A fragment, synthetic or natural, DNA or RNA, may be attached to a non-radiological label such as a fluorescent compound, a luminescent compound or a color reflective compound, by a linker. The linker is an aminoalkylphosphoramide. The linker may contain a number of methyl units selected to adjust the mobility of the arrangement of the tagged fragment in a polyacrylamide gel during electro-phoresis. A unique color may be attached to each for the four bases. The color coded bases may be separated in a single lane of the ployacrylamide gel. Because the mobility of each arrangement has been adjusted the normal one base spacing will be produced. The sequence of the target may be read directly by manually observing the color sequence or by an automatic reader. The tagging of natural fragments may be used to tag a preselected gene, in the application of Southern and Northern bloting diagnostic procedures, as a diagnostic tool to hunt/detect selected DNA and to label probes to detect ribosonal RNA of pathogens.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to the genetic engineering and recombinant DNA art and, more particularly, to an improved tagging or labeling of fragments with fluorescent, luminescent, or color reflective labels.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The modern history of genetic engineering is generally accepted to have begun in 1973 when refinements in analytic methods uncovered unanticipated complexities and subtleties in the organization, replication, and expression of DNA. Revision of earlier concepts have been dependent upon the use of molecular tools for dissecting, cloning, and amplifying genomes.
The ability to sequence the DNA is one of the most fundamental and important technological advancements in basic research and now in clinical medicine. Most of the current methods of DNA sequence analysis utilize biologically hazardous, short lived radioisotopes such as phosphorus 32 (32P) to tag the DNA in vitro for determining the size and composition of fragments. However, the process of sequencing is labor intensive and time consuming.
In the chemical method of sequence analysis, the terminal nucleotide of a fragment is labeled and then hydrolyzed by base-specific reaction. The enzymatic replication method of sequence analysis incorporates the cloning of the gene that is to be sequenced and then attaching it to a single stranded DNA bacteriophage. A primer DNA which has the complementary base sequence to the DNA segment adjacent to the cloned gene is used to initiate the copying of the cloned DNA. The process of this synthesis requires four kinds of deoxyribonucleoside triphosphates (dATP, dCTP, dGTP and dTTP) as precursers and four different dideoxyribonucleoside triphosphates (ddATP, ddCTP, ddGTP and ddTTP) as chain terminators. Reaction mixtures for copying the DNA containing all four precursers and only one each of the four chain terminators are placed in four separate tubes. When a dideoxytriphosphate is incorporated to the copied DNA, the subsequent DNA synthesis ceases immediately and chain termination occurs. As a result, all the copied DNA with ddATP, for example, terminates at positions where dATP is normally incorporated. Since incorporations of dideoxytriphosphates occur anywhere in the copied DNA, various lengths of DNA, with dideoxytriphosphate bases at their termini are generated. The copied DNA fragments are then separated by polyacrylamide gel electro-phoresis according to the number of bases in each fragment of DNA. In order to detect the DNA on the gel, a radioactive tag such as 32P labeled deoxyribonucleoside triphosphate is incorporated into the copied DNA. The radioactive DNA is separated on the gel and visualized by exposing the gel to x-ray film. The sequence of the copied DNA is read from the autoradiograph of the gel.
Others have attempted to substitute elements such as fluorescent or luminescent tagging for radioactive tagging. A method developed by Smith, Fung and others The synthesis of oligonucleotides containing an aliphatic amino group at the 5' terminus: synthesis of fluorescent DNA primers for use in DNA sequence analysis, Nucleic Acids Research, Volume 13, Number 7, 1985, page 2399. utilizes chemically synthesized DNA primers with a covalently attached fluorophores as a substitute for the radiolabeled nucleoside triphosphate for use in DNA sequence analysis. However, each fluorescent compound utilized must fluoresce at a significantly different wave length from the other three compounds in order for the user to observe the compound separate and apart from the others. Therefore, four different compounds must be used. The chemical characteristics of each compound is sufficiently different to alter the mobility of the primers in a polyacrylamide gel electro-phoresis. This alteration is readily apparent when attempting to read the pattern of bands after separation. The normal separation of fragments by one base pair in each lane of the gel is compromised by this delta-difference in chemical characteristics of the fluorescent compounds by displacing the band by more than the normal band width for a base pair. Thus the accuracy of determination of the DNA sequence is compromised.
Thus, there has long been a need for a non-radiological tagging which could incorporate compensation for the chemical characteristics of the tagging.
Further, it is also desired that the tagging utilize only a single lane in polyacrylamide gel electro-phoresis in order to allow simplified automatic analysis of sequencing.
Further, it is also desired that the tagging be useful on natural as well as synthesized DNA primers.


A thin film transistor liquid crystal display includes a substrate, a first conductive line disposed on the substrate, an inorganic insulating layer covering the substrate, a transparent electrode attached to the inorganic insulating layer, a second conductive line crossing the first conductive line, an inorganic passivation layer covering the substrate and a pixel electrode attached to the inorganic passivation layer and overlapping the transparent electrode and a part of the first conductive line.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a thin-film-transistor liquid-crystal display (TFT-LCD), and more particularly, to a TFT-LCD with a high aperture ratio and with a reduced coupling effect.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Within the popularity of LCDs, display devices from small size to large size usually include TFT-LCDs. However, because the TFT-LCD with smaller size has a smaller displaying region, an aperture ratio of the TFT-LCD with smaller size is lower than the TFT-LCD with larger size in the same resolution so that brightness and contrast of the TFT-LCD with smaller size are reduced. Besides, when the TFT-LCD with a higher resolution is required, the aperture ratio of the TFT-LCD with a higher resolution will also be reduced. Therefore, in order to maintain high brightness in a display, brightness of the backlight should be increased, but cost of the backlight module will be also increased. How to increase the aperture ratio is therefore an important aspect in developing the TFT-LCD.
In the prior art, a poly-silicon TFT-LCD has been already developed. The electron mobility of the poly-silicon is about ten to hundred times higher than the electron mobility of the normally used amorphous silicon, so that the size of the TFT can be reduced so as to have a higher aperture ratio. However, manufacturing methods of the poly-silicon TFT require a manufacturing temperature higher than a temperature of manufacturing an amorphous silicon TFT, and the manufacturing methods of the poly-silicon TFT also require a laser annealing process for transforming the amorphous silicon structure into the poly-silicon structure. Therefore, in the field of cost and yield, the manufacturing methods of the poly-silicon TFT-LCD are not as good as the manufacturing method of the amorphous silicon TFT-LCD.
Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a top view of a pixel structure of TFT-LCD according to a prior art, and FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a cross-section along line AA′ of FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 1, a pixel structure 10 of the TFT-LCD includes two scan lines 12 parallel to each other, two data lines 14 perpendicular to the scan lines 12, a TFT 16 disposed at a border between the data line 14 and the scan line 12, a common line 18 disposed between the scan lines 12, and a pixel electrode 20 overlapping a part of the scan lines 12 and the data lines 14, wherein the TFT 16 includes a source electrode 110 and a drain electrode 120. Because the pixel electrode 20 overlaps the scan lines 12 and the data lines 14, coupling capacitances between the pixel electrode 20 and the scan lines 12 are generated, and coupling capacitances between the pixel electrode 20 and the data lines 14 are also generated.
As shown in FIG. 2, the pixel structure 10 further includes an array substrate 22, an organic layer 24, a conductive layer 26, a gate insulating layer 28, and a passivation layer 30. The TFT 16 and the common line 18 are disposed on the array substrate 22. The conductive layer 26 disposed between the gate insulating layer 28 and the passivation layer 30. The organic layer 24 is disposed between the passivation layer 30 and the pixel electrode 20, and the organic layer 24 and the passivation layer 30 both have two through holes 32, 34, so that the pixel electrode 20 can be electrically connected to the drain electrode 110 via the through hole 34 and connected to the conductive layer 26 via the through hole 32. The prior art provides the organic layer 24 and increases the thickness of the organic layer 24 so as to reduce the coupling capacitances between the pixel electrode 20 and the scan lines 12 and the data lines 14, and then, the coupling effect can be reduced. However, in the prior art, the organic layer 24 between the pixel electrode 20 and the passivation layer 30 should also be provided, and the organic layer 24 should have a thickness about 3 micrometers. This means that the manufacturing cost will be increased, and the thickness of the pixel structure 10 of TFT-LCD will also be increased. Therefore, to raise the aperture ratio without increasing manufacturing cost and with reduced coupling effect is an extremely important goal.

