An electronic volume varying apparatus for producing a controlling signal to control an electronic volume in response to pulses from a manually operable pulse generator, wherein it is prevented, when incorporated in a cassette deck or the like, that a listener is surprised with a great sound volume after cancellation of a muting mode. A muting judging section outputs a memory disabling signal when a muting-on signal is supplied thereto, and a memory enabling/disabling device is interposed between a pulse counting device and a memory device of a controlling section and stops its outputting of pulse count data from the pulse counting device to the memory device in response to the memory disabling signal from the muting judging section. A method and apparatus which can accurately detect an input pulse from a manually operable pulse generator as well as a pulse switch which eliminates inadvertent outputting of a pulse are also disclosed.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an electronic volume varying apparatus which includes a controlling section for outputting a controlling signal to control an electronic volume in response to pulses from an operating section and also to an input pulse detecting method for processing or ignoring a chattering portion which appears at a trailing end of an input pulse from an operating section to detect the input pulse as well as a pulse switch apparatus to which the input pulse detecting method can be applied suitably.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Electronic volume varying apparatus which include a controlling section for outputting a controlling signal to control an electronic volume in response to pulses from an operating section are already known. An exemplary one of such conventional electronic volume varying apparatus is shown in FIG. 8.
Referring to FIG. 8, the electronic volume varying apparatus shown includes a rotary pulse generator 1 serving as an operating section. The rotary pulse generator 1 has such construction as shown in FIG. 9 and outputs an output pulse or pulses in accordance with a direction of rotation thereof. In particular, the rotary pulse generator 1 outputs an up pulse or pulses P.sub.U when it rotates in one direction but outputs a down pulse or pulses P.sub.D when it rotates in the opposite direction.
The electronic volume varying apparatus further includes a controlling section 2. The controlling section 2 includes a pulse inputting device 21 for outputting either an up pulse confirmation signal P.sub.US representative of confirmation of an up pulse P.sub.U from the rotary pulse generator 1 or a down pulse confirmation signal P.sub.DS representative of confirmation of a down pulse P.sub.D from the rotary pulse generator 1. A pulse counting device 22 outputs either up pulse count data D.sub.U representative of a count value of up pulse confirmation signals P.sub.US received from the pulse inputting device 21 or down pulse count data D.sub.D representative of a count value of down pulse confirmation signals P.sub.DS received from the pulse inputting device 21. A memory device 23 stores therein up pulse count data D.sub.U or down pulse count data DD received from the pulse counting device 22, and an arithmetic unit 24 calculates control data D.sub.C for controlling an electronic volume 3 in accordance with count data D.sub.1 or D.sub.D recalled from the memory device 23 and outputting the control data D.sub.C to the memory device 23 and sends the control data D.sub.C to the memory device 23 so that they are stored into the memory device 23. A data outputting device 25 outputs a controlling signal S.sub.C in accordance with control data D.sub.C recalled from the memory device 23 to the electronic volume 3.
The electronic volume 3 attenuates a sound volume signal S.sub.A supplied from an external circuit not shown in accordance with the controlling signal S.sub.C received from the data outputting device 25 of the controlling section 2 and outputs an attenuation signal S.sub.AA obtained by the attenuation.
An amplifier 4 amplifies the attenuation signal S.sub.AA received from the electronic volume 3 and supplies it to a loudspeaker 5.
In operation, when an up pulse P.sub.U is outputted from the rotary pulse generator 1, the pulse inputting device 21 outputs an up pulse confirmation signal P.sub.US. The pulse counting device 22 counts the up pulse confirmation signal P.sub.US and outputs up pulse count data D.sub.U. Consequently, the memory device 23 stores therein the up pulse count data D.sub.U.
The arithmetic unit 24 calculates control data D.sub.C in accordance with the up pulse count data D.sub.U of the memory device 23 and stores them back into the memory device 23. The data outputting device 25 recalls the control data D.sub.C, produces a controlling signal S.sub.C in accordance with the control data D.sub.C and outputs the controlling signal S.sub.C therefrom.
The electronic volume 3 attenuates a sound volume signal S.sub.A supplied thereto from the external circuit in accordance with the controlling signal S.sub.C and outputs an attenuation signal S.sub.AA obtained by the attenuation. The attenuation signal S.sub.AA is amplified by the amplifier 4 and sent to the loudspeaker 5. Consequently, sound the volume of which is adjusted in accordance with the attenuation signal S.sub.AA is generated from the loudspeaker 5.
It is to be noted that, when a down pulse P.sub.D is outputted from the rotary pulse generator 1, the controlling section 2, electronic volume 3 and amplifier 4 operate in a similar manner so that sound the volume of which is, in this instance, decreased in accordance with the attenuation signal S.sub.AA is generated from the loudspeaker 5.
The conventional electronic volume varying apparatus is constructed in such a manner as described above, and since the rotary pulse generator 1 does not have a position indication representative of a turning position of a manually operable knob or dial, a set condition of the electronic volume 3 cannot be discriminated.
Further, though not shown, the conventional electronic volume varying apparatus is constructed such that the electronic volume 3 is controlled in response to an up pulse PU or a down pulse PD generated from the rotary pulse generator 1 independently of a muting operation.
Accordingly, when the electronic volume varying apparatus is applied, for example, to a cassette deck which is constructed such that it enters a muting mode when it is put into a fast feeding (FF) mode or a rewinding (REW) mode, if the rotary pulse generator 1 is rotated in the up direction in a muting mode of the cassette deck, then the sound volume increases suddenly immediately after cancellation of the muting mode. Consequently, a listener may be surprised by the great sound volume.
The rotary pulse generator described above has such a construction as shown, for example, in FIG. 9. Referring to FIG. 9, the rotary pulse generator shown includes a fastening plate 101 having an elliptic hole 101a formed at a central portion thereof. An elliptic portion of a shaft 107 is fitted in the elliptic hole 101a of the fastening plate 101 as shown in FIG. 10. The fastening plate 101 further has a pair of fitting fingers 101b formed thereon across the elliptic hole 101a such that they extend in an axial direction of the elliptic hole 101a.
The rotary pulse generator further includes a spacer 102 having a hole 102a formed at a central portion thereof. The fitting pieces 101b of the fastening plate 101 extend through the hole 102a of the spacer 102.
The rotary pulse generator further includes a movable contact plate 103 mounted for integral rotation with the fastening plate 101 and the shaft 107. The movable contact plate 103 includes a movable plate 103a having a hub 103a.sub.1 which has a bore 103a.sub.11 formed therein. The fitting fingers 101b of the fastening plate 101 and the shaft 107 are fitted in the bore 103a.sub.11 of the hub 103a.sub.1 of the movable contact plate 103 such that, when the shaft 107 is manually rotated, it rotates the fastening plate 101 and the movable contact plate 103 together therewith. The movable contact late 103 further has a contact plate 103b having conducting portions 103b.sub.1 and non-conducting portions 103b.sub.2 provided alternately at a suitably spaced relationship, for example, in an equidistantly spaced relationship, on a common circle around the hub 103a.sub.1 of the movable plate 103a.
The rotary pulse generator further includes a ball 104 made of a conducting material and mounted such that it rolls on the conducting portions 103b.sub.1 and non-conducting portions 103b.sub.2 of the contact plate 103b.
The rotary pulse generator further includes an insulating casing 105 having a ball box 5a provided thereon for holding the ball 104 for rolling movement thereon. A common terminal 106A is mounted on the insulating casing 105 such that it is noramlly held in contact with the contact plate 103b, and first and second terminals 106B and 106C are mounted on the insulating casing 105 such that the first terminal 106B is contacted with the ball 104 when the contact plate 103b is rotated in a first direction (up direction) but the second terminal 106C is contacted with the ball 104 when the contact plate 103b are rotated in a second direction (down direction) opposite to the first direction.
When the components 101 to 107 are assembled in position, the ball 104 contacts with a contacting portion 103b.sub.1 of the movable contact plate 103 and also with the first terminal 106B so that it is held from movement in the leftward direction as shown, for example, in FIGS. 10 and 11a.
In this condition, if the shaft 107 is rotated in the counterclockwise direction, that is, first or up direction, then the fastening plate 101 and the movable contact plate 103 are rotated in the same direction by the shaft 107. During such counterclockwise rotation, the ball 104 is alternately contacted with the conducting portions 103b.sub.1 and the non-conducting portions 103b.sub.2 so that such up pulses P.sub.u as shown by a curve (a) in FIG. 12 are generated between the common terminal 106A and the first terminal 106B.
Then, if the rotation of the shaft 107 is stopped at a point of time t.sub.1, then generation of such up pulses P.sub.u is stopped in a condition wherein an up pulse P.sub.u rises.
Then, if the shaft 107 is rotated further in the counterclockwise direction from its stopped position from a point of time t.sub.2 after lapse of a predetermined interval of time, then the pulse P.sub.u then falls as indicated by a solid line of the curve (a) in FIG. 12 and further up pulses P.sub.U are generated as indicated by a broken line of the curve (a) in FIG. 12 between the common terminal 106A and the first terminal 106B.
On the contrary, if the shaft 107 is rotated in the opposite, clockwise direction, that is, second or down direction, from the point of time t.sub.2, then the fastening plate 101 and the movable contact plate 103 are rotated by the shaft 107. Thereupon, the ball 104 is spaced away from the first terminal 106B and now brought into contact with the second terminal 106C as seen from FIG. 11b. Thus, the last up pulse P.sup.U falls as indicated by the solid line portion of the curve (a) in FIG. 12 when the ball 104 is spaced away from the first terminal 106B, and after then, down pulses P.sub.D are generated as seen from another curve (b) in FIG. 12 after the ball 104 is contacted with the second terminal 106C.
Since the conventional rotary pulse generator is constructed in such a manner as described above, when the shaft 107 is stopped at a normal position at which the ball 104 contacts with a conducting portion 103b.sub.1 of the movable contact plate 103, a pulse P.sup.U or P.sub.D is generated as described above.
However, due to the structure of the rotary pulse generator, when the shaft 107 is rotated in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. 10 and then stopped, it sometimes stops at a position at which the ball 104 is displaced any conducting portion 103b.sub.1 but contacts with a non-conducting portion 103b.sub.2 of the contact plate 103 as shown in FIG. 11c.
If the shaft 107 is rotated in the clockwise direction in this condition, then the ball 104 will be contacted, when the movable contact plate 103 is rotated, with a conducting portion 103b.sub.1 before it is spaced away from the first terminal 106B. Consequently, down pulses P.sub.D will be generated as seen from a curve (b) in FIG. 13 after an up pulse P.sub.U is generated as seen from another curve (a) in FIG. 13.
Although detailed description is omitted, also when the shaft 107 is rotated in the counterclockwise direction, a similar situation may occur.
Accordingly, although the shaft 107 is rotated in a predetermined direction, a pulse of a direction opposite to the predetermined direction is generated inadvertently.
In order to eliminate the disadvantage, it is necessary to provide a click mechanism for establishing a predetermined positional relationship between the movable contact plate 103 and the ball 104 to stop the shaft 107 at a predetermined position. However, even if a click mechanism is provided, it sometimes occurs that the shaft 107 is not stopped at any of the predetermined positions. Consequently, the disadvantage described above still remains not solved.
Further, when such a rotary pulse generator is employed as an operating section for such an electronic volume varying apparatus as described above, an input pulse from the rotary pulse generator to the electronic volume varying apparatus often has a chattering portion at a rear or trailing end thereof. Such chattering portion will obstruct accurate detection of the input pulse. Conventionally, an input pulse is detected in accordance with such an input pulse detecting method as described below.
In particular, referring to FIG. 14, there is shown an input pulse P having a chattering portion P.sub.T which appears at a trailing end thereof. An input signal including such input pulse P is sampled in a sampling period S.sub.1, which is used to detect presence or absence of an input pulse P and, when an input pulse P is present, process or ignore a chattering portion P.sub.T of the input pulse P.
Thus, the input signal is successively sampled for each sampling period S.sub.1, and when the sampled value first presents a predetermined input pulse value continuously for a plurality of periods such as at points of time t.sub.3 to t.sub.5 and then presents the value 0, it is detected as one input pulse P.
With the conventional input pulse detecting method, if the sampling period S.sub.1 is made so long that the chattering portion P.sub.T shown in FIG. 14 may not be identified as a portion of an input pulse P, then in case the width of the input pulse P is shorter than the sampling period S.sub.1, the input pulse P cannot be detected accurately.
On the contrary, if the sampling period S.sub.1 is made so short that an input pulse P of a minimum width may be detected, then the chattering portion P.sub.T is sometimes detected as an input pulse P. Accordingly, it is not possible to process the chattering portion P.sub.T to detect an input pulse accurately with the single sampling period S.sub.1.

