The invention relates to a brushless DC machine comprising a rotor and a stator that supports a winding assembly. The stator encompasses a toothed rim with tooth tips that extend radially outward as well as a return ring. The toothed rim and the return ring are embodied so as to engage into each other in a radial direction. The invention further relates to a return ring packet, a toothed rim packet, a top piece, and a method for producing a brushless DC machine.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention is directed to an improved brushless DC machine, and to a return ring packet, a toothed rim packet, and a top ice of the DC machine, as well as a method for producing the brushless DC machine.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Brushless DC machines (BLDC direct current machines), electrically commutated motors (EC motors), and switched reluctance motors (SR motors) are known. They have excellent electrical and mechanical properties, but have comparatively high production costs compared to DC machines with mechanical commutation (DC direct current machines). For this reason, EC DC machines have until now not found any significant use in low cost applications, for instance as in power tools or automotive applications. Since an EC DC machine for commutation fundamentally requires a semiconductor bridge circuit along with the associated control electronics, it has a strategic disadvantage compared to a DC direct current machine that does not require this expenditure.
In the prior art, for controlling DC machines (direction of rotation, rotary speed, torque), electronics have meanwhile come to be used increasingly often, so that the additional expense required for controlling an EC DC machine is becoming less and less significant.
However, the production methods for the known EC motors are expensive and complicated. The EC motor includes a stator constructed of stamped laminations. The stator serves to receive one or more stator windings, with which the performance specifications of the motor are essentially defined. For the windings, slots are for instance embodied in the stator. A rotor disposed on a motor shaft has a plurality of permanent magnets, which are disposed opposite the stator, separated by an air gap. The stator windings can be excited in succession in such a way that a rotary field that sets the rotor into rotation is generated.
The following winding methods are known in the prior art:
In a first method, a pull-in winding is produced; a winding for a stator is wound onto a core and is then pulled through gaps between teeth into slots of a stator. A disadvantage of this is that this method is relatively complicated and expensive and involves long cycle times. Furthermore, a wide tooth gap is necessary, which in turn has an adverse effect on magnetic properties of the motor thus produced.
In an alternative production method, a single-tooth or double-tooth winding is made. Here the stator is divided into two parts, a toothed rim and a return ring. So that the teeth of the toothed rim will not fall apart, they must remain joined together toward the rotor; that is, toward the rotor, the teeth are not separated by a gap. The connection of the teeth can also be provided toward the rotor only by a number of stamped laminations that suffices for the mechanical strength. A lamination packet of this kind, such as the stator of a conventional DC direct current machine, can be wound simply and quickly in one work step. As an example of a winding method, a single-tooth winding on a coil holder is known, in which after the winding is applied the holder is thrust from outside onto the teeth of the toothed rim. In the classical double-tooth winding method, the full number of windings is applied to one tooth, while the neighboring tooth remains free. However, precisely with short stator lengths, for instance of less 20 mm, the inoperative proportion of the wire of the winding heads is clearly measurable, so that the single-tooth winding method is to be preferred. In it, half of the numbers of windings are each applied to two adjacent teeth, with a contrary winding direction.
Following the winding process, the return ring packet, also made by stamping, is pressed by positive engagement onto the wound toothed rim packet. A disadvantage is that because of the pressing process, major mechanical stresses are created in the toothed rim packet that have to be absorbed by the tooth connections on the rotor side. These tooth connections can therefore not be removed again after the manufacture of the stator, which in turn has an adverse effect on the magnetic properties of the stator.
Moreover, because of the pressing operation, electrical connections among the individual stamped laminations of the packet are created at the contact point, leading to increased losses from eddy currents.

Brushless DC Machine and its return ring packet, toothed rim packet, and top piece, and production method therefor


A device for planting seeds in the ground having an inlet orifice via which an airstream transporting seeds arrives, an outlet orifice via which the seeds are planted in the ground and a separating device. The separating device includes a grating which lies substantially in the continuation of the airstream and seed inlet orifice so that a maximum of the air escapes through this grating and the seeds are held back.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a device for planting seeds in the ground, comprising an inlet orifice which is connected to a pipe via which an airstream transporting the seeds arrives, an outlet orifice via which said seeds are planted in the ground and a device for separating said seeds from the airstream that transports them.
The invention also relates to a pneumatic seeder equipped with devices as described herein above for planting seeds in the ground.
2. Discussion of the Background
Such a planting device is known from patent application EP 080 912. The device for separating the seeds from the airstream consists of a cyclone. This cyclone is located at the end of a pipe which opens into it tangentially. The stream of air transporting the seeds arrives via this pipe. At its upper part, the cyclone has an orifice via which the air escapes. It is extended downward by a tubulure through which the seeds drop under gravity into the ground. They are therefore not thrown onto the ground by the airstream.
A cyclone such as this is bulky. It is complicated and expensive to produce. In addition, to optimize its operation, a cyclone specially tailored to the size of each type of seed ought to be used, something which is barely possible in practice.
It is an object of the present invention to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks. The invention must, in particular, provide a device for planting seeds with a device for separating the seeds from the airstream that is simple, economical and easy to use for all kinds of seeds usually sown by farmers.
To this end, an important feature of the invention consists in the fact that the separating device comprises a grating which lies substantially in the continuation of said airstream and seeds inlet orifice so that a maximum of the air escapes from the planting device through this grating and the seeds are held back. Said seeds remain in the planting device and drop into the ground under the effect of their own weight, without re-bounding.
Said grating may have an inclined face intersecting the direction of the airstream. This arrangement makes it easier for the air to leave the planting device. Advantageously, at least part of the grating follows the shape of the airstream inlet orifice as closely as possible so as to prevent the seeds from being able to leave the planting device by any route other than via the outlet orifice.
According to another feature of the invention, the device for separating the air and seeds additionally comprises a canalizing device which directs the stream of air and seeds towards the grating. Practically all of the air then leaves directly through said grating. This canalizing device comprises a deflector which spreads the stream of air and seeds over a large proportion of the surface area of the grating.
Another important feature of the invention consists in the fact that the separating device is removable.
The separating device also advantageously comprises a cap which at least partially surrounds the grating. This cap protects said grating and ducts much of the air which has escaped from the planting device toward the rear of the machine.
According to another feature of the invention, the planting device additionally comprises a regulating device which ensures a substantially constant spacing between the seeds leaving via its outlet orifice. This device advantageously lies substantially vertically in line with the grating. It comprises guide elements arranged in a zigzag. It may be interchangeable so that it can be adapted to suit the type (family) of seeds to be sown.

Seed planting device and seed drill using such devices


A wireless communication apparatus is equipped with a plurality of antennas. A switch leads a received signal by way of an antenna selected according to an antenna switching signal to a demodulator unit. Software installed in a MAC unit generates a first switching signal. A diversity control unit generates a second switching signal by the built-in hardware circuit. The first switching signal is used as an antenna switching signal during a packet receiving ready period, while the second switching signal is used as an antenna switching signal during a period for receiving a packet.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a wireless communication apparatus equipped with a plurality of antennas and a method for selecting an antenna in such a wireless communication apparatus.
2. Description of the Related Art
Wireless communication apparatuses are often used in poor communication environments. A diversity technique is developed and utilized to receive signals in such poor environments. Let it be defined here that the diversity technique is for receiving a plurality of signals carrying the same information, selecting an optimal signal from among them, or synchronizing those signals appropriately, thereby improving a receiving characteristic.
One of known configurations as a diversity technique is a method that uses a plurality of antennas for receiving the signals respectively and selecting a signal with the highest received signal level. That is, the method which switches antennas for actual use in response to the received signal level of the respective antennas (e.g., "802.11 Textbook of High Speed Wireless LAN", edited by H. Matsue and M. Morikura, pp. 198–199, Published by IDG Japan, ISBN4-87280-490-2)
Conventional technique for switching antennas for use is a method for generating an antenna switching signal by using software, which generates the antenna switching signal by a processor executing a prescribed program and the antenna switching signal selects an antenna for actual use.
Another conventional technique is a method for generating an antenna switching signal by using a hardware circuit that comprises a counter for counting a switching timing and a series of logic circuits. An antenna for actual use is selected according to the antenna switching signal generated by the hardware circuit.
The method for generating the antenna switching signal by using software has the following problems. That is, since a processor executing the software generating the antenna switching signal usually executes other processing in parallel, it is not possible to assign the processor resource for the antenna switching signal generating process prior to other processing. Besides, a processor used for this purpose is required to be as small and inexpensive as possible. This makes it sometimes hard to perform a processing for detecting a received signal level of each antenna while sequentially selecting one from among the plurality antennas in short time. In addition, since a wireless packet arrives at a random timing, it is difficult to control the switching signal for each packet by a software processing.
The method for generating the antenna switching signal by using a hardware circuit, meanwhile, has the following problem. That is, a wireless communication apparatus detects the received signal levels by sequentially switching the plurality of antennas in relatively long time intervals during a waiting period for arrival of a packet (i.e., standby mode), hence requiring a large counter to count such a long time period and in turn making the circuit size large as a whole.