Liquid crystal display with high aperture ratio


A method of determining an optimal transmission mode and a data frame structure for determining an optimal transmission mode in a data transmission system using a relay, are provided. Any one of a base station, a relay, and a mobile station determines an optimal transmission mode from among a plurality of transmission modes, and the base station transmits the determined optimal transmission mode by enabling the determined optimal transmission mode to be included in the system information duration of the data frame, so that the overall relay system can transmit data according to the optimal transmission mode.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method of transmitting data using a relay, and more particularly, to a signaling method of determining an optimal transmission mode using a relay, and a frame structure for determining an optimal transmission mode using a relay.
2. Description of Related Art
With the development of wireless communication networks, various communication services such as simple voice communication, data transmission for video conferencing, and the like, based on wireless technologies have been gradually introduced.
The communication quality of a digital communication system is controlled in accordance with a ratio of the strength of a transmitted data signal to the strength of an interference signal and noise. However, the strength of the transmitted data signal deteriorates over time due to wireless channel characteristics. Thus, in a conventional mobile communication technology, a wireless terminal using a specific communication service cannot ensure its communication quality due to a fading phenomenon where a wireless channel varies over time.
In this regard, a scheme in which a predetermined Signal to Interference and Noise Ratio (SNIR) value is set, and the strength of a transmitted data signal is controlled based on the set value has been suggested. However, in the case where the wireless channel varies rapidly, the scheme cannot ensure communication quality.
In order to overcome the above-mentioned fading phenomenon, various diversity schemes have been used. In particular, a space diversity scheme for transceiving data using a plurality of antennas placed apart spatially from one another has been widely used as a simple scheme that is effective for overcoming the fading phenomenon.
The space diversity scheme may be used for the case in which a relatively larger space where antennas are installed is provided, such as a base station or an access point; however, it cannot be used in the case where a relatively smaller space in which antennas are installed is provided, such as a terminal.
Therefore, for overcoming the above-mentioned shortcoming, a data transceiving method using a relay has been proposed. This method is performed such that a relay receives data from a base station and forwards the received data to a terminal, and the terminal receives the data via a path having a relatively superior channel state, which corresponds to either a path from a base station to a terminal or a path from a relay to a terminal.
However, in the data transceiving method, a specific signaling process and data frame structure for determining an optimal path from among paths connecting the base station, the relay, and the terminal with one another have not been suggested, and thus a problem in substantially transmitting data arises.

Method for determining optimal transmission mode and frame structure for mode determination in relay system


The present invention relates to C34 peptide derivatives that are inhibitors of viral infection and/or exhibit antifusogenic properties. In particular, this invention relates to C34 derivatives having inhibiting activity against human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), human parainfluenza virus (HPV), measles virus (MeV), and simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) with long duration of action for the treatment of the respective viral infections.

Membrane fusion events, while commonplace in normal cell biological processes, are also involved in a variety of disease states, including, for example the entry of enveloped viruses into cells. Peptides are known to inhibit or otherwise disrupt membrane fusion-associated events, including, for example, inhibiting retroviral transmission to uninfected cells.
HIV is a member of the lentivirus family of retroviruses, and there are two prevalent types of HIV, HIV-1 and HIV-2, with various strain of each having been identified. HIV targets CD4+ cells, and viral entry depends on binding of the HIV protein gp120 to the CD4 glycoprotein and a chemokine receptor on cell surface. C34 is known to exhibit anti-viral activity against HIV, including inhibiting CD4+ cell infection by free virus and/or inhibiting HIV-induced syncytia formation between infected and uninfected CD4+ cells. The inhibition is believed to occur by binding of C34 to the first heptad repeat region in gp41 and thus preventing the first and second heptad repeat regions from formating the fusigenic hairpin structure.
C34 is known to possess antifusogenic activity, i.e., it has the ability to inhibit or reduce the level of membrane fusion events between two or more entities, e.g., virus-cell or cell-cell, relative to the level of membrane fusion that occurs in the absence of the peptide. More specifically, WO 00/06599 teaches the use of C34 to inactivate gp41, and thus, prevent or reduce HIV-1 entry into cells.
While many of the anti-viral or anti-fusogenic peptides described in the art exhibit potent anti-viral and/or anti-fusogenic activity, C34, like all such peptides, suffers from short half-life in vivo, primarily due to rapid serum clearance and peptidase and protease activity. This in turn greatly reduces its effective anti-viral activity.
There is therefore a need for a method of prolonging the half-life of peptides like C34 in vivo without substantially affecting the anti-fusogenic activity.

Long lasting fusion peptide inhibitors for HIV infection


The present invention provides a sequencing control strategy for environmental system controllers that takes better advantage of the capabilities of the system elements to enhance performance and reduce operating costs. Digital controller technology is included and operates in accordance with a state transition diagram clarifying conditions that must exist for the environmental controller to switch from one mode of operation to another (e.g., from a cooling mode with dampers set at the minimum position to a cooling mode with the dampers modulating to reduce the energy used for mechanical cooling). Several controllers, or a single controller operating on several sets of control parameters, sequentially operate in accordance with transition data and system performance characteristics for controlling system operation.

Environmental control systems such as heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) systems are well known and are designed and implemented to maintain environmental conditions within buildings. A typical installation sees the building divided into zones, and the HVAC system is adapted to maintain each of the zones within predefined environmental parameters (e.g., temperature, humidity, outdoor-recirculated air ratio, etc.). In this exemplary installation, an air distribution system connects each of the zones with an air handling unit (AHU) for providing a supply of conditioned air to the zones.
The AHU generally includes elements for introducing outdoor air into the system and for exhausting air from the system; elements for heating, cooling, filtering and otherwise conditioning the air in the system; and elements for circulating the air within the air distribution system at a desired flow rate. The AHU also includes a controller to control the operation of these elements. A primary task of the AHU is to provide supply air to each of the particular zones to offset the thermal loads imposed on the zone to maintain a comfortable environment for the occupants. Because thermal loads for the zones can vary markedly, it is common for an AHU to be controlled to maintain the supply air temperature at a setpoint value that is sufficiently low to satisfy the zone with the largest load at any given time. If needed, the air stream is throttled and/or reheated at terminal boxes to provide adequate comfort in all zones.
AHU controllers commonly use sequencing logic to determine the most economic way to utilize the elements of the AHU to minimize the cost of maintaining the supply air temperature at the setpoint value. For instance, it is not uncommon for a building subjected to large daily temperature swings to require mechanical heating in the morning and mechanical cooling in the afternoon. Costs associated with mechanical cooling can be reduced using economizer cycle control. Economizer cycle control involves modulating dampers located in the mixing box to control the amount of outdoor air that is introduced to the AHU. Under the proper outdoor air conditions and economizer cycle control, the supply air temperature can be maintained at the setpoint value without the use (or with reduced use) of mechanical cooling.
Economizer cycle control logic typically involves a comparison of the outdoor and return air temperatures or enthalpies. If the outdoor air temperature is greater than some minimum value and less than the return air temperature, an opportunity exists to reduce mechanical cooling costs.
On the surface, sequencing logic and economizer control are quite intuitive. In practice, however, the logic can be very difficult to follow and just as challenging to implement because of numerous exceptional cases (e.g., freeze control, etc.) that must be addressed. This was especially true with pneumatic control systems. It has been demonstrated for pneumatic control systems of actual AHUs that the outdoor air damper and heating coil valve may cycle between fully open and fully closed approximately every two minutes. This wastes energy and leads to excessive component wear. The advent of digital control has done little to improve the situation because, rather than taking full advantage of the programming capabilities of digital controllers, logic used in pneumatic controllers has simply been adapted to the digital controllers.


Authentication methods are used to authenticate, a device1 having an ESN1 (electronic serial number), a device2 having an ESN2, and/or a user of the devices. In one implementation, device1 receives the ESN2 in a near-field signal; derives an authentication result as a function of the ESN1 and ESN2; and sends the authentication result to an authenticator device to use in completing authentication. Authentication is confirmed when the device1 authentication result matches an authentication result independently generated by the authenticator device, which is provisioned with the ESN1 and ESN2. In a second implementation, device1 generates a RAND1 (random number) and sends the RAND1 to device2 over a near-filed link. An authenticator device confirms authentication upon receiving the same RAND1 from both device1 and device2.

