An ion generating device (1) includes discharge electrodes (21⋅22) each having a plurality of electrically conductive members (25⋅26) which form respective tip surfaces (36⋅37). A longer dimension direction of the tip surfaces (36⋅37) is nonparallel to an air sending direction (A). This allows for efficient release of ions.

An ion generating device has been conventionally used for, for example, indoor air cleaning, sterilization, or deodorization.
An ion generating device generally includes a discharge electrode for generating ions by electric discharge. An ion generating device generates ions by, for example, causing corona discharge to occur between (a) a tip of a discharge electrode to which a high voltage is applied and (b) an induction electrode.
As a discharge electrode for generating ions by thus applying thereto a high voltage, a brush-like discharge electrode including a plurality of fibrous electrically conductive members having bundled roots is known.
Patent Literature 1 discloses a discharge electrode used in a spark plug. A central electrode of Patent Literature is a brush-like discharge electrode constituted by a plurality of extremely thin carbon fibers bound together. A ground electrode is provided opposite to the central electrode such that there is a gap between the ground electrode and a head surface of the central electrode. Release of electrons from the central electrode toward the ground electrode generates a spark between the central electrode and the ground electrode. This ignites an air-fuel mixture supplied into an engine cylinder.
Furthermore, Patent Literature 1 discloses the tip surface of the central electrode having a mortar shape such that a central portion of the tip surface is depressed (that is, such that edge portions of the tip surface are protruding), or, conversely, a mountain shape such that the central portion of the tip surface is protruding. With these shapes, protruding parts of the tip surface are closer to the ground electrode than other parts. Patent Literature 1 discloses that with this configuration, electrons are more readily released from the protruding portions.
Note that dirt or dust adhering to a discharge surface of an ion generating device causes a decrease in an amount of ions generated. As such, in order to prevent such a decrease, it is necessary to periodically clean the discharge surface.
Patent Literature 2 discloses a technique for cleaning a discharge surface of an ion generating device. In Patent Literature 2, a sealing lip is mounted to a shut valve which is rotatably provided in an air conditioning duct. The sealing lip contacts and cleans the discharge surface when the shut valve rotates.

Ion generating device and method for manufacturing ion generating device


Bacterial agents for preparing compositions which are for cosmetic, pharmaceutical or veterinary use and which are intended to stabilize and/or regulate the cutaneous ecosystem of mammals. These bacterial agents being an extract of a bacterium, or a bacterium, selected for their adhesion to skin cells and anti-adhesive to pathogens of the cutaneous system. The invention also relates to compositions containing such agents.

The proliferation of pathogens such as Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes or Propionibacterium acnes, or of certain yeasts, can lead to dysregulation of the cutaneous system, or even more serious disorders of skin or of mucous membranes, such as eczema, candidiases, dermatitises, etc.
Many means of treatment against these pathogenic agents are known. The most conventionally used are antibiotics or chemical antibacterial agents. They are, for example, compositions based on aldehydes and derivatives.
Thus, the published patent application FR 2740039 describes the use of a substance chosen from aldehydes and bifunctional compounds, preferably glutaraldehyde, for inhibiting the attachment of strains of pathogens such as Staphylococcus aureus to keratinocytes and corneocytes.
Thus, hexachlorophene and its derivatives are known as antibacterial substances and are more particularly used against Propionibacterium acnes.
However, these treatments are in general expensive and harmful to both the health and the environment. Alternative, nontoxic treatments are now known which consist in using the antifungal, bactericidal or bacteriostatic properties of certain strains of microorganisms.
Thus, PCT application WO 97/366603 demonstrates the antifungal properties of a strain of Lactobacillus casei.
Other bacterial agents, such as the Bacillus, can also be used on skin or mucous membranes. Specifically, in application WO 98/47374, strains of Bacillus coagulans, Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus laterosporus and Bacillus laevolacticus are used in compositions intended to prevent bacterial, viral or fungal infections of skin or of mucous membranes.
The invention proposes to find a novel bacterial agent capable of controlling and regulating the cutaneous ecosystem in order to improve upon the deficiencies of the prior art.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


A multi-pole group-operated switch configuration is provided for electrical distribution circuits. The switch configuration includes integral arrangements for sensing circuit parameters and supplying power for a switch operator of the switch configuration. The switch configuration includes a plurality of switch-pole units. In accordance with desired characteristics and features, one or more of the switch-pole units includes an integral current-sensing device, an integral voltage-sensing device, or an integral combination voltage and current-sensing device. The voltage-sensing device also provides operating power to power a switch operator and charge the batteries of the switch configuration.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to the field of electrical switches and circuit interrupters, and more particularly to a multi-pole group-operated switch configuration for electric power distribution circuits that includes integral circuit-parameter sensing and power supply arrangements such that the switch configuration is self-contained and requires no external power source.
2. Description of the Related Art
Various switches and circuit interrupters are known as illustrated, for example, by U.S. Pat. No. Re. 27,625; U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,596,906; and 4,752,859. Additionally, various devices and arrangements are known for sensing current and voltage present in electrical distribution circuits; e.g. see U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,351,994, 4,002,976 and 4,700,123.
While the arrangements of the prior art provide useful features, they require external connections and/or distinctly separate devices to obtain signals representing the voltage and current in electrical distribution circuits and a supply of power to operate the switches of the particular switch configuration. In addition to requiring additional components and space, the prior art arrangements are also dependent on the reliability of an external power supply and the external wiring and component connections for both the sensing of parameters that are required to determine appropriate switch operation and for the actual operation of the switch.


A two-step press type transfer operation is made practical by a particular rendering of pictorializations for use upon the transfer sheets. A pictorialization should have a major portion of some object in the center of the pictorialization or a portion of a pictorialization in which a segmentation or division of such pictorialization is to be made so that one portion of the pictorialization may be placed upon one transfer sheet and a second portion of the pictorialization placed upon a second transfer sheet. Substantial straight linear portions of such pictorialization of this area are avoided and the division between the two portion of the image are run along nonlinear borders upon the edge of clearly defined structures within the pictorialization. A translucent flap is also maintained on the edge of the transfer sheet so that upon placing a second transfer sheet over a first pictorialization already applied to a garment or the like, the flap protects the underlying pictorialization from damage by the hot press. The invention allows "seamless" or "wrap around" pictorializations to be applied to garments using presses which are otherwise too small to press the entire transfer sheet at one time.

