A regulated power source for supplying power to an external circuit includes a voltage sensing circuit and a voltage regulator. The voltage sensing circuit generates a feedback voltage by comparing voltage drops at a plurality of sense points within the external circuit. The feedback voltage is based on the maximum voltage drop at the sense points. The voltage regulator regulates the voltage supplied to the external circuit in accordance with the feedback voltage.

The present invention relates generally to a power source for supplying power to a circuit and, in particular, to a voltage regulator that uses a multi-sense feedback scheme to improve voltage (IR) drops.
For efficient and desirable operation of electrical circuits, a constant voltage supply must be maintained at all points of time. Power supplies are used for providing a constant voltage to such electrical circuits. These power supplies or regulated power sources, receive as input an unregulated voltage, which may vary with time due to operational parameters, and provide an output voltage, which is fixed in magnitude and therefore called a regulated voltage.
During the operation of an electrical circuit, the load attached to the regulated power source draws current from the regulated power source. The load can be a resistive load and its source can be the impedance of the power supply network. In certain cases, a voltage (IR) drop occurs resulting in a lower voltage at the load than at the regulated power source's output terminals. This voltage drop is a result of the current flowing through the impedance of the power supply network. As a result, the electrical circuit receives a supply voltage that is less than the desired voltage. Further, this voltage may be fluctuating. Such an unregulated supply voltage may lead to improper functioning of the electrical circuit. In particular, the IR drop may lead to problems such as reduced noise margin, static power consumption, and logic failures.
Conventionally, a regulated power source senses the voltage at its output terminals and regulates the voltage at this point. Systems prone to distribution voltage drops in the power supply network are provided with sense pins, which monitor the voltage at a load point. The monitoring of the voltage at the load point enables the regulated power source to adjust its output so that the voltage across the load is regulated.
Conventional systems provide for single point sensing, which works well when a single load element is placed across the regulated power source's output. In case of multiple loads, each load has to be connected across a single point for single point load sensing to work correctly. Also, the conventional systems do not necessarily sense the maximum voltage drop in the power distribution network before providing feedback from the regulated power sources to counter the voltage drop.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a voltage regulator having a multipoint feedback scheme to compensate for voltage drops.

Voltage regulator having improved IR drop


The invention manages the download of print resource data, which is used during print processing, to a plurality of printing apparatuses in a network system in which the plurality of printing apparatuses and a server are connected. An identifier for g the print resource data to be downloaded is input, and downloadable printing apparatuses are determined in accordance with a type of a storage device attached to each of the plurality of printing apparatuses. The print resource data corresponding to the input identifier is downloaded to the determined printing apparatuses. When the data processing apparatus holds the print resource data corresponding to the identifier, the held print resource data is downloaded, and when the data processing apparatus does not hold the print resource data corresponding to the identifier, the print resource data is acquired from the server and downloaded. A server flag set to the downloaded print resource data is read, and it is determined that the downloaded print resource data should be transferred to the server when the server flag indicates that the downloaded print resource data should be transferred to said server, and it is determined determining that the downloaded print resource data should not be transferred to said server when the server flag indicates that the downloaded print resource data should not be transferred to said server.

When software or a resource such as a font or form is downloaded to an electronic apparatus such as a printer connected to a network, the downloaded information is managed by a computer which has downloaded the information.
If, however, a single computer downloads information and manages the downloaded information, the load on this computer increases in a network environment in which a large number of electronic apparatuses are connected. Also, if the network contains a plurality of computers capable of download, information may be confused.
It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a network system, download apparatus, server, and network management method capable of reducing the load on data downloaded in a network system and reducing the load on the management of the download, and also capable of appropriately managing these pieces of information.

Method of managing download in network system


A multi-gauge pod integratable with a motorcycle windscreen includes a front panel having an upper edge of a curved configuration conforming to the curvature of a semi-conical wedge-shaped shell portion of the windscreen, a lower edge below and spaced from the upper edge, and plural openings formed in the front panel spaced apart from one another and disposed in a clustered arrangement between and spaced from the upper and lower edges such that the front panel provides a dashboard that integrates within the motorcycle windscreen with the openings providing sites for mounting gauges thereto. The pod also includes a base and may include a tunnel both rigidly connected along front edges thereof to the lower edge of the front panel and extending rearward therefrom so as to rigidly support the front panel in an upright position relative to the base.

A high-profile style windscreen for use on a motorcycle is formed with a generally semi-conical wedge-shaped shell portion in the center of the windscreen. This central shell portion aerodynamically shapes the windscreen to allow wind/air to pass over the head of a motorcycle rider who is crouched down while riding the motorcycle, which is the conventional position for certain motorcycles. Thus, the semi-conical wedge-shaped shell portion is designed to provide superior aerodynamics for a motorcycle rider generally tucked in behind the windscreen.
Such high-profile motorcycle windscreens, such as, for example, a so-called double bubble style windscreen, is normally free and independent of any gauges on the motorcycle. Gauges may be provided on an instrument panel board on the body of the motorcycle spaced below the windscreen. As seen in U.S. Pat. No. 7,187,270, the gauges may be a centrally-placed speedometer gauge and fuel and water temperature gauges placed on the left and right sides of the speedometer gauge spaced below the windshield. This placement of these gauges is likely to be somewhat below the field of view of the rider. This requires the rider, who should be looking forward to see the road ahead, to look down to view the gauges. By distracting the rider in this way from keeping his or her eyes on the road, the placement of these gauges would seem to pose a safety hazard at least for some riders.
Motorcycles ordinarily have at least speedometer/odometer gauge. In situations where owners desire to also mount other types of gauges on their motorcycles, there are various types of brackets that are commercially available to use in mounting the extra gauges, although in what seems at times to amount to a jerry-built manner on whatever existing structures and surfaces happen to be available. This situation only tends to exacerbate the above-mentioned safety hazard problem.
Accordingly, there remains a need in the art for an innovation that will overcome the deficiencies of the known art and the problems that remain unsolved.

Multi-gauge pod integratable within motorcycle windscreen


A solid-state imaging device includes blue photoelectric conversion elements, green photoelectric conversion elements, red photoelectric conversion elements, infrared photoelectric conversion elements, and an infrared cut filter (IRCF) is layered on the blue photoelectric conversion elements, the green photoelectric conversion elements, and the red photoelectric conversion elements with a uniform film thickness. Color filters that respectively transmit the blue light, the green light, and the red light are layered on the IRCF so as to correspond with the blue photoelectric conversion elements, the green photoelectric conversion elements, and the red photoelectric conversion elements. A visible-light shielding filter is layered on the infrared photoelectric conversion elements. An ultraviolet cut filter layered between the photoelectric conversion elements other than the infrared photoelectric conversion elements and the IRCF, and between the infrared photoelectric conversion elements and the visible-light shielding filter with a uniform film thickness.

An image sensor that reads a reading-target image that is printed with ink that reacts to ultraviolet light, blue light, green light, red light, and infrared light has to read the image in each of the wavelength ranges of ultraviolet light, blue light, green light, red light, and infrared light. The reading-target is, for example, a bank bill or a security certificate. An image sensor that reads color images is generally provided with photoelectric conversion elements for one line and reads one line in different colors by switching light sources of different colors to emit light sequentially for each line. Alternatively, for example, lines of photoelectric conversion elements are provided on which color filters that transmit different colors by line are layered. Lights of wavelengths of different colors are emitted at the same time to read an image in lines at different positions depending on the color and a color image is obtained by aligning the line positions of the read images.
In recent years, solid-state imaging devices tend to require smaller and faster photoelectric conversion elements. In the system of switching LEDs of different wavelength ranges to emit light sequentially as the light source of a solid-state imaging device, it takes time to read one line, and thus it is difficult to improve the reading speed. Therefore, there is a demand for a system in which color filters that transmit light of specific wavelengths each corresponding to a wavelength range to be read are layered on the photoelectric conversion elements, and lights of multiple wavelengths are emitted at the same time to read images of different wavelength ranges at the same time, thereby improving the reading speed.
A solid-state imaging device that includes color filters on light-reception elements is disclosed in Patent Literature 1. The solid-state imaging device of the Patent Literature 1 includes a receiver in which color filters that transmit only any of blue light, green light, and red light are formed on photodiodes and an infrared cut filter (IRCF) that transmits visible light and cuts infrared light is layered thereon.
Patent Literature 2 discloses a solid-state imaging device that obtains images in different colors at the same time using a single light source with an image sensor having, in each array of photosensors, filters that transmit any light of blue (B), green (G), red (R), and intermediate colors on the photosensors.

Solid-state imaging device and image sensor for suppressing or preventing leaking of light into adjoining pixels


An athletic sock garter and method of using a garter are provided which preferably include an elongate strap arranged for encircling a portion of a sock wearer's leg when an athletic sock is positioned thereon so that an inner surface of the elongate strap abuttingly contacts a leg portion of the sock. The elongate strap has at least a portion thereof formed of elastic material. An adjustable fastener is connected to the elongate strap for adjustably fastening the elongate strap about the leg portion of the sock when positioned on a wearer's leg. The adjustable fastener preferably includes a ring member connected to a first end of the elongate strap, a pile fastener material secured to a portion of the outer surface of said elongate strap, and a mating hook fastener material secured to a portion of the outer surface of the elongate strap extending from closely adjacent a second end thereof toward the first end of the elongate strap. Insertion of the second end of the elongate strap through the ring member and folding the hook fastener portion of the elongate strap so as to overlie and positionally align with the pile fastener portion for matingly fastening therewith provides adjustable positioning of the elongate strap around the leg portion of the sock.