Electronic volume varying apparatus restricted by muting mode


An optical transmitter module for creating an optical signal having the same wavelength as an incoherent light inputted thereinto is provided. The module includes a substrate, a multi-layer crystal growth layer including a first area for amplifying the incoherent light and the optical signal and a second area for creating an optical signal having the same wavelength as the incoherent light amplified by means of the first area, and an electrode unit for independently injecting currents into the areas of the multi-layer crystal growth layer. A light generated at a broadband light source is spectrum-sliced and injected into the optical transmitter module so that a wavelength division multiplexing light source is realised.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a light source used for an optical communication, and more particularly to a wavelength division multiplexing light source applicable to an optical communication system.
2. Description of the Related Art
A wavelength division multiplexing passive optical network involves multiplexing of a plurality of optical signals having different wavelengths so that the multiplexed optical signals can be transmitted/received on a single optical fiber. The wavelength division multiplexing passive optical network comprises a central office for detecting upstream optical signals received from a plurality of subscribers so that communication services are provided to the subscribers, respectively, and remote nodes disposed between the central office and the respective subscribers for connecting the central office and the respective subscribers.
The central office modulates data to be provided to the respective subscribers in the form of optical signals and then outputs the modulated data. The central office creates downstream optical signals having different wavelengths for a subsequent transmission to respective subscribers. In this regard, the central office includes an optical source for creating the downstream optical signals.
A distributed feedback laser array, a multi-frequency laser, a spectrum-sliced light source, and an injection-locked Fabry-Perot laser with incoherent light may be used for creating the downstream optical signals. Further, a reflective semiconductor optical amplifier may be used for amplifying and modulating incoherent light inputted from the outside. The wavelength division multiplexing light source comprises a light source for outputting a broadband light, an optical element for dividing the light outputted from the light source into optical signals having different wavelengths, and external modulators for modulating the optical signals.
A light emitting diode, a super-luminescent diode, a Fabry-Perot laser, an optical fiber amplifier, and a ultra-short pulse laser may be used as light source. The light emitting diode and the super-luminescent diode have wide bandwidths and relatively inexpensive, and the Fabry-Perot laser provides high output at a nominal cost. As the optical element for spectrum-slicing the broadband light into optical signals having different wavelengths, an optical filter or a waveguide grating router (WGR) may be used. The external modulators are used for modulating and outputting the optical signals sliced from the optical element. LiNbO3 may be used as external modulator.
In the case of the super-luminescent diode and the light emitting diode, however, the bandwidths and outputs that can be modulated are low even though their output light bandwidths are wide. As a result, the super-luminescent diode or the light emitting diode is not a suitable choice as a light source for creating downstream optical signals outputted to the respective subscribers. Also, the Fabry-Perot laser has a narrow bandwidth. As a result, the Fabry-Perot laser is not also suitable as a wavelength division multiplexing light source requiring a broadband light. Furthermore, the Fabry-Perot laser has a drawback in that mode partition noise is generated between the optical signals since the Fabry-Perot laser modulates spectrum-sliced optical signals at a high speed and outputs the modulated optical signals, thus degrading the performance.
An injection-locked light source comprises a broadband light source for creating a broadband light with incoherent lights having different wavelengths, which are necessary to induce an injection-locked phenomenon, a demultiplexing element for demultiplexing the broadband light into the respective incoherent lights, and Fabry-Perot lasers for creating injection-locked downstream optical signals with the incoherent lights.
The Fabry-Perot laser creates injection-locked optical signals, which are obtained by directly modulating the incoherent lights. As such, no additional external modulator is required, and the wavelengths of the injection-locked optical signals can be controlled by changing the wavelengths of the incoherent lights. Thus, a plurality of optical signals having different wavelengths can be created by means of Fabry-Perot lasers of one kind by inputting incoherent lights having different wavelengths to the Fabry-Perot lasers, respectively.
Moreover, a reflective semiconductor optical amplifier has operational characteristics similar to those of the injection-locked light source. In particular, a broadband light created at the broadband light source is demultiplexed into incoherent lights, and then the corresponding demultiplexed incoherent light is modulated and amplified.
With the injection-locked Fabry-Perot laser, however, an injection-locked phenomenon is generated only when the intensity of the inputted incoherent light exceeds a prescribed intensity value. Consequently, incoherent light having a high-output intensity is required. The transmission property of the reflective semiconductor optical amplifier is improved by means of gain saturation generated when the intensity of incoherent light inputted thereinto is large. Consequently, a high-output broadband light source is required. Therefore, there is a need for an improved optical transmitter at a low cost.

