The present invention provides a polynucleotide which identifies and encodes a novel human leptin receptor gene-related protein (LRGRP). The invention also provides expression vectors, host cells, agonists, and antagonists. The invention also provides methods for treating metabolic, reproductive, connective tissue and reproductive disorders.

The obese (ob) gene product, leptin, is an important circulating signal for the regulation of body weight (Zhang Y. et al. (1994) Nature 372: 425-432). Mice homozygous for a nonfunctional ob gene become morbidly obese and diabetic, due to overeating and increased metabolic efficiency. In 1995, Tartaglia L. A. et al. (Cell 83: 1263-1271) described a high affinity receptor for murine leptin (OB-R). Evidence suggests that the weight-reducing effects of leptin may be mediated by signal transduction through OB-R in the hypothalamus (Lee G. H. et al. (1996) Nature 379: 632-635). In addition to reducing appetite, leptin has been found to ablate body fat in rats (Chen G. et al. (1996) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 93: 14795-14799). The injection of a leptin-expressing adenoviral vector resulted in reduced body fat relative to rats that did not receive the leptin-expressing vector, but which ate an equivalent amount of food.
Regulation in the expression of splice variants can have the important role in the activity of signal transduction molecules and has been implicated in the pathogenesis of several diseases (Khachigian L. M. et al. (1992) Pathology 24: 280-290). For example, mutations that create new splice variants of the sulfonylurea receptor gene segregate with familial persistent hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia (Thomas P. M. et al. (1995) Science 268: 426-429).
At least nine alternatively spliced forms of mouse OB-R have been described (Lee et al., supra). A splice variant, B219, is expressed in the mouse yolk sac, early fetal liver, enriched hematopoietic stem cells, a variety of lympho-hematopoietic cells lines, and in adult reproductive organs and may be directly involved in hematopoiesis and reproduction (Cioffi J. A. et al. (1996) Nature Medicine 2: 585-589). Further evidence of a role for leptin in hematopoiesis was recently reported by Gainsford T. et al., who found that leptin enhances cytokine production and phagocytosis of parasites by murine peritoneal macrophages (1996, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 93: 14564-14568). Additional support for a leptin role in reproduction comes from Chehab F. F. et al, who report that treatment with leptin corrects a sterility defect in ob/ob female mice (1996, Nature Genet. 12: 318-320). The researchers showed that leptin brings on fertility by restoring necessary hypothalamic and pituitary hormone levels rather than by fat reduction.
Recently, leptin has been implicated in the induction of puberty in both mice and humans. Female mice treated with regular injections of leptin reach sexual maturity 37 days after birth, whereas untreated mice show signs of sexual maturity at about 40 days after birth (Chehab F. et al., (1997) Science 275: 88-90). While in humans, leptin levels increase sharply at the same time that testosterone levels increase in boys undergoing puberty (Flier J., unpublished).
OB-R mutations that create alternatively spliced transcripts are responsible for the severely obese and diabetic phenotype of db/db mice (Chen H. et al. (1996) Cell 84: 491-495) and of fa/fa Zucker rats (Chua S. C. et al. (1996) Science 271: 994-996). Based on synteni between human and mouse chromosomes, the human version of OB-R is likely to map to human chromosome 1p31 (Lee et al., supra).
Genome sequencing efforts in Caenorhabditis elegans and Saccharomyces cerevisiae have revealed putative open reading frames (ORFs) C30B5.2 and YJR044c, respectively (Wilson R. et al., (1994) Nature 368: 32-38; Huang M. E. et al. (1995) Yeast 11: 775-781). YJR044c and C30B5.2 are 27% identical and 71% similar in amino acid sequence and share a similar pattern of hypdrophobicity. YJR044c has been characterized as a putative membrane associated protein (Wilson et al, supra). The C30B5.2 amino acid sequence has a consensus pattern (CCxxHxxC) for phospholipase A2, a family of enzymes that release fatty acids from the second carbon group of glycerol.
The activity of many signal transduction molecules, such as the leptin receptor, is thought to be regulated by the expression of splice variants of the molecule. A new leptin receptor gene-related protein could provide the basis for diagnosis and treatment of cancer, and disorders in energy metabolism, reproduction, connective tissues, and development.

Human leptin receptor gene-related protein


The present invention relates to a flash memory device and a fabrication method thereof. A trench may be formed within a junction region between word lines by etching a semiconductor substrate between not only a word line and a select line, but also between adjacent word lines. Accordingly, the occurrence of a program disturbance phenomenon can be prevented as the injection of hot carriers into a program-inhibited cell is minimized in a program operation.

Flash memory devices are classified into NOR type and NAND type devices. The NAND flash memory device is advantageous in that it has a high level of integration compared to the NOR flash memory device. A memory cell array of the NAND flash memory device includes a plurality of memory cell blocks. The memory cell block is described in more detail below.
FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram illustrating a memory cell block of a NAND flash memory device.
Referring to FIG. 1, a memory cell block includes a plurality of cell strings ST. The cell strings are respectively connected to bit lines BL1 to BL3 (only three bit lines are shown).
Each cell string ST has a structure in which a drain select transistor DST, a plurality of memory cells C0-1, C1 to Cn (n is an integer), and a source select transistor SST are connected in series. The drain select transistor DST included in each cell string has a drain connected to a corresponding bit line BL1, and the source select transistor SST has a source connected to a common source line CSL. The gates of the drain select transistors DST included in the respective cell strings are interconnected and become a drain select line DSL. Similarly, the gates of the source select transistors SST included in the respective cell strings are interconnected and become a source select line SSL. Further, the gates of the memory cells are interconnected and thus become word lines WL0-WLn. The memory cells C0-1, C0-2, and C0-3 sharing one word line (for example, WL0) are defined as one page Page0.
A program operation is performed in order to store data in the flash memory cell. The program operation is performed on per page basis. In the program operation, a program voltage of 15V or more is applied to a selected word line (for example, WL0), and a pass voltage is applied to the remaining word lines so that the memory cell is turned on irrespective of an erase state or a program state. A ground voltage of 0V is applied to the bit lines.
During the program operation, there exist memory cells in which an erase state (or a previous state) must be kept (hereinafter, referred to as "program-inhibited cells"). A program-inhibited voltage (for example, Vcc) is applied to the bit line BL2 connected to the string ST, including a program-inhibited cell (for example, Cb) in which a previous state must be kept without being programmed. If a program voltage is applied to the word line WLk after the channel region of the program-inhibited cell Cb is precharged to the program-inhibited voltage, the voltage of the channel region rises due to channel boosting. Accordingly, a program operation is not performed because a voltage difference between the channel region of the program-inhibited cell Cb and the word line WLk is low.
A program method of storing 2-bit data in one memory cell has recently been used. An erase operation of a memory cell block is performed anterior to a program operation, so that the entire memory cells become an erase state. Thus, the memory cells generally have 11 data stored therein. The program method for storing 2-bit data is performed by several program operations. Each program operation includes a LSB program operation of changing lower bits of the 2-bit data comprised of 11 data into 0 and a MSB program operation of changing upper bits thereof into 0.
In general, after the LSB program operation and the MSB program operation are sequentially performed on a selected word line, they are performed on a next word line adjacent to the selected word line. However, due to an interference phenomenon occurring between memory cells in the program operation, the threshold voltage of a memory cell connected to the selected word line and the adjacent word line may be changed during the program operation of the selected word line. In order to minimize such change, the order of the LSB program operation and the MSB program operation may be changed.
FIG. 2 is a sectional view illustrating the occurrence of a disturbance phenomenon due to hot carriers in a program operation of a memory cell.
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, when the order of the LSB program operation and the MSB program operation is changed, memory cells Ca and Cc sharing word lines WLk−1 and WLk+1 near a selected word line WLk have already become a LSB state (a state where the LSB program operation has been performed) or a MSB state (a state where the MSB program operation has been performed) in a program operation of a memory cell Cb. Thus, in the program operation of the memory cell Cb, the neighboring memory cells Ca and Cc are turned off. Due to this, the channel region of the memory cell Cb is isolated from the channel regions of the memory cells Ca and Cc.
In this state, if a program operation of the memory cell Cb is performed by applying a high program voltage Vpgm to the word line WLk, a boosting phenomenon occurs in a channel region 202a of the memory cell Cb, so a voltage of the channel region 202a rises. As the voltage of the channel region 202a rises, a voltage difference between the word line WLk and the channel region 202a of the memory cell Cb is lowered, so that the memory cell Cb is not programmed.
However, if the program voltage Vpgm is applied, hot carriers are generated at the corners of junction regions 202b and 202c adjacent to the neighboring word lines WLk−1 and WLk+1. The hot carriers are injected into a floating gate of the memory cell Cb due to the high program voltage. Consequently, the threshold voltage of the memory cell Cb that should not be programmed rises and a program disturbance phenomenon of the memory cell Cb occurs.

