An automatic music selecting system is provided which can select a piece of music more suitable for an occupant of a mobile unit. It includes a music data storing section that stores music data corresponding to a plurality of pieces of music; a navigation system for detecting the current position of the mobile unit; a first keyword generating section for generating a first keyword in response to current position information indicating the current position detected by the navigation system; sensors for detecting environment of the mobile unit; a second keyword generating section for generating a second keyword in response to the environment information indicating the environment detected by the sensors, a music selecting section for selecting a piece of music in response to the first keyword and second keyword; and a reproducing section for reading the selected music data from the music data storing section to reproduce.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an automatic music selecting system used in an audio system installed in a mobile unit, and more particularly to a technique for carrying out music selection appropriately.
2. Description of Related Art
Conventionally, an in-car audio system has been known which selects a piece of music at random from a plurality of pieces of music to play it back. However, it is not unlikely for the audio system to play back a piece of music unsuitable for the conditions of the vehicle or the mood of an occupant of the vehicle at that time, and hence an improvement is desired. In view of this, an in-car music reproduction system has been developed which can automatically select a piece of music associated with a particular district such as a song which features local attractions, and play it back (see Relevant Reference 1, for example).
The music reproduction system includes a locating section for identifying the current position of a vehicle in response to the detection data fed from a GPS antenna, a MIDI reproducing section for reproducing BGM, and a hard disk that stores music data. The hard disk contains a music data storing section that stores the MIDI data for BGM reproduction, a map-related information storing section that stores map-related information representing relationships between the music data and districts, and a district information storing section indicating the region to which the current position belongs. A CPU locates the district from the current position the locating section obtains, selects a piece of music associated with the district with reference to the map-related information storing section, and plays back the music.
Relevant Reference 1: Japanese patent application laid-open No. 8-248953.
The conventional music reproduction system, however, has a problem of being unable to offer more suitable music to the occupant of the vehicle because it can make only rough music selection such as selecting music associated with the current position of the vehicle.

Automatic music selecting system in mobile unit


An image pickup apparatus that performs control according to an azimuth detected during photographing, such that a user can enjoy excellent viewing of the synthesized image. A digital camera includes a main camera for obtaining a first image, and an in-camera for obtaining a second image when the first image is obtained. An azimuth sensor and a system controller generate first azimuth information by detecting a photographing direction of the main camera, and generate second azimuth information by detecting a photographing direction of the in-camera. The system controller records the first azimuth information in association with the first image, and the second azimuth information in association with the second image, in a recording medium.

Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image pickup apparatus including a plurality of image pickup units, and a method of controlling the image pickup apparatus, and more particularly to an image pickup apparatus that performs control according to azimuth when photographing.
Description of the Related Art
In recent years, there has been known an image pickup apparatus, such as a digital camera, as an image processing apparatus. In the image pickup apparatus, as the capacity of a recording medium is increased, it is required that desired image data can be searched for from the recording medium, to thereby enable a user to enjoy efficient image viewing.
In the meanwhile, as a mobile phone or a smartphone, there has been proposed one which is equipped with an image pickup apparatus for photographing an viewer (or a photographer) and an image pickup apparatus for photographing an object, such that the viewer and the object can be recorded at the same time. In such a mobile phone, etc., it is required that an image is efficiently displayed in a viewing direction of a user such that the user can enjoy viewing the image.
For example, there has been disclosed an image pickup apparatus which is configured to control a direction of display of an object image displayed on a display section based on a face image photographed by a digital camera (see Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2008-177819). In this image pickup apparatus, the vertical direction of the face image of the user is determined, and according to the determined direction, the direction of display of the object image displayed on the display section is controlled. With this control, the object image is displayed by causing the direction of display of the object image to match the vertical direction of the face image, independently of a posture of the user or how the camera is used or held.
By the way, in the image pickup apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2008-177819, although it is described that the direction of display of the object image is controlled according to the vertical direction of a face image, display of a synthesized image obtained by synthesizing the face image and the object image on the display section is not performed. In short, in the image pickup apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2008-177819, synthesis and display of the two images is not performed.
Further, when a synthesized image is to be displayed on the display section, adjustment of a direction of display of the synthesized image according to the azimuth of the image pickup apparatus is not performed by the image pickup apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2008-177819, either. More specifically, when a synthesized image is displayed on the display section, the image pickup apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2008-177819 cannot control a direction of display of the synthesized image according to the azimuth of the image pickup apparatus, which makes it difficult for the user to enjoy excellent viewing of the synthesized image.

Image pickup apparatus including a plurality of image pickup units and method of controlling the same


A chat system comprises editor 1 which includes an input area for chatting and an output area where chat conversation is written; information converter 2 which is capable of reading an inputted character string written into the editor 1 and detecting a specific input, and outputting an input to an input area in the editor 1, and reads a character string existing in the editor 1, converts the character string to a code and add to control information for a chat; transmitter 3 which transmits information outputted from the information converter 2 to a chat communication partner; receiver 4 which receives information sent from the chat partner; and information analyzer/converter 5 which analyzes and converts a code to a character string, outputs the character string onto the output area in the editor 1, and performs an operation in accordance with the control information.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a chat apparatus, a server, chat method and program product for chat and particularly, to a chat apparatus and server which can provide relaxed conversation, a chat method and a program product for chat therefor.
2. Description of Related Art
On conventional personal-computer communications, chat systems have been providing services which allow participants to make real-time conversation with each other.
In a chat system, plural participants can simultaneously talk to each other, and a message from one participant is monitored by every one of the participants.
JPA 2001-202315 discloses one of techniques concerning conventional chat systems. According to this technique, a conversation device enables mutual transmission/reception and display of text messages, sharing a virtual space connected to and established on a network. This conversation device has an input/output table, a reaction means, and a display means. The table stores predetermined reactions, predetermined input operations for specifying the predetermined reactions and predetermined symbols expressing the reactions so that the reactions, input operations and symbols are linked to each other. The reaction means notifies the reactions corresponding to the input operation, to other conversation devices in the virtual space by using the conversation device. The display means displays the symbols transmitted from other conversation devices, independently from text messages.
JPA 2002-063124 discloses a chat system capable of establishing a network and of mutually transmitting/receiving messages through any of plural virtual spaces prepared on the network. The chat system includes plural terminals each having a display means which displays the transmitted/received messages together with communicator identification information, and a table means which stores identifiers of communicators which use the vertical communication spaces, and character string information items respectively corresponding to the identifiers. The character strings are used as the communicator identification information items.
JPA 2002-288102 discloses a communication terminal which a user uses to participate in a chart service as an electronic communication service which allows plural users to exchange messages on a network. The communication terminal has an input means for inputting message data from the user, a communication means connected to a network and for receiving message data from other users, and a display means which displays, as plural message data, the message data inputted through the input means from the user and the message data received by the communication means from the other users. The display means has a data processing means which processes message data so that the order of given message data of at least part of the plural message data is displayed clearly.
JPA 2003-114858 discloses a message chat system configured by connecting a client device and a message chat information processing device to be communicable with each other via a network. The client device is for a user who conducts virtual dialogue. The message chat information processing device processes information concerning a virtual dialogue conducted by the client device. The client device has a terminal dialogue control means which receives an input requesting start of a virtual dialogue from outside of the client device and transmits this virtual dialogue start request to the message chat information processing device via the network. The message chat information processing device has a dialogue partner determination means which determines a dialogue partner in a predetermined determination method upon reception of the dialog start request by the message chat information processing device, and a dialogue request means which transmits a dialogue start request to another client device of the dialogue partner determined by the dialogue partner determination means via the network. Upon reception of the dialog start request, the terminal dialogue control means of the client device controls a predetermined output means to display a predetermined dialogue screen and also controls chatting through the dialogue screen.
However, in the conventional techniques in the prior art as described above, conversation of only those chat participants who input characters at higher speeds is adopted if there are differences in key input speed among chat participants. It is therefore difficult for slow typists (or who input characters at lower speeds) to join chatting.
Even when it is desirable to hear opinions from all chat participants, it is difficult to collect messages from all the chat participants.
In addition, in the chat system, the real-time advantage is considered significant. Therefore, coding of transmission sentences that extra processing time is needed is difficult.

