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Measurements of the oxygen saturation of the blood in the fundus of the eye are very instrumental for prevention and diagnosis of geriatric brain diseases such as hypertension and arterial sclerosis and also for premature infant monitoring.
In order to obtain information about the blood in the eye fundus, it is not sufficient to merely know the status of blood vessels in the eye fundus and thus necessary to carry on spectral analysis. In the case of this type of analysis, however, great difficulties are expected in discriminating the reflection or absorption of light by the eye fundus blood from the reflection of light on the surfaces of the cornea and the crystalline lens or absorption of light by various cell layers in the eye fundus. Accordingly, there has been no prior art device available which could measure the oxygen saturation of the blood in the eye fundus. | {
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The use of image reversal in microelectronic fabrication has been widely used for applications where self-alignment of a gate electrode to an underlying implant is needed. This is particularly the case for the process of commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 4,613,402 issued Sep. 23, 1986 to Losee et al entitled "Method of Making Edge-Aligned Implants and Electrodes Therefor". Common image reversal processes rely on the use of an oxidizable layer such as polysilicon to achieve a reversed image. A patterned layer of silicon nitride residing on a polysilicon layer provides openings which expose the surface of the polysilicon layer. By oxidizing the surface of the exposed polysilicon one can reverse the image of the nitride onto the polysilicon. This is done by etching off the nitride and patterning the polysilicon using the oxidized surface of the polysilicon as an etch mask. The resultant pattern in the polysilicon gate is the reversed image of the originally patterned nitride layer. Key disadvantages to such a process include the high temperature needed to oxidize the surface of the polysilicon and the many process steps needed to exact a result. | {
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1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to ink jet printer maintenance stations, and, more particularly, to maintenance stations for color ink jet printers having printheads arranged radially around a print drum.
2. Description of the Related Art
Ink jet printers are used widely due to their low cost of operation, low energy use and quiet operation. Ink jet printing involves ejection of tiny ink droplets through small nozzles in a controlled manner to create the desired image. Ink is supplied from an ink reservoir to a printing head, which includes various passageways from the reservoir to the nozzle orifices. Energy is applied to the ink from an ink droplet generator near each orifice, which may include the application of electrostatic attraction, the application of oscillating forces from piezo elements, the application of heat from heating elements or the like.
During the printing process, stray droplets and pools of ink can accumulate around the nozzles on the plate surface, and the accumulations thereof can interfere with the trajectory of subsequently ejected ink droplets, thereby affecting print quality. Paper dust, fibers and debris can also accumulate on the nozzle plate, with much the same detrimental effect. To maintain proper and acceptable performance from an ink jet printhead, periodically it is necessary to perform maintenance or cleaning functions on the printhead. It is known to provide a maintenance station at which such maintenance or cleaning functions are performed.
During periods of inactivity, ink forming a meniscus in the nozzles is exposed to air, and can dry or harden, plugging the nozzle. To minimize and delay such xe2x80x9csoft pluggingxe2x80x9d in the nozzles, the printhead is capped, to maintain an appropriate humid environment around the nozzles. However, the cap must appropriately seal to the printhead to maintain the humid environment for an extended period of time. If the cap does not seal properly to the printhead, the sealed humid environment around the nozzles is lost, and ink drying in the nozzles can occur more quickly.
For inkjet printers having one or more printheads mounted more or less in line on a carriage that moves back an forth across the media being printed, to eject ink droplets on the media, arrangement and operation of an appropriate maintenance station is known. However, it also is possible to use a printing drum, with printheads mounted radially around the drum, to eject ink droplets directly on the drum for transfer to the desired media, or to direct ink directly on the media held on the drum. Since the printheads are arranged radially around the drum, the maintenance station must also have a radial orientation to effectively operate upon the printhead nozzle plates. When not in use, the maintenance station must not interfere with carriage movement.
What is needed in the art is a simple maintenance station that provides capping and wiping operations for radially mounted ink jet printheads.
The present invention provides a radially arranged maintenance station for wiping and capping radially arranged printheads.
The invention comprises, in one form thereof, an ink jet printer with a printer frame; a print drum supported by the frame; and a plurality of printheads arranged radially of the drum. A printhead maintenance station is disposed at an end of the print drum. The station includes a rotatable maintenance cylinder having a periphery, a plurality of caps located at the periphery of the maintenance cylinder; and means for rotating the cylinder and moving the caps radially in the maintenance cylinder between a radially inward position and a radially outward position. A carriage means moves the plurality of the printheads along the print drum and over the maintenance cylinder.
The invention comprises, in another form thereof, a maintenance station for an ink jet printer. A camming spool has first and second camming spool end plates. A core spool has first and second core spool end plates. A capping slide has a carrier, a nozzle plate cap carried on the carrier and mounting means suspending the carrier between the first and second core spool end plates and between the first and second camming spool end plates. The camming spool defines a camming spool guide path for the mounting means between a radially inner position and a radially outer position. The core spool defines a core spool guide path for the mounting means between a radially inner position and a radially outer position. A drive system rotates the core spool and the camming spool both jointly with and independently of each other.
The invention comprises, in a further form thereof, a method for servicing a plurality of printheads arranged radially of a print drum. The method steps include providing a maintenance station at an end of the drum, the maintenance station including a rotatable cylinder and a plurality of radially arranged retractable caps, one of the caps for each of the printheads; moving the printheads axially outward of the drum and in alignment with the maintenance station; rotating the cylinder, and elevating the caps into sealing relationship with the printheads.
An advantage of the present invention is providing a maintenance station for printheads arranged radially around a printing drum in an ink jet printer.
Another advantage is providing a maintenance station for radially arranged printheads that does not interfere with movement of the printheads during non-maintenance operations, and that is easy to align properly with the printheads.
Yet another advantage is providing a maintenance station having nozzle plate caps that can be elevated and retracted. | {
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Reflecting mirrors can have different shapes in order to achieve different focal lengths, and some mirrors have deformable shapes to achieve a variable focal length.
German Patent No. DE 100 01 900 A1 discloses a deformable mirror with a mirror disk and an actuator that engages concentrically on the rear side of the mirror surface. The actuator acts on a ring that is disposed behind the mirror disk and is preferably formed integrally with the mirror disk. The sphere of the mirror surface can be influenced by the cross-sectional geometrical shape of the ring and also by a centrally symmetrical weakening of the mirror disk and by static overpressure of a fluid-filled chamber behind the mirror disk.
According to the technical teaching of German Patent No. DE 39 00 467 A1, the rear side of a mirror can have a cavity and this cavity is pressurized with a larger or smaller pressure to change the geometrical shape of the mirror thereby.
In a deformable mirror according to the teaching of German Patent No. DE 100 52 249 A1, the deformable mirror element is coolable by a medium when used as a laser beam guiding component with a housing with associated mirror element.
Spherical optical elements, such as lenses or mirrors, can only focus beams close to the optical axis with a small imaging error because increasing axial separation increases imaging errors due to spherical aberration. Moreover, increasing separation and enlargement of the angle to the optical axis produces astigmatism.
One known possibility to reduce these imaging errors is to use an additional deflection mirror. As shown in FIG. 5, a generated laser beam 17 can reflect off of a circular reflecting surface of a mirror 18 that can be deformed by pressurization. An additional deflection mirror 19 is required to guide the laser beam 17 at a small angle to the adaptive mirror 18. Two mirrors are required to obtain adjustable focusing of the laser beam in the processing head of the laser-processing machine.
An imaging mirror requires aspherical deformations of the reflecting surface of the mirror for large beam deflecting angles (from the optical axis), in particular 90° deflections, in contrast to spherical mirrors, wherein the aspherical deformations can be generated (e.g., by adaptive mirrors having an elliptical or oval reflecting surface which can be loaded with pressure). Mirrors of this type are demanding to realize. | {
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The use of a whisk in mixing ingredients often involves mixtures which stick to the loops of the whisk, which makes returning this portion of the mixture to the mixing bowl, and subsequently cleaning the whisk, difficult. After shaking the whisk over the bowl, a cook's only other option has been to try to wipe the wire loops between their fingers. In the end the whisk has been rinsed in the sink, a slow process resulting in the loss of ingredients down the drain. Since whisks have a cage like structure it is not possible to clean them effectively with cleaning implements which are applied from the outside of the whisk as the inner surfaces remain inaccessible.
Electric mixers and egg beaters have addressed this same problem with centrifugal cleaning. The mixer is run at high speed to shake off any stuck mixture. So called “self-cleaning beaters” are simply beaters that have no center posts so that the centrifugal cleaning can be more effective. This is essentially only a high speed version of shaking the whisk over the bowl.
While there have not been innovative solutions to cleaning the cooks whisks there have been a few innovations in the device itself. The 2005 Hughes U.S. patent application 20070084063 teaches a whisk that includes a protrusion from the handle which has the advantage of keeping the loops of the whisk up off the surface when the whisk is set down. This allows for a more sanitary kitchen as the loops of the whisk do not come into contact with counter tops. Similarly, the 2008 Lion U.S. patent application 20080043568 features a whisk having an additional clip to allow the whisk to be supported on the edge of the mixing bowl. The 2006 Settele U.S. Pat. No. 7,044,631 teaches a collar which can be placed on a conventional whisk which has the benefit, once it is drawn up away from the handle, of collapsing the loops of the whisk and thereby making the whisk more compact for storage. This collar has the added benefit of being applicable to a conventional whisk and does not require one to be manufactured specifically with the device.