Diversity control method and wireless communication apparatus


Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a system for an electromagnetic shield assembly for use with C-arms. In an embodiment, the system may include a ring shield configured to encompass an x-ray detector. The ring shield may have a first window opening to receive x-rays. The system may also include a window shield configured to shield the first window opening of the ring shield. Certain embodiments of the present invention may provide a system for a universal navigation target. In an embodiment, the system may include a radiolucent calibration target and an electromagnetic shield. The electromagnetic shield may include a ring shield having a first window opening to receive x-rays and a window shield configured to shield the first window opening of the ring shield.

The present invention generally relates to a system and method for improving the accuracy of an electromagnetic navigation system for use with medical applications. Particularly, the present invention relates to a system and method for improving the effectiveness of an electromagnetic shield assembly for use on a C-arm.
Electromagnetic type navigation systems are useful in numerous applications. One application of particular use is in medical applications, and more specifically, image guided surgery. Typical image guided surgical systems acquire a set of images of an operative region of a patient's body and track a surgical tool or instrument in relation to one or more sets of coordinates. At the present time, such systems have been developed or proposed for a number of surgical procedures such as brain surgery and arthroscopic procedures on the knee, wrist, shoulder or spine, as well as certain types of angiography, cardiac or other interventional radiological procedures and biopsies. Such procedures may also involve preoperative or intraoperative x-ray images being taken to correct the position or otherwise navigate a tool or instrument involved in the procedure in relation to anatomical features of interest. For example, such tracking may be useful for the placement of an elongated probe, radiation needle, fastener or other article in tissue or bone that is internal or is otherwise positioned so that it is difficult to view directly.
An electromagnetic tracking system may be used in conjunction with an x-ray system. For example, an electromagnetic tracking system may be used in conjunction with a C-arm fluoroscope. The C-arm fluoroscope may utilize an x-ray source at one end of the C-arm and an x-ray detector at the other end of the C-arm. The patient may be placed between the x-ray source and the x-ray detector. X-rays may pass from the x-ray source, through the patient, to the x-ray detector where an image is captured. The electromagnetic tracking system may generate an electromagnetic field between the ends of the C-arm and penetrate the body with minimal attenuation or change so tracking may continue during a surgical procedure.
One technique for generating the electromagnetic field involves using time-varying dipole fields. For example, dipole fields established by driving field-generating coils with an AC current signal. This approach allows synchronous demodulation of the induced signals and thus cumulate detected signal values to enhance sensitivity. Also, it allows the ability to establish the X, Y, and Z field components at different frequencies so that detected sensor output signals may be separated or demodulated simultaneously. This approach, however, has the disadvantage that varying magnetic fields induce eddy currents in the conductive structures found within the field. Induced currents themselves generate secondary magnetic fields, thus introducing distortions into the expected distribution. Conductive or ferromagnetic metal structures are generally commonly present in a medical tracking environment.
Once source of electromagnetic distortion in a C-arm environment is the x-ray detector. Historically, one technique to address the distortion from the x-ray detector is to mount a conducting structure about the x-ray detector. The conductor operates as a shield with respect to disturbances originating within the shield. The shield, which is typically structured as a metal can with openings at the top and bottom, then has a fixed position relative to one of the coil assemblies and may be effectively modeled. The eddy currents induced in the sheet metal cylinder by the magnetic field from the transmitter assembly, and the secondary field formed by these induced currents, may be modeled and accounted for in a distortion map.
Current shields, however, may allow signal leakage through seams, joints, and the x-ray detector window, for example. The signal leakage reduces the effectiveness of the shield. When the distortion map is created for calibration, it may take into account the signal leakage of the shield. In a situation in which a C-arm needs service or replacement parts, however, such parts may change the properties of the signal leakage (increase or decrease signal leakage, for example) through the shield. For example, if an image intensifier or flat panel detector is replaced, the properties of the signal leakage may be altered. If the properties of the signal leakage are altered, the distortion map may be mis-calibrated, resulting in improper operation of the tracking system.
The creation of the distortion map is typically performed using a robotics system during manufacturing and is a time consuming process. As the process for creating a distortion map is complicated and time consuming, it can be very costly in both monetary terms and in time, to perform on-site distortion mapping for calibration with new parts. Accordingly, a system and method is needed to minimize signal leakage from an electromagnetic shield. Such a system and method may minimize the need to recreate distortion maps, minimize equipment down time, and promote the interchangeability of replacement parts.

Apparatus for universal electromagnetic navigation target for fluoroscopic systems


A water-repellent film includes a fluorocarbon resin and a surface active agent. The surface acting agent serves as an antistatic agent. The water-repellent films is applied to a nozzle plate substrate by spray coating. Nozzles are then formed by drilling with a laser beam emitted from an excimer laser device. At this time, although the nozzle plate substrate and the antistatic film are processed at the same time, the laser drilling is smoothly performed without any trouble because the antistatic agent of the water-repellant film is a surface active agent. Thereafter, the nozzle plate substrate is attached, via an adhesive, to an actuator member in which ink paths are formed. Since the antistatic agent is mixed in the water-repellent film, the antistatic effect does not deteriorate due to wiping the nozzle surface to remove ink dust and the like from the nozzle surface.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an ink ejecting device in which the surface of a nozzle portion is coated with a water-repellent film and the nozzle surface is further treated to prevent the nozzle surface from becoming electrically charged.
2. Description of the Related Art
Generally, in an ink ejecting device which ejects ink to form an image, a water-repellent film is formed on the nozzle surface to prevent the nozzle from being clogged with, for example, drops of ink adhering to the circumference of the ink-ejecting nozzle. Further, an antistatic treatment is applied to the nozzle surface so that dust and the like will not attach to the nozzle surface.
Known antistatic treatments include a method in which, as described in Japanese Patent Laid-open Nos. 61-291148 and 61-291149, a metallic conductive filler is mixed into the nozzle substrate resin which is used to form the nozzle plate. This nozzle plate is used in an ink ejecting device having a water-repellent film formed on the nozzle surface. Alternately, the metallic conductive filler is mixed in the water-repellent film, and the nozzle substrate resin or the water-repellent film is grounded. Other known methods include a method in which a surface active agent is applied to the water-repellent film and a method in which a metallic thin film is formed on the water-repellent film.
With the recent increase in the packaging density in ink ejecting devices, nozzles having a diameter of 20 .mu.m-50 .mu.m are formed in a nozzle plate at a small pitch (or center-to-center interval) by excimer laser beam drilling. In such processing, if the water-repellent film is formed after the nozzles have been formed, the nozzles become clogged with the water-repellent film. Therefore, the nozzles must be formed after the water-repellent film has been formed.
However, in the above-described known methods for applying the antistatic treatments to the ink ejecting devices, when a metallic conductive filler is mixed into the nozzle substrate resin or the water-repellent film, the metallic conductive filler cannot be processed by the excimer laser beam. Thus, it becomes impossible to drill fine nozzles, Also, in the method in which a metallic film is formed on a water-repellent film, it becomes much more difficult to form the nozzles with the excimer laser beam.
On the other hand, if the metallic thin film is formed on, or a surface active agent is applied to, the nozzle surface so that the thin metallic film or surface active agent layer does not affect the excimer laser beam processing, the thin film or the applied surface active agent layer wears away from or peels off of the nozzle surface due to wiping operations to remove ink, dust or the like from the nozzle surface. Thus, this method has a problem that the useful lifetime of the antistatic treatment is too short.

Water-repellent film for a nozzle plate of an ink ejecting device


A mounting plate having an orienting portion facilitates orienting the vacuum connection opening of the mounting plate with respect to an anticipated orientation of a receptacle and electrical box. The orienting portion is optionally releasably attachable to the main body of the mounting plate which main body comprises the vacuum connection opening. The mounting plate is mounted prior to installation of the electrical receptacle in the electrical box. The orienting portion of the mounting plate facilitates orienting the vacuum connection opening in a known orientation with respect to an anticipated orientation of the electrical receptacle when inserted in the electrical box. After installation of the inlet valve and the electrical receptacle, a hose cuff having standard electrical terminals oriented with respect to the vacuum connection of the hose cuff may be simultaneously inserted into the electrical receptacle and the vacuum connection opening. The electrical terminals in the hose cuff are oriented with respect to the vacuum connection in a second known orientation corresponding to the first known orientation such that the electrical terminals mate with the electrical receptacle which has been installed in the electrical box when the vacuum connection opening receives the vacuum connection. In this manner, a hose cuff utilizing standard electrical terminals may be mated with an electrical terminal without interfering with the electrical box. Furthermore, because the orienting portion is releasably attached to the main body, the orienting portion can be removed to avoid interference with other trades.

