An auxiliary propulsion system for a boat or other marine vessel according to the invention incorporates an electric motor/transmission device for generating locomotive force to propel the boat or vessel, an electrical power supply for providing electrical energy to drive the electric motor/transmission device, at least one electrical energy generating device for generating electrical energy through conversion from one of at least sunlight, wind motion and water motion, a charging circuit having a device for controlling charging of the power supply with electrical energy from the energy generating device, and a device for controlling speed and direction operation of the electric motor/transmission device. In operation, electrical energy is inputted into the electric motor/transmission device from the electrical power supply and locomotive force is thereby generated by the electric motor/transmission device when the primary propulsion system of the boat or other marine vessel is inactive. Electrical energy to be stored in the electrical power supply is generated by converting at least one of sunlight, wind motion and water motion into electrical energy.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a system for propelling marine vessels. In particular, the invention relates to an auxiliary propulsion system for sail-powered marine vessels that uses a combined electric motor and transmission device having a continuously variable speed output, a stored energy supply for powering the device, and an electrical recharging system for recharging the stored energy supply.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Traditionally, numerous types of marine vessels have relied on the use of sails as their primary source of motive energy. However, for safety reasons, the larger classes of sail-powered vessels are typically equipped with auxiliary power sources for use during low wind conditions or for maneuvering in and out of harbors and slips. Such auxiliary power sources typically consist of internal combustion engines or electrically powered motors. Both of these power sources have inherent disadvantages as will be discussed below.
Internal combustion engines require constant maintenance and often become environmental hazards after extended use or inadequate maintenance. For example, internal combustion engines require the use of oil-based fuels and lubricants that can leak and emit unpleasant, unsightly and unsafe odors. In addition, internal combustion engines are comparatively loud, and often can become unreliable due to age or constant exposure to the saltwater and extreme weather conditions common to the environment of marine vessels. The necessary fuel system and engine block are bulky and add unwanted weight to marine vessels. Finally, any supply of fuels and lubricants on a marine vessel can occupy a considerable amount of a vessel's limited space, and also pose a fire hazard to the vessel and its occupants.
On the other hand, electric motors used in marine vessels are generally quieter, less polluting and require less maintenance than internal combustion engines. However, electric motors also suffer from a number of inherent problems. Electric motors are usually powered by batteries which cannot operate for extended periods of time without recharging. During normal operation, marine vessels are often far from shore and do not have a recharging source. Large banks of batteries may be employed to prolong the amount of time between battery rechargings. However, like the fuel tanks, the engine block and the required supplies for an internal combustion engine, the large banks of batteries needed to run conventional electric motors can be bulky and heavy.
A need exists, therefore, for an auxiliary propulsion system for marine vessels that is comparatively lightweight and dependable, occupies less space than the conventional auxiliary propulsion system, can operate for extended periods of time, and is not absolutely dependent on land-based facilities for replenishment of its energy supply.
Marine vessels are operated in environments having almost unlimited energy sources. For example, as noted above, sail-powered marine vessels use the wind as their primary motive power source. However, in addition to the wind, such vessels are typically exposed to several hours of direct sunlight, and are surrounded by water that is constantly in motion. The movement of vessels under sail by itself can generate the movement of water. The wind, sun and water offer sources of energy which could potentially help power marine vessels.
Consequently, a further need exists for a propulsion system for marine vessels that can harness the energies of the wind, sun or water to a greater degree than is possible in current conventional marine vessels.

Method and apparatus for propelling a marine vessel


The invention is directed to a dust removal system, an image capture device and a dust removal vibration method thereof. The dust removal system includes a vibration generation module having a vibration unit which is arranged on a transparent object of an image capture device, and is driven to generate a vibration for dust removal, a vibration detection unit arranged on the transparent object and transform a vibration amplitude into a corresponding electrical signal so as to output a feedback signal continually, a compare unit outputting a control signal when the compare unit determines the feedback signal exceeds the threshold value, and a control unit controlling the vibration generation module based on the control signal to generate the corresponding vibration for dust removal. Thereby, an amplitude of the transparent object can be precisely obtained and the vibration can be precisely adjusted.

1. Field of the Disclosure
The present invention relates to a dust removal system, an image capture device and a dust removal vibration method thereof, and more particularly to the dust removal system, the image capture device and the dust removal vibration method thereof capable of directly detecting amplitudes of transparent objects, and then determining a way how a vibration generating module generates amplitudes to remove dust by vibration.
2. Brief Description of the Related Art
With the advent of the digital era and technological advances, changeable lens digital cameras, such as digital single lens reflex (DSLR) cameras, are becoming at popular selling prices and thus are becoming prerequisite 3C products for persons. The changeable lens digital camera has advantages of high image qualities, provides demand for various objectives of taking pictures and has a lens that can be replaced with one having a suitable focal length. However, when the lens is replaced, dust or other materials could pass into the inside of the changeable lens digital camera and could be attached to an image sensor. Thus, multiples ashy points could be shown on images and are led to affect picture qualities and user's mood. Besides, the above situation could happen due to dust or other materials attached to the inside of an image capture lens or glass at the outside.
In the prior art, a vibrating element is provided to vibrate an image sensor or glass of an image capture lens such that dust or other materials can fall off from the image sensor or the glass of the image capture lens. For dust removal, the vibrating element vibrates the image sensor or the glass of the image capture lens in suitable amplitudes that can be adjusted by a microprocessor based on driving signals of the vibrating element. However, in accordance with the above method, the best vibration can be generated by the vibrating element fabricated with errors only if adjusted. Furthermore, the suitable amplitudes of the vibrating element may not be those of the image sensor or the glass of the image capture lens. Accordingly, the amplitudes of the vibrating element, even if adjusted to suitable ones, may not be those of the image sensor or the glass of the image capture lens. The vibrating element is typically a piezoelectric material that is subject to having different amplitudes with a temperature varying. In the case, a temperature detector should be additionally arranged to detect a temperature of the vibrating element such that a compensation value is generated to correct vibrating conditions. However, with regards to this method, additional elements and circuits are needed and thus are led to be large obstructions of miniaturizing products.
In order to improve the above disadvantages and industrial application, a dust removal system, image capture device and dust removal vibration method thereof is proposed.

Dust removal system, image capture device and dust removal vibration method thereof


Methods and systems for controlling fluid flow through a cartridge for use in an assay of a fluid sample for detection of a target analyte. In one aspect, the cartridge includes a microfluidic device having a network of microfluidic channels, one or more reservoirs and one or more actuatable valves for controlling fluid flow from the reservoirs through the microfluidic channels. In some embodiments, the valve includes a deformable membrane movable between a closed configuration in which the membrane seals against the microfluidic device inhibiting fluid flow and an open configuration moved away from the microfluidic device to allow fluid flow through the microfluidic channels. Other valve embodiments utilize frangible membranes or user-removable membrane.

Microfluidic devices require a source of liquid reagents to operate. Typically for emulsion-based systems, these reagents are stored in bottles or tubes which are then connected to the device by the user, with tubing and connectors. This requires complex manipulation of tubing and connectors, creating the potential for waste, due to leaks or operator errors. Reagent leaks and handling contamination are a considerable source of variability in system operation.
By their very nature, microfluidic devices deal in the behavior, precise control, and manipulation of fluids that are geometrically constrained to small scales. To drive fluids across micro-scale features within devices, power must be supplied to move the working fluid(s). Devices can feature micropumps or small-scale external pressure sources, some even harness capillary forces or electrokinetic mechanisms. One approach to generating fluidic motion is the use of servo-driven syringe pumps. These pumps have high fluidic capacitances and often require cumbersome fluidic pre-preparation. The process can result in long settling times and unsteady fluidic transients.
Where using channels of micron scale, there is the ability to manufacture devices that have excellent control over the production, handling, manipulation, merging, and detection of droplets with volumes on the order of picoliters at rates exceeding 100,000 times per second. The source of fluid to be used in a microfluidic device is typically located separately from the device, such as in a syringe, where the fluid is subsequently introduced into the microfluidic device via tubing or another via another source. When a microfluidic device has many fluid inputs and outputs connecting to any syringes with many ports for tubing, the complexity of the device increases along with the cost of fabrication, assembly and operation.