Over the years, athletic hosiery has developed to a highly specialized industry. Athletic hosiery includes socks, footlets, and various customized footwear for athletic purposes. Athletic hosiery often has specialized as well into developing, for example, particular types of socks for certain athletic endeavors. Particular types of socks exist for basketball, soccer, hockey, football, baseball, trekking, tennis, golf, and racketball. These socks are often either a knee- high variety, a calf-high variety, or footlet variety.
A recurring problem exists, however, particularly with knee-high and calf-high type athletic socks which are often used in sports such as soccer or football. The leg of the sock has trouble staying up over the calf of the leg especially during heavy running, jumping, sliding, or other exercises where the lower extremity or leg musculature is used. Elastic in the leg of the sock often deforms or stretches out of shape quickly from the exercise or from multiple machine washings. The movement of the calf muscle itself and the body of the user also often cause the leg of the sock to slide off of the wearer's calf or collapse around the wearer's ankle. Perspiration, various wet weather conditions or playing environments, and physical contact of the legs with other athletes additionally add to the collapse of the leg of the sock or cause the leg of the sock to slide off of the calf.
To remedy the situation, athletic sock wearers often use tape to support the leg portion of the sock. Because of the flexing and movement of the leg muscles of the sock wearer during an athletic event, however, some tape cannot be re-adjusted once it has been applied. The tape then often has to be reapplied several times during each game. In order to support the sock, tape is typically applied too tightly which can also cut off or greatly inhibit effective blood circulation to the legs and feet of a wearer. Tape further can have problems when it looses its adhesiveness during certain types of wet and/or cold weather.
Rubber bands also have been used for numerous years around the leg portion of a sock to support the leg portion of the sock on the wearer's leg. A wearer, for example, slips the loop or band of rubber over the toe portion of the sock, advances the loop up the leg portion of the sock, and advances the loop to upper peripheries of the leg portion of the sock. Also like tape, however, rubber bands cannot be readily adjusted, often break, and additionally can cut off or greatly inhibit blood circulation to an athlete's legs and feet.
Garters have conventionally been used for ladies knit hose, dress socks, and uniform-type socks over the years. These garters include a strap having a pair of fasteners for securing respective ends of the strap. Examples of such garters can be seen in U.S. Pat. No. 3,501,774 by Norman titled "Garter" and U.S. Pat. No. 1,599,011 by Hohn titled "Sock Suspender, Garter, Or The Like." Conventional garters, however, have several problems. Some of these garters are not constructed and are not practical for use even with socks, e.g., only ladies knit hose. These garters also, for example, can be secured tightly around a user's leg and cut off blood circulation to the user's lower extremities. This is particularly important in athletic events where the legs of the user are heavily used, e.g., soccer, baseball, football.
These conventional garters also have not been generally accepted for athletic use for a variety of reasons including that these conventional garters fail to account for heavy athletic use where perspiration, inclement weather conditions, heavy calf muscle flexing, and heavy physical contact regularly occur. Additionally, different athletes have different sized calf muscles or legs and a different sized garter is often required for each person. Because during athletic use the straps of the garters can be stretched out of shape or deformed with little or no recovery characteristics, the construction of the conventional garter is not practical or reliable for athletic events. Further, during active athletic events and in sync with the activity, athletes often need to quickly and yet securely make adjustments to a garter because of the perspiration, muscle flexing, and other changes in the position of the sock and movement of the leg.

Athletic sock garter and method of using same


Aminomethyl-phenylimidazoles are produced by reaction of an ester of a hydroxymethyl-phenylimidazole with an amine. A particularly preferred ester is the acetate ester. The aminomethyl-phenylimidazoles have useful properties as highly selective partial agonists or antagonists at brain dopamine receptor subtypes. A preferred compound prepared is 5-fluoro-2-4-(2-phenyl-1H-imidazol-5-yl)methyl!-1-piperazinyl!pyrimidine . Esters of the hydroxymethyl-phenylimidazoles are useful intermediates.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,159,083 (Thurkauf et al., Assignors to Neurogen Corporation) describes and claims aminomethyl-phenylimidazole derivatives as a class of dopamine receptor subtype specific ligands. Similar compounds are described in PCT publications WO 92/12134 (which largely corresponds to U.S. Pat. No. 5,159,083), WO 96/10018 and WO 96/16040. Such compounds show promise in the treatment of psychoses such as schizophrenia, and also in the treatment of psychomotor disturbances such as Parkinsonism.
A subgroup of compounds covered by formula I of U.S. Pat. No. 5,159,083 comprises phenylimidazolylmethylpiperazines, and a particularly preferred compound of this type that is covered by formula I of U.S. Pat. No. 5,159,083 but not specifically disclosed therein is 5-fluoro-2-4-(2-phenyl-1H-imidazol-5-yl)methyl!-1-piperazinyl!pyrimidine , a compound having the formula A: ##STR1##
This compound is disclosed in WO 96/16040 as compound 58 on page 37 and (as its dihydrochloride) in Example 9 at page 55 lines 22-23, where an alternative name, 2-phenyl-4(5)-(4-(5-fluoro-2-pyrimidinyl)-piperazin-1-yl)methyl!-imidazol e, is given. Another preferred compound is the corresponding des-fluoro derivative, 2-4-(2-phenyl-1H-imidazol-5-yl)methyl!-1-piperazinyl!pyrimidine.
A general chemical method is described in the above-cited U.S. patent and PCT publications for the preparation of aminomethyl-phenylimidazole derivatives; in U.S. Pat. No. 5,159,083 it is shown in Scheme I across columns 11 and 12. The important steps (in relation to the process of the present invention) are those at the last arrow of Scheme I, namely the chlorination of the 5-hydroxymethyl-2-(optionally substituted phenyl)-1H-imidazole with thionylchloride to yield the corresponding 5-chloromethyl compound, which is then allowed to react with an amine to yield a desired aminomethyl-phenylimidazole, e.g., a phenylimidazolylmethylpiperazine. For the preparation of the compound of formula A, this can be shown in Scheme A as follows: ##STR2##
However, that process, especially as applied to the compound of the formula A, has a number of disadvantages:
1. The chloromethyl intermediate is unstable and reactive;
2. It is therefore difficult to purify, extremely so by recrystallization;
3. It is consequently difficult to scale up the processes for its preparation and further conversion;
4. Its condensation with 5-fluoro-2-piperazinyl-pyrimidine proceeds in relatively low yield, especially in larger scale preparations;
5. The desired product, 5-fluoro-2-4-(2-phenyl-1H-imidazol-5-yl)methyl!-1-piperazinyl!pyrimidine , is not easy to purify from that process.
Another possible process for the preparation of compounds of this type comprises the fusion of compounds similar to the hydroxy compound of the formula B and the amino compound of the formula C in Scheme A above. This process is illustrated in WO 96/16040 in Scheme 3 on page 45 and in Example 39 (part B) for 2-4-(2-phenyl-1H-imidazol-5-yl)methyl!-1-piperazinyl!pyrimidine. However, this process affords only about an 80% yield of 2-4-(2-phenyl-1H-imidazol-5-yl)methyl!-1-piperazinyl!pyrimidine and consumes a large amount (two equivalents or more) of the compound of formula C; moreover, it does not afford a practical yield of the compound of the formula A itself.
Some of these disadvantages tend to apply similarly in the preparation of other compounds of this series.
Clearly, methods are needed that avoid or reduce these disadvantages and provide a process for the preparation of aminomethyl-phenylimidazoles that affords the final product in greater yield and purity, proceeds from an intermediate that is easier to handle, especially to purify, and is better suited to preparation on the commercial scale.


Efficient wavelength calibration in a WDM optical amplifier that includes an optical channel monitor (OCM) is obtained by introducing a notch into the amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) noise spectrum of the amplifier outside a WDM transmission band, and having the OCM detect the notch and use the notch as a reference to calibrate the wavelength measurement. The notch is introduced into the ASE noise spectrum using a notch filter, which is preferably incorporated in a gain flattening filter (GFF).