In the past, there have been many different types of inlet valves and inlet valve assemblies. In general, all inlet valves have at least a low voltage connection. The low voltage connection provides for remote switching to activate the central vacuum source of the central vacuum system.
Other types of central vacuum system also provide for a high voltage connection, such as 110 volts, in addition to the low voltage connection. The high voltage connection is generally used in current carrying flexible hoses to provide power to an attachment for the current carrying flexible hose. Such attachments may include beater bars which generally rotate and beat a floor surface, such as a carpet, to loosen dirt so that a vacuum can lift up the dirt.
In general, different types of high voltage electrical connections have been provided to provide power in current carrying flexible hoses. For instance, the hose cuff may be connected to an inlet valve, and, a separate connection may be made to a power source.
However, it is generally less convenient if two separate connections are required, one for the high voltage source and another for the vacuum and low voltage connection. Therefore, there has been a movement in the prior art towards a direct connect hose which provides a connection both to the electrical power source and also the vacuum connection to the inlet valve at the same time. Such systems are shown, for instance, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,578,795 to Ward. However, prior art devices such as those shown in Ward involve a unique connection for both the inlet valve and the high voltage power source. This unique connection is generally smaller and involves the use of electrical terminals or pins which are inserted into smaller electrical sockets. The difficulty with these types of terminals or pins is that they are not robust and may be broken. This occurs, for instance, due to an involuntary rotational movement by the user when inserting or removing the hose cuff. Any rotational movement can damage the pins thereby rendering the high voltage portion of the hose useless requiring replacement of the hose or use of the hose only without power being sent to any attachments.
Some prior art devices, such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,758,170 to Hayden have a high voltage AC electrical power receptacle forming part of the inlet valve body. However, these prior art devices generally require a licensed electrician to install the electrical power receptacle portion of the inlet valve which generally increases the cost of installation. This is the case at least because during installation the high voltage connection can only be made by a licensed electrician. This means that, during installation of the vacuum system, the vacuum system installer must initially come in to set the locations for all of the inlet valves as well as rough in the low voltage electrical connection, and, the electrician must then complete the high voltage electrical connection, and the vacuum installer must then return after the electrician has made the high voltage electrical connection to complete the vacuum system installation. Clearly, the separate visit by the electrician results in additional costs. Furthermore, there are additional costs in coordinating the attendance of the various trades at the correct time. Further compounding this issue is the fact that in many jurisdictions electrical connections such as these types of high voltage connections must be inspected thereby requiring a further visit or at least coordination with the appropriate building and/or fire inspector.
Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a more robust direct connect hose cuff having more robust electrical connections that avoid damage during insertion and removal. There is also a need in the art for a less costly installation procedure requiring fewer parts, less coordination amongst the trades for installation as well as fewer inspections by the appropriate building inspectors.

Central vacuum system mounting flange and hose cuff for use with standard electrical outlets


A photovoltaic cell includes a substrate having an electrode layer on the surface and having a porous metal oxide semiconductor film which is formed on the electrode layer and on which a photosensitizer is adsorbed, a substrate having an electrode layer on the surface, both of said substrates being arranged in such a manner that the electrode layer and the electrode layer face each other, and an electrolyte layer provided between the semiconductor film and the electrode layer, wherein the semiconductor film contains an inhibitor of back current, and at least one pair of substrate and electrode layer thereon have transparency. The photovoltaic cell is capable of inhibiting back current and decomposition of a spectrosensitizing dye caused by the ultraviolet rays, has high photoelectric conversion efficiency and is capable of generating high electromotive force.

Metal oxide semiconductor materials having high band gap are used as, for example, photoelectric conversion materials, photocatalytic materials, optical sensors and storage battery materials (batteries).
Of these, the photoelectric conversion materials are those from which optical energy can be continuously taken out as electrical energy and are those to convert optical energy into electrical energy using electrochemical reaction between electrodes. When such photoelectric conversion materials are irradiated with light, electrons are generated on one electrode side and move to the other electrode, and then the electrons migrate in the electrolyte as ions and return to the first electrode. Since this energy conversion is continuously made, it can be utilized for, for example, solar cells.
A common solar cell comprises a substrate such as a glass plate having a transparent conductive film as an electrode and a semiconductor film for a photoelectric conversion material thereon, and includes another substrate (e.g., glass plate) having a transparent conductive film as the other electrode, and an electrolyte enclosed between the electrodes.
When a photosensitizer adsorbed on the semiconductor is irradiated with, for example, sunlight, the photosensitizer absorbs light of visible region and is excited. The electrons generated by the excitation move to the semiconductor and to the transparent conductive glass electrode. Then, the electrons move to the other electrode through a conductor connecting the two electrodes. The electrons having moved to the other electrode reduce the oxidation-reduction system in the electrolyte. On the other hand, the photosensitizer having caused the electrons to move to the semiconductor is in a state of an oxidant, and this oxidant is reduced by the oxidation-reduction system in the electrolyte to return to its original state. Thus, the electrons continuously flow, and the photoelectric conversion material functions as a solar cell.
As the photoelectric conversion materials, those wherein a spectrosensitizing dye having absorption in the visible region is adsorbed on the semiconductor surface have been employed. For example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 220380/1989 describes a solar cell having a spectrosensitizing dye layer made of a transition metal complex such as a ruthenium complex on a surface of a metal oxide semiconductor. In National Publication of International Patent No. 504023/1993 (corresponding to WO91/16719), a solar cell having a spectrosensitizing dye layer made of a transition metal complex such as a ruthenium complex on a surface of a titanium oxide semiconductor layer doped with metal ion is described.
For such solar cells, it is important, from the viewpoint of improvement in the photoelectric conversion efficiency, that the electrons rapidly move to the titanium oxide semiconductor layer from the layer of the spectrosensitizing dye such as a ruthenium complex, which has been excited by the light absorption. If the electrons do not move rapidly, recombination of the electrons with the ruthenium complex or reverse current (also referred to as "reverse current" or "back current") of the electrons takes place, resulting in a problem of lowering of the photoelectric conversion efficiency.
On this account, increase of the amount of the spectrosensitizing dye adsorbed on the surface of the titanium oxide semiconductor film or improvement of mobility of the electrons in the titanium oxide semiconductor film has been studied.
For example, it has been proposed that in the formation of the titanium oxide semiconductor film, steps of applying a titania sol onto an electrode substrate, drying the sol and calcining the dried film are repeated to form a porous thick film, that is, a porous semiconductor film is formed to increase the amount of the Ru complex supported on the surface of the semiconductor film. It has been also proposed that the titania fine particles are calcined at a temperature of not lower than 400° C. to improve conductivity. Moreover, it has been proposed in National Publication of International Patent No. 511113/1994 (corresponding to WO93/18532) that, in order to increase the effective surface area, immersion of the film in an aqueous solution of titanium chloride or deposition of titanium chloride on the film is carried out to form a porous titanium oxide layer.
In the above processes, however, calcining of the titanium oxide semiconductor film is carried out to improve the electron mobility. Therefore, the particles are sintered to cause a lowering of porosity, so that there resides a problem that the adsorbed amount of the spectrosensitizing dye is decreased. Thus, the photoelectric conversion efficiency is not always satisfactory, and further improvement has been desired.
The present inventors have disclosed a process for producing titanium oxide semiconductor films for photovoltaic cells and a photovoltaic cell, which have been improved in the above points (Japanese Patent laid-Open Publication No. 339867/1999).
Further, the present inventors have disclosed a photovoltaic cell which uses, in order to inhibit the back current, a metal oxide semiconductor film composed of metal oxide particles having core-shell structure wherein the volume resistance value of the core is lower than that of the shell (Japanese Patent laid-Open Publication No. 155791/2001).
The photoelectric conversion efficiency of the above photovoltaic cells has been improved to a certain extent, but there is a problem that the electromotive force is insufficient or the electromotive force and the photoelectric conversion efficiency are lowered after the cells are used for a long period of time.
In the conventional photovoltaic cells, the adsorbed amount of the spectrosensitizing dye (photosensitizer) is not always large, so that back current is liable to take place, and the photoelectric conversion efficiency is not high. Moreover, the photovoltaic cells tend to absorb ultraviolet rays, and therefore, if they are used for a long period of time, the photosensitizer is gradually decomposed. As a result, the electromotive force and the photoelectric conversion efficiency of the photovoltaic cells are gradually decreased, and the durability of the photovoltaic cells becomes insufficient.
The present invention is intended to solve such problems as described above by providing a photovoltaic cell capable of inhibiting back current and decomposition of a spectrosensitizing dye caused by the ultraviolet rays, possessing high photoelectric conversion efficiency and which is capable of generating high electromotive force.

Catalysts & Chemicals Industries Co., Ltd.


Provided herein are pyrazoloanthrones or functional derivatives or analogs thereof to activate MIS receptor-mediated downstream effects in a cell. In particular, methods are provided to prevent and treat cancer that expresses MIS receptor type II (MISRII) by administering to a subject at least one pyrazoloanthrone or a functional derivative or analog thereof. Also provided herein are methods to lower plasma androgen levels in a subject, and/or for the treatment of a subject with a disease characterized by excess androgen, whereby the subject is administered at least one pyrazoloanthrone or a functional derivative or analog thereof. Also provided are methods to decrease the dose of a chemotherapeutic agent by administering the chemotherapeutic agent with a pyrazoloanthrone or a functional derivative or analog thereof that lowers the effective dose of the chemotherapeutic agent.