Chat apparatus transmitting/receiving information indicating switching of chat


A fusion protein for inhibiting cervical cancer is disclosed, which comprises a peptide sequence of human papillomavirus type 16, a peptide translocating peptide for translocation, and a peptide within a carboxyl terminal fragment. The present invention further comprising a composition of antibody, which conjugates to E7 peptide, wherein the nucleotide sequence corresponding to the amino acid sequence of the E7 peptide is shown as SEQ. ID. NO.1.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a fusion protein, more particularly, to a fusion protein for inhibiting cervical cancer induced or caused by HPV type 16 and pharmaceutical compositions thereof.
2. Description of Related Art
Currently, the incidence ratio of cervical cancer has remained high among all woman cancer patients. There are no any obvious symptoms of general variation of cervical epithelium or early cervical cancer. Although cervical cancer can be successfully treated in its early stages, prevention is still much better than treatment. Therefore, the researchers in this field have been making effort to find out the most efficient way to prevent cervical cancer.
It is already proved that human papillomavirus, HPV is highly related with cervical cancer. Some types (e.g. type 16, or 18) of DNA sequence of HPV had been found in cervical cancer cells, about 75%˜100%, but it is still not clear what the mechanism is in causing the cancer. Lately, research has found that the early gene product of virus—protein E6 and E7 of highly dangerous type 16, 18 and 31 of HPV easily combines with the product of genes Rb and p53 and thus reduce the ability of anti-tumor agent. This explains that HPV is not functioning alone when causing cancer but is assisted by environmental factors. Moreover, E7 protein expresses continuously in cervical cancer cells and carcinoma tissues. E7 protein also plays an important role in the process of maintaining shifted malignant tissue phenotype.
The cancer immune therapy is mainly displayed with cell-mediated immunization, assisted by humoral immunization. Cells involved in cell-mediated immunization are cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL), NK and macrophages. CTL is triggered by interlukin-2, and then identified by T cells. The major histocompatibility complex (MHC) on the cancer cells with antigen present appears and releases lysozyme to destroy the cancer cells and restrain the proliferation of cancer cells. CTL protection is proved to inhibit cancers caused by HPV. Therefore if it is possible to induce the proliferation of the HPV-antigen-specific CTL, for example, CD 8+ T lymphocytes, by enhancing complexes of HPV antigen and MHC class I presenting on cancer cells, the strategy of CTL induction with E7 antigen can be able to control carcinoma cell directly and beneficial for immunological prevention and treatment.
It is proved by research that cervical cancer is able to be prevented by vaccine injection. E7 proteins of HPV are highly common in carcinoma tissues or the tissues before carcinoma damage, therefore, E7 protein has the potential for developing as a vaccine. Basically, HPV type 16 and HPV type 18 are serious causes of not only cervical cancer, they are also dangerous factors for inducing lung cancer in females. The carcinogenic proteins E6 and E7 can be transferred to lungs through the circulation of blood and they decompose the anti-tumor proteins produced by gene Rb and p53. Once the anti-tumor genes or the proteins produced by them are deactivated, cancer cells show up. Though the present DNA vaccine does have a long term effect, on the other hand, it has high production costs. The main factor of restrained development in the DNA vaccine is the highly dangerous nature of the virus itself, which mutates easily. Furthermore, when applying E7 protein in gene therapy to cervical cancer, the induced immune response is usually induced weakly because of the weak antigen character of E7 protein of HPV virus. The effect of the prophylaxis and the therapy of cervical cancer are not able to be evaluated because of frail immune response.
Generally, the specific antigen of cancer cells needs to be modified and combined with MHC-I then presented to the cell surface in order to trigger the CD8+ cells and elicit cell-mediated system. The research shows that the HPV type 16 E7 gene can be found in cervical cancer tissues but there is a lack of the specific MHC-I complex to present to the cell surface for showing E7 antigen. Therefore, HPV type 16 E7 protein will not be present to or initiate the cellular immune system of the host cell and then HPV escapes from the detection or monitoring of host. Usually, when E7 protein is injected in vivo, it is considered as external antigens. The E7 vaccination can only be induced the humor immune response thus lowering the effect to elicit cell-mediated immunity. Hence, it is necessary to develop a transportation system of sending the intact foreign protein into cytoplasm and induce effective immune response.
Therefore, it is desirable to provide an fusion protein for inhibiting cervical cancer to mitigate and/or obviate the aforementioned problems.

Fusion protein for inhibiting cervical cancer


The present invention discloses a circuit that generates a variable frequency pulse width modulation (VF PWM) signal. Different from the conventional PWM controller, the frequency and duty cycle of the output PWM signal vary with the error-amplified voltage of the feedback loop simultaneously in this invention. The higher the error-amplified voltage of the feedback loop is, the lower the duty cycle with lower frequency will be. A very low duty cycle PWM signal can be generated stably while its frequency is very low.

The trend in the design of switching mode power supplies has been toward relatively low power loss, low ripple and low noise under light load condition, especially for those widely used adaptors for notebooks, computers, and chargers for mobile telecommunication apparatus. This kind of power supplies frequently operates under a light or zero load condition, which is named as the standby operation mode.
A flyback converter is the most commonly used topology for this application with pulse width modulation (PWM) control for the output regulation. To achieve relatively very low power loss under light or open load condition, it is the key factor to control the power stage to operate at a relatively very low switching frequency to decrease the switching loss and driving loss of the generally used MOSFET power switch. Meanwhile, the control circuit dissipates relatively low loss due to relatively low frequency operation.
The conventional PWM controller circuit according to the general prior art always operates at a constant frequency, corresponding to the switching period T as shown in FIG. 1, which shows the operating PWM signal for the normal and standby operation mode respectively. The power circuit operates with relatively a long on time PWM, Ton,nor, and thus a high duty cycle under normal load condition. In the standby operation mode, the power circuit always operates with relatively a very short time Ton,sb and thus a very small duty cycle, but the switching frequency is still high as normal operation, resulting in relatively much switching loss and driving loss of the main switch and much power loss of the controller which are the major parts of the standby loss. Therefore, the standby loss of the converter will be relatively high. However the advantage of the PWM controller circuit is that the output ripple and noise are relatively very low even at the standby operation mode.
Moreover, there are generally two methods to decrease the switching related loss which is the main component of the standby loss. One is to decrease the switching frequency by regulating the Toff time of the PWM signal while keeping a constant Ton time of the PWM signal for standby operation. Please refer to FIG. 2. In the standby operation mode, the constant switching on time of PWM signal is Ton,sb, which is equal to the counterpart Ton,nor for the normal operation mode. But the Toff time is regulated as Toff,sb, which is relatively much longer than that Toff,nor for the normal operation mode. As a result, the switching period is relatively much longer than that of the normal operation mode and the switching frequency is relatively much lower which benefits to the relatively low standby loss in the standby operation mode as mentioned before.
One drawback of this control method is that the conversion power at each switching cycle will be relatively high due to the constant on time of the PWM signal in the standby operation mode. Therefore, relatively high output voltage noise and even audible noise might be introduced to the converter though the standby loss can be effectively reduced.
The other method is a burst mode control for the standby operation mode. Please refer to FIG. 3 for the operation PWM signal with this control mode. In the normal operation mode, the PWM signal is relatively with a high frequency and long on time as Ton,nor. In the standby operation mode, the on time of PWM signal can be regulated relatively short as Ton,sb at each switching period, but after several continuous switching periods, some switching periods will be skipped. Therefore, in the standby operation mode, the equivalent switching period will be Tsb/n, where n is the numbers of PWM pulses during the Tsb time. It can be seen that, in the standby operation mode, the equivalent switching period of the PWM signal is longer than that of the normal operation mode. So, the switching related loss can be effectively reduced and thus the relatively low standby loss can be achieved.
But there are problems with this control mode also. In the standby operation mode, the conversion power of the converter during the several continuous switching periods with PWM pulses will be relatively high, resulting in relatively high output voltage noise. Meanwhile, the several continuous switching periods with PWM pulses occur during a relatively long Tsb period corresponding to a relatively low frequency. This will also introduces the audible noise to the converter.
It is therefore attempted by the applicant to deal with the above situation encountered with the prior art.