(1) Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to the field of heat transferable or pressure transferable pattern sheets for use in placing pictorial and design patterns on fabrics and particularly clothing and the like. More particularly, this invention relates to a multi-part transfer sheet by which a so-called "wrap around" or wide "seamless" pattern can be placed upon clothing at the point of sale.
(2) Description of the Prior Art
In general, heat transfer printing involves the use of a so-called transfer sheet having a pictorial or other design representation on the surface rendered in dyes or coloring which are either sublimatic or meltable. Early transfer sheets used printing materials or dyes solid at room temperature, but meltable with the application of heat within the range of 150.degree. to 250.degree. C. so that the transfer sheet could be heated with an iron or the like while pressed against a fabric such as a so-called t-shirt or sweat shirt to transfer the pattern to the fabric from the transfer sheet. Early transfer printing involved frequently the use of a damp cloth or the like placed either upon the transfer or the fabric to form steam when heat was applied to aid in carrying the coloring material or dye into the cloth. Sublimable dyes and printing inks were soon developed, however, which generally superseded the use of steam to draw the coloring matter into the fibers of the fabric.
The transfer sheet is made by initially printing the dyes in a desired pattern on the transfer sheet. Such sheet is usually formed of a stiff paper sheet composition, the pattern being printed in a mirror image of the desired pattern to be applied later to the fabric surface. The transfer sheet is readily handled and shipped without smudging or deterioration and can be stored for long periods until needed without deterioration so long as it is not heated.
There are three broad types of apparatus and processes for applying transfer sheet patterns to fabrics. In one of these the fabric, such as t-shirt or a sweat shirt or the like, is laid out on a flat surface and the transfer sheet is laid upon the fabric in the position at which the pattern is to be applied, after which a hot iron is passed over the surface of the transfer sheet to activate the inks of the transfer sheet and transfer them to the fabric. Alternatively, the transfer sheet may be laid upon the flat surface and the fabric laid over it after which a heated iron is applied to the surface of the fabric. Either one of these procedures are strictly hand operations and are consequently labor intensive and the results may be of variable quality and low satisfaction. However, the process is adaptable and flexible and can be used with a minimum of equipment. The process is usable with various sized transfer sheets, but the quality over a broad expanse of material may be non-uniform and therefore less than desirable.
A second broad type of apparatus commonly employed in heat transfer printing is a flat heated press somewhat like a press for pressing fabrics. Such presses are relatively inexpensive and come in several sizes, of which the most common are 20.times.20 inches or 16.times.20 inches. These presses partially mechanize the transfer process, since, although they are customarily operated by hand, they print or press an entire transfer sheet at one time and generally provide a uniform quality product. Such presses also have the considerable advantage of being cheap and readily usable by unskilled labor so that almost every novelty or clothing establishment can have or afford one. As a consequence, a shop having a press, plus a supply of a variety of transfer sheets with a variety of pictorial representations upon them can maintain only a small inventory of uniform clothing items such as plain white t-shirts in several sizes, yet can sell such t-shirts with a wide variety of pictorial or design patterns upon them by merely transferring various patterns to their surface from a supply or inventory of various transfer sheets using the transfer heat press process as customers order various designs or pictorial representations from the small inventory of actual clothing items. A small establishment with a limited budget may, therefore, provide to its customers as broad a line or selection of patterned shirts or other clothing as can a much larger establishment vends ready made or machine transfer printed clothing requiring a much larger inventory of clothing items. Thus, while the procedure of opening the press, laying the garment in the press, laying the printed heat transfer sheet upon the garment, closing the flat plate of the press upon the transfer and the garment, allowing heat to soak into the transfer and garment (taking from a fraction of a minute to several minutes depending upon the transfer materials) to effect transfer of the pattern from the transfer to the garment, and opening the press and removing the printed garment, is discontinuous, time consuming, laborious and generally costly, it does have the considerable advantage of being less capital or inventory intensive than the more mechanical continuous transfer printing process.
The third type of prior art heat transfer printing uses basically a heated roller with a continuous roll of transfer sheet material and a continuous roll of fabric material which are rapidly fed to the printing apparatus in face to face relationship. The entire apparatus comprises a series of rollers, including the heated roller against which the transfer sheet material may be pressed together with the fabric by a third sheet-like material referred to as an "endless blanket" or backing material. Other arrangements for such machine-type printing have also been used, generally involving the use of a continuous transfer sheet material which during the operation is pressed while heated against the material to be printed to transfer the desired pattern. Such processes are relatively fast, accurate and capital intensive rather labor intensive. Such apparatus and processes are, therefore, suitable for high productions of identical products in an industrial or semi-industrial setting.
The common transfer printing operation using a press such as found in small shops or, not infrequently, in large shops where it is desired to limit inventory, is as indicated above, usually limited to a 20.times.20 or 16.times.20 inch or smaller field due to the limited size of presses available in most establishments. Large presses can be obtained, but being more capital intensive and not significantly faster and not providing significantly better quality, are not popular. Rather than purchasing a larger press for larger sized transfer, it may be more economical to purchase or maintain an increased inventory of machine transfer printed materials. In some cases, furthermore, it has been possible to print adjoining pictorial material on the same garment by multiple use of the same press. For example, if pictorial material is to be transferred to both the back and front of a garment, the garment can be transfer printed consecutively in the same press. Unfortunately, it has not been possible in most cases to register or to bring adjoining pictorial representations together as a unit, i.e. print larger pictorial representations in two separate steps, because of a visible seam or line either in the form of an open space or gap across the pictorial representation or in the form of a darker line visible at the registration or merging point due to overlap both due to transverse misalignment or of a visible demarcation in the form of a slight vertical or longitudinal misalignment. Very small misalignments of mere fractions of a millimeter may become highly visible because of cumulative visual cues. While a machine transfer printing process, furthermore, may be able to counteract such misalignments by accurate operation of the machinery and transfer process, such extreme accuracy is not possible in the manual use of an ordinary transfer press. Contiguous use of the hot press on adjacent portions of the final design have also tended to cause blurring and distortion of the pictorial design.
In recent years so-called "seamless" or "wrap-around" designs have become quite popular. These are designs which extend from arm pit to arm pit on a t-shirt or a sweat shirt. Such designs are nominally twenty-six inches across and cannot, therefore, be fitted into the usually available size of press. All such "seamless" designs have had, therefore, to be machine printed or machine transfer printed and have not been producible on the premises of most shops unless such shop could afford the more complicated machine printing apparatus or a larger manual press which larger press is not usually economically viable compared to stocking additional inventory for most establishments. Attempts have been made to produce the seamless designs in two steps with the usual press equipment. However, the seam or delineation border has always been visible between the two parts in the final product.
The present inventor has discovered that it is possible to produce such seamless designs by use of the usual sized presses by the use of a novel two section or multipartite transfer sheet or sheets carefully made to de-emphasize the connection or registration point between the designs and provided with a heat shield to protect the first applied design representation from the second press operation. Such two-part transfer can be quickly and easily made in the usual shop having a conventional press. This enables the average sales establishment that relies upon on-site press type transfer operations, in order to reduce any necessary inventory, to provide "seamless" or "wrap-around" designs on fabrics and particularly on t-shirts, sweat shirts and the like. The press can, of course, also apply the more traditional sized transfer designs.

Transfer sheet assembly for wrap around design and method for making and using


A double-joint suspension system for a steerable wheel of a vehicle includes suspension arms connecting a vehicle body and a knuckle arm, consisting of a first suspension arm located approximately in a lateral direction and a second suspension arm in which an angle between a longitudinal axis and the second arm is smaller than an angle between the first arm and the axis, a first elastic member between the body and the first arm, a second elastic member between the body and the second arm a first connecting member rotatably connecting the knuckle and the first arm and a second connecting member rotatably connecting the knuckle and the second arm.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a double-joint type suspension system for use with a steerable wheel of a vehicle, and more particularly to a double-joint type suspension system for a steerable wheel in which behavior of an axle in a steered direction at the beginning of steering is made smooth.
2. Description of the Related Art
In the field of a suspension system for a vehicle, as a suspension type for use with a steerable wheel, a so-called double-joint type suspension system is well known, in which two suspension arms are connected to a knuckle arm with two ball joints, respectively.
In the conventional double-joint type suspension system, it has been proposed that an elastic characteristic of a vehicle body side bushing of one suspension arm in which an angle between such suspension arm and a longitudinal axis of the vehicle is smaller than an angle between the other suspension arm and the longitudinal axis be made nonlinear in order to reduce a drag on steering. See, for example, JP4-238707A.
In the typical double-joint type suspension system, the ball joints connecting the suspension arms and the knuckle arm are configured to have some friction torques (friction drags) in order to provide a response (i.e. reaction force) to a driver when steering. However, if such friction torques of the ball joints are excessive, then those act as drags on steering when the driver steers, especially at the beginning of steering.
In the conventional double-joint type suspension system, because no attention is paid to such drags on steering generated in wheel side ball joints of the suspension arms and therefore those are not adequately reduced, those may give to the driver of the vehicle the impression that smoothness of the behavior of the axle in the steered direction is not enough, especially at the beginning of steering.

Double-joint type suspension for steerable wheel


A memory device, comprising: read circuits coupled to a plurality of memory elements programmable between at least two different resistance states, the read circuits generating output values based on resistance states of selected memory elements in a read operation; and current limit circuits that limit a current flow through each memory element to less than a program threshold current; wherein the program threshold current corresponds to a current that flows through a memory element being programmed to cause its resistance to change to a resistance between that of two different resistance states.

Conventional resistive memory devices can store data values by programming resistive memory elements between two different resistance states: a high resistance (Roff) and a low resistance (Ron). A memory element can be programmed from a high resistance to a low resistance by applying electrical conditions that create a programming voltage across the memory element, resulting in a programming current flowing through the memory element.
A conventional resistive element programming operation is shown in FIG. 15. FIG. 15 is a graph showing an element resistance (Relement) (on a logarithmic scale) versus a programming current (Iprog) (on a logarithmic scale) in a programming operation. The programming operation programs an element from a high resistance state to a low resistance state (shown by "Roff to Ron").
In the conventional programming operation shown, a low resistance state (Ron) can correspond to a maximum current (Imax) allowed to flow through a memory element in the programming operation.
Conventionally, data values stored in resistive memory elements are determined with read operations. In a conventional read operation, a resistance of the memory elements is sensed. Typically, electrical conditions can be applied that cause a read current to flow through the memory elements being read.
A known problem with conventional resistive memory devices is "read disturb". A read disturb occurs when a read operation (or number of read operations) cause a memory element that was in a high resistance state to unexpectedly change to a low resistance state, thus creating an erroneous data value.

Resistive memory devices, circuits and methods having read current limiting


A negative electrode sheet of a lithium-ion secondary battery has a negative electrode current collector and a negative electrode active material layer on the negative electrode current collector. The negative electrode active material layer contains flake graphite particles and has a first region neighboring the negative electrode current collector and a second region neighboring a surface side that are different in perpendicularity of the graphite particles. The perpendicularity of the graphite particles is defined as (m1/m2), where, when the inclination θn of each of the graphite particles is specified relative to a surface of the negative electrode current collector, m1 is the number of the graphite particles having an inclination θn of 60°≦θn≦90° and m2 is the number of the graphite particles having an inclination θn of 0°≦θn≦30°.

