A multi-function pointing device is disclosed. The multi-function pointing device is operative to initiate an action in an electronic device in response to a movement of a pointing implement that is movably positioned in a holster. At least one sensor detects the movement (e.g. translation and rotation) of the pointing implement in the holster and outputs a signal indicative of that motion. The action initiated by the electronic device can include manipulating images on a display or a touch sensitive display, scrolling of the display, cursor movement, zooming in and zooming out on an image, and moving between various icons or objects on the display. The pointing implement can be a stylus for manipulating images displayed on a device such as a PDA, cell phone, digital camera, portable computing device, or the like. The multi-function pointing device can be a peripheral component that is connected with the electronic device.

Portable computing devices and portable electronics devices are becoming increasingly more common place. Users of those devices expect more and more information to be displayed on a display carried by the device. For example, cell phones, Personal Digital Assistants (PDA's), a cell phone/PDA combination, hand held remote controls for TV's, stereo systems, digital cameras, digital video recorders, and global positioning system (GPS) receivers, are examples of electronic devices that possess state of the art image displays such as color Liquid Crystal Displays (LCD). One challenge presented by any display is the ability to easily manipulate information displayed on the display and to effectuate an action based on what type of information is displayed. For example, the execution of a program by touching a stylus to an icon on the display. For electronic devices with a touch-sensitive display that is operative to receive commands and execute actions based on touching the screen with a stylus, a user must first grab hold of the stylus by either unsnapping it from a clip or removing the stylus from a slot in which the stylus is stored when it is not needed.
One disadvantage of having to remove the stylus is that in some situations it is inefficient from an ergonomic standpoint for the user to use the stylus on the touch-sensitive display for certain functions, such as scrolling the screen up and down or left and right.
As one example, if a map displayed on a touch-sensitive screen of a PDA is too large to be displayed in its entirety on the screen, then the user must remove the stylus and then use the left/right and/or up/down scroll bars to move the image of the map around on the screen to see various portions of the map that are off-screen. Similarly, when joy sticks, cursor pads, track balls, or the like are used, they typically require movement of a cursor to position the cursor over the scroll bars followed by pressing another button that allows the scroll bar to be moved with the motion of the cursor. Alternatively, a scroll wheel that is moved back and forth by a finger of the user is used to move the scroll bar, but usually, only the vertical scroll bar is moved by the scroll wheel.
In FIGS. 1a and 1b, a prior electronic device 200 includes a housing 202, a touch-sensitive screen 211, a power switch 204, and a stylus 201 having a tip 203 for touching the screen 211. The stylus 201 is carried by the electronic device 200 and is stored in a slot 231 (see FIG. 2a) and withdrawn Wd when needed. The electronic device 200 also includes a cursor pad 210 for selecting icons 215 or other information displayed on the screen 211 and one or more function buttons 208. Other icons such as 213 for opening a list of programs or 206 for closing a program can be displayed on the screen 211 and can be activated by touching the tip 203 of the stylus to the icon. For purposes of illustration, the prior electronic device 200 depicted is typical of a PDA, but the prior electronic device 200 can be any electronic device in which a stylus is used to manipulate information displayed on a touch sensitive screen.
In FIGS. 2a through 2b, other features of the electronic device 200 can include a slot 231 for storing the cursor 201, an accessory port 235 for devices such as memory cards or other peripherals, a headphone jack 237 for listening to audio information via headphones, a cover 215 for protecting the screen 211 when not in use, and a port 241 for docking the electronic device 200 to a cradle, a docking station, a keyboard, or the like, and a reset button 243.
Because the screen 211 has a limited area dictated by its portable use, all of the information in an image memory (not shown) cannot be displayed in its entirety on the screen 211. For instance, in FIGS. 1a and 1b, icons 217 are not fully on the screen 211, while other icons 215 are displayed in their entirety on the screen 211.
Accordingly, the stylus 201 is often used to scroll the images on the screen 211 such that the icons 217 can be brought into full view on the screen 211. A vertical scroll bar 221 can be touched by the stylus 201 to scroll the images up or down on the screen 211 as indicated by a pair of up/down arrows 223. In some cases, the up/down arrows 223 can also be touched by the stylus 211 to scroll the images up or down. Similarly, a horizontal scroll bar 225 can be touched by the stylus 201 to scroll the images left or right on the screen 211 as indicated by a pair of left/right arrows 227. In some cases, the left/right arrows 227 can also be touched by the stylus 211 to scroll the images left or right. A finger of a user (not shown) may also be used to accomplish some or all of the same functions as the stylus 211 by touching a tip of the finger to the screen 211.
Alternatively, the cursor pad 210 or a track ball 212 (see FIG. 1b) can be used to move a cursor 219 across the screen 211 to select the scroll bars or arrows (221, 223, 225, 227) to scroll the screen 211. Typically, another control such as one of the function buttons 208 or track ball buttons 214 must be pressed while manipulating the track ball 212 or cursor pad 210 in order to effectuate a scrolling of the screen 211.
Because the ergonomic needs of a users will vary, the above mentioned pointing devices are not optimal for every user under all conditions of use. Therefore, the above mentioned pointing devices can have several disadvantages for some users.
The disadvantages to using the track ball 212 include its sensitivity to vibrations that can cause the users hand and/or finger to be jarred by the vibrations (particularly in mobile applications) resulting in inaccurate pointing. Moreover, two hands are usually required to accomplish a task using the track ball 212, one hand to hold the electronic device 200 and another hand to manipulate the track ball 212. Additionally, for drag-and-drop operations, usually one of the function buttons 208 or the track ball buttons 214 must be pressed. As a result, two hands are required and often two fingers are also required. The use of the buttons (208, 214) may require the user to focus on those buttons in order to activate them, thus distracting the user from the information being displayed on the screen 211. The track ball 212 and the buttons (208, 214) are also difficult to use when gloves are worn by the user.
The disadvantages of using a finger (not shown) as a pointing device on the screen 211 include finger prints can be smeared on the screen 211, the view of the screen 211 is obscured by the users fingers or hand, input resolution is low especially if the users fingers are large, drag-and-drop operations require the use of two hands, many touch-sensitive screens 211 may not respond to pointing inputs if the user is wearing gloves, and the finger can not be used as a pointing device when the cover 251 covers the touch-sensitive screen 211.
The disadvantages to the buttons (208, 214) include the user can make mistakes with respect to selection of the proper button, the buttons may be two small for the fingers of some users, the buttons may not be easy to discern from one another by tactile feel, size, or shape, the buttons may not provide sufficient tactile feedback to signal successful activation, and buttons are hard to activate if gloves are worn by the user.
A disadvantage of the scroll wheel 200t is that only one of the scroll bars (221, 225) can be scrolled by the scroll wheel 200t. Usually it is the vertical scroll bar 221. Therefore, if it is desired to scroll an image left and right, the scroll wheel 200t will have to be abandoned in favor of the stylus 201 or the user must configure the electronic device 200 via a software menu to scroll an image left and right using the scroll wheel 200t.
Disadvantages of a joystick (not shown), or miniature joysticks such as the TrackPoint® by IBM®, the AccuPoint® as used in Toshiba® laptops, and other isometric joysticks/pointing devices are that they can be less useful if the electronic device 200 is to be used in a vertical orientation, they can be hard to control accurately if gloves are used or the users fingers are too large, they are not ergonomically efficient for all users and are not often positioned for manipulation by a users thumb, often two hands are required to use the isometric joystick, and in many cases the isometric joystick only moves the cursor but does not allow for selection of an action without the use of another control button.
Finally, the disadvantages to using the tip 203 of the stylus 201 include the stylus 201 must be removed from its slot 231 which can result in the stylus 201 being lost or misplaced, the stylus 201 can be hard to use when gloves are worn, two hands are needed to easily use the stylus 201, the stylus 201 is typically placed on a right hand side of the electronic device 200 so that the ergonomic needs of left hand users are not met by a right hand side placement of the stylus 201, and the stylus 201 can not be used as a pointing device when the cover 251 is over the touch-sensitive screen 211 because the tip 203 is prevented from touching the screen 211.
Therefore, there exists a need for a pointing device that can serve multiple functions and can be used to manipulate information displayed on a display while positioned in a slot or the like that stores the pointing device. There is also a need for a pointing device that allows information displayed on a display to be manipulated when the display is covered by a transparent cover or the like. Finally, there exists a need for a pointing device that is flexible enough to accommodate the ergonomic needs of a variety of users.

Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.


A ball and socket joint bellows seal is provided with a ball pivot pin with a connection piece, a bellows with an annular engagement surface with a sliding ring groove and a bellows seal element. The bellows seal element has a connection piece sealing face statically engaged with said connection piece, a radially extending sealing portion and a sliding ring portion connected to said radially extending sealing portion and extending into the sliding ring groove.