Variable frequency PWM controller circuit


An electric circuit apparatus comprises an electrically connecting member including a holding body made of an electrically insulating material and a plurality of electrically conductive members embedded in the holding body. First end portions of the electrically conductive member extend through a first side of the holding body and second end portions of the electrically conductive member extend through the other side of the holding body. A plurality of electric circuit components are connected to the second end portions of the electrically conductive members.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an electric circuit apparatus formed by electrically connecting electric circuit components with an electrically connecting member.
2. Related Background Art
Hitherto, known techniques for electrically connecting electric circuit components are exemplified by:
(1) wire bonding method, PA1 (2) TAB (Tape Automated Bonding) method (for example, an art disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 59-139636), PA1 (3) CCP (Controlled Collapse Bonding) method (for example, see Japanese Patent Publication No. 42-2096 and Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 60-57944), PA1 (4) The art shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, PA1 (5) The art shown in FIG. 3, and PA1 (6) The art shown in FIG. 4.
The art shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is characterized in that:
an insulating film 71 made of polyamide or the like is formed in the portions except for conjunction portions 5 of a first semiconductor deice 4. Metal members 70 made of Au or the like are provided for the conjunction portion 5 before flattening exposed surfaces 73 and 72 of the metallic members 70 and the insulating film 71. On the other hand, another insulating film 71' made of polyamide or the like is formed in the portions except for conjunction portions 5' of a second semiconductor device 4'. Metal members 70' made of Au or the like are formed in the conjunction portion 5' before flattening exposed surfaces 73' and 72' of the metal members 70' and the insulating film 71'.
Then, the first semiconductor device 4 and the second semiconductor device 4' are, as shown in FIG. 2, positioned and welded so that the conjunction portions 5 of the first semiconductor device 4 and the conjunction portions 5' of the second semiconductor device 4' are connected to each other with the metal members 70 and 70'.
The method according to (5) and shown in FIG. 3 is characterized in that:
an anisotropic conductive film 78 is interposed between a first circuit substrate 75 and a second circuit substrate 75', this anisotropic conductive film 78 being formed by having conductive particles 79 dispersed in an insulating material 77. The first and second circuit substrates 75 and 75' are then positioned before application of a pressure alone or a combination of a heat and pressure whereby a junction portion 76 of the first circuit substrate 75 and a junction portion 76' of a second circuit substrate 75' are connected to each other.
The method according to (6) and shown in FIG. 4 is characterized in that:
an elastic connector 83 designed such that metal wires 82 disposed in an insulating material 81 are formed of Fe or Cu and arranged in the same direction and interposed between the first circuit substrate 75 and the second circuit substrate 75'. The first circuit substrate 75 and the second circuit substrate 75' are then positioned before being pressurized whereby the conjunction portion 76 of the first circuit substrate 75 and the conjunction portion 76' of the second circuit substrate 75' are connected to each other.
However, the above-described conventional bonding method involves the following problems:
a circuit design based on the bonding method involves a certain limitation. The pitch (the distance between the central portions of the neighboring junctions) between the neighboring conductors is too large, and the overall thickness of the circuit cannot be reduced. In addition, the reliability is insufficient because of corrosion and breakage of the conductor, and the characteristics can deteriorate due to the concentration of heat in the portions between the bonding members and the electric circuit members. Furthermore, if an electric circuit part becomes defective, it cannot be solely replaced.
The art shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 has the following problems:
(a) The exposed surface 72 of the insulating film 71 and the exposed surface 73 of the metallic members 70 or the exposed surface 72' of the insulating film 71' and the exposed surface 73' of the metallic member 70' needs to be flattened. Therefore, its manufacturing cost will rise due to increase in the manufacturing process.
(b) If there were any differences in levels between the exposed surface 72 of the insulating film 71 and the exposed surface 73 of the metallic members 70 or between the exposed surface 72' of the insulating film 71' and the exposed surface 73' of the metallic member 70', the metallic members 70 and 70' cannot be properly connected to each other, reducing the reliability of the electric circuit.
The art according to (5) and shown in FIG. 3 has the following problems:
(a) When the conjunction portions 76 and 76' are connected to each other by application of a pressure after they have been positioned, the connected portions become unequal since the pressure cannot be applied equally. As a result, the resistance of the conjunction portions caused from contact also becomes unequal. This leads to the deterioration in the reliability in the connection. In addition, if a large amount of electric current is allowed to pass through the circuit, the junction portions adversely generate heat. Therefore, this art cannot be suitably used in a case where a large amount of electric current is intended to be allowed to pass.
(b) Even if a pressure is applied equally to the conjunctions portions 76 and 76', the resistance distribution becomes unequal due to the configurations of the conductive particles 79 of the anisotropic conductive film 78. It leads to the deterioration in the reliability in the connection established. In addition, this art cannot be suitably used in a case where a large amount of electric current is intended to be allowed to pass.
(c) Since the resistance between the neighboring conjunction portions can be reduced by shortening the pitch between the neighboring conjunction portions (the distance between the center portions of the neighboring conjunction portions), it is not suitably used in dense connections.
(d) Since the resistance can be varied by the unequal projection h.sub.1 of the conjunction portions 76 and 76' of the circuit substrates 75 and 75', the unequal projections h.sub.1 must be restricted.
(e) Furthermore, if the anisotropic conductive film were employed to connect the semiconductor devices and the circuit substrate or to connect the first semiconductor devices and the second semiconductor devices, a bump needs to be provided for each conjunctions portion of the semiconductor device, causing the overall cost to be raised.
In addition, when the art according to (6) and shown in FIG. 4 is employed to connect semiconductor devices and a circuit substrate or to connect the first semiconductor devices and the second semiconductor devices, the following problems (a) to (d) arise: (a) Since pressure needs to be applied to the conjunction portions, a pressurizing tool needs must be used. (b) Since the contact resistance between the metal wire 82 of the elastic connector 83 and the conjunction portion 76 of the first circuit substrate 75 and the conjunction portion 76' of the second circuit substrate 75' can be varied due to the pressure applied and the surface condition, the reliability of the connection is insufficient.
(c) Since the metal wire 82 of the elastic connector 83 is made of a rigid material, each surface of the elastic connector 83, the first circuit substrate 75, and the second circuit substrate 75' can be damaged if the applied pressure is too large. On the other hand, if the applied pressure is too small, the reliability of the connection is also insufficient.
(d) In addition, the projection h2 of the conjunction portions 76 and 76' of the circuit substrate 75 and 75', the projection h3 of the metal wire 82 of the elastic connector 83, and their uneveness can cause changes in the resistance and damage. Therefore, countermeasures for reducing the uneven projections must be taken.


Network formation in wireless networks according to an embodiment of the present invention is enhanced based on control of network formation packet transmissions (e.g., Packet Radio Organizational Packet (PROP) transmissions). A source-initiated approach controls re-transmission of inquiry/reply PROP packets based on the presence of a neighboring node. This reduces the size and amount of PROP packets transmitted during neighbor discovery. In addition, the source-initiated approach controls re-transmission of PROP packets indicating a change in an upstream or control type node (e.g., LNC PROP). In this case, the node determines the presence of steady-state conditions (e.g., maintenance of conditions for the original LNC PROP transmission), and enables a single re-transmission of the LNC PROP packet, thereby reducing the transmission of unnecessary or duplicate LNC PROP packets (e.g., containing substantially the same information as previously transmitted packets since conditions have remained the same).

1. Technical Field
The present invention embodiments pertain to network formation in wireless networks. In particular, the present invention embodiments pertain to enhancing network formation in wireless networks based on control of network organizational packet transmissions.
2. Discussion of Related Art
Various commercial network formation protocols may be utilized for network formation within a wireless Mobile Ad-Hoc network (MANETs). In particular, a packet transmitted by a node within a wireless mobile Ad-Hoc network is received by all network nodes within RF range of the transmitting node. One of the objectives of these protocols is to minimize the total number of forward transmissions for broadcasting. Flooding is a simple approach, where each network node that receives a packet re-transmits that packet exactly once. Although the flooding technique ensures coverage, the technique is inefficient and causes broadcast storm problems. Two common routing protocols include Ad-Hoc On-Demand Distance Vector (AODV), and Optimized Link State Routing (OLSR). The AODV routing protocol is a reactive protocol that intends to alleviate the overhead problem associated with numerous packet transmissions, and utilizes HELLO packets or messages to determine node connectivity. During a route discovery phase, network nodes exchange periodic HELLO messages with their neighbors in order to establish a list of neighbors at each node. The HELLO packet includes the transmitting node address, a list of neighbors, and the status of links to the neighbors. By way of example, the neighborhood of a node A refers to all nodes that are linked to node A. The links may be symmetric or asymmetric.
The Optimized Link State Routing (OLSR) protocol employs a concept referred to as a two-hop neighbor. For example, a node C is considered to be a two-hop neighbor of node A, if a node B is a symmetric neighbor of node A, and node C is a symmetric neighbor of node B, but node C is not a neighbor of node A. The HELLO packets are utilized by the nodes to generate the immediate and two-hop neighbors, and to determine the quality of the communication links in the neighborhood. This information is stored for a limited time in each node, and needs to be refreshed periodically.
In a route maintenance phase, each network node surveys the link status to neighboring nodes. The HELLO packets are used to maintain connectivity between neighboring nodes, where a link is assumed to be disabled when no HELLO packet is received within a specified time interval. Several network protocols have been proposed to alleviate the overhead problem associated with the numerous packet transmissions of flooding. The OLSR protocol uses a multipoint relay (MPR) mechanism, where each network node uses the two-hop neighbor information to select a minimal set of multipoint relays (MPRs) to enable all nodes within a two-hop neighbor area to be reachable. The MPR flooding mechanism is also used to broadcast topology information throughout the network. Each network node with one or more associated multipoint relays (e.g., a non-empty MPR selector set) periodically transmits a topology control message including the address of the source node and the node multipoint relays (MPRs), thereby announcing node connectivity to node MPRs. Since each node has associated MPRs (e.g., an MPR selector set), the connectivity to all network nodes is announced, and each node receives a partial topology graph of the entire network. The shortest path algorithm is subsequently applied to this partial graph to calculate optimal routes to all nodes. The topology information is maintained for a specified time interval, and needs to be refreshed periodically.
However, the neighbor discovery and network formation aspects of the commercial protocols for Mobile Ad-Hoc networks (MANETs) described above are not suitable for tactical or other types of applications. For example, these types of applications or networks require severe timing constraints and security features. Further, the neighbor discovery protocols described above may need to adapt to asymmetrical links, and the HELLO packets are rather large, thereby significantly increasing bandwidth overhead. In addition, the above described protocols do not provide maintenance of time-synchronization throughout both neighbor discovery and network formation operations, while the many redundant transmissions in the protocols can cause broadcast storms through contention and collisions at the Medium Access Control (MAC) protocol layer.

