation values such that the frequency offset no longer exists in the compensated signal.
Again referring to FIG. 1, a channel estimation circuit 135 is coupled to the frequency-domain synchronization circuit 130, and mainly serves for estimating a multipath interference of the digital signal. An equalizer 140 is coupled to the channel estimation circuit 135, and mainly serves for filtering out signals of channels other than a main channel according to an estimation result of the channel estimation circuit 135. A transmission and multiplexing configuration control (TMCC) decoding circuit 145 is coupled to the equalizer 140, and analyzes and obtains information such as a modulation mechanism and a code rate of inner code of the digital signal. The TMCC decoding circuit 145 is sequentially coupled to a frequency-domain deinterlacing circuit 150 and a time-domain deinterlacing circuit 155, which respectively deinterlace the digital signal in the frequency domain and in the time domain. A quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) demapping circuit 160 is coupled to the time-domain deinterlacing circuit 155, and demodulates the digital signal. Circuits coupled subsequent to the QAM demapping circuit are sequentially coupled an internal deinterlacing circuit 165, a Viterbi decoder 170 and an external deinterlacing circuit 175. The internal deinterlacing circuit 165 and the external deinterlacing circuit 175 internally and externally deinterlace the digital signal, respectively. The Viterbi decoder 170 performs Viterbi decoding on the digital signal. Eventually a Reed-Solomon decoding circuit 180, coupled to the external deinterlacing circuit 175, performs Reed-Solomon decoding on the digital signal to generate a transport stream signal required by the television system.
In the prior art, it can be learned whether a target channel includes a program signal usually only after the Reed-Solomon decoding circuit 180 completes the corresponding decoding process. In some publications, it is proposed that information such as the foregoing modulation mechanism and code rate of inner rate be utilized to bring forward the time point for determining whether the target channel includes a television program signal. However, as the average time needed for such determination process is about 300 ms to 550 ms, the total time required for scanning all channels adds up to a substantial amount for a large number of channels.

Television signal receiving device and method for determining whether channel includes television program signal


A system and method for measuring circuits on an integrated circuit substrate includes a measurement circuit formed on the integrated circuit substrate that measures at least one characteristic of an integrated circuit. The measurement circuit has a power transfer device including a power transfer component, which receives energy from a source where the source does not make physical contact with the integrated circuit substrate to transfer power to the measurement circuit. Measurements are taken to provide feedback for in-situ adjustments to circuit parameters and responses.

1. Technical Field
Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure relate to circuit testing, and more particularly to a system and method for contactless testing of wafers that are undergoing semiconductor processing.
2. Description of the Related Art
It is desirable, in semiconductor processes, to be able to measure or have some indication of how close a parameter is to a target value when a fabrication process is completed. However, many aspects of semiconductor fabrication do not yet offer control over the absolute values of key parameters. It is this lack of control that has forced circuit designers to turn to ratio techniques that take advantage of the local tracking of parameters, which, in contrast, are tightly controlled, in this processing environment.

Contactless circuit testing for adaptive wafer processing

International Business Machines Corporation


An Intelligent Profiling Engine system contains a knowledge base and form base in which domain knowledge, forms, filters, rules, and clocks are represented. The system profiles users by presenting forms containing questions to users via multiple communication channels. Forms are selected based upon the results of utilizing filters, rules, and clocks to identify target populations of users. Filters, rules, and clocks also specify what information is important with respect to each user and how frequently information about each user must be refreshed. Liaisons present forms to users, store answers in a user data tank, and deliver benefits to users as a reward for answering questions. The system maximizes the utility of information gathered from users over time according to form weights. Thus, the invention is an automated profiling scheme.

This invention relates to a system that represents and reasons with knowledge to maximize information about users and more particularly to an automated user profiling scheme.
Referring to FIG. 1, a traditional prior art knowledge-based system 10 has three components: a knowledge base 16, a data tank 12, and an inference engine 14. The knowledge base 16 captures concepts and relationships among concepts in a standard symbolic framework. The data tank 12 (often called a "working memory") stores instantiated concepts. For example, the knowledge base 16 represents a concept "temperature" while the data tank 12 stores the fact that the temperature is currently 25 degrees Celsius. The inference engine 14 utilizes the relationships among concepts in the knowledge base 16 and the facts stored in the data tank 12 to reason (make inferences) about the domain covered by the knowledge-based system 10.
A traditional knowledge-based system 10 often operates as an autonomous problem-solving agent. Sometimes, the traditional knowledge-based system 10 is operated by a user, and during the process of reasoning about the domain, an inference engine 14 may ask questions of the user. The particular questions are chosen as a result of the inference engine 14 "blocking" for lack of a particular fact. Hence questions asked of a user are a side effect of lacking information about the domain required to continue the inferencing process.
Thus, a traditional knowledge-based system 10 represents and reasons with knowledge, and it focuses on problem-solving where the user (if present) is merely an adjunct to or resource for the problem-solving process. A traditional knowledge-based system 10 does not focus on a specific goal of gathering extensive information about the user and keeping that information up-to-date (i.e., "user profiling"). Accordingly, a need remains for an automated profiling system that intelligently questions users in order to maximize up-to-date information about them.