Ball and socket joins are known that have a sealing boot connected at one end to a housing of the ball joint and connected at another end to a ball stud (ball pin) and/or a knuckle (the connected piece or mating part—connected to the ball pin). The end of the sealing boot is either directly applied to the ball stud or knuckle or is applied by the use of a sealing ring.
Sealing rings are known that apply pressure to a bellows to urge it into engaging with the ball pin or knuckle or to form an engagement surface to facilitate the sealing of the sealing boot relative to the ball pin or knuckle. Such sealing rings are difficult to form and use radial press fit to define a sealing surface. The parts must be handled very carefully to avoid damage or handling marks. After the parts are pressed on they cannot adjust with regard to axial length if the knuckle has to be changed. An axial seal to the knuckle is not present.

Joint sealing bellows with sealing ring and assembly/installation method


A tri-core solenoid includes first, second and third core segments. The first and second core segments mate to form a low reluctance mating interconnect. The low reluctance mating interconnect includes, in one example, overlapping regions of the first and second core segments that form a joint surface area substantially in the same plane as the flow of flux through the first and second core segments. The third core segment, such as a plunger or armature, is slideably received in an aperture defined by the first and second core segments. The first core segment includes an end portion preferably having a first pole face that mates with a second pole face on the third core segment. The second core segment has a receiving region, such as a journal or bushing, that slideably receives the third core segment and forms a journal air gap therebetween.

Conventional solenoids, such as those shown in prior art FIG. 1, have included a core design having four or more segments 12-18. One example of a prior art four segment solenoid core 10 includes a shell or frame 12, a bushing or journal 14, a plunger or armature 16, and a back stop or end cap 18. The four segment core design also includes at least two required air gaps 11,13. The working air gap 11 is located between the two magnetic pole faces forming the pole face geometry. The journal air gap 13 is located between the periphery of the plunger 16 and the bushing or journal 14.
During operation of the solenoid, magnetic flux 19(or magnetic lines of force) are transferred between the individual segments or core magnets, resulting in energy loss at the transfer points between segments. The transfer points include further unwanted air gaps at the interfaces 15, 17 between each of the multiple segments or pieces that are the equivalent of having resistors in series in an electrical circuit. Thus, conventional multiple segment solenoid cores often include several unwanted air gaps between each of the multiple segments 12-18 in addition to the required air gaps 11,13.
Accordingly, multiple segment solenoid cores are often not constructed for maximum efficiency. The increased efficiency of a solenoid is particularly important for applications in which solenoids are driven with low current electronics and/or with a battery as the supply voltage. Also, manufacturing costs increase with an increase in the number of segments or pieces that are required to make a tubular type solenoid. Accordingly, a tubular type solenoid is needed that lowers manufacturing costs while increasing the efficient conversion of electrical energy to mechanical work.

Tri-core, low reluctance tubular solenoid


Systems and methods for mitigating the risk of and/or suppressing fires caused by lithium battery-powered personal computing devices used on the flight deck or in crew and passenger compartments onboard an aircraft. A fire detection and suppression pack is attached to a lithium-ion battery-powered portable personal computing device. The fire detection and suppression pack has a weight and volume consistent with and does not impair the use of the portable personal computing device. The fire detection and suppression pack is a full-time fire suppression system that is on hot standby at all times, independent of the computing device's power mode. The fire detection and suppression pack uses gases stored in canisters to provide cool-down, displacement suppressant to control and extinguish any fire source and associated burnable fuel required to sustain the fire event.

This disclosure is generally related to systems and methods for suppressing fires in battery-powered personal use devices. In particular, this disclosure relates to portable personal computing devices powered by lithium-ion batteries.
A lithium-ion battery is a member of a family of rechargeable battery types in which lithium ions move from an anode to a cathode during discharge and from the cathode to the anode when charging. Lithium-ion batteries are common in many consumer electronics as they are one of the most popular types of rechargeable batteries for personal computing devices.
Despite the positive attributes of lithium-ion batteries, there have been concerns associated with their use. Lithium-ion batteries are capable of spontaneous ignition and subsequent explosion due to overheating. Overheating may be caused by electrical shorting, rapid discharge, overcharging, manufacturer's defect, poor design, or mechanical damage, among many other causes. Overheating results in a process called thermal runaway, which is a reaction within the battery causing internal temperature and pressure to rise at a quicker rate then can be dissipated. Because many airlines are replacing paper charts with laptops and tablet computers, any risks associated with the use of lithium-ion batteries onboard aircraft should be mitigated to the greatest extent possible.

Fire detection and suppression pack for battery-powered personal computing devices


A support member for center support stairs is composed of a plurality of support member elements which can be connected to each other in different vertical and angular positions and each receive and support a step of the stairs. The individual support member elements are hollow section-like cast members, wherein each support member element has two outer guide surfaces located opposite each other and spaced apart from each other and extending on the same circular line. Adjacent support member elements are connected to each other through at least one screw, wherein the screw rests with its head in a recess of the respectively upper support member element. The screw extends through openings of the walls of adjacent support member elements and is screwed into a clamping jaw provided in the interior of the respectively lower support member element.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a support member for center support stairs, wherein the support member is composed of a plurality of support member elements which can be connected to each other in different vertical and angular positions and each receive and support a step of the stairs.
2. Description of the Related Art
DE-OS 35 14 920 discloses a support member for link-type stairs, particularly center support stairs, which is composed of support member elements which can be connected to each other in different vertical and angular positions. Each support member element serves to receive and support a step of the stairs. Each support member element of the known support member is composed of a pipe piece, wherein free ends of the sides of a U-shaped stirrup are welded to oppositely located sides of the pipe piece. The pipe piece of an adjacent, lower support member element can then be inserted into this U-shaped stirrup and can be clamped by means of two wedge-type pieces which can be pulled together by screws. Support members of this type are manufactured of steel and are galvanized in order to prevent corrosion. During assembly, it cannot be excluded that the zinc layer is damaged and the formation of rust occurs. Because steel is used as the material of the support member, the individual support member elements and, thus, the support member, have a relatively high weight. Distortions may occur when the welding seams are produced, so that not only the assembly, but also the optical impression of the support member are negatively affected. The configuration of the individual support member elements cannot be exactly called elegant which has a negative effect on the optical impression of the support member. The welding seams also contribute to this negative impression.

Support member for center support stairs


A light sensitive transfer material comprises a peel-off support, an alkali-soluble thermoplastic resin layer, a water- or aqueous alkali-soluble or -dispersible interlayer having a low oxygen permeability, and a light sensitive resin layer arranged in this order, wherein the adhesion between the peel-off support and the thermoplastic resin layer is the smallest. A process for forming an image using the transfer material is also disclosed.

An image formation material for transferring a photopolymerizable light-sensitive resin layer to a substrate is known from, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 3,884,693. This material is used for the preparation of printedwiring board, intaglio printing plate, letterpress printing plate, nameplate, multi-color printed test sample, offset printing plate, screen printing stencil, etc. The transfer material consists of a support, a separation layer, and a photopolymerizable layer. The substrate and the transfer material are laminated with each other in such a manner that the photopolymerizable layer is brought into contact with the substrate. The temporary peel-off support is then peeled off the material. The material is exposed to light through the separation layer, and then developed to form an image on the substrate. In this structure, the separation layer serves to cut off oxygen to facilitate the exposure in air. The thickness of the separation layer is as small as 0.5 .mu.m to 5 .mu.m. Therefore, the transfer material has no problem in its resolving power.
However, if there is some unevenness on the substrate, when a very thin photopolymerizable layer is transferred to the substrate, bubbles are confined between the photopolymerizable layer and the substrate, causing poor transfer.
DE 3842028.7 discloses a transfer material comprising an interlayer made of a polyvinyl alcohol derivative interposed between a support and a light-sensitive resin layer. However, this interlayer is intended to improve the peelability of the light-sensitive resin layer from the support and the solubility of the light-sensitive resin layer, and no consideration is given to the transfer properties in the case where there is some unevenness on the substrate.
DE 3706528.9 discloses that if there are some minute irregularities on the permanent support or there are some grains such as minute dust on either or both of the permanent support and the transfer layer, sufficient adhesion of the transfer layer to the permanent support is inhibited, causing poor transfer. As a solution to this problem, DE 3706528.9 proposes that a compressible temporary support be used to improve the adhesion. This approach is certainly effective in some cases. However, it is not effective enough to transfer a non-adhesive light-sensitive resin layer to an uneven permanent support having about the same thickness as the non-adhesive light-sensitive resin layer without generating bubbles.
Japanese Patent Application No. 3-120228 proposes the use of a light-sensitive transfer material which comprises a temporary removable support, particularly a gelatin-undercoated plastic film, a thermoplastic resin layer, a separation layer and a light-sensitive resin layer arranged in this order. This Application also proposes an approach which comprises laminating the light-sensitive resin layer to the support, and then simultaneously peeling and removing the temporary support and the thermoplastic resin layer to transfer the light-sensitive resin layer to the support. However, this approach cannot necessarily provide an easy control over the peeling of the thermoplastic resin layer off the separation layer. Thus, this approach leaves much to be desired from the standpoint of automation of peeling work.