Method and apparatus for controlling packet transmissions within wireless networks to enhance network formation


A method to regulate copolymer structure using lipase catalyzed transesterification reactions, by selecting a first reactant from the group consisting of polymers and monomers, selecting a second reactant from the group consisting of polymers and monomers, and combining the first reactant, the second reactant, and a lipase in a reaction vessel and allowing the ensuing transesterification reaction to proceed resulting in a polymer. The method allows one to regulate the copolymer repeat unit sequence distribution, and may take place with chain-length specificity such that activation of chains for exchange reactions with other chains or monomers can occur preferentially at certain locations along the chain.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates generally to the field of transesterification reactions for regulating copolymer physico-mechanical and biological properties and more specifically to the use of lipase-catalyzed selective transesterification reactions to construct novel polymers.
2. Prior Art
Chemical methods that result in the copolymerization of two or more monomers are a key strategy for the xe2x80x98tailoringxe2x80x99 of polymeric materials. Unfortunately, in many cases, important copolymer compositions and repeat unit sequences that may offer key property benefits are not attainable by using existing methods. Also, chemical methods to catalyze polymer-polymer transesterification reactions have met with limited success due to the need for high-temperature reactions that lead to undesirable chain decomposition including molecular weight decrease. However, such transesterification reactions are extremely valuable for regulating copolymer physico-mechanical and biological properties.
Transesterification reactions between preformed polymers, a monomer-polymer pair, or two monomers, are of importance in industry to rapidly xe2x80x98tunexe2x80x99 physico-mechanical and biological properties. In addition, many commercially important blends contain polyesters as one or more components that may undergo transesterification reactions during melt processing. In the pursuit of efficient transesterification reactions, it often is necessary to use high temperatures and catalysts that leave toxic residues in products. Furthermore, these chemical routes do not provide selectivity over the site at which chains are cleaved during exchange reactions. Moreover, these reactions often lead to non-desired side reactions that decrease product molecular weight and/or produce colored substances.
Therefore, it is evident that there is a need for transesterification reactions that can proceed at lower temperatures, with catalysts that do not leave toxic residues, do not lead to non-desired side reactions, and provide selectivity over the site at which chains are cleaved during exchange reactions. It is to this need that the present invention is directed.
The use of lipases in monophasic organic media has proved useful to facilitate mild selective transesterification reactions of low molecular weight substances. In the present invention, lipase-catalyzed selective transesterification reactions are used to construct novel polymers. An important advantage of the present invention is the ability to regulate the copolymer repeat unit sequence distribution. In addition, the lipase-catalyzed transesterification reactions of the present invention take place with chain-length specificity. In other words, activation of chains for exchange reactions with other chains or monomers can occur preferentially at certain locations along the chain.
The new methods disclosed herein have led to important new polymer compositions where repeat units are linked by ester, carbonate, amide, ether or various combinations of these bonds. Examples of uses for the polymers prepared by the present invention are plastics, adhesives, coatings, biodegradable plastics, bioresorbable implant materials, to aid wound healing of burn patients, as scaffolds for cell growth and in drug release formulations. Methods are disclosed by which lipases catalyze the formation of copolymers by reactions between two or more preformed polyesters, polyester and a monomer (such as lactone or cyclic carbonate), a polycarbonate and a monomer, and reactions between two or more monomers.
The novel method to regulate copolymer structure using lipase catalyzed transesterification reactions disclosed herein comprises the general steps of selecting a first reactant from the group consisting of polymers and monomers, selecting a second reactant from the group consisting of polymers and monomers, and combining the first reactant, the second reactant, and a lipase in a reaction vessel and allowing the ensuing transesterification reaction to proceed resulting in a desired polymer. Preferably a solvent also is present in the reaction vessel. The lipase preferably is an immobilized lipase maintained at approximately 70xc2x0 C., and the reaction is allowed to proceed for between 1 min and 24 hr depending on the product desired.
The present invention discloses the lipase-catalyzed synthesis of copolymers having mixed linkages such as ester/ether, ester/carbonate and ether/carbonate. Lipase-catalyzed transesterification reactions may be used to form copolymers that are random, diblock, multiblock or some other arrangement of repeat units along a copolymer chain. For example, lipases may be used to catalyze transesterification reactions between combinations of structurally different lactones, lactones with polyesters, lactones with copoly(ester/amides) and polyesters with polyesters. Also, lipases may be used to catalyze exchange reactions between polyesters and polycarbonates to form chains having mixed linkages such as, for example, ester/carbonate. Other lipase catalyzed exchange reactions may be between polyesters and polyethers to form copoly(ester/ethers) or polycarbonates and polyethers to form copoly(carbonate/ethers).
Reaction parameters such as the substrates, temperature, time, solvent (or the lack of one), lipase, and method of lipase activation can all be used to engineer the desired repeat unit sequence of copolymers. Also, the molecular weight of polymers used for exchange reactions is a critical parameter. For example, poly(xcex5-caprolactone-co-xcfx89-pentadecalactone), P(CL-co-PDL), was synthesized by variation in the substrates used to form the copolymer. The example copolymerizations are performed by lipase-catalyzed transesterification reactions between the following substrate pairs: xcex5-CL/PDL, PCL/PDL, poly(xcfx89-pentadecalactone) (PPDL)/xcex5-CL, PPDL/PCL and poly(trimethylene carbonate-co-pentadecalactone), P(TMC-co-PDL). The preferred catalyst is Novozym-435 and the preferred solvent is toluene. All of the above reactions result in the formation of copolymers that differ substantially in their microstructure.
The invention discloses the use of lipase-catalyzed transesterification reactions between different preformed polymers as well as between polymers and monomers. This route to copolymers provides important elements of control over the copolymer repeat unit sequence. Furthermore, enzyme-catalysis provides a route that can have other benefits such as: i) decreased reaction temperatures relative to conventional chemical catalysts; ii) rapid ester interchange kinetics; and iii) selectivity over chain compositions that undergo interchange. The selectivity of preferred sites for ester interchange reactions can result from differences in the side group or main chain structural elements including variations in stereochemical composition. Thus, lipase-catalysis offers a new and powerful route to engineer copolymer structure during transesterification reactions.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a transesterification reaction to regulate copolymer structure.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a transesterification reaction to regulate copolymer structure that is lipase catalyzed and does not leave toxic residues in product polymers.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a transesterification is reaction to regulate copolymer structure that proceeds at lower temperatures thus reducing undesirable chain decomposition.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a transesterification reaction to regulate copolymer structure that does not lead to non-desired side reactions that decrease product molecular weight.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a transesterification reaction to regulate copolymer structure that does not lead to non-desired side reactions that produce colored substances.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a transesterification reaction to regulate copolymer structure that provides selectivity over the site at which chains are cleaved during exchange reactions.
These objects, and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art when the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments is read in conjunction with the appended figures.

Lipase-catalyzed transesterifications to regulate copolymer structure


A tunable oscillator having a tuning voltage input includes an inductor, and first and second varactor pairs arranged with the inductor to generate a signal having a frequency responsive to a tuning voltage applied to the tuning voltage input, each of the varactor pairs having a bias voltage input that may be controlled independently of the other varactor pair. The first varactor pair may be biased such that its capacitance varies substantially linearly with the tuning voltage over a first portion of the tuning range, and the second varactor pair may be biased such that its capacitance varies substantially linearly with the tuning voltage over a second portion of the tuning range.

1. Field
The present disclosure relates generally to tunable oscillator circuits. More particularly, the disclosure relates to a tunable voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) circuit with a relatively constant modulation sensitivity over a wide tuning range.
2. Background
Oscillators are used as stable frequency sources in diverse electronic applications. By way of example, in communication systems, oscillators are often used to provide a stable frequency reference signal for translating information signals to a desired frequency band. In conventional multi-channel communication systems, circuit arrangements employing multiple oscillators may be used to provide a selectable frequency source. This approach is generally used for high speed switching applications. For less critical applications, a more economical approach entails the use of a tunable oscillator circuit comprising a voltage controlled oscillator which can be phased locked to a frequency reference signal.
In conventional VCO designs, varactors (variable capacitors) may be used for frequency tunability. In typical VCO designs, a controlled voltage determines the varactor capacitance which in turn determines the VCO output frequency. The varactors are typically biased around the center of the VCO's frequency tuning range. The frequency tuning characteristics of a typical varactor has two regions: a) a steep capacitance versus voltage slope for certain voltages and b) a saturated capacitance for other voltages. The steep capacitance versus voltage region of the curve may yield increased output phase noise. For example, a small noise voltage at the controlled voltage input causes a relatively large capacitance variation and therefore a noticeable undesired VCO phase noise due to the high sensitivity of the steep curve region. The saturation region of the capacitance versus voltage curve may yield a limited frequency tuning range such that voltages beyond a particular voltage threshold will have very little effect in changing the total capacitance and therefore the VCO output frequency. For example, in one typical design, the frequency tuning range of the VCO is approximately 2 volts (0.4 volts to 2.3 volts), but any voltage higher than 1.6 volts will only minimally change the capacitance and therefore the VCO output frequency.
Accordingly, it would be desirable to have VCO designs which have a wide frequency tuning range but with reduced output phase noise.

Interpolative varactor voltage controlled oscillator with constant modulation sensitivity


Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are described for performing fault detection and localization using Combinatorial Test Design (CTD) techniques and generating a regression bucket of test cases that expose a detected fault in a System Under Test (SUT). The SUT may be a hardware system or a software system. Further, the fault detection and localization may be performed while adhering to architectural restrictions on the SUT.