While the problem of cleaning the complex structure of the whisk has not been addressed by the prior art, methods of cleaning other complex structures have been taught. Solutions to the problem of cleaning the many bristles of a comb has been taught in several patents including the 1946 Heyman U.S. Pat. No. 2,437,298 which teaches a simple fabric strip having a row of perforations coinciding with the bristles of a conventional flat comb. The fabric strip is pulled down to the base of the comb where it remains until it is time to clean the comb at which point it is pulled off taking the caught hair and debris with it. Similarly the 1977 Peilet U.S. Pat. No. 4,001,910 teaches a comb having a perforated plate which lifts up from the back of the comb, each perforation having a single bristle passing through it and including flexible wiping flaps to wipe the bristle clean as the plate is lifted.
An advantage of using flexible wiping flaps or blades, as in a squeegee, in cleaning an object is their ability to flexibly conform to the surface being cleaned. The 1933 Pelz U.S. Pat. No. 1,934,556 teaches a C shaped squeegee able to clean a trapezoidal box successfully on all sides, the squeegee blade edges flexibly conforming to the surfaces. The 1971 Fink U.S. Pat. No. 3,583,018 teaches a squeegee consisting of a slit in a rubbery sheet which will remove most debris from golf club head, the opposed edges of the slits acting as squeegees.
Scrapers, wipers and squeegees which are in opposed pairs have not been previously used in cleaning a whisk type structure but have been employed as an effective cleaning structure in many devices. The 1960 Hercer U.S. Pat. No. 2,941,224 is one of many spatula cleaners employing opposed wipers or scrapers. The 1990 Tremblay U.S. Pat. No. 4,891,859 teaches a wiper system consisting of opposed squeegees to clean a motor vehicle dipstick.
While the cleaning of a whisk type structure does not appear to be in any prior art, the references sited demonstrate the efficacy of cleaning a complex structure with opposed squeegees disposed to follow the contours of the item to be cleaned. | {
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A conventional flow controlling device has been developed that enables a simple interface from the outside to a setting device (a digital instrument, or the like) that sets the flow rate. As an example, there is a known flow controlling device for controlling and adjusting a valve in order to measure the flow of a fluid that is flowing in a flow path, and to control an adjusting valve through controlling means so that the flow of the fluid, which flows through the flow path, will match the flow that has been set. (See, for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication 2000-205917 (Page 3 through Page 6, with Page 6 in Particular, and FIG. 1) (“JP '917”)).
Additionally, methods for setting the flow for the flow setting device include a method for accessing using analog signals and a method wherein a setting value is inputted using input keys that are provided on a setting device that is connected to the flow controlling device. There is also a method for sending the setting value from a personal computer that is connected so as to enable communications between the flow controlling device and the personal computer through an RS-485 cable, or the like. A conventional flow controlling device will be explained below for the case of the analog signals, one of the setting methods.
FIG. 2 is a structural diagram illustrating a first electric current route for a valve driving electric current of a flow controlling device used conventionally for controlling flow rates using analog signals. In FIG. 2, code 1 is a setting device for outputting, through multiple channels, analog signals (flow setting signals), in accordance with the flow rate that has been set. The operator is able to set the flow rate at will for each channel. Code 2 is a flow controlling device A, and 3 is a flow controlling device B. These flow controlling devices 2 and 3 are connected, in a plurality thereof and in a mutually non-isolated state, to each channel of the setting device 1. Each channel (CH1, CH2) of the setting device has a respective positive terminal (+) and negative terminal (−), and are connected together to enable conductance so that the negative terminals of each are at the same potential (that is, they are in a non-isolated state). While the flow controlling devices 2 and 3 will be explained below, because codes 2 and 3 have identical structures, the details will be explained for the flow controlling device A of code 2.
The flow controlling device A comprises a solenoid valve 10 for adjusting the opening of a flow path through which a gas, or the like, passes in this device, a valve driving circuit 11 for driving the solenoid valve 10, a microcomputer 12, as a controlling device for outputting an instruction signal to the valve driving circuit 11, and an analog inputting circuit 13 for receiving an analog signal from the setting device 1 and sending it to the microcomputer 12. It further comprises a first power supply circuit 14 and a second power supply circuit 15 which are supplied direct current electric power from the external power supply 4. Note that the microcomputer 12 is, for example, a single-chip microcomputer, comprising a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM (not shown) internally. Note that while, of course, the following structures (1) through (5) that are disclosed as the flow measuring device in JP '917, below, are provided in the flow rate measuring device A, for convenience in understanding the drawings, they are omitted from the drawings: (1) a flow path wherein a fluid flows; (2) a detecting element for detecting the flow of the fluid that is flowing in the flow path; (3) a signal processing circuit for processing a detection signal that is outputted from the detecting element; (4) a converting device for converting, into a digital signal, an analog signal that is outputted from the signal processing circuit; and (5) a calculating device for outputting the flow rate of the fluid that is flowing in the flow path, based on the digital signal outputted from the converting device. Additionally, the functions of these structures (1) through (5) are disclosed in JP '917 and are thus omitted in the descriptions.
Additionally, when a plurality of flow controlling devices for gases for, for example, burner combustion are used, the individual flow controlling devices 2 and 3 are connected to the analog output channels (CH1, CH2, . . . ) of the setting device 1, and a method is used wherein flow setting signals are sent to the respective flow controlling devices 2 and 3 from the setting device 1.
However, for reasons having to do with cost, many of the users of the setting device 1 use a type wherein there is no isolation between the individual output channels. In the conventional flow controlling device wherein the flow is set by an analog signal, or in JP '917 that uses this type of setting device 1, when connecting to the shared external power supply 4, the driving electric current from the valve driving circuit that drives the solenoid valve flows not only through the electric current route I1 illustrated by the dotted line in FIG. 2, above, but also flows through the electric current route I2, indicated by the double dotted line (where only one of polarity side of the power supply line is illustrated).
That is, when one focuses on the flow controlling device 2, when, in the setting device 1 the voltage is set to between 0 and 5 V, then, normally, an electric current of the order of only several dozen microamps flows into the analog inputting circuit 13 of the flow controlling device 2. However, the electric current that drives the solenoid valve is, at most, in the order of several hundred milliamps (mA). This valve driving electric current also flows through the setting device 1 and the flow controlling device 3 into the electric current route I2, illustrated by the double dotted line. When this happens, there is an effect on the signal of the analog inputting circuit 13, producing error also in the setting value that is inputted into the microcomputer 12. Furthermore, because the flow controlling device 2 normally operates so as to cause the flow to match the flow setting value, if there is a change in the setting value for the flow, or a change in the pressure of the gas that is supplied, then there will be a large change in the electric current for driving the valve, which means that the effect on the analog inputting circuit 13 will also vary.
Furthermore, FIG. 3 is a structural diagram showing the same structure as in FIG. 2, illustrating a second electric current route, and shows both the electric current route I1 and the electric current route I2 from when the flow controlling device 3 was considered. The valve driving electric current for the flow controlling device 3 flows also in the analog inputting circuit of this device 3, and this valve-driving electric current also flows into the analog inputting circuit 13 of the flow controlling device 2. The result is that the change in the valve driving electric current of the flow controlling device 3 produces a variation in the flow setting value for the flow controlling device 2. Furthermore, because changes in the valve driving electric current of the flow controlling device 2 has an effect also on the flow controlling device 3, so the flow controlling device 2 and the flow controlling device 3 interfere with each other, and the greater the number of connected flow controlling devices, the more the complex mutual interactions, which has a deleterious effect on the stability of the flow setting values, producing a problem with a deleterious effect on the stability of the controlled flow.
In order to solve this type of problem, one might consider just isolating the power supply circuits that provide the power supply to the analog inputting circuit or the valve driving circuit. While one might consider placing an isolator before the signal from the setting device is inputted into the analog inputting circuit in order to isolate the analog inputting circuit, this approach has the drawbacks that there will be error in the setting if the signal is not converted accurately, and that the cost is high. In contrast, in the method of isolating the power supply circuit, one may consider adding an isolating DC-DC converter to the power supply circuit. In this case, there is no problem even if there is a conversion error of several percent on the power supply side, and the approach of isolating the power supply circuit side is also better in terms of costs.
FIG. 4 is a structural diagram of the case wherein an isolating DC-DC converter is connected as, specifically, a third power supply circuit 16 to the power supply circuits of the flow controlling devices 2 and 3 in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, above, where although this is technology relevant to the present invention, it is not yet known publicly. Note that the individual structures were explained in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 above, so will be omitted in the explanation for FIG. 4. The solenoid valves 10 of the flow controlling devices 2 and 3 have different orifice diameters depending on the range of the flows controlled, and so will have different requirements for the driving forces, or in other words, will have different required maximum drive electric currents.