The present invention relates to optical communication systems, and more particularly to optical amplifiers incorporating an Optical Channel Monitor (OCM) used in Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM) optical communication systems.
Optical amplifiers, such as Erbium Doped Fiber Amplifiers (EDFAs) and Raman amplifiers, are used in WDM optical communication systems for amplifying many wavelength channels simultaneously in the transmission band. Modem WDM systems also employ Dynamic Gain Equalizers (DGEs), Reconfigurable Optical Add Drop Multiplexing (ROADM) and Optical Cross Connects to manipulate individual wavelength channels as they are transmitted along the system. For example, DGEs are able to control the power of individual channels in order to ensure that all channels have the same optical power along the system. A ROADM module allows dynamic and reconfigurable selection of which wavelength channels are to be added or dropped at intermediate nodes of the system.
Since these wavelength manipulation devices introduce additional insertion loss into the system, they are often located at the mid-stage of double or multi-stage amplifiers typically found at each network node. This reduces the impact of the device insertion loss on system performance. Thus, the optical amplifier found at each network node often forms the heart of a local optical sub-system, including the amplifier itself and the various wavelength manipulation devices incorporated in the amplifier mid-stage.
Due to the dynamic nature of these systems and the fact that manipulation occurs at the individual channel level, OCMs are necessary to monitor the wavelength, optical power and Optical Signal to Noise Ratio (OSNR) of each channel. Typically, OCMs are located at each network node, together with the optical amplifiers and wavelength manipulation devices, and are used to provide the system management software with a full spectral picture of the system at all times.
In current network implementations, the OCM is typically located on a separate card occupying its own slot within the network rack. A much improved solution would be to integrate the OCM within the optical amplifier, thus reducing overall cost and also reducing space requirements by freeing up an extra slot. Furthermore, integrating the OCM within the amplifier would allow the amplifier itself to directly make use of the information provided by the OCM without mediation of the system management software. For example, the OCM can be used to fine tune the automatic gain control (AGC) of the amplifier in response to evolving spectral conditions (different channel loading conditions at the amplifier input). Furthermore, the OCM can be used by the amplifier to provide local management to the spectral manipulation devices located at the amplifier mid-stage. For example, the amplifier could use the OCM to check whether the channels comprising the output WDM signal have equal power, and if not provide feed-back to a DGE to achieve the required equalization.
An integrated OCM within an optical amplifier should be cost affective and have a small footprint so as not to occupy too much space on the amplifier printed circuit board (PCB). One particularly attractive option for implementing such an OCM is to use a tamable optical filter together with an optical detector. Such a filter transmits or reflects only a narrow portion of the transmission band, which can then be detected by the detector. By scanning the filter across the entire transmission band, a full spectral picture of the transmission band can be obtained, and the channel information (wavelength, power, OSNR) can be extracted using suitable signal processing methods. Tunable filters can be implemented using for example thin film technology to create a Fabry-Perot type filter, with the tuning accomplished either by temperature effects, using liquid crystals, or by tuning the angle at which the signal is incident on the filter. Other technologies for implementing tunable filters include, but are not limited to, tunable Bragg gratings and filters based on the acousto-optic effect.
A key requirement of all tunable filters is to be able to calibrate the wavelength setting of the filter. In a typical OCM application the filter will be continuously scanned across the transmission band during the entire lifetime of the system, necessarily causing some aging effect. This means that the wavelength settings of the filter may change with time. For example, if the center wavelength of the tunable filter is determined by an applied voltage, then the relation between the voltage magnitude and center wavelength will change with time. This means that if the filter is only calibrated at the production stage, then the channel wavelengths calculated and reported by the signal processing algorithms will drift with time and eventually cease to be accurate. To overcome this problem, continuous and real-time calibration is required to maintain accurate operation of the OCM throughout its lifetime.
One method to achieve such calibration employs a separate reference signal which is outside the required transmission band, and which is multiplexed with the main signal to provide a fixed reference point for the tunable filter. Such a method is described for example in U.S. Pat. No. 6,473,234 to Kuznetsov, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,509,972 to Korn. Both patents disclose the use of a broad band light source together with a fixed narrow line-width Fabry-Perot filter to provide a stable narrow reference signal for the tunable filter. U.S. Pat. No. 6,619,864 to Johnson et al discloses a similar method where the fixed narrow line-width Fabry-Perot filter is replaced with a gas cell providing narrow well defined absorption lines. U.S. Pat. No. 6,619,864 to Althouse et al describes a method where the reference signal is within the transmission band, but an optical switch is used to alternate the input to the tunable filter between the reference signal and the signal to be measured.
All the referencing methods described above require additional optical components, thus increasing the overall power and space requirements and increasing cost. Furthermore, the additional components introduce added complexity and points of failure within the system, thus reducing overall reliability. Thus, while they may be suitable for stand-alone OCMs, they are unsuitable for OCMs integrated within optical amplifiers. Therefore, there is a need for an optical channel monitor within (or combined with) an optical amplifier, which allows continuous and real-time wavelength calibration with minimum additional components and complexity.

Efficient wavelength referencing in a combined optical amplifier-optical channel monitor apparatus


Disclosed is a connection device for piezoceramics of an ultrasonic transducer, comprising a nut (1), an ultrasonic transducer (5) having a screw structure and to be used with the nut (1), and a plurality of piezoceramics (3) and a plurality of metal sheets (4) fitted on an outer circumference of the screw of the ultrasonic transducer (5) and arranged at intervals. The connection device for the piezoceramics of the ultrasonic transducer further comprises a washer (2) located between the nut (1) and the piezoceramics (3), and the washer (2) is provided with a through hole through which the screw passes. The connection device has high connecting precision, strong working stability, and high working reliability.

The present disclosure relates to the field of medical instruments and devices, in particular to an ultrasonic transducer, and more particularly to a connection device for piezoceramics of an ultrasonic transducer.
An ultrasonic transducer is an energy conversion device whose function is to convert input electrical energy into mechanical energy (i.e., ultrasonic waves) and then pass it out, while consuming a small amount of power itself. Ultrasonic transducers are used in a wide range of applications. Especially in recent years, ultrasonic transducers are widely used in the field of medical devices, bringing good news for the majority of patients.
Piezoceramics are indispensable components in ultrasonic transducers. In use, a plurality of piezoelectric ceramic sheets and metal sheets stacked together are typically pressed tightly by a pair of a screw and a nut. However, due to parallelism error between parallel surfaces of the piezoelectric ceramic sheets and the metal sheets, when a plurality of piezoelectric ceramic sheets and a plurality of metal sheets are superposed, the error accumulates, which greatly affects assembly precision, thereby affecting use effect of an ultrasonic transducer.

Connection device for piezoceramics of an ultrasonic transducer


A device for real-time analysis of airborne chemical, biological and explosive substances has at least a gas analysis sensor, a fluorescence/luminescence sensor and a sensor for determining the particle size and number of particles. Each of the sensors is connected to a multireflection cell (multipass laser cell) as an open measurement path. In addition, the device also includes an evaluation unit for the real-time analysis of chemical, biological and explosive substances.