The present invention relates generally to fault detection and localization to generate failing test cases, and more particularly, to utilizing combinatorial test design to detect and localize a fault and to generate a regression bucket of failing test cases corresponding to the fault.
Combinatorial Test Design (CTD) is a testing methodology that seeks to increase test space coverage for a System Under Test (SUT) through the use of automated algorithms. These algorithms identify input patterns that are most likely to locate problems in the SUT, thereby reducing the amount of time required for a tester to build test cases and an automation framework. CTD is well-adapted for projects that require numerous variations on static input vectors to properly test various system states and logic pathways, which would otherwise be extremely cumbersome for a human tester. Despite this, CTD testing techniques suffer from various drawbacks, technical solutions to which are described herein.

Fault detection and localization to generate failing test cases using combinatorial test design techniques

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION


A radiator assembly includes a finned radiator core and a debris removing apparatus having a compressed air inlet and at least one compressed air outlet configured to direct compressed air through the radiator core. A work machine such as a wheel loader includes a radiator and a debris removing apparatus coupled with on-board compressed air and having at least one pressurized gas outlet configured to direct a gas toward the face of the radiator.

Many modern internal combustion engines use a radiator to dissipate heat from the engine and other systems. A typical radiator assembly includes a finned metallic core through which an engine coolant fluid is pumped. Air passing over the core dissipates heat from the fluid, and the heat is ultimately expelled to the ambient environment.
In recent years, various forces have elevated the cooling efficacy requirements for engine radiator assemblies. For example, recent and upcoming jurisdictional emissions regulations require that certain internal combustion engines, in particular diesel engines, operate with reduced output of certain emissions. As a result, various engine operating strategies have developed for reducing certain emissions; however, while some of these strategies show much promise, they can require more heat to be rejected by the engine for optimal performance than in traditional designs. The greater heat rejection requirements have in turn prompted a search for new and improved radiator assembly designs.
The more demanding requirements for radiators have thus far been addressed in several different ways. In some instances, radiators are simply made bigger, such that more surface area is available to transfer heat from the engine coolant fluid to air. While this approach is relatively straightforward, there can be significant spatial constraints inside the engine compartment of a work machine, and there are ultimately limitations on how large a radiator may be made. Often, stock radiators are already at or close to the maximum possible size of an available envelope without significantly redesigning the work machine. Moreover, increased size invariably adds weight, cost and manufacturing complexity to the work machine.
Another approach to improving radiator performance has been to increase the density of the radiator fins. In other words, more fins capable of transferring heat from the engine coolant fluid to the air are packed into a space equivalent to that available for a standard radiator. While this approach can ameliorate certain of the shortcomings of overly large radiators, it has its own set of problems. For instance, more densely packed radiator fins tend to become clogged with debris more readily. In traditional designs, organic debris such as leaves and other bits of plant matter, as well as inorganic debris such as road dust tend to pass fairly easily through the relatively widely spaced fins of the radiator core. In contrast, it can be more difficult for debris, in particular inorganic debris, to pass through the more closely packed fins of certain newer designs, reducing the heat exchange capacity of the radiator as the debris accumulates.
Debris packed in between the relatively closely spaced fins of certain modern radiator designs can reduce the ability of the radiator to transfer heat to the air, as less surface area may be available due to the insulating effect of caked-on, chalky debris, in particular inorganic debris. Filtering of both organic and inorganic debris can be done to a certain extent via particulate filters mounted on an exterior grill of the work machine. However, the relatively small size of inorganic particles, often as small as 2 microns, requires a very fine filter, which tends to cause such a pressure drop for air passing therethrough that insufficient air flow is available to the radiator itself.
Changes in overall engine system design have compounded the above problems for radiators with closely packed fins. For instance, rather than mounting a fan in front, some newer engine systems have the fan mounted between the engine and the radiator core, such that cooling air is drawn through the core rather than blown by the fan. Consequently, less air pressure is available from the fan to assist in blowing debris off of the radiator fins. Further still, where work machines used in the construction industry are concerned, the engine may often be mounted in the back. This, coupled with the fact that such machines do not typically attain particularly high ground speeds, means that relatively little air from travel of the work machine is available to blow debris from the radiator. As a result, the radiators of such work machines must typically be manually cleaned more frequently than is desirable, and more often than a typical maintenance schedule may allow.
One known approach to radiator debris problems is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,217,638 to Van de Velde. Van de Velde illustrates a process of removing debris from the grille filter of an engine, via a jet cleaner assembly that blows air tangentially to the surface of the grille. Van de Velde further describes a device for practicing the process, including an undulate filtration grille having a tangential blower and a supply of compressed air. Air is blown as desired via the tangential blower along each of a plurality of grooves in the surface of the grille filter. While Van de Velde recognizes that debris in the grille filter is undesirable, and provides one approach to the problem, the process and apparatus described are limited to certain grille types, and do not directly address the issue of debris clogging the radiator core itself.
The present disclosure is directed to one or more of the problems or shortcomings set forth above.

Radiator debris removing apparatus and work machine using same


A treatment method of organic compounds included in waste water, comprising the steps of:                supplying waste water to an adsorber 2 filled with an adsorbent 3 therein for adsorbing the organic compounds in the waste water by the adsorbent 3 in the adsorber 2,         supplying a current between an anode 9 and a cathode 8 in water including an electrolyte in an electrolyzer 6 for electrolyzing the water including an electrolyte, and supplying an electrolyte resulting from electrolysis in the electrolyzer 6 to the adsorbent 3 in the adsorber 2 for contacting the electrolyte with the adsorbent 3, so that the organic compounds adsorbed by the adsorbent 3 are desorbed or decomposed.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a treatment method of organic compounds so as to oxidize and decompose water-soluble organic compounds, such as organic acids included in waste water, a treatment apparatus of the organic compounds, a treatment system of the organic compounds, and a system for collecting bitumen.
2. Description of Related Art
In an exemplary method of treatment of organic compounds in waste water, activated carbon is dipped in the waste water to remove the organic compounds by adsorption. In another method, the organic compounds are removed by flowing the waste water through an adsorber filled with an adsorbent.
In these methods, when the adsorbent reaches its saturation state, no more organic compounds can be adsorbed, in which case the adsorbent has to be replaced, it has to be removed and heated for reproduction, or a new adsorbent has to be added. In the case of replacement, the used activated carbon, which is an adsorbent, has to be handled as a waste material. When heating is performed for reproduction, adsorbed organic compounds are desorbed and thereby treatment of it is involved. Part of the activated carbon is oxidized and consumed during the heating for reproduction.
Another method is also known, in which the organic compounds in the waste water are oxidized and decomposed by activated oxygen generated by electrolysis. In an example of this method, waste liquid in a waste liquid storage tank is circulated between the waste liquid storage tank and an electrolyzer, and electrolysis is carried out in the electrolyzer so as to generate activated oxygen in the circulating waste liquid; the organic compounds are oxidized and decomposed by an oxidization and decomposition process by the generated activated oxygen (see Patent Document 1). In the Patent Document 1, the use of an adsorbent is not described.
In a method in which the organic compounds are adsorbed by activated carbon and undergoes electrolysis, liquid resulting from a secondary treatment of human waste is oxidized by ozone and then passed through an electrolysis apparatus in which granular activated carbon is filled between a cathode and an anode, and a current is supplied between the electrodes so that the organic compounds are occluded and adsorbed for electrolytic oxidation (see Patent Document 2). In the method described in the Patent Document 2, the granular adsorbent is also used as a plurality of electrodes, so the adsorbent must be electrically conductive, limiting the adsorbent to activated carbon. Since the activated carbon works as electrodes, the activated carbon used as the anode is oxidized and thus gradually consumed.
Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-open Publication No. Hei 8(1996)-192162
Patent Document 2: Japanese Application Patent Laid-open Publication No. Sho 59(1984)-127691

Method of treating organic compounds in wastewater


A surface magnet type rotor and an inner magnet type rotor having good motor characteristics in which bonding strength is high between a magnet section and a soft magnetic yoke section, and structural reliability is high even in high speed use, and its producing method. The rotor comprises an anisotropic bond magnet section and a soft magnetic section wherein the anisotropic bond magnet section is preformed in magnetic field and then formed to be integrated with the soft magnetic section in nonmagnetic field. Subsequently, it is heat hardened to produce a surface magnet type rotor. Magnet units, each having a magnetic pole composed by bonding a pair of permanent magnets such that the directions of magnetization become symmetric with respect to the bonding surface, are linked such that magnetic poles of different polarities appear alternately on the magnetic action surface thus forming an anisotropic magnet body. Good motor characteristics can be attained by setting an angle to 5-40° between the direction of magnetization of the permanent magnet and a diametral direction passing the bonding surface.