Microfluidic cartridge devices and methods of use and assembly


The present invention provides a compound of Formula I, all of its related stereoisomers, and their pharmaceutically acceptable salts, wherein A—B, K, Q, X, Y, Z, R and R1 are as defined in Claim 1. The present invention also provides processes for the preparation thereof, the use thereof in treating immune mediated disease and conditions, and pharmaceutical compositions for use in such therapy

1. Field of the Invention
Pateamine A was first isolated from the marine sponge Mycale found off the shores of New Zealand. Northcote, P. T. et al, Tetrahedron Lett., 32:6411–6414 (1991). The natural form bears a thiazole and an E,Z-dienoate within a 19-membered macrocycle and a trienylamine side chain. Two additional pateamines, pateamines B and C, were also isolated. Their structures differ from pateamine A only in the nature of the terminal group of the trienylamine side chain. The structure for all three isolated natural forms is shown below:

Isolated pateamine A ("native pateamine A") is a novel marine product that promises to be quite useful as a biochemical probe and which displays potent imunosuppressive properties with low cytotoxicity. Northcote, P. T.; Blunt, J. W.; Munro, M. H. G. Tetrahedron Lett. 1991, 32, 6411; Alexander Akhiezer, Ph. D. Thesis, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 1999. In MLR (mixed lyphocyte reaction) assay, IC50=2.6 nM while the LCV (lymphocyte viability assay)/MLR ratio is >1000. In comparing native pateamine A to cyclosporin A in a mouse skin graft rejection assay, native pateamine A resulted in a 15 day survival period as opposed to cyclosporin A having only a 10 day survival of the skin graft. Additionally, at high doses, toxicity was at 17% in these studies. For other dose levels, there was no toxicity. All doses were active.
More recently, it was found that native pateamine A specifically inhibits an intracellular step of the T-cell receptor signal transduction pathway leading to IL-2 transcription. Romo, D. et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc., 120:12237–12254 (1998). Two syntheses of native pateamine A have been reported. Rzasa, R. M., et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc., 120:591–592 (1998), Remuinan, M. J. and Pattenden, G., Tetrahedron Lett., 41:7367–7371 (2000). The utility of these molecules as an immunosuppressant or immunostimulant is severely restricted because the molecule lacks stability. Additionally, natural sources of the molecule are limited. Thus, continuous development of synthetic pateamine derivatives having the same or lower toxicity, potent activity and increased stability is required.
Preliminary studies by a group at PharmMar showed potent activity of native pateamine A in the mixed lymphocyte reaction and also in the mouse skin graft rejection assay. Native pateamine A originally showed activity in a mixed lymphocycte reaction, (IC50 2.6 nM) and in the mouse skin graft rejection assay. Native pateamine A was found to be more potent than cyclosporin A with only low toxicity at high doses but all doses were active. More recent studies, indicate that native pateamine A inhibits a specific intracellular signaling pathway involved in T cell receptor-mediated IL-2 production. Romo, D.; Rzasa, R. M.; Shea, H. A.; Park, K.; Langenhan, J. M.; Sun, L.; Akhiezer, A.; Liu, J. O. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1998, 120, 12237–12254. In addition to its effect on TCR signaling pathway, native pateamine A has been found to induce apoptosis in certain mammalian cell lines, especially those that are transformed with the oncogene Ras. Hood, K. A.; West, L. M.; Northcote, P. T.; Berridge, M. V.; Miller, J. H. Apoptosis 2001, 6, 207–219.
Analysis of the native pateamine A structure reveals a rigid eastern half (C6–C24) including the thiazole, dienoate, and the triene sidechain, due to extended conjugation, and a more flexible western half (C1–C5). Furthermore, C3-Boc-PatA was found to have only 3–4 fold lower activity than native pateamine A. Id.
2. Description of the Related Art
Natural products have proven to be extremely useful as probes of biological processes. Schreiber, S. L.; Hung, D. T.; Jamison, T. F. Chem. Biol. 1996, 3, 623–639. Examples include the immunosuppressive, microbial secondary metabolites, cyclosporin A, FK506, and rapamycin. Hung, D. T.; Jamison, T. F.; Schreiber, S. L. Chemistry & Biology 1996, 3, 623–639. Marine organisms have also been a rich source of bioactive compounds, which are proving useful as drug leads and biological probes. Newmann, d. J.; Cragg, G. M.; Snader, K. M. Nat. Prod. Rep. 2000, 17, 215–234. For example, bryostatin, epithilone, discodermolide and ecteinascidin show great potential as anti-cancer agents and have revealed novel biological mechanisms of action. Hung, D. T.; Nerenberg, J. B.; Schreiber, S. L. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1996, 118, 11054–11080; Cvetkovic, R. S.; Figgitt, D. P.; Plosker, G. L. Drugs 2002, 62, 1185–1192.
Marine life has been the source for the discovery of compounds having varied biological activities. The following United States patents have issued for inventions, such as: U.S. Pat. No. 6,057,333, directed to Discorhabdin compounds derived from marine sponges of the genus Batzella or prepared by synthetic methods. These compounds, and pharmaceutical compositions containing them as active ingredients, are useful as immunomodulatory, antitumor agents, and/or caspase inhibitors.
Other patents with compounds from marine organisms include: U.S. Pat. No. 4,548,814, which uses didemnins having antiviral activity that were isolated from a marine tunicate; U.S. Pat. No. 4,729,996, which discloses compounds, having antitumor properties isolated from marine sponges Teichaxnella morchella and Ptilocaulis walpersi; U.S. Pat. No. 4,808,590, which discloses compounds, having antiviral, antitumor, and antifungal properties from the marine sponge Theonella sp.; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,737,510, which discloses compounds having antiviral and antibacterial properties, isolated from the Caribbean sponge Agelas coniferin.
Immunomodulators are useful for treating systemic autoimmune diseases, such as lupus erythematosus and diabetes, as well as immunodeficiency diseases. Immunomodulators are also useful for immunotherapy of cancer or to prevent rejections of foreign organs or other tissues in transplants, e.g., kidney, heart, or bone marrow. Examples of immunomodulators include: FK506, muramylic acid dipeptide derivatives, levamisole, niridazole, oxysuran, flagyl, and others from the groups of interferons, interleukins, leukotrienes, corticosteroids, and cyclosporins. Many of these compounds, however, have undesirable side effects and/or high toxicity. New immunomodulator compounds are needed to provide a wider range of immunomodulator function for specific areas with a minimum of undesirable side effects.
Many of the immunomodulators available currently, however, have undesirable side effects and/or high toxicity and are often difficult to synthesize in pharmacologically effective amounts. What is needed is one or more immunomodulative compounds that may be synthetically produced in effective amounts that provide a wider range of immunomodulator function with increased stability and with less undesirable side effects.

Potent, simplified derivatives of pateamine A


An apparatus for inspecting a curved portion of a manufactured part comprises a frame, a sensor, a plunger, and a linking mechanism. The frame may include a first contact wall and an opposing second contact wall. Each contact wall may contact a planar portion of the part adjacent to the curved portion and may be oriented at an angle corresponding to an angle of the planar portions of the part adjacent to the curved portion. The sensor may transmit at least one signal to and receive at least one signal from the part. The plunger may contact the surface of the part and move as a radius of curvature of the part changes. The linking mechanism may couple to the plunger and may adjust the height of the sensor above a surface of the part in response to motion of the plunger.

1. Field of the Invention
Embodiments of the current invention relate to non-destructive inspection of manufactured parts. More particularly, embodiments of the current invention relate to apparatuses to inspect a curved portion of a manufactured part.
2. Description of the Related Art
Non-destructive inspection involves the examination of parts, often in a production environment, wherein some characteristic of the part is measured to evaluate a certain aspect of the part, such as the quality of construction. As opposed to other techniques to gauge the quality of a part or to find defects, such as cross sectioning, drilling or excising a portion of the part, all of which may destroy the part or at least render the part unusable, non-destructive inspection does not typically harm the part in any way. Often, the methods of non-destructive inspection include scanning a part by transmitting a form of energy, such as ultrasonic waves, at the part and recording the reflected or perhaps refracted energy to form an image or profile of the part. Typically, the scan is performed by rastering or otherwise sweeping a transmitting and receiving sensor or an array of sensors over the surface of the part at a fixed height.
Some parts, such as aircraft components like fuselage frames, shear ties, wing spars, and others, include two or more planar portions that form a "C", "V", or "L" shaped bend with a smooth curve therebetween. The radius of curvature of the bend may change from part to part or even within the same part. The shape of the sensor array may be adapted to inspect the curvature, and the sensor array may be swept across the curvature at a certain height in order to perform the inspection. However, maintaining the correct height above the curvature when the radius of curvature changes may be difficult.


The present invention relates to a novel variant RNA polymerase sigma factor 70 (σ70) polypeptide, a polynucleotide encoding the same, a microorganism containing the polypeptide, and a method for producing L-threonine by using the microorganism.

Generally, useful products such as amino acids can be produced by a fermentation method using microorganism strains developed via artificial mutation or genetic recombination. In particular, in developing microorganism strains for large-scale production of amino acids, it will be beneficial to discover genetic factors, which are directly/indirectly involved in a higher cascade step of the production, and appropriately utilize them to develop microorganism strains capable of producing higher yields. A representative technology in this regard may be global transcription machinery engineering (gTME), which can regulate the expression of all intracellular genes by causing random mutations on recruiting protein of RNA polymerase.
RNA polymerase is a macromolecule comprised of five subunits of 2α, β, β′, and ω, and its holoenzymes are expressed as α2ββ′ω. Along with these holoenzymes, sigma (σ) factors, which are transcription initiation factors present in prokaryotes, can allow specific binding of RNA polymerase to promoters, and can be distinguished by their molecular weight. For example, σ70 stands for a sigma factor having a molecular weight of 70 kDa (Gruber T M, Gross C A, Annu Rev Microbiol. 57: 441-66, 2003).
Escherichia coli is known to possess a housekeeping sigma factor σ70 (RpoD), a nitrogen-limitation sigma factor σ54 (RpoN), a starvation/stationary phase sigma factor σ38 (RpoS), a heat shock sigma factor σ32 (RpoH), a flagellar sigma factor σ28 (RpoF), an extracytoplasmic/extreme heat stress sigma factor σ24 (RpoE), a ferric citrate sigma factor σ19 (FecI), etc. These various sigma factors are known to be activated under different environmental conditions, and these characterized sigma factors can bind to the promoters of genes transcribed under specific environmental conditions, and thereby regulate the transcription of the genes. Studies on the increase of productivity of target materials by allowing random mutations on sigma factor 70 have been reported (Metabolic Engineering 9. 2007. 258-267), and there is also a study report on the enhanced tyrosine production using gTME technology in E. coli (U.S. Pat. No. 8,735,132).