Optical transmitter module and wavelength division multiplexing light source using the same


An image forming apparatus which reduces abrasion of a photosensitive drum caused by a rotary brush such as an charging brush for electrically charging the surface of a photosensitive drum or a cleaning brush for cleaning the surface of a photosensitive drum. The rotary brush is in contact with the photosensitive drum. During the period of charging the photosensitive drum or cleaning its surface, the rotary brush is rotated in a first mode in which the brush rotates rubbing and sliding the surface of the photosensitive drum, and during other periods, in a second mode in which the brush is rotated passively as driven by rotation of the photosensitive drum. Abrasion of the photosensitive drum is reduced by properly controlling the width of contact between the rotary brush and photosensitive drum and the amount of push for pressing the brush against the photosensitive drum.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an electrophotographic image forming apparatus and more particularly to a rotary brush that is used for a charger for electrically charging a photosensitive image carrier or intermediate transfer medium, a cleaning device for removing residual toner from the surface of an photosensitive image carrier or an intermediate transfer medium, or another similar device.
2. Prior Art
In an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, rotary brushes are used for various purposes. For example, they are used for devices such as: a brush charger which electrically charges an photosensitive image carrier; a transfer brush which gives a carrying power or an electrostatic transfer field to a transfer rotor; and a cleaning brush which removes residual toner from the surface of a photosensitive image carrier. A rotary brush is located in contact with a members opposite to it, like a photosensitive image carrier or a transfer rotor (hereinafter referred to as an opposite member). Generally, in order to produce a larger charging effect or cleaning effect, the brush is rotated at a peripheral velocity different from the peripheral velocity of the opposite member. However, this peripheral velocity difference might cause abrasion not only of the rotary brush but also of the opposite member surface and as a consequence, such surface degradation might deteriorate the image quality and shorten the service life of the opposite member and the rotary brush, thus unfavorably affecting durability.
As a first solution to this problem, such a constitution has been proposed that the longitudinal tips of the rotary brush fibers are curled and the brush is arranged to stay off the opposite member while it is not rotating, and come into contact with the opposite member by its centrifugal force while it is rotating (Japanese Examined Patent Publication No. H4-62665). A second proposed constitution is such that the rotary brush is in contact with the opposite member while the case cover of the image forming apparatus is closed and becomes off the opposite member while the case cover is open (Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. H6-348105).
A third proposed constitution concerns a cleaning device having a rotary cleaning member which performs cleaning while in contact with an opposite member (photosensitive drum) (Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No.2002-287599). The device has a drive means to rotate the photosensitive drum and the rotary cleaning member in the same direction with a peripheral velocity difference, and a switching means to transmit the driving force from the drive means to the rotary cleaning member and shut it off, and while the driving force is not being transmitted from the drive means to the rotary cleaning member, the rotary cleaning member is rotated passively by the photosensitive drum.
In the above first constitution, the amount of push for pressing the rotary brush against the opposite member is restricted and therefore it is difficult to assure a stable brushing effect. Regarding the above second constitution, it has been pointed out that the durability of the rotary brush and the opposite member may be improved but their structures are more complicated, resulting in a larger size apparatus.
In the third constitution, when the rotary cleaning member which is rotated passively in contact with and driven by the opposite member (photosensitive drum) is a rotary brush, if the conditions for the brush to be driven (rotated passively) are not properly set, a peripheral velocity difference may arise in the plane of contact between the opposite member and the rotary brush, and as a consequence, the effect of abrasion reduction will not be sufficient. In other words, although the rotary brush fiber tips are in point contact with the opposite member and the overall contact area is small, the brush fiber tip orientation and contact pressure have wide latitude and thus, unless the amount of push for pressing the rotary brush against the opposite member is properly set, the effect of abrasion reduction will not be sufficient. The present invention is intended to solve the above problem.

Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.


A walking rehabilitation and exercise machine in the form of an elliptical style machine closely replicates the mechanical foot motions of walking, while incorporating hand motion to help a disabled or injured person retrain muscles in a proper walking gait and improve physical fitness. The device includes an electrically adjustable seat, independent left or right electrically adjustable stride and an electric flywheel drive to assist the operator.

Walking rehabilitation and exercise machines are commonly used for many purposes. In some cases, a walking rehabilitation and exercise machine is used for physical fitness. In other situations, a walking rehabilitation and exercise machine is used for physical rehabilitation for physical therapy purposes.
The very serious cases requiring physical therapy involve a person whose injury requires that person to relearn how to walk. In some cases, there is an exterior metal skeleton, known as an exoskeleton, which can be strapped to the person activated by an outside power source. These devices are expensive and complicated to use. These devices are typically too expensive for home use, or use by small therapy clinics. Thus, their availability is limited.
These exercise devices of the prior art also seem not intended to retrain a person for a proper walking gait. They also do not offer other desirable features. For example, they lack the support that person needs, while working to regain a good walking gait or carry out other functions. Furthermore, they prevent a slow warm-up, which a person needs for rehabilitation. Additionally, they cannot be adjusted relative to the skills for one side of the body or the other.
Adjustment between standing, partially standing, and sitting is also lacking in the machines of the prior art. Partially standing is a position necessary for a person to increase leg strength, which can lead to more efficient walking. To that end, those adjustments become critical. Yet they are absent from the standard exercise machine.
A standard fitness walking rehabilitation and exercise machine is not suitable for the serious aspects requiring extensive physical therapy. Such a device cannot be adjusted for a particular person. This is especially true when that person is adversely affected on one side of the body more than the other. To design a device and compensate for that defect is very difficult. Such devices generally have a requirement for substantially uniform motion from both sides of the body.
Yet, for certain injuries, such uniform motion is a physical impossibility. To that end, the advantages of having the walking rehabilitation and exercise machine be adjustable for the particular purpose can prove very useful. Not only can a person adjust the device according to their desires and needs, the appropriate parts of the body can receive the desired exercise.
Another desired feature for an exercise machine is the ability to move feet in a reverse motion in order to help loosen hamstrings. This movement is very important for a wheelchair-bound person to loosen those muscles and enable that person to fully benefit from this device. The prior art devices do not offer that option to a person substantially confined to wheelchair.
Thus, it may be seen that such adjustability applied to this device in a simple fashion offers great advantages for those people trying to recover from serious injuries.

Walking, rehabilitation and exercise machine


An apparatus diagnostic device includes a communication unit that communicates with a diagnosed device through a communication line, and a control unit that controls to receive a problem generation notification from the diagnosed device via the communication unit, to determine whether or not to solve a problem in accordance with apparatus status information obtained from the diagnosed device after an elapse of a prescribed period of time, and to have a notification standard of the problem generation notification changed by the diagnosed device when necessary.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an apparatus diagnostic system which diagnoses a remote diagnosed device by transmitting a problem generation notification to an apparatus diagnostic device when a problem is generated in the diagnosed device.
2. Description of the Related Art
There is a conventional apparatus diagnostic system which detects problems such as a diagnosed device malfunctioning, and automatically sends a problem generation notification to an apparatus diagnostic device of a service center or the like via a communication line. The apparatus diagnostic device analyzes the problem generation notification transmitted from the diagnosed device. When necessary, contact is made with a user of the diagnosed device, or a maintenance worker makes a visit to repair the diagnosed device.
In such a conventional apparatus diagnostic system, when detecting a prescribed problem, the diagnosed device uniformly carries out a problem generation notification to the apparatus diagnostic device. However, according to the nature of the problem, there are types of problems that can be dealt with easily by the user of the diagnosed device. When the problem can be handled easily by the user of the diagnosed device and an instruction is made from the service center by telephone or a maintenance worker makes a visit to the diagnosed device, the user is disturbed by this service.
However, it cannot be determined uniformly whether or not the user who is actually using the diagnosed device can deal with the generated problem. The reason is because whether or not the user can deal with the problem is based on the experience of the user or the knowledge of the user of the diagnosed device. In addition, the user can deepen the experience or the knowledge of the diagnosed device through the use of the diagnosed device, and the ability of the user to deal with the problems changes over time.
In the conventional apparatus diagnostic system, for example, the diagnosed device and the apparatus diagnostic device could not deal with the above-mentioned changes in the experience or the knowledge of the user over time. Therefore, there are problems that the user was disturbed or maintenance costs increased due to unnecessary instructions by telephone calls or visits. In addition, there exists a diagnosed device in which a standard for transmission of the problem generation notification can be set. However, the user or the maintenance worker is required to set the standard manually using an operation panel of the diagnosed device or the apparatus diagnostic device, and thus it is troublesome.

Apparatus diagnostic device and diagnosed device


An apparatus and method for detecting an ear disorder. The apparatus includes structure for transmitting and receiving a plurality of signals to interact with an ear, and includes structure for directing the plurality of signals along different directions. In one example, the apparatus includes a plurality of transducers, each for interacting with a different ear portion. The transducers may be in a curved array. A determination as to which of the transducers is operable to provide an accurate indication of the detected ear disorder can be made. The transducers can be operated sequentially. In general, the method includes transmitting and receiving a plurality of signals to interact with an ear for ear disorder detection, and directing the plurality of signals along different directions. In one example the method includes providing a probe that has a plurality of transducers for use in detecting the ear disorder.