Conventionally, various structures of a bond magnet rotor of motors have been proposed, which are generally classified into two systems. A first system comprises a so-called surface permanent magnet (referred below to as SPM) rotor, in which permanent magnets are arranged on magnetic pole surfaces as shown in FIGS. 2(a) to 2(c) and 2(f). In contrast, a second system comprises an interior permanent magnet (referred below to as IPM) rotor, in which permanent magnets are arranged in a rotor as shown in FIGS. 2(d) and 2(e). The former SPM rotor is of a type, in which permanent magnets arranged on a rotor surface are opposed to a stator with an air gap therebetween, and which has characteristics in being easy in design and manufacture as compared with the latter IPM rotor. Also, the latter IPM rotor has characteristics in being excellent in structural reliability and easiness, with which reluctance torque is obtained. In addition, an epicyclic type magnet rotor shown in FIG. 2(f) adopts a SPM structure in many cases since there is less risk that magnets centrifugally depart from those base.
For permanent magnet rotors shown in FIG. 2, it is conventionally general to use an adhesive as a way to fix permanent magnets to a surface of, or in a soft magnetic yoke, which is formed from an insulating laminate of silicon steel sheet, casting, forging, or the like.
When a magnet rotor is assembled into a motor to be rotated, there are generated a centrifugal force upon rotation, and magnetic attraction and repulsion between the magnet rotor and a stator. There are also generated vibrations and so on upon rotation. Here, when bonding strength is insufficient between respective magnets and respective soft magnetic yokes, which form a rotor, and between the magnets and the soft magnetic yokes, exfoliation and breakage of the magnets are caused. Since a centrifugal force is increased in substantially proportion to a second power of a rotating speed, such problem becomes serious with high speed rotation. The problem is conspicuous in the case where segment magnets are used as shown in FIG. 2, in particular, in a hypocyclic type SPM rotor, in which magnets are arranged on an outside diametric portion of the rotor as shown in FIGS. 2(a) to 2(c). Further, even in case of using a ring magnet being a single magnet capable of forming a plurality of magnetic poles, a clearance on an adhesive layer is enlarged and a further soft adhesive is used in many cases with a view to avoiding breakage of the magnet due to a difference in coefficient of linear expansion between the magnet and a soft magnetic yoke when a rotor is varied in temperature. In addition, the clearance on the adhesive layer is responsible for an increased dispersion in bonding strength and deviation of positions of bonding. Also, a soft adhesive is generally poor in thermal stability and bonding force. In this manner, there are many technical problems in a bonding work of a magnet rotor irrespective of a shape of a magnet.
From a concern about bonding strength set forth above, as a measure to strength of a hypocyclic type SPM rotor, a protective ring 3 for structural reinforcement, which is made of nonmagnetic stainless steel, fiber reinforced plastic and so on, is in many cases fitted on outer peripheral surfaces of magnets 101 to make up for strength. In such case, however, an effective air gap widens to make magnetic flux from the magnets hard to reach a stator, so that motor output is decreased. Further, a protective ring made of metal such as stainless steel, etc. generates an eddy current loss to lead to a decrease in motor efficiency. In addition, it is apparent that no sufficient bonding strength is obtained between magnets and a soft magnetic yoke since use of a frame and a protective ring for structural reinforcement is premised in JP-A-2001-95185 (Patent Document 1) and JP-A-2003-32931 (Patent Document 2) listed as comparative examples, in which magnets and a soft magnetic yoke are formed integrally. Also, since a ring magnet is wedge-shaped to bite into a yoke owing to macroscopic, outward appearance and shape of the magnet to prevent coming-off from the soft magnetic yoke in JP-A-5-326232 (Patent Document 3) and a magnet is limited to a ring shape in JP-A-7-169633 (Patent Document 4), it is apparent from descriptions regarding a manufacturing method that no sufficient bonding strength is obtained between a magnet and a soft magnetic yoke and the soft magnetic yoke is held only by inner pressure in a ring magnet. In JP-A-2001-052921 (Patent Document 5), temporarily forming under compression and main forming are performed to form a ring-shaped magnet. However, the ring-shaped magnet and a soft magnetic yoke are bonded together by adhesion to be insufficient in bonding strength and reliability.
By the way, permanent magnets include two types of isotropic and anisotropic ones. Isotropic magnets are 20% lower in magnetic properties than anisotropic magnets but have a character that manufacture is easy since there is no need of giving any magnetic field in a process of compression-forming magnetic powder. On the other hand, by charging raw material powder, which possesses axes of easy magnetization and is put in nonmagnetized state, into a metallic die, giving thereto a strong magnetic field in a suitable way to arrange the axes of easy magnetization in a specified direction, and compression-forming in an intact state and sintering, or hardening with a thermosetting resin, an anisotropic magnet is little changed in properties and functions as a permanent magnet. Here, with an anisotropic bond magnet of ferrite or rare-earth, after a raw material is pulverized, magnetic powder 6 is formed under compression in a metallic die, to which a magnetic field is applied as shown in FIG. 4 (arrows A in the drawing indicate a pressing direction). Thereby, from the magnetized magnetic powder 6, powder magnets having magnetic poles N, S along an axis of easy magnetization are produced so as to be generally in conformity with an external magnetic field like a compass needle. When forming under compression is performed in this state, a green compact with aligned axes of easy magnetization is resulted. In addition, an anisotropic magnet is subjected to demagnetization treatment by application of a backing field, or an alternating attenuation magnetic field in the last process of forming in a magnetic field. The green compact is beforehand mixed with a thermosetting resin and subjected to heat curing to be made a bond magnet. A magnet with axes of easy magnetization arranged in this manner is said to be an anisotropic magnet. For an anisotropic magnet, excellent, magnetic properties are obtained only in a direction, in which axes of easy magnetization are aligned.    Patent Document 1: JP-A-2001-95185    Patent Document 2: JP-A-2003-32931    Patent Document 3: JP-A-5-326232    Patent Document 4: JP-A-7-169633    Patent Document 5: JP-A-2001-052921

Rotor for motor and method for producing the same


Provided is an optical system having at least two or more lenses, wherein at least one of the lenses comprises an anti-reflection film formed by a wetting method on a part of or the entirety of the light beam effective surface thereof, and wherein at least one of the lenses other than the lens comprising the anti-reflection film is fixed to the space between the lens and a barrel for holding the lens via an energy-curable resin to be filled therein.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an optical system, a barrel, and optical instrument using the same.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventionally, for an optical element such as a lens or a prism for use in an imaging apparatus such as a camera or the like, an anti-reflection film for preventing the loss of the intensity of incident light or the occurrence of unwanted light such as flares or ghost due to reflected light is installed on the optical surface thereof. For example, for a camera lens, a multilayer film configured by stacking dielectric thin films (typically called "multi-coating") is employed as an anti-reflection film. In the multilayer film, thin films having different refractive indices and having appropriate thicknesses are stacked, whereby the phases and the amplitudes of reflected waves generated on the surfaces (interfaces) of the films are adjusted and interfered with each other so as to reduce reflected light. However, although the multilayer film may exhibit high anti-reflection properties with respect to light beam of the wavelength and the incidence angle used in the design phase, it is difficult for the multilayer film to maintain high anti-reflection properties over a wide wavelength band and a wide incidence angle. Thus, an anti-reflection film with a sub-wavelength structure for maintaining high anti-reflection properties over such a wide wavelength band or a wide incidence angle is known. Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2005-157119 discloses an optical system in which at least one or more optical surfaces of an optical element has a fine concave-convex feature (fine concave-convex periodic structure) having a cycle shorter than that of the visible light wavelength.
However, in the optical system disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2005-157119, there is no description of a method for assembling a lens (optical element) having a fine concave-convex feature to a barrel within the interior of the optical system. In general, for assembling a lens to a barrel, (1) a method using a thrust ring, (2) a method by caulking, (3) a method using adhesive, or the like is used. Here, in the method (1) or (2), pressure (stress) is locally applied to a lens. Consequently, the lens is distorted, resulting in deterioration of the imaging performance of the optical system. A lens of which the central thickness is smaller than the outer diameter thereof by a factor of ten or more is particularly affected by such pressure (stress). On the other hand, in the method (3), the adverse effect of pressure is suppressed by selecting an appropriate adhesive (resin) having a small curing shrinkage ratio, resulting in no occurrence of lens distortion. However, when an adhesive is used, the components contained therein such as a solvent or a monomer may be evaporated or blown away depending on the type of the adhesive. Hence, when such adhesive is used in a sealed space such as the interior of a barrel, a lens may be fogged after being assembled, resulting in deterioration of anti-reflection properties. Since a fine concave-convex structure, a porous film, and the like have a very large surface area, they are particularly and readily affected by such phenomenon as compared with a normal dielectric thin film having a flat optical surface.

Optical system, barrel, and optical instrument using


Techniques for determining grain density of a rock sample include identifying an untreated rock sample that includes a solid matrix and a fluid entrained within the solid matrix; measuring, using a gas porosimeter, a grain density of the untreated rock sample; measuring, using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), a volume of the fluid entrained within the solid matrix; and determining, based on the measured grain density of the untreated rock sample and the measured volume of the fluid, a grain density of the solid matrix of the untreated rock sample.

Grain density of a rock sample can be used as a parameter in evaluating a geological formation. For example, grain density can give an indication of the mineralogy of the rock. Grain density can also be a prerequisite parameter in evaluating formation porosity in density logging. When grain density is used in density logging, the accuracy of the measured grain density should be better than 0.015 grains per milliliter so that the accuracy of measured porosity from a density log can be within 1 percent unit.