An apparatus and method for image registration involves computing a first transform based on landmark manifolds, using a distance measure, computing a second transform from the distance measure and the first transform. Registering the images is accomplished by applying the second transform.

The present invention relates to image processing systems and methods, and more particularly to image registration systems that combine two or more images into a composite image.
Image registration involves combining two or more images, or selected points from the images, to produce a composite image containing data from each of the registered images. During registration, a transformation is computed that maps related points among the combined images so that points defining the same structure in each of the combined images are correlated in the composite image.
Currently, practitioners follow two different registration techniques. The first requires that an individual with expertise in the structure of the object represented in the images label a set of landmarks in each of the images that are to be registered. For example, when registering two MRI images of different axial slices of a human head, a physician may label points, or a contour surrounding these points, corresponding to the cerebellum in two images. The two images are then registered by relying on a known relationship among the landmarks in the two brain images.
The mathematics underlying this registration process is known as small deformation multi-target registration. In the previous example of two brain images being registered, using a purely operator-driven approach, a set of N landmarks identified by the physician, represented by x.sub.i, where i=1 . . . N, are defined within the two brain coordinate systems. A mapping relationship, mapping the N points selected in one image to the corresponding N points in the other image, is defined by the equation u(x.sub.i)=k.sub.i, where i=1 . . . N. Each of the coefficients, k.sub.i, is assumed known.
The mapping relationship u(x) is extended from the set of N landmark points to the continuum using a linear quadratic form regularization optimization of the equation: ##EQU1## subject to the boundary constraints u(x.sub.i)=k.sub.i. The operator L is a linear differential operator. This linear optimization problem has a closed form solution. Selecting L=.alpha..gradient..sup.2 +.beta..gradient.(.gradient..) gives rise to small deformation elasticity. For a description of small deformation elasticity see S. Timoshenko, Theory of Elasticity, McGraw-Hill, 1934 and R. L. Bisplinghoff, J. W. Marr, and T. H. H. Pian, Statistics of Deformable Solids, Dover Publications, Inc., 1965. Selecting L=.gradient..sup.2 gives rise to a membrane or Laplacian model. Others have used this operator in their work, see e.g., Amit, U. Grenander, and M. Piccioni, "Structural image restoration through deformable templates," J. American Statistical Association. 86(414):376-387, June 1991, and R. Szeliski, Bayesian Modeling of Uncertainty in Low-Level Vision, Kluwer Academic Publisher, Boston, 1989 (also describing a bi-harmonic approach). Selecting L=.gradient..sup.4 gives a spline or biharmonic registration method. For examples of applications using this operator see Grace Wahba, "Spline Models for Observational Data," Regional Conference Series in Applied Mathematics. SIAM, 1990, and F. L. Bookstein, The Measurement of Biological Shape and Shape Change, volume 24, Springer-Verlag: Lecture Notes in Biomathematics, New York, 1978.
The second currently-practiced technique for image registration uses the mathematics of small deformation multi-target registration and is purely image data driven. Here, volume based imagery is generated of the two targets from which a coordinate system transformation is constructed. Using this approach, a distance measure, represented by the expression D(u), represents the distance between a template T(x) and a target image S(x) The optimization equation guiding the registration of the two images using a distance measure is: ##EQU2##
The distance measure D(u) measuring the disparity between imagery has various forms, e.g., the Gaussian squared error distance .intg..vertline.T(h(x))-S(x).vertline..sup.2 dx, a correlation distance, or a Kullback Liebler distance. Registration of the two images requires finding a mapping that minimizes this distance.
One limitation of the first approach to image registration is that the registration accuracy depends on the number and location of landmarks selected. Selecting too few landmarks may result in an inaccurate registration. Selecting too many landmarks does not necessarily guarantee accurate registration, but it does significantly increase the computational complexity of registration. Furthermore, it is not always possible to identify appropriate structural landmarks in all images.
The second technique is limited by the computational complexity presented by the number of data points in most images. The second technique is further limited by the fact that the process produces many local minima that confuse proper registration. This is because when registering two images according to the second technique, many possible orientations of the images produce subregions in the images that are properly matched, but the images as a whole are improperly registered.
There is, therefore, a need for a registration technique that overcomes the limitations of the conventional techniques.

Method and apparatus for image registration


A switch is provided with a moveable contact and contact carrier that significantly facilitates the manufacturing process necessary to make the assembly. The contact carrier is provided with first and second extensions that are generally flexible and associated with each other to provide a gap therebetween. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the second extension comprises first and second fingers that extend from the contact carrier. The second extension is provided with protuberances that permit a moveable contact to deform the second extension as it is moved inward toward the contact carrier. The extensions snap together after the complete moveable contact has moved into a predetermined space between the extensions. The assembly of the present invention permits the moveable contact to be permanently retained between the first and second extensions, but variable moveable in position within that containment to permit the position of the moveable contact to adjust to the position of fixed contact when the contact carrier is moved within a housing structure to force the moveable contacts into electrical communication with a pair of fixed contacts.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is generally related to switches in which a moveable contact is attached to a contact carrier and, more particularly, to a switch in which the moveable carrier is provided with fingers between which the moveable contact is disposed.
2. Description of the Prior Art
As is well known to those skilled in the art, moveable contacts are usually attached to a contact carrier in a manner which permits the contacts to move, or wobble, relative to the contact carrier. The purpose of the variable motion is to assure proper contact between the moveable contact and stationary contacts across which the moveable contact provides an electrical bridge when actuated. If the moveable contact is rigidly attached to the contact carrier, the moveable contact could move into electrical connection with one of the stationary contacts and not the other. This type of misalignment could result in electrical arcing if only a slight contact force is provided against one of the stationary contacts or, alternatively, the electrical connection between the stationary contacts might not be made at all if the misalignment is severe.
The variable movement of the moveable contact relative to its contact carrier can be provided in several ways. One technique, which will be described in greater detail below, provides a moveable contact member that has an annular portion shaped to fit over a post attached to the contact carrier. The post is provided with an end portion that is shaped to permit the moveable contacts to be assembled over the end of the shaft and then rotated into its operating position. Another switch design that provides a variable attachment of the moveable contacts with respect to the contact carrier uses a clip to attach the two components together in a manner that provides the relative movement of the moveable contacts both with respect to the carrier and with respect to the stationary contacts.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,646,491, which issued to Puetz on Feb. 29, 1972, discloses a moveable contact structure for a large size electric switch that is arranged so that the contacts of the switch may be readily inspected. The contact structure includes a moveable contact retainer that has apertured ears and the base of the switch which supports the stationary contacts includes support posts, which, when the switch is disassembled to inspect the contacts, are available to act as a fulcrum for the shank of a screwdriver when the tip of the screwdriver is inserted into the apertures.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,448,226, which issued to Mading et al on Jun. 3, 1969, discloses a compact electrical contact block with electrically isolating bridging contacts. The block is of the type used in manually operable pushbutton assemblies. It includes an insulating housing and a reciprocating actuable plunger which supports two electrically isolated bridging contacts. Spring means and a sliding contact support provide for wear allowance and contact pressure.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,045,635, which issued to Pursnani et al on Aug. 30, 1977, describes as electrical switch construction that has a housing provided with an actuator for causing movement of a moveable switch blade relative to a over travel compensating fixed switch blade. The fixed switch blade is secured to a rigid terminal carried by the housing. It is provided with an extension thereof that is disposed in the path of movement of the fixed switch blade in order to limit movement thereof in one direction.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,991,290, which issued to Bayles et al on Nov. 9, 1976, discloses an anti-rock preventing means for use with electric switch contacts. The device is intended for use with electrical switches of the sort that are capable of carrying high amperage currents, especially under short circuit conditions. It is provided with a ferromagnetic U-shaped yoke piece around the contacts and an armature mounted on the moveable contact carrier in position to be attracted by the magnetic force created in the yoke when current flows through the contacts.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,953,697, which issued to Teichert on Apr. 27, 1976, discloses a dual fulcrum switch in which the switch includes a housing which carries a first contact defining a first fulcrum and has an elongated electrically conductive lever blade disposed in overlying relationship. It carries a second contact from one end thereof for normally engaging the first contact. A third contact is carried from the opposite end of such blade and it is moveable through a predetermined path to engage a fourth contact carried from the housing and defining a second fulcrum.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,922,627, which issued to Shepher Nov. 25, 1975, describes a double-throw single-pull switch that comprises a resilient moveable contact arm fixed at one end and carrying a first contact on one surface of the free end thereof for engagement with a mating stationary second contact. The contact arm carries on its opposite surface a third contact positioned intermediate the fixed and free ends thereof for engagement with a mating stationary fourth contact. Means are provided for selectively applying force to the contact arm intermediate its free and fixed ends for moving the contact arm to make and break the first and second contacts and to make and break the third and fourth contacts.
The attachment of moveable contacts to a contact carrier assembly in such a way that the moveable contacts are variable in position to provide the necessary wobble for achieving the purposes described above normally necessitates a contact carrier having a shape which necessitates complex and expensive molding techniques in order to manufacture the contact carrier. In addition, known designs of contact carriers and moveable contacts attached thereto require numerous parts and expensive assembly processes. It would therefore be beneficial if a switch could be made which simplifies the design of contact carrier and facilitates assembly of the moveable contacts to the contact carrier while maintaining all of the desirable attributes of a contact carrier with moveable contacts described above.