Regarding such a lithium-ion secondary battery, JP 2003-197189 A, for example, discloses a method of manufacturing a negative electrode for the lithium-ion secondary battery. The method of manufacturing the negative electrode includes coating a substrate material with a paste in which graphite powder and a binder agent are dispersed in a solvent. Next, the (002) planes of graphite particles contained in the graphite powder are aligned in the same direction in a magnetic field. Then, in this state, the solvent is removed and the graphite powder is solidified by the binder agent.
According to such a manufacturing method of the lithium-ion secondary battery, the (002) planes of the graphite particles contained in the negative electrode are oriented with each other in the same direction between the graphite particles, and the positive electrode can be disposed in the direction of the (002) planes. For that reason, it is stated that the lithium ions transferred between the negative electrode and the positive electrode can smoothly enter the interspace between the layers from the edge portion of the graphite layer.
Likewise, JP 2003-197182 A, JP 2004-220926 A, and JP H09 (1997)-245770 A, for example, disclose that, in the negative electrode for lithium-ion secondary batteries, graphite particles are magnetic-field aligned to cause the 002 planes of the graphite particles stand upright relative to the negative electrode current collector.


A brake rotor for an automotive vehicle braking system includes a brake rotor hat having a generally circular mounting portion, a generally cylindrical wall connected to the mounting portion and being generally symmetrical about an axis, and first and second pluralities of fingers extending radially outward from the wall. Each of the first plurality of fingers and each of the second plurality of fingers has a respective terminal end portion. The terminal end portions of the first plurality of fingers are coplanar about a first plane. The terminal end portions of the second plurality of fingers are not coplanar about the first plane, and are coplanar about a second plane that is parallel with the first plane. A rotor cheek may be cast around the fingers.

A disc brake rotor for a motor vehicle typically includes a rotor hat for connecting to an axle hub and wheel of the motor vehicle. An annular rotor cheek is connected to the rotor hat and defines a pair of mutually opposed braking surfaces onto which brake pads are selectively applied when braking is desired. The rotor cheek may be solid or vented. Vented rotor cheeks includes a web of ventilation vanes between the braking surfaces to increase surface area and heat transfer from the brake rotor.
A disc brake system typically includes a caliper that supports a mutually opposed pair of brake pads, with each brake pad overlying a respective rotor cheek braking surface. The brake system selectively resists rotation of the wheel by causing the caliper to press the brake pads upon the braking surfaces of the one or more rotor cheeks. Frictional interaction between the one or more rotating rotor cheeks and non-rotating brake pads causes braking of the motor vehicle.

Brake rotor and method of manufacturing the same


Described is a portable sun visor comprising a sun shielding member, an adjustable support arm, and a mounting member, said mounting member comprising a plurality of different attachment members for fastening the sun visor to an object. One of the attachment members is a clamp featuring a stationary first jaw that is defined by a handle portion of the mounting member near a distal end of the handle that lies opposite the support arm, and a movable second jaw pivotally connected to the handle portion at an intermediate location thereon. The mouth of the clamp points toward the distal end of the handle portion, where a blade extends parallel to the handle on a side thereof opposite the clamp. The blade is insertable into a vehicle door on the inside surface of a window to hold the sun shielding member in position at that window.

Portable and adjustable sun visors are suitable for use in an automotive vehicle or attached to a personal object such as a chair, a child's car seat, or a stroller. These visors are intended to provide sun protection to the user in settings where sun protection might not otherwise be readily available. Portable and adjustable sun visors are particularly suited to use in a vehicle to provide sun protection in areas that are not shaded by the built-in sun visor.
Portable sun shades or visors are known, such as those described in GB 2216082, U.S. Pat. No. 5,033,528, U.S. Pat. No. 6,981,733, US 2011/0156435, US 2012/0292941, US 2011/0042995, and U.S. D308355. However, there remains a desire for a portable sun shade that can be easily attached to various types of supports and that can be readily positioned and repositioned within a vehicle to meet the needs of a driver.

Portable sun visor with a plurality of attachment members


A safety device for a cycle which may comprise a housing (1) with at least a translucent window provided therein, an electrical power supply (5) mounted within the housing, an electrical lamp (14) connected to the power supply via switch means (11), (12), one contact (11) of which is movable in response to rotary motion of the housing (1) into engagement with a fixed contact (12), and means (16), (17) provided on the housing (1) for attaching device to a least one spoke of a cycle wheel.

This invention relates to safety devices for cycles in the sense of making the presence of cycles, in use, more apparent to third party observers. Cyclists run the risk of not being seen at night time or whenever the ambient lighting conditions are poor, even when standard front and rear lamps are in use. Indeed, cyclists are often not seen in good daylight conditions. One particular vulnerability for cyclists, especially in poor lighting conditions, is that from the side, the front and rear lamps are not normally visible.

Cotswold, 4 Holmemoor Drive, Sonning-on-Thames


A method includes obtaining historical storage resource utilization data for a given set of storage resources of one or more storage systems, and generating a plurality of model-specific storage resource capacity predictions utilizing the historical storage resource utilization data and respective ones of a plurality of time series capacity prediction forecasting models. The method also includes selecting a subset of the model-specific storage resource capacity predictions having one or more designated characteristics, determining an overall storage resource capacity prediction based at least in part on a combination of the selected subset of the model-specific storage resource capacity predictions, and modifying a provisioning of storage resources of the one or more storage systems based at least in part on the overall storage resource capacity prediction.

Information processing systems may provision storage resources of various storage systems for use by different users. The different users, for example, may have associated storage pools each comprising storage resources provisioned from one or more storage systems. To ensure that available storage resources in the storage pools do not run out, it may be desired to provide storage capacity predictions to the users. Due to varying storage usage patterns of the different users, however, it is difficult to accurately predict storage capacity needs over time.

Storage resource capacity prediction utilizing a plurality of time series forecasting models


A substrate structure is provided. The substrate structure includes a substrate and a carrier. The substrate includes a first through hole, a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface. The first through hole penetrates the substrate for connecting the first surface and the second surface. The carrier includes a second through hole, a release layer, an insulating paste layer and a metal layer. The insulating paste layer is disposed between the release layer and the metal layer. The carrier is attached to the second surface with the release layer thereof. The second through hole corresponds to the first through hole and penetrates the carrier for exposing the first through hole.

1. Technical Field
The invention relates to a substrate structure and a manufacturing method thereof and particularly relates to a substrate structure that a substrate and a carrier are separable and a manufacturing method thereof.
2. Description of Related Art
Circuit substrates are used in a variety of electronic products for electrical signal conduction, power supply, and ground connection. Owing to the trend of miniaturization of electronic products, the development of circuit substrates also aims at becoming lighter and thinner and having higher circuit intensity. However, during the chip packaging process, the thinner and lighter substrates are commonly found with issues such as cracking or defective wiring. To increase the yield rate of the process as well as the working efficiency, it is common to have a plurality of non-defective substrates adhered onto a carrier by using an adhesive layer to increase the rigidity of the overall substrate structure. Then, the adhered substrates and carrier are sent to the subsequent chip packaging process.
Nevertheless, when the substrate is designed with a gas aperture for ventilation or a sound hole for resonance to meet some special requirements, the gas in the gas aperture or the sound hole may be heated and expanded in the thermal compression process or other high temperature processes. The expanded gas then presses the carrier covering the gas aperture or sound hole, making the substrate released from the carrier during the process and thus influencing the yield rate of the process. Thus, a method that is capable of stably bonding the substrate and the carrier during a manufacturing process while easily separating the substrate and the carrier is certainly needed in this field.

Substrate structure and manufacturing method thereof


Apparatus for use with a light box having a high output light source contained within a housing includes a rotatable turret assembly capable of supporting a corresponding number of optical fiber bundles. The turret assembly is eccentrically mounted relative to an illumination axis of the contained light source. A glass rod is fixedly disposed at substantially the focal point of an exiting beam of the light source along the illumination axis, allowing each of the supported fiber bundles to be selectively rotated into and out of alignment to provide efficient light coupling while preventing premature degradation of the optical fibers while electrically isolating the turret assembly.

Because of their effectiveness and ease of use, fiberoptic illumination systems have become widely used in medical examination devices such as otoscopes, skin surface microscopes, and the like. The fiberoptic light bundles used in such systems are able to provide bright illumination over considerable distances because light is transmitted through the fiber bundles using the highly efficient process of internal reflection. Such fiberoptic light bundles also have a flexibility which makes them easy to manipulate and steer, properties which are particularly important in instruments such as endoscopes which are used inside a patient's body.
Because of the wide variety of applications in which fiberoptic light bundles are used, they are made in a wide range of sizes such as, for example, 2.5 to 12.5 mm. In addition to being made in different sizes, fiberoptic light bundles are manufactured with a variety of different types of fiberoptic connectors.
Existing adapters allow light boxes to be used with different sizes and types of fiber optic connectors. One type of such adapter, referred to as "universal" adapters (sometimes referred to as nose adapters), such as those described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,232,934 (Feinbloom), U.S. Pat. No. 4,497,523 (Feinbloom) and U.S. Pat. No. 5,594,826 (Wood et al). include a housing attached to the front panel of the light box and includes an opening which allows a single male fiber optic connector to be inserted and removed. The adapter opening can be adjusted to allow fiber light bundles of different sizes to be connected to the contained light source.
Another type of light box adapter is a rotatable turret assembly having a plurality of female connectors of different sizes, such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,831,017 (Auer) and U.S. Pat. No. 4,773,723 (Cuda), among others. Being rotatable, the turret assembly allows a specific fiber light bundle to be coupled to a female connector and selectively indexed into alignment with the contained light source.
A constraint using either adapter is that some light sources have a light output which is sufficient to degrade conventional fiber bundles. To that end, there is a general desire to be able to couple illumination fiber bundles to a high output light box without degradation of the coupled fiber bundles.