Cancer is characterized by uncontrolled growth, proliferation, and migration of cells. Cancer is the second leading cause of death with 500,000 deaths and an estimated 1.3 million new cases in the United States in 1996. The role of signal transduction pathways contributing to cell transformation and cancer is a generally accepted concept.
Müllerian Inhibiting Substance (MIS) is a glycoprotein hormone secreted by the newly differentiating testis during the fetal period where it is responsible for regression of the Müllerian ducts in males, which would otherwise develop into the internal female reproductive tract tissues (Reviewed in (Teixeira, 2001)). However, MIS is also produced during postnatal life in both male and female gonads (Takahashi, 1986, Tran, 1987). As a member of the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-α) family, MIS signaling requires a set of membrane bound serine/threonine kinase receptors (Baarends, 1994, Clarke, 2001a, di Clemente, 1994, He, 1993, Jamin, 2002, Teixeira, 1996, Visser, 2001). After the type II receptor for MIS (MISRII) binds the MIS ligand, it recruits, phosphorylates, and activates one of three possible, activin-like kinase type I receptors (Alk2 or 3), which in turn activates the Smad 1/5/8 pathway in concert with the common Smad4. The Smad complex will translocate into the nucleus and bind to promoter regions to activate transcription of MIS-responsive genes (Massague and Wotton, 2000).
In addition to its role during male fetal development, the continuous production of this hormone in both male and females after birth indicates a function in the adult. One of the activities that has been ascribed to postnatal MIS has been as a inhibitor of tumor cell proliferation, including cells from breast (Gupta, 2005, Segev, 2000), prostate (Hoshiya, 2003, Tran, 2006), cervical (Barbie, 2003), endometrial (Renaud, 2005) and ovarian (Ha, 2000, Stephen, 2002) cancers. Since, the type II receptor for MIS is highly expressed only in the gonads and other reproductive tract organs, targeting this receptor should give rise to a selective agent and minimize side effects associated with other systemic therapy. MISRII is expressed in motor neurons (Wang, 2005) but the effect is salutary rather than inhibitory as in tumors.
However, the production of large quantities of purified, biologically active MIS sufficient to be used therapeutically is challenging. Therefore, it would be desirable to have a simple molecule that could mimic the effect of MIS by selectively activating the MISRII-mediated downstream signaling pathway.

Pyrazoloanthrone and derivatives thereof for the treatment of cancers expressing MISRII


A packaging unit for holding a plurality of articles, preferably disposable articles, such, as plasters, tissues, gauze, etc. The packaging unit comprises a holding member (2) comprising a first part (5) with at most fifteen spaced apart flaps (6), and a second part (7), the first and second parts being arranged oppositely each other. A plurality of articles are arranged and retained between the first and second parts in such a manner that an individual article can be removed from the packaging unit. The packaging unit is insertable in a dispenser (13) and may serve as a refill package. Furthermore, a dispenser for delivering disposable articles, the dispenser comprising a retaining part (14) for retaining a packaging unit and an opening (15) allowing a packaging unit to be inserted and allowing an individual article to be delivered. The opening is arranged in such a manner that an individual article may be delivered from the dispenser by pulling it in a substantially downwards direction. The dispenser improves the hygienic standard as compared to prior art dispensers because the position of the opening prevents dirt, blood, or various items from entering the dispenser due to the force of gravity, thereby contaminating the articles positioned in the dispenser.

Various dispensers for delivering disposable articles, such as plasters, cleansing tissues, etc., are known in the art. It is also known to design such dispensers in manner which allows them to be refilled, i.e. a new packaging unit with a number of disposable articles can be positioned in the dispenser, replacing an empty packaging unit.
One example of such a refillable dispenser is manufactured by Cederroth AB. The dispenser is provided with a body part defining an opening and a lid part covering the opening. Inside the body part two packaging units, each holding a plurality of plasters, can be accommodated. The packaging units are retained by the body part in such a manner that when a person pulls an individual plaster, that individual plaster is removed from the dispenser through an opening while the packaging unit as well as the remaining plasters of the packaging unit remain in the dispenser. Furthermore, part of the wrapping of the removed plaster also remains in the dispenser. Thereby a sticky part of the removed plaster is exposed, and the plaster will be ready for use, i.e. it can readily be positioned across a wound.
The opening defined in the body part of the dispenser is arranged in such a manner that the plasters must be pulled in an upwards direction in order to remove them from the dispenser. This is a disadvantage because thereby dirt and possibly blood dripping from a wound may enter the interior of the body part where the plasters are stored. Thereby the plasters may be contaminated, and it is difficult to maintain a desired hygienic standard in the dispenser.

Packaging unit and a dispenser for disposable articles


A system for continuously providing information on the internet of the usage of a utility commodity at a meter includes an internet site at which the usage of the utility commodity at the meter can be viewed and at which a utility company can post pricing information for the use of the utility commodity at the meter. An automatic meter reader provides continuous information on the quantity of the utility commodity that is being used at the meter and information is transmitted between the automatic meter reader and the internet site. The utility company sends pricing information to the automatic meter reader and, using the pricing information, the automatic meter reader continuously calculates charges for utility usage and sends those charges to the internet site, where they are posted. The automatic meter reader can generate, present, and display real time energy use data and energy billing and can allow the customer the option of paying the bill online or at the automatic meter reader.

This invention relates to a system for continuously providing information on the internet of the power usage at a utility's electric meter. In particular, it relates a system where there is an internet site at which the power usage at the meter can be viewed and at which the utility company can post pricing information for the use of power at said meter, an automatic meter reader that provides continuous information on the power being used at the meter, means for sending information between said automatic meter reader and the internet site, so that the utility can send pricing information to the automatic meter reader and, using that pricing information, the automatic meter reader continuously calculates charges for power usage and can send those charges to the internet site where they can be posted.
The electric utility industry is a major industry nationally and worldwide. It collects several hundred billion dollars annually in revenues. The major focal point in the system is the energy usage bill generated monthly for each user. For the industry, the meter is the cash register that allows the utility to bill and collect revenue from the users, usually on a monthly basis. Hundreds of millions of dollars are spent annually by the utilities to generate, mail out, and collect their bills. This facet of the operation is a capital and labor-intensive operation and streamlining the operation and making the billing operations more efficient would save substantial amounts of money.
The advent of the internet has made it possible for bills to be displayed and paid on the internet, making the billing operation cheaper and more productive for both the company and the customer. The internet is especially conducive to conducting electronic transactions and the design, ubiquitous nature and standard interfaces, i.e. browsers, of the internet make this medium ideally suited for paying bills.
Recently, improvements have been made in the billing process using the internet. Information on power usage that has been collected manually or remotely by the utility is used to compute the customer's monthly bill. The bill is displayed on the company's website so that the user may view it and pay it online if he wishes to. But even when a utility has installed an automatic meter reading (AMR) system at the customer's site, the bill is calculated periodically, normally once each month, but occasionally at shorter intervals. Most or all of the prior billing inventions focus primarily on the last leg of the utility billing chain, the bill presentment phase. The meter phase systems to date either provide information only on a daily update and only in the case of extremely expensive commercial and industrial systems is data available in real time to the individual customers. There is no residential system which can provide real time data today. There is a major need for the integration of the metered data, its collection, recognition, storage, energy use tariff selection, and eventually its presentment and display. It would be advantageous for some customers, however, if they could know on a continuous basis what they owe for power being used so that they can alter operations accordingly. This is especially true when a utility has different rates at different times of the day or during peak usage. In addition, continuous billing may help to detect the theft of power or the loss of power due to shorts or the loss of insulation.

System and method for real time generating, presenting, displaying and paying utility bills online


According to aspects illustrated herein, a system, a printmaking device, and a method for pre-curling and registering media are provided herein. The system includes a media curler system and a deskew mechanism. The media curler system pre-curls at least one of lead edge and a trail edge of a sheet before delivery to a media hold-down transport. The deskew mechanism is coupled to the media curler system for pivoting the media curler system about a pivot axis to deskew the sheet. The pivot axis extends perpendicular to the media transport path. In operation, as the lead edge enters the pre-curling and registration system, the media curler system pre-curls the sheet towards the media hold-down transport. As the sheet is being pre-curled, the deskew mechanism pivots the media curler system about the pivot axis to correct any skew errors in the sheet.