Switch with moveable carrier and moveable contacts attached thereto


According to an embodiment, a cryptographic processing apparatus performs processes to encrypt plain text or decrypt cipher text. The processes include a non-linear process using multiplication. The non-linear process is a process performed using intermediate data masked with mask data. The intermediate data is data in a middle of the plurality of processes. The mask data hides the intermediate data. The apparatus includes a non-linear processing unit configured to receive first data that is an exclusive OR of a product of the intermediate data and first mask data and second mask data, and output second data that is an exclusive OR of a product of data obtained by the non-linear process on the intermediate data and data obtained by the non-linear process on the first mask data and third mask data having a predetermined correspondence relation with the second mask data.

A cryptographic processing apparatus uses a specific algorithm to encrypt plain text and decrypt cipher text. A side channel attack on the cryptographic processing apparatus has been reported. The side channel attack includes passive attacks that simply measure power consumption or an electromagnetic wave during operation to derive an internal secret key, such as simple power analysis (SPA), differential power analysis (DPA), and similar analysis. The side channel attack leaves no evidence of the attack. Thus, there is a need for a countermeasure technique, and this is important.
The side channel attack is performed by deriving a secret key where power consumption or an electromagnetic wave has high similarity to intermediate data (data in the middle of an encryption process). The power consumption and the electromagnetic wave are measurable during operation of an encryption process or a decryption process. The intermediate data is calculated from a secret key to be estimated. The known countermeasure for the side channel attack includes a countermeasure method (mask countermeasure) that invalidates the side channel attack. This method uses a random number to hide the intermediate data of the encryption process, and makes it difficult to determine degree of similarity, thus invalidating the side channel attack.
In a typical block cipher method such as Advanced Encryption Standard (AES), a countermeasure employs a method that calculates an exclusive OR (XOR) between the intermediate data and the random number or a method that multiplies the intermediate data by the random number. Here, in the case where the mask countermeasure is applied to the non-linear process in the encryption process, the mask countermeasure using the exclusive OR with the random number, which is randomly generated, is not simply applicable due to the nature of the non-linear process. In view of this, a typical method uses a table that determines correspondence relation between input and output of the non-linear process to ensure the mask countermeasure in the non-linear process. However, in the mask countermeasure using the table, the number of tables to be used is limited in order to prevent a circuit size from significantly increasing. This reduces randomness.
On the other hand, the mask countermeasure using the multiplication of the random number works better with a non-linear process using the multiplication such as inverse operation of AES thanks to its mathematical property. However, vulnerability of the side channel attack has been reported.
Accordingly, in the known cryptographic processing apparatus, it has been difficult to take adequate countermeasures against the side channel attack, especially in the non-linear process. Therefore, there has been a need for enhancement of safety against the side channel attack.


An image processing apparatus records an input image signal into another recording medium or displays the input image signal on a display device. When a digital image signal having superimposed thereupon an electronic watermark is input, an identification circuit identifies the method employed to superimpose the electronic watermark. A decode circuit decodes the electronic watermark by employing the electronic watermark superimposing method identified by the identification circuit.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image signal processing apparatus that detects an electronic watermark embedded in image data obtained by performing a photographing operation with a digital camera or the like.
2. Description of the Related Art
Digital image data obtained by performing a photographing operation with a digital camera are recorded in a recording medium such as a CF (compact flash) card. The digital image data are read from the recording medium into a hard disk device or a memory device in a personal computer and a specific application program is executed on the personal computer to display the digital image data on a display unit connected to the personal computer, which may be a display device or a projection device. There are also apparatuses in the known art that display a digital image directly read from a recording medium on a display device without necessitating the use of a personal computer. In addition, storage apparatuses that copy image data recorded in a portable recording medium such as a CF card into another recording medium which may be an MO or a CD-R and file the image data thus copied as well as simply read out image data and display the image data on a display device have been brought into practical application.
Digital image data which are handled as described above can be duplicated easily. For this reason, rigorous development efforts have been made in the area of electronic watermarking technology that may be employed for the protection of digital image data copyright. An electronic watermark is made by embedding copyright information in digital image data, so that it is ensured that the copyright information will not be lost even after image processing such as format conversion or retouching is implemented on the image data. The copyright information embedded in the digital image data may be checked by executing an application program for identifying the electronic watermark constituting the copyright information on a personal computer or the like.
A plurality of methods for embedding an electronic watermark in image data have been proposed in correspondence to the following factors (1)˜(3) with regard to image data to be handled.
(1) The volume of information to be embedded in the image data;
(2) The level of editing tolerance which retains the information even after image processing such as format conversion is implemented on the image data as described above;
(3) The extent to which the quality of the image becomes degraded due to information embedding.
It is to be noted that in this specification, embedding an electronic watermark in image data is also referred to as superimposing an electronic watermark on image data. In other words, there are a plurality of methods employed to superimpose an electronic watermark on image data in the known art.
However, the following problems must be addressed when a plurality of methods for superimposing electronic watermarks are employed. In order to read copyright information written into digital image data, application programs for electronic watermark reproduction must be executed one at a time in correspondence to each of the plurality of methods for superimposing electronic watermarks to check the copyright information after first taking the digital image data into the personal computer. In particular, if different methods for superimposing electronic watermarks are employed for various sets of digital image data to be processed, a great length of time must be spent to check the copyright information and the verification operation becomes complicated. In addition, it is necessary to first create duplicate data by taking the image data to be processed into the personal computer without obtaining the copyright holder's consent, in order to check the copyright information.

Image signal analysis for watermark detection and decoding


A pulse drive method for a light-emitting semiconductor devices having a plurality of light-emitting elements emitting light at different wavelengths and comprising first lit steps in which light-emitting element(s) of any of the emitted wavelengths is/are made to light as a result of being driven at drive setting(s) for each emitted wavelength, optical output(s) from the lit light-emitting element(s) is/are detected, and the light-emitting element(s) drive setting(s) is/are adjusted based on the detected light-emitting element optical output(s); and unlit steps in which the light-emitting elements of all of the emitted wavelengths are unlit for prescribed unlit time. The first lit steps are carried out in repeated fashion while the driven light-emitting element(s) is/are switched so as to cause the light-emitting element(s) to sequentially light in pulsed fashion in turn by emitted wavelength, and the unlit step respectively intervenes between each pair of successive iterations of the first lit steps.