A door arrangement for an aircraft landing gear bay includes a drive mechanism that is asymmetrically located on one side of the door, but symmetrically applies the opening and closing torque to a longitudinally centered location on the pivot axis of the door, to avoid twisting, bending or jamming of the door. The door includes a cover plate mounted on a support frame and a hollow pivot shaft. The door pivots about the axis of the pivot shaft, which is supported in two pivot bearings. The drive mechanism applies a torque to a drive shaft that extends coaxially into the hollow pivot shaft. The drive shaft is connected to the hollow pivot shaft by a torque-transmitting connection only at a location centered along the length of the pivot shaft between the two pivot bearings.

This application is based on and claims the priority under 35 U.S.C. xc2xa7119 of German Patent Application 100 34 989.7, filed on Jul. 19, 2000, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
The invention relates to a drive or operating mechanism for opening and closing the flap door or doors of the landing gear bay of an aircraft.
The landing gear of large transport aircraft are typically retractable into a landing gear bay or well, and the opening of this landing gear bay is then covered by a flap door arrangement that may include one or more rather large one-piece or multi-component doors. Due to the required light-weight construction, the rather large door panels generally do not have a very high twisting stiffness, so that special considerations apply for the design of a drive or operating mechanism for opening and closing these doors. Namely, if the drive mechanism is only coupled to one side of the door, then the door will have a substantial tendency to twist or bend, especially while opening and closing due to the non-symmetrical application of force. Such twisting or bending of the door can lead to temporary or permanent malfunctions, mis-alignments, jamming, and the like.
For this reason, it has been necessary to apply the opening and closing force to each individual bay door in a symmetrical arrangement, i.e. at a location at the center of the door or the center of the longitudinal edge of the door. To achieve this, various combinations of actuators such as hydraulic motors or jacks have been conventionally installed directly in the landing gear bay, with further transmission arrangements connected to the bay door or doors. Alternatively, the drive is supported on an additional mounting structure at the center of the bay door. As a further possible alternative, two separate, yet synchronized drives are respectively arranged at the two sides of each individual bay door, to apply balanced and synchronized opening and closing forces to both sides of the door so as to avoid bending or twisting thereof.
Moreover, especially in large transport aircraft, it is typical to cover the horizontal opening of the landing gear bay using a plurality of flap doors or door components that cooperate with each other. In this case, each individual door is respectively equipped with its own separate drive for operating this door.
All of the above mentioned conventionally known arrangements suffer serious disadvantages due to their rather complicated and thus sensitive and not particularly robust structures. Namely, the complicated arrangements suffer a rather high rate of operating problems, with a corresponding high requirement for inspection, maintenance and repair in order to achieve a reliable functioning of the landing gear bay doors. Moreover, efforts to reduce the degree of twisting or bending of large bay doors by instead providing a greater number of smaller bay doors, give rise to aerodynamic penalties, because the respective edges of the adjoining bay doors cause an aerodynamic resistance and have other undesirable effects on the aerodynamic flow conditions along the fuselage in the bay door area. Thus, for aerodynamic reasons, a single or integral bay door is preferred. On the other hand, as mentioned above, such large single or integral bay doors suffer the problem of a relatively low twisting stiffness, which therefore require special considerations in the design and arrangement of the drive mechanism.
It is further desirable to provide only a single door drive mechanism that applies the drive force symmetrically and particularly in a centered manner to the respective bay door, rather than providing two synchronized drives at opposite side edges of the door, for the purposes of saving weight, cost, and complexity. On the other hand, such a centered drive arrangement involves the drive itself or transmission or coupling components being located in an area of the landing gear bay that is generally xe2x80x9cin the wayxe2x80x9d or a hindrance for other components and functions, as well as being exposed to damage by any foreign objects may enter the landing gear bay from the outside when the bay doors are open.
In view of the above, it is an object of the invention to provide a simple, yet robust drive mechanism for aircraft landing gear bay doors, especially in connection with a landing gear bay door having the lowest possible number of individual parts for covering the open area of the landing gear bay. It is a further object of the invention to provide an asymmetrical arrangement of a drive motor, actuator, or other drive prime mover, while still applying the drive force to the individual bay door in an advantageous manner to avoid twisting or bending of the door during its operation. Another object of the invention is to avoid the arrangement of the drive and transmission components in the open area of the landing gear bay to thereby avoid the danger of damage to such components by foreign bodies that might enter the landing gear bay when the bay doors are open during take-off and landing of the aircraft. The invention further aims to avoid or overcome the disadvantages of the prior art, and to achieve additional advantages, as apparent from the present specification.
The above objects have been achieved according to the invention in an operable landing gear bay door arrangement for an aircraft, wherein a door flap is supported on a pivot support shaft that is hollow along at least a partial length thereof, and preferably along the entire length thereof, and that in turn is pivotably supported in two bearings. A drive shaft extends coaxially in the hollow interior of the pivot support shaft, and is connected to the pivot support shaft by a torque-transmitting connection near the longitudinal center thereof. The drive shaft is connected to a drive such as a hydraulic motor, an electric motor, a hydraulic jack, a screw jack, or any other known type of actuator, either directly or through a gear drive, a transmission linkage, or a drive lever, or the like, so as to exert a torsional moment onto the drive shaft. This torsional moment is transmitted from the drive shaft to the pivot support shaft through the torque-transmitting connection therebetween. Along the length of the drive shaft extending coaxially in the hollow interior of the pivot support shaft, the drive shaft is not connected to the pivot support shaft, but rather is freely twistable, pivotable, and flexible therein to a limited extent, because of the provision of an annular clearance gap therebetween.
In the above manner, while the drive itself is arranged asymmetrically to one side of the bay door, the drive force is applied to the bay door at a generally centered location, so as to have a symmetrical influence on the door and thereby avoid twisting or bending thereof. The force-transmitting connection between the drive shaft and the pivot support shaft can be carried out in a positive form-locking manner or in a force-locking manner such as by a frictional or press-fit connection. The preferred connection is a form-locking connection, and may further be secured with a pin, screw, bolt or rivet.

Drive mechanism for an aircraft landing gear bay door


Methods are provided for evaluating an oocyte for fertilization and implantation. For example, methods are provided for determining whether an oocyte expresses, or does not express, one or more of a group of markers identified as differently expressed between chromosomally normal and chromosomally abnormal oocytes. Also provided, for example, are methods for determining whether a cumulus cell expresses, or does not express, one or more of a group of markers identified as differently expressed between cumulus cells associated with chromosomally normal oocytes and cumulus cells associated with chromosomally abnormal oocytes. Methods are provided for the detection of marker expression of differentially expressed genes at the RNA level, as well as at the protein level.