In many communication scenarios, it is desirable to authenticate or verify the identity of a person and/or a device before allowing access to a network or service. The most common user authentication is to require a login and password. This method has the difficulties of the user having to remember and enter this information. Further compounding the problem, a majority of the radios being used today in public safety have no keypad, display, or other graphical user interface (GUI). Thus, for some radios, a very limited user interface or even no user interface is present to facilitate the authentication process.
The user login and password method is also susceptible to spoofing if the user information is acquired by unauthorized persons. For this reason, this method is sometimes augmented with a second factor for authentication, such as a seeded card that gives other information to enter. Due to these limitations associated with the user login and password method, it would be desirable to have a strong authentication method that does not require the user to input a password or other information to complete the authentication process.
Thus, there exists a need for a method and system for authentication using near field techniques and/or mechanisms.
Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help improve understanding of various embodiments. In addition, the description and drawings do not necessarily require the order illustrated. It will be further appreciated that certain actions and/or steps may be described or depicted in a particular order of occurrence while those skilled in the art will understand that such specificity with respect to sequence is not actually required. Apparatus and method components have been represented where appropriate by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the various embodiments so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein. Thus, it will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration, common and well-understood elements that are useful or necessary in a commercially feasible embodiment may not be depicted in order to facilitate a less obstructed view of these various embodiments.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Methods for authentication using near-field


A reflector includes multiple segments that can be interconnected by a flexible extrusion and connected to a top collar to form a reflective shell around a light source. The segments are corrugated for increased strength, the corrugations forming elongate facets characterized by reflective surfaces that reflect light laterally beside the light source as well as downwardly from the light source to minimize light reflected back toward the light source and maximize the service life of the light source. The corrugations add strength and stability to the segments permitting the sheet thickness, overall reflector weight, and cost to be minimized. The segments are preferably formed from a stamped aluminum sheet of about 0.020 inch thickness, and can be pre-or-post anodized to form the reflective surfaces, the pre-anodized surfaces being protected by a polycoat during stamping. Differently shaped segments can be arranged as desired to achieve a desired pattern of reflected light, and differently shaped top collars can be used to adapt the reflector for use on different light sources. The reflector can be shipped in a knocked-down state to minimize space required for shipping or storage, and assembled or repaired on site.

This invention relates to reflectors for luminaires and, in particular, to a reflector assembled from segments.
Reflectors are commonly used to reflect light from a light source. The reflectors focus the reflected light in desired patterns and with desired levels of intensity so that energy costs are minimized while maximum lighting is achieved. Reflectors also serve to protect the light source, with some reflectors providing a protective enclosure to protect the light source from weather, dust, moisture, and the like. Still other reflectors provide a lens or bottom cover that serves to protect the light source from flying objects, and also protect persons therebelow in the event that the light source should break apart.
However, due to their hollow, bulky shape, reflectors typically require specialized equipment for their manufacture, and take up considerable amounts of room after manufacture, making them expensive to manufacture, store or ship. Particularly in industrial-type reflectors where the light sources and associated reflectors are often large, shipping and storage can be a major cost. Further, large reflectors tend to be undesirably heavy as is necessary in order for the components to maintain their shape and provide the desired level of durability in service. However, this increases material costs, shipping costs and makes installation more difficult. Still further, reflectors must be adaptable for use on existing lighting systems to be competitive and to avoid excessive inventory problems.
Thus, a need was apparent for a reflector which provides maximum lighting in desired areas while facilitating manufacture, storage, shipping and installation, and providing commercial levels of durability and protection for the light source.


A device and method is disclosed to correct intonation errors and generate vibrato in solo instruments and vocal performances in real time. The device determines the pitch of a musical note produced by voice or instrument and shifts the pitch of that note to produce a very high quality, high fidelity output. The device includes a pitch detector that automatically recognizes the pitch of musical notes quickly. The detected pitch is then used as an input to a pitch corrector that converts the pitch of the input to an output with a desired pitch. The corrected musical note is then in tune with the pitch standard. The device and method employ a microprocessor that samples the signal from a musical instrument or voice at regular intervals using an analog-to-digital converter and then utilizes data derived from an auto-correlation function of the waveform to continuously determine the period of the waveform. The period of the waveform is then compared to a desired period or periods (such as found in a scale). The ratio of the waveform period and the desired period is computed to re-sample the waveform. This ratio is smoothed over time to remove instantaneous output pitch changes. The ratio is used to resample the input waveform. The resulting output waveform is processed through a digital-to-analog converter and output through audio interfaces.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to electronic audio apparatus and in particular to apparatus and methods that determine the pitch of a musical note produced by voice or instrument which shift the pitch of that note toward a standard pitch.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Pitch is a quality of sound relating to the frequencies of the energy involved. Some sounds are very complex and don't involve energy of specific frequencies. A vocalist and the majority of individual instruments have the most clearly defined quality of pitch. The sound-generating mechanism of these sources is a vibrating element (vocal chords, a string, an air column, etc.). The sound that is generated consists of energy at a frequency (called the fundamental) and energy at frequencies that are integer multiples of the fundamental frequency (called harmonics). These sounds have a waveform (pressure as a function of time) that is periodic.
Voices or instruments are out of tune when their pitch is not sufficiently close to standard pitches expected by the listener, given the harmonic fabric and genre of the ensemble. When voices or instruments are out of tune, the emotional qualities of the performance are lost. Correcting intonation, that is, measuring the actual pitch of a note and changing the measured pitch to a standard, solves this problem and restores the performance.
The purpose of the invention is to correct intonation errors of vocals or other soloists in real time in studio and performance conditions. The invention is incorporated or embodied in an apparatus which can also introduce vibrato into the note, if desired by the user. The solo input sound is processed by the apparatus and by the method of the invention to produce an output of that same sound, except that it is in tune, possibly with vibrato added. The apparatus of the invention changes the instantaneous pitch and introduces no distortion in the output according to the method of the invention.
Determining the pitch of a sound is equivalent to determining the period of repetition of the waveform. A commonly used reference point for determining the period of the waveform is its zero crossings. Zero crossings are used, for example, in the electronic tuning aid disclosed by Hollimon (U.S. Pat. No. 4,523,506). For a simple sine wave, the period is easily determined as the time interval between successive zero crossings of the signal. More complex signals, however, can render the zero crossing approach as unsuitable for period detection, because multiple zero-crossings can occur.
Another common method of determining the period of the waveform is by using a peak detector circuit responsive to the time interval between peaks of the signal. Peak detection is used in the disclosure of Mercer (U.S. Pat. No. 4,273,023). As with zero crossing techniques, peak detection works well with a simple signal, such as a sine wave. When more complex signals are involved the accuracy of peak detection suffers, because multiple peaks of similar amplitude may occur.
To overcome some of the problems of determining pitch encountered by zero crossing and peak detection techniques, methods have been developed using the portion of the signal that crosses a set threshold as the reference point for determining the period. For example, in the method and apparatus disclosed by Slepian et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 4,217,808), an automatic gain control device adjusts the positive and negative excursions of the signal to selected levels. Positive and negative thresholds are then established, equal to a percentage of the maximum excursion levels. The period is essentially defined as the time between a first upward crossing of the positive threshold by the signal and a second upward crossing of the positive threshold, separated in time by a downward crossing of the negative threshold. Establishing a threshold includes no provision for ensuring that the reference point will correspond to high-slope regions of the signal. Thus, the signal may be relatively low in slope at the threshold crossing, making the exact time of occurrence difficult to determine.
Because the timing of the reference points used to determine the period of the signal may be difficult to precisely determine, another technique employs the computation of an average period from a plurality of period measurements over a longer period of time as a way of improving accuracy. For example, the note analyzer disclosed by Moravec et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 4,354,418), establishes separate period data counts for a number of cycles of the signal and outputs a period that is an average of the period data counts produced. This system requires a stable pitch over a large number of periods to accurately determine pitch. This situation is not typical of conditions needed for intonation correction, because the input pitch is not sufficiently stable.
Instead of using many period measurements over a long period of time, Gibson et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 4,688,464) adds more redundancy by making multiple estimates within a few cycles. The complexity of the measurements used by the Gibson method require many checks and balances to insure that false alarms and incorrectly identified pitches do not occur. In practice, this technique fails, yielding artifacts in the output.
All prior art techniques for determining the period of a waveform have a common failing: They all seek to determine some characteristic attribute(s) of the waveform and then determine the period of repetition of that attribute. All of these techniques eventually fail for the same reason: Noise in the waveform corrupts the computations or the waveform gradually changes shape, causing tracking to be lost, because an attribute being tracked is removed from the data.
Assuming that the input pitch is measured or is known, an apparatus and method can be provided to determine a pitch change from a standard and retune the input to that standard. A number of pitch shifting devices and techniques exist in the musical industry to do that. All of the prior methods are inadequate in achieving a high quality intonation correction. These techniques can be classified in two domains. The first are frequency domain methods which use Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) overlap-and-save algorithms. The second are time domain algorithms used by sampling synthesizers and harmony generators.
The FFT overlap-and-save algorithms are not high quality algorithms for pitch shifting for two reasons. First, they process sequences of data. Better quality pitch shifting occurs when longer sequences are used. The entire sequence can be shifted only by a constant pitch change. However, high quality intonation correction requires continuous changes in pitch. Hence there is a trade-off between continuity of shifting and sequence length. Second, input data windowing and subsequent window overlap cross-fade computations are non-ideal operations that introduce distortions in the output.
Existing time domain methods for pitch shifting in harmony generators work around the limitation of imprecise knowledge of the current period of the data. The method set forth in the article, Lent, K., "An Efficient Method for Pitch Shifting Digitally Sampled Sounds," Computer Music Journal, Volume 13, No.4, Winter, pp.65-71 (1989) (hereafter referred to as the Lent method) is a basic method used to resample data and maintain the shape of the spectral envelope. This method windows sections of the input data with windows one period in length and then recombines these windows with spacing of the new sampling period. The data is not resampled. Hence, a new fundamental period is defined, giving a perception of a new pitch. However, the amplitude spectra is augmented, resulting in unnatural sounds.
The windowing and window merging technique of the Lent method circumvents imprecise knowledge of the period of the data. Gibson et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 5,231,671) used the Lent method for pitch shifting in a harmony generator. Gibson uses a note's auto-correlation function as a one time--check for octave errors in initial estimates of the waveform period. Later, Gibson et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 5,567,901) added a data re-sampling step before the recombination step. However, this resampling does not completely compensate for shortcomings of the Lent method and is used more as a qualitative adjustment.
Sample based synthesizers adjust the pitch of output by resampling or changing the sample rate of data being played back from the memory of the device. Although a large number of techniques are used by these devices, none of them relate to this problem. Conceptually, these devices, using a technique called looping, store an infinitely long sequence of samples that are played back as output.