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Modified RNA polymerase sigma factor 70 polypeptide


A central solar receiver comprising a housing with a window for the admission of incident concentrated solar radiation, a volumetric solar absorber within the housing comprising a base body holding an array of absorber members spaced from each other and projecting from one face thereof with their free ends facing said window, means for the injection of working fluid into the volumetric solar absorber in flow directions which intersect the absorber members and means for the withdrawal of heated working fluid. The window of the central solar receiver is a tubular frusto-conical body coaxial with the housing, whereby the receiver is adapted for operation at elevated pressure.

The invention relates to central solar receivers with volumetric solar absorber.
A central solar receiver absorbs concentrated sunlight at a high temperature, commonly about 700.degree.-1300.degree. C. and transfers the heat from the solar absorber therein to a working fluid which either serves as heat carrier fluid or else is designed to perform a heat induced, possibly catalyzed, endothermic chemical reaction between components of the working fluid. For various industrial applications such as the operation of gas turbines for electricity generation or the performance of endothermic reactions of the kind specified, it is necessary that the working fluid circulates through the system at an elevated pressure of say 10-30 atmospheres. At such a pressure the density of the circulating gaseous working fluid is much higher than in the unpressurized state and consequently pressure losses during circulation are lower.
A directly irradiated central solar receiver with volumetric absorber comprises a housing having a window for the admission of incident concentrated solar radiation and one of the most critical problems associated with pressurized central solar receivers is the mechanical strength of the receiver's window. Materials that have the required optical and thermal properties tend to be brittle, which means that while they can withstand large compression stresses they tend to crack or shatter under even relatively small tension stresses. Stresses in the window are created by the gas pressure in the interior of the receiver and also by uneven thermal expansion of the window and other receiver components as they heat up during operation. Non-uniform stresses exist, as a rule, at different points in any window of a central solar receiver and consequently hitherto central solar receivers could not be operated at elevated pressures.
In IL 97091 and the corresponding U.S. Ser. No. 07/820,418, U.S. Pat. No. 5,245,986 issued Sep. 23, 1993, EP 495395 A1 and patent applications in other jurisdictions, there is described an improved central solar receiver comprising a housing with a window for the admission of incident concentrated solar radiation accommodating a volumetric solar absorber having a base body with an array of absorber members spaced from each other and projecting from one face thereof with their free ends facing the window, the working fluid being injected into the volumetric solar absorber in a flow which intersects the absorber members.
It is the object of the present invention to provide a central solar receiver based on the teachings of our IL 97091 and designed for operation at elevated pressure.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a window unit adapted for incorporation in the housing of a central solar receiver operating at elevated pressure.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a volumetric solar absorber for incorporation in a central solar receiver of the kind specified operating at elevated pressure.

Yeda Research and Development Company Limited


The invention is related to methods and compositions for controlling microorganism populations in the digestive system of an animal. In an embodiment, the invention is a method for reducing protozoa populations in the digestive system of an animal including administering an effective amount of a saponin containing composition to the animal, and administering an effective amount of an anti-microbial agent to the animal. In an embodiment, the invention is a composition for reducing the bacterial load in the digestive tract of an animal including a saponin containing composition and an anti-microbial agent. In an embodiment, the invention is a method for reducing the bacterial load in the digestive system of an animal including administering an effective amount of a saponin containing composition to the animal.

Food borne bacterial disease associated with the consumption of meat and poultry products results in 5,000,000 illnesses and 4,000 deaths per year (United States Department of Agriculture Food Safety Inspection Service Control of Pathogenic and Spoilage Bacteria on Red Meat (404497)). For example, eating contaminated ground beef that has not been cooked sufficiently to kill E. coli can result in E. coli infection. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) reports that 73,000 illnesses and 61 deaths occur in the United States each year specifically from E. coli 0157: H7.
Beef, sheep, and ruminants in general have a symbiotic relationship with bacteria that live in their fore stomach or rumen. Most of these microorganisms are harmless to people and are helpful to their hosts. However, E. coli 0157:H7, Salmonella typhimurium, and some Clostridia species are pathogenic and can cause illness. These microorganisms are shed in the manure of animals and are easily introduced into ground meats during processing.
In addition to the human health threat, the red meat industry suffers economic hardship each year due to recalls of meat contaminated with pathogenic organisms. For example, E. coli 0157:H7 based recalls of food products are common and frequently make the national news in the United States alone. Presently, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the beef processing industry have implemented a program to decontaminate carcasses post-harvesting in order to reduce the incidence contamination food products and therefore reduce the incidence of food borne bacterial disease. However, many cases of food borne bacterial disease still arise.
Therefore, a need exists for methods and compositions that will help reduce the incidence of contamination of food products.

Methods and compositions for controlling microorganism populations in the digestive system of animals


A dielectric filter is formed of resonators connected in series with dielectric coupling windows disposed therebetween. When the dielectric constant of the dielectrics which form the dielectric coupling windows is made different from that of the dielectrics which form the resonators, dielectric filter having the same central frequency and a different pass-band width is obtained without changing the shape and dimensions of the dielectric coupling windows.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to dielectric filters and dielectric duplexers, and more particularly, to a dielectric filter for use in a communication unit in the microwave band and the millimeter-wave band.
2. Description of the Related Art
A conventional type of dielectric filter for use in a communication unit in the microwave band and the millimeter-wave band is a multiple-stage filter in which dielectrics having a low dielectric constant sandwich a plurality of TEM-mode coaxial resonators (see Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2-94903). In this type of dielectric filter, a TEM-mode coaxial resonator in each stage independently functions as a resonator.
Communication units using such a filter have been required to handle higher-frequency signals as more channels have been demanded, but at a high frequency (such as in the 3-GHz band), a dielectric filter formed of a plurality of TEM-mode coaxial resonators has a very low no-load Q value and high transmission losses.
To overcome the above problems, there has been proposed a waveguide-type dielectric filter 40 using the TE.sub.10 mode, as shown in FIG. 11 for example. This dielectric filter 40 has three TE.sub.10 -mode resonators 51 and two dielectric coupling windows 52. The TE.sub.10 -mode resonators 51 are connected in series with the dielectric coupling windows 52 disposed therebetween.
The resonators 51 and the dielectric coupling windows 52 are formed of a dielectric block 41 made from one material and having almost a rectangular-parallelepiped shape, on which an outer conductive member 43 is provided to cover almost the entire surface of the dielectric block 41. A pair of input and output electrodes 45 not electrically connected to the outer conductive member 43 with the a gap between the electrodes 45 and the member 43 are provided respectively at the two ends of the dielectric block 41. To set the central frequency of each resonator 51 to the desired value, the length of each resonator 51 needs to be set to approximately half the wavelength .lambda. of the central-frequency signal. To set the pass-band width of the dielectric filter 40 to the desired value, it is necessary to set the width W1 of the dielectric coupling windows 52 appropriately.
Although the proposed dielectric filter of FIG. 11 has a high no-load Q value and a small loss at a high frequency band, it is difficult to manufacture. Since the resonators 51 and the dielectric coupling windows 52 are made from the same dielectric material in the proposed dielectric filter, they have the same dielectric constant. Therefore, in order to manufacture a plurality of dielectric filters having the same central frequency and different pass-band widths, the width W1 of the dielectric coupling windows 52 needs to be changed and thereby the shape or the dimensions of the dielectric block 41 must be changed. A forming metal die is required for each of the plurality of dielectric filters.
There is a method for manufacturing a plurality of dielectric filters having different pass-band widths with the same forming metal die. A rectangular-parallelepiped dielectric block is formed by a metal forming die. Two pairs of grooves opposing each other with a gap therebetween are formed on both sides of the dielectric block by cutting with a dicing saw. A portion sandwiched between each pair of grooves in the dielectric block serves as a dielectric coupling window. To manufacture a plurality of dielectric filters having the same central frequency and different pass-band widths, it is also necessary in this method to change the blade-feeding distance (which equals the depth of the groove) of the dicing saw to modify the width of the dielectric coupling window for each of the plurality of dielectric filters.