Flash memory device and fabrication method thereof


A progressing cavity stator and a method for fabricating such a stator are disclosed. Exemplary embodiments of the progressing cavity stator include a plurality of rigid longitudinal stator sections concatenated end-to-end in a stator tube. The stator sections are rotationally aligned so that each of the internal lobes extends in a substantially continuous helix from one end of the stator to the other. The stator further includes an elastomer liner deployed on an inner surface of the concatenated stator sections. Exemplary embodiments of this invention include a comparatively rigid stator having high torque output and are relatively simple and inexpensive to manufacture as compared to prior art rigid stators.

Progressing cavity hydraulic motors and pumps (also known in the art as Moineau style motors and pumps) are well known in subterranean drilling and artificial lift applications, such as for oil and/or gas exploration. Such progressing cavity motors make use of hydraulic power from drilling fluid to provide torque and rotary power, for example, to a drill bit assembly. The power section of a typical progressing cavity motor includes a helical rotor disposed within the helical cavity of a corresponding stator. When viewed in circular cross section, a typical stator shows a plurality of lobes in the helical cavity. In most conventional Moineau style power sections, the rotor lobes and the stator lobes are preferably disposed in an interference fit, with the rotor including one fewer lobes than the stator. Thus, when fluid, such as a conventional drilling fluid, is passed through the helical spaces between rotor and stator, the flow of fluid causes the rotor to rotate relative to the stator (which may be coupled, for example, to a drill string). The rotor may be coupled, for example, through a universal connection and an output shaft to a drill bit assembly. Alternatively, in pump applications, the rotor may be driven by, for example, electric power, in which case fluid may be caused to flow through the progressing cavities.
Conventional stators typically include a helical cavity component bonded to an inner surface of a steel tube. The helical cavity component in such conventional stators typically includes an elastomer (e.g., rubber) and provides a resilient surface with which to facilitate the interference fit with the rotor. Many stators are known in the art in which the helical cavity component is made substantially entirely of a single elastomer layer.
It has been observed that during operations, the elastomer portions of conventional stator lobes are subject to considerable cyclic deflection, due at least in part to the interference fit with the rotor and reactive torque from the rotor. Such cyclic deflection is well known to cause a significant temperature rise in the elastomer. The temperature rise is known to degrade and embrittle the elastomer, eventually causing cracks, cavities, and other types of failure in the lobes. Such elastomer degradation is known to reduce the expected operational life of the stator and necessitate premature replacement thereof. Moreover, the cyclic deflection is also known to reduce torque output and drilling efficiency in subterranean drilling applications. One solution to this problem has been to increase the length of power sections utilized in such subterranean drilling applications. However, increasing stator length tends to increase fabrication complexity and may also tend to increase the distance between the drill bit and downhole logging sensors. It is generally desirable to locate logging sensors as close as possible to the drill bit, since they are intended to monitor at-bit conditions, and they tend to monitor conditions that are remote from the bit when located distant from the bit.
Stators including a comparatively rigid helical cavity component have been developed to address these problems. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,171,138 to Forrest and U.S. Pat. No. 6,309,195 to Bottos et al. disclose stators having helical cavity components in which a thin elastomer liner is deployed on the inner surface of a rigid, metallic stator former. The '138 patent discloses a rigid, metallic stator former deployed in a stator tube. The '195 patent discloses a "thick walled" stator having inner and outer helical stator profiles. The use of such rigid stators is disclosed to preserve the shape of the stator lobes during normal operations (i.e., to prevent lobe deformation) and therefore to improve stator efficiency and torque transmission. Moreover, such metallic stators are also disclosed to provide greater heat dissipation than conventional stators including elastomer lobes.
While comparatively rigid stators have been disclosed to improve the performance of downhole power sections (e.g., to improve torque output), fabrication of such rigid stators is complex and expensive as compared to that of the above described conventional elastomer stators. Most fabrication processes utilized to produce long, internal, multi-lobed helixes are tooling intensive (such as helical broaching) and/or slow (such as electric discharge machining). As such, rigid stators of the prior art are often only used in demanding applications in which the added expense is acceptable.
Various attempts have been made to address the above-mentioned difficulties associated with rigid stator fabrication. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,543,132 to Krueger et al. discloses methods for forming a rigid stator about an inner mandrel having a helical outer surface. The mandrel is then removed leaving a longitudinal member having an inner profile defined by the outer profile of the mandrel. U.S. Pat. No. 5,832,604 to Johnson et al. discloses a rigid stator formed of a plurality of duplicate disks including an inner cavity having a plurality of lobes. The discs are assembled into the form of a stator by stacking on a mandrel such that the discs are progressively rotationally offset from one another. The stack is then deployed in a stator tube. U.S. Pat. No. 6,241,494 to Pafitis et al. discloses a non elastomeric stator including a plurality of stainless steel sections that are aligned and welded together to form a stator of conventional length. Nevertheless, despite these efforts, there exists a need for yet further improved stators for progressing cavity drilling motors, and in particular improved rigid stators and methods for fabricating such rigid stators.

Progressing cavity stator including at least one cast longitudinal section


Various methods and systems for improved anterior segment optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging are described. One example method includes collecting a set of OCT data of the cornea of the eye; segmenting the set of OCT data to identify one or more corneal layers; fitting a two-dimensional model of corneal surfaces to the one or more corneal layers; determining motion-correction parameters by minimizing error between the one or more corneal layers and the two-dimensional model of the corneal surfaces; and creating a motion-corrected corneal image dataset from the set of OCT data using the motion-correction parameters. The motion-corrected corneal image dataset can be used to create a model of the anterior and/or posterior surfaces of the cornea. The model of the cornea is used to generate high density and motion-artifact free epithelial thickness maps, which are used for identifying or quantifying pathology such as keratoconus.

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is an optical imaging technology for performing in situ real-time cross-sectional imaging of tissue structures at a resolution of less than 10 microns. OCT measures the scattering profile of a sample along the OCT beam. Each scattering profile is called an axial scan, or A-scan. Cross-sectional images, called B-scans, and by extension 3D volumes, are built up from many A-scans, with the OCT beam illuminating to a set of transverse locations on the sample either by scanning or field illumination.
It has been demonstrated that Fourier domain OCT (FD-OCT) has advantages over the original time-domain OCT (TD-OCT) (see for example, R. A. Leitgeb et al. (2003). "Performance of fourier domain vs. time domain optical coherence tomography." Optics Express 11(8): 889-94; J. F. de Boer et al. (2003). "Improved signal-to-noise ratio in spectral-domain compared with time-domain optical coherence tomography." Optics Letters 28(21): 2067-2069; M. A. Choma et al. (2003). "Sensitivity advantage of swept source and Fourier domain optical coherence tomography." Optics Express 11(18): 2183-89). In TD-OCT, the optical path length between the sample and reference arms needs to be mechanically scanned. In FD-OCT, on the other hand, the optical path length difference between the sample and reference arm is not mechanically scanned. Instead, a full A-scan is obtained in parallel for all points along the sample axial line within a short time, determined by the wavelength sweep rate of a swept source in swept-source OCT (SS-OCT) or the line scan rate of the line scan camera in spectral-domain OCT (SD-OCT). As a result, the speed for each axial scan can be substantially increased as compared to the mechanical scanning speed of TD-OCT.
Even with the increased speed of FD-OCT, however, the accuracy of OCT for a number of ophthalmic applications can be limited by the effects of eye motion during data acquisition. These applications include pachymetry (i.e., measurement of corneal thickness), keratometry (i.e., measurement of the curvature of the anterior surface of the cornea), corneal power calculations, epithelial thickness mapping, and corneal topography. The quality of the data affects the performance of algorithms that generate measurements. These algorithms include corneal motion correction, corneal layers segmentation, epithelial mapping, etc. Corneal motion correction may be necessary due to poor fixation targets, poor fixators, and longer scan times (e.g., repeat scans to improve the signal to noise (SNR) and contrast). In some instances, a check of the corneal scan quality may be desirable prior to performing the corneal motion correction to avoid time spent processing sub-optimal data. Some of the factors that could lead to poor quality data include large eye motion in the scan data, inexperienced operator, poor alignment, poor fixation target, and/or poor fixator.
An existing method for correcting the effects of eye motion in corneal scans is described by U.S. Pat. No. 9,101,294, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. This method includes acquiring a first sparse set of data using an OCT system. This first sparse set of data is acquired in a relatively short amount of time (e.g., within a few tens of milliseconds), which can be realized with an ultrafast system having a speed greater than 100 kHz. The first sparse set of data is used to create an initial surface model of the cornea, which is then used to register a second set of more dense data acquisition. From this second set of dense data, a more accurate motion-corrected model of the cornea is created.
The motion-corrected model of the cornea can be used to generate motion-artifact free epithelial thickness maps. An epithelial thickness map is used for analyzing the human corneal epithelium thickness, which can facilitate in the early stage detection of keratoconus. Keratoconus is a progressive eye disease in which the normally round cornea thins and begins to bulge into a cone-like shape. This cone shape deflects light as it enters the eye on its way to the light-sensitive retina, causing distorted vision. Front surface corneal topography is the current standard for keratoconus screening. Epithelial thickness maps can be used as an additional diagnostic tool to improve early detection of keratoconus when corneal topography is uncertain on diagnosis. U.S. Publication No. 2013/0128222 describes a method for measuring the corneal epithelial thickness and generating an epithelial thickness map for keratoconus diagnosis.
Here we describe new and improved methods of 1) motion correction in corneal scans and 2) generating epithelial thickness maps, and 3) scan quality assessment in corneal image data of an eye.