Ear disorders are common afflictions affecting many people. For example, otitis media (OM), an inflammatory process of the middle ear, is the most common clinical condition seen by pediatricians in children 15 years old and younger. OM is characterized by the presence of middle ear effusion (MEE), a middle ear infection. Complications of undiagnosed OM can include hearing loss and consequently delay in the development of speech and language skills. The combination of the gravity of the complications of undiagnosed OM and an unsatisfactory, noninvasive diagnostic technique often leads to unnecessary over medication of children with antibiotics.
The most reliable determination of the presence of MEE is direct surgical exploration (myringotomy). This is accomplished by making a small incision in the tympanic membrane followed by fluid aspiration. It is an invasive procedure and must be performed in a surgical setting under anesthesia. None of the existing non-invasive methods for determining the presence of MEE achieve 100% agreement with myringotomy. In order to reduce unnecessary antibiotic use and assuring at the same time effective and complication-free treatment of patients with OM, there is an urgent need to develop a simple but more accurate method for non-invasive method for MEE detection.


A semiconductor having a leadframe is disclosed. In one embodiment, a leadframe is disclosed to be fitted with a semiconductor chip and is to be encapsulated with a plastic compound has a metallic single-piece base body, to which an interlayer is applied. The interlayer has a surface including a matrix of islands of remaining material of substantially uniform height, with voids extending between said islands.

A leadframe of this type is known from U.S. Pat. No. 5,554,569. This document describes a process for mechanically roughening the surface of a leadframe by bombardment with abrasive, microscopically small particles which include, inter alia, sand, silicon dioxide or aluminum dioxide.
The leadframe described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,554,569 can scarcely be produced economically, since a dry process has to be carried out in addition to the wet-chemical processes used to clean and improve the leadframe surface in a closed production line with baths arranged spatially in succession. Moreover, a cleaning step has to be provided for in order to remove the residues of blasting agents from the leadframe surface.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,554,569 also reports on bonding agents for improving the bonding between leadframe and plastic encapsulation. Moreover, it states that it is known that the bonding between leadframe and plastic can be improved by the targeted application of copper oxides to the leadframe. However, the abovementioned processes all have the drawback of being difficult to carry out.
Moreover, damage and unreliability still occur in operation with all of the semiconductor devices produced using the processes known from the prior art.
For these and other reasons there is a need for the present invention.

Process for producing and apparatus for improving the bonding between a plastic and a metal


Provided is a herbicide composition which comprises a combination in a specific proportion of 2-[(4,6-dimethoxypyrimidin-2-yl)hydroxymethyl]-6-methoxymethyl-N-difluoromethanesulfonylanilide as the component (A) and either one of fifteen kinds of compounds including 4-(2-chlorophenyl)-N-cyclohexyl-N-ethyl-4,5-dihydro-5-oxo-1H-tetrazole-1-carboxamide as the component (B), none of which has been used in combination with the compound as the component (A). By an application of the herbicide composition to a paddy field in a specific dose, an excellent herbicidal effect is obtained against various kinds of weeds growing in paddy fields and the chemical damages thereof to paddy rice is extremely low.

Various kinds of herbicides have been developed so far and have contributed to agricultural productivity and laborsaving. However, since there are some kinds of herbicides which have been used so many years, some weeds have become resistant to them and hardly destroyable weeds against which those herbicides are not or little effective have been increasing and therefore, it has been highly expected to develop herbicides having a wide herbicide spectrum and effective even against these hardly destroyable weeds.
Further, conventional herbicides often cause pollution of soil and ambient environmental pollution and, in order to prevent such environmental pollution, development of herbicides highly active and effective even in a small amount of use has been desired.
Besides, to deal with uneven propagation of weeds over a long time, herbicides having excellent effect retention, effective even by dispensation in a wide range of periods from before development of weeds to the growing stage and having a wide range of appropriate application period have been expected to be available.
Moreover, it is well known that with respect to use of conventional herbicides, chemical damages are sometimes caused on crops depending on a variety of factors relative to weather conditions such as temperature, wind, light and the like; soil conditions such as soil properties, organic compound contents in soil and the like; planting management conditions such as shallow transplantation depth, use of fragile and too long seedling, deep water control and the like; conditions for application of the chemical agent such as uneven sprinkling or excess sprinkling of herbicides and the like, so that appearance of a herbicide highly safe and free from a risk of occurrence of chemical damages on crops in any conditions has been desired.

Herbicide composition and weed-controlling method using the same


Fast, all optical switching of light is provided on silicon, using highly light confining structures to enhance the sensitivity of light to small changes in refractive index. In one embodiment, the light confining structures are silicon micrometer-size planar ring resonators which operate with low pump light pulse energies.

Photonic circuits in which beams of light redirect the flow of other beams of light, are a long-standing goal for developing highly integrated optical communication components. Ideally, circuits based on optical interconnects would be constructed using sub-micron-size devices in which photons are manipulated in a manner similar to that how electrons are manipulated in a semiconductor electrical circuit. Furthermore, it is highly desirable to use silicon, the dominant material in the microelectronic industry, as the platform for these photonic chips. Photonic structures that bend, split, couple and filter light have recently been demonstrated in silicon, but the flow of light in these structures is predetermined by the structure design and cannot be modified.
All-optical switches and modulators have been demonstrated with III-V compound materials based on photo-excited free-carrier concentrations resulting from one or two photon absorption. However, in silicon, all-optical switching has only been demonstrated in large, out-of-plane structures using very high powers. High powers, large size, and out-of-plane geometries are inappropriate for effective on-chip integration. The difficulty in modulating light using silicon structures arises from the weak dependence of the refractive index and absorption coefficient on the free-carrier concentration. For example, a 300 μm long Mach-Zehnder modulator based on rib waveguides with mode-field diameter (MFD) of about 5 μm, a minimum optical pump pulse energy of 2 mJ is needed to modify the refractive index by Δn=−10−3 in order to achieve 100% modulation. The absorption due to free-carriers under such high powers is also small (16 dB/cm for a 450 nm wide and 250 nm high rectangular cross section waveguide) which demands a straight waveguide as long as 600 μm in order to achieve modulation depth of 90%.


The present technology is to provide an image sensor capable of enhancing the security of biometric information and lowering the risk of information leakage. An image sensor 10 includes: a biometric information acquisition unit 102 that acquires biometric information; a storage unit 14 that stores reference information to be compared with the biometric information; and a biometric authentication unit 104 that performs biometric authentication by comparing the biometric information with the reference information. The image sensor 10 further includes an encryption processing unit 105 that encrypts biometric authentication information that authenticates a living organism.

Complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) image sensors, charge coupled device (CCD) image sensors, and the like are used these days as semiconductor imaging elements (image sensors) that convert light entering from lenses of industrial devices such as mobile terminals and digital cameras into electrical signals, for example. With such image sensors, biometric authentication using a small-size sensor mounted on a mobile terminal is being considered in the identity confirmation required in financial transactions such as mobile banking, for example.
In a case where this biometric authentication is performed, biometric information about the users needs to be protected, and a high-security biometric authentication process is required. Therefore, Patent Document 1 suggests a mobile terminal that transmits biometric image data imaged by an imaging means to an image processing server, receives biometric information generated from the biometric image data from the image processing server, and performs a matching process related to biometric authentication using an IC chip, for example.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Image sensor with inside biometric authentication and storage

Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation


The invention provides antibodies, and antigen-binding fragments thereof, that specifically bind to E-selectin. The invention includes uses, and associated methods of using the antibodies, and antigen-binding fragments thereof.