1. Field of Invention
The present invention primarily pertains to a light-emitting semiconductor device pulse drive method and pulse drive circuit permitting adjustment of luminance and/or adjustment of chromaticity, and capable of being used in apparatuses such as those for liquid crystal backlighting and/or illumination apparatuses employing light emitting diode(s) as white light source(s).
2. Conventional Art
As conventional art for carrying out adjustment of luminance in light-emitting semiconductor devices incorporating light emitting diodes or the like, a color display apparatus in which a light source containing a plurality of light-emitting elements (e.g., light emitting diodes) of different colors that are switched and driven in fixed order and in which control of light intensity is carried out using optical sensor(s) to detect luminance level(s) thereof has, for example, been proposed at Japanese Patent Application Publication Kokai No. H10-49074(1998) (hereinafter "Patent Reference No. 1").
In the context of a color display apparatus carrying out multicolor display and having a light source unit containing a plurality of light-emitting elements of respectively different colors emitting light of different wavelengths and respectively permitting independent adjustment of luminance; a light source drive circuit switching in fixed order the plurality of light-emitting elements of different colors of the light source unit and sequentially supplying respective drive signals thereto; a shutter unit comprising electro-optic shutter elements constituting a plurality of pixels and controlling transmission/blocking of light emitted by color light-emitting elements of the light source unit; and a shutter control circuit supplying, to said shutter unit, color signals corresponding to emission of light from the plurality of color light-emitting elements of the light source unit in synchronous fashion with respect to times at which such emission of light occurs, this color display apparatus comprises optical sensor(s) detecting luminance levels of the respective color light sources; and a light intensity control circuit supplying light intensity control signals to the light source drive circuit in accordance with values detected by said sensor(s); wherein adjustment of respective light source luminance levels is carried out so as to maintain constant balance among luminances of respective color light sources for desired color. As many optical sensors may be provided as the number of emitted colors, or only a single optical sensor may be employed to accommodate same. As method for adjusting luminance, light-emitting element(s) of specific color(s) is/are made to light, optical output therefrom is converted into electricity and is smoothed by means of an integrating circuit, and drive current is controlled through use of the signal obtained.
At this Patent Reference No. 1, however, while a method is described in which a single optical sensor is used in shared fashion for respective emitted colors, there is neither any consideration made nor any specific disclosure with respect to a constitution such as might be suited to obtaining detection output that takes into account the light that is emitted from all of the light-emitting elements in situations, such as with illumination sources, where a multiplicity of light-emitting elements are arranged in distributed fashion.
An illumination apparatus in which the region at which the light-emitting elements are mounted is covered with a transparent resin layer and this transparent resin layer is capable of appropriately guiding, to optical sensor(s), light from a multiplicity of light-emitting elements arranged in distributed fashion has, for example, therefore been proposed at Japanese Patent Application Publication Kokai No. 2002-344031 (hereinafter "Patent Reference No. 2").
This illuminating apparatus comprises a plurality of light emitting diodes arranged in distributed fashion in at least two dimensions; a transparent resin layer integrally covering the plurality of light emitting diodes; an optical detector unit employing optical detector element(s) arranged within and/or on the surface of the transparent resin layer and/or in the vicinity thereof to detect intensity or intensities of light emitted by the light emitting diodes; and a power supply circuit unit controlling driving of the light emitting diodes based on output produced as a result of detection by the optical detector unit; wherein the number of the optical detector element(s) is smaller than the number of the light emitting diodes; and the optical detector element(s) detect intensity or intensities of light emitted by the light emitting diodes after same has propagated thereto through the transparent resin layer.
Furthermore, another example of the conventional art is a method in which red, green, and blue light-emitting elements are sequentially made to light in staggered fashion, there being a fixed time interval between the times at which lighting of each is initiated, and optical output of each color alone is determined by arithmetic processing from the difference in optical output measured at each such occasion. To wit, the red light-emitting element is first made to light and the optical output thereof is measured. The green light-emitting element is next made to light and the optical output produced as a result of combination of the red and green light-emitting elements is measured, and the red output component which was previously measured is subtracted therefrom to obtain the optical output of the green light-emitting element. The blue light-emitting element is, moreover, made to light and the optical output produced as a result of combination of light-emitting elements of all three colors is measured, and the optical output component produced as a result of combination of the red and green light-emitting elements is subtracted therefrom to obtain the optical output of the blue light-emitting element. There is also a method for driving a light-emitting semiconductor device in pulsed fashion wherein arithmetic processing is carried out on optical outputs for respective colors obtained in such fashion and drive current values such as will produce optimum luminance and chromaticity are determined. However, where driving of light-emitting elements, and optical sensor(s) or optical sensor electrical signal conversion circuit(s), are merely sequentially switched in turn by emitted color, such as is the case in the conventional art disclosed at the foregoing Patent Reference No. 1, no consideration is made with respect to circuit delay time and light-emitting element rise and fall times and so forth. This being the case, times during which light-emitting elements of different emitted color are actually lit can partially overlap, and this can cause error in the detection of optical output and decrease in the precision with which luminance is adjusted. Furthermore, in the conventional art disclosed at Patent Reference No. 1, control of electric current is such that electric current is reduced relative to a prescribed maximum electric current, comparison with the signal obtained after integration and smoothing of optical output permitting driving of electric current to be carried out in stable fashion at a prescribed level. However, in order to cause lighting to occur with good precision by this method, for integration and smoothing it is necessary to constantly synchronize lit time start and end times with electric current control times. That is, integration time is necessary for integration and smoothing, and because there is occurrence of temporal delays, processing time for same must also be taken into consideration, necessitating extremely complex circuit structure. Furthermore, because it is assumed that there is sequential lighting in turn by emitted color, lighting of light-emitting elements is limited to one color at a time. Because light intensity is insufficient as compared with the situation where light-emitting elements of all emitted colors are lit simultaneously, this is not especially suited for achieving the high luminance such as is sought for illumination apparatuses and the like.
In the third and fourth embodiments at the foregoing Patent Reference No. 2, timing charts are disclosed for causing respective red, green, and blue light emitting diodes to sequentially emit light, in which pulsed voltages synchronized with the interval during which a prescribed clock signal goes high are sequentially applied to the respective light emitting diodes. In such case, while it is true that all of the respective light emitting diodes will consequently be unlit throughout the interval during which the clock signal goes low, it is however not the case that the length of this unlit time will have been set in optimal fashion after taking into consideration the circuit delay time and light-emitting element rise and fall times and so forth. Where the unlit time is longer than necessary, this can represent a constraint when attempting to increase duty cycle during pulse drive and can limit ability to achieve increased luminance in illumination apparatuses and the like.
With respect to that which was indicated above as another example of the conventional art, it is in a sense true that simultaneous lighting of all colors is possible at times other than when measurement is taking place and that there should be no constraint with respect to achievement of high luminance. However, because it is necessary to store measured optical output values and to carry out subtraction and other such arithmetic processing, it would be difficult to construct this through employment of only electrical circuitry of relatively small scale. An arithmetic processor capable of accommodating on-chip software or the like would be necessary, making for a complicated and elaborate illumination apparatus.

Light-emitting semiconductor device pulse drive method and pulse drive circuit


A non-volatile counter circuit includes a state machine having a first input for receiving one or more control signals, a second input for receiving a current count value, a third input for receiving historical information, and an output for providing a next count value and an up/down control signal, and a non-volatile counter having an input coupled to the output of the state machine, and an output for providing a non-volatile count value. The non-volatile counter can be implemented onto a single integrated circuit using ferroelectric memory technology. The non-volatile counter circuit includes a first power supply node and a second power supply node for receiving power for operating the non-volatile-counter circuit through a first power supply or a second power supply, or both. The first and second power supplies can be low energy power supplies such as that provided by a sensor, or can be conventional power supplies. Either of the first and second power supplies can be internally boosted using an internal voltage doubler or other boosting circuitry.

The present invention relates, in general, to the field of counter circuits. More particularly, the present invention relates to an integrated counter circuit particularly well suited for use with a low-power sensor.
Counter circuits, and even non-volatile counter circuits are known by those skilled in the art. Existing non-volatile counter circuits use, for example, flash memory, battery-backed memory, EEPROM or other electrically programmable non-volatile memory, as well as other technologies. Problems faced with existing non-volatile counter circuits include, but are not limited to low maximum count value and short counter life, errors due to imprinting problems, as well as limited use in low-power sensor applications due to excessive power consumption especially while the count is being updated.
A non-volatile technology that is more suited to counter circuits, especially in applications where only low power levels are provided by a sensor, is ferroelectric technology. Ferroelectric cells consume little power during reading or writing data. For low density applications such as a counter, memory cells containing two transistors and two ferroelectric capacitors, ("2T/2C") can be used. Ferroelectric 2T/2C memory products are manufactured and sold by Ramtron International Corporation FRAM. A 2T/2C memory is also described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,873,664 entitled "Self Restoring Ferroelectric Memory", which is also hereby incorporated by reference.
What is desired is a non-volatile counter using ferroelectric technology that solves many of the problems associated with prior art non-volatile counter circuits, and is especially well adapted to use in low-power sensor applications.


A system and method of analyzing a sample is described. The system includes an ion source and a deflector for producing a plurality of ion beams each of which is detected in distinct detection regions. A detection system uses the information obtained from the detection region to analyze the sample.

Mass spectrometry is a powerful method for identifying analytes in a sample. Applications are legion and include identifying biomolecules, such as carbohydrates, nucleic acids and steroids, sequencing biopolymers such as proteins and saccharides, determining how drugs are used by the body, performing forensic analyses, analyzing environmental pollutants, and determining the age and origins of specimens in geochemistry and archaeology.
In mass spectrometry, a portion of a sample is transformed into gas phase analyte ions. The analyte ions are typically separated in the mass spectrometer according to their mass-to-charge (m/z) ratios and then collected by a detector. The detection system can then process this recorded information to produce a mass spectrum that can be used for identification and quantitation of the analyte.
Time-of-flight (TOF) mass spectrometers exploit the fact that in an electric field produced in the mass spectrometer, ions acquire different velocities according to the their mass-to-charge ratio. Lighter ions arrive at the detector before higher mass ions. A time-to-digital converter or a transient recorder is used to record the ion flux. By determining the time-of-flight of an ion across a propagation path, the mass of ion can be determined.
Several methods exist for introducing the ions into the mass spectrometer. For example, electrospray ionization (ESI) offers a continuous source of ions for mass analysis. Another ionization method producing a quasi-continuous source of ions is matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) with collisional cooling, sometimes referred to as "orthogonal MALDI". In orthogonal MALDI, an analyte is embedded in a solid matrix, which is then irradiated with a laser to produce plumes of analyte ions, which are cooled in collisions with neutral gas and may then be detected and analyzed.
In ESI and orthogonal MALDI TOF systems, a portion of a sample is ionized to produce a directional source beam of ions. To couple a continuous ion source to the inherently pulsed TOF mass analyzer, the orthogonal injection method is used as described, for example in (Guilhaus et al., Mass Spectrom. Rev. 19, 65–107 (2000)). A sequence of electrostatic pulses act on the source beam to produce a beam of packets of analyte ions that are then detected and analyzed according to time-of-flight methods known to those of ordinary skill. The pulses exert a force on the ions that is generally orthogonal to the direction of the source beam and that launches packets of ions towards the detector.
The timing of the pulses is important. A waiting time must elapse between pulses to ensure that the packets of ions do not interfere with each other. Thus, there is a sequence of pulsing and waiting, which continues until a sufficient number of packets are launched from the sample. The detector detects the packets and a time-of-flight analysis can be performed to discern the composition of the sample.
The waiting time between pulses must be long enough to ensure that the packets do not interfere with each other at the detection site. In particular, the waiting time must be long enough to ensure that the lighter and faster ions of a trailing packet will not pass the heavier and slower ions of a preceding packet, which would result in some overlap of the packets. For this reason, in the traditional pulse-and-wait approach, the release of an ion packet is timed to ensure that the heaviest ions of a preceding packet reach the detector before any overlap or "crosstalk" can occur, which overlap could lead to spurious mass spectra. Thus, the periods between packets are relatively long.
Aside from resulting in a longer analysis time, long waiting times between pulses also result in sample waste. In particular, in ESI and orthogonal MALDI, the production of ions is (quasi) continuous. Thus, between pulses, the production of ions by these two methods is essentially incessant. The ions that are not pulsed during the waiting time are not detected because they do not reach the detector. Consequently, the ions that are not pulsed are wasted. When the sample being tested is in short supply or is expensive, waste of the sample material can present a serious problem.