Here, in FIG. 4 wherein the third power supply circuit 16 (the isolating DC-DC converter) is connected to the flow controlling devices 2 and 3, the flow controlling devices 2 and 3 are in identical states, so here the explanation will focus on only the electric current route I2 in the valve driving circuit 11 of the valve controlling device 2. Here the electric current in the valve driving circuit 11 is first blocked at the C1 position, as with the electric current route I1, so that there is no flow directly into the external power supply 4. Additionally, the electric current route I2 attempts to flow through the analog inputting circuit 13 of the flow controlling device 2 and the setting device 1 into the analog inputting circuit 13 of the flow controlling device 3 as well, but because this electric current is blocked at the C2 position by the third power supply circuit 16 (the isolating DC-DC converter) of the flow controlling device 3, the interference between the flow controlling device 2 and the flow controlling device 3 due to this electric current, as explained using FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, is completely eliminated.
However, the flow controlling devices 2 and 3 require the use of a DC-DC converter with a capacity compatible with the maximum drive electric current of the solenoid valve 10, which will vary depending on the maximum flow of, for example, the gas flowing therethrough. In particular, if the flow controlling devices 2 and 3 are used for large flows, then a large driving electric current will be necessary because the orifice diameters will be large, requiring the use of a high-capacity DC-DC converter, which is costly and physically large. Because of this, there are a number of drawbacks, such as not being able to generalize the third power supply circuit 16 (DC-DC converter), and not being able to generalize the circuit board for mounting the third power supply circuit 16, the analog inputting circuit, the valve driving circuit, and the like.
The object of the present invention is to provide a flow controlling device capable of eliminating the interferences between flow controlling devices, even when connecting a plurality of flow controlling devices to a single setting device. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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The present invention relates to an apparatus for tissue treatment, such as cosmetic tissue treatment.
It is known to utilise laser light for tissue treatment, such as cosmetic tissue treatment, such as dermal ablation, removal of hair, photocoagulation of veins, etc.
During dermal ablation, a laser ablates a thin epidermal layer of illuminated derma of a patient. During healing, a new epidermal layer is formed on the ablated surface having the look of the derma of a young person; i.e. the new epidermal layer is formed without previously existing scars, wrinkles, etc.
Lasers that operate at a wavelength that is absorbed in water are used for dermal ablation. When the laser power density (W/mm2) at illuminated cells is sufficient, cellular water is superheated causing small explosions that disrupt heated cells.
During photocoagulation of veins, such as spider veins or spider nevi, regions along the vein are subject to selective photothermolys is. The vein is cut off and the pigment, usually blood, is eventually reabsorbed by the body of the patient.
Hair removal is effected by directing a laser beam at a hair follicle to destroy the hair follicle and its adjacent blood vessels by the heat produced by photothermolysis.
During treatment of tissue, such as an epidermal layer, hair, veins, etc, it is essential not to damage underlying or surrounding tissue. Residual heat may cause untreated cells to char and become necrotic, whereby scars may be formed. Thus, it is desirable to apply laser power only to tissue to be treated and only for a short time, to minimise transmission of conducted heat to underlying and surrounding tissue.
To some extend this has been obtained by selective photothermolysis, i.e. laser light is utilised having a wavelength that is selectively absorbed by tissue to be treated and that is not absorbed by the surrounding and healthy tissue. The selective absorption of the laser light causes selective photothermolysis in the tissue to be treated.
It is also known to automatically control whether or not light is transmitted towards tissue of a certain type. In U.S. Pat. No. 5,531,740, an apparatus is disclosed for automatically delivering a laser beam to an intricated coloured region of a treatment area, e.g. for laser photocoagulation treatment of malformed veins. Typically, venular malformation forms an extremely intricate pattern and consequently, the task of precisely delivering the laser beam exclusively to the malformed veins becomes quite formidable. During scanning over the treatment region, the colour of tissue to be treated is detected and the laser automatically treats only areas having a specified colour.
It is a disadvantage of the apparatus that it is bulky and cannot easily be moved into treatment positions in relation to various surfaces of a human body. Rather, a tissue surface to be treated has to be brought into a specific position in relation to the apparatus before treatment can take place.
It is still another disadvantage of the known apparatuses that the distance between the surface to be treated and the output laser beam optics is unknown so that the degree of focusing of the laser beam on the surface to be treated is dependent on the operator.
It is yet another disadvantage of known apparatuses that no feedback on the quality of the treatment currently in progress is provided.
It is therefore desired to accurately control the amount of light energy transferred to tissue to be treated. The amount of energy must be sufficient for the treated cells to photothermolyse, i.e. decompose because of heat generated by light absorption, and, simultaneously, the amount of residual energy heating untreated cells must be so low that untreated cells will not be damaged.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for tissue treatment in which one or more tissue parameters are detected and comprising a display for displaying tissue features based on the detected tissue parameters.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for tissue treatment, comprising user interface means for selecting areas of tissue for treatment based on the displayed tissue features.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for tissue treatment in which parameters of the laser beam is automatically adjusted according to one or more detected tissue parameters. This may facilitate different treatment of different tissue features in a single operation.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for tissue treatment that include means for detecting the distance between the surface of tissue to be treated and the output optics focusing treating light onto the tissue so that optimum focusing conditions may automatically be obtained during treatment.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for tissue treatment that includes a temperature measuring device for measurement of tissue temperature.
It is yet still another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for tissue treatment that is adapted to automatically and accurately treat tissue to a desired depth causing only a minimum of damage to surrounding tissue that are not treated.
According to the present invention, the above-mentioned and other objects are fulfilled by an apparatus for tissue treatment, comprising a light source for emission of a light beam towards tissue to be treated, a handpiece with an output for emission of the treating light beam, a detector means for detection of at least one tissue parameter, and a display for displaying a map of the at least one tissue parameter.
According to another aspect of the present invention, the above-mentioned and other abjects are fulfilled by an apparatus for tissue treatment having a light source for emission of a treating light beam towards tissue to be treated, detector means for detection of tissue temperature and a display f or displaying a map of tissue temperature.
The light beam ma y be emitted from a handpiece.
The handpiece may be adapted to be held in one hand by an operator and may be freely manipulated for easy aiming of the light beam towards various areas of a patient.
It is preferred to shape the handpiece ergonomically so that a comfortable hand grip is provided for the operator of the apparatus. For example, it is preferred to direct the light beam towards a target area at a substantially right angle to the area. The ergonomic form of the handpiece allows the operator to point the light beam at a substantially right angle to the target surface without having to bend the wrist in an uncomfortable way.
Preferably, the handpiece is light so that it is easy for the operator to hold the handpiece and bring it into any desired position in relation to the target surface to be treated. The weight of a preferred handpiece according to the present inventionxe2x80x94interconnecting cables not includedxe2x80x94is less than 500 grams, such as 290 grams, or such as 250 grams.
The handpiece may comprise the light source, such as a laser, such as a solid state laser, e.g. a laser diode.
Alternatively, the apparatus may comprise an optical fibre for transmission of the light beam from the light source to the handpiece. The fibre has a beam-inlet end that is aligned with the emitted light beam so that a light beam is coupled into the optical fibre and a beam-outlet end for emission of the transmitted light beam. The handpiece is coupled to the optical fibre at the beam-outlet end and comprises an output for emission of the light beam towards a target area of tissue to be treated.
It is preferred, that the light source utilised in the present invention is a laser, but other light sources, such as light emitting diodes and halogen bulbs, may be utilised.
The power emitted by the light source utilised is dependent on the specific application of the light source. For example, when removing hairs, a method is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,925,035, ThermoLase Corporation, wherein a substance, such as a mixture of carbon particles and oil, may be applied to the tissue area to be treated. The substance may then enter the hair duct and light of a wavelength readily absorbed in the substance may illuminate the area to be treated. The power of the light source, preferably a laser, such as a Nd YAG laser, is then chosen so that the carbon particles are heated to a temperature sufficient to devitalise the tissue feeding the hair so that the hair dies.
Another example is the use of the light source to merely activate cells, such as tissue cells, bacteria, or viruses being present in or at the tissue. These cells may be present inherently or they may be applied e.g. for the purpose of Photon Dynamic Therapy, and in most cases the cells to be treated are undesired and the aim of the treatment is to destroy, activate, damage or in any other way affect the cells to obtain a desired treatment of these cells.
Alternatively, the light source may be any laser capable of emitting light with sufficient power for illuminated cells to decompose, such as CO2 lasers, YAG lasers, such as Erbium YAG lasers, Holmium YAG lasers, Nd YAG lasers, etc., semiconductor lasers, pulsed lasers, gas lasers, solid state lasers, Hg lasers, excimer lasers, etc.
Thus, the laser may be used for ablating a thin epidermal layer of the derma of a patient, removing marks on the tissue, such as marks from chloasma, liver spots, red spots, tattoos, blood vessels just below the surface, etc, as well as warts, wounds, hair follicles, etc.
Present CO2 lasers emit light at a wavelength of 10600 nm. The CO2 laser is particularly well suited as a light source in an apparatus for ablating dermal cells as water has a high energy absorbance at 10600 nm and the CO2 laser is capable of reliably delivering the required laser power.
Erbium YAG lasers emit light at a wavelength of 2930 nm. Water absorbs less energy at this wavelength than at 10600 nm. Therefore, the Erbium YAG laser may be preferred for ablating thinner layers of dermal cells than may be ablated with a CO2 laser. Tissue having been treated with light emitted from an Erbium YAG laser may heal faster than tissue having been treated with CO2 laser light as a thinner layer of dermal cells is influenced by Erbium YAG laser light. An Erbium YAG laser may also be preferred when photocoagulation of blood vessels should be avoided.