Systems and methods for determining grain density of an untreated rock sample using a gas porosimeter and nuclear magnetic resonance


A BD-ROM playback apparatus simultaneously executes playback of a title and execution of an application. The BD-ROM playback apparatus includes a playback control engine (32) for playing an AVClip belonging to one title, and a module manager (34) controlling branching between a plurality of titles, and a BD-J module (35) for executing at least one application. The BD-J module (35) includes a Java virtual machine (38) and an application manager (36). The application manager (36) interprets that the title execution is complete and performs a termination process [1] when no application is run or [2] when the main application has terminated. After execution of the termination process, the module manager (34) selects the next title such as a top menu title.

In the movie business, there is a format called media mix whereby a digitized movie work and a game application are sold in one package. The game application uses characters from the game as characters, and if the game is executed with part of the digitized movie, the synergy effect of playback of the movie playback and execution of the game contributes to increasing the popularity of the movie.
However, while varying in extent between applications, bugs are existent in applications to some degree. Because such bugs are latent in applications, apparatus blackouts may be brushed off as being "par for the course" in the world of computer software, but such blackouts become an issue of quality in the field of consumer devices. Due to such possible ramifications for quality, manufacturers often experience cold feet when it comes to realizing playback apparatuses that execute applications and digital stream playback simultaneously. (Note that "blackout" refers to the software of the apparatus freezing, thus causing darkness on the screen.)

Playback apparatus program and playback method


Apparatus, and an associated method, for providing traffic route visualization. An electronic map device creates a map that is displayable at a user display of a user interface. The map is created through the access of a traffic image data base and a traffic information data base. Information stored at the data bases is obtained in a collaborative effort to provide and maintain updated information thereat. Images stored at the image data base comprise actual image files or photo realistic images that are consolidated together with traffic information. The resultant map is of characteristics permitting quick comprehension by a viewer thereof.

Cartographic techniques have long been utilized to create maps that identify and represent geographical indicia. Travel planning, of course, benefits greatly when maps associated with the anticipated travel are available.
While maps have long been printed on paper, or analogous materials, advancements in technologies have permitted the development of maps that are displayable in additional manners. For instance, through the use of processing circuitry and readily-available, portable display devices, maps of any of many geographical locations are creatable and displayable upon the display device. In some of such electronic map devices, the map is created by retrieving map indicia from a storage element and using the map indicia in the creation of the map display. Storage elements of large storage sizes permit large amounts of map indicia to be stored and to permit the creation of large numbers of different maps. The need otherwise to make available a corresponding number of much bulkier paper, or analogous, maps is obviated.
Electronic map devices are sometimes combined with GPS (Global Positioning System) receivers, or are otherwise provided with positioning information. The positioning information permits the automatic generation of a map at the map device. And, a viewer is able to view a display of the map at a display element of the map device. Thereby, a map display, including a current location at which the electronic map device is positioned is readily available for viewing by a viewer.
To date, however, the displays that are displayed upon an electronic map device are generally of characteristics that are quite similar to paper, or analogous, maps. That is to say, even when presented in electronic form, maps created by electronic map devices are generally presented as a series of two-dimensional images, e.g., roadways are typically identified by, parallel black lines against a background, such as a yellow background. Such representations sometimes require a viewer to exert substantial concentration fully to comprehend the map display. The viewer must mentally convert the two-dimensional images of the map display to actual streets, buildings, bridges, or other physical objects. When the viewer is also operating a motor vehicle, the resulting distraction of the viewer's attention from operation of the motor vehicle might result in a potentially dangerous condition.
While the use of electronic map devices provide many informational and convenient advantages, the displays that are conventionally provided are far from ideal.
Accordingly, if an improved manner could be provided by which to visualize a traffic route, or other map display, the advantages of an electronic map device would be more fully realized.
It is in light of this background information related to cartographic techniques and devices that the significant improvements of the present invention have evolved.

Apparatus, and an associated method, for forming a traffic route visualization

Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.


A coating composition is provided which includes an adhesion promoter or a crosslinker silane which, upon hydrolysis, of its hydrolyzable sites, produces a reduced amount of volatile organic compound compared to that produced by the hydrolysis of a silane possessing an equivalent number of hydrolyzable sites all of which are hydrolyzable alkoxy groups.

Architectural, industrial maintenance, decorative, protective or other coatings are commonly made or used with organic solvents that evaporate during the application of the coating. These solvents can escape into the atmosphere as volatile organic compounds (VOCs). VOCs may be a health, a safety or an environmental hazard and may need to be mitigated or removed from coating systems. Waterborne coatings, though significantly lower in VOCs than solventborne coatings, may also have appreciable VOC levels from the use of coalescing solvents or other agents in their composition.
It is possible to use organofunctional silanes in waterborne, solventborne and other coating systems to improve the properties (adhesion, solvent resistance, weatherability, etc.) of the coating. The use of organofunctional silanes as crosslinkers or adhesion promoters in these systems can contribute to VOCs through the action of water on a hydrolyzable silane. Typical commercial organofunctional silanes are supplied as silane esters and therefore release alcohols upon hydrolysis. These alcohols, such as methanol, ethanol, etc., are typically VOCs.
The preparation of hydrolyzable organofunctional silanes with leaving groups that are not volatile (or much less volatile than alcohols) is desirable to lower or eliminate VOCs in coating compositions containing organofunctional silanes. The prior art does not address the use of silane containing organofunctional groups with reduced VOCs. Accordingly, there exists a need for improved organofunctional silane adhesion promoters and/or crosslinkers to create coatings that have lower VOCs emissions.

Coating composition containing a low VOC-producing silane


An LED lighting assembly may include a printed circuit board with an LED chip, and a heat sink thermally conducted with the printed circuit board, wherein the LED lighting assembly further comprises a light guide body configured as a bulb, the light guide body having an end surface as a light incidence surface of light from the LED chip, an outer surface as a light emergent surface and an inner surface, wherein the inner surface is structured so as to form a reflecting surface, reflecting at least part of light from the end surface to the outer surface.

As everyone knows, LED illumination has irreplaceable advantages, such as energy saving, low power consumption, and electrical-to-optical conversion efficiency near to 100%. It can save more than 80% energy compared with the traditional light source with the same illuminating efficiency and has a longer service life. In view of the above advantages, the LED is more and more used as a light source such as a lot of LED retrofit lamps in the market. Such LED retrofit lamps have the same appearance and profile as the traditional light source such as incandescent lamp or lamp tube, thus they can be more applicable to the existing illuminating systems as a light source.
An LED retrofit lamp is disclosed in the prior art. The LED retrofit lamp has a lamp holder connected with a power supply a heat sink that has one end fixed on the lamp holder and the other end thermally contacting a printed circuit board carrying an LED chip, and a hemispherical bulb provided at the other end of the heat sink to enclose the printed circuit board carrying the LED chip. The heat sink of such LED retrofit lamp is configured to be hollow with an LED driver arranged therein for the LED chip. However, the light intensity distribution of such LED retrofit lamp is not quite uniform because the bulb used as a diffuser usually has a simple structure made from a glass or plastic, while such diffuser cannot distribute the light according to requirements and merely can slightly change the beam angle.
Another prominent shortcoming is a low inner space utilization ratio of such LED retrofit lamp. In the existing LED retrofit lamp, the LED chip usually should be arranged uniformly and symmetrically on the printed circuit board in order to distribute the light on various directions as uniformly as possible. In this situation, the printed circuit board divides the LED retrofit lamp into two parts, i.e. a heat sink part below the printed circuit board, and a bulb part over the printed circuit board. As the LED driver for driving the LED chip is arranged in the heat sink, and the inner space of the heat sink is limited, the volume of the LED driver is required to be reduced as small as possible. As everyone knows, reduction of the volume of the electronic device leads to notable increase of the cost, which obviously increases the cost of the LED retrofit lamp.

LED lighting assembly and an LED retrofit lamp having the LED lighting assembly


This disclosure discloses a RFID-tag structure body comprising an affixed portion to be affixed onto an affixed face; a self-supporting portion self-supported with respect to the affixed face; at least one RFID circuit element having an IC circuit part provided at the self-supporting portion and configured to store information, and a tag antenna connected to the IC circuit part; and a stereo-structure preparation portion configured to realize a three-dimensional structure when being affixed onto the affixed face.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a RFID-tag structure body provided with a RFID circuit element capable of radio communication of information with outside, a RFID label, and an apparatus for producing RFID labels that produces them.
2. Description of the Related Art
A RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) system configured to transmit/receive information contactlessly (electromagnetic coupling method using coil, electromagnetic induction method or electric wave method and the like) with a RFID circuit element storing information is known.
In general, the RFID circuit element is formed as a RFID label on a label-like material, and this RFID label is often affixed onto a target article and the like for classification/organization of various documents/articles, for example. An example of such a RFID label is described in JP, A, 2005-196377, for example.
In the prior art, such configuration is disclosed that a region in a RFID label where the RFID circuit element is not provided is affixed onto an edge portion of a target article to be affixed, while a region where the RFID circuit element is provided is projected outward from the edge portion of the article and a perforation is provided between these two regions so that they can be cut away after affixation.
Recently, applications of the RFID label have become diversified with expansion of its use, and RFID labels in various modes according to the applications are in demand. For example, there emerges a need that a RFID label is to be affixed onto an affixed face made of metal (or affixed face with metal present nearby) such as a spine label of a binder. In such a case, with the above prior art, even if the article is made of metal, the RFID circuit element projects outwardly from the article and is separated from the metal, but since the entire label is simply in a substantially plane shape, the label might be bent by contact, collision or the like and the RFID circuit element having been projected is brought into contact with the metal, which may cause a possible communication failure.