Dielectric filter and dielectric duplexer each having a plurality of dielectric resonators connected in series by a dielectric coupling window


A substrate bonding apparatus for fabricating an LCD device aligns upper and lower stages to accurately bond first and second substrates. The distance to which the upper and lower substrates are spaced apart from each other during bonding is adjustable depending on the determined thickness of the first and second substrates. Further, sealant material disposed on a substrate may be prevented from becoming contaminated by foreign material.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an apparatus used in fabricating liquid crystal display (LCD) devices. More particularly, the present invention relates to a substrate bonding apparatus used in fabricating (LCD) devices.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
As the development of diverse types of information devices proliferate and become available to consumers, demands on displays used by the information devices have increased. To meet such demands, many types of flat panel display devices including Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) devices, Plasma Display Panels (PDP), Electro Luminescent Display (ELD), Vacuum Fluorescent Display (VFD), etc., are currently being developed and, in some instances, are actually employed as displays.
Among the various types of flat panel displays, LCD devices are commonly used as portable display devices. Due to their beneficial characteristics such as excellent picture quality (e.g., high resolution and luminance), light weight, thin profile, large display area, and low power consumption, LCD devices are commonly used in applications previously dominated by Cathode Ray Tubes (CRTs). Accordingly, LCD devices are commonly used as monitors of notebook computers, monitors of computers, as TVs capable of receiving and displaying broadcasting signals, etc.
Generally, LCD devices are fabricated according to liquid crystal injection or liquid crystal dispensing methods. Using related art liquid crystal injection methods, LCD devices are fabricated by bonding substrates together in a vacuum via sealant material, wherein the sealant material is patterned to define a liquid crystal injection hole. After being bonded, liquid crystal material is injected through the liquid crystal injection hole and between the bonded substrates. Japanese Laid Open Patent Nos. 2000-284295 (Japanese Patent Application 1999-089612) and 2001-005405 (Japanese Patent Application 1999-172903) can be understood to teach a related art liquid crystal dispensing method wherein liquid crystal material is dispensed directly onto a first substrate. Subsequently, the first substrate is bonded to a second substrate in a vacuum, wherein the dispensed liquid crystal material is arranged between the first and second substrates. Because the liquid crystal dispensing method dispenses liquid crystal material directly onto the first substrate prior to bonding, various time consuming steps (e.g., formation of the liquid crystal injection hole, injection of the liquid crystal, sealing of the liquid crystal injection hole, etc.), essential to the liquid crystal injection method, are not required. Accordingly, the liquid crystal dispensing method can be used to fabricate LCD devices in less time than the liquid crystal injection method. As a result, much research has been performed in developing apparatuses capable of fabricating LCD devices while implementing liquid crystal dispensing methods.
FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a related art substrate bonding apparatus for fabricating LCD devices according to a liquid crystal dispensing method.
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a related art substrate bonding apparatus includes a frame 10, an upper stage 21, a lower stage 22, a sealant dispenser (not shown), a liquid crystal dispenser 30, an upper chamber unit 31, a lower chamber unit 32, chamber moving means, and stage moving means. The sealant dispenser and liquid crystal dispenser 30 are mounted at side positions of the frame 10. The upper chamber unit 31 can be selectively joined to the lower chamber unit 32. The chamber moving means includes a driving motor 40 for moving the lower chamber unit 32 to position S1, where sealant material and liquid crystal material can be dispensed onto a substrate, and to position S2, where substrates can be bonded together. The stage moving means includes a driving motor 50 for raising and lowering the upper stage 21 before, during, and after the substrates have been bonded. Having described the related art substrate bonding apparatus above, the process by which the related art substrate bonding apparatus fabricates an LCD device will now be described in greater detail below.
To fabricate an LCD device using the related art substrate bonding apparatus described above, a first substrate 51 is held by the upper stage 21 while a second substrate 52 is held by the lower stage 22, as shown in FIG. 1. Next, the chamber moving means moves the lower chamber unit 32, supporting the lower stage 22, to the position S1. Subsequently, sealant material and liquid crystal material are dispensed onto the second substrate 52 held by the lower stage 22. After sealant material and liquid crystal material are dispensed onto the second substrate 52, the chamber moving means moves the lower chamber unit 32 to position S2, as shown in FIG. 2, whereby the first and second substrates 51 and 52, respectively, can be bonded together. With the lower chamber unit 32 at position S2, the chamber moving means joins the upper chamber unit 31 to the lower chamber unit 32. Upon being joined, the upper chamber unit 31 and the lower chamber unit 32 define an interior space that encloses the upper and lower stages 21 and 22, respectively, and is sealed from an external environment by a sealing means (not shown). Using a vacuum means (not shown), the interior space is evacuated to create a vacuum. Within the evacuated interior space, the stage moving means lowers the upper stage 21 such that the first substrate 51, held by the upper stage 21, moves toward the second substrate 52, held by the lower stage 22. As the upper stage 21 descends, the first and second substrates 51 and 52, respectively, become bonded to each other, thereby completing fabrication of the LCD device.
Fabricating LCD devices using the related art substrate bonding apparatus, however, is disadvantageous because, the related art substrate bonding apparatus applies sealant and liquid crystal material to substrates supporting thin film transistors and color filter layers and bonds the two substrates together. Accordingly, the overall size of the related art substrate bonding apparatus can become excessively large. This is especially so when the related art substrate bonding apparatus is designed to fabricate large-sized LCD devices.
Moreover, a substantially high degree of alignment is required to position the lower chamber unit 32 and facilitate adequate bonding of the first and second substrates. However, since the lower chamber unit 32 must be re-positioned numerous times, such alignment can be extremely difficult to obtain and is an unduly time consuming process, lengthening the entire process of fabricating LCD devices.
Further, an imperfect seal can be formed between the joined upper and lower chamber units 31 and 32, respectively. As a result, air may leak or foreign materials may be introduced from the external environment into the interior space defined by the upper and lower chamber units and the substrates may become damaged during bonding, thereby creating a defective bond.
Still further, the related art substrate bonding apparatus described above is calibrated to bond substrates of a predetermined reference thickness. In practice, however, the actual thickness of substrates loaded into the related art substrate bonding apparatus often vary from the reference thickness. Accordingly, recalibrating the related art substrate bonding apparatus to adequately process substrates having an actual thickness different from the reference thickness can be difficult and consume excessive amounts of time.
Moreover, the related art substrate bonding apparatus often disposed sealant material onto the same surface of a substrate that contacts a substrate loader. Accordingly, sealant material can be deleteriously contaminated by foreign materials introduced by the substrate loader.
Lastly, while sealing means may be provided within the related art substrate bonding apparatus to seal the interior space from the external environment, the sealing means can wear, rendering it impracticable to adequately seal the interior space between the joined chamber units.

Substrate bonding apparatus for liquid crystal display device


A self-authenticating intelligent document in sheet medium form has an information storage and transfer means incorporated thereinto for storing the original text portion of document information formed on the surface of the sheet medium and for storing an image of the completed document after supplemental information has been added to the original text portion on the surface of the sheet medium. The information storage and transfer means is either a single RFID tag having a first memory portion for storing the text portion and a second memory portion for storing the image of the completed document; or a first RFID tag having a memory portion for storing the text portion and a second RFID tag for storing the image of the completed document. To verify the authenticity of the document, the image stored in the information storage and transfer means is read out and compared with the visible version. When the two are identical, the document is authentic.