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a severe, rare genetic disorder affecting over 100,000 people in the United States (US) alone (Center for Disease Control and Prevention). It is a chronic condition with substantial morbidity and mortality in a population with high unmet medical need. Individuals with SCD suffer from progressive organ damage and markedly shortened life expectancy, with a median survival of approximately 56 years (Gardner et al., Blood 2016; 128(10)1436-38).
SCD is characterized by the presence of an abnormal form of hemoglobin (Hb)—sickle hemoglobin (HbS). A single nucleotide substitution in the β-globin gene (HBB) results in a one amino acid substitution (valine for glutamic acid) at residue 6 (HBS allele). Individuals homozygous for HBS have the most common and most severe form of sickle cell disease (SCD-SS). Variant forms of SCD arise when an individual has one copy of HBS and one copy of a mutation in another HBB gene. Individuals with 1 copy of the HBS allele and 1 copy of the hemoglobin C allele (HBC) have SC disease (SCD-SC). When an individual has 1 copy of HBS and one copy of a β-thalassemia allele the severity of the SCD is dependent on the severity of the β-thalassemia allele with Hbβcthalassemia deletion (SCD-Sβo-thal) often more severe than Hbβ+-thalassemia allele (SCD-Sβ+-thal), or another interacting HB variant (SCD-SVariant) (Frenett & Atweh J. Clin. Invest. 2007; 117:850-858).
The primary event in the molecular pathogenesis of SCD is the tendency of HbS to polymerize under conditions of low oxygen tension causing red blood cells (RBCs) to become rigid and sickle shaped (Fabry & Nagel Blood 1982; 60(6)1370-77). Hypoxia in the microcapillary venous bed leads to inflammation of the endothelium and adherence of neutrophils, and a decrease in neutrophil rolling and flow velocity. These cell aggregates become trapped in the vasculature through interactions with endothelial cells. The adhesive interactions of the sickled RBC, leukocytes, and endothelial cells obstruct the vasculature leading to vaso-occlusion (Zhang et al., Blood 2016:127:801-809; Okpala, 2006; Frenette & Atweh, J. Clin. Invest. 2007; 117:850-858). Dysregulated nitric oxide homeostasis contributes to vascular dysfunction in SCD (Asian & Freeman, 2007). Blood cell aggregates lead to episodes of vascular obstruction, organ infarction and ischemia which manifest clinically as episodes of severe pain. Anemia is consequent upon a shortened red cell life span due to hemolysis and vascular occlusion that is precipitated by interactions between the vascular endothelium and sickled RBCs, leukocytes and platelets (Rees et al., Lancet 2010; 376:2018-31).
Vaso-occlusive crisis (VOC) is the most common clinical manifestation of SCD and is the major cause of morbidity in SCD with an interruption of daily functioning (Ballas & Lusardi, Am. J. Hematol. 2005; 79:17-25; Piel et al., New Engl. J. Med. 2017; 376:1561-1573; Darbari et al., PloS One 2013; 8(11):e79923). VOC is initiated by interaction between sickled RBCs and vascular endothelium in post-capillary venules, where oxygen tension is at its lowest (Manwani & Frenette, Blood 2013; 122(24):3892-8). This leads to endothelial damage that triggers an inflammatory response and causes leukocytes, platelets and additional RBCs to be recruited to the site of inflammation (Zhang et al., Blood 2016; 127(7):801). These cellular aggregates lead to vascular obstruction (Turhan et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 2002; 99(5):3047-51) and slowing of blood flow in post-capillary venules which causes local tissue hypoxia, and further tissue inflammation. This results in more deoxygenation and sickling of RBCs, and propagation of the occlusion, sometimes called secondary recruitment of sickled cells and occluded vessels (Stuart & Nagel, Lancet 2004; 364(9942):1343-60).
VOC can manifest in patients with SCD as early as 6 months of age, although they are considerably less common in young infants than in older children or adults (Benjamin et al., Amer. Pain Soc. 1994; vol. 1, 94pp). Approximately 60% of patients with homozygous SCD have at least 1 severe VOC episode per year, but a proportion of patients have many more episodes (Platt et al., N. Engl. J. Med. 1991; 325(1); 11-6). In this same study 5.2% of patients with SCD genotype had 3-10 severe VOC episodes per year and a small proportion (>1%) of patients had 10 or more episodes per year.
Pain is the clinical manifestation of initial and ongoing vascular occlusion and ischemia (Ballas, Hematol. Oncol. Clin. North Am. 2005; 19(5):785-802), which may be particularly severe for patients with the SCD-SS genotype, who have also been observed to suffer from higher mortality than other genotypes (Platt et al., N. Engl. J. Med. 1994; 330(23); 1639-44).
Recruitment of leukocytes to areas of vascular endothelial damage involves the selectin family of adhesion molecules: E-selectin (also known as CD62E); P-selectin (also known as CD62P); and L-selectin (also known as CD62L), all of which are all regulated as part of an inflammatory response (Ernst & Magnani Nat. Rev. Drug Discov. 2009; 8(8):661-77; Morikis et al., Blood 2017; 130(19):2101-10). While similar in structure, each selectin exhibits a different distribution, ligand binding kinetics and diversity in both pathological and physiological functions.
The selectin family of adhesion molecules and their ligands are part of a proinflammatory response in SCD promoted by alteration in the sickled red blood cells and the activated endothelial cells. The selectins also play a critical role in regulating the initial contact of cell-cell adhesion, leukocyte rolling on the endothelium and integrin activation and transmigration of cells. Adhesion of leukocytes to inflamed endothelium and circulating cellular aggregates are a hallmark event in SCD.
The selectin family of carbohydrate binding proteins share a similar structure, with each having an N-terminal carbohydrate-recognition domain characteristic of Ca2+-dependent (C type) lectins, followed by an epidermal growth factor (EGF)-like domain, a series of short consensus repeats with homology to complement regulatory domains, a transmembrane domain, and a short cytoplasmic tail (McEver & Zhu, 2010). The selectins and their ligands mediate the recruitment of platelets and leukocytes from the blood to the vascular endothelium contributing to creation of a chronic pro-inflammatory environment.
The pathophysiology of SCD is complex and heterogeneous. Symptoms include pain crises, chronic anemia, acute chest syndrome, stroke, splenic sequestration, vaso-occlusive acute pain events or crises, renal dysfunction, and susceptibility to bacterial infections (Ashley-Koch et al., Am. J. Epidemiol. 2000; 151:839-845; Steinberg, New Engl. J. Med. 1999; 340:1021-1030; Piel et al., New Engl. J. Med. 2017; 376:1561-1573). Acute end organ complications associated with SCD can include acute chest syndrome, acute stroke priapism, hepatobiliary complications, splenic sequestration and acute renal failure. Chronic complications from the cumulative insult of SCD include avascular necrosis, pulmonary hypertension, renal complications, ophthalmologic complications, leg ulcers and recurrent priapism (Yawn et al., JAMA 2014; 312:1033-48).
Hydroxyurea is approved for prophylactic therapy of SCD. Mechanistically, hydroxyurea increases fetal hemoglobin (HbF) concentrations and reduces the number of pain crises (Charache et al., New Engl. J. Med. 1995; 332:1317-1322). Although hydroxyurea is considered the standard of care in the prevention of VOC, it has a failure rate of ˜30-35% and is ineffective in treating symptoms during an acute VOC. ENDARI (L-glutamine) was recently approved for prophylactic SCD treatment, however, the mechanism of action is uncertain and clinical benefit is modest (Quinn, Blood 2018; 132:689-693). Current treatments for acute VOC episodes are largely supportive with opioid analgesics, hydration, oxygen, and transfusion. In addition, most patients treat a VOC at home and do not seek direct medical intervention (Smith et al., Ann. Intern. Med. 2008; 148:94-101; Callaghan et al., Blood 2017; 130:973).
There remains a significant need for the prophylaxis and treatment of SCD and, in particular, to address the underlying pathophysiology (e.g., reduction of inflammation and cellular aggregation) of recurring and debilitating VOC in patients. The present invention provides novel therapeutic antibodies that specifically bind to E-selectin and are capable of neutralizing E-selectin functional activity. These antibodies may be used advantageously to prevent, or reduce the occurrence of, VOC when utilized as a prophylactic treatment for SCD, and to treat acute VOC in patients with SCD by decreasing the duration (e.g., a reduction in the time to resolve a VOC), intensity and/or severity of the VOC.

Anti-E-selectin antibodies, compositions and methods of use


An electrical connector includes a holder configured to be mechanically and electrically connected to a circuit board. The holder has a surface that is at least partially conductive. A conductive elastomeric member is mounted in the holder and electrically connected to the at least partially conductive surface of the holder. The at least partially conductive surface is configured to convey electrical current between the elastomeric member and the circuit board.

The invention relates generally to electrical connectors and, more particularly, to a bonded elastomeric connector for making connections between substrates.
Many electronic applications utilize single contact connections to make a connection between substrates. For example, in a mobile phone application, a single contact connector may be used for making a grounding connection between two circuit boards. Typically, pogo pin type connectors or stamped and formed connectors are used for making such single contact connections. In addition, multiple pogo pin or stamped and formed connectors are often used to make connections to components such as speakers, ringers, or vibration motors and the like.
The aforementioned connector solutions have certain shortcomings, such as, for instance, they require custom tooling to manufacture and have long lead times. In particular, as electronic packages become progressively smaller, the size of the connectors must also become smaller and in many instances, the traditional connector designs become inadequate. In particular, there is a limit to how small a pogo pin connector can be made. Not only are there size limits for the pogo pin components, but at its limits, the deflection range becomes insufficient. In addition, the connector becomes even more costly as the size is reduced.
The aforementioned concerns have led to the increasing use of elastomeric connectors in electronic devices. The elastomer in the elastomeric connector maintains some of its flexibility even when reduced in size. One type of elastomeric connector includes alternating layers of a conductive and non-conductive elastomeric material such as silicon rubber, with the conductive layers formed with layers of silicon material impregnated with electrically conductive material such as carbon, gold, or silver, and the like. The non-conductive or dielectric elastomer layers are sandwiched between the conductive layers and are of sufficient thickness to insulate the conductive layers from one another.
It remains a challenge to provide a low profile low cost connector that is easily modified for multiple applications, that requires little tooling, and may be produced with short lead times.