Chromosome anomaly affects over 20% of oocytes obtained from women in their early thirties and this prevalence more than doubles as women enter their forties. These chromosome abnormalities are almost always lethal to the developing embryo and their high prevalence is responsible for many failed in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatments. Consequently the identification of chromosomally normal oocytes is of great importance for IVF treatment.
A number of clinical (e.g. preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) and preimplantation genetic screening (PGS)) and scientific studies, employing various cytogenetic techniques, have demonstrated that in patients with indications for PGD and PGS, at least two-thirds of human preimplantation embryos contain aneuploid cells (Delhanty et al., 1997, Human Genetics 99:755-760; Munné and Cohen, 1998, Human Reproduction Update 4:842-855; Wells and Delhanty, 2000, Mol Hum Repro 6:1055-1062; Voullaire et al., 2002, Mol Hum Repro 8:1035-1041; Voullaire et al., 2000, Hum Gen 106:210-217; Coonen et al., 2001, Hum Repro 19:316-324; Baart et al., 2007, Prenatal Diag 27:55-63). It is has also been demonstrated that 85% of embryos produced in vitro and transferred into the uterus fail to develop into an infant, leaving only a small fraction destined to become a live birth (Kovalevsky and Patrizio, 2005, Fertility and Sterility 84:325-330). To address this low competence rate, usually multiple oocytes and embryos are produced during IVF. But to minimize the risk of a high-order multiple pregnancy (e.g. triplets, quads, etc) usually only 2 or 3 embryos are transferred to the uterus. A great challenge for physicians is identifying which embryos are the most likely to result in a pregnancy and ensure that these embryos are among the limited number selected for transfer to the uterus.
Methods for identifying healthy oocytes and embryos based upon morphological assessments have not been very successful (for review, see Patrizio et al., 2007, Repro BioMedicine Online 15:346-353). In addition to morphological assessments, some clinics also employ cytogenetic assessments. Oocytes can be tested for aneuploidy by biopsy of the first and second polar bodies and subjecting them to cytogenetic analysis. The detection of extra or missing chromosomes in a polar body is indicative of a reciprocal loss or gain of chromosomes in the corresponding oocyte. Embryos derived from chromosomally normal oocytes can be given priority for transfer during assisted reproduction, potentially improving outcome by avoiding transfer of embryos carrying deleterious aneuploidies. But, classical cytogenetic techniques are difficult to apply to polar bodies, due to problems of obtaining high quality chromosome spreads. For this reason, the vast majority of chromosomal tests performed on polar bodies have employed fluorescence in-situ hybridization (FISH). Using FISH, it is possible to assess 5-12 chromosomes in individual polar bodies/oocytes regardless of chromosome morphology (Verlinsky et al., 1998, J Assisted Repro & Gen 15:285-289; Kuliev et al., 2003, Repro Biomed Online 6:54-59; Pujol et al., 2003, Eur J Hum Gen 11:325-326). However, this method examines only less than half of the chromosomes. In addition, the removal of a cell is an invasive procedure that may damage the embryo.
More recently, comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) has been used to assess the copy number of chromosomes in polar bodies and oocytes, although to date most analyses have been performed in a research context (Wells et al., 2002, Fertility and Sterility 78:543-549; Gutierrez-Mateo et al., 2004, Hum Repro 19:2118-2125; Fragouli et al. 2006, Cyto Gen Res 114:30-38; Fragouli et al., 2006, Hum Repro 21:2319-2328). CGH has the major advantage that every chromosome is analyzed, rather than the limited subset assessed using FISH, but it is a time-consuming and labor-intensive method that is difficult to perform within the limited time available for preimplantation testing.
Studies conducting gene expression analysis using reverse transcription followed by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) have found that specific genes display alterations in activity that may be related to oocyte or embryo quality and competence (Wells et al., 2005, Fertility and Sterility 84:343-355; Dode et al., 2006, Mol Repro Devel 73:288-297; Russell et al., 2006, Mol Repro Devel 73:1255-1270), and that morphologically abnormal preimplantation embryos frequently display atypical patterns of gene expression (Wells et al., 2005, Fertility and Sterility 84:343-355). Despite the accuracy and sensitivity of real-time PCR, the method is limited by the restricted number of genes that can be assessed for each oocyte or embryo, generally less than 10 genes.
Reproductive medicine would benefit greatly from a method capable of the noninvasive characterization and identification of those oocytes or embryos most likely to result in successful fertilization and implantation by measuring the level of marker expression associated with oocyte competence and oocyte incompetence. The present invention fulfills this need.


A sheet processing apparatus for an image forming apparatus is configured so as to be capable of preventing the misalignment of the end edge of sheets to be scooped and transported from an intermediate tray, and reliably preventing the so-called displacement of end edges in the post-processing steps of sheets as a recording medium with an image formed thereon, and thereby preventing the inferior appearance during binding. A sheet folding apparatus enables a user to easily adjust the misalignment of the fold line of sheets that occurs during actual use, in the middle folding processing steps of sheets as a recording medium with an image formed thereon.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a sheet folding apparatus for folding a sheet-shaped recording medium, a sheet processing apparatus having this sheet folding apparatus and which conducts saddle stitch binding and the like, and an image forming apparatus such as a photocopier, printer, facsimile device and printer having such sheet folding apparatus or sheet processing apparatus.
2. Description of the Background Art
In an image forming apparatus such as a photocopier, printer, facsimile device and printer, an image is formed by visualizing a latent image carrier such as a photoconductive drum or photoconductive belt with a development agent such as a toner and transcribing this to a recording medium (as a matter of convenience, this is hereinafter represented as paper or a sheet).
In addition to a case of discharging only a single sheet having an image formed thereon from the image forming apparatus, there are cases where a plurality of sheets having an image formed thereon are bundled and collated in a required number of copies, fastened and bound with a stapler and thereafter discharged from the image forming apparatus, and a sheet post-processing apparatus or finisher is used as such a device.
With this kind of sheet post-processing apparatus, the sheets to be discharged from the image forming apparatus are sequentially received in an inclined intermediate tray, and the end edge of sheets in the width direction is aligned with a jogger fence or the like and the end edge of recording sheets that slid off to the lower end side of the intermediate tray is aligned by being pressed against a stopper or the like, respectively. Then, the end edge of sheets is subject to binding processing with a stapler, and the bundled sheet group is discharged to the discharge tray.
Conventionally, a configuration of providing a pawl for scooping the lower end of sheets to the transport belt for transporting the sheets housed in the intermediate tray, scooping the sheets in conjunction with the movement of the transport belt and transporting such sheets to the position of a discharge roller in order to discharge the bundled sheet group to the discharge tray after performing such binding processing is proposed in the gazette of Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. H8-137151.
Meanwhile, as a method of sheet post-processing, in addition to the method of performing binding processing with a stapler to the end edge of sheets as described above, for instance, a saddle stitching method where the end edge is not bound and the center portion of the discharged sheets in the discharging direction is bound, and a middle folding method of folding the sheets at the saddle stitched position are also proposed in the gazettes of Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2001-19251, Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2001-206629 and Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2002-167120.
Incidentally, in the configuration of the sheet post-processing apparatus which binds the end edge of sheets, a bundle pressing means for preventing the bulging of end edges; that is, a transport auxiliary rotative member having a wing member capable of pressing the surface of sheets is provided to a position facing the stapler; in other words, at a position where the end edges of sheets that slid off toward the stopper collide, in order to prevent the defective transport of sheets when the end edges of the bound sheets float.
Nevertheless, when re-transporting the sheets subject to binding processing, although the end edge of sheets in the width direction will be aligned with a jogger fence, since the end edge to be scooped with the pawl member; that is, the end edge on the back side of the transport direction of the sheets (hereinafter simply referred to as "back side end edge") will merely be in a state of being mounted on the inner bottom face of the pawl member, the back side end edge of sheets will be disarranged depending on the number of sheets in relation to the size of the housing space in the inner bottom face. In particular, when binding via saddle stitching or middle folding, if the back side end edge of sheets becomes disarranged, misalignment of the end edge of the sheet bundle after the binding will become noticeable, and the finish will result in an inferior appearance.
Meanwhile, with a sheet processing apparatus having this kind of saddle stitching or middle folding function, the half folding of the sheet bundle is conducted by extruding with a folding plate the bound portion of the sheet bundle in which the center portion thereof was bound, and making a fold line by passing therethrough a pair of folding rollers provided in the moving direction thereof. When binding with this kind of saddle stitching, it is important that the folding position by the folding roller and the binding position coincide accurately, and that the folding position is not misaligned obliquely, which are also the strong demand of users.
Thus, in order to meet such demand, for instance, Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2001-206629 discloses a configuration of aligning the sheet bundle, thereafter performing binding processing to 2 locations in the width direction thereof, and further hooking the leading edge of the folding plate to the binding needle and pressing it into a folding roller nip. Further, Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2002-167120 discloses a configuration of providing, in order to determine the folding position, a stopper in the transport direction, and providing an alignment mechanism capable of moving in the width direction.
Nevertheless, with the configuration of these background arts, since a position in which the fold line will not become misaligned obliquely is set theoretically, there are cases where the fold line will become misaligned during the actual operation. This occurs because sheets that are cut into standard sizes are not a perfect rectangle.

Sheet folding apparatus, sheet processing apparatus and image forming apparatus


Whether a portrait photography mode has been set is determined. A first threshold value is set when the portrait photography mode has been set and a second threshold value that is smaller than the first threshold value is set when the portrait photography mode has not been set. A cross-correlation coefficient between the image of the subject and a template image is calculated. The calculated coefficient and the set threshold value are compared and the position of the image of a face is detected in the image of the subject. When the portrait photography mode has been set, it can be construed that the subject contains a person and therefore the position of the face image can be detected comparatively accurately by increasing the threshold value.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a digital camera (inclusive of a digital still camera, digital movie camera and a portable information device having a camera function) and to a method of controlling the operation thereof.
2. Description of the Related Art
In a case where a picture of a person is taken using a digital camera, often the camera is focused on the face of the person. Focusing is easy if the face is at the center of the shooting zone but the face is not always at the center of the shooting zone. There are occasions, therefore, when it is necessary to detect the image of the face in the image of the subject. For example, there is a technique that involves extracting the portion of the subject image that corresponds to the color of the face from the image, extracting the edge of this portion and then executing matching processing using a template (see the specification of Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-63597).
A problem with this technique, however, is that the precision of the processing for extracting the image of the face is not always high.
Further, in some digital cameras it is possible to set a portrait photography mode. If a portrait photography mode has been set, there are occasions where processing specific to portrait photography, such as preliminary light emission, is executed in order to prevent red-eye at the time of flash photography. If the portrait photography mode has been set regardless of the fact that a person does not exist in the subject of photography, an unnatural image may be obtained.
Furthermore, in a digital camera that can be set to a scenery photography mode, it is wasteful to try and detect the image of a face if the scenery photography mode has been set.