This invention relates to document preparation, storage, and retrieval. More particularly, this invention relates to a method and system for creating documents on sheet media which contain both visible and electronic versions of information and the documents produced thereby.
Sheet media documents are universally used for recording information for later reference. Originally prepared by hand, such documents are now frequently created by machines such as typewriters, word processors and personal computers. When created by hand, the original document is typically stored in some fashion, typically in an envelope or a file folder, for future reference. Machine copies are typically made and distributed to all persons having a perceived need for the copy and the information contained therein. When created using word processors and personal computers, the information comprising the document under creation is first manually entered using a keyboard to produce an electronic version, followed by printing a viewable version of the document on sheet media, such as plain paper. The electronic version is either permanently stored using some form of memory (such as a magnetic tape or disk), or erased from the temporary machine memory. If permanently stored, the document information may be later recalled and used to produce another sheet media copy. If erased, the electronic version is forever lost for future reference.
Existing documents in sheet media form are typically copied, when necessary, by means of a copying machine or a scanner attached to a computer. If an electronic version of the original sheet media document exists, a copy can be produced from the electronic version using conventional word processing copy routines. However, unless the electronic version of the document is stored in a completely unalterable manner, there is no guarantee that the reproduced version is identical to the original version.
The historical integrity of a sheet media document is only as good as the security procedures controlling the custodial process for the document. Important documents have been known to be altered for various improper purposes, in spite of security procedures which, on their face, would appear to prevent such document corruption. When an original, genuine document is altered in an unauthorized manner, the integrity of the document is compromised, which is highly undesirable.
U.S. Patent Application no. U.S. 2004/0044956 A1 published Mar. 4, 2004 discloses a method and system for creating documents on sheet media which guarantees the authenticity of the original document. Each original document contains both visible and unalterable electronic versions of the original information comprising the document. Each document optionally contains a visible indicator for facilitating the identification of a document under search in a storage facility containing many documents. More specifically, the original document comprises a sheet medium, such as paper or plastic, for providing a surface on which information can be formed, as by printing. An information storage and transfer circuit including an RFID integrated circuit and an antenna is carried by the sheet medium. The information storage and transfer circuit is capable of storing an electronic copy of the visible information in read-only form.
A document is prepared by forming the visible version of the information on one or both surfaces of the sheet medium, and storing an identical version of the information in the information storage and transfer circuit. After preparation of the document, the identity of the two versions may be verified by reading out the electronic version and comparing it with the visible version. After verification, the document can be passed on for the intended use.
A document can be checked for authenticity at any time by simply performing the verification process-viz., reading out the electronic version and comparing it with the visible version. If the two versions are identical, the document is genuine and unaltered from its original state.
In order to minimize any inductive interaction between circuits on different adjacent documents, the locations of the circuits can be varied from document to document so that the antennas of the circuits on different documents do not overlap.
In order to aid in the location of a document which has been stored along with other documents, a visible indicator, preferably an LED, is attached to a document along the upper margin. The visible indicator is connected to the RFID circuit and activated thereby whenever information is accessed from the circuit. The locations of the visible indicators may be staggered from document to document in order to facilitate viewing.
The technique disclosed in the above-referenced published patent application provides a convenient solution to the problem of document authentication. Moreover, the relative size of the information storage and transfer circuit is completely compatible with ordinary document paper, and the preparation and verification processes are easy to learn and perform. There are certain documents, however, for which this technique does not provide a complete solution to the problem of document authentication. More specifically, some documents are initially prepared in the conventional manner with spaces left for the insertion of additional information, such as hand-written dates, one or more hand-written signatures, an official seal and the like. Not until these spaces have been filled with the relevant information is a given document of this type legally complete. The above-referenced technique does not account for this additional information filled in after the original document has been prepared and an electronic version of the original information has been stored in the information storage and transfer circuit. Consequently, when a later authentication is performed only the original information can be verified since the later-added information does not appear in the originally prepared version of the document. As a result, for documents of this type only a partial verification can be reliably performed.

Intelligent document with stored text and image


The present invention relates to a defect inspection apparatus based on the fact that contrasts of a grain and a void of a semiconductor copper interconnect in a scanning electron microscope are changed depending on electron beam irradiation accelerating voltages. A charged particle beam apparatus of the present invention irradiates the same portion of a specimen with electron beams at a plurality of accelerating voltages, and differentiates a grain (65, 66) from a void (67) on the basis of a contrast change amount of the same portion in a plurality of images (61, 62) acquired so as to respectively correspond to the plurality of accelerating voltages. Consequently, it is possible to automatically detect a grain and a void in a differentiation manner at a high speed without destructing a specimen.

In recent years, as an interconnect material of a semiconductor device, copper (Cu) with low resistivity has been used as one of means for reducing interconnect delay in order to increase an operation frequency of the device. In a Cu interconnect process, a diffusion prevention film (barrier metal) and an electroplated base conductive film (Cu seed) are sequentially formed in a trench (interconnect groove) which is provided in an insulating film, by using a sputtering method, and a Cu interconnect is metalized therein so as to be formed by using an electroplating method. Metallization characteristics of the Cu interconnect are defined depending on a coating shape of the seed layer, metallization performance of electrolytic plating, or the like, but there is a limitation in performance of metallization into a minute shape. Thus, a perfect metallization without defects is not easy in an ultra-narrow trench, and, as a result, void defects may be generated. Particularly, in a case where void defects are generated inside the interconnect, the defects cause disconnection, an increase in interconnect resistance, and a reduction in resistance to electro-migration. Therefore, poor metallization of the Cu interconnect is critically problematic in relation to interconnect reliability, and further semiconductor device performance, and thus there is a demand for a technique of detecting voids in the Cu interconnect in line. In addition, in order to detect voids caused by the process in line and to feedback a result thereof to a process condition, it is necessary to quickly detect the voids in a nondestructive manner.
Since voids are present inside an interconnect, the voids cannot be detected by an optical inspection apparatus of a dark field and bright field type used for typical semiconductor device inspection. Generally, a planarization step (CMP) is performed, and then voids are detected by using an SEM. In order to detect voids present inside an interconnect by using the SEM, electron beams with high energy can penetrate into a specimen, and thus it is necessary to irradiate the specimen with electron beams with a high accelerating voltage of 5 kV or higher. However, contrasts of crystal grains (grains) appear along with the voids under the high accelerating voltage, and thus there is a case where the grains and the voids are hardly differentiated from each other only on the basis of an SEM image. In order to detect the voids, an FIB+SEM/TEM method in which cross-section processing of an interconnect portion using a focused ion beam (FIB) apparatus is combined with void detection using a TEM or an SEM should be applied. In this FIB+SEM/TEM method, a cross-section of interconnect created with FIB is observed by using the SEM or TEM so that voids can be reliably specified, but the method has a problem in that a specimen is partially or completely destructed, and thus much time is required to prepare and observe the specimen. From the above facts, a void detection method is desirable which can be applied to an in-line inspection and allows voids to be easily detected at a high speed in a nondestructive manner.
As the related art for detecting voids, there is a CMP method in which wafer surface polishing using chemical-mechanical polishing (CMP) is combined with void detection using an optical type exterior inspection apparatus. In addition, there is a probe test method or the like in which electric resistance of an interconnect portion is measured, and Cu voids are detected on the basis of the fact that the electric resistance increases if voids are present.
PTL 1 discloses a technique in which the same portion is observed by variously changing electron beam incidence directions in a TEM so that crystal defects are observed, as a technique of detecting crystal defects corresponding to grains, or defects of a plug and a via interconnect by using the TEM.


A chroma keyer with fringe control offset adds a fringe control offset value to a correlation output produced by a hue selector. The hue selector compares the hues of a foreground image, representing a foreground object in front of a reference matte background, with a reference hue corresponding to the reference matte background to produce the correlation output. The adjusted correlation signal is then negatively clipped and provided at the output of the hue selector as a hue select signal that is used for deriving a chroma key signal and for providing background suppression to the foreground image.

The present invention relates to compositing of video images, and more particularly to a chroma keyer with fringe control offset which generates a hue select signal that responds to areas of a foreground object where there is mixing of a background hue with the foreground object within a foreground image.
In television it is often desirable to superimpose a foreground object, such as a weather man, in front of a background image, such as a weather map. The foreground object is placed in front of a reference background of a specified hue, usually blue, to form a foreground image. The foreground image is input to a chroma keyer to generate a key signal that cuts a hole in the background image to form a shaped background image while suppressing the reference background from the foreground image to isolate the foreground object as a shaped foreground image. The shaped foreground image is then composited with the shaped background image to produce the illusion of the foreground object appearing in front of the background image.
Traditional implementations of chroma keying circuits have not always been able to produce results that are free from unwanted artifacts. One such artifact is caused by the mixing of the hue in the reference background with the hues of the foreground object, particularly around the fringes of the foreground object. For example a blue reference background may be reflected from or transmitted through part of the foreground object such that the color of the foreground object, especially at the edges, is changed or removed. As seen by a video camera brown hair may become mixed with the blue background so that the hair is not brown enough, or due to vector color addition is grey, i.e., has luminance values only. This mixing seems normal when the foreground object is in front of the reference background, but when a new background image replaces the reference background a grey halo may appear around the foreground object, giving an unnatural appearance.
There are ways to correct the hue of the foreground object to remove the hue of the reference background from the foreground object. One method is to remove some "blue", i.e., the hue of the reference background, from everywhere in the foreground object. However uniform removal of "blue" from the foreground object does not work well since the mixing of the hue from the reference background with the hues of the foreground object is not uniform, but occurs especially at the edges and in transparent parts of the foreground object. Another method is to remove "blue" from one specific mix of colors. However this method is limited by being able to correct only one mix of colors, and cannot correct a mix that produces no color at all.
A typical chroma keyer circuit is implemented in the Model 3000 Production Switcher, manufactured by The Grass Valley Group, Inc. of Grass Valley, California, United States of America and described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,251,016 issued Oct. 5, 1993 to James A. Delwiche entitled "Chroma Keyer with Secondary Hue Selector." A hue selector, shown in detail in FIG. 4 of the Delwiche application, compares the hues of the foreground image, having the foreground object in front of the reference background, with the hue of the reference background to generate a hue select signal. The hue select signal, as shown in FIG. 1 of the Delwiche application, is input to a key circuit to generate the chroma key signal. The hue select signal also is used to shape a color matte signal from a color matte generator via a multiplier in such a way that, when subtracted from the foreground image, it produces a shaped foreground image having black in place of the reference background. The shaped foreground image is then composited with the background image, as shaped by the chroma key signal, to produce the composited image. A negative clipper at the output of the hue selector assures that the hue select signal only has positive values.
Regions of the foreground image where the colors mix to form grey appear as a zero level in the hue select signal. Colors of other hues which do not correlate with the hue of the reference background, according to the selectivity of the hue selector, and produce negative values are clipped at zero. Colors having hues correlated with the hue of the reference background produce positive values as the hue select signal.
What is desired is a chroma keyer that corrects color mixing between the reference background and the foreground object, especially when the color mixing produces a region of the foreground object having luminance values only.


