A culture medium for avian embryonic cells and an avian cell culture medium is disclosed. The culture medium is characterized in that it has elements complementary to avian embryonic cells. The complementary elements are cytokines, fibroblast growth factors, insulin-like growth factors or stem cell growth factors. The medium is substantially free of active retinoic acid. A method for culturing avian embryonic cells, and the resulting products, are also disclosed.

The present invention relates to the obtaining of bird ES cells, especially to a method of culture and to a medium permitting the culture of these cells.
In effect, in the context of perfecting recombinant protein production technique, the development of a technique of transgenesis [sic] in domestic birds will have extremely important economic repercussions in two major applications:
1. the development of avian strains possessing particular genetic characters (resistance to certain diseases, growth performance features, and the like)
2. the development of recombinant protein production systems in egg albumin.
The biotechnology industry is showing increasing interest in the possibility of producing proteins of interest in biological fluids or organisms (blood, milk, plants, etc.). The production of such proteins in domestic birds"" eggs will certainly constitute a major technological advance in this approach, for several reasons:
numerous mammalian proteins cannot be produced in a mammalian system because their overabundance in these organisms has deleterious effects (for example erythropoietin, which induces pathological hyperglobulinemia in rabbits). Many of these proteins of interest do not display cross-activity with those of birds, thus permitting their overproduction in an avian organism without major pathological effect;
it is very probable that the marketing of recombinant proteins produced in mammals will come up against health problems associated with the presence in this [sic] species of latent organisms which are potentially pathogenic for man (lentiviruses, prions, etc.). This risk is very minimal, not to say almost nonexistent, in relation to pathogenic agents of domestic birds;
the egg constitutes a xe2x80x9ctissuexe2x80x9d which is very dense with respect to a small number of proteins. For example, the major protein of birds"" eggs, ovalbumin, represents 54% of the egg white proteins, equivalent to an average dry weight per egg of 2 grams of dry matter approximately. It is possible reasonably to conceive of producing per egg at least 10% of this mass as recombinant protein. The economic viability is seen to be very great if it is considered that a hen lays on average 2 eggs every three days, and this viability is seen to be much greater than that of large mammals if the much lower breeding costs of domestic birds are considered.
The production of transgenic birds is currently possible at an extremely high cost on account of its very low efficiency. In effect, in birds, the technique of microinjection of DNA into the egg is almost impossible. On the other hand, the use of the vector retrovirus system, the only efficient system to date, remains complex and will certainly come up against a reticence on the part of industrialists on health grounds.
A very great advance in the production of transgenic animals has been brought about in mice by the development of ES cell technology.
ES cells (embryonic stem cells) are totipotent embryonic cells capable of regenerating all the tissues of the embryo, including the germ tissue, after their injection into very early embryos. These cells may hence be considered to be Trojan horses for introducing new genetic information into an animal""s genetic constitution. The possibility of culturing these cells in the long term in vitro affords the possibility of exercising numerous controls before their implantation in vivo. Moreover, these cells may be stored without limit in liquid nitrogen, which constitutes a potential for storage of a genetic constitution.
The use of ES cells nowadays constitutes the most promising approach in domestic birds for the efficient production of transgenic animals.
Recent work from a Canadian group (R. Etches at the Guelph station) has suggested that ES cells must exist in the bird embryo (Petitte et al., 1990). This group at [sic] succeeded in transplanting such cells into embryos and consequently producing animals whose genetic constitution is derived from that of the grafted cells. However, to date, it has not been possible for success to be achieved in culturing these cells in vitro; as a result, it has not been possible to use these cells to transfer a transgene in a stable manner. This is a major impediment to the exploitation of ES cell technology in birds. ES cells may be characterized by three essential types of criteria:
morphology
endogenous alkaline phosphatase activity
reaction with antibodies which are specific for a state of totipotency (ECMA-7, SSEA-1 and SSEA-3, in particular).
To date, it has not been possible to obtain any culture of ES cells which are identified by these collective characteristics.
Accordingly, the subject of the present invention is a culture medium for avian totipotent embryonic cells, of the type containing an avian cell culture medium, characterized in that it contains components supplementary to said avian cell culture medium, said supplementary components being chosen from the group comprising: cytokines, fibroblast growth factors, insulin-like growth factors and stem cell growth factors, and in that it is substantially free from active retinoic acid.
Advantageously, the retinoic acid is substantially inactivated by anti-retinoic acid antibodies (ARMA) present in the medium.
In effect, the media employed often contain serum, in which the amount of endogenous retinoic acid cannot be controlled. On testing the effect on cell differentiation of incorporating in the culture medium an anti-retinoic acid monoclonal antibody which would neutralize the action of retinoic acid, the Applicant found that the presence of this antibody increases the presence in the cultures of cells and colonies having alkaline phosphatase activity.
The cytokine may be chosen, in particular, from LIF, IL-11, IL-6, CNTF and oncostatin M (OSM); advantageously, the cytokines present in the culture medium described above comprise at least one cytokine chosen from the group consisting of LIF, IL-11, IL-6 and the various mixtures thereof, which give the best results for growth stimulation.
Preferably, the fibroblast growth factor is b-FGF (or basic fibroblast growth factor) and the insulin-like growth factor is IFG-1.
The stem cell growth factor (or SCF) is preferably a-SCF (or avian stem cell factor) and m-SCF (or murine stem cell factor).
One of the preferred aspects of the invention relates to a culture medium which contains, besides the basic nutrient components necessary for cell growth, a combination of b-FGF, SCF and LIF. In addition, the presence in the medium of a monoclonal antibody which neutralizes the differentiation activity exerted by retinoic acid increases the number of totipotent embryogenic stem cells.
The presence of a lawn of feeder cells promotes the growth of avian ES cells. Various cell types known to a person skilled in the art may be used; there may be mentioned especially cells such as STO cells, treated with mitomycin or irradiated, BRL-3A cells, LMH cells, QT6 cells and modified QT6 cells such as QT6 Isolde cells, differentiated cells established as a line from cultures of embryonic stem cells induced to differentiate.
STO cells are mouse embryo fibroblasts (ATCC catalogue); BRL-3A cells (ATCC catalogue) are liver cells from xe2x80x9cBuffalo rat liverxe2x80x9d. QT6 cells (ATCC catalogue) and modified QT6 cells such as QT6 Isolde cells are quail fibroblasts (Cosset et al., 1990, J. Virol. 64, 10170-1078) and LMH cells originate from chicken liver carcinoma (Kawagucchi et al., 1987, Cancer Res., 47, 4460-4464).
The culture medium contains, in addition, various essential nutrient components and antibiotics.
A culture medium which is especially suitable for the present invention possesses the following composition:
Advantageously, the bFGF concentration is greater than 5 mg/ml and the IGF-1 concentration is greater than 10 ng/ml.
with the nucleoside stock consisting of the mixture:
and Cos SN representing a culture supernatant of COS-7 cells transfected for transient expression with a vector for the expression of the cDNA of the factor in question, and is suitable for the culture of bird totipotent embryonic cells.
BHK21 medium (or MEM medium) is a culture medium which has been described, in particular, by McPherson, I., and Stoker (1962, Virology 16, 147).
Hepes is hydroxyethylpiperazineethanesulfonate.
According to another aspect, the subject of the invention is a method of culture of avian totipotent embryonic cells (or avian ES cells), characterized in that:
a) cells originating from blastoderm disks of fertilized eggs are suspended in an avian cell culture medium comprising, in addition, at least one compound chosen from cytokines, fibroblast growth factors, insulin-like growth factors and stem cell growth factors, and in which the retinoic acid is substantially inactivated,
b) a lawn of feeder cells or a gelatin-treated culture dish is inoculated with the suspension obtained after step a),
c) the cells are incubated for a specified period,
d) the cells in culture are removed and purified so as to recover bird ES cells.
Preferably, between steps c) and d), one or more additions of fresh medium identical to the one used in step a) are performed at intervals of time.
In one of its embodiments, during step c), a reinoculation of the medium with a cell suspension identical to the suspension prepared in step a) is performed.
The medium of step a) preferably contains the following components: b-FGF, a-SCF, IGF-1, LIF, IL-11, IL-6 and anti-retinoic acid antibodies. According to one of the aspects of the invention, it contains, in addition, the following compounds:
Fetal bovine serum
Chicken serum
Conalbumin
Nonessential amino acids
Sodium pyruvate
Nucleoside stock
Hepes (1M)
xcex2-Mercaptoethanol
Penicillin
Streptomycin
Gentamicin
with the nucleoside stock consisting of the mixture: adenosine, guanosine, cytidine, uridine and thymidine in aqueous solution.
Optionally, during the method of the invention, between steps c) and d), the addition of fresh medium is performed on day 3 and the medium is then changed every day until the next subculturing.
Step d) may be performed, in particular, by enzymatic treatment, washing in a medium not containing any growth factor and centrifugation.
It is possible to collect directly the primary cell cultures, which will then be frozen, or alternatively to produce successive secondary cultures from the cells of the primary culture. In this case, after step d), a step e) is performed in which the ES cells are reinoculated onto a lawn of feeder cells, or onto gelatin-treated dishes, so as to obtain a secondary culture.
Steps d) and e) may be repeated several times in order to have tertiary and successive cultures.
The lawn of feeder cells can consist of various cell types described above, and in particular of mitomycin-treated or irradiated STO cells.
Another of the subjects of the invention is a culture of bird ES cells, or avian ES cells, which are capable of being obtained by the method defined above. A modified avian totipotent embryonic cell can be obtained by integration of the gene coding for a heterologous protein in the genome of an avian ES cell in culture.
Lastly, a method of production of a recombinant protein, characterized in that the gene coding for said protein is integrated in the genome of an avian totipotent embryonic cell in culture, is also included in the invention.
The Applicant has perfected a culture medium and in vitro culture conditions which make it possible to maintain in culture bird cells which possess morphological, kinetic and histochemical properties recalling those of totipotent embryonic cells. These observations have been made with cells derived from both quail and chicken blastoderm disks. The growth of these cells in culture in vitro is made possible by the perfecting of a novel medium especially adapted to the culture of bird embryonic cells. The presence, maintenance and propagation of totipotent cells in culture are known to permit their injection into recipient embryos. The contribution to the morphogenesis of the somatic and germ tissues in the recipient animals as a result of a totipotent character may lead to the obtaining of transgenic animals.