A CO laser emits light in the 4500 nm to 5500 nm wavelength range. Water absorption at these wavelengths is somewhat less than water absorption at 10600 nm. A CO laser light source is presently preferred for dental treatment, e.g. for removal of carries, as dentine is not influenced by illumination of light from a CO laser.
A Nd YAG laser with a frequency doubled output beam in the 520-680 nm wavelength range is presently preferred as a light source for treatment of hypervasculation. Light in this wavelength range causes photocoagulation of blood without affecting surrounding tissue provided that an appropriate intensity of the light beam is directed towards the microvessels for an appropriate period of time. Coagulation stops blood flow in the treated vessels whereby discoloration of the skin also stops.
Cellular water absorbs light energy, and applying light energy to the cells is therefore an efficient way of ablating tissue. Thus, for tissue ablation, it is preferred to use light sources, such as lasers, generating light at wavelengths with a high absorption in water, preferably wavelengths larger than 190 nm, such as wavelengths in the range from 190 nm to 1900 nm, preferably from 700 nm to 900 nm, and even more preferred approximately 810 nm, or, preferably wavelengths larger than 1900 nm, such as wavelengths in the range from 1900 nm to 3000 nm, preferably from 1900 nm to 2200 nm, preferably from 1900 nm to 2100 nm, or, from 2800 nm to 3000 nm, and even more preferred approximately 2930 nm, or wavelengths equal to or greater than 4500 nm, such as wavelengths in the range from 4500 nm to 11000 nm, preferably from 4500 nm to 5500 nm, alternatively from 10000 nm to 11000 nm, such as around 10600 nm.
Typically, a power density greater than about 50 W/mm2, such as a power density in the range from about 50 W/mm2 to about 180 W/mm2, is adequate for vaporising cells with a minimum of damage to the surrounding tissue.
However, when removing hairs, the wavelength of the light is preferred to be approx. 810 nm. At this wavelength the absorption of the light in the hair follicles is lower than at higher wavelengths, and the energy density must therefore be higher than 50 J/cm2, preferable not higher than 150 J/cm2, preferably approximately 100 J/cm2. The pulse width may vary from 50 ms and to several seconds. In one preferred embodiment of the invention a pulse width of 50-100 ms, such as approx. 100 ms, is used. But also longer pulse widths, such as pulse widths of 50 ms-3 seconds, such as 50-500 ms, or such as 100 ms-1 second, such as approx. 250 ms, approx. 500 ms, or such as approx. 1 second, may be used.
Generally, the power density and/or the energy density is adapted to the wavelength applied and the tissue to be treated.
The optical fibre for interconnection of the light source with the handpiece according to an embodiment of the present invention may be any fibre, such as a polycrystalline silver halide fibre for transmission of infrared light, etc, that is suitable for transmission of light emitted from the light source and that is made of a material that allows repeated bending of the fibre, so that the handpiece can be freely manipulated for easy aiming of the light beam towards various areas of a patient. It is of course envisaged that the fibre used is adapted to the applied light source. For the interconnection of a light source emitting light in the visible wavelength range or near infrared range it is preferred to use a quartz fibre doped according to the specific wavelength range.
Tissue or tissue features may be classified into specific tissue types according to predetermined values of various parameters, such as colour, temperature, texture, elasticity, size, shape, etc.
For example, various tissue features, such as marks on the tissue, such as marks from chloasma, liver spots, red spots, tattoos, blood vessels just below the surface, etc, as well as warts, wounds, hair follicles, etc, may be detected by their colour. Thus, the detector means may comprise light detectors for detection of intensity of light emitted from tissue at the target area, the target area being the area to be treated by the light beam or being the area the handpiece is currently directed at.
Further, certain types of tissue, such as small marks on the tissue such as marks from chloasma, liver spots, red spots, tattoos, blood vessels, beauty spots, freckles, etc, to be treated are characterised by the shape or the size of the area covered by the type of tissue in question. For example, when treating different types of marks of substantially identical colours it may be desirable to treat each type of mark differently and according to the respective size or shape of the type of mark in question.
The light detector is preferably a semiconductor light detector, such as a photodiode, etc.
The light detector may be positioned inside the handpiece.
The target area may be illuminated by an illuminating light source, such as a white light source, and the reflected light from the target area may be detected by the detector means and analysed so as to characterise the type of tissue that is illuminated.
Further, illuminating light sources emitting light of different predetermined wavelengths towards the target area may be provided. For example, the illuminating light sources may comprise two light emitting diodes, one for emission of light in the wavelength range where the light is considered red and the other for emission of light in the wavelength range where the light is considered green. Also the illuminating light sources may comprise three, four or even more light emitting diodes for emission of light of different wavelength ranges. The light sources may alternatively emit light in the ultra violet or infrared wavelength range. Light from the light sources is transmitted towards the target area and is reflected by tissue at the target area. The reflected light is detected by the detector means and the intensity of reflected light in the two or more wavelength ranges in question characterises one or more parameters of tissue that is illuminated.
The illuminating light source or light sources illuminating the target area may be positioned inside the handpiece.
The apparatus for tissue treatment may comprise an infrared detector, such as an infrared photo detector, for detection of intensity of infrared light emitted from tissue at the target surface, e.g. for determination of the temperature of the tissue. Like colour, temperature may be utilised for characterisation of tissue features. Further, tissue temperature may be utilised for monitoring of treatment progress and quality. The temperature of treated tissue increases during treatment and measurement of tissue temperature may be utilised for verification of the effect of the treatment. For example, when a specific tissue temperature is reached within a specific area, treatment of that tissue may be terminated, e.g. further treatment may be inhibited, as sufficient treatment has already been accomplished. Further, if a certain temperature has not been reached during treatment, output power of the light source may be increased to increase efficiency of the treatment.
The infrared detector may be positioned in the handpiece.
The apparatus is adapted to display a map of tissue features of an area of tissue on a display unit, such as a CRT, an LCD, a TFT display, etc. Tissue features may be characterised by specific values of certain parameters, such as colour, temperature, thickness, texture, elasticity, size, and shape, etc, or by values of mathematical functions of such parameters.
Tissue features may be displayed as graphical three dimensional plots showing surface profiles of selected mathematical functions of tissue parameters of the mapped area.
Alternatively, tissue features may be displayed as a colour map, i.e. predetermined ranges of values of a selected mathematical function of tissue parameters are allocated selected colours to be displayed in areas of the map mapping tissue areas with the respective function values.
Further, the functions may include averages, weighted averages, correlations, cross-correlations, etc, of mathematical functions.
The display unit may be positioned on the handpiece.
The apparatus may further comprise user interface means for selection of specific tissue areas for treatment based on the displayed tissue map. For example, the display unit may comprise a touch screen for displaying the tissue map and an operator of the apparatus may select a tissue area for treatment by touching the corresponding area on the touch screen.
Alternatively, the user interface means may conventionally comprise moving a pointer on the display unit for pinpointing tissue areas to be treated, such as means for moving, such as a mouse, a track ball or a roller key, such as a roller corresponding to the smart Navi Roller from Nokia.
For example, beauty spots may be distinguished from surrounding tissue by their colour. Thus, the displayed map may show the tissue area in natural colours, e.g. as recorded by a video camera, such as a CCD camera. The operator of the apparatus may then, in any conventional manner, select the beauty spots to be removed, such as by moving a pointer on the display unit around a beauty spot thereby selecting the surrounded area for treatment, or, the apparatus may comprise image processing software detecting and marking areas with a beauty spot that will be treated if selected by the operator, e.g. by touching the marked area to be treated.
Likewise, the displayed map may show the temperature of a mapped tissue area, e.g. by displaying specific temperature ranges in specific colours. The temperature map may be used to verify the result of a treatment of the tissue. Areas with temperatures within certain temperature ranges may be selected by the operator as previously described for further treatment.
Further, several maps may be displayed simultaneously on the display unit, e.g. utilising overlay techniques. For example, a map of tissue showing the tissue in natural colours may be overlaid by a temperature map whereby temperatures of certain tissue features, e.g. temperatures of beauty spots after treatment, are indicated to the operator.
The handpiece may comprise deflection means for adjustable deflection of the light beam emitted towards tissue to be treated.
When the handpiece is kept in a fixed position in relation to a target surface which is illuminated by the light beam, changing of the position of the deflection means causes the light beam to traverse or scan the target surface along a path or a curve. An area may be traversed or scanned by the light beam, e.g. by letting the light beam traverse or scan a meander like path substantially covering the area or, by traversing or scanning the area line by line. In the present context, the type, number and shape of paths traversed by the light beam in order to traverse a specific area is denoted the traversing pattern or the scan pattern. The area that is scanned or traversed by the light beam is denoted the scan area, the treatment area or the traversed area. The light beam may treat the surface at the target area and the light beam is therefore also denoted the treating light beam.
The deflection means may comprise any optical component or components suitable for deflecting light of the wavelength in question, such as mirrors, prisms, diffractive optical elements, such as holograms, grids, gratings, etc, etc.
Further, the handpiece may comprise the deflection means.