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for real-time analysis of chemical, biological and explosive substances in the air.
Known devices for detecting individual dangerous substances generally have a closed sample chamber for analyzing the substances, and the analysis itself takes several minutes. Devices for the detection of bacteria, viruses or other microparticles provide, for example, for filtering-out and marking of the corresponding particles before the latter can than be detected automatically.
German Patent Document DE 103 06 900 A1 discloses a spectrometer having a laser arrangement for analyzing gas. The spectrometer comprises a chamber for receiving a gas, a device for generating a potential drop in the chamber, a laser light source as well as an optical resonator which is formed by opposing mirrors or is constructed as a ring resonator. Inside the chamber, a laser beam is generated for ionizing the gas. An ion collector is used for the detection of accelerated ions.
A similar device is described in German Patent Document DE 102 47 272 A1, in which, however, instead of an optical resonator constructed by opposing mirrors, a multireflection cell is provided which has mirrors that are constructed such that the laser beam is reflected many times between the mirrors. As a result, the distance of the laser beam interacting with the gas is increased, which leads to a higher current at the ion collector. Because of the optical arrangement generated by means of the mirrors, a plurality of laser beams are formed which each extend between two reflection points, mutually intersect in a central area and fan out toward the mirrors.
One disadvantage of the known state of the art is that, as a rule, only one of many dangerous substance classes is covered by each of the respective devices. Furthermore, the known devices are not capable of detecting the substances directly from ambient air, without pre-enrichment. Moreover, the conventional sampling times, which are in the minutes range, cannot be used for certain applications, such as transit controls, portal monitoring, hazard monitoring, etc. In addition, the known solutions are frequently heavy and bulky have a high initial costs.
One object of the invention therefore, is to provide an improved device for real-time analysis of chemical, biological and explosive substances, in which dangerous substances, such as biopathogens, viruses, bacteria, spores, chemical warfare agents, explosives, toxic compounds and drugs can be detected and proven rapidly and precisely, in ambient air.
According to the invention, this object is achieved by the method and apparatus for real-time analysis of chemical, biological and explosive substances in the air according to the invention, which includes at least a gas analysis sensor, a fluorescence/luminescence sensor and a sensor for determining the size and number of particles. The sensors are each connected with a multireflection cell as an open measuring path, and the device also includes an evaluation unit.
As a result, the disadvantages of the state of the art techniques are avoided, and an improved solution is provided for real-time analysis of chemical, biological and explosive substances in the air. In particular, the invention rapidly and precisely detects and proves dangerous substances, such as biopathogens, viruses, bacteria, spores, chemical warfare agents, explosives, toxic compounds and drugs in the ambient air. The number of pathogens or radioactive particles can easily be determined. The invention thus achieves a relative concentration measurement which cannot be determined by means of state of the art sensors. Furthermore, the threat class types can be determined based on the ratio of dimensions, fluorescence signals and gaseous constituents of the measured particles.
One of the measurement principles of the present invention is based on spectroscopic gas sensor technology, which operates using the speed of ions during their movement under the influence of an electric drift field in the air. Based on the different mass and cross-section of the ions, it is possible to differentiate between individual substances. The signal is measured as an arrival time spectrum of different types of ions, as in time-of-flight spectroscopy, but without the requirement of bulky instrumentation, vacuum pumps, etc.
Such ion mobility spectroscopy (IMS) can be used for the present invention. Most known instruments used for this purpose operate by means of a membrane inlet system and radioactive ion sources. This protects the instruments against water, vapor and all other conceivable contaminations in the air. The ionization principle utilized by these known instruments is based on a charge transfer reaction mechanism, which is also called chemical ionization.
An important element of the present invention is the combination of a highly sensitive ion detection device with a highly selective laser-based ionization mechanism. The ionization process itself is a two-photon ionization step leading to a detailed ion spectrum which permits better selectivity of the ion formation stage and better sensitivity, down to the ppt (parts per trillion) range.
The analysis part of the ion mobility spectroscopy instrumentation is used to detect enzymatic reaction products, pyrolysis starting materials of biomolecules or chemicals of toxins.
On the other hand, each biological system or molecule in living cells exhibits a fluorescing reaction when it is irradiated by UV light. As a result, a component of the bio-aerosol detection device according to the present invention, specifically a tunable laser ionization source (TULIS), offers an excellent possibility for detecting the fluorescent reaction mechanisms in living cells.
Finally, the intense laser irradiation and the long measuring path of the device according to the invention offer a simple possibility of measuring light reflections of particles, that is, the backscatter. This signal can be used for detecting the number and the size of the particles.
The combination of the above-mentioned measuring systems is a part of the present invention. In particular, the invention includes: i) a miniaturized ion mobility sensor for detecting gaseous or chemical compositions; ii) a fluorescence unit for detecting biomolecules; and iii) a backscatter detection unit for detecting the number and the size of particles. A multireflection cell with a miniaturized tunable laser source forms a combining element of these components. The measuring unit is an open system, in which no delays occur between the sampling and the analysis.
The combination and integration of CCDs, the ion mobility spectrometer, the multireflection cell and the laser leads to a compact and integrated device.
The multireflection cell (multipass laser cell—MLC) is the sampling and connection point of the gas analysis sensor (IMS), of the fluorescence and/or luminescence sensor and of the sensor for measuring the particle size and the particle number. A laser beam is introduced into the multireflection cell, whose beam path is lengthened by several internal reflections between two mirrors.
The length of the multireflection cell is approximately 9 centimeters. The length of the beam path is increased to approximately 3 to 9 meters as a result of the mirrors, without major losses. The wavelength of the laser irradiation source which is used amounts to between 200 nm and 350 nm (preferably 260 nm to 270 nm), with a repetition frequency of 10 Hz to 50 Hz. The pulse duration of the laser source amounts to 2 ns, and the mean pulse energy is at approximately 60 μJ. For example, a passive Q-switched diode pump solid-state laser for the stimulation and ionization can be used as the laser irradiation source.
A miniaturized ion mobility spectrometer, which operates in linear and low-field regions, is connected with the multireflection cell. By using low-field IMS technology, shorter measuring times and more detailed spectra are achieved in comparison with the intense-field IMS technology. Because of the excellent signal-to-noise ratio, measurements of sub "parts per trillion" (ppt) can easily be achieved.
In addition, by using a selective two-photon-driven ionization process, a higher sensitivity and a significant reduction of undesirable influences can be achieved. This is an important component of the analysis part. The invention can thereby operate in a so-called open system without membranes or separation processes. As a result, higher sensitivity can be achieved relative to known systems, with low crossover influences and a real-time measurement.
According to the invention, the laser emits infrared radiation which, however, extends into the UV range, by means of frequency modulation techniques. With an optical quasi-continuous wave output of more than 1.5 mW, the laser irradiation source is sufficient for detecting biological substances.
When the laser beam stimulates a photon absorption in the multireflection cell, the intensity of the emitted fluorescence signals is collected in a photo diode detection unit by way of suitable filters for the elimination of scattered light. When using a tunable laser, adjustable liquid-crystal filters (LCTFs) or spectrometers can be used to increase the output and achieve higher resolution.
Furthermore, improved detection characteristics can be achieved by the use of fluorochromes in connection with antibodies. Fluorochromes are fluorescing markers of a high quantum and stokes efficiency. Stokes efficiency means that the change between the stimulation wavelength and the emission wavelength is high; for example, up to 200 nm. As a result the filtering between the stimulation wavelength and the emission wavelength is clearly facilitated.
A particle backscatter sensor is combined with the multireflection cell because particles, aerosols, bacteria and spores generate an intensive backscatter signal when they meet the laser beam.
Because of the long beam path, a large number of reflection signals are generated perpendicular to the laser beam. Together with a CCD detector element, the particle size and number are determined therefrom. Furthermore, so-called "particle image velocimetry" (PIV) can be used. This software takes snapshots of the particle position at different times and computes a velocity model therefrom. PIV can be used for regulating and measuring the examined airflow and for computing the population numbers.
Volatiles of toxins (aerosol) or other types can be detected by means of the ion mobility spectroscopy analysis device. In addition to a specific drift time, a substance-selective ionization process results in a real-time measurement with an increases resolution of the examined process.
Spores and bacteria can be detected by way of released volatiles of a pyrolysis reaction which occurs when the intense green or IR laser light is emitted into the MCL cell. For a better differentiation, the laser light can be supplied in a permanent or switched manner. Even smaller pyrolysis products of bacteria cell membranes can be detected in this fashion. Detectable volatiles may be ammonia and orthonitrophenols (ONP). Spores are detected by the observation of calcium dipicolinate (DPA content 5-15%) or picolinic acid (PA). The measurement can take place by means of ion mobility spectroscopy or fluorescing parts.
In the case of particle size species, such as bacteria, spores and aerosol, the laser irradiation is reflected and is detected by way of backscatter signals (LIDAR). The size and the number of the observed particles can then be used to differentiate, and an alarm is triggered starting at a certain threshold value.
Since viruses are small species of a size of between 10 and 300 nm, detection by using scattered signals is difficult. To detect viruses, they are charged with a voltage or are ionized by means of a laser source, so that they can be identified separately and by the electronic drift field of the ion mobility spectroscopy device.
Most biological warfare (BW) pathogens preferably have a geometry which enables them to spread in the environment. These drop-shaped suspended substances usually have a size of between 0.5-5 μm. In addition to these pathogens, there are further substances, such as stabilizers, solvents or additional chemicals. A large range of BW pathogens are identified by means of known solvents and chemicals according to a typical pattern.
An integrated electronic identification and interface module, which is provided for each of the corresponding sensors, operates while interacting with hardware coordinated with a signal processor and signal evaluation algorithms.
In ion mobility spectroscopy, measurements can be made down to a level which permits detections in the range of ppt. The signal to noise factors are in the low ppb range at approximately 100, and can easily be intensified by an algorithm. The concentration originating from BW is high, particularly when using our laser-desorbing phase of the vaporization.
Detection with a high sensitivity in the particle phase has three parts. The first is the intense laser irradiation together with the short distance to the starting point from which the measurement takes place—a circumstance which ensures overall good detection while interacting with the sensitivity. The second is the velocity measurement; and the third is based on the currently used short wavelength emanating from the radiation source, so that good sensitivity is also achieved during the detection of even small particles.
Due to the targeted use of a two-photon-driven stimulation, a much higher quantum gain is achieved than can be achieved when a stimulation is used that is driven by one photon.
Because of the resonance-amplified multiple-photon ionization (REMPI), the sensitivity of the ion mobility spectroscopy based on the laser is greater than in the case of those of the conventional type. As required, this can by further amplified by two or three color ionization processes.
By using different wavelengths to illuminate the particles, an effective change is carried out during differentiation of various types by means of the size and arrangement. In addition, high-resolution CCDs are used to receive the backscatter signals from different angles in order to obtain a multidimensional overall picture.
The use of a resonant two-photon-driven stimulation achieves better sensitivity than when non-resonant single-photon-driven stimulation steps are used. Furthermore, the pulsating feeding reduces the problems of overlapping with respect to the wavelengths of feeding and emission.
As mentioned above, the measuring time during the ion mobility spectroscopy detection is brief; the excellent signal-to-noise ratio leads to a so-called "single shut measure frame" (a measurement with a one-time exposure). This means that a measurement for the detection of the spectra takes 20 ms. Moreover, particle identification takes place very rapidly (<1 ms) and is only a function of the used CCD technology. For example, a CCD array can be used. Fluorescence detection is also very rapid (<20 ms) and is a function of the usable CCD and duplication/identification technique.
For all sensors, the repetition rates for the detection are between 25 ms up to 100 ms. This means that the longest measuring time is 100 ms; the shortest measuring time is 25 ms. Compared to the demanded measuring time (less than 1 min), these time frames have the result that between 600 and 2,400 measurements can be carried out per minute, achieving a significant breakthrough in improving signal systems and accumulation routines.
In addition, a nuclear radiation sensor may also be provided for detecting radioactive emissions, and may be constructed as a very small silicon drift detector.
Finally, a process according to the invention for the real-time analysis of chemical, biological, explosive and/or radioactive substances in the air by means of a device according to claim 1 has the following steps:                UV laser irradiation of a sample in the multireflection cell;        ionization of the sample, if possible, detecting of the charge, the mobility and the wavelength;        fluorescence measurement of the sample, if possible, detection of the color, the duration and the wavelength;        backscatter measurement of the sample, if possible, detection of the particle number and the particle size.
Other objects, advantages and novel features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Method and apparatus for real-time analysis of chemical, biological and explosive substances in the air


Wireless headsets with audio recording capabilities are disclosed. The wireless headsets with audio recording capabilities can include a microphone for receiving first audio signals generated by a user, a BLUETOOTH module for transmitting and receiving wireless radio signals, wherein the wireless radio signals received by the BLUETOOTH module comprise second audio signals. The headsets can also include an audio encoder/decoder for encoding the first audio signals received by the microphone and the second audio signals received by the BLUETOOTH module to generate data, a loudspeaker, connected to the audio encoder/decoder, for playing the second audio signals to the user, a memory unit for storing the data generated by the audio encoder, and a control unit which is coupled to the audio encoder/decoder for transferring the data to the memory unit.