Digital camera and method of controlling same


A voltage reference circuit includes a band-gap reference circuit for providing a reference voltage and having breakpoint compensation to adjust the temperature coefficient of the reference voltage as a function of temperature. A thermal limit transistor biased by a voltage having a positive temperature coefficient begins conducting when the operating temperature reaches a predetermined value to provide a compensation current. The compensation current is added to the collector current flowing into one of a pair of transistors within the band-gap reference circuit, and a current controlled current source responds to an increase in collector current in the other one of the pair of transistors by making the collector currents flowing into both transistors equal. This increases the voltage drop across a pair of resistors to increase a band-gap voltage across a portion of an output divider network, to in turn increase the reference voltage provided across the entire divider network.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to voltage reference circuits for providing a reference voltage, and more particularly to voltage reference circuits having compensation for variations in operating temperature.
2. History of the Prior Art
In electronic design, stable voltage references are needed for a wide variety of analog and digital applications. Such applications include voltage regulators, current supplies for ECL logic, and so forth. For lower voltages, however, and also where stability over a large temperature range is required, providing a precision reference voltage poses considerable problems. In particular, a voltage reference having good stability over a wide temperature range, such as the standard military specification temperature range of -55.degree. C. to +125.degree. C., is very difficult to achieve in a commercially practical implementation.
One conventional approach to providing a voltage reference has been to use temperature compensated zener diodes. However, the disadvantages of that approach have led to another approach in which the band-gap voltage of silicon is employed as an internal reference to provide a regulated output voltage. In this latter approach, two scaled voltages having positive and negative temperature coefficients are added together. The positive temperature coefficient is provided by the difference between the base-emitter voltages of two bipolar transistors operating at different emitter current densities. Because the two transistors are operated at different current densities, a differential in emitter-base voltages of the two transistors is created. The negative temperature coefficient may be taken from the base-emitter junction of a third transistor. The resulting 3-transistor band-gap circuit or cell achieves offsetting temperature coefficients.
An example of a voltage reference circuit which employs a band-gap reference circuit or cell in conjunction with circuitry for providing a temperature compensating current is provided by U.S. Pat. No. 5,053,640 of Yum, which patent issued Oct. 1, 1991 and is commonly assigned with the present application. The '640 patent describes a voltage reference circuit which employs a 2-transistor band-gap cell in combination with circuitry for providing a temperature compensating current. A current controlled current source maintains equal and constant currents through a pair of transistors in the band-gap cell. The current density at the emitter of one of the transistors establishes a positive temperature coefficient voltage drop across a resistor coupled to the emitter of the other transistor, where the difference in base-emitter voltages appears. This produces a voltage across a second resistor which is proportional to absolute temperature and which provides a positive temperature coefficient that offsets the negative coefficient of the base-emitter voltage of the first transistor. From the second resistor, a voltage proportional to absolute temperature is applied to a circuit for generating a temperature compensating current. The temperature compensating current is provided to a voltage divider network which provides the reference voltage. The introduction of the temperature compensating current at the divider network offsets the parabolic temperature dependence of the reference voltage. As a result, the temperature characteristic of the voltage reference circuit is relatively flat or constant over a relatively broad range of operating temperatures.
In the voltage reference circuit described in the '640 patent, the temperature compensating current is applied to alter a ratio provided by the voltage divider network, as described above. As a result, the voltage drop varies and this changes the reference voltage accordingly. A different approach which has been used is to apply the temperature compensating current to alter the band-gap voltage itself. In one example of a voltage reference circuit of this type, the temperature compensating current is applied to the junction between a serial pair of resistors serially coupled between a negative output terminal and the emitter of one of the transistors of the band-gap reference circuit or cell. The temperature compensating current changes the voltage across the resistor coupled to the negative output terminal, which in turn changes a band-gap voltage appearing across one of a pair of resistors serially coupled between the negative output terminal and a positive output terminal. The negative and positive output terminals provide the desired reference voltage therebetween. Because the temperature compensating current must change the voltage across one of the pair of resistors serially coupled between the negative output terminal and the emitter of one of the transistors in the band-gap reference circuit, the temperature compensation provided by a given amount of temperature compensating current is limited. The amount of temperature compensation can be increased by increasing the size of the resistor coupled to the negative output terminal or by increasing the temperature compensating current, but these solutions involve tradeoffs. It would therefore be desirable to provide a voltage reference circuit of this general type, in which the temperature compensation provided by a given amount of temperature compensating current is optimized.
It is therefore an object of the invention to provide an improved voltage reference circuit. A more specific object is the provision of a voltage reference circuit in which the breakpoint compensation of the band-gap reference circuit is optimized.

Voltage reference circuit with breakpoint compensation


A scanning probe microscope is provided with a probe, a scanning device, a detecting device and an output device. The probe is disposed to face the surface of a sample. The scanning device two-dimensionally scans the surface of the sample using the probe. A signal corresponding to the structure of the sample is detected from the probe by the detecting device. From the signal detected in the detecting device, an observation image of the sample is output by the output device. The apparatus is further provided with a correcting device for correcting the scan by the scanning device so that the observation image output from the outputting device is not shifted.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a scanning probe microscope for obtaining an observation image of a sample by using a physical phenomenon (for instance, a tunnel current or a force between atoms) which is observed when the probe approaches the sample and also relates to a method of observing the sample by using the scanning probe microscope.
2. Related Background Art
In recent years, there has been developed a scanning tunnel microscope (hereinafter, abbreviated to "STM") in which a probe and a sample are allowed to approach and electron structures of and near the material surface can be directly observed by using a tunnel phenomenon a physical phenomenon which occurs at this time (refer to G. Binning et al., "Helvetica Physica Acta", 55.726, 1982). A real spatial image can be measured at a high resolution irrespective of whether the sample is monocrystalline or amorphous. The STM also has an advantage in that the electron structures can be observed at low electric power without damaging the medium by a current. Further, the STM operates even in the atmosphere or in a solution as well as in an ultra-high vacuum and can be used for various materials. Applications in a wide range in the scientific or research field are expected. In the industrial field as well, in recent years, as disclosed in, for instance, JP-A-63-161552 and JP-A-63-161553, attention is paid to the principle that the STM has a spatial resolution of atomic or molecular size. Application to a recording and reproducing apparatus and the realization to put the STM into a practical use are vigorously being pursued.
Since the STM has a spatial resolution of molecular size, in the conventional STM apparatus, a stage or a probe causes a drift due to fluctuations of the temperature, vibrations, or influences of the driving system such as a piezoelectric actuator or the like, so that the probe scanning area on the sample surface is moved. Thus, there is a problem that an observation object moves with the lapse of time. Such a problem also occurs in other scanning probe microscopes, for example, an atomic force microscope (AFM).

Scanning probe microscope and method of observing sample by using such a microscope


A method of packaging a food product using a polymer membrane, the polymer being a self assembling polymeric material, and the method including a.) rendering the said polymer into a film; and b.) packaging a food product in an atmosphere with the said polymer film, wherein said film regulates the atmosphere in which the food product is packaged.

Previous packaging technologies include D. R. Paul and R. Clarke; Modeling of modified atmosphere packaging based on designs with a membrane and perforations; Journal of Membrane Science, 2002, 208 p. 269-283. This article discloses the use of CO2/O2 selective polymers as a method for improving the ability of packaged produce to breathe. This paper discloses the concentrations of CO2/O2, and water vapor in the packaging environment that matches the respiration rate of various produce.
V. V. Pethe, et al; (Oxygen and Carbon Dioxide Permeability of EAA/PEO Blends and Microlayers; Journal of Applied Polymer Science, 2008, 110, p. 1411-1419); disclose the use of various polyethylene oxide) and ethylene acrylic acid copolymers as materials that are viable for produce packaging applications. The highest pure gas CO2/O2 selectivity reported was 16.8 for the pure PEO matrix, whereas the highest CO2 permeability was 6.7 barrer.
Khemani et al., U.S. Pat. No. 7,297,394, Biodegradable Films and Sheets Suitable for use as Coatings, Wraps, and Packaging Materials discloses the use of a biodegradable polymer that has mechanical properties that are appropriate for food packaging. A water vapor transmission rate of at least about 80 g/m2/day is disclosed.
The control of atmospheric conditions inside produce packaging requires control of the transport rates of CO2, O2 and water vapor which is important in many packaging applications. Unfortunately, there are not many materials that satisfactorily demonstrate CO2, O2 and water permeabilities.
For instance, certain types of cut produce require dry environments to prevent decomposition. Other produce will become discolored if too much CO2 or O2 is present in the packaging environment.
Applications such as current produce packaging, the needs of the global produce shipping market are not being met. Fruits and vegetables continue to respire during transit, and they stay fresh longer if the atmospheric composition is tailored to their respiration rate. Current packaging materials do not have high CO2 or O2 permeabilities, and often suffocate the produce, which causes them to spoil quickly. It is desirable to design at least part of the packaging such that CO2 can escape from the packaging and O2 can enter around the produce.
As a result, there is a need for methods of maintaining the atmosphere in food packaging such that it extends product shelf life.

Self assembling polymer membranes in food packaging application


A surround for supporting a diaphragm used to create acoustic waves includes a rib section extending away from the diaphragm and a membrane section that is supported by the rib section. The membrane section has a thickness in a direction substantially normal to opposing top and bottom surfaces of the membrane section which is substantially thinner than a thickness of the rib section in a direction substantially normal to opposing top and bottom surfaces of the rib section. A restoring force returning the diaphragm to a home position is contributed to more due to deformation of the rib section than to deformation of the membrane section.