RFID-tag structure body, RFID label, and apparatus for producing RFID labels


A book (1) is disclosed which comprises a predetermined number of pages (2) placed in mutual-superposition relationship and mutually engaged at a binding area (3) thereof, in which each of said pages has a shaping contour (4) having an overall dimension seen in plan which is greater than that of the page superposed thereon to define a profile of the book with a stepwise decreasing extension.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a book. In particular, the invention pertains to a book intended for use by children and therefore typically to a book in which pages have such a structure and conformation to ensure an appropriate strength and the capability Of easily turning over the pages of the book itself.
2. Prior Art
It is known that there are on the market different typologies of books intended for use by children.
In particular, for children of a few years of age, books made of paperboard, wood, plastics or other similar materials have been recently widespread, in which each of the pages has a relatively high thickness and rigidity, thereby ensuring a perfect planar arrangement of the pages, a great strength of the whole brochure and an easy accessibility by the child to the different pages forming the book.
Actually, it is apparent that strength and easy handling are essential requisite features for goods adapted to be used by children.
On the other hand, in this type of goods greatly felt is also the requirement of making books having a pleasant and winning aesthetic aspect. For the purpose, commercially available books bound in paperboards or plasticized have been provided with perimetric edges having the most different shapes so as to give the book particular conformations such as those of animals, flowers, toys, means of transport or still other conformations for example, in order to draw attention to these goods by the public for which they are intended.
In addition, in order to improve both the aesthetic aspect and accessibility to each page, some of these books have been provided, at one side or edge portion thereof, with suitably shaped protuberances to define page-selection areas, of the same type as present in notebooks, or shaped as mere bulges each disposed on a respective page, at mutually offset positions.
Although they are greatly widespread, all books of the above described type in any case have pages of the same shape and therefore define a book that in conclusion has a conformation substantially in two dimensions.
Under this situation, the present invention fundamentally aims at providing a new book which is capable of greatly improving the visual effect offered to the user. In particular, it is a fundamental object of the invention to provide a book capable of greatly increasing the three-dimensional character in the graphic motifs represented thereon.
A further object of the invention is to make a new book for children in which, by virtue of the particular structure and mutual arrangement of pages, an improved handling capability and accessibility to the individual pages is achieved relative to the books of known type presently on the market.
Finally, it is a further object of the invention to provide a book for children which is also feasible in an easy manner, with apparatuses of the traditional type and at reduced costs.


A mixer circuit is provided which incorporates inductive elements for low voltage applications. The circuit consists of a balanced amplifier and a switch composed of transistor pairs driven by a local oscillator signal for multiplying the signal to produce a circuit output signal having a predetermined intermediate frequency. Inductors are used to provide degenerative feedback in the balanced amplifier portion of the circuit. The inductors generate negligible noise and produce a negligible dc voltage drop. The transistors in the circuit are thereby maintained in saturation regions of operation as desired. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, an inductor or, alternatively, a parallel inductor-capacitor circuit, is used as a constant current source in conjunction with the input transistors in the balanced amplifier portion of the circuit.

A. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to microwave mixer circuits which incorporate passive inductive elements as negative feedback components to provide noise reduction and a wide dynamic range for the mixer. More specifically, the present invention uses degenerative inductors in conjunction with the input transistors to maintain linearity of the circuit while reducing problems due to low voltage and thermal noise as discussed hereinafter. In a balanced configuration, the mixer may also include an inductor or a parallel inductor-capacitor resonant circuit to act as a constant current source at RF frequencies to maintain symmetry of the signal from the input stage.
B. Description of Related Art
Various forms of signal multipliers have been known for processing of signals in a wide variety of applications, e.g. mixer and modulator circuits. A two-signal four-quadrant multiplier commonly known as a "Gilbert cell mixer" was described by Gilbert, A Precise Four-Quadrant Multiplier with Subnanosecond Response, IEEE Journal of Solid-State Circuits, Vol. SC-3, pp. 365-373 (Dec. 1968). As described in more detail herein, these circuits typically are composed of two pairs of switching transistors which are cross connected, and which switch the outputs of a further pair of signal input transistors, connected as a balanced amplifier. Mixers using Gilbert cell structures have the advantage of high isolation and positive conversion gain due to the balanced structure of the differential amplifier configuration.
In the conventional Gilbert mixer, degenerative resistive feedback is used with the input transistors to enhance the linearity of the input stage. It has been conventional to use resistors in the circuit, in part, because resistors occupy a smaller area on the integrated circuit than other components may occupy. However, the degenerative resistors generate thermal noise which can substantially degrade the noise figure of the mixer. In addition, the dc voltage drop across the resistors reduces the effective power supply voltage for the transistors in the mixer. This can be offset by an increase in the output voltage of the power source, but such an increase is costly to obtain in battery-powered units. In such cases, the input voltage must be unduly constrained in order to maintain operation of the input transistors in their linear regions. The low voltage can also degrade the operation of the switching transistors.
Another feature of the balanced mixer circuit is the use of a constant current source to maintain a constant total current through the two input transistors. This maintains symmetry in the outputs of these transistors. In the conventional mixer, the constant current source is typically a transistor. The resulting circuit configuration is a three-level stack of transistors. The problem with such a design is that the voltage drop across the constant current source reduces the supply voltage available for the input and switching stages. Again, this is a problem when a lowvoltage power supply is desired.
Other types of modulating circuits for various applications have been known. These applications include modulator-type circuits for generation of amplitude-modulated signals. In addition to AM signal generation, these circuits can be used for automatic gain control, frequency multiplication, phase detection, synchronous AM or FM demodulation, and frequency discrimination. Balanced modulators in general were described in Grebene, Bipolar and MOS Analog Integrated Circuit Design, John Wiley & Sons, pages 469-79 (1984).
None of the aforementioned prior circuits adequately maintain a wide operating range at low power supply voltages. There remains a need, therefore, for a circuit which has a wide operating range even in the presence of a low supply voltage, such as 3.6 volts or lower, and which circuit includes degenerative feedback providing increased linearity of the circuit. Furthermore, there remains a need for a circuit which has a constant current source but which current source does not promote a further drop in the available voltage swing for the input transistors and the switching transistors of the circuit.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a circuit which has a wide dynamic range at low power supply voltages, for example. It is a further object of the invention to use degenerative elements which improve the linearity of the circuit but do not add to a substantial dc voltage drop, thus decreasing the obtainable voltage swing across the transistors of the circuit. It is also an object of the invention to do so with the addition of minimum noise as a low-noise requirement is particularly important in the processing of comparatively weak microwave signals.
It is yet another object of the invention to provide the input transistors with a constant current source which has a negligible dc voltage drop across it. Yet another object of the invention is to meet these needs while allowing for convenient adaptability within microwave integrated circuits and remaining within the space limitations encountered in such integrated circuit technology.

Low noise mixer circuit having passive inductor elements


A longitudinal frame supports a seat whose longitudinal position on the frame is adjustable. A pair of footbeams are mounted on either side of the forward end of the frame near the floor and extend generally upwardly. The footbeams independently pivot on the frame so that the user can operate them in an alternating reciprocating fashion. Pivotal movement of the footbeams by the user is resisted, thereby requiring the user to expend energy in operating the device. The footbeams are preferably interconnected so that their respective movements are coordinated. In alternative embodiments, the footbeams pivot about a point just below the seat. The seat can also be adapted to recline. The footbeams can also be replaced by a crank with footpedals that are used to drive a flywheel and a generator.

There are a wide variety of well-known exercise devices for developing the muscle groups of the legs. For example, the leg press exercise, whereby a recumbent person pushes against a resistance with one or both legs, may be performed on a number of dedicated exercise machines and on many multi-station machines as well.
Another class of leg exercise devices are those that simulate riding a bicycle. Generally these are intended to provide aerobic exercise in addition to development of the leg muscles. Some such devices are generally upright in the manner of a conventional bicycle, while others are configured so that the user is in a recumbent position while pedalling. Such a position provides greater support for the user's back and is generally more comfortable, especially for extended periods of use.
Recently, a number of exercise machines have been commercially introduced that simulate stair climbing. These devices are also generally intended to provide aerobic exercise as well as development of the leg muscles. One example of such a device is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,838,543.
One of the objects of the present invention is to provide an exercise apparatus that combines the comfort and support of a recumbent exercise position with a striding-type of exercise such as is afforded by conventional upright devices of the type that simulate stair climbing.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a recumbent leg exerciser that offers greater resistance than a conventional stair-climbing exerciser.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a recumbent leg exerciser that selectively emphasizes different muscle groups.