Culture medium for avian embryonic cells


Air intake guide is provided within an engine cover and surrounded by a wall that is provided independently of an inner surface of the engine cover. The air intake guide has one end communicating with an air intake opening of the engine cover and the other end opening into an engine room.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to outboard engine units, and more particularly an improved air intake structure for introducing air into a unit""s interior defined by an engine cover.
2. Related Prior Art
Generally, outboard engine units include an engine, an exhaust system and a propellor shaft extending below the engine, and a propellor device (screw) disposed rearward of a gearbox connected to the lower end of the propellor shaft. As viewed from the outside (i.e., in outer appearance), the outboard engine units include an engine cover at the top, an extension case located below the engine cover, and the gearbox and the like at the bottom. To secure a supply of air for combustion of an air/fuel mixture in the engine, there is a need to introduce air into the engine unit""s interior defined by the engine cover.
One example of an air intake structure for introducing air into the unit""s interior defined by the engine cover is proposed by the assignee of the instant application in Japanese Patent Laid-open Publication No. HEI-4-166496 (U.S. Pat. No. 5,445,547). The proposed air intake structure includes a rib formed on and protruding inwardly from the inner surface of the engine cover made of resin, and a channel-shaped guide member also made of resin and jointed face to face to the rib so that an air intake guide is provided by the inner surface of the engine cover and the guide member.
The proposed air introducing structure, however, would present the following inconvenience. First, it is very difficult to ensure airtightness or sealability between the jointed surfaces of the rib and the guide member. Second, it is very difficult to join the resin-made guide member to the resin-made engine cover with high accuracy. Further, in the air intake structure, the sealing surfaces extend continuously from the inner surface of the top portion of the engine cover to the inner surface of the sides of the engine cover; namely, the sealing surfaces do not lie in one and the same plane, which would also make it difficult to join the guide member to the engine cover with high accuracy.
Furthermore, the engine cover, which constitutes an outer shell member of the outboard engine unit, is subject to deformation due to application thereto of external force and vibration caused by vibration of the engine in operation. Therefore, even severer requirements must be met with regard to the joint between the inner surface of the engine cover and the guide member. Sealing deficiency in the jointed surfaces of the engine cover and the guide member would lead to undesired scattering or spray of water by a negative pressure of intake air.
It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide an improved outboard engine unit which includes an air intake guide disposed within an engine cover independently of the engine cover and thereby can secure highly reliable surface sealability even when the engine cover is subjected to external force or vibration caused by the engine in operation.
To accomplish the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides an outboard engine unit which comprises: an engine having a combustion chamber; an engine cover that covers the engine to define an engine room, the engine cover having an air intake opening; and an air intake guide disposed within the engine cover and surrounded by a wall that is provided independently of an inner surface of the engine cover, the air intake guide having one end communicating with the air intake opening of the engine cover and the other end opening into the engine room.
Because the air intake guide for introducing air into the unit""s interior defined by the engine cover is provided discretely from or independently of the engine cover, the present invention can eliminate the particular need for securing reliable sealability between the engine cover and the air intake guide. Therefore, it is no longer necessary to care so much about the sealability between the engine cover and the air intake guide, and the present invention can prevent the sealability of the air intake guide from being interfered with by external force applied to the engine cover that constitutes an outer shell member of the outboard engine unit or by vibration of the engine in operation.