This disclosure relates to a surround for supporting a diaphragm that is used to create acoustic waves. The surround and diaphragm can be part of a passive radiator or acoustic driver.
Passive radiators and acoustic drivers have been traditionally designed with half roll surrounds having a circular or elliptical cross section. Such half roll surrounds are typically made of high durometer materials. This arrangement provides approximate linear force-deflection response until the surround reaches a high strain that results in a non-linear response. In many surround designs, issues of buckling and hoop stresses can result in an unstable dynamic response (like sub harmonic rocking) which is detrimental to the acoustic performance.


A speech recognition method includes the steps of receiving a location-specific command from a vehicle occupant, and adjusting either the shape or magnitude of a pick up pattern of at least one microphone in response to the location-specific command. The microphone adjustment can be carried out by electronically or physically steering the pick-up pattern.

ASR technology enables microphone-equipped computing devices to interpret speech and thereby provide an alternative to conventional human-to-computer input devices such as keyboards or keypads. For example, vehicle telecommunications devices can be equipped with voice dialing features enabled by an ASR system. The ASR system typically includes a microphone to receive speech from an occupant of a vehicle.
The microphone is usually located in a forward portion of a passenger compartment of the vehicle such as in a rear view mirror assembly. Such a forward mounted microphone is satisfactory to enable reliable recognition of speech from a driver. But the forward mounted microphone may not be satisfactory to enable reliable recognition of speech from other passengers in front and rear seating positions.
Accordingly, some ASR systems deploy a plurality of individual microphones in a vehicle interior; with one microphone and associated pushbutton located at each seating position. But this approach unnecessarily adds cost and complexity to the ASR system.

Method of recognizing speech from a plurality of speaking locations within a vehicle


Some embodiments of the present invention are related to devices and methods for sampling groundwater at multiple target depths, wherein each of the devices for sampling groundwater at multiple target depths comprises: a hammer part having a spring for generating inertia and a hammer connected to the spring; a sampling needle part having a needle integral with a impacting part impacted with the hammer; a guiding part for moving the sampling needle part in straight and downward direction; and a sampled water containing part having a sampled water container for collecting the sampled water through the needle.

Demand continues to increase for devices capable of obtaining a representative sample of water at a target depth, and for determining a water-sampling depth through a thorough analysis in a vertical groundwater flow pattern in a borehole when analyzing the quality of the groundwater.
Water samplers conventionally used include suction lift pumps, down-well centrifugal pumps, multi-level down-well sampling systems and passive diffusional samplers. Samplers using a pump may disturb the vertical flow of groundwater, thereby negatively impacting the accuracy of the samplers. In the case of passive diffusional samplers, an advantage exists in that groundwater flow disturbance does not occur. However, a shortcoming of passive diffusional samplers is that a week is required to sample groundwater. In the case of grab sampling devices (the most conventional type of which is a bailer), the possibility of flow disturbance is low by instantaneous groundwater sampling in a borehole, although there is a shortcoming that the depth of sampling cannot be specified.

Devices and methods for sampling groundwater

Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources


A chemical liquid supplying apparatus which can discharge chemical liquid with high accuracy is provided. The apparatus is used to discharge the chemical liquid in a chemical liquid tank from an application nozzle. The apparatus has a combined member formed integrally with a pump case and a cylinder, and a flexible tube serving as a pump member is provided in the pump case, wherein its inside is a pump chamber and its outside is a pump-side driving chamber. A piston is assembled to the cylinder and when the piston is reciprocated by a motor, the pump chamber is expanded and contracted. A gap between the piston and the cylinder is covered with a diaphragm, and an interior of the diaphragm is a seal space. Therefore, an incompressible medium having leaked from the gap between the piston and the cylinder enters into the seal space and does not leak to the outside.

A fine circuit pattern is produced on a surface of a semiconductor wafer or glass substrate by a photolithographic step and an etching step. In the photolithographic step, a chemical liquid supplying apparatus is used to apply the chemical liquid such as photoresist liquid onto the surface of the wafer or glass substrate. By doing so, the chemical liquid accommodated in a container is sucked up by a pump, passes through a filter etc., and is applied from a nozzle onto a material to be applied such as a wafer. When particles such as dusts have been mixed in the chemical liquid to be applied, they adhere to the material to be applied, thereby causing pattern defects and resulting in lowering a yield of products. If the chemical liquid stays in the pump for a long term, it changes in quality. Therefore, since the chemical liquid changed in quality becomes particles in some cases, it is required that there is no chemical liquid accumulation in the pump for discharging the chemical liquid.
As the pump for discharging the chemical liquid, there is used such a pump that an expansion/contraction chamber in which the chemical liquid flows and a pump chamber are partitioned from each other by an elastically deformable partition membrane such as an diaphragm, tube, or the like. By doing so, the pump chamber is filled with indirect liquid, namely, an incompressible medium, and the chemical liquid is pressurized through the partition membrane. A pressurizing system for the incompressible medium includes a bellows-type system as described in Japanese patent application laid-open publication No. 10-61558 and a syringe-type system using a piston as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,167,837.


Disclosed is a transfer robot for caring for a patient. The robot includes a body section against which the upper half of the body of a patient is leaned, a first clamp which is rotatably provided on one side of the body section for supporting the upper half of the body of the patient, a second clamp, which is provided at a position adjacent to the first clamp so that the position of the second clamp is able to be changed, for supporting the lower half of the body of the patient, a prop which is extendedly arranged below the body for adjusting the height of the body section, and a transfer board, which is connected to the prop, for rotating and moving positions.

Generally, disabled persons need to have help from anyone to move. That is, disabled persons always need to be cared by a care worker.
The care worker should stay up with a patient and help a patient or assist a patient in transferring to an object such as a wheelchair when he/she moves. When the patient moves, if the care worker has good physical condition, there is no problem in helping or assisting the patient, whereas, if the care worker has worse physical condition or is older, he/she hardly help or assists the patient with the movement or transfer to other location, causing the care worker to be greatly stressed both physically and mentally. For this reason, recently there are fewer care workers than peoples want to employ.
In order to help both a patient and a care worker caring for the patient, there have been developed both devices for transferring a patient in a manner of carrying the patient thereon, and devices for moving a lying patient as he/she is.
However, in the case of typical carrying devices, problems may occur in that, since it takes a lot of time to move a patient to a carrying robot, or a riding position of a patient is very discomfortable, the patient often suffers pain when he/she is moving.
Further, another problem may occur in that a typical carrying robot has a complicated structure and is difficult-to manipulate by a single care worker, and causes expensive manufacturing and maintenance costs.
Further, in the case of a robot horizontally moving a lying patient, problems may arise in that, since the robot has a shape like a forklift, when moved, a patient may feel that he/she is treated as a piece of luggage, so that the patient does not want to use it, and the robot also causes expensive manufacturing and maintenance costs.

KOREA INSTITUTE OF INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY


A universal window shutter system includes vertical frame member components and horizontal frame member components to be assembled to form shutter panel frames which are covered with shutter panel covers and which are hingeably interconnected to form shutter units to be installed in a window opening as a functional and attractive window covering. Vertical frame member components include a hinged single vertical component for hinged connection of a shutter panel to a window frame, a hinged double vertical component for hinged connection between two panels, and latching vertical components for selective latching of two shutter units together at their mating edges. Frame member components are available in various lengths and are easily adjustable in length for precise user dimensional control. The method of using the window shutter system generally includes the steps of identifying a window to receive shutter units, determining the desired shutter configuration, determining the shutter frame components needed to assembly the desired configuration and the component dimensions appropriate for the window to the covered, obtaining the identified components, forming a shutter panel cover as desired, assembling shutter panels and connecting the panels to form shutter units, and installing the shutter units in the frame of the window to be covered.

The practice of covering window openings for the purpose of controlling, for example, the ingress of wind and rain, the ingress and egress of people, the ingress and egress of light, and obscuring vision is very old and well known. A variety of materials and structures have been used for that purpose, including exterior shutters, interior curtains, drapes, shades, and blinds. While the use of window covering to achieve the useful purposes of controlling the ingress of light and maintaining privacy by obscuring vision through windows in structures has continued to be important, aesthetic considerations of window covering design and appearance have become increasingly significant.
Of the types of interior window coverings in common use, window shutters are among the most effective in allowing selective control of degree of window coverage and are also considered to be among the most desirable from an aesthetic perspective. However, shutters have had and continue to have the disadvantages of relatively high cost and difficulty of installation. Two basic types of interior window shutters are known in the prior art; those constructed completely of wood or the like, and those having a frame of wood or the like with a fabric insert. Both types are available to the user only in pre-assembled form, in which the dimensions of the shutter frame are fixed, except for some limited trimming allowance for final fit adjustment. It is also typically necessary for interior shutters to require professional installation, especially in situations in which window openings are not completely square, as is common in older structures. A further disadvantage of window shutters of the prior art is associated with the fact that such shutters are typically provided in an unfinished condition. Therefore, the complete surfaces of the shutters, or at least the frames of the fabric insert type, must be painted or otherwise finished as part of the installation steps, adding to the expense and/or difficulty.
There remains an unfilled need in the field for an interior window shutter which is inexpensive to produce, is easily provided in component form, may be readily assembled and installed by the user, requires no painting or other finishing at the time of installation, is aesthetically pleasing, and otherwise generally overcomes the disadvantages of shutter types known in the prior art. Accordingly, it is among the objects of the present invention to provide a window shutter system which is inexpensive to produce and provide to the final user. It is a further among the objects of the present invention to provide a window shutter system which is particularly suitable to being provided in the form of interchangeable components. It is additionally among the objects of the invention to provide a window shutter which may be easily assembled and installed by the final user. It is still further among the objects of the invention to provide a window shutter which requires no painting or other finishing by the final user. It is yet further among the objects of the invention to provide an aesthetically pleasing window shutter which overcomes the disadvantages and drawbacks of the prior art. It is still additionally among the objects of the present invention to provide a method of using the window shutters of the invention.