The deflection means are preferably adjustably mounted for displacement of the deflection means as a function of time, so that the light beam may traverse a surface along a predetermined path, while the apparatus is kept in a fixed position. Preferably, the deflection means are rotatably mounted, and the actual deflection of the light beam is determined by the current angular position of the deflection means. This is a particular advantage when the handpiece comprises the deflection means as the handpiece then may be kept in a fixed position during scanning of the surface target area whereby scanning of the surface is not depending on operator skills. Moving means may be utilised to control positions of the deflection and focusing means, such as actuators, such as piezo electric crystals, the displacement of which is controlled by applying a specific electric voltage to their electrodes, electromotors generating linear or rotational displacements, galvanometers, magnetically activated or controlled actuators, pneumatic actuators, hydraulic actuators, etc.
The positions of the deflection means may be controlled by deflection control means adapted to control the deflection means to deflect the light beam in such a way that it traverses a target surface along a predetermined path.
According to an embodiment of the invention, an apparatus is provided, having two mirrors that are rotatably mounted in the path of the light beam in the apparatus. The rotational axis of the mirrors may be substantially perpendicular to each other in order to obtain two dimensional deflection of the light beam. Further, a handpiece may be provided having the two mirrors rotatably mounted in the path of the light beam in the handpiece.
Alternatively, the deflection means may comprise one mirror that is rotatable around two axes that may be substantially perpendicular to each other.
The mirrors may be connected to electromotors for angular positioning of the mirrors, e.g. each mirror may be directly connected to a corresponding shaft of a motor, whereby each motor is used for angular positioning of the corresponding mirror.
In order to minimise the size of the handpiece, it is preferred to mount the motors with their respective shafts in a common plane. For example, one motor may be a linear motor, such as a linear step motor, generating linear displacements. The shaft of this motor may be connected to the mirror at a first edge of the mirror, while a second and opposite edge of the mirror is rotatably connected to the handpiece. By pushing or pulling the first edge by the linear motor, the mirror is rotated about its rotational axis. The other motor, preferably a galvanometer, may be connected to the other mirror in the conventional way described above, whereby the two mirrors may be rotated around substantially perpendicular axes.
The deflection control means may be adapted to control the deflection means so that the predetermined path is a substantially straight line.
Preferably, the deflection control means are adapted to control the deflection means so that the light beam traverses a target surface area line by line.
It is an important advantage of the line by line scan pattern that areas of any arbitrary shape, such as polygonal, such as rectangular, quadratic, triangular, etc, or circular, elliptic, etc, may be traversed line by line by appropriately controlling the starting point and stopping point of light emission along each line traversed.
Preferably, the first deflection control means are adapted to control the first deflection means so that the lines are traversed sequentially i.e. neighbouring lines are traversed successively without interleaving. Thus, neighbouring lines are traversed within a very short time period so that time will be insufficient for involuntary hand movements of the operator to move the handpiece back to the line previously scanned which would lead to uneven treatment of the target surface. Thus, the requirement for the operator to be able to keep the handpiece steady in a desired position is hereby minimised.
In interlaced scanning every second line of the target surface area is scanned successively and after that the remaining lines in-between are successively scanned. Thus, there would be sufficient time between scanning of neighbouring lines to allow involuntary movements of the operator to move the handpiece back to a line previously scanned. Hereby, some areas may be subjected to repeated treatment whereby tissue may be damaged while other areas may be left without treatment.
Preferably, the first deflection control means is adapted to control the first deflection means so that the lines are scanned in the same direction. Thereby, substantially the same amount of power per area is delivered uniformly across the target surface area leading to substantially the same temperature increase at any point of the target surface area after scanning.
When a target area is traversed line by line, it is preferred that movement of one mirror causes the light beam to traverse a line while movement of the other mirror moves the light beam to the next line. In the example above, the galvanometer preferably generates the line scanning as the galvanometer can move the mirror at a high speed, and the linear motor preferably generates the displacement of the light beam to the next line to be traversed.
As mentioned earlier, when cells are to be ablated it is preferred to control the amount of energy delivered to the cells to be ablated, as the amount of energy must be sufficient for the dermal cells to vaporise and, simultaneously, the amount of residual energy heating non-ablated cells must be so low that non-ablated cells will not be seriously damaged. Thus, when an area of tissue is traversed, e.g. line by line, it is preferred that neighbouring lines substantially abut each other. Clinical investigations have shown that, typically, an overlap of 0.1 to 0.2 mm is acceptable, and a distance between traversed lines of up to 0.1-0.2 mm is acceptable.
In order to control positioning of paths on the target area this accurately, it is preferred to position the deflection means extremely accurately e.g. in the handpiece. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, this is accomplished by utilisation of printed circuit technology providing high accuracy of hole positioning of 0.05 mm. The mirrors are rotated around shafts that are mounted in printed circuit boards providing the required positioning accuracy. Further, the motors rotating the mirrors are also mounted on the printed circuit boards providing electrical connections to the motors and the mechanical support and positioning needed.
When scanning a target surface area line by line, it is for applications, such as ablation of tissue or destruction of bacteria or viruses, preferred to traverse each line in the same direction ensuring uniform heating of cells across the target surface area. Further, it is preferred to turn off the light beam, e.g. by switching off the light source, by inserting a light obstructing member in the light path of the beam, etc, while the light beam is moved from the end of a line having been traversed to the start of the next line to be traversed, in order to avoid repeated illumination of areas of the two lines. It is thus preferred that the lines are abutting each other and not overlapping.
Instead of turning the light source off, the light beam may be moved at a speed significantly larger than the scanning speed, during movement from the end of a line to the start of the next line.
In other applications, for example when the objective of the treatment is removal of hairs, it is preferred to scan the target surface area by a light beam illuminating a spot size at the target area being larger than the spot size usually applied by ablation of tissue, the spot size applied ranging from 1 to 9 mm, preferably from 2 to 8 mm, more preferred from 2 to 6 mm, or most preferred the spot size is approximately 3 mm. When removing hairs, it is preferred to scan the tissue along a curve in steps whereby the illuminated spot is allowed to stay in a specific treating position 60-100 ms, preferably approximately 80 ms, followed by movement of the spot to the next treating position within a few milliseconds. Preferably, the distance between two succeeding treating spot positions is less than a spot diameter, such as approximately half a spot diameter, such as between half a spot diameter and a diameter of the spot, so as to provide for a controlled overlap of the spots resulting in an effective hair removal. The thus implied overlap ensures a uniform distribution of energy across the traversed tissue area, and thus a uniform removal of hairs. It is further preferred to scan the tissue area along a meander curve constituted by lines scanned successively in opposite directions having a spot overlap such as mentioned above.
Typically, the intensity within the beam of a light beam as generated by the light source varies as a normal function of the distance from the centre of the beam. The optical fibre may be designed or selected to be dispersive in such a way that the intensity function of the light beam emitted from the fibre as a function of the distance to the centre of the beam is substantially rectangular, i.e. the intensity of the beam leaving the fibre decays more slowly towards the edge of the beam than the intensity of a beam as generated by the light source whereby heat is more uniformly generated in cells across a traversed line of tissue.
However, when using large spot sizes, such as the spot sizes used when removing hair, the intensity function of the light beam emitted from the fibre is not substantially rectangular, whereby a spot overlap as mentioned above is necessary to obtain a uniform distribution of heat.
The apparatus may further comprise light beam control means comprising outputs for controlling various parameters of the light beam emitted by the light source, such as wavelength, output power, duty cycle, active time, pulse width, inter pulse delay, etc. Based on mathematical functions of tissue parameters as measured by the detector means, the light beam control means adjusts corresponding parameters of the emitted light beam. For example, when two illuminating light sources are utilised for detection of tissue parameters as previously described, predetermined reflected light intensity value ranges for the two wavelength ranges may be stored in a memory of the light beam control means. During treatment, measured values of reflected light intensity are compared with the stored predetermined ranges and when measured values are within the stored ranges treatment is enabled and otherwise it is disabled.
Treatment may be disabled by stopping the emission of the light beam by shutting off the light source or by inserting a shutter in the path of the light beam. Alternatively, the parameters of the light source emitting the light beam may be controlled (e.g. by lowering the output power of the light source) so that tissue at the target area is not influenced by the light beam.
Further, the wavelength and/or the power of the light beam emitted by the light source may be adjusted according to the measured values. For example, a plurality of predetermined ranges of reflected light intensity may be stored in the memory and during treatment the measured values may be compared to the stored ranges and the value of the wavelength and/or the power of the light beam may be set according to relations between measured values and stored ranges. Alternatively, the light beam control means may calculate and control the wavelength and/or the power of the light beam as a predetermined function of measured values of reflected light.
The output power of the light beam may be adjusted by adjustment of the continuous output power of the light source, by adjustment of the duty cycle of the light source, etc.
The detector means may be utilised for detection of various tissue parameters during scanning of the light beam across a tissue area so that treatment and tissue parameter determination are performed substantially simultaneously including automatical adjustment of light beam parameters according to detected tissue parameter values.
Current values of light beam parameters may be displayed on the display unit together with the tissue map.
The user interface means may comprise means for modifying one or more of the automatically adjusted light beam parameters.
The apparatus may be adapted to continuously update the tissue map during treatment so that actual tissue parameters are displayed in real time whereby the operator can follow the effects of the treatment in real time, which will allow the operator to modify light beam parameters during treatment in response to the displayed results of the treatment.
The apparatus may further comprise tissue parameter storage means, such as an EEPROM, a flash EEPROM, a hard disk, etc., for storage of coherent data sets of signal values provided by the detector means at positions along the path traversed by the treating light beam during treatment and the corresponding positions themselves thereby mapping tissue parameters as a function of stored relative positions along the path. Further, the light beam control means may be adapted for controlling parameters of the light beam during a second movement of the light beam along the above-mentioned predetermined path in accordance with the coherent data sets stored.