Pitch detection and intonation correction apparatus and method


The steel drill string attached to a drilling bit during typical rotary drilling operations used to drill oil and gas wells is used for a second purpose as the casing that is cemented in place during typical oil and gas well completions. Methods of operation are described that provide for the efficient installation a cemented steel cased well wherein the drill string and the drill bit are cemented into place during one single drilling pass down into the earth. The normal mud passages or watercourses present in the rotary drill bit are used for the second independent purpose of passing cement into the annulus between the casing and the well while cementing the drill string into place during one single pass into the earth. A one-way cement valve is installed near the drill bit of the drill string that allows the cement to set up efficiently under ambient hydrostatic conditions while the drill string and drill bit are cemented into place during one single drilling pass into the earth. That one-way cement valve can be pumped down from the surface or can be permanently installed above the rotary drill bit. Procedures are described to drill a borehole with a tubing conveyed mud motor drilling apparatus that is cemented in place to make a tubing encased well.

1. Field of Invention
The field of invention relates to apparatus that uses the steel drill string attached to a drilling bit during drilling operations used to drill oil and gas wells for a second purpose as the casing that is cemented in place during typical oil and gas well completions. The field of invention further relates to methods of operation of said apparatus that provides for the efficient installation a cemented steel cased well during one single pass down into the earth of the steel drill string. The field of invention further relates to methods of operation of the apparatus that uses the typical mud passages already present in a typical drill bit, including any watercourses in a "regular bit", or mud jets in a "jet bit", that allow mud to circulate during typical drilling operations for the second independent, and the distinctly separate, purpose of passing cement into the annulus between the casing and the well while cementing the drill string into place during one single drilling pass into the earth. The field of invention further relates to apparatus and methods of operation that provides the pumping of cement down the drill string, through the mud passages in the drill bit, and into the annulus between the formation and the drill string for the purpose of cementing the drill string and the drill bit into place during one single drilling pass into the formation. The field of invention further relates to a one-way cement valve and related devices installed near the drill bit of the drill string that allows the cement to set up efficiently while the drill string and drill bit are cemented into place during one single drilling pass into the formation.
2. Description of the Prior Art
At the time of the filing of the application herein, the applicant is unaware of any prior art that is particularly relevant to the invention other than that cited by the USPTO during the prosecution of the parent application (Ser. No. 08/323,152).

Method and apparatus for cementing drill strings in place for one pass drilling and completion of oil and gas wells


An information display system for a vehicle includes: a display for displaying, an operation screen for operating at least one piece of in-vehicle equipment; a first operation section including a leftward moving switch, a rightward moving switch, and a selection enter switch capable of being manipulated upward and downward and being pushed; and a controller. The controller changes a position of the operation menu selected point in the operation menus horizontally arranged on the operation screen for selecting any one of the operation menus in response to a manipulation signal from the leftward moving switch or the rightward moving switch and executes an operation relating to the selected operation menu in response to an upward or downward manipulation signal from the selection enter switch.

A number of in-vehicle equipment such as an air conditioner, audio components, and the like are boarded on a vehicle such as an automobile. In such a vehicle carrying a number of in-vehicle equipment, when an exclusive operation switch is provided for each of the in-vehicle equipment, numerous operation switches are arranged in a limited space within the cabin. This compels the user to look for an operation switch for manipulation of desired in-vehicle equipment and such switch manipulation is complicated, lowering the operability of the in-vehicle equipment.
For improving such problems, the operation switches of the in-vehicle equipment are integrated into a single operation switch. An information display system disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid Open Publication No. 7-25723A is known as such a device, for example. This information display system includes a concentrated display having on a single screen a plurality of display regions divided for each of in-vehicle equipment and a joystick switch mounted at an instrument panel. The concentrated display indicates operation menus relating to the respective in-vehicle equipment in the respective plurality of display regions. When one of the operation menus is operated through the joystick switch, the corresponding in-vehicle equipment executes a predetermined operation accordingly. In this information display system, switches for operating the respective in-vehicle equipment are integrated into the single operation switch, and therefore, only manipulation of the integrated operation switch leads to operation of any of in-vehicle equipment, increasing the operability of each of the in-vehicle equipment.
In the above information display system, however, the single operation switch is composed of a joystick switch that is manipulated by being tipping left, right, back, or forth, which is liable to invite mis-manipulation. This presents a problem of lowered manipulation reliability in view of manipulation by a driver driving the vehicle.


A blade driving apparatus for cameras includes a base plate having an aperture for a photographing optical path; a cover plate having the aperture for the photographing optical path, provided with a blade chamber between the base plate and the cover plate; at least one blade rotatably mounted to the base plate in the blade chamber; and at least one electromagnetic driving source driving the blade. The electromagnetic driving source includes a rotor magnetized to have a plurality of magnetic poles at preset angles on its peripheral surface and having a driving pin for driving pin for driving the blade by its rotation, a yoke having a plurality of magnetic pole sections opposite to the peripheral surface of the rotor, and a coil wound through the yoke. At least, the rotor and the yoke are interposed between the base plate and the cover plate so that, at least, the rotor is rotatably mounted to the base plate.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a blade driving apparatus for cameras in which each of a shutter device, a stop device, and a filter device is constructed as an independent unit, or at least two of them are constructed as one unit.
2. Description of Related Art
A lens shutter device (hereinafter referred to as a shutter device), a stop device, and a filter device, in recent years, incorporated in a camera have blade members so that they are reciprocated by an electromagnetic driving source (an actuator such as a motor or a plunger). Such shutter devices are often designed so that two shutter blades are rotated in opposite directions. However, some of the shutter devices incorporated in cameras of extremely small lens diameters, including cameras for mobile phones, are constructed with a single shutter blade.
Recently, stop devices incorporated in cameras of relatively small lens diameters have come to be used only for the purpose of controlling the amount of light. Some of the stop devices are constructed so that a plurality of stop blades are actuated simultaneously to restrict a plurality of stop apertures. In many cases, however, the stop devices are such that a single stop blade having an aperture section for a circular stop aperture is provided and is introduced into, and removed from, an exposure aperture when the necessity arises. The stop device of such a type may include a plurality of stop blades that are different in diameter of the aperture section.
Filter devices, in many cases, are provided with a blade member similar in shape to the stop blade having the circular aperture section (however, the aperture section may have almost the same size as the exposure aperture) so that an ND filter plate is mounted on the blade member to cover the aperture section in the proximity of the aperture section and thereby is constructed as a filter blade. In some of the filter devices, however, two blade members having such circular aperture sections are provided and a blade member fabricated only with the ND filter plate is held between them so that these three members are rotated and returned in the same direction simultaneously as if they were a single blade. The filter device of this type may include a plurality of filter blades in which aperture sections are different in diameter or ND filter plates are different in density.
As mentioned above, the shutter device, the stop device, and the filter device in which the shutter blade, the stop blade, and filter blade are actuated by the electromagnetic driving source may be individually unified, but two or more devices may be constructed as one unit. Even when they are individually unified, an opening shutter blade and a closing shutter blade may be actuated by independent electromagnetic driving sources in the shutter device. In some of the stop devices, as mentioned above, the plurality of stop blades different in diameter of the aperture section are actuated by independent electromagnetic sources. In some of the filter devices, the plurality of filter blades in which aperture sections are different in diameter or ND filter plates are different in density are actuated by independent electromagnetic driving sources. In the case of the blade driving apparatus for cameras provided with two kinds of blade members actuated by independent electromagnetic sources, the two kinds of blade members may be arranged in the same blade chamber, but may be placed in separate blade chambers.
In addition to being used in digital cameras provided with solid-state image sensors, such as digital still cameras, digital video cameras, monitoring cameras, and cameras for information communication end devices, various types of blade driving apparatuses for cameras unified as mentioned above can be used in conventional silver-halide film cameras and video cameras. Of these devices, shutter devices of extremely preferred structures in which the slim design of the entire unit is attained by reducing the dimension of the electromagnetic driving source in the direction of the optical axis are set forth in Japanese Patent Kokai Nos. 2003-186079 and 2004-32873.
In various types of blade driving apparatuses for cameras mentioned above, as well as in the shutter devices constructed as the description in Kokai Nos. 2003-186079 and 2004-32873, it is common practice to mount the electromagnetic driving source, such as the motor, to one surface of a base plate and the blade to the other surface. Thus, when an operator holds the base plate with his hand to carry out assembly work, handling of components including the base plate becomes very cumbersome. Alternatively, when the operator places the base plate on a work bench (also called an assembly tool) to do the assembly work, he must turn the base plate inside out, and thus at least two kinds of work benches for exclusive use become necessary. This is unfavorable in view of manufacturing costs.
The electromagnetic driving sources disclosed in Kokai Nos. 2003-186079 and 2004-32873, in contrast with those set forth, for example, in Japanese Patent Kokai Nos. 2002-139765 and 2003-5251, are capable of reducing dimensions in the direction of the optical axis, irrespective of the same kind of electromagnetic driving source in function, and have favorable structures for the slim design of the entire apparatus. However, even in the case of the electromagnetic driving source of the type set forth in each of Kokai Nos. 2003-186079 and 2004-32873, a plate member is required to place a rotor between one surface of the base plate and the plate member and must be made relatively thick for the purpose of protecting the blade driving apparatus in treatment such as carrying. Consequently, in order to incorporate the blade driving apparatus in an ultra slim design camera, a further consideration is required.