Systems and methods for improved anterior segment OCT imaging


A data archival system for the automated archiving of data files. The data archival system includes a central processing hub for receiving the data files, a data archival facility connected to the central processing hub; and an archival manager which is configured to cause the transmission of the data files from the central processing hub to the data archival facility in response to an archive request; the archival of the data files transmitted to the data archival facility in response to an archive request; the retrieval of the data files previously archived in response to a retrieval request; and the transmission of the retrieved data files from the data archival facility to the central processing hub.

1. Field of the Present Invention
The present invention generally relates to the field of data processing; and more particularly to a system and method for electronically archiving and retrieving archived data between a central data processing facility and an associated data archival facility.
2. History of Related Art
In the field of data processing, the demand for the timely and efficient archival of data and retrieval of archived data continues to grow. For example, in the oil and gas industry, the need exists to remotely archive and retrieve large amounts of data. Operating companies that own and/or manage hydrocarbon wells generally evaluate the wells by a process known as wireline logging. In wireline logging, one or more tools are connected to a power and data transmission cable or "wireline" and are lowered into the well borehole to obtain measurements of geophysical properties for the area surrounding the borehole. The wireline supports the tools as they are lowered into the borehole, supplies power to the tools, and provides a communication medium to send signals to the tools and receive data from the tools. Tools are typically lowered to a depth of interest in the well and are then retrieved. During the process, the tools typically collect and send data about the geological formations through which they pass through the wireline to the data acquisition and processing system at the surface.
The data acquisition and processing system compiles the data from the tools into a "log" (a plot which presents the geophysical information concerning the geological formations encountered by the well). Logs may be used to evaluate current production from producing wells or to inspect the integrity of production equipment in a producing well. In any case, the data gathered during the logging operation is generally presented on the log by depth, but may also be presented by time, or any other index by which multiple physical entries are recorded. The data acquisition and processing system may send the acquired log data to a viewing monitor, where the well logging professional conducting the logging operation can view the log data as it is being compiled.
The acquired log data is often crucial to the decision-making process with respect to operations (both ongoing and future) at the well. For example, regarding a well that has just been drilled and logged, the well could (depending on the log data) be drilled deeper, plugged and abandoned as non-productive, or cased and tested—or perhaps the decision will be that additional logs are required before the decision on the disposition of the well can be made. The operating company which is drilling or producing the well frequently desires to have its own personnel review the log data. The operating company, however, may be located half a world away from the well itself. Drilling and production activities are often located in remote locations and it is difficult (from both an expense and risk view) for the operating company to have its own personnel, such as a geologist or a petrophycist, on site during the logging operation. Often times, analysis of current log data requires the prompt retrieval and analysis of previously logged data. Thus, the acquired log data is typically transmitted to the operating company's headquarters or some other central repository for further interpretation and review.
Each operating company may have unique views about and preferences for what is needed. Some operating companies may focus only on current data and others may have a need to also review historical data. The rapid advances in electronic communications and web-based central data processing facilities permit clients to demand ever faster and reliable data management. Further, as the complexity of data evaluation tools increases, post acquisition interpretation and processing of data becomes an integral part of the data delivery system. The exploration and production industry is no exception to this trend. It not only desires time-efficient data acquisition, but also desires efficient management of the data once acquired, including the efficient archival and retrieval of transmitted data. To assist them, the operating companies may have one or more service partners to provide technology, processes, and services that bring increased operating efficiency at reduced costs. Generally, the services provided by these partners include the processing, management, and delivery of log data.
The service partners providing the processing, management, and delivery services typically employ one or more central data processing facilities each of which is connected to one or more data archival facilities. Generally, the archival and retrieval of data between the various facilities is conducted in an inefficient manner; with any errors in the archival and retrieval process requiring significant manual intervention to not only correct the failure, but to determine the origin of the failure as well.
Accordingly, it would be beneficial to implement a system and method for the efficient archival and retrieval of data between a central data processing facility and the data archival facilities utilized by such central data processing facility.
One aspect of the invention relates to data archival systems for implementing an archival process on a plurality of data files. A data archival system in accordance with one embodiment of the invention includes: a central processing hub configured to receive the plurality of data files; a data archival facility connected to the central processing hub and configured to archive the plurality of data files; and an archival manager configured to cause a) transmission of at least one of the plurality of data files from the central processing hub to the data archival facility in response to an archive request; b) archival of at least one of the plurality of data files transmitted to the data archival facility in response to an archive request; c) retrieval of at least one of the plurality of data files previously archived in response to a retrieval request; and d) transmission of at least one of the retrieved data files from the data archival facility to the central processing hub.
Another aspect of the invention relates to methods for archiving a plurality of data files between a central data processing facility and a data archival facility. A method in accordance with one embodiment of the invention includes: a) responsive to receiving an archive session request, validating the plurality of data files associated with the archive session request; b) responsive to a successful validation of the archive session request, transmitting the validated data files from the central data processing facility to the data archival facility; c) responsive to receiving the validated data files at the data archival facility, validating the received data files for archival; and d) responsive to a successful validation of the received data files, archiving the received data files.
Another aspect of the invention relates to computer-readable media having programs that implement methods of the invention. A computer-readable medium in accordance with one embodiment of the invention has a program having machine-readable instructions for causing a processor to perform a method for archiving a plurality of data files between a central data processing facility and a data archival facility, the method comprising: a) responsive to receiving an archive session request, validating the plurality of data files associated with the archive session request; b) responsive to a successful validation of the archive session request, transmitting the validated data files from the central data processing facility to the data archival facility; c) responsive to receiving the validated data files at the data archival facility, validating the received data files for archival; and d) responsive to a successful validation of the received data files, archiving the received data files.
Other aspects and advantages of the invention will be come apparent from the following description and the attached claims.
While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown by way of example in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the drawings and detailed description presented herein are not intended to limit the invention to the particular embodiment disclosed, but on the contrary, the invention is limited only by the language of the appended claims.

System and method for electronic archival and retrieval of data


Fluid service and/or electrical conductivity for a fuel cell assembly is promoted. Open-faced flow channel(s) are formed in a flow field plate face, and extend in the flow field plate face between entry and exit fluid manifolds. A resilient gas diffusion layer is located between the flow field plate face and a membrane electrode assembly, fluidly serviced with the open-faced flow channel(s). The resilient gas diffusion layer is restrained against entering the open-faced flow channel(s) under a compressive force applied to the fuel cell assembly. In particular, a first side of a support member abuts the flow field plate face, and a second side of the support member abuts the resilient gas diffusion layer. The support member is formed with a plurality of openings extending between the first and second sides of the support member. In addition, a clamping pressure is maintained for an interface between the resilient gas diffusion layer and a portion of the membrane electrode assembly. Preferably, the support member is spikeless and/or substantially flat. Further, the support member is formed with an electrical path for conducting current between the resilient gas diffusion layer and position(s) on the flow field plate face.