For example, without automatic control of tissue treatment, removal of hair, removal of callosities, such as Millner spots or other small spots which are easily discriminated from the surrounding tissue, is a difficult task to perform as a large number of small spots having diameters of 100 Πm-3 mm, such as 200 Πm-2 mm, such as 500 Πm-1.5 mm, such as approximately 0.5 mm, such as approximately 1 mm, have to be pinpointed by the operator performing the treatment. According to the present invention, the apparatus scans the surface tissue area with hair to be removed without treatment. Hereby the hair follicles are detected by colour determinations as described above and their positions along the scanned path of the light beam are stored in the tissue parameter storage means and the corresponding tissue map is displayed on the display. The operator then selects specific areas of the map for treatment or selects treatment of the entire scanned area. Treatment light beam parameters may be displayed and the operator may choose to adjust the light beam parameters proposed by the apparatus. During a second scan of the tissue area and within the tissue areas selected for treatment, the light beam is turned on and off according to the content of the tissue parameter storage means and the selected light beam parameters so that solely the hair follicles detected during the first scan and positioned within areas selected for treatment are treated preventing the surrounding tissue from being damaged. Alternatively, the parameters of the light beam are automatically adjusted according to the content of the tissue parameter storage means so that when the light beam impedes on a hair follicle within an area selected for treatment, the power-per-area of the light beam is adjusted so that the detected hair follicles are destroyed and when the light beam impedes on tissue without a hair follicle the power-per-area of the light beam is reduced so that this surrounding tissue is not damaged. The user interface means comprising the display may be positioned on the housing of the handpiece.
The parameters may comprise scanning velocity of the treating light beam from the handpiece, intensity of the treating light beam emitted form the handpiece, size of the target surface area to be scanned by the treating light beam, shape of the target surface area to be scanned by the output light beam, etc.
The user interface means may comprise a first button, such as a membrane switch, a touch key on the display, etc, for selection of a parameter type by stepping through a set of parameter types, such as the set listed above or any subset thereof.
The user interface means may further comprise a second button for selection of a parameter value of the parameter type currently selected by stepping through a corresponding set of parameter values. Preferably, the parameter values are displayed on the display. Alternatively or concurrently, a set of light emitting diodes may be provided for indication of the set of currently selected parameter values.
It is an important advantage of provision of the user interface comprising the display at the handpiece that an operator of the handpiece is able to simultaneously select operational parameters of the handpiece and observe resulting changes in treatment effects since the operator is not forced to shift his field of view from the surface area to be treated to a user interface panel positioned somewhere else, e.g. behind the operator.
Preferably, the buttons are positioned on the housing of the handpiece so that single-handed operation is possible, preferably, with the right as well as with the left hand.
The user interface means may further comprise a foot pedal. The light beam traverses a target surface area when the operator depresses the pedal. Preferably, light beam scanning is stopped immediately when the operator releases the pedal and the emission of the light beam towards the target surface area is prevented.
Furthermore, a cooling fluid, such as water, such as a gel, etc. may be applied to the surface to be treated during treatment. For example, the fluid may be applied between two plates of a material transparent to the light beams to be used during treatment. The fluid may be positioned in a substantially closed reservoir between the two plates or the reservoir maybe provided with an in-let and an out-let whereby the fluid may pass through the reservoir to ensure constant cooling during treatment.
Thus, the apparatus may comprise a cooling member that is adapted to be positioned at the target area for cooling of tissue at the target area and that is at least partly transparent to the light beam. The cooling member may comprise a frame, an upper window positioned in the frame, and a lower window positioned in the frame, the frame, the upper window, and the lower window defining a volume therebetween for receiving and holding a cooling liquid. Further, the cooling member may comprise an inlet for inputting cooling liquid to the volume and an outlet for outputting cooling liquid from the volume. The cooling member may be attached to the handpiece.
To obtain an optimum result of treatment, it is important to keep the light beam focused at the target area during treatment.
The apparatus may comprise means for automatically controlling the distance from the apparatus to the focus point in such a way that the light beam is automatically focused at the target area during treatment. For example, if the handpiece comprises the means for automatically controlling, the distance from the handpiece to the focus point is controlled.
Thus, the detector means may comprise a detector array and array optics for forming an image of the target area on the array. Further, the detector means may comprise image processing means for processing output signals from the detector array.
Preferably, the image processing means is adapted to calculate the size of a spot on the target area illuminated by the light beam, or another light source of the apparatus, and imaged onto the detector array.
The apparatus may further comprise output optics for focusing the light beam onto the surface of tissue to be treated and movably positioned at the output of the apparatus for adjustment of the distance between the apparatus and the focus point, and focus control means for adjusting the position of the output optics in response to the value of the calculated spot size.
For example, the handpiece may comprise the output optics for focusing the light beam onto the surface of tissue to be treated whereby the distance between the handpiece and the focus point is adjusted by adjusting the position of the output optics in response to the value of the calculated spot size.
According to another embodiment of the invention, two crossing visible light beams are emitted from the handpiece, the cross point of the beams indicating the focus point of the treating beam. The image processing means are adapted to detect the number of spots imaged onto the detector array, and the focus control means are adapted to adjust the position of the output optics in response to the number of spots and, preferably, the distance between them (if more than one).
Alternatively, a number of light beams may be emitted from the handpiece, the light beams forming a cone of light, the diameter of the cone at the tissue surface indicating the focus point of the treating light beam.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the light beam control means further comprises switching means for preventing emission of the light beam and being controlled by the light beam control means so that emission of the light beam is prevented during a detecting scan from a predetermined first position to a predetermined second position along a predetermined path. During the detection scan the detector means detect light reflected from the target surface area along the predetermined path and the reflected light is analysed by the detector means or alternatively the reflected light is analysed by a microprocessor common to the control means of the apparatus.
By pulse width modulating the light source, energy delivered to the target surface may be varied along a traversed line in addition to the variations created by adjustment of parameters of the light beam in response to detected tissue parameters. A fade-in area may be created by starting scanning of each traversed line with short pulses of light between longer periods of no light. As the line is traversed, the duration of the light pulses may be increased while the periods with no light may be decreased. Outside the fade-in area, the light beam may not be pulsed whereby the remaining part of each line is traversed with a constant intensity of the light beam.
Likewise, a fade-out area may be created by after having traversed a part of a line with constant light intensity, pulse width modulating the light source to transmit shorter and shorter pulses of light towards the line at the target surface area ending with no light transmitted at the end of the line.
The maximum amount of energy delivered by the light beam to the target area is determined by the fade-in or fade-out function and can not be exceeded by the adjustment of parameters of the light beam. However, the adjustment may result in a amount of energy delivered that is lower than the maximum amount of energy.
The fade-in or fade-out scanning patterns may also be created by gradually increasing or decreasing, respectively, the power of the light source, or by decreasing or increasing, respectively, the scanning speed of the light beam.
Alternatively, a combination of these methods may be used.
The shape of the traversed area including the fading area may for example be polygonal, such as rectangular, quadratic, triangular, etc, circular, elliptic, etc.
A traversed line with fade-in and/or fade-out provides a smooth transition from a non-ablated area of tissue to an ablated area of tissue. This is a particularly advantageous feature when the apparatus according to the present invention is used for treatment of small marks on the tissue such as marks from chloasma, liver spots, red spots, tattoos, blood vessels etc.
Light intensity control means may be provided for generating a control signal for transmission to a light source interconnected with the optical fibre and controlling intensity of light emitted by the light source and transmitted through the optical fibre.
The fade-in and fade-out may be provided by controlling the intensity of the light beam and/or the velocity of the scanning light beam along a predetermined path and the light intensity control means and/or the deflection control means may be adapted to provide fade-in and fade-out.
The light intensity control means and/or the deflection control means may be adapted to control the intensity of the light beam and/or the velocity of the scanning light beam along a predetermined path as a function of the position of the light beam inside the area of the target surface area.
To provide the normal ablation of tissue, the light intensity control means may be adapted to provide a substantially constant intensity of the light beam and the deflection control means may be adapted to provide a substantially constant velocity of the scanning light beam when the scanning light beam is inside a first part of the target surface area.
If desired, the fade-in and fade-out effect may be provided either by scanning the light beam with a velocity larger than the substantially constant scan velocity within the treatment area of tissue or, by decreasing the output power of the light beam.
The light beam control means may be adapted to control the power-per-area of the light beam when scanned along a predetermined path on a target tissue area to be treated. For example, when ablating tissue it is presently preferred to maintain the power-per-area of the light beam inside a first part of the target tissue area at a substantially constant level.
In order to create the fade-in or fade-out effect, the power-per-area of the light beam when outside a first part of the target tissue area may depend on the distance to the first part of the target tissue area, and it is preferred that the power-per-area of the light beam increases with decreasing distance to the first part of the target tissue area.
Keeping the intensity of the light beam substantially at the constant level as provided inside the first part of the target tissue, fade-in and fade-out may be provided by scanning the light beam with a velocity larger than the substantially constant scanning velocity within the first part of the target tissue area.