A CPU of a lens system obtains contents of a speed control and a position control as a controller signal from a zoom controller. The speed control is based on an operation of a thumb ring which is instructed in a zoom controller, and the position control is based on a shot function or a limit function. These controls and a control based on a view angle correction function are executed by a process of the CPU, which follows a pre-set determination process; whereby, for example, an angle correction that was impossible to perform in a conventional art can be done after moving a zoom lens to a shot position based on the shot function. In a case that a rate control signal of the zoom lens that is provided from the zoom controller indicates stopping, the CPU fixes a position signal of the zoom lens that is outputted to the zoom controller to a position signal indicating a stopping position. In a case that a focus lens is moved by a focus controller, the zoom lens is moved to a position to prevent change of the view angle. Therefore, even if the zoom lens is stopped at the shot position, the zoom lens can be controlled based on the view angle correction function. Moreover, a limit position is detected in a predetermined direction and the view angle is corrected in consideration of the limit position; thus the zoom lens can be prevented from moving to the outside of the limit position by the view angle correction.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a lens system and apparatus, particularly to a lens system in which zoom and focus of a lens apparatus that is mounted on a TV camera are controlled by a controller connected with the lens apparatus, and a lens apparatus having a view angle correction function to correct, by means of a zoom lens, change of a view angle at the time of focusing.
2. Description of Related Art
A lens apparatus to be mounted on a TV camera is connected with an external controller via a cable, and each optical member such as a zoom lens and a focus lens, which are arranged in the lens apparatus, is driven by a motor. In a lens system in which the lens apparatus is controlled with the external controller, the zoom lens is controlled in general by a rate control signal, which instructs a moving rate of the zoom lens. For example, a controller (a zoom controller) used for controlling the zoom lens is provided with a rotatable operation member called a thumb ring, and when the operator rotates the thumb ring, a rate control signal for instructing a zoom rate corresponding with an operation amount is transmitted to a control part of the lens apparatus, and the control part of the lens apparatus drives the zoom lens with the motor at the zoom rate that is instructed with the rate control signal.
A lens system is conventionally known that can control positions based on a shot function, a limit function or a view angle correction function, in addition to a function in a manual control in accordance with an operation of the operation member by the operator.
In the shot function, when a shot switch, which is provided to the zoom controller, is turned ON, the zoom lens moves to a shot position that is designated by a shot position adjusting knob. The shot function is conventionally controlled in the zoom controller (e.g. Japanese patent application Laid-open No. 8-334674). The zoom controller having the shot function is called a shot box. As the shot switch is turned ON, the zoom controller obtains a current position of the zoom lens from the lens apparatus, and transmits to the control part of the lens apparatus the rate control signal for instructing a moving rate in a moving direction so that a difference between the current position of the zoom lens and the designated shot position approaches zero, the moving rate corresponding with the difference. Thus, the control part of the lens apparatus drives the zoom lens in accordance with the rate control signal, and the zoom lens thereby moves to the shot position.
In the limit function, when a limit switch, which is provided to a controller, is turned ON, a moving range of the zoom lens is restricted within a range of a limit position. The limit function is conventionally controlled in the controller like the shot function (e.g. Japanese patent application Laid-open No. 10-39193). The current position of the zoom lens is obtained from the lens apparatus in the controller while the operation member of the controller is being operated, and when the current position of the zoom lens moves in a direction to approach the limit position, the rate control signal transmitted from the controller to the control part of the lens apparatus is restricted at a rate corresponding with the difference between the current position of the zoom lens and the limit position. If the current position of the zoom lens exceeds the limit position, the rate control signal for returning the zoom lens to the limit position is transmitted to the control part of the lens apparatus. Therefore, the control part of the lens apparatus restricts the moving range of the zoom lens to be within the limit position by driving the zoom lens in accordance with the rate control signal provided from the controller, without recognizing the limit position.
In the view angle correction function, the change of the view angle due to the moving of the focus lens is prevented by moving the zoom lens. The view angle correction function is conventionally controlled in the lens apparatus (e.g. Japanese patent application Laid-open No. 10-282396). The control part of the lens apparatus moves the zoom lens by its control at a position where the view angle is constant when moving the focus lens. When the focus lens moves in accordance with the control signal from the controller, the control part of the lens apparatus simultaneously drives the zoom lens and the focus lens so that the current position of the zoom lens and the zoom position which makes the view angle constant correspond with each other; thereby the change of the view angle at the focus adjustment is prevented.
In the conventional art, however, the lens apparatus cannot activate the view angle correction function in a case where the shot function and/or the limit function are executed. That is, when the control part of the lens apparatus moves the zoom lens by the control based on the view angle correction function while the zoom lens moves to and stops at the shot position or the limit position by the control based on the shot function or the limit function of the controller, the controller recognizes that the position of the zoom lens is displaced from the shot position, or, in some cases, recognized that the position of the zoom lens exceeded the limit position. Then, the controller transmits the rate control signal for returning the position of the zoom lens at the shot position or the limit position to the control part of the lens apparatus. The thus transmitted rate control signal cannot be determined by the control part of the lens apparatus whether the signal is based on the shot function or the limit function, or the operation of the operation member; moreover, the zoom lens must be controlled in accordance with the rate control signal because the control based on the operation of the operating member should take the first priority; thus the zoom lens is returned at the shot position after all, and the view angle correction function does not effectively function.
Similar problems occurs not only at the time of the shot function or the limit function, but also in a state where the zoom lens moves to and stops at a target position in the position control by some function of the position control in the controller.
In the limit function, it is usually not desired to perform the view angle correction up to the level where the zoom lens exceeds the limit position; however, in the shot function, it is more often desired to perform the view angle correction function first so as to correct the view angle from the shot position also, in a case where the zoom lens moves to and stops at the shot position.
In consideration of the above-described necessity, a method has been suggested in which the control signal provided from the zoom controller is invalidated while executing the view angle correction. Yet, this method also invalidates the restriction of the limit position originally provided from the zoom controller, and thus the zoom lens can move to the outside of the limit position by the view angle correction.
Further, even though it is considered preferable to prioritize the shot function or the limit function over the view angle correction function, the zoom lens does not move effectively at the proximity of the shot position or the limit position because of a control problem under a state where the plurality of controls based on the plurality of functions are simultaneously performed.
In the conventional art, the problem presented above occurs due to the fact that plural controls based on the shot function, the limit function, view angle correction function, and so forth, are executed by the control part of the lens apparatus and by the controller that are completely independent of each other.

TV lens system and apparatus and method for zoom control


A programmable read-only memory device and method of fabrication are disclosed having an antifuse in the drain node of a field effect transistor. Programming is accomplished by imposing a high voltage on the transistor drain and gate which causes the antifuse to be a closed circuit; otherwise, the transistor appears as an open circuit. Locating the antifuse in the drain node as opposed to the source node avoids problems of source reverse bias.

Two of the available methods to program a programmable read-only memory (PROM) include use of metallic fusible links or its opposite, the antifuse. An unprogrammed antifuse is non-conducting, and it is programmed by changing it to a conductive or low resistance state so as to close a circuit between the bit line and the array device. A fuse link, on the other hand, is conductive when unprogrammed, and it is programmed by changing it to a non-conducting state so as to open or break the circuit between the bit line and the array device. In each case, the programming is effected by imposing a high voltage on the device causing a current to flow through the link creating heat in the link. In the fuse link, heat opens the circuit; wherein, in the antifuse, the heat creates a conductor.
In the case where the memory device is a metal oxide silicon field effect transistor (MOSFET), it has typically been known to insert the antifuse in series with the source node. This has an undesirable consequence often referred to as "body effect", which occurs when there is a reverse bias on the source-substrate, V.sub.SB. This bias can occur during programming by the high voltage due to the possibility of high resistance in the antifuse, i.e., 1,000-4,000 ohms.
The resultant voltage drop during programming through this resistance reduces the gate-to-source voltage V.sub.gs causing a reduced drain current, I.sub.D. This reduced drain current may not be adequate to properly heat the antifuse, thereby forming a contact having high resistance.
It is, therefore, desirable to fabricate a multiplicity of small outline antifuses in a PROM MOSFET drain to avoid the reverse bias of the source and provide for a high-drain current during the programming operation.
In this PROM, the MOSFET transistor having a shorted antifuse is operational, i.e., it can be conducting, simulating a one or can be an open circuit because of the non-conducting antifuse in the drain, simulating a zero.

Transistor antifuse for a programmable ROM


A hair decoration such as a kit comprises a series of beads connectable to one another and a set of appliqués. At least a portion of the beads contains one or more lights inside which are in electrical communication with one another to permit power to be commonly supplied to the lights from a battery. One or more beads includes a mechanism for attaching the beads to hair. A light circuit is coupled to the light-containing beads to drive the lights. Appliqués in the set of appliqués are selectively applicable to the beads by a user, have a transmissivity, and are in a path of illumination of the lights. As a result, when the lights are driven by the light circuit, the lights shine and provide illumination in the path. The illumination can be direct or backlit. A method of decorating hair is also provided.

Hair can be styled and also can be adorned. Among various items that can be used to adorn hair, with or without changing its style, are hair beads. Conventionally, a hair bead is a wooden, plastic, ceramic or glass ornament that includes a throughbore sized to receive hair. The shape and ornamentation of such beads provides aesthetic appeal and can complement the wearer's hair style.
Traditionally, hair ornaments have provided their appeal in view of their innate appearance. There remains a need, however, for a hair ornament that includes circuitry that can illuminate beads from within, and, further, for a hair ornament that is customizable by the owner to spell out a message or illustrate an icon. The present invention addresses these and other needs.


This invention relates to a smart card (1) manufacturing method that makes it possible to reduce the thickness of the said smart card and directly obtain a final 3FF or 4FF format. The smart card manufacturing method comprises steps for depositing resin forming a first protective coat (11) over the electronic element assembly with a surface greater than the required smart card format and depositing a second protective coat with a format larger than the required card format on the first protective coat. The second protective coat is fixed to the first protective coat by curing the first protective coat, and then the assembly obtained in that way is cut to the required format.