Method and system for mass analysis of samples


The present invention relates to a stem cell having an immunosuppressive ability in which the expression or activity of a suppressor of cytokine signaling (SOCS) is inhibited, and a pharmaceutical composition for inhibiting immunity, which includes the stem cell. In addition, the present invention relates to a composition for inducing the immunosuppressive activity of a stem cell, including a suppressor of cytokine signaling (SOCS) expression or activity inhibitor. The inhibition of suppressor of cytokine signaling (SOCS) expression or activity, according to the present invention, may enhance the immunosuppressive ability of a stem cell, and the stem cell with enhanced immunosuppressive ability may be used as an effective cell therapeutic agent in an autoimmune disease, rejection upon organ transplantation, or an allergic disease.

Organ, tissue or cell transplantation can be used to save the lives of patients suffering from a wide variety of diseases. Allotransplantation of human organs such as the kidneys, the liver, the heart, the lungs, and the pancreas, human tissues such as skin, and human cells such as bone marrow is a method of treating intractable diseases such as terminal organ failure, and is already used generally in hospital. In addition, xenotransplantation using mammals except for humans as donors, which is a method that can be substituted due to a lack of allotransplantation donors, has been actively researched. In particular, transplantation of stem cells capable of permanently regenerating themselves and differentiating into various types of cells constituting the body under appropriate conditions has recently emerged as one of the cell replacement therapies for various intractable diseases.
Generally, the immune system of a recipient, which normally functions, recognizes the transplanted organ, tissue or cells as "non-self," thus inducing an immune rejection response to a graft. This immune rejection response is generally mediated by alloreactive or xenoreactive T cells present in a recipient's immune system that recognizes alloantigens or xenoantigens of donor tissues. Thus, for the long-term survival of allografts or xenografts, they should be able to avoid a recipient's immune system that recognizes a foreign antigen or suppress the immune response. To avoid a recipient's immune response to a graft, immunosuppressants are generally administered to recipients. Representative examples of immunosuppressants include, but are not limited to, calcineurin inhibitors such as cyclosporin and tacrolimus (FK-506), and antiproliferative drugs such as azathioprine, rapamycin, mycophenolate mofetil, and cyclophosphamide, and these immunosuppressants are currently used frequently in allotransplantation of the kidneys, the liver, the pancreas, and the heart.
These immunosuppressants should be administered on a daily basis, and when administration thereof is stopped, an immune rejection response is generally caused. Therefore, these immunosuppressants should be administered over a long period of time, which may lead to toxic nephrosis, hepatotoxicity, or hypertension. In addition, these drugs are not specific immunosuppressants that selectively act only on immune cells responding only to alloantigens of a graft, and thus may cause side effects such as opportunistic infections due to nonspecific immunosuppression or tumor formation such as lymphomas. As another immunosuppression method, there is a method of administering a monoclonal antibody such as OKT3, daclizumab, or basiliximab, but these monoclonal antibodies are non-specific immunosuppressants and have problems such as opportunistic infections or tumor formation. Therefore, there is a need to develop a novel immunosuppression method that does not have problems such as drug toxicity, opportunistic infections, or the like.
Meanwhile, human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) may be derived from various tissues, and are strong candidates for cell-based transplantation or regenerative medicine treatment.
Characteristics of MSCs such as migration to damaged tissues, immunosuppressive function, self-renewal, and multipotency open up the possibility of therapeutic application thereof. Currently, about 500 clinical trials including injection or transplantation of MSCs are registered in ClinicalTrials.gov. In addition, about 20% of the clinical trials are associated with the immunosuppressive ability of MSCs. Although immunosuppressive properties of MSCs have been discovered and most phase 1 clinical trials do not exhibit biological stability problems, further clinical trials have yielded poor results.
Furthermore, since there is no culture method or protocol for standardization of MSCs, phenotypic and functional diversity has also been observed also in the case of MSCs isolated from the same tissue of the same recipient. Therefore, there is a need for a method of promoting or inhibiting the function of MSCs by imparting specific conditions.

Stem cell with suppressed SOCS and improved immunosuppressive ability and use thereof


In a transformer including a coil part having a first bobbin to which a coil is mounted, a second bobbin to be fitted to the first bobbin combined to each other, the coil part being sandwiched between magnetic cores from above and below, the first bobbin includes at least one lead drawing through holes on a periphery on the inner peripheral side of a coil mounting surface, and at least one of coil-drawn-leads of the coil is drawn through the lead drawing through hole. With this transformer, coming out of the coil-drawn-lead, displacement, and erroneous wiring are prevented, and hence the inserting capability of the coil is improved. Therefore, the workability is remarkably improved, and hence a product which is low in price can be provided.

In recent years, power consumption is increasing in all the electronic devices in association with significant increase in amount of info-communication. In contrast, a switching power source is required to be compact and low in price.
The transformer of this type has a configuration shown in FIGS. 22, 23, 24, 25 and 26.
In other words, as shown in FIG. 22, primary coil 3 and secondary coil 4 are laminated alternately via insulating film 5 on bobbin 2. Then, bobbin 1 is fitted and magnetic core 6 is inserted. FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view thereof. Lead drawing holes 10 are formed on bobbin 2, and an input and an output to/from primary coil 3 or secondary coil 4 are drawn through lead drawing holes 10 and are connected to pin terminals 9.
FIG. 24 is a perspective view of bobbin 2, and shows positions and shapes of lead drawing holes 10. FIG. 25 shows a state of mounting a coil to a bobbin. As shown in FIG. 25, primary coil 3 assumes a state of a coil, and distal end 13 of drawn lead 12 of primary coil 3 is inserted to a recess of lead drawing hole 10 from above bobbin 2. Then, primary coil 3 is moved downward and inserted into center leg portion 14. Primary coil 3 is inserted to a position shown in FIG. 26.
Such a related art is disclosed, for example, in Japanese Patent Unexamined Publication No. 10-261529. In Japanese Patent Unexamined Publication No. 10-261529, a lead drawing structure in the related art is described.
In the transformer in the related art as described above, when a coil is mounted to a bobbin, a distal end of a drawn lead is entered into a recess of a lead drawing hole of the bobbin and, while maintaining this state, an inner hole of the coil is inserted into a center leg portion of the bobbin. In this state, insertion of the coil is performed while holding the drawn lead so that the drawn lead does not come out from the recess. When the drawn lead is not maintained in a specified recess, there may arise problems such that the bobbin cannot be fitted, it may come into contact with a magnetic core, or it is wired to a wrong pin terminal. When such an event is occurred, a fatal defect is resulted as a transformer. Therefore, the coil inserting operation is performed gradually and deliberately.
Normally, there are a plurality of the coils. Therefore, it is necessary to insert a subsequent coil attentively so as not to apply a stress to cause the drawn lead of the coil which is mounted previously to come out from the recess when inserting the subsequent coil. Therefore, the workability is very low.
When laminating the plurality of the coils, positions of the drawn leads may be displaced according to variation in arrangement of the coils or finished dimension of the coils. Consequently, other lead drawing holes may be occupied by previously inserted coils, whereby there may arise a case in which the drawn lead of the subsequent coil cannot be inserted.
Therefore, the drawn lead must be inserted into the recess while adjusting the position of the drawn lead, and a number of processes of operation are required for correction thereof.


The disclosure is directed to a system for managing data samples utilizing a time division multiplexing controller to allocate time slots for accessing a sample memory according to one or more modes of operation. The time division multiplexing controller is configured to allocate slots for concurrent access by a sample controller, a plurality of detectors, and a noise predictive calibrator when a normal mode is enabled. The time division multiplexing controller is further configured to allocate slots excluding at least one of the sample controller, the plurality of detectors, and the noise predictive calibrator from accessing the sample memory when a retry mode is enabled. In some embodiments, the time division multiplexing controller is further configured to allocate time slots for one or more clients other than the sample controller, the plurality of detectors, and the noise predictive calibrator.