People frequently need recordings of their conversations for a variety of purposes, including reference, legal, or quality assurance purposes. People also frequently need "hands-free" mobile communication devices hands while in the car, at work, etc. Recording technology for "wired" communication devices is readily available. "Hands-free" mobile communication devices such as wireless headsets or earpieces that connect to the user's mobile telephone are also readily available, BLUETOOTH headsets being one example.
The ability to record conversations while communicating over a wireless headset, however, is significantly limited. Some recording devices wirelessly connect to mobile communication devices but require a separate headset to be connected by wire to the recording device. These devices only record the conversation if the users is speaking directly into the headset and do not allow the user to wirelessly transfer the recording back to the mobile device. Some mobile communication devices use applications to save the conversation in "cloud-based" storage. These applications do not record conversations made over a wireless headset and can be expensive and insecure. Additionally, none of these recording devices allow you to record a conversation while the user is communicating over another wirelessly connected device.
Thus, what is needed is a wireless headset with built-in recording and storage capabilities that can also allow a user to communicate over additional wirelessly connected devices and wirelessly transfer recordings, even if the wireless headset is not being used as the communication device.

Bluetooth headset with audio recording capabilities


In a method and system for processing radio frequency signals of a tubular surface coil, the N channels of coil output signals are generated based on M channels of radio frequency signals acquired by M coil units in the tubular surface coil, wherein N is an even number greater than 1 and is less than or equal to M, and the N channels of coil output signals can be divided into N/2 pairs, with the two channels of coil output signals in each of the pairs respectively coming from the coil units located at symmetrical positions of the tubular surface coil. The respective modulus values of the two channels of coil output signals in said each pair of coil output signals are multiplied to obtain N/2 products which are then summed, and the square root of the summed result is computed, so as to generate a lateral cross-sectional image according to the computed result of square root. The signal strength in an imaging area and the uniformity of signal to noise ratio are thereby improved.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technology, and particularly to a tubular surface coil and a method and system for processing radio frequency (RF) signals of such a tubular surface coil.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The basic principle of MRI is that hydrogen atoms (or other atoms, but hydrogen atoms are most commonly used) in human tissues will be directionally aligned under the effects of a fixed magnetic field. When an external radio frequency pulse is applied, these hydrogen atoms will be deviated due to the effects of the radio frequency pulses. After the radio frequency pulses vanishes, these hydrogen atoms will recover to the original state. During the recovering process, sampling radio frequency signals generated by these hydrogen atoms and then reconstructing an image using the acquired signals can result in an image of the human tissues. Since the distribution of hydrogen atoms in different tissues varies, different human tissues can be distinguished through the obtained images.
In MRI equipment, a coil is a device for acquiring such signals, the basic principle being similar to that of a radial field receiving antenna. According to the relationship with respect to a human body, such coils can be divided into body coils, and surface coils, etc., and according to the shape, the coils can be divided into: tubular coils, planar coils, helmet-shaped coils, fan-shaped coils, etc. A knee coil is a tubular surface coil, and by taking the knee coil as an example hereinbelow, the structure and imaging features of conventional tubular surface coils will be explained.
FIG. 1 shows a diagram of the construction structure of an existing knee coil. Referring to FIG. 1, wherein:
part (a) is the appearance of a conventional knee coil, which is tubular;
part (b) is a schematic diagram of the exploded structure of the existing knee joint coil; according to the exploded schematic diagram, the construction units of the coil are coil units, and in FIG. 1, the number of coil units is six as an example, and E1 to E6 represent the coil units; and
part (c) is a diagram of positional relationship between the coil units when the six coil units are arranged into a tubular shape.
During the operation of the MRI equipment, each coil unit acquires corresponding radio frequency signals, and the acquired radio frequency signals are vectors and are sent to a system for processing radio frequency signals in the MRI equipment, therefore, these signals sent by the coil to the system for processing radio frequency signals are referred to as coil output signals. The system for processing radio frequency signals is used for performing radio frequency signals processing of the coil output signals which are then sent to an image reconstruction system to reconstruct an image, and FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram of an existing system 200 for processing radio frequency signals. Referring to FIG. 2, the existing system 200 for processing radio frequency signals comprises: N receiving channels 210 and a radio frequency signal processing module 220.
The N receiving channels 210 are used for receiving N channels of the coil output signals coming from the coil, and sending the N channels of coil output signals to the radio frequency signal processing module 220. N is an integer greater than 1 and less than or equal to the number of coil units in the coil (the number of coil units in the coil is set as M below, with M being an integer greater than 1). If the number N of receiving channels is equal to the number M of coil units in the coil, M channels of radio frequency signals can be taken directly as the coil output signals, and sent to the corresponding N receiving channels, and if the number N of receiving channels is less than the number M of coil units in the coil, N channels of coil output signals can be generated after certain signal synthesizing of M channels of radio frequency signals, and sent to the corresponding N receiving channels.
The radio frequency signal processing module 220 is used for performing radio frequency signal processing on the received coil output signals. In the prior art, said radio frequency signal processing is as follows: summing the square of the modulus values of each of the received channel of coil output signals, and computing the square root of the obtained sum. The result of the square root computation can be used in performing image reconstruction. Taking the coil shown in FIG. 1 as an example, assuming that the number N of receiving channels is equal to the number M of the coil units in the coil, then said radio frequency signal processing is as follows: calculating square (S012+S022+ . . . +S062), wherein "square" represents the square root computation, and where S01, S02, . . . , S06 represent the radio frequency signals from coil units E1, E2 . . . E6, respectively.
The image reconstruction will obtain three types of basic images: lateral cross-sectional plane images, sagittal plane images and coronal plane images, and the images in other sections can also be obtained by performing a certain transformation on said three types of basic images.
The signal strength acquired by the coil units in the surface coil at a close distance is much greater than that acquired at a farther distance. This results, in the images obtained according to the abovementioned method, in both the signal strength between different areas (for example, the surface area and central area of the tubular surface coil) and the signal to noise ratio (SNR) proportional to the signal strength are significantly different, that is, the signal strength and the uniformity of signal to noise ratio within an imaging area are relatively poor.
FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 are computer screenshots, respectively showing diagrams of the distribution of signal to noise ratio of the lateral cross-sectional images and the sagittal plane image of an existing knee coil. Since the distribution of signal to noise ratio of the coronal plane images has the same features as that of the sagittal plane images, a diagram of the signal to noise ratio distribution of the coronal plane image is not shown in this application document. In FIGS. 3 and 4, the signal to noise ratio inside tissues and on the surface of tissues are illustrated in the form of contour lines, and the higher density of curves represents the greater difference. It can be seen from FIGS. 3 and 4 that, in the lateral cross-sectional images and the sagittal section images obtained by using the existing technology, the signal strength on the tissue surface is much greater than that inside the tissue, and accordingly, the signal to noise ratio on the tissue surface of is also much greater than that inside the tissues. In general, both the signal strength and the uniformity of the signal to noise ratio within the imaging area are relatively poor.

Tubular magnetic resonance surface coil, and method and system for processing signals therefrom


An apparatus and method for receiving a magnetic resonance (MR) signal for imaging a patient. The MR signal includes a MR frequency. A radio frequency (RF) coil has first and second end portions. An impedance converter is in electrical communication with the RF coil. A preamplifier in electrical communication with the impedance converter, the preamplifier having a gain. At least one resonant circuit electrically connected to at least one end portion of the RF coil.