This invention relates to a method for manufacturing smart cards in the UICC (Universal Integrated Circuit Card) 2FF, 3FF or 4FF formats. The smart cards may for example be SIM cards.
The embedding method is generally used while manufacturing SIM cards. The first stage of this process consists in encapsulating an electronic component assembly comprising an integrated circuit and connecting wires into resin in order to protect the components of the electronic module. That encapsulated assembly is then glued into a cavity of a package, which may be made of plastic, for example. The package is often called the "card body".
With the miniaturisation and the increase in the functions of mobile telephones, the format of SIM cards is ever smaller, and so is their thickness. The change from the 2FF form factor (25×15 mm2) to 3FF format (15×12 mm2) and soon to 4FF format reduces the gluing surface and the size of the components that can be integrated into the module.
Further, the reduction in the thickness of SIM cards is being studied, in order to reduce the volume of SIM cards in their readers and also to allow the insertion of small SIM cards into adapters that enable compatibility with the connectors of readers using older formats.
One drawback of the standard embedding method is that it does not make it possible to easily reduce the thickness of SIM cards below the current thickness of 0.80 mm. In that method, the resin that encapsulates the electronic component assembly can have surface irregularities and topology with height differences that are too large to be delivered to customers as a finished product. Besides, that surface relief does not comply with the thickness tolerances of mini cards or other integrated circuit packages.
To remedy that problem of surface irregularities, the standard method consists in inserting the encapsulated electronics component assembly—called the module—into a card body. However, that solution increases the thickness of the smart card. That is because it results in a stack including the hot melt adhesive that glues the electronic module to the card body, the gap between the module and the bottom of the card cavity and the thickness of the bottom of the card cavity. That stack represents at least 0.15 mm, thus limiting the possibility of reducing the thickness.
An additional drawback is that the card body manufactured according to the applicable ISO standard has an extended format in relation to the final format of the SIM card, regardless of that final format. As a result, the useful surface of the smart card, that is to say the surface available for the electronics components, limited. The card body is scored around the SIM card, and the user separates the two before using the SIM card. That is why embedding makes it necessary to use a large quantity of plastic, which increases the cost of the method.
The document WO 2010/094782 A1 discloses a method for manufacturing smart cards without resorting to embedding. The electronic module is covered with a coat of resin with dimensions that are slightly larger than those of the final format of the smart card. That coat of resin makes up the smart card package in itself.
One drawback is that the resin is dispensed using the Resin Transfer Moulding (or RTM) method, which requires costly investment in specialised equipment.
The document EP 0644507 B1 discloses a method for manufacturing smart cards without resorting to embedding. In that method, the electronic module comprises a cover platelet coated with resin on one side. The coated platelet is placed on the electronic module so that the resin covers the electronic module. The method makes it possible to reduce the final thickness of the module to 0.62 mm but it is still necessary to embed the module and thus have an additional thickness of plastic that is added to the thickness of the module.
Another drawback is that it requires specific equipment, which leads to an increase in costs.


An input circuit having one or more individual signature circuits connected in parallel between an input line and an voltage node in a semiconductor device and an individual signature circuit are provided. The individual signature circuits are isolated from an input/output port to which a high frequency signal is applied so that the input/output port of the semiconductor device can operate at high speed. The signature circuits are provided for an input/output port to which a relatively low frequency signal is applied. An individual signature circuit includes an indexer and a selector connected in series between the voltage node and the input line. The selector includes two terminals which are electrically short-circuited or snapped in response to a control signal, and the indexer includes one or more voltage reducing devices connected in series between input and output terminals of the indexer and signature fuses each of which is connected in parallel to corresponding one of the voltage reducing devices. Voltage drop in the indexer varies with a combination of the signature fuses which are cut or uncut. By varying a voltage drop of an indexer in each of the individual signature circuits, a number of indexes are obtained to index various kinds of information of a semiconductor device.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a semiconductor device, and more particularly, to an input circuit having signature circuits arranged in parallel in a semiconductor device.
2. Description of the Related Art
Signature circuits are used for various purposes, for example, for marking defective products during a packaging process and for identifying products to avoid various products from being confused with each other.
In semiconductor products which interface at low frequencies, the low frequency characteristics of an input/output port are rarely considered. However, recently developed semiconductor products operate at high frequencies or speed. One skilled in the art can appreciate that high speed electronic interfacing exhibits different and often distorting characteristics. Accordingly, it is necessary that the semiconductor products operating at high speed are equipped with input/output ports that can handle operation in high frequency interfacing correctly, for example, at several hundred MHZ. One problem in high speed operation is the varying impedance of an input/output of a semiconductor-product in high speed interfacing. Various technical approaches have been proposed to reduce the problems associated with the impedance of an input/output port of a semiconductor product.
The impedance characteristics of an input port depends on the resistance of internal signal lines connected to the input port, inductance, parasitic capacitance and the capacitance of an input buffer. Moreover, circuits (such as static electricity dischargers, waveform clamping circuits and connection test diodes) connected to or accompanied with the input port and parasitic capacitance of a signature circuit for indexing a semiconductor product affects the impedance characteristics of the input port, typically by increasing its resistance.
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a conventional input circuit. In the conventional input circuit, first, second and n-th signature circuits 110, 112 and 114 are provided for respective input buffers 100,102 and 104 to obtain a large number of indexes. Each of the signature circuits 110,112 and 114 includes fuses (e.g., F20 in FIG. 2), and whether the fuses are cut or not determines whether current flows in each of the signature circuits 110,112 and 114.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an individual signature circuit of the input circuit of FIG. 1. The individual signature circuit includes a master fuse F20 and NMOS transistors MN21, MN22 and MN23. Each of the NMOS transistors MN21, MN22 and MN23 has a gate and a source, which are connected to each other, and operates as a diode. The NMOS transistors MN21, MN22 and MN23 are connected in series. A waveform clamping circuit 208 is provided between an input port INPUT1 and an input buffer 200 to compensate for waveform of an input signal applied to the input buffer 200.
Information stored in the individual signature circuit 110 is obtained by detecting a voltage of the input port at which current flows in the individual signature circuit while varying the voltage of the input port. If the master fuse F20 is not cut, current flows in the signature circuit 110 when the voltage of the input port is higher than a power supply voltage VDD by the sum of the threshold voltages of the NMOS transistors MN21, MN22 and MN23. Various kinds of information on a packaged semiconductor device are represented by a combination of fuses of signature circuits which are cut or uncut.
The impedance of an input/output port having the individual signature circuit 110 includes parasitic capacitance such as gate overlap capacitance and junction capacitance of the NMOS transistor MN23. The parasitic capacitance of the individual signature circuit 110 causes parasitic effects when the associated input port is interfaced at high speed.
Consequently, signature circuits are typically used with input/output ports interfacing at low speed. Accordingly, conventional input circuits in a semiconductor device having signature circuits have limited number of available indexes due to high impedance at high speed interfacing.
Moreover, a conventional individual signature circuit cannot be used together with the waveform clamping circuit 208. The waveform clamping circuit 208 is used for compensating for the waveform of an input signal within a predetermined range and is normally applied to an input device in a semiconductor device. Usual waveform clamping circuits clamp a signal of a voltage higher than an external power supply voltage VDD by 1 VT (VT is the threshold voltage of a transistor in a waveform clamping circuit) and a signal of a voltage lower than an external ground voltage VSS by 1 VT. For example, when a voltage higher than the external power supply voltage VDD by 1 VT is applied to the input port INPUT1, a transistor of the waveform clamping circuit 208 is turned on, and current is diverted to the waveform clamping circuit. Consequently, the current flowing in the individual signature circuit 110 cannot be detected.
Therefore, a need exists for a signature circuit which can decrease the impedance of an input/output port and can be used together with a waveform clamping circuit in a semiconductor device.
To solve the above problems, it is an object of the present invention to provide an input circuit in a semiconductor device for obtaining a large number of indexes and capable of interfacing at high frequency.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a signature circuit which can be used together with a waveform clamping circuit provided for an input port in a semiconductor device.
Accordingly, to achieve the above and other objects of the invention, there is provided an individual signature circuit in a semiconductor device having an input line for propagating a signal applied from an input port to an input buffer. Two or more individual signature circuits are connected in parallel between the input line and a predetermined voltage node and selectively enabled in response to a predetermined control signal. An individual signature circuit includes an indexer and a selector connected in series between the voltage node and the input line.
Preferably, two terminals of the selector are electrically short-circuited or snapped in response to the control signal, and the indexer includes one or more voltage reducing devices connected in series between input and output terminals of the indexer and signature fuses each of which is connected in parallel to corresponding one of the voltage reducing devices. Therefore, voltage drop in the indexer varies with a combination of the signature fuses which are cut or uncut.
Preferably, the indexer may include one or more variable resistors connected in series between input and output terminals of the indexer and signature fuses each of which is connected in parallel to corresponding one of the variable resistors. Therefore, amount of current flowing between the input and output terminals of the indexer varies with a combination of the signature fuses which are cut or uncut.
Preferably, the indexer may include one or more variable resistors connected in parallel between input and output terminals of the indexer and signature fuses each of which is connected in series to corresponding one of the variable resistors. Therefore, amount of current flowing between the input and output terminals of the indexer varies with a combination of the signature fuses which are cut or uncut.
Preferably, the indexer may include one or more voltage reducing devices connected in series between input and output terminals of the indexer and signature fuses each of which is connected in parallel to a different number of voltage reducing devices. Therefore, a voltage drop across the indexer determined by the different number of voltage reducing devices varies with a combination of the signature fuses which are cut or uncut.
By using an input circuit having one or more individual signature circuits according to the present invention, various kinds of information on a semiconductor device operating at high speed can be indexed. In addition, an individual signature circuit of the present invention can be used together with a waveform clamping circuit provided at an input port of a semiconductor device.