A light guiding body includes a long translucent body, a light incident surface formed at an end of the body in a longitudinal direction of the body, a light emitting surface formed on one side surface of the body along the longitudinal direction of the body, and a light emitting quantity adjusting portion formed on the other side surface of the body along the longitudinal direction of the body so as to be opposite to the light emitting surface. The light guiding body guides, in the body, light incident to the light incident surface, reflects the light by the light emitting quantity adjusting portion, and emits the light from the light emitting surface. A width of the light emitting quantity adjusting portion of the body in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the body is varied according to a position in the width in the longitudinal direction.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a light guiding body used for illumination, an illuminating device including the light guiding body, an image reading apparatus including the illuminating device, and an image forming apparatus.
2. Description of the Related Art
As this kind of illuminating device, for example, a device disclosed in JP 2000-089030 A (hereinafter referred to as "Patent Document 1") is known. In Patent Document 1, a light emitting surface is formed on a side surface of a columnar-shaped light guiding body along the longitudinal direction thereof. Also, a sawtooth-shaped light reflecting surface is formed on the other side surface of the light guiding body along the longitudinal direction thereof, thus, the light emitting surface and the light reflecting surface are opposite to each other. Then, light from a light emitting device (light source) is incident to an end surface of the light guiding body in the longitudinal direction so that the light is propagated in the light guiding body. The light is directly emitted from the light emitting surface of the light guiding body, and furthermore is reflected by the light reflecting surface so as to be emitted from the light emitting surface. Thus, a surface of an original is illuminated by the emitted light. Also, an inclination angle distribution of the respective inclined surfaces that form the sawtooth-shaped light reflecting surface is adjusted so that an emitted light quantity distribution emitted from the light emitting surface is suitably set.
Also, in JP 2011-188080 A (hereinafter referred to as Patent Document 2), a light emitting surface having a cross sectional shape of a semicircle is formed on a side surface of a columnar-shaped light guiding body along the longitudinal direction thereof. A light scattering surface is formed on the other side surface of the light guiding body along the longitudinal direction thereof, thus, the light emitting surface and the light scattering surface are opposite to each other. Also, a plurality of light emitting devices is disposed on an end surface of the light guiding body. Then, light from each light emitting device is incident to the end surface of the light guiding body so that the light is propagated in the light guiding body. The light is directly emitted from the light emitting surface, and furthermore is reflected by the light scattering surface so as to be emitted from the light emitting surface. Thus, a surface of an original is illuminated by the emitted light. Also, positions of the respective light emitting devices are adjusted so that the emitted light quantity distribution emitted from the light emitting surface is suitably set.
In this kind of image reading apparatus, the original is illuminated by an illuminating device below a glass while transported on the glass in the sub-scanning direction, thus an image sensor such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) reads the original by repeatedly scanning the original in the main-scanning direction. Or, the original is positioned and placed on the glass, and while the illuminating device and the image sensor are moved in the sub-scanning direction below the glass, the illuminating device illuminates the original so that the image sensor reads the original by repeatedly scanning the original in the main-scanning direction. Various illuminating devices that illuminate the original are known, for example, a fluorescent lamp and an LED array are used.
In JP 2010-119054 A (hereinafter referred to as Patent Document 3), JP 2012-160866 A (hereinafter referred to as Patent Document 4) and JP 2012-212069 A (hereinafter referred to as Patent Document 5), LEDs are disposed at both ends of a columnar-shaped light guiding body. Light emitted from each LED is incident from the corresponding end of the light guiding body to the inside thereof and guided so as to be emitted from a light emitting surface of the light guiding body along the longitudinal direction thereof. Thus, the emitted light illuminates an original.
However, it is not easy to adjust the inclination angle distribution of the respective inclined surfaces that form the sawtooth-shaped light reflecting surface as shown in Patent Document 1. Regardless of how the inclination angle distribution of the respective inclined surfaces is adjusted, the emitted light quantity distribution not varies smoothly and a step occurs in the variation of the emitted light quantity distribution.
Also, when a plurality of light emitting devices is disposed on the end surface of the light guiding body as shown in Patent Document 2, the number of components and the costs are increased. Furthermore, in order to more appropriately set the emitted light quantity distribution emitted from the light emitting surface, it is necessary to further increase the number of the light emitting devices. Accordingly, the number of the components and the costs are more and more increased.
When the LED is disposed in the vicinity of the end of the light guiding body as shown in Patent Documents 3-5, the light guiding body may be heated and deformed by heat generation of the LED, because the light guiding body is made of synthetic resin such as acrylic resin. Also, recently, an original read speed in the image reading apparatus has been increased, and accordingly, a light quantity to illuminate the original has been increased. Thus, heat generation of the LED is increased and the lifetime thereof tends to be shortened. For this reason, a substrate with high heat dissipation efficiency is adopted to mount the LED, or a heat dissipation plate is overlapped with the substrate.
However, in Patent Document 3, the light guiding body, the LED substrate, the heat dissipation plate and the like are mounted on a frame. Part of the frame is located below the light guiding body and the LED substrate. Thus, air convection is decreased around the end of the light guiding body, the LED substrate, the heat dissipation plate and the like. This results in low heat dissipation efficiency of the LED substrate and the heat dissipation plate.
In Patent Documents 4 and 5, the heat dissipation plate extends outside the frame or the casing, thus heat dissipation efficiency of the heat dissipation plate is improved. However, since the LEDs and the light guiding body are disposed on the wall or in the inside of the frame or the casing, heat dissipation efficiency of the light guiding body and the LEDs is low.
The present invention was made in consideration of the above conventional problems. A first object of the present invention is to provide a light guiding body in which the emitted light quantity distribution can be smoothly varied and the number of components and the costs are not increased, an illuminating device that includes the light guiding body, and an image reading apparatus that includes the illuminating device. A second object of the present invention is to provide an image reading apparatus and an image forming apparatus in which high heat dissipation efficiency of the light guiding body can be maintained with a simple configuration.

Light guiding body, illuminating device, image reading apparatus and image forming apparatus


Test data is written in tracks of a discrete track medium by making the tracks eccentric by accessing a plurality of tracks by forcibly making a composite magnetic head eccentric under an ON track servo control. The test data written in the tracks which are pseudo-eccentric are written in the tracks with the original write sensitive width of a write head. It is possible to obtain a read characteristics profile having a peak by tracing and reading the test data while moving the composite magnetic head (read head) which is forcibly made eccentric in a radial direction.