MRI systems generate images of tissue and structures in a patient's body and are a very important tool for diagnosing and treating patients. These are very complex and sensitive machines that require precision to produce quality images. As one might expect, there is a constant need to improve MRI systems so they can generate more accurate and detailed images, which can make it easier to view and understand the tissue and structures represented in the image. In turn, increased clarity and accuracy of the image can lead to more accurate diagnoses and treatments.
An MRI system has a tube assembly in which a patient lies on a table. The tube assembly includes a series of high-power magnets, gradient coils, RF transmit coils, and RF receive coils. These magnets and coils interface with and manipulate the cells within a patient's body. The vast majority of cells in the body contain hydrogen atoms, which have a nucleus that rotates around an axis. Normally, these axes are randomly orientated throughout a patient's body. But exposure to a generally uniform magnetic field from the high-power magnet causes all of the hydrogen nuclei to align so that their axes are parallel to the z-axis (i.e., the axis of the MRI machine). Hydrogen nuclei also resonate or vibrate at a relatively uniform frequency.
When one of the gradient coils is excited with an RF signal, it creates a gradient in the magnetic field along a slice that extends through the patient's body. The gradient is a change in the magnetic field generated by the high-power magnet. The gradient in the magnetic field defines the slice through the patient's body for imaging.
The angular orientation of the hydrogen nuclei within that slice of the patient's body tip is at an angular orientation different than the rest of the hydrogen nuclei in the patient's body. The hydrogen nuclei in the slice then resonate or vibrate at a frequency different from the hydrogen nuclei outside of the slice.
The RF transmit coil is then excited with a pulse having a relatively narrow bandwidth of frequencies that includes the frequency corresponding to the frequency at which the hydrogen nuclei in the slice resonate or vibrate. The resonance or vibration of the hydrogen nuclei in the slice increases and they absorb extra energy from the pulse. When the pulse ends, the hydrogen nuclei release the extra energy, which induces an electrical signal or MRI signal in the RF receive coil.
The MRI signal induced in the RF receive coil typically has multiple frequency components, including a magnetic resonance (MR) frequency. The MR frequency is the component of the signal inducted in the RF receive coil that is generated by the resonating or vibrating hydrogen nuclei in the slice, and it is the component of the signal that carries information about the patient's tissue within the slice. The MRI machine uses that electrical signal and information at the MR frequency to generate an image of the body that caregivers can use when diagnosing and treating the patient.
Frequency components in the induced signal other than the MR frequency create noise that degrades the clarity and accuracy of the resulting MRI image. Noise is the unwanted portion of the signal that can obscure the information carried in the signal. It technically is a ratio of the desired signal power to the noise power and is defined as:SNR=Psignal/Pnoise  (1)
where SNR is the signal-to-noise ratio, Psignal is the average power of the meaningful or useful portion of the signal, and Pnoise is the average power of the noise that is unwanted and obscures the useful portion of the signal.
A problem is that noise increases as MRI designers use more and more channels in an MRI system in an effort to increase image clarity and detail. Each channel uses a separate RF receive coil. For example, an MRI system might use as many as 64 or more RF receive coils. These coils are commonly overlapped to fit them in the MRI system. Overlapping coils increase mutual inductance between coils. Mutual inductance will cause the signal in one RF receive coil to affect the amplitude of the signal in another mutually coupled coil. Accordingly, the signal on one RF receive coil can distort the signal induced on other RF receive coils, which in turn increases noise.
In an effort to minimize noise and coupling between RF receive coils, the output of each RF receive coil typically is fed through a Balun and a low impedance preamplifier. This structure increases the blocking impedance due to the preamplifier, which in turn increases isolation of the RF receive coils from one another and the SNR for the signal output by the preamplifier. The low input impedance of the preamplifier can help isolate the RF coil, but as discussed herein it also can cause dog-ear peaks in the preamplifier gain at frequencies other than the MR frequency. These peaks can cause the preamplifier to oscillate and become unstable.
FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate the source impedance and gain profiles for a typical low-impedance preamplifier used in current MRI systems to process the MRI signal output by the RF receive coil. FIG. 1 plots the gain and source impedance against the frequency for the MRI signal. In this example, the preamplifier is operating in an environment of 21° C. and has a gain of 28 dB at its defined operating bandwidth, which includes the MR frequency of 63.8 MHz. The designed source impedance for the preamplifier is approximately 125 Ohms. Other typical low-impedance preamplifiers and related circuits will have different gains and different operating frequencies. Additionally, they can be used in circuits with different designed source impedances such as 50 Ohms, 100 Ohms, 150 Ohms, 200 Ohms, or 300 Ohms. But these alternative low-impedance preamplifiers will have similar performance profiles as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2.
A first trace 100 plots the source impedance against the frequency of the input signal. The source impedance peaks at the MR frequency, which is 63.8 MHz in the illustrated example, and then falls from the peak as the frequency increases or decreases. A second trace 104 plots the preamplifier gain against the signal frequency. The second trace 104 shows that the preamplifier gain has a camel-hump or dog-ear profile with first and second dog-ear peaks 102 and 106 at first and second dog-ear frequencies 108 and 110, respectively. The first and second dog-ear frequencies 108 and 110 are frequencies at which the preamplifier is unstable or even oscillates. The first dog-ear frequency 108 is lower than the MR frequency of 63.8 MHz, and the second dog-ear frequency 110 is higher than the MR frequency of 63.8 MHz. The preamplifier gain at the first and second dog-ear frequencies 108 and 110 is higher than the gain at the MR frequency, and the gain at the dog-ear frequencies 108 and 110 can be as much as 10 dB or more than the gain at the MR frequency.
A cause of the dog-ear profile for the preamplifier gain can be seen in FIG. 2. Trace 112 plots the gain of the preamplifier against its source impedance. In the illustrated example, the preamplifier has an operating gain of 28 dB at a designed source impedance of 125 Ohms. As shown in the plot, the preamplifier gain increases as the source impedance falls from the designed source impedance and reaches maximum gain when the source impedance has a conjugate match to the input impedance of the preamplifier. This input impedance is lower than the designed source impedance at the operating frequencies that corresponds to the MR frequency. Additionally, the frequency of the signal being processed affects the source impedance seen by the preamplifier. The source impedance seen by the preamplifier falls as the signal frequency shifts from the MR frequency. The falling source impedance causes the preamplifier gain to increase resulting in the first and second dog-ear peaks 102 and 106.
Another problem is that the MRI data used to create the image slice is carried at the MR frequency. High gain and oscillation at frequencies on either side of the MR frequencies makes it difficult to extract the MRI data from the signal and results in a poor quality image or even no image at all. Developers of MRI systems have tried to address this problem using different signal processing techniques such as introducing a small insertion loss, which results in lowering the power of the signal input to the preamplifier. This technique lowers the signal-to-noise ratio, which increases the relative amount of noise in the MRI signal. Another technique that has been tried is passing the signal output by the preamplifier through a very narrow bandpass filter to suppress the gain corresponding to the dog-ear peaks 102 and 106. However, a bandpass filter also results in insertion loss. Yet another technique that has been tried is using negative feedback to reduce the gain at the dog-ear frequencies 108 and 110, but this technique also has not effectively reduced the effects of the dog-ear peaks 102 and 106 in MRI systems.


Disclosed is an apparatus including a touch sensitive user interface and a processor. The processor is configured to detect a first contact at a first position on the user interface, determine a movement of the first contact from the first position and if the movement is less than a predetermined movement threshold, when a release of the first contact is detected, move a first object on the user interface from an initial position on the user interface to an area at or near the first position. If the movement is greater than the predetermined movement threshold to identify a second position corresponding to an area near an end point of the movement and when the release of the first contact is detected, execute an action on the second position from the first object.

Generally, usage of portable communication devices such as smartphones and tablet computers have increased manifold over the recent years. Further, apart from use for communication, navigation, increasing productivity, and so forth, such devices are also used for providing entertainment to a user thereof. For example, the devices usually have applications that allow users to watch videos, read books, capture images and engage in social networking. Additionally, the devices may also have applications that allow users to play games.
Usually, the games may have an object (such as a character) that is controlled to complete various objectives of the game, such as collect rewards or eliminate other objects from the game. Conventionally, such objects are controlled by pressing one or more keys on a keypad associated with a device. However, with the introduction of smartphones having a touchscreen (and lacking the keypad associated with conventional mobile phones), control of such objects is associated with various problems.
For example, generally, part of an area of graphical user interface of a game is reserved for providing controls such as a virtual keyboard, one or more buttons for activating abilities possessed by the object and so forth. However, such reservation of the area of the graphical user interface reduces an area available for displaying elements and/or information associated with the game. Additionally, in an instance when the game employs complex gaming mechanics, the graphical user interface may be substantially blocked from view of the user due to placement of multiple fingers on the touchscreen. It will be appreciated that such problems result in a cumbersome gaming experience for the user.
Moreover, to overcome the problems, a game may employ simplified gaming mechanics such as limited controls, limited abilities possessed by the objects, auto-movement, auto-aiming, auto-firing, slow gameplay speed and so forth. Such simplification of the gaming mechanics makes for a less challenging, and consequently, a less enjoyable gaming experience for the user.
Therefore, in light of the foregoing discussion, there exists a need to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks associated with gaming experience.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Apparatus and method for controlling user interface of computing apparatus


The invention describes biomarkers which can be used to predict the likelihood that an individual will develop Diabetes. The biomarkers can also be used to screen large groups in order to identify individuals at risk of developing Diabetes.