Direct marking systems include inkjet print heads that print directly on a print media. Examples of direct marking systems include high speed media vacuum transport systems and media against vacuum drums systems. Direct marking systems require the media in the print zone to be extremely flat. Keeping the media extremely flat may present significant challenges.
Testing has shown that pre-curling the media in a downward direction may significantly help reduce the hold-down pressures required during printing. However, performing pre-curling creates challenges. A first challenge is that pre-curling may cause the media transport path to be extended, increasing the machine footprint.
Another challenge is registering the media on the media transport path, while keeping the media properly curled. For example, if pre-curling is performed prior to the registration of the media, the registration of the media may adversely affect the curl of the media. On the other hand, if the media is curled after the registration, the media may become misaligned during the curling process.
Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a registration system that pre-curls and registers the media along a reduced media transport path.

Media registration system with sheet curl control


An image forming apparatus is provided, which controls an appropriate developer amount for a desired image so that an image defect such as an unclear font or a white area is prevented, resulting in a stable image formation for a long term. A developer regulating member has a resistance value varying depending on a voltage to be applied. A control device changes over the voltage to be applied to the developer regulating member during the image formation according to image information and changes a potential difference between the developer carrying member and the developer regulating member.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer, which uses an electrophotographic printing method or an electrostatic recording method.
2. Description of the Related Art
One such type of conventional image forming apparatus has a known structure as illustrated in FIG. 13, for instance. FIG. 13 illustrates schematically an example of a basic structure of the conventional image forming apparatus.
In this example, a drum-shaped electrophotographic photosensitive member (hereinafter referred to as a "photosensitive drum") 100 is used as an image bearing member. The photosensitive drum 100 includes a cylindrical base made of aluminum for instance, and a photosensitive material layer (e.g., an organic photosensitive material layer) formed on the surface of the cylindrical base. The photosensitive drum 100 is driven to rotate in the direction indicated by the arrow. Around the photosensitive drum 100, a charging roller 101, a laser beam scanning optical system E, a developing unit 102 as a developing device, a transferring roller 111 and a cleaner 109 are disposed in this order from the upstream side of the rotation direction.
The charging roller 101 charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 100 uniformly, and then the laser beam scanning optical system E projects an optical image so that an electrostatic latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum 100. Then, the electrostatic latent image is visualized (developed) by toner (developer) stored in the developing unit 102. The developer has a negative charging polarity. The charging polarity of the developer means the charging polarity of the developer that adheres to image regions of the latent image when the development is performed, and it has the same charging polarity as the photosensitive drum in case of reversal development. In other words, if the photosensitive drum is charged to the negative polarity in the reversal development, the charging polarity of the toner is also the negative polarity.
A recording medium, i.e., a transferring material P is fed from a sheet feeding opening (not shown) in synchronization with the above-mentioned formation of a visual image (toner image). The visual image (toner image) is transferred onto the recording medium at a substantially abutting portion between the photosensitive drum 100 and the transferring roller 111. The image on the transferring material P is fused and fixed by a fixing device 110.
The developing unit 102 includes a developing roller 103 as a developer carrying member, a supplying roller 105 for supplying nonmagnetic one-component toner (having the negative polarity) to the developing roller 103, and an agitating member 106 for conveying the toner in a container to a vicinity of the supplying roller 105. Further, the developing unit 102 includes a developer regulating blade 104 as a developer regulating member for regulating an amount of toner on the developing roller 103.
The developing roller 103 abuts the photosensitive drum 100. Therefore, the developing roller 103 is made of an elastic material. In addition, the developer regulating blade 104 utilizes a spring elasticity of a thin metal plate so as to regulate a layer thickness of the toner.
A developing bias power supply 107 applies a developing bias to the developing roller 103 so as to give a predetermined potential for moving the toner from the developing roller 103 to the photosensitive drum 100. In addition, a blade bias power supply 108 is connected to the developer regulating blade 104 and applies a blade bias so as to give a predetermined potential for stabilizing an charging amount of the toner as described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 5-11599. The blade bias power supply 108 can be one that supplies the same potential as the developing bias power supply 107, one that supplies a different potential, or other types.
The conventional method uses the layer thickness regulating blade as described above, which is press-contacted to the developing roller 103 by a predetermined pressure so that the layer thickness of the toner on the developing roller 103 can be maintained to a constant value. This developer regulating blade 104 is made of a metal that is harder than the toner, which causes a problem that the toner can be deteriorated by the developer regulating blade 104.
In order to resolve this problem, there is proposed a method involving using a conductive material like rubber or resin softer than the toner for at least a rubbing part of the layer thickness regulating blade (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H11-327291).
However, when the image forming operation was performed using the conventional structure described above, the following malfunction was found.
FIG. 14 illustrates image density with respect to desired gradation. The horizontal axis represents the gradation, which becomes more solid image toward the right side.
First, in the image forming apparatus described above as the conventional example, a voltage of the blade bias power supply 108 was set 300 volts higher than a voltage of the developing bias power supply 107 in the developer charging polarity side (e.g., in the negative side, i.e., −300 volts) to provide a potential difference between them. The gradation in this case is illustrated by the broken line G of FIG. 14. Although a desired image density was obtained, a gradation property of the image density was low. In other words, a phenomenon that the toner cannot be developed in a highlight portion (so-called low density image portion illustrated in FIG. 14 as the part (A)) (hereinafter, referred to as "white area") occurs. In addition, a shadow portion (so-called middle density to high density portion area illustrated in FIG. 14 as the part (B)) is saturated at a maximum density soon. This gradation property is suitable for a text or other images that are desired to have a high contrast, but it is not suitable for a photographic image or other images that requires good gradation property.
If the voltage of the developing bias power supply 107 is lowered so as to suppress an amount of the developed toner, the density is decreased as a whole as illustrated by the solid line H of FIG. 14, but the gradient in the halftone portion (between the parts (A) and (B) of FIG. 14) is not changed.
In addition, it is possible to suppress the amount of the toner carried by the developing roller 103 to a certain extent even if the applied voltage of the blade bias power supply 108 is lowered. In this case, however, a phenomenon called a toner fusion occurs, in which the toner is fixed to the developer regulating blade 104.
If the conductive material of the developer regulating blade 104 is changed to a rubber having insulating property and the image output is performed in the same manner, the gradation property may be obtained but with decreased sharpness of characters on the contrary. In addition, a desired density is not obtained upon output in initial use as the developing unit.


The present invention relates to an antibody or functional fragment thereof which binds to a mammalian (e.g., human) CC-chemokine receptor 4 (CCR4) or a portion of the receptor and blocks binding of a ligand to the receptor. The invention further relates to a method of inhibiting the interaction of a cell bearing mammalian CCR4 with a ligand thereof, and to use of the antibodies and fragments in research, therapeutic, prophylactic and diagnostic methods.

Over the last decade chemokines have emerged as key mediators of inflammation as a result of their numerous proinflammatory activities which affect virtually every leukocyte type. More recently, chemokines have been recognized as a critical component of basal leukocyte trafficking essential for normal immune surveillance and response, as well as for several other functions in hematopoiesis, angiogenesis, control of viral infection, and T cell differentiation (Baggiolini et al., Ann. Rev. Immunol. 15:675 (1997); Zou et al., Nature 393:595 (1998); Tachibana et al., Nature 393:591 (1998)). This diverse array of biological activities, including mediation of a range of pro-inflammatory effects on leukocytes, such as triggering of chemotaxis, degranulation, synthesis of lipid mediators, and integrin activation, together with their critical role in the initiation and maintenance inflammatory diseases, and the recent identification of certain chemokine receptors as co-receptors for HIV-1 entry, have made chemokines and chemokine receptors an attractive new set of therapeutic targets.
Members of the chemokine family are produced and secreted by many cell types in response to early inflammatory mediators such as IL-1β or TNFα. The chemokine superfamily comprises two main branches: the α-chemokines (or CXC chemokines) which are characterized by a single amino acid separating the first 2 cysteines, and the β-chemokines (CC chemokines), which contain two adjacent cysteines. The α-chemokine branch includes proteins such as IL-8, neutrophil activating peptide-2 (NAP-2), melanoma growth stimulatory activity (MGSA/gro or GROα), and ENA-78, each of which have attracting and activating effects predominantly on neutrophils. The members of the β-chemokine branch affect other cell types such as monocytes, lymphocytes, basophils, and eosinophils (Oppenheim, J. J. et al., Annu. Rev. Immunol., 9:617–648 (1991); Baggiolini, M., et al., Adv. Imunol., 55:97–179 (1994); Miller and Krangel, Crit. Rev. Immunol., 12:17–46 (1992); Jose, P. J., et al., J. Exp. Med., 179:881–118 (1994); Ponath, P. D., et al., J. Clin. Invest., 97:604–612 (1996)), and include proteins such as monocyte chemotactic proteins 1–4 (MCP-1, MCP-2, MCP-3, and MCP-4), RANTES, macrophage inflammatory proteins (MIP-1α, MIP-1β), thymus and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC; Imai et al., J. Biol. Chem. 271:21514–21521 (1996)) and macrophage-derived chemokine (MDC; Godiska et al., J. Exp. Med. 185:1595–1604 (1997)).
Chemokines bind to 7 transmembrane spanning G protein-coupled receptors (Murphy, P. M., Annu. Rev. Immunol., 12:593–633 (1994)). A number of β chemokine receptors (CCR1–CCR10) have been identified to date, and the search for additional chemokine receptors is the subject of active research (Baggiolini, Nature 392:565–568 (1998)). Chemokine receptor CCR4 was identified by Power et al. (J. Biol. Chem. 270:19495–19500 (1995); Genbank accession number X85740) and Meyer et al. (J. Biol. Chem. 271(24):14445–14451 (1996); Genbank accession number X94151). A murine homolog of human CCR4 has also been identified (Youn et al., Blood 89(12):4448–4460 (1997)). CCR4 was originally found to signal in response to MCP-1, MIP-1α, and RANTES but more recently has been shown to be specific for the chemokines TARC and MDC (Imai et al., J. Biol. Chem. 272(23):15036–15042 (1997); Imai et al., J. Biol. Chem. 278:1764–1768 (1998)).
The selective recruitment of leukocyte subsets to sites of inflammation and the ordered trafficking of leukocytes through the circulation, tissues, lymphatic system and secondary lymphoid organs is controlled in part by the differential expression of chemokine receptors on subsets of cells. Such expression patterns would seem to ensure that a functionally related group of leukocytes can coordinately respond to a specific set of chemokines induced by a given stimulus. For T cells, PCR or Northern blotting indicates that the known receptors for CC chemokines are expressed on subsets of T cells. Delineating exactly which subsets express particular receptors is an area of intense study, because chemokine receptor expression may explain the localization or migration of various cell types, such as TH1 or TH2 T cells or tissue homing subsets. It may also determine which T cells are infected with different strains of HIV-1. However, most leukocytes express several chemokine receptors, many with complex and promiscuous ligand interactions. This makes elucidating the normal immune function for a specific receptor on a given cell type and determining the relevance to initiation and progression of disease difficult, especially since specific antibodies are not available for many chemokine receptors.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Anti-CCR4 antibodies and methods of use therefor