Fuel cells electrochemically convert fuels and oxidants to electricity, and fuel cells can be categorized according to the type of electrolyte (e.g., solid oxide, molten carbonate, alkaline, phosphoric acid, or solid polymer) used to accommodate ion transfer during operation. Moreover, fuel cell assemblies can be employed in many (e.g., automotive to aerospace to industrial) environments, for multiple applications.
A Proton Exchange Membrane (hereinafter "PEM") fuel cell converts the chemical energy of fuels such as hydrogen and oxidants such as air/oxygen directly into electrical energy. The PEM is a solid polymer electrolyte that permits the passage of protons (i.e., H.sup.+ ions) from the "anode" side of a fuel cell to the "cathode" side of the fuel cell while preventing passage therethrough of reactant fluids (e.g., hydrogen and air/oxygen gases). Some artisans consider the acronym "PEM" to represent "Polymer Electrolyte Membrane." The direction, from anode to cathode, of flow of protons serves as the basis for labeling an "anode" side and a "cathode" side of every layer in the fuel cell, and in the fuel cell assembly or stack.
Usually, an individual PEM-type fuel cell has multiple, generally transversely extending layers assembled in a longitudinal direction. In the typical fuel cell assembly or stack, all layers which extend to the periphery of the fuel cells have holes therethrough for alignment and formation of fluid manifolds that generally service fluids for the stack. As is known in the art, some of the fluid manifolds distribute fuel (e.g., hydrogen) and oxidant (e.g., air/oxygen) to, and remove unused fuel and oxidant as well as product water from, fluid flow plates which serve as flow field plates for each fuel cell. Also, other fluid manifolds circulate coolant (e.g., water) for cooling.
As is known in the art, the PEM can work more effectively if it is wet. Conversely, once any area of the PEM dries out, the fuel cell does not generate any product water in that area because the electrochemical reaction there stops. Undesirably, this drying out can progressively march across the PEM until the fuel cell fails completely. So, the fuel and oxidant fed to each fuel cell are usually humidified. Furthermore, a cooling mechanism is commonly employed for removal of heat generated during operation of the fuel cells.
Flow field plates are commonly produced by any of a variety of processes. One plate construction technique, which may be referred to as "monolithic" style, compresses carbon powder into a coherent mass. Next, the coherent mass is subjected to high temperature processes which bind the carbon particles together, and convert a portion of the mass into graphite for improved electrical conductivity. Then, the mass is cut into slices, which are formed into the flow field plates. Usually, each flow field plate is subjected to a sealing process (e.g., resin impregnation) in order to decrease gas permeation therethrough and reduce the risk of uncontrolled reactions. Typically, flow field channels are engraved or milled into a face of the rigid, resin-impregnated graphite plate. In order to effectively distribute reactant fluid and/or humidification fluid for the PEM, it is desirable that the flow channels remain as open and unclogged as possible. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, it is further desirable that a mechanism be included in the fuel cell stack for occupying (e.g., longitudinal) space which can develop after initial assembly of the layers, to promote electrical conductivity and/or fluid(s) service therethrough.
Another known flow field configuration places a tridimensional network mattress with spiked surfaces, formed by metal-wire fibers, between a bipolar plate and an electrocatalytic electrode, which is in turn adjacent to an ion exchange membrane. The mattress acts as distributor for the reactants and products, in addition to providing deformability and resiliency in the electrochemical cell. The bipolar plate itself has planar surfaces without continuous or complete flow channels, and is formed from aluminum or other metal alloys capable of forming oxides. Such a design is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,482,792 to Faita et al. (entitled "Electrochemical Cell Provided With Ion Exchange Membranes and Bipolar Metal Plates," issued Jan. 9, 1996, and assigned to De Nora Parmelec S.p.A.) and U.S. Pat. No. 5,565,072 to Faita et al. (entitled "Electrochemical Cell Provided With Ion Exchange Membranes and Bipolar Metal Plates," issued Oct. 15, 1996, and assigned to De Nora Parmelec S.p.A.). A shortcoming of this design is the excessive material resource expense and weight, as well as the space consumption, in providing the mattress and plate. Another shortcoming is the non-uniformity in the fluid and pressure distributions resulting from the mattress.
Thus, a need exists for a mechanism for maintaining open and unclogged, flow channels of a flow field plate in a fuel cell assembly. A further need exists for such a mechanism which enhances conductivity through the fuel cell assembly. An additional need exists for the mechanism to promote stability and support for the fuel cell assembly.

Fuel cell assembly unit for promoting fluid service and electrical conductivity


A power module includes a heat radiation layer having the first main surface and the second main surface of reverse side opposed to the first main surface, an insulation layer disposed on the first main surface of a radiation layer, a wiring portion of current circuit disposed on the insulation layer and a plurality of switching elements disposed on the insulation layer and electrically connected to the wiring portion of current circuit. A plurality of external terminals are electrically connected to the wiring portions of current circuit. Furthermore, the module has a resin sealing all of the insulation layer, a wiring portion for current circuit, switching elements and the first main surface of the radiation layer, and a resin sealing a portion of the second main surface of the radiation layer with the resin.

The present invention relates to a power module, particularly to a power module of motor drive control improving its heat radiation performance suitable for home electric appliances, industrial devices and automobiles.
In traditional power modules having switching elements and used in various field, for example, MOSFET (Metal-Oxide Semiconductor Field Effect Transistor) and IGBT (Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor) have been applied. The power module frequently has adopted a resin sealing structure to improve reliability of electric parts and productivity of modules. In such power modules of the resin seal structure, to improve heat radiating performance, a surface mounting the switching elements are covered with resin and a heat radiation layer of reverse side surface is exposed and makes surface contact to an external module mounting portion with grease or the like. Accordingly, a heat radiation path is insured to radiating heat generated inside of the switching elements to outside.
In the future, according to require a multi-function power module, high power and high mounting density, heat quantity of the power module is tendency to increase. With keeping reliability, by adopting such structure so as to keep heat radiation path, it is able to diffuse and radiate heat generated by the switching elements at the heat radiation layer and radiate heat efficiently to the module mounting portion with wide area.
For example, a resin sealed power module structure is disclosed in a patent document, Japanese laying open patent publication 2001-189325.

Power module and motor integrated control unit


Releasable and removable palatal expander apparatuses for expanding a patient's palate (“palatal expanders”) and methods of using and making them. These releasable palatal expanders are adapted for ease in removal by the patient or caregiver, and may include a breach region configured to predictably bend or break when a pulling force is applied. The palatal expander apparatuses described herein may include one or more locks for locking the palatal expander onto the patient's teeth. The lock(s) may be unlocked to release the palatal expander from the teeth. A lock may include a control for manually unlocking the lock. Unlocking the locks may allow the palatal expander to automatically disengage from the patient's teeth.

A variety of orthodontic problems are linked with a narrow palate. In certain circumstances the maxilla of a patient is not sized to accommodate the patient's upper teeth. In other cases there is room for the upper teeth but the palate is so narrow that speech is impaired or made difficult. In other cases the palate is so high that it cuts down on the amount of air that can pass through the nose, so that deep breathing, without opening the mouth, is almost impossible. In all of these cases, palate expansion, including applying forces to separate, widen, and/or spread the maxilla, may be helpful.
While many conventional palatal expanders exist to separate, widen, spread, etc. a patient's maxilla, these appliances are often difficult to remove. As an example, many palatal expanders, when inserted in a patient's palate, exert a significant force on the patient's palate and/or arch. Due to these and other factors, it is often difficult to remove a palatal expander from a patient's mouth. These issues may persist for adult patients, but also apply to pediatric patients, patients who are less coordinated than an ordinary adult patient, or patient's whose palatal expander is removed by a caretaker, such as a parent. In addition, traditional technique of forming attachments on the patient's crowns utilizes thermoformed attachment templates and may be limited on the geometries that can be formed.


Aspects of the present invention provide a solution for recognizing a pattern in a set of data, such as data streaming over a data communication system. In an embodiment, a set of data events is retrieved in the data stream. The retrieved objects each have a plurality of characteristics that can be matched to a predetermined desired characteristic, such as a key value. The retrieved data events can be evaluated with respect to a pattern, with a characteristic of data events being evaluated with respect to an aggregate value related to the pattern. This aggregate value can be updated incrementally based on the data in the characteristic. Based on the evaluation, a determination as to whether the set of data events received subsequent to the first object satisfies the pattern.

As information technology has developed, the amount of incoming data has increased dramatically. Data communication systems have developed from simple solutions that linked a single user to one other user to vast communication networks that communicate large amounts of data among a large number of users. These data communication systems often continue to grow over time, with new and/or faster communications structures being added constantly.
This evolution of data communication systems has precipitated a parallel development in the logic used to interpret the data communicated thereon. One such strategy involves attempting to discern a pattern in the data that is being communicated. Such patterns can help to provide meaning to the large volume of communications that might otherwise be difficult.

Incremental aggregation-based event pattern matching

International Business Machines Corporation


Aspects for a wearable augmented reality (AR) device are described herein. The aspects may include a light engine that includes a micro-display configured to emit light to form an image, a polarized beam splitter positioned horizontally adjacent to the micro-display and configured to receive the emitted light that passes through the polarized beam splitter, and one or more first imaging lenses positioned horizontally adjacent to the polarized beam splitter and configured to receive the diverged light. One of the first imaging lenses may include a reflection surface configured to reflect and converge the light. The polarized beam splitter may include a reflective coating configured to reflect the converged light. The aspects may further include an optical waveguide configured to guide the converged light to a predetermined position.