A cigarette-lighter assembly connector includes an indicator, particularly a light source, that can be activated when the connector is sufficiently inserted into a cigarette-lighter socket to indicate to the user that a portable electronic device can be safely operated via the power supplied from the cigarette-lighter assembly connector.

Automobiles and other vehicles are often equipped with electronic cigarette lighters mounted in the dashboard. The cigarette lighter includes a socket and a removable lighter cap. The socket includes a cathode and anode, and the lighter cap includes corresponding electrical contacts for coupling with the cathode and anode. The lighter cap also includes a high-resistance element positioned in the electrical path between the contacts of the lighter cap.
When the lighter cap is activated in the socket, electrical current flows through the high-resistance element in the lighter cap, causing the high-resistance element to become glowing hot. When the lighter cap is removed from the socket and a flammable material (e.g., the tip of a cigarette) is placed in contact with the still-glowing high-resistance element, the flammable material starts to burn. Accordingly, a driver or passenger in an auto can readily use the cigarette lighter to light a cigarette.
With the rapid spread of portable electronics (e.g., portable music players, communication devices, mobile computers, etc.) in recent years, however, the cigarette-lighter socket is now widely used as a power supply. Adapters/connectors are manufactured with terminals for contacting the cathode and anode in the socket. Those terminals are coupled with wires that lead to a power connector that can be inserted into the power-input socket of a portable electronic device.
When the user inserts the adapter/connector into the socket, a spring-loaded plunger in the connector is pressed against the cathode of the socket, while spring-loaded side terminals on the connector are pressed against the anode of the socket to create a circuit from the vehicle's battery, through the socket and connector, and ultimately to the portable electronic device. Thus powered, the electronic device can be operated as intended inside the vehicle.

Cigarette-lighter assembly connector with indicator for verifying proper insertion


In an online marketplace environment, a connection provider can provide metrics to a seller of items relating to items for sale on one or more online sales channels. In one implementation, a method describes receiving information that describes one or more items for sale by the seller, and facilitating a sale of the items through one or more online sales channels. Metrics are reported to the seller regarding the one or more items for sale on the one or more online sales channels, in which the metrics include top-line highlights, bottom-line highlights, SKU-level information, and an executive summary.

The following description relates to providing access to online marketplace services, for example, to allow sellers of property or merchandise to sell goods or items through an online auction or a fixed-priced sales channel. An online marketplace, such as provided at www.ebay.com, can facilitate the sell of items and host auctions via one or more web sites in which people and organizations from all around the world can buy and sell goods and services. Among other goods and services, collectibles, books, jewelry, appliances, computers, tickets, sporting goods, furniture, equipment, vehicles, and vacation packages are listed on the marketplace web sites, and bought and sold online daily. The online marketplace may facilitate the selling of items at fixed prices (e.g., static prices) and/or at dynamic prices (e.g., auctions).
In the online selling process, a seller may desire information on how well its goods are selling with respect to expectations, forecasts, and/or targets. The seller may want to know high-level business metrics for what was sold, when it was sold, and the selling price (e.g., average selling price of $52.00). For example, the seller may want to know top-line sales information, such as the gross revenue of their sales. Other top-line sales information may include an average sales price (ASP), the number of units sold, the gross merchandise sales (GMS), and the net merchandise sales (NMS) (e.g., actual sales revenue collected from buyers). The seller may also want to know bottom-line (e.g., final results) sales information, such as net income or profits (e.g., gross revenue minus costs or net sales minus fees). Sellers may need some guidance or recommendations on selling, merchandising, pricing, or promoting their goods, as well as some insight on their volume and margin expectations.
Participants in online marketplaces may include individuals, small companies, large corporations, or other types of organizations. In general, the term "organization" may refer to a company, enterprise, business, government, educational institution, or the like. The term "organization" can also refer to a group of persons, such as an association or society.
Some participants in online marketplaces may have business-to-business (B2B) relationships with other participants that may tend to focus on a vertical market, such as healthcare or automotive. Participants in a B2B marketplace can liquidate unwanted capital assets, dispose of excess inventory, and buy or sell equipment, goods, and services. Other participants in online marketplaces may have business-to-consumer (B2C) relationships. A business may sell goods and services to the consumer market in a B2C online marketplace. Some other participants may have consumer-to-consumer (C2C) relationships, in which individuals can buy and sell goods and services with other individuals.
In one example of an online marketplace, eBay Inc. of San Jose, Calif. provides online services in which buyers and sellers can browse (e.g., navigate), list goods (e.g., post for sale), and buy and sell various goods and services in a web-based marketplace. eBay provides online auction and listing services, in which eBay typically does not directly handle or own the goods. Instead, eBay can facilitate the listing of the goods and services on its website, like want-ads in a newspaper, and facilitate transactions of trading activities between buyers and sellers. Among other operations, eBay can provide listing features beyond what can be offered in a newspaper, such as a dynamic pricing structure, a presentation of items with digital photographs, a formatting of listing information, and customer feedback.
Online marketplaces represent a sales channel—that is, an avenue for selling goods or services—that has become popular only recently. More traditional sales channels include "brick-and-mortar" storefronts, for example, a department store in which a good (e.g., a shirt) can be sold to buyers of the good. Other sales channels include catalog sales, door-to-door sales, and telemarketing sales. A seller may use multiple sales channels to sell its goods or services—e.g., retail stores and an online sale channel such as a web site with similar product offerings. In the case of an online sales channel, a seller may either set-up and maintain its own dedicated web-site that sells only its own merchandise or the seller may use an online marketplace web-site (e.g. eBay, Amazom.com or Buy.com) that sells merchandise owned by several different sellers. As used herein, "online sales channel" encompasses both dedicated, single-seller online sales channels as well as multiple-seller online sales channels.

Reporting metrics for online marketplace sales channels


A semiconductor integrated circuit system includes a first power line which supplies a first source power voltage, and a second power line which supplies a second source power voltage. A first edge detecting unit outputs a first edge detection signal when a rising edge of the first source power voltage is detected. A second edge detecting unit outputs a second edge detection signal when a rising edge of the second source power voltage is detected. An output unit is connected to the first power line, and outputs data to a data terminal in a data output cycle and sets the data terminal in a high-impedance state in response to the first edge detection signal. An output control unit is connected to the second power line, and controls the output unit in accordance with a read-data signal in the data output cycle, and controls the output unit in response to the second edge detection signal, so that the data terminal is set in the high-impedance state by the output unit.