An image sequence captured at a first image rate is encoded as an encoded image sequence at a second image rate with information in the encoded image sequence indicative of images that are repeated when decoded. To assist in editing a video program using the encoded image sequence, the information in the encoded image sequence indicative of images that are repeated when decoded may be cleared. Further, image index information for the encoded image sequence may be generated. This image index information is used to map a temporal position of an image in a decoded image sequence to a position of corresponding data in the encoded image sequence. Temporal positions used with the image index information correspond to the first image rate.

There are several formats currently available for encoding motion pictures, i.e., a temporal sequence of images. Some of these formats are standards and include, but are not limited to, the standards commonly known as MPEG-2 (formally known as ISO/IEC 13818-2 or ITU-T Rec. H.262) and H.264 (formally known as ISO/IEC 14496-10 or ITU-T Rec. H.264). Other formats may borrow concepts from or use parts of these standards. For example, a format known as HDV encodes a progressively scanned high-definition image sequence captured at a rate of 23.976 frames per second using MPEG-2 encoding. The captured image sequence is encoded as an image sequence at a second image rate, e.g., 29.97 frames per second or 59.94 fields per second, with information in the encoded image sequence indicative of fields or frames that are repeated when decoded. In MPEG-2, this information includes a value known as a "repeat first field flag." In H.264 this information is provided by a variable called "pic_struct."
It can be difficult to edit a video program using an image sequence that has been encoded using repeated fields or frames. In particular, it is difficult to maintain accurate timing relationships between sources of image sequences and the edited video program. Such timing requires a proper understanding and use of the information that indicates whether a field or frame is repeated in a wide variety of possible editing operations.

Capture, editing and encoding of motion pictures encoded with repeating fields or frames


A method and a device for detecting the spatial position of the optical axis of the eye of a human or animal subject and for centering a reference system in relation to the optical axis are described, having at least one light source emitting a parallel light beam bundle, a positioning region for the subject provided opposite the light source, means for relative position orientation of the parallel light beam bundle in relation to the eye of the subject, and at least one detector unit for detecting reflection events caused in and on the eye by the parallel light beam bundle. The present invention generates control signals on the basis of the scattering and reflection events detected by the detector unit, by which the means for relative position orientation are activated, the control signals being generated in such a way that at least one reflection event and at least one scattered light event are to be brought into congruency in relation to the propagation direction of the parallel light beam bundle.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a device and a method for detecting the spatial position of the optical axis of the eye of a human or animal subject and for centering a reference system in relation to the optical axis, having at least one light source, which emits a parallel light beam bundle, a positioning region for the subject provided opposite the light source, means for relative position orientation of the parallel light beam bundle in relation to the eye of the subject, and at least one detector unit for detecting reflection events caused in and on the eye by the parallel light beam bundle.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Devices of the species described above are predominantly used in the field of ophthalmology, particularly for correcting the defective sight of an eye using a laser treatment system, particularly an excimer laser, to provide a targeted material removal on or inside the cornea, to achieve a desired change of the corneal curvature and a correction of the optical action of the cornea connected thereto.
The photorefractive correction of defective sight has been a recognized and very effective method for correcting vision errors for years. In the meantime, all types of defective sight such as nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), and corneal curvatures (astigmatism) have been treated very successfully using appropriately equipped laser systems. A requirement for successful treatment requires exact positioning of the treatment laser beam in relation to the cornea to be treated.
With increasing precision of the excimer laser systems and the precision of the diagnostic methods available, exact positioning of the treatment laser beam at the location of the cornea gains ever greater significance. A few years ago, the photorefractive correction of defective sight was modified by the simple use of the spectacle prescription as starting information in such a way that the spatially resolved aberrations of the entire system of the eye were measured using wavefront technology and the topographic properties of the cornea, and a corresponding correction guideline for the treatment laser beam was prepared.
It is a direct consequence that with the significant increase of detailed information available to the photorefractive correction, precise positioning of the eye to be treated and/or the treatment at the location of the cornea gains significance.
Treatment laser systems of this type are generally supported by eye tracker systems, which are based on greatly varying method technologies. With the aid of systems of this type, position changes of the eye in the magnitude of less than 100 μm may be recognized.
An essential requirement for successful correction of defective sight is thus precise orientation and positioning of the treatment laser beam in relation to the eye to be treated and its optical axis, and/or the optical axes of its refractive partial faces. The practice typical until now for adjusting a treatment laser beam in relation to the eye was performed up to this point in relation to the pupil center or purely subjectively by the treating physician, who oriented himself either on unchanging eye features or manually adjusted the treatment laser beam as a function of light reflections occurring on or in the eye. All laser-supported refractive surgery methods known up to this point for optimized correction of defective sight in the eye therefore lack an objectively repeatable adjustment of the treatment laser beam in relation to the eye to be treated and its optical axis, and/or the optical axes of its refractive partial faces.

Device and method for detecting the spatial position of the optical axis of an eye and for centering a reference system relation to the optical axis


The present invention relates to an environmental stress-tolerant plant. The invention discloses a transgenic plant containing a gene in which a DNA encodes a protein consisting of the amino acid sequence as shown in SEQ ID NO: 4 with the deletion of amino acids from positions 136-165 thereof, the DNA being operably linked downstream of a stress responsive promoter.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a transgenic plant containing a gene in which a DNA encoding a protein that binds to dehydration responsive element (DRE) and regulates the transcription of genes located downstream of DRE is ligated downstream of a stress responsive promoter.
2. Prior Art
In the natural world, plants are living under various environmental stresses such as dehydration, high temperature, low temperature or salt. Unlike animals, plants cannot protect themselves from stresses by moving. Thus, plants have acquired various stress tolerance mechanisms during the courses of their evolution. For example, low temperature tolerant plants (Arabidopsis thaliana, spinach, lettuce, garden pea, barley, beet, etc.) have less unsaturated fatty acid content in their biomembrane lipid than low temperature sensitive plants (maize, rice, pumpkin, cucumber, banana, tomato, etc.). Therefore, even when the former plants are exposed to low temperatures, phase transition is hard to occur in their biomembrane lipid and, thus, low temperature injury does not occur easily.
To date, dehydration, low temperature or salt tolerant lines have been selected and crossed in attempts to artificially create environmental stress tolerant plants. However, a long time is needed for such selection, and the crossing method is only applicable between limited species. Thus, it has been difficult to create a plant with high environmental stress tolerance.
As biotechnology progressed recently, trials have been made to create dehydration, low temperature or salt tolerant plants by using transgenic technology which introduces into plants a specific, heterologous gene. Those genes which have been used for the creation of environmental stress tolerant plants include synthesis enzyme genes for osmoprotecting substances (mannitol, proline, glycine betaine, etc.) and modification enzyme genes for cell membrane lipid. Specifically, as the mannitol synthesis enzyme gene, Escherichia coli-derived mannitol 1-phosphate dehydrogenase gene [Science 259:508-510 (1993)] was used. As the proline synthesis enzyme gene, bean-derived Δ1-proline-5-carboxylate synthetase gene [Plant Physiol. 108:1387-1394 (1995)] was used. As the glycine betaine synthesis enzyme gene, bacterium-derived choline dehydrogenase gene [Plant J. 12:1334-1342 (1997)] was used. As the cell membrane lipid modification enzyme gene, Arabidopsis thaliana-derived ω-3 fatty acid desaturase gene [Plant Physiol. 105:601-605 (1994)] and blue-green alga-derived Δ9 desaturase gene [Nature Biotech. 14:1003-1006 (1996) were used. However, the resultant plants into which these genes were introduced were instable in stress tolerance or low in tolerance level; none of them have been put into practical use to date.
Further, it is reported that a plurality of genes are involved in the acquisition of dehydration, low temperature or salt tolerance in plants [Plant Physiol., 115:327-334 (1997)]. Therefore, a gene encoding a transcription factor capable of activating simultaneously the expression of a plurality of genes involved in the acquisition of stress tolerance has been introduced into plants, yielding plants with high stress tolerance. However, when a gene which induces the expression of a plurality of genes is introduced into a host plant, the genes are activated at the same time. As a result, the energy of the host plant is directed to production of the products of these genes and intracellular metabolism of such gene products, which often brings about delay in the growth of the host plant or dwarfing of the plant.