The hard disk (HDD) for a disk of 3.5 to 1.8 inches or even 1.0 inch or less has been used in various fields of automobile products, home electrical appliances and audio appliances, etc. Therefore, the reduction of cast of hard disk drive and the mass production thereof have been requested and the large memory capacity thereof has been also requested.
In order to satisfy these requests, there is a tendency that the high density recording magnetic disk media of the vertical magnetic memory system, which has lately been put to practical use, has been employed in the above mentioned fields and spread rapidly.
The magnetic disk medium of the vertical magnetic memory system is used in a composite magnetic head having a TMR (tunnel magneto-resistance) head or a GMR (giant magneto-resistance) head, which is a memory medium separable from the head by 10 nanometer or less controllably.
Such magnetic disk medium generally includes a glass substrate, a soft magnetic layer formed on the glass substrate and a magnetic layer provided on the soft magnetic layer. Discrete tracks are formed in a discrete substrate by etching the magnetic layer. (Incidentally, the term "disk substrate" is used as a material of a magnetic disk to be mounted on a hard disk drive.)
The etching for forming grooves between tracks is performed through an uneven photo-resist film. The unevenness of the photo-resist film is formed by using the nano-print lithography and pushing the photo-resist film with an uneven stamper. The track width of the discrete track formed by the dry etching through the uneven photo-resist is 100 nm or less and the groove separating adjacent tracks is filled with a non-magnetic material in a later step.
Such technique is described in JP-2007-012119A and JP-2007-149155A, etc., and is well known.
The magnetic disk of this kind is called as a magnetic recording medium of the discrete track system (DTM) and is currently paid attention to a technique capable of realizing ultra high density recording exceeding 1 terabit/(inch)2 for 2.5 inches several years later. Further, the bit patterned medium (BPM) having discrete tracks, which are finely separated magnetically in the track direction, has been entered into the practical implementation step recently.
Since a magnetic film of the prior art magnetic disk used in HDD is formed on the whole surface of the medium, the prior magnetic disk is easily possible to record test data (test burst signal) in arbitrary track by a write head. Therefore, the read voltage characteristics, that is, the read characteristics profile (waveform), with respect to the moving distance of the read head crossing the track can be obtained easily by reading test data recorded in the track while moving the read head continuously in radial direction of the disk. With the profile of the read characteristics, the write sensitive width of the write head and the read sensitive width of the read head can easily be measured as the characteristics parameter of the composite magnetic head in the magnetic head test and, therefore, the composite magnetic head can be evaluated or tested.
FIG. 7 explains a prior art measuring method for measuring a write sensitive width of a write head and a read sensitive width of a read head as characteristics parameters of a magnetic head.
In FIG. 7, it is assumed that a write of test data in a designated track with write sensitive width Wa by a composite magnetic head (write head) has been complete already. In a read step of the test data, the test data is read by moving the composite magnetic head (read head) rightward in the drawing along a radial direction of the disk across the designated track.
In a position (1) shown in FIG. 7, a right side end of a read sensitive width Wb of an MR head (read head) corresponds to a left sided of the write sensitive width Wa of the test data. At this time, a gap (center line Cb) of the MR head can read the test data (the left side end thereof) written by the write head. In this case, the read voltage is still 0 (zero).
In order to simplify the description, the unit of the read voltage of the MR head is no [mV] but a ratio in a range between numerical value "0" and numerical value "1" under a maximum read voltage of the test data being 1. Incidentally, each of the sensitive widths Wa and Wb of the heads is determined by the gap width of the heads. The write sensitive width Wa of the write head (thin film inductive head) was usually in the order of several μm. In the DTM, the write sensitive width of the write head is in the order of 50 nm to 80 nm and the track width is 50 nm or less. Further, when the DTM rotates, the formed track is eccentric. Therefore, even if the write sensitive width of the write head is close to the track width substantially, there is a problem that the track width becomes narrower than the write sensitive width of the write head in the data recording state.
At a position (2), the read sensitive width Wb of the MR head enters into the side of the write sensitive width Wa by Wb/2. Therefore, Wb/2 of the right side of the read sensitive width Wb becomes on the write sensitive width Wa. In this state, the read voltage becomes 0.5 when the test data is written uniformly. When the MR head is moved rightward further to the a position (3), the read sensitive width WB overlaps the write sensitive width WA completely. Therefore, the maximum read voltage becomes 1.0. When Wa>Wb, the voltage in the width range (Wa-Wb) becomes 1.0 evenly and the read voltage becomes flat. Therefore, when MR head is at a position (4), the read voltage is 1.0. As a result, it is possible to obtain the profile (waveform) of the read voltage characteristics having a center flat portion as shown by a thick solid line. Incidentally, the head parameter measuring method of this kind is described in JP-2000-231707A and known publicly.
On the basis of the read voltage characteristics profile (waveform), the write sensitive width Wa and the read sensitive width Wb and an offset amount Δx between a read head and a write head of a composite magnetic head can be measured as head parameters.
In a usual DTM, a center of the DTM with respect to a rotation center of a spindle and a center of a discrete track formed with respect to the center of the DTM are eccentric. Therefore, unless these eccentricities are corrected stepwise, the track formed with respect to the rotation center of the spindle is eccentric. Therefore, it is impossible to trace the track by the composite magnetic head unless the ON track servo control is performed.
However, even when the magnetic head (read head) is moved in a radial direction at a designated speed under ON track servo control, the read head can not pass the whole write area which is determined by the write sensitive width when the track width become narrower than the write sensitive width Wa of a write head as in the DTM. Therefore, there is the problem that the profile of the read voltage characteristics shown in FIG. 7 can not be obtained. Further, since the read sensitive width of the read head in the DTM becomes close the track width, it is impossible to obtain the profile having the center flat portion as shown in FIG. 7. Therefore, it becomes difficult to measure the write sensitive width of the write head or the read sensitive width of the read head.

Method for measuring write/read width of a composite magnetic head and a measuring device using the method


A television receiver includes: broadcast wave receiving means for receiving a broadcast wave; obtaining means for obtaining information for specifying a program being a common program of programs received in accordance with first program information related to a receivable broadcast and programs received in accordance with second program information different from the first program information, said program having starting time of broadcast earlier in said first program information than in said second program information; and recording means for recording said program specified by said information.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a television receiver, an information processing method and a program, and more particularly to a digital television receiver connected to a network for performing viewing of the same television program as that of the television on the connected partner side, an information processing method for performing viewing the same television program and a program for executing the information processing method.
2. Related Background Art
In a television broadcast using a ground broadcasting wave, a televising broadcast in which many viewers watch a specific program at the same time and opinions of the viewers are transmitted to a broadcasting station for conducting the broadcast program while accepting the opinions has been implemented. An example of a television broadcast system enabling many viewers to participate in a specific program is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H06-217307.
Moreover, the improvement of a network environment has recently advanced, and it has become possible to use a wide band communication widely and easily. Furthermore, by the advance of the technology related to a moving image transmission, the moving image communication using a network has become possible to use it readily.
On such a background, there is a use form in which two televisions are connected by means of bidirectional moving image communication means using televisions and each user manually performs channel selection of the user's television and further the users commonly spend the time for viewing a television program by means of the bidirectional moving image communication while receiving the same television program at the same time.
FIG. 34 is a schematic configuration diagram of such a use. Television receivers 800 and 820 severally have a network connection function and moving image communication means using the network connection function (the so-called television conversation function) besides the receiving function of a television broadcast. The television receivers 800 and 820 are connected to a network 810 including the Internet.
The television receiver 800 receives a television broadcast through an antenna 801 to display the received television broadcast in a television broadcast program display area 803 on a display unit 802. On the other hand, the television receiver 800 transmits moving image information from a camera 804 including an audio video input function to the outside. The television receiver 800 displays the video of the received moving image information of a partner in a partner image display area on the display unit 802, and outputs the audio of the moving image information from a not shown speaker.
A television receiver 820 is also provided with similar configuration and functions to those of the television receiver 800. The television receiver 820 receives a television broadcast through an antenna 821 to display the received broadcast in a television broadcast program display area 823 on a display unit 822. The television receiver 820 transmits moving image information from a camera 824 including an audio video input function to the outside. The television receiver 820 displays the video of the received moving image information of a partner in a partner image display area on the display unit 822, and outputs the audio of the moving image information from a not shown speaker.
The viewers of the television receivers 800 and 820 connected to each other through a network are informed of the air of each other by means of the moving image and sounds of the partners while viewing a common television broadcast program received independently by the respective television receivers. The viewers also have an experience in common as if they were in one living room and were viewing the same television broadcast by means of the so-called television conversation function through the network.
FIG. 4A shows a broadcast schedule of television programs which can be received and be viewed in an area X (television receiver 800). FIG. 4B shows a broadcast schedule of television programs which can be received and be viewed in an area Y (television receiver 820) different from the area X. In the area X, the broadcasts of broadcasting stations A, B and C can be received through channels 1, 2 and 3, respectively. During times 01:00 to 05:00, the programs shown in FIG. 4A can be received and viewed. On the other hand, in the area Y, the broadcasts of broadcasting stations A, D and B′ can be received through channels 1, 2 and 3, respectively, as shown in FIG. 4B.
In also the area Y, the broadcasting station A broadcasts the same contents as those in the area X. The television receivers 800 and 820 can simultaneously view the programs of the broadcasting station A, and can simultaneously experience the program viewing by the television conversation function.
The broadcasting station D in the area Y is, for example, a local station in the area Y. In the time zones shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the broadcasting station D has no programs in common with those by any broadcasting stations in the area X. That is to say, the broadcasting station D has no programs which can be viewed simultaneously by the television receivers 800 and 820.
The broadcasting station B′ is one related to, for example, the broadcasting station B in the area X, and broadcasts common programs b1, b2 and b3 with those of the broadcasting station B. However, the broadcasting station B′ also has a program e peculiar to the area X. As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the broadcasting times of the program b1 are the same in each area, but the broadcasting station B′ broadcasts programs b2 and b3 at broadcasting times different from those of the broadcasting station B. As a result, the simultaneous experience of viewing by means of the television conversation functions of the television receivers 800 and 820 can be performed only to the program b1.
FIGS. 35A and 35B are views showing the schedules of television programs enabling the television receiver 800 in the area X and the television receiver 820 in the area Y to experience the simultaneous viewing of the programs as a result of the situation in the way which makes it easy to understand. FIG. 35A shows the schedule of programs which the television receiver 800 can simultaneously view, and FIG. 35B shows the schedule of programs which the television receiver 820 can simultaneously view. As described above, the television broadcasts have different broadcasting schedules according to areas. Even to the same program, there is the case where the broadcasting day thereof or the broadcasting time thereof is different according to areas. Consequently, the programs which can be simultaneously viewed are limited.