An image creating apparatus capable of creating cell images allowing reliable determination of cell structures in a cell is provided. This image creating apparatus comprises an image pickup portion picking up a plurality of images of a cell on different focal positions and an image synthesizing portion classifying the plurality of images picked up by the image pickup portion into a plurality of depth ranges as to the focal direction and synthesizing the plurality of images belonging to the respective ones of the plurality of depth ranges every plurality of depth ranges thereby creating focus-synthesized images in focus over corresponding depth ranges every plurality of depth ranges.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image creating apparatus and an image creating method, and more particularly, it relates to an image creating apparatus and an image creating method for creating cell images.
2. Description of the Background Art
An image creating apparatus picking up images of a cell on a plurality of different depth-directional positions of the cell thereby creating cell images corresponding to the plurality of different depth-directional positions of the cell respectively is known in general, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2004-150895, for example.
The aforementioned Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2004-150895 discloses an image creating apparatus including three line sensors so arranged that depth-directional focal positions with respect to a cell to be tested are different from each other. The conventional image creating apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2004-150895 can create three cell images corresponding to the respective ones of three different depth-directional positions of the cell, fixedly set in advance, by picking up images of the cell in focus on the three different depth-directional positions of the cell respectively.
However, the conventional image creating apparatus disclosed in the aforementioned Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2004-150895, picking up the images of the cell on the three different depth-directional positions of the cell fixedly set in advance respectively, cannot obtain focused images as to cell structures distributed in positions other than these focal positions. Consequently, it may be difficult to determine the cell structures in the cell when the cell structures are tested through cell images in the aforementioned Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2004-150895.

Image creating apparatus and image creating method


In a connector that includes a board connector mounted on a board and a cable connector attached to ends of both a shielded cable and a non-shielded cable and connected to the board connector, the cable connector includes contacts connected respectively to the core wires of the shielded cable and the non-shielded cable and a shield shell that surrounds only the contacts connected to the core wires of the shielded cable, and the board connector includes board contacts connected respectively to the contacts of the cable connector and a shield shell that surrounds only the board contacts connected to the contacts surrounded by the shield shell of the cable connector. The connector properly shields the contacts connected to the core wires of the shielded cable in both of the mutually connected connectors and makes it easy to perform impedance matching.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a connector for connecting both a shielded cable and a non-shielded cable.
2. Description of the Related Art
FIGS. 1A and 1B show the structure of an example of the conventional connector of the same type disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid Open No. H04-345778 (issued on Dec. 1, 1992). FIG. 1A shows a terminal housing with a shielded cable and a non-shielded cable attached. FIG. 1B shows a connector housing into which the terminal housing is inserted.
A terminal housing 1 includes a shielded terminal 3 for a shielded cable 2 and a non-shielded terminal 5 for a non-shielded cable 4. The shielded terminal 3 is formed by a core-wire terminal 3a covered by an external conductor terminal 3c, with an insulating material 3b placed between them. The core-wire terminal 3a has a contact part 3d, and the base part is secured to and electrically connected to a core wire 2a of the shielded cable 2. The external conductor terminal 3c has a contact part 3e formed at its end, and the base part is secured to and electrically connected to an external conductor 2b of the shielded cable 2.
The non-shielded terminal 5 to which the non-shielded cable 4 is attached is similar to the core-wire terminal 3a for the shielded terminal 3, and has a contact part 5a.
The shielded terminal 3 and the non-shielded terminal 5 are respectively inserted into a shielded-terminal insertion hole 6 and a non-shielded-terminal insertion hole 7 in the terminal housing 1. The terminal housing 1 has an engaging piece 8 at the top thereof, and the engaging piece 8 has an engaging projection part 8a.
A connector housing 11 includes a terminal mounting hole 12 and lead-out terminals 13, 14, and 15. The lead-out terminals 13 and 15 have a bar shape and project into the terminal mounting hole 12 from the back of the connector housing 11. The lead-out terminal 14 has a plate shape and is disposed along the inner face of back of the terminal mounting hole 12. The lead-out terminal 14 has a hole 14a which lets the lead-out terminal 13 pass through it without being in contact with it, and the back face is connected to a lead 14b. The connector housing 11 has an engaging hole 16 at the top thereof, and an engaging indentation 16a is formed in the engaging hole 16.
The terminal housing 1 is inserted into the terminal mounting hole 12 of the connector housing 11. The engaging piece 8 of the terminal housing 1 is inserted into the engaging hole 16 of the connector housing 11, and the engaging projection part 8a of the engaging piece 8 is engaged with the engaging indentation 16a in the engaging hole 16. The lead-out terminal 13 of the connector housing 11 comes into contact with the contact part 3d of the core-wire terminal 3a in the terminal housing 1, and the lead-out terminal 14 is held in contact with the contact part 3e of the external conductor terminal 3c. The lead-out terminal 15 is held in contact with the contact part 5a of the non-shielded terminal 5.
The connector illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B serves both the shielded cable 2 and the non-shielded cable 4 as described above and allows both the shielded cable 2 and the non-shielded cable 4 to be attached or detached as an integrated unit.
In the terminal housing 1, the core-wire terminal 3a connected with the core wire 2a of the shielded cable 2 is surrounded and shielded by the external conductor terminal 3c. While the terminal housing 1 is inserted into the connector housing 11, a part projecting into the terminal mounting hole 12, of the lead-out terminal 13 of the connector housing 11 in contact with the core-wire terminal 3a, is also surrounded by the external conductor terminal 3c and is therefore shielded. However, a part of the lead-out terminal 13, including an L-shaped part projecting from the back of the connector housing 11, is not shielded at all, causing impedance mismatching. If a high-speed (high-frequency) signal is transmitted, deterioration of the transmission characteristics is unavoidable.

JAPAN AVIATION ELECTRONICS INDUSTRY, LIMITED


The power supply control device includes a logic circuit for generating a pseudo switch voltage simulating a behavior of a switch voltage generated in the switch output stage, a filter unit that receives input of the pseudo switch voltage and the output voltage or a feedback voltage corresponding to the output voltage and generates a current sense signal simulating a behavior of the inductor current, and a feedback control unit that performs output feedback control of the switch output stage by using the current sense signal.

The technology disclosed in the present specification relates to a power supply control device.
In the past, what are generally called current mode control type switching power supplies have been installed in various applications.
As an example of the art in the past related to the above, Japanese Patent Laid-open No. 2017-169340 can be cited.


A random access memory device includes a semiconductive substrate having a surface in which a groove pattern is formed to provide a plurality of rows and columns of island portions. A plurality of trenches are formed in the island portions, which are provided with an array of memory cells arranged in rows and columns. Each of these memory cells consists of a capacitor and a metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) transistor which are stacked on each other in a corresponding one of the trenches. Parallel word lines are coupled to the rows of memory cells, and parallel bit lines are coupled to the columns of memory cells. An insulative layer is buried in each groove for causing adjacent ones of the island portions to be electrically isolated from each other.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to semiconductor integrated circuit devices and, more particularly, to highly integrated MOS random-access memory devices having an array of rows and columns of memory cells each having a data storage capacitive element and a transfer-gate MOS transistor.
2. Description of the Related Art
With the increasing needs for high performance and reliability of digital computer systems, MOS random-access memory (RAM) devices are becoming more widely used in the manufacture of digital equipment as the speed and cost advantages of these devices increase. As the number of bits increases, the cell size decreases, the magnitude of the storage capacitor in each cell decreases to reduce the amount of charge carriers that can be stored in each cell. Such reduction in storage carrier amount may lead to the occurrence of an erroneous data accessing operation, causing the reliability to decrease. There is a trade-off between the higher packing density and reliability: making the cell size smaller can improve the integration density but making it too small can also degrade the reliability.
A "trench" type dynamic RAM (DRAM) has been proposed to break through the trade-off problem. The basic structure of such trench-type DRAM is shown, for example, in IEDM Tech. Dig., "A Trench Transistor Cross-Point DRAM Cell," by W. F. Richardson et al., 1985 at pp. 714-717. A groove called the "trench" is formed in a semiconductive substrate at each of the cross points between the word lines and the bit lines being transverse to each other on the substrate. A capacitor and a MOS transistor are stacked in the trench. With such a trench cell structure, the data storage capacity may be increased in each cell while attaining an increased packing density.
However, the conventional trench-type DRAM cannot follow the recent high-integration requirement that is becoming more and more strict in the industry of semiconductor devices. As the packing density further increases, the distance between adjacent cell trenches decreases, causing the probability of occurrence of an undesirable "punch-through" phenomenon to increase between the adjacent trench cells. This may degrade the reliability. More specifically, as typically shown in FIG. 6 of the IEDM reference, each trench is provided with an impurity-doped semiconductive layer acting as an active region of a corresponding MOS transistor. The impurity-doped layer is opposite in conductivity type to the substrate, and is formed to surround the inner wall surface of the trench at a predetermined depth in the substrate. As the distance between adjacent trench cells decreases to increase the packing density, the impurity-doped layer of a certain trench cell becomes nearer in position to that of an adjacent trench. This may cause a leak current to flow more easily between adjacent trench cells due to the occurrence of a punch-through phenomenon, which will lead to a degradation in the reliability of the trench-cell type DRAM.
A specific type DRAM has also been proposed to improve the packing density, wherein a cell unit consists of a plurality of one-capacitor/one-transistor cells that are series-connected at a single contact node to a corresponding one of parallel bit lines on a semiconductive substrate. The cell unit having the series-connected cells is ordinarily called the "NAND cell" is section. With such NAND-cell type DRAM, the contact nodes for coupling the cells to the bit lines can be reduced in number, causing the packing density to increase.
The NAND-cell type DRAM, however, suffers from the reduction in the data-storage capacity in each cell as the cell capacitor decreases in area, the carrier storage amount decreases, with the result in the reliability being degraded. Such miniaturization of cell structure also leads to the difficulty in the manufacture of NAND-cell DRAMs at a desired production yield.