Input circuit having signature circuits in parallel in semiconductor device


A technique to automatically select a bearer from among a plurality of bearers available on a wireless device bases the selection of the bearer on which a data transfer takes place on a cost function that is used both by the server and the wireless device. A method for communicating data with a mobile device capable of communicating using a plurality of communication bearers comprises selecting a communication bearer to opportunistically initiate a data transfer between a server and the mobile device using a cost function and a policy table to select the communication bearer, from among the plurality of communication bearers, and when the selected communication bearer is or becomes available, initiating the transfer between the server and the mobile device using the selected communication bearer.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method and system for choosing a bearer from a plurality of bearers for the purpose of exchanging content between a server and a wireless device, is based on the use of a cost function and is exchanged between the server and the wireless device.
2. Description of the Related Art
Existing wireless devices typically have one wireless bearer over which data transfer takes place. Examples include, but are not limited to, Global System for Mobile communications (GSM), General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), Evolution-Data Optimized or Evolution-Data only (EVDO), Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WIMAX), 3rd Generation Partnership Project Long Term Evolution (3GPP-LTE or LTE), etc. For content exchange, devices are configured to provide access to the network using the available bearer. Since there is only one bearer, the data transfer takes place over this bearer provided the bearer is configured properly.
However, there are devices that are appearing in the market that support multiple bearers. These dual-mode, tri-mode and even multi-mode devices support two, three and multiple bearers, and the user can choose one among the many bearers for initiating data transfer. Examples include, but not limited to are GPRS and Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN or Wi-Fi); WiMAX and WLAN; WiMAX and EVDO; WiMAX, WLAN, and EVDO; WLAN, Bluetooth, and Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) etc. In general, any combination of bearer technologies can be supported in a device. Existing techniques include manually prioritizing the choices through a user interface or a configuration manager. The problem is one of choosing the right bearer for initiating data transfer.
Manually selecting a bearer for a particular data transfer is not desirable and requires some amount of knowledge about the each of the bearer characteristics. Instead, a need arises for a technique by which a bearer may be automatically chosen from among a plurality of bearers. Similarly, when a server wants to transfer content to the wireless device, it also needs to know the bearer to use.
Thus, there is a need to provide a mechanism by which a bearer, from among a set of available bearers, can be automatically selected by the device or the server to initiate a data transfer.

System and method to provide dynamic bearer selection for data transfers in multi-bearer wireless data terminals


The present invention is directed to a router including a motor housing for at least partially enclosing a motor, a base having a sleeve for receiving the motor housing therein. The base is constructed to at least partially support the motor housing on a workpiece. The router additionally includes an electrical switch disposed substantially in a quadrant, defined by a first axis extending through generally opposing handles, and a second axis, extending normal to the first axis, and generally bisecting the motor housing, of the motor housing. Preferably, the electrical switch is disposed in the range of 30° (thirty degrees) to 60° (sixty degrees) from the second axis and particularly at approximately 45° (forty-five degrees) to allow for comfortable grasping of the motor housing/base, easy repeatable switch manipulation, and the like.

Routers are routinely utilized in a wide variety of woodworking projects. During normal operation (when not implemented with a router table), routers are typically manipulated via a pair of opposing handles, or via a D-shaped handle. In the previous manner, a user is capable of controlling the router in a secure manner. One difficulty experienced when utilizing a router is operating the router's electrical system. For example, on completing a task, a user typically turn off the power and let the bit run down or stop turning to prevent the bit from inadvertently contacting the workpiece. If a fixed base router or standard router is utilized, the electrical system may be inopportunely located. For example, if the motor housing rotates as the motor housing is positioned with respect to the base, the switch may be difficult to reach when grasping the manipulation handles. For example, a user may have to take one hand off a handle to operate the switch while holding a knob handle in the other hand. Further, the orientation of the switch may vary if the motor housing screws down (i.e., the motor housing threads into the base). Thus, a standardized motion may not be obtained.
Further, some router users wish to have close control over the router. For example, some users grasp the base/motor housing to manipulate the device. This method of use is typically employed by skilled woodworkers to allow them to hold his/her arms closer to his/her body than typically experienced when utilizing a D-shaped handle or a knob handle. Router components mounted to the base/motor housing may interfere with a user's grasp when holding the router in the previous manner. For example, a mechanical height adjustment device may be mounted to a sleeve included on the base for adjusting the motor housing/depth of cut. This arrangement may require a wider grasp, or cause the user to cant his/her hand and arm at an uncomfortable angle. This action may cause the user to tilt the router (out of normal) which may impact the overall finish of the workpiece.
Therefore, it would be desirable to provide an ergonomically configured router which includes components arranged so as to promote comfort and ease of use.


A system includes a television that has access to one or more services hosted on provider servers through a network. The television has software that displays both program information and services information in an electronic program guide. Upon selecting of a program information entry in the electronic program guide, the software changes the current channel of the television to the channel associated with the program entry information. Upon selecting of one of the services entries in the electronic program guide, the software presents a browsing menu to the viewer, the browsing menu presenting pages from the provider servers and accepting inputs from the viewer.

Televisions have tuners for receiving broadcast television from cable or radio frequency inputs. In the early days, only a few stations broadcast over radio waves and there was no cable or satellite service. In those days, analog transmission was used to distribute programming of only a few stations over the Very High Frequency bands (VHF). Later, additional stations were added in the Ultra High Frequency (UHF) bands. In any given area, three to maybe 30 stations were available. In the early days, paper guides were the primary mechanism used for a viewer to determine what program was to be shown on what channel. For example, the magazine TV Guide presented a listing of what programs were on what stations in a time-sorted list (e.g., one page has listings for what programs were on each station at 7:00 PM). This was fine for a few stations such as channel 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 11 and 13 in the New York City suburban area in 1960, but soon became difficult to produce and cumbersome to use when the number of stations increased. It soon became difficult to manage, to produce and difficult for the viewer to find programs. Additionally, the printing cycle of such guides was often weekly and if a change to programming occurred after a cutoff point, the change was not reflected in the guide, making the guide inaccurate at times.
In parallel with analog broadcast television, many viewers made the switch to cable television that offered hundreds of channels, including some of the broadcast channels. Cable added many new channels, including premium channels that require a subscription fee and pay-per-view programs in which the viewer pays a fee to watch, for example, a sporting event or movie. Early cable systems published their own weekly or monthly guide, but this was difficult to use due to the large number of stations and the limited print space. In addition, many cable systems added a dedicated station having a rolling program guide. This was a very early electronic program guide (EPG) and listed the programs for each station/channel that are currently being shown or will be shown within the next two hours or so. Because most cable systems had 50-150 stations/channels, the guide scrolled though the channels sequentially. If you wanted to know what was to be shown on Channel 10 and the display currently shows channel 20, you would have to wait for all of the channels between 20 and the last channel, then channel 1 and channel 9 to scroll by before channel 10 was displayed. Then you had a short time to focus in on channel 10 and read what was to be shown. This soon became useless as the number of channels kept increasing.
Cable soon found a competitor. Satellite television providers transmitted over 100 channels to one or more geo-stationary satellites and each satellite retransmitted the channels back towards earth for reception on large satellite antennas, often six to 9 feet wide. Many subscribers were attracted to satellite television because of the breadth and type of content available, but many were alienated to satellite television because of the unsightly antenna in their back yard. Apartment dwellers, condominium owners and town home owners did not have a place for such antenna. Eventually, two major satellite television providers launched similar satellite services that required much smaller dish antenna, approximately one foot in diameter, appealing to a much greater audience. Each provider offered over 100 digital television stations, including pap-per-view programs and premium (subscription) stations.
Since there was a limited bandwidth available for each satellite, the number of stations for each satellite was limited, preventing the transmission of local stations. A large number of subscribers received the same stations, so many still relied on terrestrial broadcasts for local news, traffic and weather. For example, the entire east coast of the United States received the same stations, leading to the birth of news and weather networks such as CNN and TWC. Therefore, there were very few local stations unless, for example, you lived in New York City.
The satellite broadcast received by the antenna was decoded by a set-top box and down-converted to an unused broadcast station to feed an existing television (early televisions did not have external inputs such as Composite, S-Video, HDMI, etc). There needed to be a way to select one of the stations out of the many since the television was fixed to one station, usually channel 2 or channel 3, rendering the television tuner somewhat useless in selecting the myriad of stations that were available. Selecting of the stations was accomplished though a remote control that interfaced to the set-top box, having direct channel addressing (e.g. enter 1-0-1 to change to channel 101) or up/down addressing (e.g. press the up arrow to get to the next station). Early providers offered weekly paper program guides. With over 100 stations, these guides often proved difficult to use. As an improvement, satellite providers (and third-party providers) started offering what became known as an electronic program guide. In this, the providers downloaded an electronic program guide to the user's set-top box, either through the satellite system or over phone lines, then presented the guide in a menu on the user's television. The user had the ability to move ahead or back in time (right arrow/left arrow) and up and down in the station list (up arrow/down arrow), seeing what programs are on what stations at what time. Features such as page up/down and direct station addressing were also provided.
Broadcast television later migrated to a digital spectrum, greatly increasing the number of stations and sub-stations (e.g. NBC, NBC1, NBC2, etc). There are often many different channels or stations of programs or content from which a viewer of the television is able to select. For example, some cable systems offer hundreds of cable channels containing content such as network television programming (ABC, NBC, CBS, etc), music channels, movie channels (HBO, SHO, MAX), and so fourth.
Electronic program guides became available for cable television, satellite television and digital broadcast television. The electronic program guides provide information regarding the programs available from the content sources such as the content broadcast over the air waves, through satellites, or through cables (copper or fiber optic) and all let the viewer select the content that they wish to view.
Lately, many other sources of content (audio, video, still pictures, etc) have been connected to the television in many different ways. Some sources of content are connected or interfaced directly to the television such as insertion of a disk containing pictures, video, music, etc. or connecting a disk (e.g. USB jump drive) containing pictures, video, music, etc. Some sources of content are connected to the television through a network such as content stored on network attached storage (NAS) or content on a computer system connected to the television through a local area network. Similarly, content is also provided by servers remotely connected to the television through, for example, the Internet. An example of content servers is a movie rental companies such as Netflix. Previously, access to content from these types of media, drives and servers required an external device (e.g. set-top box, disk player) and a separate user interface. Now, many television devices are connected to networks, having access to content stored locally on the network and remotely on, for example, the Internet. Additionally, many television devices provide direct connection of media through ports such as Universal Serial Bus (USB) ports and the like. Accessing content on the network and on connected devices often requires that the viewer perform different actions using different menu systems and/or different controls.
What is needed is a system provides listing, manipulation and access to devices through the electronic program guide interface.