Television receiver, information processing method and program


A thermoplastic resin composition improved in terms of prevention of mold contamination, comprising the following components (A) to (G):. component (A): 55 to 75% by weight of a propylene-ethylene block copolymer including a propylene homopolymer moiety having a melt flow rate of 15 to 50 g/10 min. and an isotactic pentad fraction of at least 0.97, said block copolymer having a melt flow rate of 10 to 30 g/10 min. and an ethylene content of 2 to 6% by weight, PA1 component (B): 0 to 10% by weight of an ethylene-propylene copolymer rubber having a melting temperature of 30.degree. to 60.degree. C. and a melt flow rate of 0.2 to 2 g/10 min., PA1 component (C): 5 to 15% by weight of an ethylene-.alpha.-olefin copolymer rubber having a melting temperature of 60.degree. to 100.degree. C. and a melt flow rate of 0.3 to 2 g/10 min., PA1 component (D): 15 to 25% by weight of a talc having an average particle diameter of up to 5 .mu.m and a specific surface area of at least 3.5 m.sup.2 /g, PA1 the total amount of components (A) to (D) being 100% by weight, PA1 component (E): 0.05 to 2 parts by weight of a hindered amine having a structure represented by the following formula (I): ##STR1## component (F): 0.01 to 1 part by weight of a triaryl phosphite, and component (G): 0.05 to 4 parts by weight of a metal salt represented by the following general formula (VIII): EQU (RCOO).sub.2 X (VIII) PA1 the respective amounts of components (E) to (G) being based on 100 parts by weight of the sum of components (A) to (D).. wherein R is a monovalent hydrocarbon group having a molecular weight of 290 to 500, and X is zinc, magnesium or calcium,

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a thermoplastic resin composition comprising a propylene-ethylene block copolymer, an ethylene-propylene copolymer rubber, an ethylene-.alpha.-olefin copolymer resin, talc, and a specific additive admixture, which is excellent in terms of processability on injection molding and in the appearance of a molded product, has good flexural modulus, heat resistance, surface hardness, impact resistance and elongation in tension, is improved in terms of mold contamination, and thus is particularly suited for the production of injection-molded products such as automotive interior trims.
2. Background Art
So far, numerous attempts have been made to increase the impact resistance and rigidity of polypropylene resins by the addition thereto of ethylene-propylene copolymers, various ethylene copolymers, and talc. For instance, compositions having excellent impact resistance are known from JP-B-63-42929, JP-A-64-150, JP-A-64-66263, and JP-A-1-204946.
However, the composition set forth in the above JP-B-63-42929 is insufficient in flexural modulus and heat resistance due to the use of a polypropylene of not so high crystallinity. The compositions described in JP-A-64-150, JP-A-64-66263 and JP-A-1-204946, because of their low talc content, are suited for some applications, e.g., bumpers but their flexural modulus is too low for interior trims.
Furthermore, JP-B-4-159345 discloses an ethylene-.alpha.-olefin copolymer composition containing a large amount of inorganic filler. This composition has a high specific gravity, and thus is not preferred in the light of weight reduction of automobiles.
On the other hand, there is the following problem with the conventional talc-containing polypropylene composite materials at the time of their molding. Thus, during the long-term continuous molding of the composite materials, bleedouts are gradually deposited on molds, which adversely affects the appearance of a product. Especially, when a mold with an embossed surface is employed, the concaves in the embossed surface are filled with bleedouts, whereby the resulting molded product undesirably exhibits a high gloss.
A propylene polymer which provides a solution to this problem while maintaining the physical properties has been proposed in JP-A-5-209094 and JP-A-6-17982. However, this polymer utilizes no weathering agent. In view of the fact that stabilizers used for improving weather resistance usually exert an adverse influence on the contamination of molds, there is still left much to be desired.
An object of the present invention is to provide a thermoplastic resin composition which is improved in terms of prevention of mold contamination while having high fluidity, excellent moldability and good physical properties, and is especially suited for the production of injection-molded automotive interior trims such as an instrument panel.

Thermoplastic resin composition improved in terms of prevention of mold contamination


A practice golf club has a collapsible adjustable shaft. The golf club includes a club head, a handle, and a shaft. The shaft has a number of telescopic sections that permit the shaft to be adjustable between a fully extended position and a fully collapsed position. The club head is attached to the lowermost shaft section and the handle is attached to the uppermost shaft section. A locking nut and a compression ring permit adjacent sections of the telescopic section to be releasably locked in a fixed position relative to each other at any location between a fully extended position and a fully collapsed position.

The present invention relates generally to golf clubs. More particularly, this invention relates to a practice golf club having a collapsible and adjustable length shaft.
A majority of the golf clubs fabricated today are designed for use on golf courses and are made with a fixed length shaft. Numerous attempts have been made to create a collapsible length shaft for golf clubs. Examples of collapsible shafts are U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,674,747, and 3,528,660 by Kategian which disclose a golf club having a shaft composed of a plurality of locking tubular sections which provide a friction lock when the tubular shaft is in a fully extended position. Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 3,829,092 by Arkin discloses a golf club with a collapsible shaft which employs a locking pin at each adjacent tubular section for securing the shaft in a fully extended position. Another example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,516,697 by Hahn describes a golf club in which the shaft contains connectors permitting the shaft to be completely disconnected. Lastly, U.S. Pat. No. 3,663,019 by Palotsee discloses a golf putter having a telescoping lower shaft section and a pivoting upper shaft section.
Additionally, numerous attempts have been made to create adjustable length shaft for golf clubs. Examples such as U.S. Pat. No. 5,083,779 by Ungermann, U.S. Pat. No. 5,029,860 by Ehrich, U.S. Pat. No. 3,539,185 by Andia, U.S. Pat. No. 3,524,646 by Wheeler, U.S. Pat. No. 3,214,170 by Warnock, U.S. Pat. No. 2,214,079 by Horton, and U.S. Pat. No. 2,107,983 by Hamilton describe golf clubs which are adjustable in length whereby the shaft is permitted to slide into the handle for minor adjustments in the overall length. Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 3,102,726 by Barret, discloses a golf club which provides means for minor adjustments of the length of the club by sliding the shaft into a stem bore located either at the lower club end or the upper handle end of the shaft.
Other telescoping connectors and articles are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,083,779; 5,029,860; 4,858,633; 4,653,142; 4,674,747; 4,596,405; 4,582,079; 4,528,998; 3,9S7,807; 3,840,231; 3,834,722; 3,829,908; 3,829,092; 3,811,455; 3,722,903; 3,663,019; 3,539,185; 3,528,660; 3,524,646; 3,516,697; 3,214,170; 3,206,205; 3,153,252; 3,102,726; 3,070,370; 2,717,609; 2,214,079; 2,107,983; 1,953,387; 1,632,639; 1,205,809; 942,490; 825,006; 478,460; 401,061; and D-313,671.
However, so far as is known, no presently available practice golf club has a fully adjustable, telescopic shaft which can be conveniently and easily locked in position between a fully extended and fully collapsed position in a highly effective and yet simple manner as presently proposed.

Practice golf club having a collapsible and adjustable length shaft


The present description concerns methods for regeneration of whole plant from the explants obtained from the Abelmoschus species preferably A. esculentus. In addition the present description also concerns methods for transforming okra plant, plant cells and tissues either with the use of recombinant Agrobacterium strain or by bombarding the explants with tungsten or gold particles coated with DNA sequences of interest. An efficient method to isolate embryos from imbibed seeds of okra is also described which enables the use of young meristematic cells of plumule tip for efficient regeneration and transformation of okra plants. Further, transformed okra plants, plant cells and tissues for improved agronomic/non agronomic traits and insect resistance are produced either by using marker based or marker free systems.