MOS random access memory having array of trench type one-capacitor/one-transistor memory cells


An electrical connector assembly includes a terminal position assurance system. The assembly includes an elongated dielectric housing having a plurality of terminal-receiving cavities extending transversely of the housing. A plurality of terminals are insertable into the cavities. A passageway extends longitudinally of the housing. An elongated terminal position assurance member is insertable into the passageway and movable between a preloaded position and a loaded position. The terminal position assurance member prevents mating of a complementary connector with the connector assembly when the member is in its preloaded position. A plurality of primary locking devices are provided on the housing and movable between locking positions to lock the terminals in their respective cavities when the terminals are fully loaded into the cavities and second positions projecting into the passageway when the terminals are only partially loaded into their respective cavities to thereby prevent the terminal position assurance member from moving from its preloaded to its loaded position. Secondary locking devices are operatively associated between the terminal position assurance member and the primary locking devices to hold the primary locking devices in their first locking positions when the terminal assurance member is in its preloaded and loaded positions.

A common type of electrical connector includes a dielectric housing having a plurality of terminal-receiving cavities within which are mounted a plurality of terminals. The terminals may be stamped and formed metal components and include a mating end for mating with terminals of a complementary electrical connector assembly, along with terminating ends for termination to a plurality of electrical cables, wires or to circuitry on a printed circuit board, for instance. The terminals must be properly positioned within their respective housing cavities for proper mating with the terminals of the complementary connector assembly.
Improper installation of electrical connectors has long been a problem in mating connector assemblies having large numbers of terminals for interconnecting large numbers of electrical circuits. The mating assemblies may perform quite adequately under normal circumstances, but open circuits can occur when the terminals are not properly positioned within the dielectric housings of the connector assemblies or when the assemblies are not properly mated. In addition to open circuits, terminal retention also is important because of problems that can be encountered due to continuous mating and unmating of the connectors over the life of the assemblies. In addition, use of the connectors in vibration environments can cause the terminals to become loosened and improperly positioned. Improper retention of the terminals can result in unstable electrical interconnections.
Various designs have been used to improve the retention of terminals within electrical connector housings and to improve the mating integrity of the connector assemblies themselves. For example, regarding the mating connectors, plastic terminal latches integral with the connector housings often are used to enhance the mating integrity between the connectors. However, regardless of the integrity between the connector housings themselves, if the terminals are improperly positioned, open circuits, terminal damage and other problems can occur even though the connector housings are properly mated. Therefore, various devices have been designed to protect against improperly positioned terminals and, in fact, to prevent the connector assemblies from mating unless all of the terminals therewithin are properly positioned. Such devices commonly have been called "terminal position assurance" devices.
For instance, a known terminal position assurance system in an elongated connector utilizes an elongated terminal position assurance (TPA) member extendable longitudinally through the housing, with the TPA member including a plurality of primary locking devices for retaining the terminals within the connector. Secondary locks on the TPA member are effective to prevent unlocking of the primary locking devices. The connector cannot mate with a complementary connector unless the TPA member is properly positioned. Although this system is quite effective, by providing both the primary locking devices and the secondary locks on the TPA member itself, the system is somewhat complicated and, in some applications, may not be totally cost effective. This invention is directed to an improved system of the character described wherein the primary locking devices are located on the connector housing and the secondary locking devices are located on the TPA member. This system simplifies the TPA member design and provides for more cost effective manufacture of the TPA member and the connector housing.

Electrical connector with terminal position assurance system


A monoclonal antibody which binds preferentially to colonic glycoproteins of cells of persons having ulcerative colitis, compared to colonic glycoproteins of cells of persons not having ulcerative colitis, and diagnostic and therapeutic uses thereof.

This invention was made in part with the support of the Federal government, which has rights in the invention.
This invention relates to diagnosis and treatment of ulcerative colitis.
Ulcerative colitis is a recurrent acute inflammatory disease of the large intestine. Part or all of the large intestine may be involved, although the target of the pathogenic process is the colonic epithelium and primary tissue injury usually is confined to the colonic mucosa. Involvement may extend to the rectum, and infrequently crosses the ileocecal valve into the terminal ileum.
Typically the disease is progressive, characterized by episodes of exacerbation and remission. Generally the clinical course is more severe when the disease first appears early in the patient's life and when the early symptoms are severe. The prognosis is poorer when the extent of the involvement is greater, and is generally more favorable when only the sigmoid colon and the rectum are involved.
The etiology of ulcerative colitis is unknown. A number of studies have suggested that components of the immune system may mediate or contribute to injury observed in the colonic mucosa, but it remains unclear what initiates the pathogenic processes. It has been suggested that a primary abnormality of the immune system and its regulation might serve as primary initiating factors, or that the disease process might be initiated by an infectious agent and the injury then perpetuated through immune-mediated or other processes. Although the mucosal injury observed during episodes of acute disease can resemble the effects of any of a number of recognized infectious agents, no transmissible infectious agent has been consistently identified with ulcerative colitis. Alternatively, it has been suggested that aberrant structures in the colonic mucosa might increase susceptibility of the colonic mucosa to a lumenal factor, predisposing the colonic mucosa to injury by causing a defect in the mucosal barrier or initiating inappropriate activation of injurious immune-mediated processes.
Longstanding ulcerative colitis is generally recognized as a precancerous lesion, and a finite percentage of those affected with ulcerative colitis develop colonic adenocarcinoma, usually after a disease course of ten years or more.
Thus it can be desirable to be able to detect ulcerative colitis early in the patient's life, and to be able to distinguish ulcerative colitis from other intestinal inflammations, including other inflammatory diseases such as ischemic colitis and Crohn's disease and functional disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome. Early intervention can improve the long range prognosis for the patient having ulcerative colitis. Familial studies have suggested that a genetic factor may be involved in ulcerative colitis, and specific detection of the disease in prospective parents can be useful in genetic counseling.
A number of studies, including some employing specialized histochemical staining techniques, lectin probes, or direct characterization of glycoprotein heterogeneity in colonic mucosa, have suggested that glycoconjugates in the colonic mucosa are altered in patients having ulcerative colitis.

Detection and treatment of ulcerative colitis


A graphite-based material for a lithium ion secondary battery, the graphite-based material comprising a coating film on at least a part of the surface of a graphite particle, the coating film comprising a lithium fluorophosphate compound having a specific composition.

Lithium ion secondary batteries have been put into practical use as a battery for small electronic devices such as notebook computers and cellular phones because of their advantages such as high energy density, small self-discharge, and excellent long-term reliability. In recent years, development of lithium ion secondary batteries has progressed for batteries for electrical vehicles, for household use, and for power storage.
For lithium ion secondary batteries, carbon materials such as graphite are used as a negative electrode active material and solutions containing a lithium salt such as LiPF6 as an electrolyte dissolved in a linear or cyclic carbonate solvent are used as an electrolytic solution.
Such lithium ion secondary batteries are required to have higher energy density and excellent charge rate characteristics allowing charging in short time even in using a battery with high energy density, and improvement in the charge rate characteristics has been studied.
For example, Patent Literature 1 discloses a secondary battery including two negative electrode layers on a negative electrode current collector, and having a structure in which the first negative electrode layer closer to the negative electrode current collector includes artificial graphite and the second negative electrode layer distant from the negative electrode current collector includes natural graphite, the structure enhancing the charge rate characteristics of the second negative electrode layer compared to those of the first negative electrode layer.
Patent Literature 2 discloses enhancement of charge rate characteristics through coating an edge portion of a graphite material in a negative electrode active material with at least one selected from the group consisting of Si compounds, Sn compounds, and soft carbon.
Patent Literature 3 discloses, on the other hand, a nonaqueous electrolytic solution secondary battery including a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a nonaqueous electrolytic solution, wherein a coating film containing a specific amount of phosphorus (P) atoms is formed on the surface of a negative electrode active material containing graphite, and the coating film is substantially formed of a compound derived from lithium difluorophosphate contained as a phosphorus-containing film-forming agent in the nonaqueous electrolytic solution. According to the description, this nonaqueous electrolytic solution secondary battery is for the purpose of achieving durability (storage characteristics at high temperatures and charge/discharge cycle characteristics at high temperatures) and input/output characteristics (electroconductivity) in combination at a high level.