(1) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a semiconductor integrated circuit system which includes a first power terminal for supplying a source power voltage to an output unit of the system, and a second power terminal for supplying a source power voltage to an internal unit of the system other than the output unit.
(2) Description of the Related Art
Recently, microprocessors having high processing speeds have been developed, and there are demands for semiconductor memories which provide high processing speeds in association with the microprocessors. A synchronous dynamic random access memory (which will be called a synchronous DRAM) which provides a high processing speed is also demanded.
The synchronous DRAMs have a first power terminal for supplying source power to output units, and a second power terminal for supplying source power to internal units other than the output units. The source power is supplied to a group of two or four output units and the internal units independently of each other, and the charging and discharging of a great capacitance in some tens of picofarads (pF) is performed at high speeds. This structure of the synchronous DRAMs ensures stable operations of the output units requiring a large current consumption.
Typically, in the synchronous DRAMs, a source power voltage VDDQ supplied to the output units and a source power voltage VDD supplied to the internal units are the same. For example, both the source power voltages VDDQ and VDD are equal to 3.3 volts. However, the source power voltages VDDQ and VDD in some type of the synchronous DRAMs may be different from each other.
A system which utilizes a plurality of the synchronous DRAMs provided therein is known. Data terminals of the synchronous DRAMs are connected in common to an external data bus.
When read-data signals are input to some of the synchronous DRAMs during operation of the above-mentioned system, the data terminals of these synchronous DRAMs drive the external data bus at one of two different voltage levels, and the data terminals of the other synchronous DRAMs are set in a high-impedance state (or the opened condition). This prevents the driving of the external data bus at one of the two voltage levels by the other synchronous DRAMs. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the flow of a large amount of short-circuit current between the synchronous DRAMs through the sharing external data bus.
FIG. 1 shows main elements of a conventional synchronous DRAM. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 indicates a data terminal, reference numeral 2 indicates an output unit, and reference numeral 3 indicates a VDDQ power line. The output unit 2 outputs data (DQ) to the data terminal 1. A source power voltage VDDQ (VDDQ=3.3 volts) from the VDDQ power line 3 is supplied to the output unit 2.
In the conventional synchronous DRAM of FIG. 1, an output control unit 4 controls the output unit 2 in accordance with a read-data signal (RD) from a memory core (not shown) of the synchronous DRAM. A source power voltage VDD (VDD=3.3 volts) from a VDD power line 5 is supplied to the output control unit 4.
The source power voltage VDDQ is supplied to the output unit 2. The source power voltage VDD is supplied to the internal units of the conventional synchronous DRAM other than the output unit 2. In the conventional integrated circuit system of FIG. 1, the internal units include the output control unit 4 and a VDD rising edge detecting unit 6.
The source power voltage VDD from the VDD power line 5 is supplied also to the VDD rising edge detecting unit 6. When power is turned on, the VDD rising edge detecting unit 6 detects whether the source power voltage VDD supplied to the internal units other than the output unit 2 is at its rising edge. When the rising edge of the source power voltage VDD is detected, the VDD rising edge detecting unit 6 outputs a detection signal STT (which is set at the high level) to the output control unit 4. In response to this detection signal STT from the VDD rising edge detecting unit 6, the output control unit 4 sets the data terminal 1 of the output unit 2 in the high-impedance state.
In the conventional synchronous DRAM, if the source power voltage VDD supplied to the internal units other than the output unit 2 is detected as being at the rising edge, the data terminal 1 is set in the high-impedance state. This prevents the external data bus from being driven at one of the two voltage levels by the synchronous DRAMs sharing the external data bus. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the flow of a large amount of short-circuit current between the synchronous DRAMs through the sharing external data bus.
However, generally, a rising edge of the source power voltage VDDQ supplied to the output unit 2 and a rising edge of the source power voltage VDD supplied to the internal units other than the output unit 2 does not always occur at the same time. Therefore, there is a situation in which the rising edge of the source power voltage VDDQ occurs prior to the occurrence of the rising edge of the source power voltage VDD.
FIG. 2 shows a problem of the conventional synchronous DRAM of FIG. 1 when the rising edge of the source power voltage VDDQ occurs prior to the occurrence of the rising edge of the source power voltage VDD. As shown in FIG. 2, in the conventional synchronous DRAM, a change in the source power voltage VDDQ is indicated by a solid line in FIG. 2, and a change in the source power voltage VDD is indicated by a dotted line in FIG. 2.
In the conventional synchronous DRAM of FIG. 2, if the rising edge of the source power voltage VDD occurs prior to the occurrence of the rising edge of the source power voltage VDDQ, the data terminal 1 is set in the high-impedance state, and it is possible that the flow of a large amount of short-circuit current between the synchronous DRAMs through the sharing external data bus is prevented.
However, as shown in FIG. 2, if the rising edge of the source power voltage VDDQ occurs prior to the occurrence of the rising edge of the source power voltage VDD, the source power voltage VDDQ from the VDDQ power line 3 is supplied to the output unit 2 before the data terminal 1 is set in the high-impedance state. At this time, the conventional synchronous DRAM has a problem in that the flow of a large amount of short-circuit current between the synchronous DRAMs through the external data bus may occur.


The sequence of a target nucleic acid polymer can be determined by (a) performing a first chain-extension sequencing reaction on the target nucleic acid polymer in a reaction mixture containing first and second chain-terminators to produce a first product mixture containing commonly-labeled polynucleotide fragments complementary to a first strand of the target nucleic acid polymer, each fragment in the mixture being terminated with the first or second chain-terminator; (b) performing a second chain extension sequencing reaction on the target nucleic acid polymer in a reaction mixture containing the first and a third chain-terminator to produce a second product mixture containing commonly-labeled polynucleotide fragments complementary to the first strand of the target nucleic acid polymer, each fragment in the mixture being terminated with the first or the third chain-terminator, said first, second and third chain-terminators each being different; and (c) evaluating the lengths of the polynucleotide fragments in the first and second product mixtures to determine the sequence of the target nucleic acid polymer. In the evaluation step, the first and second product mixtures can be evaluated in two separate lanes of a gel, in which case the labels employed in the two chain extension sequencing reactions can be the same. Alternatively, if the labels employed in the two chain extension reactions are different and spectroscopically distinguishable from one another, the first and second product mixtures can be combined before electrophoresis and the entire analysis can be performed in a single lane of a gel.

This application relates to an improved method and apparatus for determining the sequence of nucleic acid polymers, e.g., DNA.
Nucleic acid sequencing is conventionally performed using one of two approaches: the chain extension reaction disclosed by Sanger et al., Proc. Nat'l Acad. Sci. (USA) 74: 5463-5467 (1977); and chain degradation sequencing disclosed by Maxam & Gilbert, Proc. Nat'l. Acad. Sci. (USA) 74: 560-564 (1977). Chain extension sequencing, which is the more extensively used of the two approaches, utilizes a primer and a template-dependent polymerase enzyme which extends template-hybridized primer to produce polynucleotide fragments. Chain-terminating nucleotide analogs, such as dideoxynucleotide triphosphates, are included in the reaction, and these chain terminators, when incorporated, prevent further extension of the primer by the polymerase enzyme. As a result, a chain termination reaction containing, e.g, dideoxyadenosine triphosphate (ddATP) produces a mixture of polynucleotide fragments of differing lengths, each fragment ending in ddA. Other chain terminators produce fragments mixtures ending in other nucleotides. Performing one reaction with a terminator corresponding to each base (A, C, G and T), and evaluating the sizes of the fragments permits determination of the sequence of the original template polymer.
Automated apparatus for performing chain extension sequencing is available commercially. For example, single-dye automated sequencers such as the ALF-Express (Pharmacia LKB, Piscataway N.J.) usually run one separate reaction per lane. Methods to increase throughput in such automated DNA sequencers are currently constrained by the fact that in order to obtain a DNA sequence, four channels of data are required, one for each of the nucleotide bases A, C, G or T. Multi-dye sequencers such as the Prism 377 (Applied Biosystems Inc., Foster City Calif.) allow 4 reactions to be run in one lane. This method improves the throughput of a single gel 4-fold but still requires four channels of data per DNA sequence.
Intensity labeling has been proposed as a method for sequencing DNA in a single channel. In these methods, the ladder of all four sequencing reaction products (A, C, G, or T) is run in a single lane, and the species are distinguished by the amount of detected reaction product. For instance, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,962,020, 5,122,345 and 5,409,881, illustrate a chain extension sequencing chromatogram where the relative amounts of the chain-terminators and thus the relative intensities of the reaction products are G>A>T>C. Ansorge et al (1990) "One label, one tube, Sanger DNA sequencing in one and two lanes on a gel", Nuc. Acid. Res. 18: 3419-20 illustrates a chain termination method where the relative amounts of the chain terminators are T>C>G>A. A two-lane intensity labeling method is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,124,247 issued to Ansorge. Negri et al. (1991) A Single-Reaction Method for DNA Sequence Determination. Anal. Biochem. 197:389-395 discloses a chain degradation method of intensity labeling where A=G>C (and T is not analyzed). None of these methods have been employed commercially, perhaps because the intensity of labeling of reaction products changes substantially during the course of a single analysis.
An alternative method that does not depend on intensity labeling to increase throughput takes advantage of the fact that, at least in the diagnostic setting, the DNA sequence of a diagnostic gene is already known. In this case, the method determines which sequence the patient sample matches from a library of known sequence variants. This frequently can be done on the basis of a single nucleotide chain termination reaction as disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 08/497,202 and 08/577,858, assigned to the assignee of the instant invention. Single nucleotide sequencing may mean testing a known gene, such as an oncogene, for mutations such as nucleotide insertions, deletions, inversions or substitutions. It may mean testing a known polymorphic locus to identify which allelic variant(s) are present. It may mean testing a patient sample for the presence of a known pathogen, or testing for a known variation of a known pathogen. In each of these cases, at least some patient samples can be identified with certainty by determining the positions of less than all 4 nucleotides, hence using less than 4 channels.
Reduction the number of data channels required can also be obtained by applying algebraic coding methods from information theory. A method for DNA sequence analysis that resembles data compression techniques used in telecommunications was disclosed by Nelson et al. (1993) "Sequencing Two DNA Templates In Five Channels By Digital Compression" Proc. Nat'l Acad. Sci. (USA) 90:1647-1651. This paper describes how sequences of one DNA template can be determined in three channels; and how two DNA templates can be determined simultaneously using five channels. The paper does not teach how to reduce the number of channels for a full DNA sequence below these amounts.
It is an object of the instant invention to provide a method of increasing the throughput of an electrophoretic gel by reducing the number of channels necessary to identify the sequence of a DNA fragment.
It is a further object of the instant invention to provide a method of increasing the throughput of an electrophoretic gel that does not require spectrally distinguishable fluorophores or intensity labeling.
It is a further object of the invention to simplify the number of steps required to identify the sequence of a DNA fragment.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a diagnostic method and apparatus which identifies a DNA sequence in a patient but does not require the explicit identification of location of all 4 nucleotides of the DNA sequence.