Unless otherwise indicated herein, the materials described in this section are not prior art to the claims in this application and are not admitted to be prior art by inclusion in this section.
Wearable AR devices typically may include an image generation system configured to generate images and/or texts to provide information onto one or more lenses near to a viewer's eyes. The image generation system may further include multiple components such as light sources, lenses, processors, battery, etc. Because of its complexity, the image generation system is conventionally placed on top of the lenses and close to the viewers forehead, which may be inconvenient to the viewer and aesthetically less pleasing.

Compact LCOS projector for wearable AR devices


Disclosed is a noncontact power transmission system including a power transmission device for transmitting power to a power receiving device in a noncontact manner. The power transmission device includes a cover covering a portion of an outline of the power transmission device where the power transmission device faces the power receiving device, a base covering another portion of the outline of the power transmission device where the power transmission device does not face the power receiving device, a magnetic body arranged in a space enclosed with the cover and the base, a coil bobbin covering the magnetic body partially or entirely, and a coil wire which is wound around the coil bobbin and which generates a magnetic flux upon receiving an alternating current. The coil bobbin includes a load support.

The present disclosure relates to a noncontact power transmission system suitable for noncontact power transmission.
FIG. 9 is a schematic presentation illustrating the configuration of a conventional noncontact power transmission system. In FIG. 9, a power transmission device 2 connected to a power source for power transmission is disposed on the ground, and a power receiving device 4 is mounted on an electric propulsion vehicle 3. The power transmission device 2 has a housing including a cover 5 covering a portion of the power transmission device 2 facing the power receiving device 4, and a base 6 covering a portion of the power transmission device 2 not facing the power receiving device 4. A primary coil 7 is provided in the housing of the power transmission device 2. The power receiving device 4 is provided with a secondary coil 8 for receiving power. In transmitting the power, an alternating current is applied to the primary coil 7 provided in the power transmission device 2 to produce a magnetic flux. The magnetic flux allows the secondary coil 8 of the power receiving device 4 to generate induced electromotive force. Thus, the power is transmitted from the primary coil 7 to the secondary coil 8 in a noncontact manner.
FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the power transmission device of FIG. 9. In FIG. 10, the primary coil 7 is comprised of a plurality of magnetic bodies 12, coil bobbins 13 each covering an associated one of the magnetic bodies 12 partially or entirely, and coil wires 14 wound around the associated one of the coil bobbins 13.
The power receiving device 4 is connected, for example, to an onboard battery (not shown), which is charged by the power transmitted in the above-described manner. The power stored in the onboard battery drives an onboard motor (not shown). During the noncontact power transmission process, the power transmission device 2 and the power receiving device 4 exchange required information through wireless communications device (not shown), for example.

Noncontact electric power transmission equipment

PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.


An organic electroluminescent device including in sequence an anode, a first emitting layer (5), a carrier barrier layer (6), a second emitting layer (7) and a cathode stacked; wherein the ionization potential of the carrier barrier layer (6) is more than the ionization potential of the first emitting layer (5) by 0.1 eV or more and the affinity level of the carrier barrier layer (6) is less than the affinity levels of the first emitting layer (5) and the second emitting layer (7) by 0.1 eV or more.

Recently, white organic EL devices are being actively developed because they can be used for a mono-color display device, a lighting apparatus such as a back light, and a full-color display with color filters. In the case where white organic EL devices are used for lighting applications, they are required to have a high luminous efficiency, for example, which is equivalent to or more than that of fluorescent lamps.
Many methods of producing white light emission by an organic EL device have been disclosed. Few of the methods produce white light with only one kind of emitting material and a single organic EL device generally uses two or more kinds of emitting materials that emit light simultaneously. In the case of using two kinds of emitting materials, a blue emitting material and a yellow-to-red emitting material, yellow-to-red being the complementary color to blue, are selected. However, the yellow-to-red light emission becomes dominant in many cases, thereby yielding a reddish white color.
JP-A-2003-272857 proposes a white organic EL device in which the tendency for red to be strong in emitted light is negated by using a blue emitting layer as an emitting layer on the anode side, the emission range of which tends to be offset in the type where an emitting layer is divided into two layers, and whose color change is suppressed. The level of the luminous efficiency was, however, not necessarily enough.
Further, JP-A-08-078163 discloses a structure having a carrier-recombination-region-control layer interposed between a hole transporting layer and an electron-transporting layer, in which there is obtained white emission having luminous efficiency that is high to some extent although it is not necessarily at a practically sufficient level. Since, however, the affinity level of the above carrier-recombination-region-control layer has a large value relative to the affinity level of the hole transporting layer, the driving voltage is high, and with the passage of the driving time, it comes to be difficult to inject electrons into the hole transporting layer. As a result, the blue emission intensity is decreased, and the emission is liable to be shifted toward red light.
It is an object of the invention to provide an organic EL device with a high luminous efficiency and small change in chromaticity.

Organic electroluminescent device with carrier blocking layer interposed between two emitting layers


A process for producing a periodic structure comprises the steps of preparing a working object, the property of which changes in view of a photoreaction caused by an exciting energy, generating a light having a photonic energy of intensity of one fraction of natural number divisions of the exciting energy by each of the light sources of light-source groups arranged regularly in a two-dimensional arrangement, and concentrating the light emitted from the light source group at each of the light-concentrating points arranged at regular intervals in the working object to cause a photoreaction at and around the light-concentrating point to form a periodic structure comprised of regions each of which has a changed property in the working object.

Recently, fine processing techniques and fine processing apparatuses have been developed for processing at a level that is finer than the visible light wavelength, such as those in semiconductor processing techniques. Further, techniques and apparatuses for working of optical elements having a structure on a light wavelength level have been developed, such as photonic crystals different from electronic elements. In particular, in the field of optical elements, a process for producing a two-dimensional air-bridge type photonic crystal is disclosed, which process employs electron-beam lithography and reactive-ion-beam etching (Physical Review Letters, vol. 86, No. 11, p. 2289). Further, a process for producing a three-dimensional photonic crystal is disclosed, in which the three-dimensional photonic crystal is produced by laminating different substances alternately by auto-cloning on a two-dimensional periodic structure formed on a substrate (Applied Physics Letter, vol. 77, No. 26, p. 4256). Further, a process for producing a three-dimensional photonic crystal is disclosed, in which fine Si spheres are arranged in a solvent (Nature, vol. 414, p. 289).
Although structures having a desired two-dimensional configuration can be produced by a semiconductor processing technique, the processing in the height direction is conducted by a lamination technique, so that a three-dimensional fine periodic structure cannot readily be produced. Further, in the aforementioned process of lamination of different substances on a two-dimensional periodic structure formed on a substrate, there are difficulties associated with the necessity to maintain strict cleanliness and flatness of the substrate for processing, a lengthy amount of time required for lamination, the need for labor to exchange the laminating substance, and the need for conducting evacuation for film formation. In the process of arrangement of styrene spheres in a solvent, there are problems associated with the necessity to maintain the flatness of the substrate, to control the temperature and the humidity of the preparation atmosphere, and that a time period of days or months is required for the arrangement formation.

Process for producing three-dimensional structure


An expandable and shrinkable decorative lighting string arrangement with a plurality of lamp bulbs, lamp bases, lamp holders, all connected by wires to form a lighting string. The lighting string is connected to a plurality of stands by a clamp. An axis connector forms a support for the ends of the stands, and the ends of the stands are movably connected to the axis connector to form an expandable volume and a shrunken volume. The expandable volume attains a decorative structure with the stands spaced from each other. The shrunken volume positions the stands adjacent to each other. A locking device locks the stands to the axis connector to cause the stands to form the decorative structure.

The present invention generally relates to an expandable, shrinkable and three-dimensional lighting string unit in a Christmas decorative lighting string and more particularly to the combination structure of the lamp bulb connected in series or in parallel whereby to form a decorative lighting string.
Generally, the decorative lighting string is used around a tree, window or door, or pre-arranged on a decorative sheet or a stand. Such lighting strings are only a simply decorative lighting string. Some of the conventional lighting strings are arranged on a three-dimensional body. All of them are not any variance. Further, the package of these take up a large volume so that the tanspotation and storage are not so easy. Thus, the cost will be increased so as to reduced the customer's purchasing ability.

Decorative lighting string with expandable, shrinkable and three-dimensional unit

No. 14, Alley 1, Lane 326, Shyr-Piin Road


A stacked array antenna system is presented having one or more antenna(s) as part of the supporting structure. This allows more than a single omni-directional antenna to be used with a minimum amount of azimuth pattern degradation. At least one antenna is actually part of the structure. By placing the antenna(s) in the structure, the antenna structure becomes a structural platform for one or more other antenna(s).