Graphite-based material for lithium ion secondary batteries and method for producing the same, and negative electrode and lithium ion secondary battery


Apparatus and methods to control an electron beam of an x-ray tube are provided. One apparatus includes at least one of (i) a first switching unit having a voltage source and a pair of switches connected in series and configured to switch between open and closed positions to change an output voltage to engage or bypass the voltage source or (ii) a second switching unit connected to a voltage source and having a first pair of switches connected in series and a second pair of switches connected in series, wherein the first and second pair of switches are connected in parallel, and wherein the first and second pairs of switches are configured to switch between open and closed position to change an output voltage generated from the voltage source. The first and second switching units are connected in series and a third switching unit provided that is amplitude controllable.

X-ray tubes may be used in a variety of applications to scan objects and reconstruct one or more images of the object. For example, in computed tomography (CT) imaging systems an x-ray source emits a fan-shaped beam or a cone-shaped beam toward a subject or an object, such as a patient or a piece of luggage. The terms "subject" and "object" may be used to include anything that is capable of being imaged. The beam, after being attenuated by the subject, impinges upon an array of radiation detectors. The intensity of the attenuated beam radiation received at the detector array is typically dependent upon the attenuation of the x-ray beam by the subject. Each detector element of a detector array produces a separate electrical signal indicative of the attenuated beam received by each detector element. The electrical signals are transmitted to a data processing system for analysis. The data processing system processes the electrical signals to facilitate generation of an image.
In general, in CT systems, the x-ray source and the detector array are rotated about a gantry within an imaging plane and around the subject. Furthermore, the x-ray source generally includes an x-ray tube, which emits the x-ray beam at a focal point. Also, the x-ray detector or detector array in some systems includes a collimator for collimating x-ray beams received at the detector, a scintillator disposed adjacent to the collimator for converting x-rays to light energy, and photodiodes for receiving the light energy from the adjacent scintillator and producing electrical signals therefrom. In other systems, a direct conversion material, such as a semiconductor (e.g., Cadmium Zinc Telluride (CdZnTe)) may be used.
The x-ray tube may include an emitter from which an electron beam is emitted toward a target. The emitter may be configured as a cathode and the target as an anode, with the target at a substantially higher positive voltage (which may be at ground) than the emitter (which may be at a negative voltage). Electrons from the emitter may be formed into a beam and directed or focused by electrodes and/or magnets. In response to the electron beam impinging the target, the target emits x-rays. The emitter may contain a number of electrodes used to set the local electric field on the emitting structure.
The voltage supplied to the electrodes of the emitter may be controlled to adjust the intensity or energy of x-rays that are generated. In these systems, with respect to controlling the emitter, it is desirable to be able to produce fast transitions from low to high voltages, as well as to produce slow changing waveforms between two or more electrodes voltage values. Conventional control systems and methods may add complexity and size to the overall system, and may not be able to cover the full spectrum of waveform profiles requested.

Apparatus and methods to control an electron beam of an X-ray tube


A plate brake tester for testing the adequacy of the brakes of a vehicle, particularly suited for testing the brakes of multi-axle vehicles, includes weight bearing plates suitably sized to receive thereon wheel/tire assemblies of a vehicle as the vehicle is driven over the plates. The plates have sensors associated therewith for sensing not only the brake force applied by each wheel/tire assembly, but also for directly sensing the dynamic weight of the wheel/tire assembly on each plate during braking. The adequacy of the brakes is determined from the brake force and the directly sensed dynamic weight. At least some of the sensors are preferably dual axis load cells, each dual axis load cell having one output representing vertical force applied to that plate and having a second output representing horizontal force applied to that plate, the horizontal force being the braking force from the wheel/tire assembly disposed on that plate. The maximum brake force and corresponding dynamic weight is used to determine adhesion utilization for each axle. The deceleration of the vehicle is also determined and the value of maximum deceleration is used as a preferred value of adhesion utilization for each axle. The preferred value of adhesion utilization is scaled, if desired, to take into account loading of the vehicle under test.

This invention relates to brake testers for vehicles, and more particularly to plate brake testers particularly suited for testing the brakes of multi-axle vehicles.
Faulty or inadequate brakes are a significant cause of vehicle accidents. Moreover, the faulty condition of the brakes is often not apparent during routine use of the brakes. The operator of the vehicle is usually not aware, until it is too late, that the vehicle's brakes are deficient.
Furthermore, many brake defects are not readily apparent during a visual inspection of the brakes. Only a test simulating actual stopping conditions can detect many brake defects.
When the brakes of a vehicle are applied, a retarding force is generated between the tire and the surface on which the tire is riding. When this force becomes greater than the weight on that wheel multiplied by the coefficient of friction between the tire and the surface, the wheel will begin to lock up and stop rolling. The retarding force of a wheel just before lockup is greater than the retarding force of the same wheel just after lockup. In addition, a locked wheel loses its ability to maintain lateral forces, which makes handling very difficult.
Since the maximum usable force of a brake is related to the weight on that wheel, vehicle designers adjust the braking system so that the brake force distributions coincide with the vehicle weight distribution. When a vehicle is decelerating, the forces acting on the center of gravity of the vehicle cause a weight shift. The "dynamic weight" appearing on each wheel/tire assembly is, therefore, different from the "static weight" when the vehicle is at rest.
Apparatus for testing brake performance are available, but they could be improved. For example, the results of the brake test under actual stopping conditions can depend upon the make and model of the vehicle, the actual deceleration applied to the vehicle during the test, and the static and dynamic weight distribution of the vehicle during the test. Apparatus which would take into account all these factors have heretofore been considered too complicated or too slow.
Present brake testing systems compensate for the various factors by setting broader than necessary ranges for the acceptability of the measured braking forces. In some cases these broad ranges allow vehicle brakes to "pass" which, for that particular vehicle and deceleration, should have failed.
U.S Pat. No. 5,083,456, assigned to the assignee of the present application, addresses many of these drawbacks, in part by estimating the dynamic weight distribution of the vehicle under test. Although this works extremely well for automobiles, it is less satisfactory for multi-axle vehicles such as tractor-trailer trucks where such estimation is more difficult and less accurate.
With respect to trucks, truck loading makes a significant difference in the apparent acceptability of brakes. A fully loaded truck responds very differently than a lightly loaded one. A test designed for fully loaded trucks can, therefore, fail to accurately indicate the actual condition of the brakes when the truck is tested during light load conditions.


An articulated pivoting tie-down device for securing a cargo to a vehicle comprises a retainer portion secured to a vehicle, a clevis encircled by the retainer portion, a connector having a hook/cable opening and a strap opening, and a pin interconnecting the clevis and the connector and forming a common pivotal axis therebetween. A modified embodiment comprises a pin connecting a clevis and a retainer portion and forming a common pivotal axis therebetween, a connector, and a link, having a generally elliptical cross-section, which interconnects the clevis and the connector such that the clevis and the connector are generally operably co-planar. The clevis is generally semi-elliptical with its major axis parallel to the common pivotal axis. Each embodiment is adapted to maintain relative alignment to resultant binding and dynamic force vectors such that stresses induced by eccentricity are minimized or avoided in the tie-down device, thereby allowing a smaller material cross-section to be used in manufacture of the tie-down device.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a tie-down device and, particularly, to an articulated pivoting tie-down device for binding cargo to a vehicle.
2. Description of the Related Art
A common requirement of our society is the need to transport various types of cargo from one place to another. Many of the existing vehicles available for transporting such cargo are of the flat bed type. Many times, however, such cargo is very massive and tends to shift while being transported. Although various types of tie-down straps and cables have been developed to bind such cargo to the flat beds, unfortunately the devices developed to connect the tie-down straps and cables to the vehicle have met only limited success. Such non-articulated and non-pivoting devices can generally non-destructively withstand only forces applied in direct tension, but are not generally economically designed to non-destructively withstand the substantial stresses created by eccentrically applied loads which are generated by crisscross binding, as the cargo shifts while being transported, and by the flexing of the vehicle. In some cases such resultant forces may reach magnitudes in the range of tens of thousands of pounds, or greater.
An alternative would be to use specially designed vehicles which cradle the cargo to prevent shifting thereof. This alternative, however, would generally not be practical economically as the specially designed vehicles would generally have limited application for other usages. What is needed is a tie-down device which can be used to secure massive cargo to a flat bed vehicle and which is economically capable of non-destructively adapting to the substantial stresses created by the resultant horizontal, vertical, and lateral force vectors caused by the loads created by criss-cross binding and the dynamic loading induced by the tendency of cargo to shift and the flexing of the vehicle while in motion.