Independent Administrative Institute, Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences

Incorporated Administrative Agency, National Agriculture and Bio-Oriented Research Organization


The smokeless liquid two-phase burner system of the present invention relates to a method and apparatus for burning a wide variety of flammable liquids using an integrated burner system. The system has both a primary injection path and an alternate injection path for the fuel to be burned, as well as a main air pump or blower. The present invention also provides a method and apparatus for selectably injecting a secondary stream of a gas or vapor or volatile liquid into a flare system for the purpose of enhancing combustion. The apparatus is self-contained and self erecting on a transportable trailer.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus suitable for burning different classes of waste fuels by selectably injecting a waste fuel to be burned and an accelerator fuel into a flare system for the purpose of enhancing combustion. More particularly, the present invention relates to a self-contained, self-erecting burner system selectably optimized for burning different classes of waste fuels using an integrated burner system.
2. Description of the Related Art
Flare systems are commonly used to burn waste flammable fluids such as oilfield drilling pit contents, fluids from pipeline depressurization blowdowns, and waste chemical streams. Commonly used flare systems are optimized for a particular class of fluids or even a specific fluid. In order to produce optimal burning so that the flare is both smokeless and complete combustion occurs, previous flare stacks have been provided with a capability of injecting a single type of gaseous phase into the flow stream of liquid being burned, along with the air stream normally fed to the flare to aid combustion. However, these flare stacks generally do not adapt well to a broad spectrum of flammable liquid properties. If a flare stack works well for lighter, more volatile fluids, it typically will be inadequate for a more viscous fluid or a less volatile fluid. If a fluid that has a low heating value is used with a flare system that has been designed for a high heating value fluid, the flare performance generally will be unsatisfactory.
Another difficulty with the currently available flare systems is the need for extraneous equipment to erect and run the flare system.
A need exists for a flare system that can be adapted readily to various liquids with wide variations in their characteristic properties. Additionally, a need exists for a flare system that is completely self-contained and does not require separate handling and erection equipment.

Trailer mounted smokeless dual-phase burner system


A writable optical disc has an information writing track, and a guiding track for introducing a laser beam to the information writing track. The guiding track has prepit information recorded thereon, the prepit information including at least address information of the optical disc. The prepit information is recorded on the guiding track at a position where interference of adjacent guiding tracks with the prepit information is prevented. The information writing track is a groove track, and the guiding track is a land track.

The present invention relates to a writable optical disc, and a reading system and a manufacturing method of the disc.
In a writable optical disc, information such as a synchronizing signal and address information (hereinafter called prepit information) for searching a position on the disc are previously recorded by laser cutting at a preformat stage in a manufacturing process. As one of methods of the preformat of the prepit information, a track (groove or land) on which information is written by a user is wobbled. In another method, prepits are recorded on the track.
However, in the former method, the track itself is wobbled in a waveform in right and left by a wobbling signal. Therefore, the magnitude of the modulation by the wobbling signal is limited to a small degree. As a result, the C/N decreases. Furthermore, since the interference of the adjacent tracks at the wobbling must be considered, pitch between the tracks can not be reduced. Consequently, the writing capacity of the disc is limited.
In the latter method, since the prepits are recorded, the space for writing the information is reduced. Therefore, the available efficiency of the disc is low.

Optical disc, and reading system and manufacturing method of the disc


A method of controlling the operation of a wind turbine is provided. The wind turbine includes a rotor, a generator and at least one heat generating component. The method includes obtaining a temperature of the heat generating component; determining the presence of a predetermined increase of the temperature of the heat generating component; and upon determining the presence of the predetermined temperature increase, controlling the rotational speed of the generator so as to increase the rotational speed of the generator while not increasing the electrical power output of the generator or while increasing the electrical power output of the generator at a smaller proportion than the increase in rotational speed of the generator so as to reduce the level of electrical current in the generator.

Wind turbines can include a number of components that produce heat due to electrical losses during the delivery of electrical energy, for example a generator of the wind turbine that converts mechanical energy provided by a rotor of the wind turbine to electrical energy, or a converter that converts the electrical energy such that it is suitable for being fed into a power grid. A wind turbine may comprise further components, such as a transformer connected between the converter and the power grid, which also produce heat and may require cooling. The generator, converter and transformer form part of the wind turbine's electrical drivetrain. Heat can furthermore be generated in other components of the electrical drivetrain, such as in further power conditioners, power cabling, bus bars and the like.
At higher ambient temperatures, the cooling of the wind turbine components becomes more difficult. Such conditions can lead to an overheating of the components of the electrical drivetrain. A conventional wind turbine can comprise a protection system that prevents damage to such components from overheating. A conventional protection system shuts down the operation of the wind turbine to stop heat production and protect the components from damage. Such solution suffers from the drawback that the energy production is stopped, so that less electrical energy is delivered to consumers, resulting in respective revenue losses for the operators of the wind turbine.
To avoid these negative effects, the document EP 2 309 122 A1 proposes a method for controlling a wind turbine at high thermal loads, in which the output power of the wind turbine is controlled on the basis of a comparison of a temperature of such component with a temperature set point. The method allows an adaptation of the power production to the component temperature, and by reducing the output power, heating due to electrical losses is reduced, and the actual temperature of the component can be kept below the set point temperature for the respective component. The output power is reduced by adjusting a pitching angle of the rotor blades of the wind turbine rotor so that less wind energy is transferred to the rotor blades and converted into mechanical energy, whereby the amount of power produced by the wind turbine is reduced. Generally, when the power output of the wind turbine is reduced, the rotor speed is also reduced so that long-term fatigue loading is reduced (e.g. cyclic gravity loading on the blades or wear on the gears and bearings) and lead edge erosion of the blades is avoided.
It is desirable to protect such wind turbine components from overheating without reducing the amount of power that is produced by the wind turbine. In particular, it is desirable to maintain the amount of power that is produced by the wind turbine while ensuring that the components of the wind turbine operate within safe temperature limits. Also, in situations in which ambient temperatures rise or failures occur in the cooling system, it is desirable to avoid that the power delivery to consumers is curtailed.