In some embodiments, an iterative decoding scheme of a read channel includes a buffer for managing data samples transferred between a front-end acquisition module, such as a Viterbi decoder, and a back-end decoder, such as a low-density parity-check (LPDC) decoder. According to several dynamic modes of operation, a plurality of clients that make up a portion of the buffer or work alongside the buffer will simultaneously demand access to data samples stored in the buffer. High bandwidth is often required to maintain data integrity while facilitating access to the clients.

Buffer for managing data samples in a read channel

Avago Technologies General IP (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.


A method for coiling a metal strip that is heat-treated in a furnace immediately before coiling and fed to a coiler at an outlet speed, and then coiled at the coiler at an elevated temperature. The future outlet speed of the metal strip and the heat losses from the metal strip between the furnace and the coiler are calculated via a predictive model and the furnace is controlled by the predictive model such that the metal strip is coiled at a pre-defined temperature within a maximum deviation of +/−5° C.

The inventive embodiments of the disclosure concern a method for coiling a metal strip, and in particular a method where the metal strip is heat-treated in a furnace immediately before the coiling process, fed to a coiler at an outlet speed, and then coiled there in a warm state at a predefined temperature.
In the production of metal strip it has proved very useful to coil certain metals and metal alloys in a warm state. The strip processing step, also referred to as pre-aging, takes place at the end of modern annealing lines for aluminum strip, for example. Here, the strip is heated during a reheating process in a pre-aging furnace. This makes coiling possible in this way at a suitable temperature. As a result of coiling at a suitable temperature and due to the slow cooling-down process of the coil, the material properties of the metal strip can be improved. It is very important here for the strip to be coiled at exactly the temperature defined, if possible.
The metal strips are normally fed to the annealing line as coils, then uncoiled, and re-coiled again at the end of the line. In order to make continuous operation possible in the annealing line, the tail of a leading strip is joined to the head of the following strip, referred to herein as a "strip connection", which can be by welding or stitching, for example. The metal strip can be coiled at the end of the line at a higher speed. Here, outlet speeds in the region of 200 m/min are possible; however this speed must be reduced considerably for a coil change and for cutting through the metal strip. In some cases, the metal strips also have to be halted briefly, for setting the trimming shears for example. In order to ensure that the metal strip can still pass through the annealing furnace continuously at a constant speed, a looper is provided before and after the annealing furnace to absorb the different inlet and outlet speeds of the metal strip.
As already mentioned above, there is also another furnace in the outlet section in many cases, also known as the pre-aging furnace. This furnace is also referred to in professional circles as a bake-hardening furnace, pre-bake furnace, reheating furnace, or paint-bake furnace. The metal strip is heated there, to a temperature between 50° C. and 150° C., for example, so that it can be coiled at a defined temperature. As a result of the changing outlet speed, the dwell times of the metal strip in the pre-aging furnace also change and with them the temperature of the metal strip. In existing plants, therefore, the strip temperature is measured shortly before the coiler, and the pre-aging furnace is controlled according to the temperature measured there so that the strip temperature at the coiler remains as constant as possible.
With this control system, however, the strip temperature can only be kept constant by +/−10° C. because of relatively sluggish reaction times in the furnace. However, the strip temperature accuracy that can be achieved in this way is too inexact or variable for some applications wherein a deviation of even 1-2° C. can impact the material properties.
It would thus be useful to provide a method or system that controls the strip temperature more accurately during coiling.

Method for controlling the coiling temperature of a metal strip


A method for purifying bone-derived TGF-xcex2 proteins including an anion exchange process, a cation exchange process, and a reverse phase HPLC process, and optionally, a filtration process, a Heparin-Sepharose process, and/or a reverse phase HPLC desalting process. The filtration process preferably selects proteins having a nominal molecular weight between approximately 10 kilodaltons and approximately 100 kilodaltons. Preferably, the anion exchange process uses a strongly cationic resin having quaternary amine functional groups. Preferably, the cation exchange process uses a strongly anionic resin having sulfonic acid functional groups. The TGF-xcex2 proteins can be eluted from the reverse phase HPLC column with an acetonitrile solution in combination with aqueous trifluoracetic acid. The purification processes yield highly enriched TGF-xcex21 and TGF-xcex22 proteins.

The present invention relates generally to methods for production of transforming growth factor xcex2 (TGF-xcex2) and, more particularly, to methods for purification of transforming growth factor xcex2 from mammalian bone tissue.
Transforming growth factor xcex2 (TGF-xcex2) proteins are multi-functional cytokines active in regulating growth, differentiation, and morphogenesis in a wide variety of both normal and neoplastic cell types. These growth factors share related biological activities such as chemotactic attraction of cells, promoting cell differentiation and cartilage- and bone-growth induction. TGF-xcex2 is a 25,000 MW homodimer consisting of two 12,500 subunits bound together by nine disulphide bridges. There are three potential N-linked glycosylation sites in the precursor portion of the protein, all of which appear to be used. At least five different forms of TGF-xcex2 (TGF-xcex2 1 to TGF-xcex2 5) have been identified and the sequence homology between the different forms of the mature TGF-xcex2 peptides range from 64-82%. The sequence homology between the precursor sequences is somewhat lower, averaging about 40%. All are functionally homologous although there is some difference in TGF-xcex2 receptor binding properties. TGF-xcex2 has been shown to be an effective cell growth promoter, particularly with epithelial cells, and the use of TGF-xcex2 as a wound healing agent has been demonstrated. It would therefore be desirable to provide methods for producing TGF-xcex2 in relatively large quantities. It would be particularly desirable to provide methods for the purification of TGF-xcex2 from mammalian tissue.
Bones include many proteins, some of which induce or promote bone growth. A great deal of research has been directed to producing specific osteoinductive proteins primarily by recombinant DNA techniques or by purification of the naturally occurring proteins. Such proteins and a variety of processes for obtaining them are the subject of numerous patents. However, very little work has been directed to the economic, large scale commercial production of the naturally occuring protein.
Collagen Corporation of Palo Alto, Calif. is the assignee of a number of patents directed to osteoinductive proteins. U.S. Pat. No. 4,434,094 by Seyedin et al., issued Feb. 28, 1984 identifies a process to partially purify an osteogenic factor and isolate a non-fibrous protein having a molecular weight less than 30 kilodaltons (kD) from demineralized bone extract using cation exchange chromatography. A partially purified bone-inducing factor of 10 to 30 kD and the purification process including extraction from demineralized bone, gel filtration, and cation exchange chromatography on a carboxymethyl cellulose column, and which may include reverse phase-high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,627,982 by Seyedin et al., issued Dec. 9, 1986. Also by Seyedin et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,774,228 issued Sep. 27, 1988, describes two 26 kD proteins found in bone having activity in a TGF-xcex2 assay and purified using a process similar to that taught in Seyedin""s ""094 patent but including reverse phase HPLC or acetic acid-urea gel electrophoresis, where the purified proteins exhibit chondrogenic activity (purportedly related to bone formation). U.S. Pat. No. 4,863,732 by Nathan et al., issued Sep. 5, 1989 is directed to an injectable solution of an osteogenic factor such as that described in Seyedin""s ""982 patent, combined with atelopeptide collagen and further purified by coprecipitation. Other patents relate to mixtures of atelopeptide collagen material, e.g. U.S. Pat. No. 4,789,663 by Wallace et al., issued Dec. 6, 1988 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,795,467 by Piez et al. issued Jan. 3, 1989.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,804,744 by Sen, issued Feb. 14, 1989 identifies a primary osteogenic protein (P3) with a molecular weight of about 22 to 24 kD. This patent also identifies proteins P2 and P4 which are nonosteogenic without P3, and further identifies a method for isolating P3 from demineralized bone tissue including extraction, dialysis, gel filtration and HPLC steps.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,290,763, 5371,191 and 5,563,124 to Poser et al., Poser et al., and Damien et al. respectively describe isolation of a growth factor mixture by a multi-step procedure which preferably includes preparing the bone for extraction of proteins by grinding, cleaning, and demineralizing the bone, extracting the bone proteins, and concentrating the extracted proteins by multiple purification steps.
There is a need for a process to efficiently isolate TGF-xcex2 proteins from a natural source on a commercial scale. It would also be beneficial if such proteins could be produced in a manner designed to minimize degradation of such proteins while maximizing production. It would also be beneficial if such proteins could be produced using relatively well-known unit operations in a process which is tolerant of minor variations in process conditions.