Diabetes mellitus is a serious illness characterized by a loss of the ability to regulate blood glucose levels. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that more than 180 million people worldwide have Diabetes. This number is likely to more than double by 2030. In 2005, an estimated 1.1 million people died from Diabetes; this estimate likely undercounts deaths caused by Diabetes, as Diabetes contributes to other diseases, such as heart disease and kidney disease, that may be listed as the cause of death. Almost 80% of Diabetes deaths occur in low and middle-income countries. See URL World-Wide-Web.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs312/en/index.html.
Diabetes Mellitus is subdivided into Type 1 Diabetes and Type 2 Diabetes. Type 1 Diabetes (insulin-dependent Diabetes or childhood-onset Diabetes) results from a lack of insulin production due to an autoimmune mediated destruction of the beta cells of the pancreas. Patients require daily administration of insulin for survival and are at risk for ketoacidosis. Patients with Type 1 Diabetes exhibit little or no insulin secretion as manifested by low or undetectable levels of insulin or plasma C-peptide (also known in the art as "soluble C-peptide").
Type 2 Diabetes (non-insulin-dependent Diabetes or adult-onset Diabetes) results from insensitivity to insulin, and accounts for 90% of Diabetes worldwide. Gestational Diabetes is a loss of blood sugar control (hyperglycemia) that occurs during pregnancy. Type 2 Diabetes is characterized by disorders of insulin action and insulin secretion, either of which may be the predominant feature. Type 2 Diabetes patients are characterized with a relative, rather than absolute, insulin deficiency and are insulin resistant. At least initially, and often throughout their lifetime, these individuals do not need supplemental insulin treatment to survive. Type 2 Diabetes accounts for 90-95% of all cases of Diabetes and can go undiagnosed for many years because the hyperglycemia is often not severe enough to provoke noticeable symptoms of Diabetes or symptoms are simply not recognized. The majority of patients with Type 2 Diabetes are obese, and obesity itself may cause or aggravate insulin resistance. Many of those who are not obese by traditional weight criteria may have an increased percentage of body fat distributed predominantly in the abdominal region (visceral fat). Whereas patients with this form of Diabetes may have insulin levels that appear normal or elevated, the high blood glucose levels in these diabetic patients would be expected to result in even higher insulin values had their beta cell function been normal. Thus, insulin secretion is often defective and insufficient to compensate for the insulin resistance. On the other hand, some hyperglycemic individuals have essentially normal insulin action, but markedly impaired insulin secretion.
Pre-diabetics often have fasting glucose levels between normal and frank diabetic levels. Abnormal glucose tolerance, or "impaired glucose tolerance" can be an indication that an individual is on the path toward Diabetes; it requires the use of a 2-hour oral glucose tolerance test for its detection. However, it has been shown that impaired glucose tolerance is by itself entirely asymptomatic and unassociated with any functional disability. Indeed, insulin secretion is typically greater in response to a mixed meal than in response to a pure glucose load; as a result, most persons with impaired glucose tolerance are rarely, if ever, hyperglycemic in their daily lives, except when they undergo diagnostic glucose tolerance tests. Thus, the importance of impaired glucose tolerance resides exclusively in its ability to identify persons at increased risk of future disease (Stern et al, 2002)
Diabetes is generally diagnosed by determining blood glucose levels after fasting overnight (fasting plasma glucose level) or by determining blood glucose levels after fasting, followed by ingestion of glucose and a blood glucose measurement two hours after glucose administration (a glucose tolerance test). In studies conducted by Stern and colleagues (Stern et al., Diabetes Care 25:1851-1856, (2002)), the sensitivity and false-positive rates of impaired glucose tolerance as a predictor of future conversion to Type 2 Diabetes was 50.9% and 10.2%, respectively, representing an area under the Receiver-Operating Characteristic Curve of 77.5% (with a 95% confidence interval of 74.3-80.7%) and a P-value (calculated using Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit) of 0.20. Because of the inconvenience associated with the two-hour glucose tolerance test, as well as the cost of the test, the test is seldom used in routine clinical practice. Moreover, patients whose Diabetes is diagnosed solely on the basis of an oral glucose tolerance test have a high rate of reversion to normal on follow-up and may in fact represent false-positive diagnoses (Burke et al., Diabetes Care 21:1266-1270 (1998)). Stern and others reported that such cases were almost 5 times more likely to revert to non-diabetic status after 7 to 8 years of follow-up compared with persons meeting conventional fasting or clinical diagnostic criteria.
Beyond glucose and HBA1c, several single time point biomarker measurements have been attempted for the use of risk assessment for future Diabetes. U.S. Patent Application No. 2003/0100486 proposes C-Reactive Protein (CRP) and Interleukin-6 (IL-6), both markers of systemic inflammation, used alone and as an adjunct to the measurement of HBA1c. However, for practical reasons relating to clinical performance, specifically poor specificity and high false positive rates, these tests have not been adopted.
Often a person with impaired glucose tolerance will be found to have at least one or more of the common arteriovascular disease risk factors (e.g., dyslipidemia and hypertension). This clustering has been termed "Syndrome X," or "Metabolic Syndrome" by some researchers and can be indicative of a diabetic or pre-diabetic condition. Alone, each component of the cluster conveys increased arteriovascular and diabetic disease risk, but together as a combination they become much more significant. This means that the management of persons with hyperglycemia and other features of Metabolic Syndrome should focus not only on blood glucose control but also include strategies for reduction of other arteriovascular disease risk factors. Furthermore, such risk factors are non-specific for Diabetes or pre-Diabetes and are not in themselves a basis for a diagnosis of Diabetes, or of diabetic status.
Risk prediction for Diabetes, pre-Diabetes, or a pre-diabetic condition can also encompass multi-variate risk prediction algorithms and computed indices that assess and estimate a subject's absolute risk for developing Diabetes, pre-Diabetes, or a pre-diabetic condition with reference to a historical cohort. Risk assessment using such predictive mathematical algorithms and computed indices has increasingly been incorporated into guidelines for diagnostic testing and treatment, and encompass indices obtained from and validated with, inter alia, multi-stage, stratified samples from a representative population. A plurality of conventional Diabetes risk factors is incorporated into predictive models. A notable example of such algorithms include the Framingham study (Kannel, W. B. et al, (1976) Am. J. Cardiol. 38: 46-51) and modifications of the Framingham Study, such as the National Cholesterol Education Program Expert Panel on Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Cholesterol in Adults (Adult Treatment Panel III).
Other Diabetes risk prediction algorithms include, without limitation, the San Antonio Heart Study (Stern, M. P. et al, (1984) Am. J. Epidemiol. 120: 834-851; Stern, M. P. et al, (1993) Diabetes 42: 706-714; Burke, J. P. et al, (1999) Arch. Intern. Med. 159: 1450-1456), Archimedes (Eddy, D. M. and Schlessinger, L. (2003) Diabetes Care 26(11): 3093-3101; Eddy, D. M. and Schlessinger, L. (2003) Diabetes Care 26(11): 3102-3110), the Finnish-based Diabetes Risk Score (Lindström, J. and Tuomilehto, J. (2003) Diabetes Care 26(3): 725-731), and the Ely Study (Griffin, S. J. et al, (2000) Diabetes Metab. Res. Rev. 16: 164-171), the contents of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference.
Despite the numerous studies and algorithms that have been used to assess the risk of Diabetes, pre-Diabetes, or a pre-diabetic condition, a need exists for accurate methods of assessing such risks or conditions. Furthermore, due to issues of practicality and the difficulty of the risk computations involved, there has been little adoption of such an approach by the primary care physician that is most likely to initially encounter the pre-diabetic or undiagnosed early diabetic. Clearly, there remains a need for more practical methods of assessing the risk of future Diabetes.
It is well documented that pre-Diabetes can be present for ten or more years before the detection of glycemic disorders like Diabetes. Treatment of pre-diabetics with drugs such as acarbose, metformin, troglitazone and rosiglitazone can postpone or prevent Diabetes; yet few pre-diabetics are treated. A major reason, as indicated above, is that no simple and unambiguous laboratory test exists to determine the actual risk of an individual to develop Diabetes. Furthermore, even in individuals known to be at risk of Diabetes, glycemic control remains the primary therapeutic monitoring endpoint, and is subject to the same limitations as its use in the prediction and diagnosis of frank Diabetes. Thus, there remains a need in the art for methods of identifying, diagnosing, and treatment of these individuals who are not yet diabetics, but who are at significant risk of developing Diabetes.
Accordingly, there remains a need for a relatively inexpensive and convenient method for screening persons at risk for developing Diabetes. Such a test could be used for screening a large population to identify persons at risk for Diabetes, or for testing a single person to determine that individual's risk of developing Diabetes.

Diabetes-related biomarkers and methods of use thereof


Devices for cleaning of enclosed spaces by means of liquid sprayed out. The device comprises a housing with a stationary part to which the liquid is supplied and on which a rotatable part bearing a hub is mounted. The hub has at least one spray nozzle. An element suspends the hub in a bearing in the rotatable part. The rotatable part comprises a turbine driven by the liquid and having a planetary gear for turning the rotatable part and at least one nozzle so that the liquid sprayed out by at least one of the nozzles during rotation sweeps across the inside of the enclosed spaces. The stationary part comprises an upper ring gear in engagement with a lower ring gear on the hub, which two ring gears are surrounded by the housing. The turbine and the planetary gear are fitted in the rotatable part to achieve a compact device.

The present invention relates to a device for cleaning of enclosed spaces. U.S. Pat. No. 3,544,012 refers to a device for cleaning of enclosed spaces, e.g. the inside of a tank. During the cleaning of a tank, the device according to U.S. Pat. No. 3,544,012 is placed centrally in the tank. The problem with the device according to U.S. Pat. No. 3,544,012 is that it has at regular intervals to be raised up out of the tank for cleaning of the device itself. This is because it includes a number of parts where dirt and bacteria can accumulate, which parts are not washed clean by the device during operation.


A vehicle travel aiding device for sensing running conditions of the vehicle and outputting vehicle travel supporting information, which is featured by detecting ambient circumstances and road conditions on which the vehicle is and operating driver's brake operation response on accelerator release response and changing the outputting timing or the content of the supporting information according to the detection results.

The present invention relates to a vehicle travel aiding device for use in a vehicle, which device is capable of sensing running conditions of the vehicle and generating travel aiding information such as an alarm for a short distance from a preceding vehicle, running guide and so on.
Japanese laid-open patent publication No. 60-91500 discloses such a vehicle travel aiding device that continually senses the distance from another vehicle running ahead of the vehicle with the device and, when a measured distance becomes shorter than a proper intervehicular distance, produces an alarm and gives a command to make an automatic brake operate to keep the proper distance.
Japanese laid-open patent publication No. 62-81591 also discloses such a vehicle travel aiding device that can detect an obstruction ahead of the vehicle and produce an alarm when the distance from the obstruction becomes shorter than a specified value.
Japanese laid-open patent publication No. 4-290200 also discloses such a vehicle travel aiding device that can exchange data of driving conditions such as current position, running speed and running direction of other vehicles ahead of and behind the vehicle and issues an alarm when a danger of collision may arise therebetween.
Japanese laid-open patent publication No. 63-163210 discloses such a vehicle travel aiding device that determines a current location of the vehicle and indicates it along a preset travelling route on a road map indicated on a display screen and outputs a guiding instruction for turning to the right or the left at a crossing on the preset route when the vehicle is just passing a point at a specified distance from said crossing.
The problems involved in the above-mentioned prior arts devices are as follows:
A vehicle travel aiding information such as an alarm when sensing a dangerous approach of another vehicle or a guiding instruction when approaching to a specified crossing is issued at a constant specified timing, neglecting the possible influence of circumstances. Such information, therefore, may not effectively help one to drive the vehicle, for example, in rain or at night.
When a driver drives his vehicle on a super highway or a mountain road, he must be provided with correct and suitable information in consideration of the actual road conditions, which can not be provided by the prior art devices designed for only periodical generation of simple guiding data.
There is still such a problem that every driver may have his own response to an alarm on a short intervehicular distance and, therefore, the alarm issued at a fixed timing determined by a specified calculation may be too early or too late for one to operate the vehicle's accelerator or brake in correct time.