The present invention relates to a solid-state laser module, and so on, having a structure for enabling optical output of high quality to be obtained. The solid-state laser module includes a vacuum container with windows, and a heat sink, a solid-state laser medium, and a pair of transparent members are housed in the vacuum container in an integrally assembled state. The solid-state laser medium and the pair of transparent members respectively have disk shapes, and the pair of transparent members sandwich the solid-state laser medium. The thermal conductivity of each of the pair of transparent members is higher than the thermal conductivity of the solid-state laser medium. The heat sink has a shape that simultaneously clamps portions of the pair of transparent members that sandwich the solid-state laser medium in between, and a heat insulating region, with a thermal conductivity that is lower than the thermal conductivity of the solid-state laser medium, is provided between the heat sink and the solid-state laser medium.

In an optical amplifier that includes a solid-state laser medium, an active element (such as a rare earth element or a transition metal element), contained in the solid-state laser medium, is pumped by illumination of the pumping light outputted from a pumping light source. In this process, emission light with a predetermined wavelength is generated by a stimulated emission phenomenon inside the solid-state laser medium. A laser oscillator is constituted by such an optical amplifier and an oscillator. For example, when the solid-state laser medium is Yb-doped YAG, the pumping light source is a laser diode and the wavelength of the light that can be amplified is 1030 nm.
In an optical amplifier or a laser oscillator with such a structure, the solid-state laser medium generates heat during operation. The solid-state laser medium must thus be heat-released or cooled to achieve stable operation and obtain a high-quality optical output. For example, a laser oscillator disclosed in a Patent Document 1 includes a solid-state laser module constituted by a polycrystalline transparent ceramic that does not contain an active element, a solid-state laser medium (a polycrystalline transparent ceramic doped with an active element) that is in contact with the polycrystalline transparent ceramic, and a heat sink disposed so as to hold these components simultaneously. In the solid-state laser module with this arrangement, the heat generated at the solid-state laser medium propagates through the polycrystalline transparent ceramic, which does not contain the active element, and the heat sink, and temperature rise of the solid-state laser medium is thereby suppressed.
Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-57388

Solid laser module, optical amplifier, and laser oscillator


A radio control system in a wireless communication device includes a sensor operable to detect a change in a use mode of the wireless communication device during a communication session according to a pre-determined list of conditions, the use mode being one of a plurality of use modes that the communication device can operate in. The radio control system also includes a power controller connected to the sensor, that is operable to determine a power configuration according to the user mode detected. The power configuration is adjusted to balance the radio frequency coverage of a signal to be transmitted and the SAR. Of the radiation absorption. Each use mode is a different scenario in which the wireless communication device can be used.

1. Technical Field
This application relates to wireless communication techniques in general, and to a system and method of transmit power control for a mobile wireless device with multiple operating modes of the antenna in particular.
2. Description of the Related Art
An antenna is used in a mobile communication device for picking up received signals and for radiating transmitted signals. For transmitting purposes, the radiated radio frequency field includes "Far Field" and "Near Field" components. The far field is the radiated field that is useful for wireless communication. The transition from the near field to the far field is gradual but a practical definition is that the near field is dominant at distances less than twice an antenna's largest dimension squared divided by the wavelength from the antenna. Conversely, the far field refers to the field generated by the antenna at distances beyond twice an antenna's largest dimension squared divided by the wavelength.
The near field is close to the user's body, and also close to the circuitry within the wireless device, both of which may result in various side effects. One of these side effects is radiation absorption to the human user, measured by the Specific Absorption Rate or SAR. SAR is the measurement of the amount of radiation absorption by the human body. SAR is usually calculated in watts per kilogram or milli-watts (mW) per gram.
Different countries have different regulatory requirements for SAR. For example, in North America, the SAR of a handheld wireless communication device might be regulated to not exceed the 1.6 mW/g limit while the device is held at a human head. It is a challenge to design an antenna and its surrounding structure of a wireless communication device to generate a strong far field, while also minimizing SAR, as these may be conflicting requirements.
Certain designs may utilize multiple operating antenna positions to satisfy the conflicting requirements. For example, a whip antenna can have two operating positions—an extended position and retracted position; a flip mobile phone can have open and close positions, and the antenna can further be extended and retracted in combination with the open and close positions. Each of the positions may have different effects to the SAR of the user and to the antenna gain in the far field. This may not be an acceptable solution, as improving the situation in one field may be done at the expense of the situation at the other field.
The SAR is proportional to the transmitted power generated by a device. The transmitted power is typically regulated by a transmit power control unit in the device. A maximum allowed transmit power is usually set to a given value in a transmit power control unit so that the SAR cannot exceed the regulatory limit.

System and method of controlling transmit power for mobile wireless devices with multi-mode operation of antenna


A hollow component has a base and includes at least two electrical contacts mounted within the base. Each of the contacts has a first portion which projects exteriorly of the base and a second portion which projects interiorly of the base. The second portions each include a tine for receiving a fragile, planar article such as a thin, ceramic printed circuit board thereon. Shock-absorbing means are integrally formed with the contacts and are positioned intermediate the tines and the base. The shock-absorbing means can be in the form of a horizontal U-shaped bight.

Electronic components such, for example, as a manifold pressure transducer for an automotive engine, have comprised a hollow having, mounted therein a planar, fragile ceramic printed board carrying the necessary parts thereon. The board has been attached to electrical contacts which project through the base of the component. It has been found that this form of mounting means transmits shock, for example if the device is dropped, directly to the fragile board resulting in breakage thereof.

Electrical contact with shock absorbing means


Hinge and latching structures associated with a door for a pressure vessel provides a tight and competent seal when the door is in sealed relationship with the opening of the vessel. The latching structure includes coupling structures which provide increased clamping engagement of the door in response to any increased pressure differential developed across the door.

1. Field
This invention relates generally to pressurized vessels, such as sterilizers. Specifically, this invention is directed to a class of sterilizers which are of modest size and have non-circular doors. The invention provides a clamping force which keeps the door in sealing relationship with the sterilizer in response to an increase in pressure differential across the door.
2. State of the Art
Sterilizers and similar pressurized vessels are well-known. Generally, sterilizers comprise an outer housing which contains a chamber. The chamber has an opening through which items are placed for sterilization. Associated apparatus and controls provide for the exposure of those items within the chamber to sterilants under sterilizing conditions, often at elevated pressure. It is common for a partial vacuum to exist within the chamber during a portion of an operating cycle. A door is attached to the outer housing, and is positioned to cover the chamber opening. Sterilizer doors are commonly designed to effect a pressure seal, using a resilient gasket which forms an interface between the door and the opening of the sterilizer chamber. Contact between the door and the gasket produces an initial seal of the chamber. Mechanical or pneumatic means may be arranged to either expand or compress the gasket, thereby to enhance the seal.
Sterilizers which are provided with round doors are efficiently sealed by latching mechanisms which do not work well with rectangular doors. Certain sterilizers are provided with doors having non-circular, e.g., rectangular shapes. The shape of the door is of less consequence to large capacity sterilizers, because they typically include massive structural means for securing the door in place against the gasket while the sterilizer is in operation. Such massive structures are not practical for use with the rectangular doors of sterilizers of moderate size, e.g. less than two cubic feet. The doors of these moderately sized sterilizers are typically provided with means such as sliding bolts and hook and latch devices.
Closure mechanisms currently used in association with doors provided for moderately sized sterilizers (e.g., sterilizers requiring doors having a width of from about six inches to about twelve inches) often fail to provide adequate sealing of the chamber during pressurization of the sterilizer. Further, door closure mechanisms currently in use with smaller sized sterilizers provide inadequate assurance that an even and competent seal between the chamber and the door will be maintained during pressurization of the sterilizer.
Thus, there remains a need for a closure mechanism capable of effecting an adequate and reliable seal for moderately sized pressure chambers or non-circular doors. There is also a need for such a mechanism which avoids the massive and complex structural arrangements currently in use with larger chambers.

Closure for doors used with small and medium sized pressure vessels