Selecting remote services through an electronic program guide


A network management system manages the operation of a home security system in a communication network, such as a mesh network. The home security system can include multiple components such as a camera, a lighting device, a security alarm, a doorbell switch and doorbell chime, and a fingerprint sensor, which connect with the communication network to perform various operations. The network management system monitors environmental parameters of the communication network, such as parameters associated with the access points and components of the home security system, determines an access point to which a component of the home security system is to be connected for efficient operation of the home security system, and connects the component to the communication network via the determined access point.

A home security system typically includes smoke/fire detection, carbon monoxide (CO) detection, remote control, cameras, alarm and reporting events. The home security system is installed in a communication network, such as a local area network (LAN), which often is a wireless LAN (WLAN). The WLAN includes a gateway device, such as a modem, which connects the WLAN to an external network such as Internet, and one or more routers connected to the gateway device that generates the WLAN. The home security system can include multiple cameras, which can be installed at multiple locations of a home. When a user requests to view a video feed captured by a camera, the video feed is transmitted to a user device through the WLAN via the routers. Current home security systems do not operate efficiently. For example, when multiple users request to view the video feed from multiple cameras, the load in the WLAN, e.g., in the router to which the cameras are connected, can increase significantly, which can cause the streaming quality of the video to deteriorate. The user can experience buffering of the video, a lag or jitter in the video, or may not receive the video at all.


A method for dispensing photoresist over a semiconductor wafer is provided. The method includes moving a dispensing nozzle to a predetermined position where the longitudinal axis of the dispensing nozzle aligns with the central axis of the semiconductor wafer. The method further includes dispensing a chemical liquid over the semiconductor wafer via the dispensing nozzle. The method also includes dispensing a photoresist over the semiconductor wafer that is coated with the chemical liquid via the dispensing nozzle. During the dispensing of the chemical liquid and the photoresist, the dispensing nozzle stays in the predetermined position.

Semiconductor devices are used in a variety of electronic applications, such as personal computers, cell phones, digital cameras, and other electronic equipment. Semiconductor devices are typically fabricated by sequentially depositing insulating or dielectric layers, conductive layers, and semiconductor layers of materials over a semiconductor substrate, and patterning the various material layers using lithography to form circuit components and elements thereon.
The semiconductor industry continues to improve the integration density of various electronic components (e.g., transistors, diodes, resistors, capacitors, etc.) by continual reductions in minimum feature size, which allows more components to be integrated into a given area. These smaller electronic components also require smaller packages that utilize less area than the packages of the past, in some applications.
ICs are typically fabricated by processing one or more wafers as a "lot" with a series of wafer fabrication tools (i.e., "processing tools"). Each processing tool typically performs a single wafer fabrication task on the wafers in a given lot. For example, a particular processing tool may perform layering, patterning and doping operations or thermal treatment. A layering operation typically adds a layer of a desired material to an exposed wafer surface. A patterning operation typically removes selected portions of one or more layers formed by layering. A doping operation typically incorporates dopants directly into the silicon through the wafer surface, to produce p-n junctions. A thermal treatment typically heats a wafer to achieve specific results (e.g., dopant drive-in or annealing).
Although existing processing tool have been generally adequate for their intended purposes, they have not been entirely satisfactory in all respects. Consequently, there is a need for a processing tool and method thereof that provides a solution for processing ICs efficiently and stably.

Method and system for supplying chemical liquid in semiconductor fabrication

TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.


A soda lime glass plate has, on the basis of oxides, a total sulfur content in terms of SO3 of 0.001 to 0.2% in mass %, a total iron content in terms of Fe2O3 of 0.15 to 0.4% in mass %, and a total tin content in terms of SnO2 of 0.02 to 1% in mass %, and has a mass proportion of a divalent iron in terms of Fe2O3 in the total iron in terms of Fe2O3 of 45 to 70%. The soda lime glass plate has, as a conversion value for a 3.85 mm-thickness glass plate, a visible light transmittance Tv_A of 70% or more, a total solar transmittance Tts of 63.7% or less, and c* in the L*a*b* color space of 4 or less.

Soda lime glass having high heat-insulating property (the soda lime glass may be hereinafter simply referred to as a "glass") is required to be used as window glasses of vehicles such as automobiles. When the glass has low heat-insulating property, the temperature inside vehicles receiving solar radiation increases. The temperature increase not only makes passengers uncomfortable, but also increases cooling load, leading to the deterioration of fuel consumption.
Total solar transmittance (Tts) specified in ISO-13837A:2008 is an index of heat-insulating property of a glass. Low Tts means low transmittance of solar energy, that is, high heat-insulating property. Solar direct transmittance (Te) specified in ISO-13837A:2008 is an index that is correlated with Tts, and those have the relationship that Tts decreases as Te decreases.
Window glasses of vehicles are required to have high visible light transmittance from the standpoint of visibility and safety. In safety standards of Road Transport Vehicle Act, front windshield of automobiles is required to have visible light transmittance of 70% or more. Visible light transmittance (Tv_A) specified in JIS R3106:1998 is an index of the visible light transmittance.
Patent Literature 1 describes a heat-absorbing glass plate having Te of 50% or less as a conversion value for a 4 mm-thickness glass plate. The Tv_A of the heat-absorbing glass plate is more than 65% as a conversion value for a 4 mm-thickness glass plate.