Likewise, keeping the velocity of the scanning light beam substantially constant inside the first part of the target tissue, the fade-in and fade-out may be provided by emitting a light beam with a smaller intensity than the substantially constant intensity of light emitted within the first part of the target tissue area.
The light intensity control means and/or the deflection control means may be adapted to provide a varying intensity of the light beam outside the first part of the target surface area. The intensity of the light beam may be varied between a first intensity being substantially identical to the substantially constant intensity in the first part of the target tissue area and a second intensity being an intensity at substantially zero, i.e. no light is emitted from the output of the handpiece or the second intensity may be a low intensity not affecting tissue.
The user interface means may also enable selection of parameters relating to fade-in and fade-out, such as scanning velocity of the output light beam from the apparatus, e.g. the handpiece, in the fade-in or the fade-out area, intensity of the output light beam emitted from the apparatus in the fade-in or the fade-out area, size of fade-in or fade-out areas, shape of fade-in or fade-out areas, etc.
In the case where the light beam is invisible, e.g. utilising an infra red emitter, an ultra violet emitter, etc, a light source generating visible light may be provided for generating a visible light beam that is used to assist the operator by indicating areas towards which the invisible and treating light is directed during scanning. For example, the input connector of the handpiece may be further adapted to connect a second beam-outlet end of a second optical fibre for transmission of a visible light beam to the handpiece. The second optical fibre is preferably properly aligned in the connector in relation to the predetermined path of the visible light. The handpiece may further comprise second deflection means for adjustable deflection of the visible light beam in such a way that the light beam and the visible light beams emitted from the output of the handpiece illuminate substantially the same area of a target surface.
Further, two crossing visible light beams may be emitted from the apparatus or the handpiece, the cross point of the beams indicating the focus point of the light beam. Alternatively, a number of light beams may be emitted from the handpiece, the light beams forming a cone of light, the diameter of the cone at the tissue surface indicating the focus point of the treating light beam.
Preferably, common deflection means are utilised for deflection of all light beams emitted from the apparatus or the handpiece whereby tracking of the light beams are easily accomplished. The deflection means may thus comprise Zinc selenide lenses, as they are transparent for visible light as well as for infrared light.
In order to further assist the operator of the apparatus, the visible light beam may, e.g. between scanning with the light beam, be traversed around at least a part of the circumference of the target surface area thereby indicating the size, shape and position of the target surface area to be traversed with the light beam.
When a polygonal shape of the target surface area has been selected, the visible light beam may, e.g. between scans by the treating beam, be scanned along one edge of the polygon.
Thus, the method may further comprise the step of transmitting a visible light beam towards the target surface area utilising the first deflection means.
The method may further comprise the step of scanning the visible light beam along at least a part of the circumference of the target surface area to be traversed by the light beam.
In order to further assist the operator of the apparatus in keeping a constant distance from the output of the handpiece to the surface of the tissue to be ablated, the handpiece may comprise a distance member connected to the handpiece at the output with fastening means.
As the distance member will touch the patient, it is desirable to insert a new, disinfected member before treatment of a new patient and thus, it is preferred that the fastening means comprises a magnet so that a used distance member can easily be disconnected from the handpiece, e.g. for autoclaving, and so that a new member can easily be connected to the handpiece.
The apparatus according to the present invention may further comprise a processor for control of the apparatus and comprising one or more control means, such as deflection control means, light beam control means, light intensity control means, etc. The processor may further be connected to the user interface means and may be adapted to control the functions of the handpiece in accordance with inputs from the user interface means.
According to a preferred embodiment of the invention the processor means is positioned inside the handpiece.
The processor may comprise a memory, such as an EEPROM, such a flash EEPROM, such as hard disk, etc., for storing of different parameters of scanning patterns and fade-in and fade-out patterns, such as target surface area size, scanning duration, etc. Further the processor means may comprise the tissue parameter storage means for storage of coherent data sets of signal values provided by the detector means at positions along the predetermined path and the respective corresponding positions thereby mapping tissue parameters as a function of stored relative positions along the path.
The apparatus, e.g. in the form of a handpiece may further be provided with a computer interface facilitating reception of scanning pattern parameters generated in a computer and transmitted to the apparatus for storage in the memory. The user interface may be utilised for selection of a specific scan pattern from the set of patterns stored in the memory as previously described. The computer may be any programmable electronic device capable of storing, retrieving and processing data, such as a PC.
It is an important advantage of provision of a processor in the handpiece that signal lines between the handpiece and an external device controlling the handpiece are not needed. This reduces weight of the handpiece with cables connected. Further, electrical noise on control lines is minimised because of reduced lengths of the lines. Still further, control speed is increased as capacitance of a short line is small.
Various scan patterns may be created on a PC and be downloaded to the memory of the handpiece. The patterns may be stored in the form of a table of parameters defining number of lines, length of lines, distance between lines, start and end points of fade-in and fade-out of each line, points of turn on and turn off of the scanning light beam, etc of each scan pattern stored.
A scan pattern box may be provided, containing a processor, a memory and interface means for storage of scan patterns generated, e.g. on a PC and transmitted to the box through the interface means for storage in the memory. The interface means of the box and the computer interface of a handpiece may be interconnected and the various scan patterns stored in the box may be transferred to the memory of the handpiece whereby scan patterns created at a single PC may be distributed to a plurality of handpieces that may be situated remotely from the PC. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to telephone supports and more particularly pertains to a new telephone supporting device for preventing cricks and cramps in the neck caused by holding a phone between the head and shoulder.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The use of telephone supports is known in the prior art. More specifically, telephone supports heretofore devised and utilized are known to consist basically of familiar, expected and obvious structural configurations, notwithstanding the myriad of designs encompassed by the crowded prior art which have been developed for the fulfillment of countless objectives and requirements.
Known prior art telephone supports include U. S. Pat. No. 5,233,650 to Chan; U.S. Pat. No. 4,048,453 to Seidel; U.S. Pat. No. Des. 350,965 to Schulz; U.S. Pat. No. 5,008,932 to Sieggen; U.S. Pat. No. Des. 320,605 to Chan; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,881,256 to Malekos.
While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, the aforementioned patents do not disclose a new telephone supporting device. The inventive device includes a headband having a generally inverted U-shaped configuration. A lower end has an elongated vertically disposed slot formed therethrough. A telephone clamp is adjustably coupled with respect to the headband. The telephone clamp includes a vertical portion having outwardly extending tab portions from opposite ends thereof. A space between the tab portions is dimensioned for receiving a telephone therebetween. One of the tab portions has an adjustment screw extending therethrough for engaging the telephone when positioned therein. The adjustment screw has a gripping pad disposed on a free end thereof. The vertical portion has a screw extending inwardly therefrom for extending through the slot of the lower end of the headband. A nut engages the screw for locking the telephone clamp with respect to the headband.
In these respects, the telephone supporting device according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in so doing provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of preventing cricks and cramps in the neck caused by holding a phone between the head and shoulder. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to manipulation of printing blankets.
2. Discussion of Prior Art
A common means for securing an offset printing blanket onto a press cylinder employs a tensioning `lock-up` device located within the cylinder body. Employment of such a device usually necessitates a gap in the usable printing area of the cylinder and furthermore tends to promote undesirable vibration during operation of the printing press, especially at high-speed printing.
It has been proposed to avoid vibration by providing a `seamless` or endless blanket on the printing press cylinder. Typically such blankets are supplied on a metal sleeve to be fitted on the cylinder. Although such blankets may be feasible for newly manufactured presses wherein means for ease of removal of the cylinder or sleeve may be incorporated in the design of the press, they are not a practicable option for the majority of existing presses. Moreover, a disadvantage of such blankets is the high cost of producing individual blanketed sleeves or cylinders in comparison with the cost of producing a sheet-form (open-ended) blanket for application to replace a worn or damaged similar blanket on an existing cylinder in the press.
In some relatively small offset printing presses (such as those used for printing stationery and business forms), in which the printing cylinder typically has a circumference of the order of 30 cm, a negligible gap in the usable printing area is achieved by securing a sheet-form printing blanket on the cylinder by means of an adhesive which typically is in the form of an adhesive coating on the back of the blanket sheet and may be protected by a releasable cover sheet until the blanket is applied to the cylinder.
Although adhesive-backed printing blankets are used for small presses, generally they have not been used for large web-feed printing presses owing to problems in handling and mounting large sheets of adhesive-backed blanket. Problems include manual handling difficulties and safety risk to persons manipulating a bulky adhesive-backed blanket, the risk of contamination of the adhesive backing during manipulation, and the need for the initial positioning of the blanket on the cylinder to be accurate since the capability for position-adjustment after initial application usually is extremely limited or non-existent without detriment to the blanket or the adhesive bond.
In large high-speed printing presses, such as those used in the newspaper and magazine printing industry, typically the printing blanket requires to be replaced owing to wear at frequent intervals, for instance every one to three months. Speed of application of a replacement blanket onto the cylinder is especially important in the newspaper and magazine printing industry where a long down-time of a printing press could be highly detrimental to meeting distribution deadlines. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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1. Field of the Invention
This invention generally relates to semiconductor manufacturing equipment and, more particularly, to a gate valve for use with a rapid thermal processing reactor.