A lowered profile electrical connector assembly is composed of a socket and a detachable plug. A flat dielectric socket base mounts a plurality of arrayed first terminals each having a first spring contact. A dielectric plug base mounts a plurality of arrayed second terminals each having a second spring contact. Each first terminal includes a first lead which extends outwardly from a bottom of the socket base for electrical connection with an external circuit. The first and second terminals are each provided with first and second leads for electrical connection with external circuits. Each first terminal is shaped to have a S-shaped section composed of inverted and upright U-shaped portions which are continuous with one leg of the upright U-shaped portion shared by the inverted U-shaped portion. The upright U-shaped portion includes a free spring leg which defines the first spring contact having a free contact end for engagement with the second spring contact. Also, each second terminal includes a U-shaped portion having one leg which defines the second spring contact. With the provision of the S-shaped, i.e., the double U-shaped portions, the first spring contact can engage at its free end with the free end of the second spring contact. Therefore, the U-shaped portions of both the first and second terminals can be best utilized to develop a sufficient contacting pressure for reliable electrical contact within a low profile structure of the assembly.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is directed to a low profile electrical connector assembly, and more particularly to a combination of surface mountable socket and plug.
2. Description of the Prior Art
U.S. Pat. No. 5,626,482 discloses a surface mountable electrical connector composed of a socket with a plurality of first terminals and a plug with a plurality of second terminals for mating contact with the first terminals. Each of the first terminals has a U-shaped portion to provide a first spring contact end at one of opposed legs of the U-shaped portion. While, each of the second terminal is shaped to have a rather straight contact end for pressed contact with the first spring contact end. The structure relies upon the spring force substantially only from a resilient deformation of the U-shaped portion on the side of the first terminal to achieve the pressed contact. In order to maintain a reliable contact between the terminals with this structure, it is necessary to make the U-shaped portion develop a considerably large spring bias. In this consequence, however, the structure requires a correspondingly large operating force to insert or remove the plug into and from the socket against the spring bias of the U-shaped portion for electrical engagement and disengagement between the first and second terminals. Otherwise, poor electrical contact would result. Further, the straight contact end of the second terminal is required to be held to a dielectric plug base over a long length so as to be firmly fixed thereto, thereby add an extra height to the plug and therefore the assembly of the plug and the socket, which is a hindrance to achieving a low profile design of the assembly.
Although not relating to the structure of the contact terminals, the above-mentioned patent discloses a structure of detachably connecting the plug and the socket with the use of two complementary U-shaped spring members fixed respectively to the socket and the plug. These two U-shaped members are incorporated to hold the plug and socket in mated condition and are therefore provided with no terminal lead for electrical connection with electrical circuits of printed board on which the socket and plug are mounted. Thus, the two U-shaped members are positioned without considering the effect of achieving a suitable contacting pressure and an arrangement of the terminal leads. Even if the two U-shaped spring members would be utilized to the first and second terminals, i.e., the straight contact end of the second terminal is modified to have the U-shaped portion, while keeping the terminal leads of the first and second terminals in suitable positions for the surface mounting, it would be necessary to orient the two U-shaped portion in the opposite directions in the assembled condition, as schematically shown in FIG. 1. However, such modified structure cannot permit to give a contact point at the interface between the free ends of the mating legs, and only permit to give the contact point away from the free end of one of the mating legs. With this result, substantially only one of the U-shaped portions is best utilized to give a spring bias for providing a contact pressure between the first and second spring contacts. Therefore, the modification is still insufficient in making the best use of the two U-shaped portions respectively of the first and second terminals to give a maximum contact pressure for reliable electrical connection between the first and second terminals.

Low profile electrical connector assembly


An L.E.D. light assembly for traffic arrowboards having an upright oriented lens having a front surface and a rear surface. A plurality of vertical flutes are formed on said rear surface and a plurality of horizontal flutes are formed on said front surface. Each of these flutes have a left edge and a right edge and when the lens is viewed from the front or rear, the respective viewable intersecting left and right edges of the vertical flutes and horizontal flutes define a grid of four-sided light magnifier modules. This grid has a central core portion of light magnifier modules and a surrounding portion of light magnifier modules. Light from the L.E.D.'s positioned behind the central core portion of light magnifier modules produces a spotlight type of beam along the longitudinal axis of the light assembly. The surrounding portion of light magnifier modules produce a divergent light pattern that is greater in the horizontal plane than in the vertical plane. The light intensity in front of the central core portion of light magnifier modules is at a minimum of 30% brighter than the intensity of the light in front of the surrounding portion of light magnifier modules.

The invention relates to a light assembly having a refractive lens and more specifically one that utilizes L.E.D.'s for the source of illumination.
Typically, most light assemblies have either incandescent bulbs or halogen bulbs providing the source of illumination. These types of light sources can vary the degree of brightness depending upon the particular application for which the light assembly is used. Often these light sources require reflectors to direct most of the rays along a forward pattern. Incandescent and halogen lights are usually fairly large resulting in the light assembly having a relatively large depth to it. Additionally, incandescent and halogen bulbs require a relatively greater amount of electricity to operate them.
It is known that the use of light emitting diodes (L.E.D.'s) consume substantially less power than incandescent or halogen bulbs. However, typically, the radiant power of L.E.D.'s has been limited so that they have been used primarily for short range applications such as panel indicators or indoor signs. L.E.D.'s have proven useful when their size has not been a significant factor because they are viewable from short distances. Unfortunately, the use of L.E.D.'s in outdoor applications such as traffic lights has been limited due to the high levels of ambient light. Even with the advent of ultrabright L.E.D.'s, large clusters of L.E.D.'s are required to achieve adequate target size definition. The longer distances involved in outdoor illumination devices, the brightness of ambient light conditions, and limits of resolution of the human eye are among the factors which require clusters of large numbers of L.E.D.'s in known systems. Unfortunately, these clusters are expensive.
Another problem prevalent with the use of L.E.D.'s positioned behind a refractive lens is the fact that dark or dead spots are often produced in which no illumination is transmitted. This has been acceptable in some applications but it has resulted in limited use of L.E.D.'s as the source of illumination for outdoor signs or traffic signals.
It is an object of the invention to provide novel L.E.D. light assembly for traffic arrowboards that uses substantially less power than incandescent lightbulbs for similar applications of a light assembly.
It is also an object of the invention to provide a novel L.E.D. light assembly that has a floodlight effect as well as an ultra bright spotlight in the center.
It is another object of the invention to provide a novel L.E.D. light assembly that is economical to manufacture and market.
It is an additional object of the invention to provide a novel L.E.D. light assembly that can be used with outdoor signs and provide sufficient long range visibility thus making them acceptable to the industry.


Described is a boundary proximity determining system for wirelessly defining a boundary having a programmable shape and for indicating the occurrence of a rover unit traversing the boundary. The boundary proximity determining system includes a base station unit that generates a plurality of magnetic fields. The boundary proximity determining system also includes a rover unit that is responsive to the generated magnetic fields such that the rover unit defines the boundary in terms of the intensities and polarities of the magnetic fields. The rover unit determines whether the rover unit is within or outside the boundary by determining the current location of the rover unit in terms of the intensities and polarities of the magnetic fields and comparing the current location to the boundary.

This invention pertains to a system for defining a boundary and for indicating the location of a rover unit with respect to the boundary. More particularly, this invention pertains to a system for wirelessly defining a boundary having a programmable shape and for indicating the location of, for example, an animal carrying the rover unit.

System and method for determining proximity to a wireless boundary of programmable shape used in animal containment


There is provided a power management system including a power receiving unit for receiving power from outside according to consumption of power, an electrical storage unit for storing the power received by the power receiving unit, and a discharge control unit for controlling a second power amount discharged from the electrical storage unit so that a first power amount provided by the power receiving unit attains a predetermined time-series pattern.

In recent years, a technology called a smart grid has gained attention. The smart grid is a technical framework to realize efficient power usage by constructing a new transmission network having a communication channel along with the transmission network and using the intelligent transmission network. The idea of the smart grid, as a background, is to realize efficient management of power usage, swift handling of an incident when such an incident occurs, remote control of power usage, distributed power generation using power generation facilities outside the control of a power company, or charging management of an electric vehicle. Particularly, effective utilization of in-house power generating stations using renewable energy by ordinary households or operators other than power companies and charging management of various motor-driven movable bodies typically including electric vehicles have attracted considerable attention. Incidentally, renewable energy is energy generated without using fossil fuel.
Power generated by ordinary households or operators other than power companies is used by power generation operators. Excessive power after being used by the power generation operators is currently purchased by power companies. However, purchasing power supplied from power generation facilities outside the control of a power company is a heavy burden to the power company. For example, amount of power supplied from photovoltaic power generation facilities depends on the weather. Moreover, amount of power supplied from in-house power generating stations of ordinary households depends on power usage of ordinary households that largely changes day by day. Thus, it is difficult for power companies to receive stable power supply from power generation facilities outside the control of power companies. For the above reason, it may be difficult for power companies to purchase power in the future.
Thus, a home battery initiative that uses power generated by power generation facilities outside the control of power companies after being temporarily stored in batteries has recently gained attention. For example, a method of using power generated by photovoltaic power generation facilities by storing such power in batteries and making up for shortages in the night or when the weather is bad is considered. Further, methods of limiting amount of power received from a power company in accordance with the battery storage amount and using power stored in batteries in the daytime when power rates are higher by storing power in batteries supplied by a power company in the night when power rates are lower are considered. Batteries can store power as DC, which eliminates the need for DC/AC conversion or AC/DC conversion during transmission so that losses during conversion can be reduced.
Thus, various expectations regarding power management mingle with one another amid the smart grid initiative. To realize such power management, the smart grid initiative is premised on having a communication channel along with a transmission network. That is, exchanging information about power management by using the intelligent transmission network is assumed. However, in a region where a communication infrastructure has been built, instead of using a transmission network as a communication channel, information about power management may be exchanged by using a network constructed by the deployed communication infrastructure. That is, what is important in the smart grid initiative is how efficiently to use power generation facilities and storage facilities that are not managed in a unified manner.
Regarding the above power management, for example, Patent Literature 1 describes a power management system for stably supplying power by temporarily storing, in a battery, power obtained by using a renewable energy power generation system. In other words, Patent Literature 1 discloses an idea similar to the home battery initiative. Certainly, stable supply of renewable energy is one of major issues. Some of the issues associated with stable supply of renewable energy may be solved by appropriately managing charging/discharging of a battery.

Power management system, power management apparatus, and power management method