The invention is related generally to improvements in broadcast transmitting antennas and more particularly to a novel type of stacker approach for accommodating two or more antennas on the same tower structure without the desired directional characteristics of the antennas being significantly degraded by scattering effects.
Broadcast transmitting antennas are usually array type antennas. The onset of DTV (digital television) has brought the need for additional tower space. For omni-directional coverage, the only solution usually is a top-mount antenna since omnidirectional antennas at other locations will exhibit azimuth patterns which are degraded by the scattering effects of other elements of the tower structure. Normally only one top-mount antenna can be considered per tower, since other antennas at the top of the tower will cause such scattering effects.
With this in mind, there is a need to have more than one omni-directional coverage antenna per tower. Currently, the only solution was to use an offset stack or stack two antennas and run the feeder for the upper antenna through the lower antenna aperture (xe2x80x9ccenterfed stackxe2x80x9d). Both of these solutions are accepted, but can cause undesired azimuth coverage patterns, i.e., significantly different from the desired omnidirectional pattern.
A general object of this invention is to provide improved azimuth coverage by incorporating the antenna design into the support structure.
In accordance with the invention, an antenna and tower structure mountable to a tower top or building top, comprises an elongated tower having a generally polygonal cross-sectional configuration and constructed having at least three spaced apart upright members defining said polygonal cross-sectional configuration and a plurality of cross members interconnecting said upright members, and at least one of said upright members of said elongated tower comprising an elongated antenna.


A performance evaluation apparatus presents a reference performance of a music piece for practice. The user inputs manual performance operations in tempo with the presented reference performance. The apparatus compares the inputted manual performance and the reference performance, and outputs an evaluation report as to the correctness of the manual performance with respect to the reference performance. In one embodiment, the apparatus is provided with an outputting condition designating device for the user to designate whether to output an evaluation report after the practice performance is over. In another embodiment, the apparatus is provided with an evaluation span designating device for the user to designate performance spans about which the user""s practice performance is to be evaluated. The apparatus outputs an evaluation report according to the user""s designation.