Isolation of purified TGF- xcex21 and TGF -xcex22 from bone tissue


The processing system described by the invention comprises a memory means for storing print information and a printer for printing the print information stored in the memory means. The printing means using exchangeable printing material to print the print information. The printer has a detector which detects when the printing material is used up. The processing system further includes a controller for controlling the printer which in response to the detection of the using-up of the printing material, stops the printer. After the used-up printing material is exchanged, the controller restarts the printer and the remaining portion of the print information is printed, connected to the earlier portion in a smooth manner and that there is no evidence of the interruption. print information when the printing material is used up in the middle of the printing of the print information. The controller restarts the printer to print the remaining portion of the print information in connection to the portion of the print information has been printed after the used-up printing material is exchanged.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a processing system, such as a work processor, which has a printer using an exchangeable ink ribbon which prints documents including characters, symbols, ruled lines or graphic patterns.
2. Description of Related Prior Arts
In a processing system such as a word processing system, a printer is used for printing such things as characters, symbols, and graphic patterns on material such as a sheet of paper. The printer often uses a one-time ink ribbon incorporated within a cassette. For example, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,387,380, a thermal transfer printing system uses the one-time ink ribbon cassette wherein a ribbon tape of polyester is coated with pigment or dye such as carbon black which is dispersed in a heat fusible binder.
When using the one-time ink ribbon for printing, the ink ribbon must be exchanged for a new one once it has been exhausted from the leading through trailing ends. Therefore the printer using such one-time ink ribbon usually includes a ribbon-end detector which detects the trailing end of the ink ribbon (hereinafter called "the end of the ink ribbon" for short) Upon such detection printing stops, to stop printing and the processing system asks the operator to exchange the ink ribbon for a new one, since that ink ribbon has been used up. One type of ribbon-end detector having photo couplers is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,387,380; another type of ribbon-end detector is disclosed in Japanese patent (Tokkai-Sho) No. 58-59886.
One example, includes coating the base film of the end portion of the ink ribbon. The pigment-coated portion of the ribbon cannot reflect light, but the metal-coated portion can. In the printer a luminous diode, acting as a light source and a photo transistor, acting as a light sensor are provided so that the photo transistor can sense light from the luminous diode reflected by the metal coated portion of the ink ribbon. A sense signal is only generated when the ink ribbon has been used up and the metal-coated portion of the ribbon comes in front of the luminous diode. The printing system then recognize the exhaustion of the ink ribbon and then stop printing The operator can now exchange the exhausted ink ribbon, or ink ribbon cassette, for a new one.
In a conventional processing system, however, when the ink ribbon is used up and replaced in the middle of printing a line in a document page, the document must be printed again from a print-start position as the top of the page of the start of the unfinished line. The sheet where a portion of the document page had already been printed must be thrown away, and a new sheet inserted.

Processing system with printer using exchangeable ink ribbon


In accordance with the present invention, an MCM substrate product is manufactured in an additive process using multiple layers of a fluoropolymer composite material and copper. The copper layers are plated, and the fluoropolymer composite layers are laminated. A seeding process promotes reliable bonding between the fluoropolymer composite material and the plated copper. The use of the filled fluoropolymeric composite eliminates the need for a barrier metal layer between the insulation and the conductors. The MCM substrate device of the present invention may have multiple metal layers and multiple dielectric layers; four or five, or more, of each in a single structure would be easily achieved and is typical. The structure would include lead lines in separate mutually orthogonal planes (sometimes referred to as "x" and "y" lead lines) sandwiched between ground and power voltage planes of copper. The MCM substrate device of the present invention also has solid copper vias, which may be used either as electrical interconnection between layers of the MCM substrate and/or to the I/C's to be packaged in the module, or as thermal vias for heat conduction for thermal management. The manufacturing process of the present invention makes it possible to start or stop any via in any layer of the device.

This invention relates to the field of multilayer high density interconnect devices, sometimes referred to as multichip modules (MCM). More particularly, this invention relates to the manufacture of substrates for MCM's, and the resulting MCM substrate product, in a process using a thermoplastic fluoropolymer composite material, additive copper plating, insulation lamination, planarization, sputter deposition of copper seed layers and where required, formation of a rigid top layer.
The need for and desireability of substrates for MCM's is well known in the electronic industry. The need for increased density in I/C packaging, increased interconnection capacity, and improved interconnection performance is well known among those involved in VLSI packaging and elsewhere in the electronics industry.
A multichip module can be viewed as a packaging technique in which several I/C chips, which may include complex microprocessor chips, memory chips, etc., are interconnected by a high density substrate. Although substrates for MCM's have been known in general for several years, these known prior art substrates for MCM's typically use thin film polyimide based material systems, and those systems have known deficiencies. Polyimide dielectric materials suffer from poor thermo-mechanical reliability and stability and electrical performance limitations. The polyimide materials are thermosetting, and have high elastic modulus, and there is a significant mismatch, i.e., difference, between the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of the polyimide and the copper-conductors. That all results in high stresses in the polyimide material and in surrounding materials and interfaces during thermal excursions in either or both the manufacturing process for or during use of the MCM substrate. Those stresses can lead to dimensional instabilities, cracking, delamination and other thermo-mechanically related problems. Also, the chemical bond between the polyimide and the copper conductors is weak and sensitive to the presence of water, thus leading to poor reliability of the copper-polyimide interface.
In some manufacturing processes for polyimide-based substrates for MCM's, a liquid form polyimide precursor is applied and then cured; in other processes, a sheet form polyimide prepreg is used. In either case, it is difficult to keep water out of the MCM substrate structure made with polyimides. Water is generated during the polyimide cure, and the polyimide equilibrium water absorption is substantial, often in excess of 1%, and the rate of water uptake can be high. Also, water diffusion rates in polyimides are often high, so any water in a polyimide MCM substrate structure can diffuse quickly to the polyimide-conductor interface to corrode or otherwise degrade the interface. To combat this interface problem, a layer of metal, usually chromium is used as a barrier layer between the polyimide and the copper conductors. While this use of a barrier layer can be successful, it adds significant and expensive processing steps and costs to the manufacture of the MCM substrate structure.
Another point to note about polyimide based substrates for MCM's is that they are thin film structures. The layers of polyimide are typically in the range of 5 to 12 microns in thickness, with conductor line thickness in the range of 2 to 7 microns. Those relatively thin conductor lines mean relatively high resistance and relatively high loss; and both the nature of the polyimide material, per se, and the relatively thin layers used, result in poor electrical insulation characteristics.

Method of manufacture multichip module substrate


A developer collecting device includes a collecting box that accommodates developer discharged from a developing unit, the developing unit accommodating developer including toner and a carrier, the developing unit developing an electrostatic latent image on a development member using the toner in the developer; a guide cylinder that connects the developing unit and the collecting box to each other, the guide cylinder guiding movement of the developer discharged from the developing unit to the collecting box; a transporting member that is disposed in the guide cylinder and extends in a developer transport direction, the transporting member transporting the developer towards the collecting box by rotation of the transporting member; and a rotation controller that controls rotation speed of the transporting member in accordance with conditions that affect a capability of developing the electrostatic latent image on the development member.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a developer collecting device and an image forming apparatus.
2. Summary
According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a developer collecting device including a collecting box that accommodates developer discharged from a developing unit, the developing unit accommodating developer including toner and a carrier, the developing unit developing an electrostatic latent image on a development member using the toner in the developer; a guide cylinder that connects the developing unit and the collecting box to each other, the guide cylinder guiding movement of the developer discharged from the developing unit to the collecting box; a transporting member that is disposed in the guide cylinder and extends in a developer transport direction, the transporting member transporting the developer towards the collecting box by rotation of the transporting member; and a rotation controller that controls rotation speed of the transporting member in accordance with conditions that affect a capability of developing the electrostatic latent image on the development member by the developing unit.

Developer collecting device and image forming apparatus


An abdomen exercising apparatus is disclosed having a back rest supported on two curved supports at two opposite sides of a base thereof by two cranks and two elastic elements, which elastic elements are respectively connected between the curved supports and the cranks to constantly pull up the cranks for permitting the back rest to be disposed at a top position perpendicular to a cushion on the base. The back rest is moved backwards to a bottom position closely attached in line with the cushion as the player sits on cushion and then lies down, and automatically pulled up to the top position by the elastic elements through the cranks as the player sits up. Metal fixing rods may be connected between the curved supports and the cranks to fix the back rest in position.

The present invention is relates to an abdomen exercising apparatus which uses elastic elements to provide an upward strength in helping the player sit up with less effort.
A variety of exercising apparatus have been proposed for use in exercising the muscles of the abdomen, and have appeared on the market. An ordinary exercising apparatus, as shown in FIG. 1, is simply comprised of an abdominal board supported on two opposite stands of different heights. As the abdominal board is tilted when installed, much effort should be applied when sitting up. Therefore, this structure is not suitable for fat persons and the aged.
FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate two different structures of exercising apparatus which can be used for exercising the muscles of the abdomen as well as for other purposes. These two exercising apparatus commonly have a abdominal board that can be adjusted to the horizontal position for exercising the muscles of the abdomen. The abdominal board of the structure of exercising apparatus shown in FIG. 3 can be folded up and supported in the vertical position to support the user's back for permitting the use to sit on the apparatus in doing other exercises. Therefore, these two exercising apparatus give little help to, and fat and old persons.