2. A. Okra.
Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) is one of the most important vegetable crops. The fruits are consumed in various forms in a number of countries. Okra has also been used as a source of fiber and for the production of oil and proteins.
Okra is susceptible to many insect pests and diseases which reduce the yield across the Okra growing regions. Okra yellow vein mosaic virus is a devastating disease in India and many other countries. This crop is extensively damaged by the Lepidopteran insect/pests viz.; Shoot and fruit borer (Earias vitella, E. insulana) and the Fruit borer (Helicoverpa armigera). Genetic improvement by conventional plant breeding is impaired due to the lack of resistance sources to pests and diseases in Okra germplasm.
2. B. Plant Cell and Tissue Culture
Each plant cell has the inherent ability for independent development into a whole organism if provided with the proper external conditions. Since the early demonstration of this ability, viz., totipotency and differentiation in vitro, plant tissue culture techniques have been widely used in the clonal multiplication of plants (Herberlandt., Sber. Akad. Wiss. Wien. (1902) 111:69-92).
Plant tissue culture technology is making significant contributions to agriculture in the clonal propagation, haploid breeding, mutant cultures, pathogen free plants, cryopreservation of plant tissues for the establishment of in vitro gene banks, production of secondary products and genetic engineering of plants (Chilton., Scientific American (1983) 248.6:36-45).
The prospects of success with the genetic engineering of plants have created considerable public interest. This technique involves the insertion of foreign genes into plant cells using vectors and the regeneration of whole plants from transformed single cells using plant tissue culture techniques. Although tissue culture based plant regeneration methods have been standardized for a wide variety of plant species, many crops have been recalcitrant and thus restricts the genetic engineering potential of these plants.
2. C. Tissue Culture of Okra
Tissue culture based direct plant regeneration of okra has been described by Mangat and Roy., Plant Science (1986) 47:57-62. This investigation outlines the comparative tissue culture responses of hypocotyl, cotyledon, cotyledonary node and primary leaf explants aseptically grown okra seedlings cultured on 6 different media. The plant regeneration was not attained from hypocotyl and leaf segment explants in all the 6 media tested. The cotyledon explants responded moderately in plant regeneration, on one out of 6 media tested. Cotyledon node explants did not regenerate on 3 of the media, whereas, responded low in shoot regeneration on 1 medium, and responded very high in the shoot regeneration on another medium.
In the above publication the shoot regeneration frequency is mentioned as nil, low, moderate and very high and not in figures (%). It makes the comparison of regeneration frequency, difficult.
In a second publication, Roy and Mangat (Roy et al., Plant Science (1989) 60:77-82) have reported the regeneration of plants from cotyledonary-axil derived callus tissue of Okra. Callus induction that resulted from all the explants cultured on MS medium supplemented with the benzyl adenine (BA). The hypocotyl-derived callus remained non-organogenic, whereas, cotyledonary-axil-derived callus produced shoots. The addition of silver nitrate in media resulted in up to 74% of the bud primordia going onto produce shoots.
The study of prior art shows no method available for the regeneration of plants from plumule of embryo. Our present inventions describe methods for the high efficiency plant regeneration from plumule of okra for the first time.
The study of prior art also shows no method available for the regeneration of plants from the other explants also tested during in our investigation.
2. D. Plant Transformation and Generation of Transgenic Plants
The development of gene transfer techniques for plant species is of great interest, importance and value because it can be used for the transfer of beneficial genes of interest into plants.
A variety of techniques have been used to introduce foreign genes into plant cells. Agrobacterium mediated transformation has been described by Murai et al., Science (1983) 222:476-482, Fraley et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA (1983) 80:4803-4807; Direct DNA uptake method has been described by Lorz et al., Mol. Gen. Genet., (1985) 199:178-182, Portrykus et al., Mol. Gen. Genet., (1985) 199:183-188; Microinjection method has been described by Crossway et al., Mol. Gen. Genet., (1986) 202:179-185; High velocity micro-projectile method has been described by Klein et al., Nature (1987) 327:70-73 and Electroporation method has been described by Fromm et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA (1985) 82:5824-5828, Fromm et al., Nature (1986) 319:791-793.
2. E. Agrobacterium-Mediated Transformation
One of the most common methods of introducing foreign genes into plant cells is through Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. Agrobacterium is a natural plant pathogen and it mediates genetic transformation as part of the natural process it utilizes when it infects a plant cell. During the process of transformation a specific segment of the vector which is known as T-DNA, is transferred into the cells. The T-DNA of Agrobacterium can be engineered to contain gene/s or DNA sequences of interest that can be transferred into the host plant cells and inserted into the plant genome.
Agrobacterium-mediated transformation is attractive because of the ease of the protocol coupled with minimal equipment costs. Moreover, transgenic plants obtained by this method often contain a single copy of T-DNA integrations.
Agrobacterium-mediated transformation and the subsequent regeneration of transgenic plants carrying inserted genes were described by Murai et al., Science (1983) 222:476-482. Fraley et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA (1983) 80:4803-4807. De Block et al., The EMBO Journal (1984) 3:1681-1689 and Horsch et al., Science (1985) 227:1229-1231.
2. F. Biolistic-Mediated or Particle Bombardment Method of Transformation
Another common method of introducing foreign gene/s into plant cells is using particle bombardment which is also known as biolistic or high velocity microprojectile. The basis of particle bombardment is the acceleration of particles coated with gene/s of interest toward cells, resulting in the penetration of the protoplasm by the particles and subsequent expression of the introduced gene/s. In this method helium pressure is used to accelerate particles coated with DNA into the cells.
Microprojectile bombardment can transform diverse target tissues. Particle bombardment and subsequent regeneration of transgenic plants carrying inserted genes were described by Klein et al., Nature (1987) 327:70-73. Klein et al., Bio/Technology (1992) 10:286-292. Casas et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA (1993) 90: 11212-11216.
2. G. Transformation of Okra
The study of prior art shows no method available for the transformation of Okra plant, cells and tissues. Our present inventions describe methods for the transient and stable transformation of okra plant, cells and tissues using Agrobacterium-mediated and biolistic transformation systems for the first time.
2. H. Marker Based Transformation Systems
In the marker based transformation system, the gene of interest and the selectable marker gene (Eg. NPT II gene) are linked. In the marker based Agrobacterium-mediated transformation system, the T-DNA is engineered to contain the gene of interest and the marker gene. Where as in the marker based biolistic transformation system the plasmid used, contains the gene of interest and the selectable marker gene. The transgenic plants generated from the above systems contain the marker gene along with the gene of interest.
2. I. Marker-Free Transformation Systems
Marker-free transformation systems have the advantages of introducing agronomical important genes, and at the same time, avoiding the introduction of the selectable marker genes. Different methods have been employed for the generation of marker-free transgenic plants. These methods include Agrobacterium-mediated co-transformation, excision of the selectable marker via crellox recombination, use of transposable elements, co-bombardment of the plasmids and altered metabolism (Yoder et al., Bio/Technology (1994) 12:263-267).
Agrobacterium-mediated co-transformation, using two separate plasmids in a single Agrobacterium, i.e. one vector carrying the selectable marker gene in one T-DNA and the other vector carrying the gene of interest in another T-DNA are used. The transgenic plants generated from this transformation system are analyzed and the plants having gene of interest but with out selectable marker gene are selected in the further generations from the segregated progenies (Komori et al., The Plant Journal (1996) 10: 165-174).
2. J. Engineering Plants for Insect Resistance
2. J. A. Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) gene
Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) is a gram positive bacterium which produces a variety of insecticidal crystal proteins toxic to insects. These Bt genes have been successfully engineered into crop plants to get resistance to the specific insect pests in a number of crops. For example insect resistant transgenic tomato plants were generated with Bt gene by Fischhoff et al., Bio/Technology (1987) 5:807-813.
2. J. B. Protease Inhibitors
Protease inhibitors are an important element of plant defense response to insect predation. Transgenic plants expressing protease inhibitors show enhanced resistance to predation by pests, indicating the useful function of these inhibitors (Johnson et al., PNAS (1990) 86:9871-9875.
2. K. Insect Bioassays
The bioassays using specific insect pests with plants/plant parts are conducted to understand the resistance or susceptibility of the plant towards the pest. The efficacy of the specific insect resistant protein expressed in transgenic plants is tested with the specific target pest in the insect bioassays. The resistance of the plant towards specific target pests is compared with non-transgenic plant controls.

Methods for plant regeneration, transformation and production of insect resistant transgenic Okra