An automobile interior exhibit is configured with a relief formed to replicate an automobile interior member and an interior cover covering the surface of the relief. In the automobile interior exhibit, the relief is provided with a simulative three-dimensional form in perspective so that the relief provides a view from a predetermined viewpoint even when the relief is viewed from the front.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an automobile interior exhibit configured with a relief formed to replicate an automobile interior member and an interior cover covering the surface of the relief.
2. Description of Related Art
Examples of conventional methods to exhibit a seat cover covering a surface of a pad member of an automobile seat include a known method in which, rather than a seat cover being exhibited alone, the seat cover is exhibited while covering a surface of a relief formed with a semicircular cross section. Specifically, an exhibit configured with a relief having a semicircular cross section and a seat cover covering the surface of the relief is known. Thereby, the seat cover can be exhibited in a manner emphasizing the texture thereof. Aside from the above, the examples of the conventional methods also include a known method in which a surface of a full-scale shape model of an automobile seat is painted to replicate an automobile seat.
Related Art 1 is known as an exemplary background technical reference relating to the present invention.
[Related Art 1] Japanese Patent Laid-open Publication 2003-241670
However, since the relief is formed to have a semicircular cross section in the first-described exhibit, it is difficult for viewers to visualize an actual automobile seat figure. Meanwhile, although this problem (present in the first-described exhibit) is resolved in the second-described exhibit that is configured with a full-scale shape model of an automobile seat formed to replicate an automobile seat, the shape model presents a problem of poor transportability. In order to resolve this problem, the shape model has to be compact. However, the smaller the shape model becomes, the more difficult it becomes to visualize an automobile seat in full-scale.


A keyless lock system for a vehicle includes a card for transmitting a radio signal, at least one onboard antenna for receiving the radio signal, and a control unit for allowing and preventing keyless lock and unlock operations in dependence on the existence or nonexistence of the card in a predetermined area near the antenna. The control unit monitors the position of of at least one monitored door, and produces a card warning signal each time the monitored door is closed if the card is absent in the vehicle.

The present invention relates to a vehicle keyless lock system for controlling one or more door locks and/or a vehicle control lock such as a steering lock without using any key.
Japanese Patent Provisional (KOKAI) Publications Nos. 63-1765 and 63-4182 disclose vehicle keyless lock systems which enable the driver of a vehicle to unlock a vehicle door or a steering system merely by pushing a request switch if the driver carries a card for radiating radio waves, on the person.

Keyless vehicle lock system with distance measuring


The present invention provides peptides and proteins for use in second generation HIV vaccines and as diagnostic tools in the treatment and control of HIV infection. The antiviral protection shown by compositions of the present invention has not been previously achieved with an HLA epitope-enhanced vaccine. These findings define a critical balance between MHC affinity and receptor crossreactivity required for effective epitope enhancement and also demonstrate construction and efficacy of such a component of a new generation vaccine.

Protection by classical vaccines such as polio vaccine is mediated mostly by neutralizing antibodies, but such antibody-inducing vaccines have been ineffective against viruses causing chronic infection such as HIV or hepatitis C virus. Rather, in this case, T-cell immunity might be crucial as has been confirmed by CD8 cell depletion in AIDS virus infection of macaques (Schmitz, J. B., M. et al., (1999), Science 283:857; and Jin, X., et al., (1999), J. Exp. Med. 189:991her, viral sequences evolving under immune selective pressure would not likely have optimal HLA molecule-binding epitopes. Thus, modifying epitope sequence to improve the CTL response could be one effective strategy toward development of new generations of vaccines (Berzofsky, J. A., et al., (1999) Immunol. Rev. 170:151; and Berzofsky, J. A., et al., (2001) Nature Reviews Immunology 1:209).
CD8 cytotoxic T cells (CTL) play a major role in protection against HIV or SIV virus (Musey, L., J. et al., (1997) N Engl J Med 337:1267; Schmitz, J. E., et al., (1999), Science 283:857; and Jin, X., et al., (1999), J. Exp. Med. 189:991.). Nevertheless, the natural immune response to HIV is often unable to clear the infection. Although a number of antigens that induce CTL responses and can help to eliminate or reduce virus production by killing viral producer cells have been reported so far, these do not seem to be sufficient to eliminate infection in most cases. There is no reason to expect that the HIV sequence would have evolved to have optimal CTL epitopes to allow eradication of the virus.
We have previously succeeded in improving the affinity of a hepatitis C core epitope for HLA-A2.1 (Sarobe, P., et al., (1998), J. Clin. Invest. 102:1239) and of a helper epitope for murine class II MHC (Ahlers, J. D., et al., (1997), Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 94:10856; and Ahlers, J. D., et al., (2001), J. Clin. Invest. 108:1677), and an epitope-enhanced melanoma peptide has shown efficacy in human clinical trials (Rosenberg, S. A., et al., (1998) Nature Medicine 4:321). Other complementary approaches to improve affinity for T-cell receptors have been devised (Zaremba, S., et al., (1997) Cancer Res 57:4570; and Slansky, J. E., et al., (2000) Immunity 13:529; and Tangri, S., et al., (2001) J Exp Med 194:833). Although one substitution resulting in higher affinity HLA binding of another HIV peptide has been reported (Pogue, R. R., J. et al., (1995) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 92:8166), no systematic attempt to improve epitopes of HIV has been carried out. In particular, no systematic analysis of the competing effects of substitutions on HIV peptide binding to the HLA class I molecule vs peptide/HLA complex binding to the T cell receptor has been reported.
Further, to our knowledge, protection against viral infection in vivo by an epitope-enhanced vaccine mediated by CTL restricted by a human HLA molecule has not previously been demonstrated.

Enhanced CTL epitope-containing HIV-1 reverse transcriptase polypeptides

The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services


A passive optical network (PON) system which enables plural types of ONUs having different signal transmission speeds to be connected to one OLT. An optical line terminating apparatus (OLT) connected to plural types of ONUs having different signal transmission speeds through an optical distribution network includes an optical transmitter-receiver connected to the optical distribution network, a transmission/reception line interface connected to a wide area network, a downstream frame processing section for converting a packet received by the transmission/reception line interface from the wide area network into a downstream frame containing identification information on a destination ONU in a header, and a downstream transmission controller for modulating the downstream frame at a speed corresponding to a signal transmission speed of the destination ONU and outputting the modulated frame to an electrical/optical converter connected to the optical transmitter-receiver.

In an internet protocol (IP) network, besides audio communication and data service, video distribution service requiring high-speed data transmission such as triple-play service in which broadcasting, telephone, and data communication are integrated is becoming active. Internet protocol television (IPTV) in triple-play service is one of the most important broadband applications.
A passive optical network (PON) system provides high-speed broadband Internet access using an optical fiber network to user terminals placed in individual households. The PON system is composed of plural optical network units (ONUs) each placed in a user's home and accommodating at least one user terminal and an optical line terminating apparatus (OLT) connected to these ONUs through an optical fiber network.
The optical fiber network of the PON system is composed of a trunk optical fiber connected to the OLT, plural branch optical fibers connected to the ONUs, and an optical splitter (or optical coupler) for joining the branch optical fibers and the trunk optical fiber, and takes the form of an optical distribution network (ODN) in which the plurality of ONUs can share the optical transmission line between the OLT and the optical splitter.
In the PON system, the cost of laying optical fibers can be greatly reduced compared to other broadband access technologies. Particularly in a G-PON (Gigabit-Capable PON) system, variable-length data frames can be transmitted at gigabit high speed, which can offer various broadband network applications to end users. Details of G-PON are disclosed in ITU-T G.984.1 "Gigabit-capable Passive Optical Networks (GPON): General characteristics", ITU-T G.984.2 "Gigabit-capable Passive Optical Networks (GPON): Physical Media Dependent (PMD) layer specification", and ITU-T G.984.3 "Gigabit-capable Passive Optical Networks (GPON): Transmission convergence layer specification."