This application claims priority from Japanese Patent Applications Nos. 11-367326 and 2000-341530, filed Dec. 24, 1999 and Nov. 9, 2000, respectively, the contents of which are incorporated hereinto by this reference.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for evaluating a practice musical performance by the user in comparison with a reference performance provided at the apparatus end, a storage medium containing a program therefor, and a client/server system architecture therefor.
2. Description of the Prior Art
There has conventionally been known in the art apparatuses for evaluating a user""s manual performance of music comparing with a reference musical performance of which music piece data are stored in an appropriate memory. A type of such apparatus is a dedicated training apparatus exclusively designed for training a pupil or user, and is so structured that the data of the pupil""s manual performance operations are instantaneously processed according to the installed program for training so as to instantaneously notify the evaluation to the pupil, so that the pupil cannot practice playing freely from the beginning till the end of a piece of music or at a particularly intended span without minding (i.e. being interrupted by) the evaluation results. Another type of such apparatus is an electronic musical instrument equipped with an evaluation faculty on which a pupil can freely practice a manual performance without interruption by the apparatus in the midst of the performance, but the pupil has to set the instrument at the mode for evaluation and designate whether an evaluation report is to be outputted with respect to the pupil""s manual performance, before the playback of the music piece data of the reference performance is started.
However, in the latter type of apparatus, once the playback of the music piece data of the reference performance has been started, the user cannot change the setting for whether to output an evaluation report or not in the midst of the performance or after the end of the performance, even in the case where the user wants an output of the evaluation report during the actual manual performance or in the case where the user has once requested a performance evaluation but later gives up getting a performance evaluation. For this reason, when the user gives up getting an evaluation report after he/she has set the apparatus to output an evaluation report, and when the user wants to have an evaluation report output after he/she has started a manual performance with the setting of no evaluation report output, the user has to stop the playback of the music piece data in the middle way to restart the playback of the music piece data as well as his/her manual performance from the beginning, which is very inconvenient for the user. And even in the case of an apparatus on which a performance of a fractional portion of a music piece is acceptable, the evaluation report is on the whole length of the inputted performance. Therefore, after a length of manual performance has been inputted, the user cannot get the evaluation about a particular portion or portions within the non-chopped performance. That is, the user may not obtain a suitable evaluation report as wanted.
It is, therefore, a primary object of the present invention to solve the above-mentioned drawbacks involved in such conventional apparatuses and to provide an improved apparatus and method for evaluating a musical performance and a client/server system therefor as well as a storage medium containing a computer program executing processes therefor. According to the invention, a user can designate an output of an evaluation report at any arbitrary timing in the midst of the playback of a musical performance or after the playback of a musical performance. Further, a user can designate particular performance spans about which evaluation reports are to be outputted.
In order to accomplish the object of the present invention, a first aspect of the present invention provides a musical performance evaluating apparatus comprising: a reference performance data providing device which provides a reference performance data representing a musical performance as a reference for evaluation; a manual performance input device for inputting manual performance operations by a user and outputting manual performance data representing the inputted performance operations to be evaluated; an evaluation device which compares the manual performance data with the reference performance data; an evaluation report output device which outputs an evaluation report based on the comparison by the evaluation device; an evaluation report outputting condition designating device which designates a condition whether to output an evaluation report according to a control operation by the user; and an evaluation report output control device which controls the evaluation report output device to output the evaluation report after the performance operations have finished, when the evaluation report outputting condition designating device is designating the condition to output an evaluation report. In the above-mentioned structure of a performance evaluating apparatus, the reference performance data providing device may include a music piece data memory which stores music piece data including the reference performance data, and a music piece data readout device which reads out the music piece data including the reference performance data successively from said music piece data memory to play back the reference performance. The reference performance data providing device may includes a music piece data inputting device for inputting music piece data including the reference performance data so that the reference performance data can be inputted externally. In the latter case, the music piece data may be obtained via a communication network from a server machine in the network. The transmission may be a batch transmission or may be a real time transmission along with the playback of the performance.
According to the above-mentioned musical performance evaluating apparatus of the first aspect of the invention, the user can arbitrarily determine whether to output an evaluation report or not, by controlling the evaluation report outputting condition designating device very easily. The designation can be entered at any arbitrary time in the midst of the performance operations or after the performance operations have finished. The evaluation report outputting condition designating device may preferably hold the designated condition according to the control operation every time there is a control operation, so that the user is allowed to reconsider the designation, even during the performance is running.
A second aspect of the present invention provides a storage medium for use in an apparatus for evaluating a musical performance, the apparatus being of a data processing type comprising a computer, the medium containing a program that is executable by the computer, the program comprising: a module for providing a reference performance data representing a musical performance as a reference for evaluation; a module for inputting manual performance operations by a user and outputting manual performance data representing the inputted performance operations to be evaluated; a module for comparing the input performance data with the reference performance data; a module for outputting an evaluation report based on the comparison by the comparing module; a module for designating a condition whether to output an evaluation report according to a control operation by the user; and a module for controlling the function of the outputting module to output the evaluation report after the performance operations have finished, when the designating module is designating the condition to output an evaluation report.
As will be apparent from the above description, the computer programs are useful for realizing a musical performance evaluating apparatus within the spirit of the present invention by installing such a program in a data processing apparatus or in an electronic musical instrument incorporating a computer so that an embodiment of the above-described first aspect of the present invention can be easily configured.
A third aspect of the present invention provides a client/server system for evaluating a musical performance. A server machine comprises: a connecting device for connecting the server apparatus to a communication network to be available for an access from a client apparatus; a reference performance data providing device which provides reference performance data representing a musical performance as a reference for evaluation; a manual performance data receiving device which receives, via the connecting device, a manual performance data representing inputted performance operations at the client apparatus; an evaluation device which compares the manual performance data with the reference performance data; an evaluation report output device which outputs an evaluation report based on the comparison by the evaluation device; an evaluation report output control device which controls the evaluation report output device to output the evaluation report after the performance operations have finished, when evaluation report outputting condition designating information received from the client apparatus via the connecting device is designating the condition to output an evaluation report; and an evaluation report transmitting device which transmits the evaluation report to the client via the connecting device. The reference performance data providing device may include a music piece data inputting device for inputting a music piece data including the reference performance data. A client machine comprises: a connecting device for connecting the client apparatus to a communication network to access a server apparatus; a reference performance data receiving device for receiving via the connecting device a music piece data including a reference performance data representing a musical performance as a reference for evaluation; a manual performance input device for inputting manual performance operations by a user and outputting manual performance data representing the inputted performance operations to be evaluated; a manual performance data outputting device which outputs the manual performance data to the communication network via the connecting device; an evaluation report outputting condition designating device which designates a condition whether to output an evaluation report according to a control operation by the user, and outputs information about the designated condition to the communication network via the connecting device such that the server apparatus outputs an evaluation report with respect to the manual performance data against the reference performance data after the performance operations have finished, when the information about the designated condition is designating the condition to output an evaluation report; and an evaluation report receiving device which receives the evaluation report from the server apparatus via the connecting device.
According to the above-mentioned client/server system for evaluating a musical performance of the third aspect of the invention, the user inputs a practice performance, i.e. manual performance operations at the client machine and the server machine evaluates the user""s performance and notifies to the client machine. The user may input a designation of whether to output an evaluation report or not by the end of his/her performance operations. As the server can be a large scale machine and therefore can process a high level of evaluation (precise, high-speed, detailed, versatile, etc.), the client machine can be free from heavy-load processing. Where the server stores music piece data of reference performances and delivers a requested performance data to the client, the client machine does not have to prepare a big database of music piece data. Alternatively, however, the reference performance database may be prepared in the client machine, so that the user can easily and quickly select any desired music piece for practice at the user""s end.
A fourth aspect of the present invention provides a storage medium for use in a client machine for evaluating a musical performance, the machine being of a data processing type comprising a computer and having a connecting device to connect the machine to a communication network, the medium containing a program that is executable by the computer, the program comprising: a module for connecting the client machine to a communication network to access a server machine; a module for receiving via the connecting device a music piece data including a reference performance data representing a musical performance as a reference for evaluation; a module for inputting manual performance operations by a user and outputting manual performance data representing the inputted performance operations to be evaluated; a module for outputting the manual performance data to the communication network via the connecting device; a module for designating a condition whether to output an evaluation report according to a control operation by the user, and outputs information about the designated condition to the communication network via the connecting device such that the server machine outputs an evaluation report with respect to the manual performance data against the reference performance data after the performance operations have finished, when the information about the designated condition is designating the condition to output an evaluation report; and a module for receiving the evaluation report from the server machine via the connecting device. With this program, the client machine will work as a practice station for users, having evaluation faculty and being connected to the server machine via a communication network.
In order to accomplish the object of the present invention, a fifth aspect of the present invention provides a musical performance evaluating apparatus comprising: a reference performance data providing device which provides a reference performance data representing a musical performance as a reference for evaluation; a manual performance input device for inputting manual performance operations by a user and outputting input performance data representing the inputted performance operations to be evaluated; an evaluation device which compares the manual performance data with the reference performance data; an evaluation report output device which outputs an evaluation report based on the comparison by the evaluation device; an evaluation report output span designating device which designates at least one evaluation report output spans about which an evaluation of the inputted performance operations are to be made within the length of the reference musical performance; and an evaluation report output control device which controls the evaluation report output device to output the evaluation report with respect to the at least one evaluation report output spans after the performance operations have finished. In the above-mentioned structure of a performance evaluating apparatus, the reference performance data providing device may include a music piece data memory which stores music piece data including the reference performance data; and a music piece data readout device which reads out the music piece data including the reference performance data successively from the music piece data memory to play back the reference performance. Alternatively, the reference performance data providing device may include a music piece data inputting device for inputting music piece data including the reference performance data so that the reference performance data can be inputted externally. In the latter case, the music piece data may be obtained via a communication network from a server machine in the network. The transmission may be a batch transmission or may be a real time transmission along with the playback of the performance.
According to the above-mentioned musical performance evaluating apparatus of the fifth aspect of the invention, the user can arbitrarily designate a particular span or spans in the length of a music piece about which span an evaluation report is to be outputted, by controlling the evaluation report output span designating device very easily. The designation can be entered at any arbitrary time in the midst of the performance operations or after the performance operations have finished. The evaluation report output span designating device may include an evaluation span designating data memory which stores data for designating evaluation report output spans, and an evaluation span designating data readout device which reads out the data for designating evaluation report output spans successively from the evaluation span designating data memory, so that the user is allowed to designate an intended number of evaluation spans arbitrarily beforehand. The evaluation report output span designating device may be designed to be capable of designating the evaluation report output spans according to control by the user in the midst of the successive readout of the music piece data, so that the user is allowed to designate the evaluation spans at any time in the midst of the performance. The evaluation report output span designating device may be designed to be capable of designating the evaluation report output spans according to control by the user after the successive readout of the music piece data has finished, so that the user can designate particular evaluation spans after the finish of the music piece data readout.
A sixth aspect of the present invention provides a storage medium for use in an apparatus for evaluating a musical performance, the apparatus being of a data processing type comprising a computer, the medium containing a program that is executable by the computer, the program comprising: a module for providing a reference performance data representing a musical performance as a reference for evaluation; a module for inputting manual performance operations by a user and outputting manual performance data representing the inputted performance operations to be evaluated; a module for comparing the input performance data with the reference performance data; a module for outputting an evaluation report based on the comparison by the comparing module; a module for designating at least one evaluation report output spans about which an evaluation of the inputted performance operations are to be made within the length of the reference musical performance; and a module for controlling the function of the outputting module to output the evaluation report with respect to the at least one evaluation report output spans after the performance operations have finished.
As will be apparent from the above description, the computer programs are useful for realizing a musical performance evaluating apparatus within the spirit of the present invention by installing such a program in a data processing apparatus or in an electronic musical instrument incorporating a computer so that an embodiment of the above-described fifth aspect of the invention can be easily configured.
A seventh aspect of the present invention provides a client/server system for evaluating a musical performance. A server machine comprises: a connecting device for connecting the server apparatus to a communication network to be available for an access from a client apparatus; a music piece data inputting device for inputting a music piece data including reference performance data representing a musical performance as a reference for evaluation; a manual performance data receiving device which receives, via the connecting device, a manual performance data representing inputted performance operations at the client apparatus; an evaluation device which compares the manual performance data with the reference performance data; an evaluation report output device which outputs an evaluation report based on the comparison by the evaluation device; an evaluation report output span designating device which designates at least one evaluation report output spans about which an evaluation of the inputted performance operations are to be made within the length of the reference musical performance; an evaluation report output control device which controls the evaluation report output device to output the evaluation report with respect to the at least one evaluation report output spans after the performance operations have finished; and an evaluation report transmitting device which transmits the outputted evaluation report to the communication network via the connecting device. A client machine comprises: a connecting device for connecting the client apparatus to a communication network to access a server apparatus; a reference performance data receiving device for receiving via the connecting device a music piece data including a reference performance data representing a musical performance as a reference for evaluation, a manual performance input device for inputting manual performance operations by a user and outputting manual performance data representing the inputted performance operations to be evaluated; a manual performance data outputting device which outputs the manual performance data to the communication network via the connecting device; an evaluation report output span designating device which designates at least one evaluation report output spans about which an evaluation of the inputted performance operations are to be made within the length of the reference musical performance, and outputs information about the at least one designated spans to the communication network via the connecting device such that the server apparatus outputs an evaluation report with respect to the manual performance data against the reference performance data; and an evaluation report receiving device which receives the evaluation report via the connecting device after the performance operations have finished.
According to the above-mentioned client/server system for evaluating a musical performance of the seventh aspect of the invention, the user inputs a practice performance, i.e. manual performance operations at the client machine and the server machine evaluates the user""s performance and notifies to the client machine. The user may input a designation with respect to evaluation spans by the end of his/her performance operations. As the server can be a large scale machine and therefore can process a high level of evaluation (precise, high-speed, detailed, versatile, etc.), the client machine can be free from heavy-load processing. Where the server stores music piece data of reference performances and delivers a requested performance data to the client, the client machine does not have to prepare a big database of music piece data. Alternatively, however, the reference performance database may be prepared in the client machine, so that the user can easily and quickly select any desired music piece for practice at the user""s end.
A eighth aspect of the present invention provides a storage medium for use a client machine for evaluating a musical performance, the machine being of a data processing type comprising a computer and having a connecting device to connect the machine to a communication network, the medium containing a program that is executable by the computer, the program comprising: a module for connecting the client machine to a communication network to access a server machine; a module for receiving via the connecting device a music piece data including a reference performance data representing a musical performance as a reference for evaluation; a module for inputting manual performance operations by a user and outputting manual performance data representing the inputted performance operations to be evaluated; a module for outputting the manual performance data to the communication network via the connecting device; a module for designating at least one evaluation report output spans about which an evaluation of the inputted performance operations are to be made within the length of the reference musical performance, and for outputting information about the at least one designated spans to the communication network via the connecting device such that the server machine outputs an evaluation report with respect to the manual performance data against the reference performance data; and a module for receiving the evaluation report from the server machine via the connecting device after the performance operations have finished. With this program, the client machine will work as a practice station for users, having evaluation faculty with respect to any particular performance spans of a music piece and being connected to the server machine via a communication network.
In all of the above-mentioned aspects of the present invention, an apparatus at the user""s side preferably contain a playback device for playing back the music piece for practice and more preferably musical tone generating device for emitting audible sounds of the reference performance (of the music piece for practice), so that the user can play the music in tempo with the progression of the reference performance, inputting manual performance operations (manipulations). The tone generating device may be selectively made operative according to the necessity. The above-mentioned programs may preferably contain a module for processing musical tone signals in connection with the performance data.
As will be understood from the above description about a musical performance evaluating apparatus, a client/server system and a storage medium containing a computer program according to the present invention, a sequence of steps each performing the operational function of each of the structural element devices of the musical performance evaluating apparatus or of the structural modules of the computer program will constitute an inventive method for evaluating a musical performance according to the spirit of the present invention.
Further as will be apparent from the description herein later, some of the structural element devices of the present invention are configured by computer sub-systems performing the assigned functions according to the associated programs. They may of course be hardware structured discrete devices performing the same functions.
The present invention may take form in various components and arrangement of components including hardware and software, and in various steps and arrangement of steps. The drawings are only for purposes of illustrating preferred embodiments and processes, and are not to be construed as limiting the invention.