The present invention provides hapten derivatives that are useful for the preparation of antigenic, antibody and label reagents having superior performance characteristics for use in immunoassays for the detection of d-propoxyphene and d-nor-propoxyphene. In the present invention the propoxyphene nucleus is derivatized out of the nitrogen center to form an aminoalkyl -carboxyl, or -hydroxyl haptenic derivative. The resulting hapten can then be further modified at the now functionalized position off the nitrogen for linking to an appropriate antigenic or labeling group to provide reagents for propoxyphene immunoassays having excellent sensitivity and selectivity for both d-propoxyphene and d-nor-propoxyphene.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to the field of immunoassays for the detection of dextropropoxyphene. d-Propoxyphene [(2S:3R)-4-dimethylamino-1,2-diphenyl-3-methyl-2-propionoxybutane] is a mild narcotic analgesic, and is present as the active ingredient of the drug, Darvon.RTM.. d-Propoxyphene is metabolized primarily via N-demethylation to d-nor-propoxyphene and further demethylated to d-dinor-propoxyphene. Urinary excretion in the 20 h urine following a 130 mg single oral dose of propoxyphene expressed as % dose were 1.1% propoxyphene, 13.2% nor-propoxyphene and 0.7% dinor-propoxyphene (RE McMahon et al,"The Metabolite Pattern of d-Propoxyphene in Man," Life Sci Vol 12, 463-473, 1973). The half-life of d-nor-propoxyphene in urine has been reported to be 22 hours(S. B. Karch, "The Pathology of Drug Abuse", CRC Press, 1993, Chapter 5, pp 269). It is desirable that immunoassays be developed that have the specificity to detect both d-propoxyphene and d-nor-propoxyphene in biological fluids, particularly human urine. Due to the resemblance of propoxyphene to methadone, it is also preferable that the assay not detect methadone.
2. Background
U.S. Pat. No. 4,025,501 discloses immunogens derived from carboxy modified propoxyphene haptens that are useful in eliciting propoxyphene-specific antibodies. The exemplified structure of the immunogen employed to make antibodies was a hemisuccinate ester. The resultingly formed immunogenic protein conjugates thus had the peptide residue leashed off the carboxy modified oxyphene chain.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,239,086 discloses haptens and tracers for immunoassays for d-propoxyphene and d-nor-propoxyphene. Here again, the disclosed compounds are made by leashing out of a derivatized oxyphene chain. Exemplary immunogen and labeled derivatives have the structures shown below: ##STR1##

Propoxyphene derivatives for immunoassay reagents


An apparatus includes a reproducing unit configured to reproduce and display video data captured by an imaging apparatus in a predetermined display area on a display device; a feature area detecting unit configured to detect a plurality of feature areas based on feature information that is registered in advance for a tracking target, in a first frame of the video data displayed by the reproducing unit; and a tracking area detecting unit configured to detect an area including the plurality of feature areas as a tracking area that includes the tracking target, based on a distance between the plurality of feature areas detected by the feature area detecting unit.

In recent years, an image processing technology for analyzing video data recorded and obtained by an imaging apparatus, such as a video camera, and detecting an object or tracking movement of an object in video is developing significantly. As an image processing method for detecting or tracking an object, various methods are known, such as background subtraction, frame subtraction, particle filters, optical flow, mean shift method, template matching, and feature matching.
As a technology for tracking a target object, a technology has been disclosed, in which a feature area of a target object is tracked with accuracy by combining a means for tracking a feature point of the target object and a means for rediscovery using a histogram (see Patent Literature 1).

Image processing apparatus, image processing system, image processing method, and computer-readable recording medium


In order to test battery plate packs (12, 13), the battery plate packs are transported between conveyor belts (5, 6) while compressed to a specified thickness, and the force required for the compression is detected by measuring cells (14) while the battery plate packs are being transported, which measuring cells are associated with a pressing plate (11) associated with one of the conveyor belts (5). If the force deviates from a specified value, the battery plate pack is evaluated as faulty and is ejected.

Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a method and a device for testing battery plate packs with the features of the introductory parts of the independent claims that are directed at the method and the device.
Description of the Related Art
In the production of batteries and accumulators, positive and negative battery plates that are accommodated in pockets of separator material ("jacketed") are inserted into the cells of battery housings.
Here, it is not only important that the pack contains the correct number of battery plates, but also that all battery plates contained in the pack are properly accommodated in pockets of separator material.
This also applies especially to pockets of separators that consist of compressible material, such as, for example, glass fiber fleece (AGM=absorptive glass mat-separators).
Packs of jacketed battery plates are tested by, for example, the force being detected that is necessary to compress the battery plate pack to a predetermined dimension (peck thickness), this dimension corresponding to, for example, the internal dimension of one cell in a battery housing into which the battery plate pack is to be inserted. In the known procedure, the process takes place discontinuously, i.e., each battery plate pack must be inserted separately into the test device and removed again from it.

Method and device for testing battery plate packs


A cetane number detection device in which an angular velocity detection device (10) for detecting the rotation angular velocity of the crankshaft (11) of an engine (54), and which detects a variation in the value of the amplitude of the angular velocity detected by the angular velocity detection device (10) as a variation in cetane number.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an art that variation of cetane number is calculated (estimated) from the angular velocity amplitude of engine rotation so as to correct fuel injection when the cetane number is varied.
2. Background Art
Light oil which is a fuel of a diesel engine is produced and sold at world nations while cetane number of the light oil is varied within the range of 38 to 52. Since light oil used for a diesel engine is measured strictly and then sold, the cetane number of the light oil should always be uniform. However, for example, fuel of a different cetane number may be supplied to a ship at a port of call. Especially, the cetane number of coarse light oil may decrease.
Fuel injection control of a diesel engine is based on the nominal value of the cetane number of the fuel used at the time of production. Then, when the cetane number is not uniform or decreases, appropriate fuel injection control cannot be performed.
In consideration of the background, conventionally, several methods for detecting variation of cetane number have been performed. For example, Patent Literature 1 discloses an art for detecting cetane number at the time of fuel-cutting of an internal-combustion engine.
However, the cetane number of fuel used for driving may be changed by using the status of the fuel or the number of fuel supply, whereby it is preferable to detect variation of cetane number regularly. Conventionally, there is no method for detecting variation of cetane number which can be performed regularly while driving an internal-combustion engine.
Patent Literature 1: the Japanese Patent Laid Open Gazette 2005-344557

Cetane number detection means and engine having the cetane number detection means


The apparatus for automatically adjusting a direction of a light axis of a vehicle headlight includes a steering angle sensor, a vehicle speed sensor, a memory for storing a plurality of control maps each of which defining a relationship between the steering angle and a swiveling angle, a processing unit for performing a map switchover by which one of the plurality of the control maps is selected depending on the vehicle speed and the steering angle, and an actuator for swiveling, from an initial direction, the light axis of the vehicle headlight by the swiveling angle defined by one of the plurality of control maps selected by the processing unit. The processing unit performs the map switchover when the steering angle is changed to outside a predetermined angular range around a neutral angular position of the steering wheel.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an apparatus for automatically adjusting a light axis or lighting area of a light beam emitted from a vehicle headlight in the horizontal direction on the basis of a steering angle.
2. Description of the Background Art
Such an apparatus of the type as mentioned above is disclosed, for example, in Japanese Patent Application Laid Open Nos. 2002-19517 and 2002-234383.
The former document discloses a technique for emitting a light beam in a specific light distribution pattern depending on a vehicle's running state from a headlight including a lamp body and a lighting unit disposed within the lamp body. More specifically, the light distribution pattern can be varied depending on not only a speed of an instant vehicle but a distance from another vehicle ahead of the instant vehicle. The latter document describes a technique for varying a width and a direction of a light beam emitted from a headlight depending on a vehicle speed, a vehicle height, etc. in order to perform headlight illumination best suited to a vehicle's running state.
Conventionally, a plurality of control maps whose parameters are a steering angle and a vehicle speed have been used to determine a controlled variable (an amount of control) for adjusting the direction of the light axis of the vehicle headlight on the basis of the steering angle and the vehicle speed. However, the prior art systems using such control maps have a problem in that, when a control map currently used is switched to another control map as a consequence of a change in the vehicle speed, the direction of the light axis of headlight may change abruptly because of the difference between the controlled variables which these two different control maps define, respectively. Such an abrupt change in the direction of the light axis of the headlight often causes the driver to feel awkwardness in the control of the light distribution pattern or light beam pattern.

Apparatus for automatically adjusting direction of light axis of vehicle headlight


An LED lamp is used being connected to an external switch for performing an ON-OFF operation. The LED lamp, when causing a light emitting module to emit light in a first lighting mode, controls a power supply circuit to cause the light emitting module to emit light at a first brightness for a predetermined time period from when a timer circuit is activated, and to cause the light emitting module to emit light at a second brightness lower than the first brightness, after passage of the predetermined time period. The LED lamp, when causing the light emitting module to emit light in a second lighting mode, controls the power supply circuit to cause the light emitting module to continue to emit light at the first brightness irrespective of a state of the timer circuit.

1. Field of the Invention
The present disclosure relates to an LED (Light Emitting Diode) lamp and an illumination apparatus.
2. Description of the Related Art
In recent years, an LED lamp has been proposed as a light bulb lamp which is a substitute for an incandescent lamp from the perspective of power saving. For example, International Publication No. 20011-039998 and Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2012-054213 each disclose an LED lamp. An LED module is employed as a light emitting module in the LED lamp.
For further power saving, an LED lamp disclosed by Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2012-155975, for example, includes a human sensor. This allows the LED lamp to be turned ON only when the human sensor detects a human, contributing to power saving.

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