Passive optical network system and optical line terminating apparatus


A method, system and computer-based product adjusts a synchronous operation of beams in scanning direction of a multiple beam optical system. Alternatively emitted, a standard beam and one of plural beams are scanned across an image forming body in respective scanning operations. During each scanning operation, a time interval (T1) is measured from when the standard beam is detected by a detector to when the other beam is detected. Similarly, another time interval (T2) is measured from between when the other beam is detected to when the standard beam is detected. Time intervals T1 and T2 are compared so as to distinguish the arrival order of beams and then the beams are adjusted at the source so as to compensate for a detected incorrect order or misalignment of the beams.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention is generally related to a method, apparatus and computer program product that adjusts synchronously beams in a multiple beam optical system, and more particularly relates to detecting and adjusting beams in a multiple beam optical system, where the detection and adjustment of beams is performed in a scanning direction between plural beams that are scanned on a photoconductive member.
2. Background of the Invention
To increase the efficiency in image duplicating devices such as copiers, printers and facsimile machines, a speed of scanning optical beams used in conventional image forming processes has recently been improved. Referring to the FIG. 1, one conventional optical system in a laser beam-based image forming apparatus includes a synchronous detecting device shown as photodetector 6. A beam emitted by a light source unit 1 is projected onto the polygon mirror 3 via an optical lens 2. The polygon mirror 3 is rotated at a predetermined angular velocity in a predetermined direction (shown as a counter clockwise direction as indicated by an arrow in FIG. 1). The beam is scanned within a predetermined scanning angle, and the scanned beam enters into a pair of lenses 4a and 4b and a reflector 9 before reaching the photoconductive drum 5. The above-described optical lens system is exemplary of that used in conventional systems.
In order to maintain a predetermined desired image forming starting point of each scanning operation (i.e., scan line) in the scanning direction on the photoconductive drum 5 after the beam has exited the optical lenses 4a and 4b, the beam is detected by the photodetector 6, located near the photo conductive drum 5. A scanning synchronous controller 7 calculates a time (or distance, which is related to the time) difference between a signal corresponding to the predetermined desired image forming starting point on the photoconductive drum 5 and a signal from the beam detected by the photodetector 6. The scanning synchronous controller 7 determines a revision value based on the time, or distance, difference. The scanning synchronous controller 7 also controls the light source unit 1 on the basis of the revision value where image data is used to modulated the light source at a time that corresponds to the beginning of a scan line.
The above-described feedback loop allows the system to maintain the predetermined desired starting point of the beam in the scanning direction on the photoconductive drum 5.
In the above-described system, the polygon mirror 3 has multiple reflecting surfaces. When the polygon mirror 3 is rotated at a high speed, the beam is scanned in a predetermined direction on the surface of the photoconductive drum 5 so as to form an image thereon. The beam is modulated on and off according to image data corresponding to the scan line. Thus, a scanning angle is defined as a relative angular range of the reflecting surface of the polygon mirror 3 about its rotational axis for covering the horizontal scan distance on the photoconductive drum 5.
However, as determined by the present inventor, at the high rotational speed, a number of undesirable effects need to be considered, such as increased noise and heat, shortened driving motor lifetime for the polygon mirror 3, an expensive bearing unit, a need for a high-intensity laser unit, etc. The extent of these problems generally worsen as the rotational speed is further increased. The costs for solving these associated problems are prohibitive, and another approach is therefore preferred.
Rather than increasing the rotational speed of the polygon mirror 3, other systems employ multiple laser beams that are simultaneously scanned so as to shorten an amount of time to form an image on the photoconductive drum. In other words, if three beams were simultaneously used to scan three lines, it would take only one third of the time as compared to a single laser beam. To take advantage of the multiple beams, the beams should be synchronized in the scanning direction and correctly calibrated to begin scanning at predetermined position, such as at the beginning of a scan line.
However, in the conventional multiple laser beam optical system, the scanning start points of each beam never completely coincide in the scanning direction. Therefore, the difference of the scanning start points in each beam needs to be revised using an adjustment method, particularly when each beam does not appear to the detector 6 as being completely separate from other beams.
If the plural beams are sufficiently separated in the scanning direction, the plural beams may be detected with only one photodetector. When each beam is separately distinguishable (e.g., not overlapping) as shown in FIG. 2, the photodetector 6 independently detects each beam. Referring to FIG. 3, the pulses detected by the photodetector 6 are completely separated from each other in time and thus distinguishable from one another.
Synchronization of each beam is performed during a non-image forming period in a scanning operation. In other words, synchronization is performed between where each beam is detected with the photodetector 6 and when an image forming scan line process starts on the photoconductive drum 5. The faster polygon mirror rotates, the shorter this non-image forming period becomes. Therefore, if the time interval between each beam is too wide, it is difficult to carry out the synchronization operation during the above non-image forming period.
Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, it is seen that when the plural beams are not sufficiently separated in time, the detected signals overlap in time. In this case the scanning synchronous controller 7 may judge the overlapped signals as one signal which makes it difficult for the scanning synchronous controller 7 to properly perform the synchronization operation.
Some conventional multiple beam optical systems have attempted to solve the above problem. One of these systems is disclosed in Japanese Laid Open JP 59-26,005, in which the optical system uses plural photodetectors arranged to receive respective of the beams. The plural photodetectors are step-wisely positioned along the scanning direction and offset in a direction normal to the scanning direction. The above-described optical system carries out a series of steps including irradiating one detector with only one beam, detecting the beam with the photodetector corresponding to that laser beam and turning-off of the respective beams in the order of arrival at the respective photodetector.
However, the present inventor identified that the expense of including plural photodetectors detracts from the value of the system. Furthermore, each beam must be handled separately so as to ensure proper alignment of the source and detectors during final assembly in the optical system, creating a risk that the clearance of the plural photodetectors differs between image forming apparatuses. Referring to FIG. 6, when the above optical system is assembled in the image forming apparatus during final assembly, the clearance of each photodetector needs to be revised on the basis of the shift of each beam in the scanning direction, thereby increasing manufacturing cost.

Synchronous adjustment method, apparatus, and computer program product in a multiple beam optical system


A multistage gaseous and liquid phase separation type condenser has a pair of headers disposed in parallel with each other, and a plurality of flat tubes each connected to the headers at opposite ends thereof and corrugated fins interposed between adjacent flat tubes. Each header is divided by baffles into four chambers. The second header has a receiver and chambers of the second header have communication passageways for placing the chambers of the second header in flow communication with the receiver. The first header has an inlet pipe connected to a middle chamber thereof so as to form an inlet path and an outlet pipe connected to a lower chamber thereof. While the refrigerant flows through the paths defined by a plurality of flat tubes, a first separation of gaseous and liquid phases of the refrigerant occurs within the second header so that the separated gaseous refrigerant is recondensed flowing through an upper path above the inlet path and introduced into the receiver via the communication passageway, whereas the separated liquid refrigerant is introduced into the receiver. A second separation of gaseous and liquid phases of the refrigerant occurs within the receiver in connection with a certain amount of the liquid refrigerant stored in the receiver. The liquid refrigerant in the receiver is communicated with the lower path via a lower communication passageway formed in the lower chamber of the second header.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a heat exchanger, and more particularly to a multi separation type condender of the gaseous and liquid phases of the refrigerant.
2. Prior Art
Many heat exchangers as one of vehicle-loaded condenser utilize the parallel flow or multiflow type condenser in which the refrigerant flows in a zigzag pattern within the condenser along a plurality of paths defined between the two header pipes. As shown in FIG. 1, the heat exchanger of parallel flow type such as the one embodied in the form of a condenser 10 conventionally comprises a plurality of flat tubes 11 and corrugated fins 12 stacked alternately between adjacent flat tubes, a first header 13 to which the flat tubes 11 are connected at one ends thereof, and a second header 14 to which the flat tubes are connected at the other ends thereof. The condenser 10 also has a pair of side plates 20 and 21 disposed at the outermost thereof, and both ends of each of the headers 13 and 14 are closed by blind caps 17 and 18. An inlet pipe 15 is connected to the first header 13 adjacent its upper end and an outlet pipe 16 is connected adjacent its lower end. The outlet pipe 16 may be connected to the second header 14 differently from FIG. 1. Such location of the inlet/outlet pipe may be determined in relation with the number of paths formed.
Both the first and second header 13 and 14 are provided with baffles to define a plurality of paths each defined by a plurality of flat tubes 11. FIG. 1 shows four paths formed and the number of paths varies with increase or decrease of the baffles. In the multiflow type condenser, the refrigerant flows in zigzag fashion between the inlet pipe 13 and the outlet pipe 16.
The refrigerant introduced into the condenser 10 provided with the above-mentioned construction is condensed into a liquid state and delivered toward an external receiver 22 via a conduit connected to the outlet pipe 16 and then, stored therein. The receiver 22 maintains a certain volume of refrigerant so as to deal with rapid change of the amount of refrigerant in, for example, an automotive refrigeration systems according to variations of the load. The receiver is normally provided with a desiccant and/or a filter for removing water and dust from the condensed refrigerant.
With a conventional refrigerant system, the condenser and the receiver are separately provided and communicated with each other via a conduit so as to have disadvantages of a large mounting space and added cost. Further, since the refrigerant flows within the condenser in a zigzag fashion in a state of coexistence of two phases of gas and liquid of the refrigerant, it is hard to obtain a condensing effect utilizing separation of the gaseous and liquid phases of the refrigerant within the condenser.

Multistage gas and liquid phase separation type condenser