Apparatus and method for evaluating musical performance and client/server system therefor


A bicycle support stand for supporting a bicycle or other similar generally wheeled transportation apparatus or vehicle having substantially linear and separable or retractable portions which are removably secured to a mating tab portion positioned adjacent to or about an axle, or axle skewer, of a bicycle wheel. The support stand is specifically designed to accommodate bicycles having a frame geometry which cannot incorporate a conventional kickstand.

Growth of the bicycle industry has produced exciting and new bicycles for example in both the mountain bike, and road racing fields as well as designs specifically for sprinting and for triathlon events. With new materials and advancing manufacturing technologies now available for manufacturing bicycle frames, new bicycle frames are often incompatible with the known conventional kickstands which support a bike by attachment of the kickstand adjacent the cranks and bottom bracket of a conventional bicycle. As is known in the art, a conventional kickstand has a mounting plate which is bolted or affixed in one manner or another between the rear chain stays of the bicycle frame in the middle of the bike frame adjacent the bottom bracket of the frame. A one piece elongate extension is springably hinged to the mounting plate and can be manually moved, i.e. usually by kicking with the foot, relative to the mounting plate and bicycle frame between a supporting position for engaging the ground and supporting the bicycle in an upright manner, and a stowed position, where the rod or tube retracts and rotates about the spring hinge to lie substantially parallel and slightly spaced from the rear chain stays. As such conventional kickstands are known, no further description is provided in this regard.
Many new bicycle frames for example carbon fiber frames do not have such a conventional rear chain stay design and thus cannot support these conventionally known kickstands. The most distinctive feature of such new bicycle frames are their unique geometry, size, tubing types, welding or glue methods, design integrity, fit, flex and rigidity, weight and cable routing. Because of the geometry size and tubing types there are many variables which go into a modern frame. There are different types of tubing to be used for the frame for example steel, aluminum, titanium, carbon fiber and plastic. Each type of tubing has its own advantages and disadvantages. The choice of tubing type will end on the particular needs of the rider. Furthermore, in mountain biking, road racing, sprint races and triathlons, lowering the weight of the overall bicycle by foregoing a kickstand is a significant consideration. Also, such conventional kickstands are on one hand considered by racers and triathletes as entirely uncool, and more importantly on the other hand can interfere with operation of the bicycle function especially in extreme racing conditions and rough environments.
Due to the nature of bicycle racing, triathlons and mountain biking events for example where lower weight and strict functionality are demanded by athletes, conventional kickstands are not a basic feature of many contemporary bicycles. As a result most, if not all new bikes are made and sold without a kickstand or other type of independent supporting mechanism that can support the bicycle in an upright position. However these bikes tend to be fairly expensive and without a kickstand a user must support their bicycle against a tree, fence or a car for example in many instances. Often this is a precarious situation so the user lays the bicycle on the ground where it is a hazard to others, can get dirty or be damaged. In the absence of a kickstand, there is no simple, safe way to support a bicycle in the absence of a dedicated work stand or bicycle rack however these things are not always readily available when one dismounts the bike.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,591,180 to Coppel shows a portable bicycle stand for supporting a bicycle. The stand is designed to permit its removal from the bicycle when not in use. The bicycle stand includes an elongated support leg having at a first end a cooperating finger and thumb adapted to detachably mount the support leg to the bicycle frame in a support position wherein a second opposite end of the support leg engages the ground to support the bicycle in a generally upright orientation. Intermediate its first and second ends, the support leg further has a pair of aligned storage facilitating arms which, in cooperation with the support leg itself, are adapted to detachably mount the support leg on the bicycle frame in a second storage position. The drawbacks with this apparatus are that it can only be used on a conventional frame geometry having a pair of rear chain stays adjacent the bicycle cranks and bottom bracket and also that the storage position on the frame is a highly unsecure position. Advances in bicycle construction including material composites, tubing shapes, and frame designs have rendered the Coppel design incompatible with many modern bicycles. Further, none of the known references disclose a support stand for a bicycle wherein the support can be effectively and securely magnetically attached and easily detached, collapsed and stored when the bike is placed into use.


A portable radiotelephone apparatus having a microphone and an earpiece electrically connected individually to respective wires of a two-wire electrical line, and a retraction mechanism with a one-way lock device for the line.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a portable radiotelephone apparatus, particularly a cellular phone, having extensible and retractable electrical wiring for the user's earpiece-speaker and a microphone that can be positioned on the user for hands-free use of the phone.
2. Prior Art
U.S. Pat. No. 6,082,656 to Thornton discloses a cellular phone with an extensible and retractable cord connecting it to a handset which has the usual speaker enabling the user to hear the voice of the person to whom he or she is speaking and a microphone into which the user speaks. A spring-operated cord retraction mechanism located inside the phone housing has a one-way lock enabling the cord to be pulled out and then automatically locking it in its pulled-out position for use of the handset in a phone call. A manually-operated release for the lock device enables the cord retraction mechanism to retract the cord into the phone housing after the user is finished with the phone call.
The following U.S. patents show cellular phone headsets or other unitary devices with a microphone and an earpiece-speaker that communicate with the user's cellular phone in various ways:
Hahn et al U.S. Pat. No. 6,078,825—radio communication;
Vangarde U.S. Pat. No. 5,504,812 and Hwang U.S. Pat. No. 6,122,369—electrical wiring;
Guenther U.S. Pat. No. 5,613,222—either electrical wiring or sound tubing from the microphone to the cell phone, and sound tubing from the phone to the user's earpiece-speaker; and
Chan U.S. Pat. No. 5,528,689—sound tubes between the cellular phone and both the microphone and the earpiece-speaker.


An object of the disclosure of the present specification is to provide a method for detection of a target nucleic acid which allows construction of an effective detection system of a target nucleic acid. For this purpose, in the disclosure of the present specification, a first primer comprising an identification sequence complementary to a target sequence in a target nucleic acid and a tag addition sequence, and a second primer having a label are prepared. The first primer and the second primer are used for the target nucleic acid in a sample to amplify a chimeric DNA having a tag sequence and the label. The chimeric DNA is hybridized with a detection probe on a solid phase to obtain signal intensity information based on the label, and the target nucleic acid is detected based on the signal intensity information.

It has been conventionally proposed to exhaustively detect or quantitate nucleic acid sequences in order to carry out genetic analyses of individual organisms and to test an infection of biological samples with viruses or bacteria. For example, microarrays (hereinafter merely referred to as "arrays") are used for detecting an expression level of nucleic acid sequences to be detected (target nucleic acids) in samples (e.g., see Non-patent documents 1 to 4) Arrays are carriers on which multiple nucleic acid fragments (detection probes) having known base sequences are independently fixed. As shown in FIG. 8, in conventional array methods, a forward primer (F primer) and a reverse primer (R primer) designed so as to flank the target sequence are used to amplify a DNA fragment (target nucleic acid) containing the target sequence. The amplified nucleic acid is then separated to a single strand. The target nucleic acid then binds on the carrier by hybridization of the target sequence with a portion complementary to a partial sequence characteristic to the target nucleic acid (target sequence). The hybridized target nucleic acid is detected by any suitable method to determine a presence or absence of the nucleic acid in the sample. Arrays specific for detection of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have been developed (e.g., see Patent documents 1 and 2). By this method, a type of SNPs of the target nucleic acid in the sample can be detected by using DNA computer technology.

Method for detection of target nucleic acid