Method and apparatus for DNA-sequencing using reduced number of sequencing mixtures


The present invention relates generally to the communication of vehicle data, diagnostics and related information with a network remote from the vehicle, and more particularly to communications and storage of vehicle data in the cloud. In one or more preferred embodiments, vehicle information is securely gathered from a vehicle, processed in accordance with instructions and a profile set remotely, and stored at a remote data store, where remote access to such information can be accommodated through applications, smartphones and other remote devices.

On Board Diagnostic (OBD) systems provide a method for vehicles to self-diagnose and report on the diagnosis through readers that are compatible with the OBD protocol. Early OBD systems often illuminated a light or switch to visual report an incident requiring attention or correction. In 1996, the OBD-II standard (an improvement over the original OBD) was mandated as being a required approach and capability for all automobiles sold within the United States.
The OBD-II standard provides for a specific diagnostic connector with pins of a particular orientation (i.e., a standard hardware interface), specific availability of certain electrical signaling protocols (i.e., communication protocols), and a particular messaging format (i.e., report out). FIG. 1 provides a representative view of a OBD-II diagnostic connector 100 and a tethered reader 150 with a display 175. In FIG. 1, the standard interface to be read from is typically a female 16-slot connector 100 (e.g., (2×8) J1962 connector) that provides a communication link from the vehicle (not shown) to a reader 150 having a corresponding male 16-pin connector 155 when the reader connector is attached to the connector. Once attached (the connector 100 and the reader connector 155) the reader 150 is capable to receive signal inputs from the vehicle through the connection 100 and visually present information about the vehicle on a screen 175 of the reader. Typically one of the slots 110 in the connector 100 provides power to the reader (i.e., scan tool or scan device) originating from the battery of the vehicle, although often separate power to the reader is provided for.
Some of the information about the vehicle that is available for display includes vehicle parameters and data from the engine control unit (ECU) and offers an information inside a vehicle, typically in an encoded format. Vehicle parameters that provide information about emissions, oxygen sensor status and conditions, cylinder operations, etc., are some examples. Many vehicle manufacturers have enabled the OBD-II Data Link Connector to be the primary connector in the vehicle through which many systems are diagnosed and programmed. Information concerning such systems is provided for as OBD-II Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) and are typically 4-digits with an alphabetic prefix of: P for engine and transmission (powertrain), B for body, C for chassis, and U for network. When properly connected and powered, the reader is able to decode the encoded vehicle data for the specific vehicle being evaluated and a diagnosis of vehicle systems and functions can be determined based on received codes.
OBD-II can interface with multiple communication protocols deployed inside a vehicle. There are five protocols used in the OBD-II vehicle diagnostics standard: (1) Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) J1850 pulse-width modulation (PWM)—a standard of the Ford Motor Company; (2) SAE J1850 variable pulse width (VPW)—a standard of General Motors; (3) International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 9141-2, which is primarily used in Chrysler, European, and Asia vehicles; (4) ISO 14230 Keyword Protocol 2000 (KWP2000); and (5) ISO 15765 Controller Area Network (CAN) bus, where vehicles sold in the US are required to implement CAN as one of their signaling protocols as of 2008.
OBD II has proven to be a standard having widespread utilization in the automobile industry and more recently in adjacent industrial and medical-related markets. However, the application of utilization of OBD II remains limited to localized methods of display and communications. For instance, the tethered communication arrangement of FIG. 1 proves to be inconvenient in accessing and storing the acquired data from the tethered reader. Other applications of OBD II are known to include the application of additional communication methods including universal serial bus (USB) communication linkages to local personal computers (PCs) adapted with the 16-pin connectors or Bluetooth® arrangements for nearby communications with PC devices (Bluetooth is a trademark of Bluetooth SIG, Inc.). Still others may involve the further implementation of customized protocols which provide to be uneconomical or unable to provide adequate flexibility in communications.
However, what is desired is the ability to extract vehicle diagnostics and related information from vehicles and equipment using one or more existing OBD II communications protocols while being able to link and store the acquired diagnostic and information in the cloud, via cloud computing, for further utilization.
As used herein the terms mobile device, third party system, smart phone, terminal, remote device, wireless asset, etc. are intended to be inclusive, interchangeable, and/or synonymous with one another and other similar communication-based equipment for purposes of the present invention though one will recognize that functionally each may have unique characteristics, functions and/or operations which may be specific to its individual capabilities and/or deployment.
As used herein the term cloud is intended to include a computing infrastructure that provides for entrusted services with data, software and computation over a network, where such a network is not constrained to be necessarily localized or of a particular configuration. The term cloud includes networks and network arrangements, such as the Internet, which provide for cloud computing capability.
As used herein the term cloud computing is understood to include methods of utilizing various connected computing devices, servers, clusters of servers, wired and/or wirelessly, which provide a networked infrastructure to deliver computing, processing and storage capacity as services where a user typically accesses cloud-based applications through a web browser, mobile application (i.e., app) or similar while the primary software and data are stored on servers of the cloud network at a remote location. Devices capable of providing computer processing capabilities (i.e, servers, PCs, computers, processors, etc.) are intended to be used interchangeably herein.

Method and apparatus for remotely communicating vehicle information to the cloud


An automatic pole-zero adjustment circuit for an ionizing radiation spectroscopy system includes a digital conversion circuit, responsive to random analog pulses passing through the system for converting the random analog pulses to digital pulses; a programmable digital shaping filter including means for applying a pole-zero cancellation adjustment to compensate for under/overshoot at the output of the programmable digital shaping filter; digitally programmable sampling means including means for defining a window for sampling the trailing edge of the digital pulses and means for sampling the digital pulses during that window to determine the presence of undershoot or overshoot; and a digitally programmable control circuit, responsive to the pole-zero sampling means, for driving the programmable digital shaping filter to introduce an under/overshoot correction signal to the digital programmable shaping filter.

Radiation detection systems generally employ a radiation detector such as a germanium or scintillation detector or photodiode to detect radiation from a radiation source such as alpha or gamma rays or light. The detection of such energy results in a charge pulse whose amplitude is proportional to the energy of the incident radiation. The charge pulse is converted to a voltage pulse by a feedback capacitor incorporated in a preamplifier. A resistor is added in parallel with the capacitor in order to discharge the capacitor in preparation for the next pulse in a reasonable amount of time to allow for processing of successive pulses. The parallel combination of the capacitor and the resistor defines the time constant of the exponentially decay of the voltage pulse. The voltage pulse with the exponentially decaying trailing edge is submitted to an RC filter to shorten the pulse and improve the signal-to-noise ratio. However, this filter when supplied with an exponentially decaying signal produces a filtered signal with an undesirable undershoot, i.e., an excursion below baseline voltage. This is a serious problem since the radiation pulses arrive randomly in time and succeeding pulses can occur during the undershoot of a previous pulse in that case, the measurement of the amplitude of the succeeding pulse would be distorted. To compensate for this a pole-zero cancellation circuit has been used to eliminate the undershoot. In this scheme a portion of the voltage pulse input to the RC filter is diverted around the filter and combined with the filter output to cancel the undershoot. This was originally done manually. (See Nowlin et al., "Elimination of Undesirable Undershoot in the Operation and Testing of Nuclear Pulse Amplifiers", Rev. Sci. Instr., Instr., vol. 36, No. 2 , December 1965, pp 830-839.) However, here was much difficulty encountered in having untrained non-technical personnel such as at medical clinics compelled to adjust the shunting resistance or other component to null the undershoot and avoid overshoot. To meet this problem a more automatic approach was proposed as in U.S. Pat. No. 4,866,400, fully incorporated herein by reference. However, even with this improved approach, more accuracy is desirable. For example, elimination of errors (glitches, pedestals, offsets and temperature drift) in the analog automatic auto-PZ sampling circuit.

Automatic pole zero adjustment circuit for an ionizing radiation spectroscopy system


A teether includes a frame adapted for teething by a child, the frame including a base, a first side extending upwardly from a first end of the base, and a second side extending upwardly from a second end of the base, wherein the first and second sides are integrally connected to the base and are connected to each other remote from the base.

The invention relates to a teether and a method of making the teether.
As children grow and develop teeth, they often like to chew on various objects. Teethers can be provided to the children to help ensure that they do not chew on items that might, for example, be swallowed or that might injure them.