2. Description of Related Art
In the semiconductor industry, to continue to make advancements in the development of semiconductor devices, especially semiconductor devices of decreased dimensions, new processing and manufacturing techniques have been developed. One such processing technique is known as Rapid Thermal Processing (RTP), which reduces the amount of time that a semiconductor device is exposed to high temperatures during processing. The RTP technique typically includes irradiating the semiconductor device or wafer with sufficient power to quickly raise the temperature of the wafer and hold it at that temperature for a time long enough to successfully perform a fabrication process, while avoiding such problems as unwanted dopant diffusion that would otherwise occur at the high processing temperatures.
As is widely known in the semiconductor processing industry, processing techniques such as RTP require fabrication clean room space to ensure that the processing is free from contaminants and particles that may reduce manufacturing precision. However, clean room space is expensive both to construct and maintain. Thus, semiconductor wafer processing systems which require large footprints are economically disadvantageous. Accordingly, processing system designers have attempted to construct systems having components with smaller, more compact, and narrower structures.
Gate valve structures may be used in the processing system to isolate semiconductor wafers in various chambers, as the wafers are transported between locations of a first pressure to areas of a second pressure. Although, the concept of isolating or sealing a chamber using gate valves is straightforward, the design of such valves can be complicated, especially due to competing design considerations. For example, the gate valve must provide adequate positive closure that can withstand process pressure and vacuum. Most often this need has been met using complicated linkages that typically require both an axial and a lateral sealing action. For example, an apparatus is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,721,282 where an initial axial motion of a shaft provides for the primary movement of a gate member toward a processing chamber port. A secondary lateral motion provides for movement of the gate member against the port for a positive seal.
To conserve clean-room space and provide access to a process chamber, what is needed is a gate valve, which occupies a relatively small volume to maintain a small processor footprint and provides adequate isolation to the process chamber of a processing system during semiconductor processing.
In accordance with the invention, a valve assembly includes a main body defining a central axis and a gate. The gate includes a curved surface relative to the central axis and the gate is disposed within the main body. The gate is rotatable about an axis of rotation running along the length of the gate. The valve assembly also includes an actuation assembly for rotating the gate about the axis of rotation between a first position where said valve is open and a second position where said valve is closed.
This invention will be more fully understood in light of the following detailed description taken together with the accompanying drawings. | {
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The need for small, fast, and sensitive detectors of biological agents which are able to monitor an environment for extended periods of time is underscored by the proliferation of biological and chemical weapons, the poor man's nuclear weapon. Under battlefield conditions, a useful detector would rapidly alert a soldier when a specific biological or chemical agent is detected so that countermeasures can quickly be implemented.
Such detectors would be useful in non-military applications as well. Rapid detection of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in a patient would help clinicians select a more effective therapeutic regimen. Continuous monitoring of a city's drinking water supply would provide early warning of potential pathogens, giving public works officials more time to manage the potential health risks to the public. In addition, the use of these detectors in meat and poultry inspections would be a significant improvement over the current “poke-and-smell” procedure. In general, such detectors are sorely needed analytical and diagnostic applications within the fields of medicine (e.g., veterinary medicine), agriculture, environmental protection (e.g., to diagnose sick building syndrome), and food processing or regulation.
All vertebrates acquire a specific immune response to a foreign agent (antigen) in part by generating an immense diversity of antibody molecules. Antibody molecules bind to antigen with high specificity, e.g., they can differentially bind to two closely related strains of bacteria, viruses, protein, nucleic acid, fungus, protozoa, multicellular parasite, or prion, as well as products produced or induced by those particles.
Antibodies are produced by B cells, a crucial component of the immune system. An antigen can activate a B cell by binding to antibodies on its surface, leading to a cascade of intracellular biochemical reactions which causes a calcium ion influx into the cytosol of the B cell.
For a review of antibody structure and function and B cell activation, see Paul, editor, Fundamental Immunology, 3rd ed., Raven Press, New York (1993).
Devices that exploit antibody diversity for detection of multiple and rare target particles or antigens have been described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,087,114 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,248,542.
These devices generally include a liquid medium containing sensor cells (e.g., a B cell, macrophage or fibroblast), also referred to herein as “CANARY” cells or emittor cells, an optical detector, and the liquid medium receiving target particles to be detected. Each of the cells has receptors (e.g., chimeric or single chain antibodies) which are expressed on its surface and are specific for the antigen to be detected. Binding of the antigen to the receptor results in a signaling pathway involving chemical or biochemical changes (e.g., an increase in calcium concentration). The cells also contain emitter molecules (e.g., aequorin or indo-1) in their cytosol which can emit photons in response to the signaling pathway (e.g., increased calcium concentration in the cytosol). The detector can be separated from the medium containing the cells by a covering (e.g., glass) that is transparent to the photons. Such a covering can serve to support the medium, protect a fragile surface of the detector, or be used as a lens. The optical detector, e.g., a charge-coupled device (CCD) is able to detect the photons emitted from the cells in response to the receptor-mediated signaling pathway and indicate to the user that the antigen to be detected is present. Other optical detectors which can be used in the device include photomultiplier tubes, photodiodes, complimentary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) imagers, avalanche photodiodes, and image-intensified charge-coupled devices (ICCD) (see for example, those available from Photek Ltd., East Sussex, UK). In some embodiments, the optical detector is able to distinguish individual cells. | {
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1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is directed towards apparatus and methods for penetrating tissue and creating openings therein in order to provide access to the interior of a patient's body. The present invention provides apparatus and methods which are particularly suited for creating openings which provide access to anatomical cavities, either directly through the opening itself or through a cannula positioned within the tissue opening. One embodiment of the present invention comprises a trocar.
2. Description of Related Art
Various medical procedures require the penetration of tissue to provide access to the interior of the patient's body. This is particularly true, for example, of endoscopic procedures wherein an opening in tissue must first be created to provide access to anatomical cavities or other internal structures. As used herein, "endoscopic" refers to procedures which employ tubular optical instruments (i.e., endoscopes) which are inserted into a patient to provide vision therein. The endoscope also typically has a hollow cannula through which other instruments may be inserted into the patient. The term "endoscopic" is generic to, and therefore includes, terms such as "laparascopic" and "arthroscopic" which refer to the use of an endoscope in a particular region of the body. Typically, a cannula is positioned within the tissue opening, and various medical instruments (such as an endoscope) may then be passed through the cannula into the interior of the patient.
One commonly-employed instrument for penetrating tissue is referred to as a trocar, and generally comprises a cutting assembly (or obturator) and an outer cannula (also referred to as the trocar tube or sleeve). The cannula is positioned against the patient's skin, and the cutting assembly is positioned within the interior of the cannula. The sharp distal end of the cutting assembly is then urged through the skin until it enters the anatomical cavity being penetrated. The cannula is then urged through the tissue opening created by the cutting assembly, and the cutting assembly is thereafter withdrawn. The cannula remains in place, and provides a passageway through which access to the anatomical cavity is provided.
Urging the cutting assembly of a trocar, or, for that matter, any other sharp instrument, through tissue can be dangerous if not performed properly. Blood vessels, organs and other delicate structures within the patient's body can be inadvertently damaged by the cutting assembly. Even more problematic is the fact that such inadvertent damage can go initially undetected, thereby leading to further complications. In fact, injury to major blood vessels, particularly in the abdomen, has become more common as the use of endoscopes has increased. Unfortunately, such vascular injuries often prove fatal, particularly if they go undetected for a significant period of time.
Various techniques and apparatus have been developed in order to reduce the risk associated with trocars. For example, a hollow needle (commonly referred to as a Veres needle) may be inserted into the abdomen, and a gas introduced therethrough in order to insufflate the abdomen. Insufflation causes a tenting-up of the abdomen, which tends to reduce the potential for over-insertion of the cutting blade. Vascular damage can and still does occur, however, and improper insertion of the insufflation needle has even been known to cause serious injury or death.
Numerous types of "safety trocars" have also been developed, wherein a spring-loaded shield helps prevent inadvertent damage caused by the cutting tip. The shield retracts away from the tip as the cutting blade is urged through the tissue. Once the cutting blade has passed into the anatomical cavity and the tissue is no longer bearing against the shield, the shield springs forward to cover the cutting blade. Such trocars are described, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,116,353, 5,215,526, and 5,707,362. Even such "safety trocars," however, are not foolproof, and trocar injuries and deaths have continued to rise even as the use of these safety trocars has become more widespread.
Unfortunately, more and more endoscopic surgical procedures are developed each year. For example, gallbladder removal (referred to as a cholecystectomy), which once required a large abdominal incision and several days of in-hospital recovery, may now be performed laparascopically through a small umbilical incision on an out-patient basis. Not surprisingly, patient demand for such procedures has also increased significantly, due to their minimally-invasive nature, reduced post-operative recovery time, and lower cost.
The development of improved endoscopes has also provided physicians with a minimally-invasive means for direct examination of the interior of a patient. The result is that many patients, particularly those suffering from certain forms of cancer, are subjected to multiple examinations and procedures by means of an endoscope. In fact, some cancer patients undergo multiple laparoscopic procedures over a short period of time. Unfortunately, the increased frequency of these procedures greatly increases the risk of injury or death associated with trocar insertion. Thus, there is a need for apparatus and methods which will decrease the possibility of inadvertent patient injury during tissue penetration, particularly during cannula insertion of endoscopic procedures. | {
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Finishing agents have been used in many fields, such as automobile wax, floor and interior products, glazing agents, fur polish, lubricants for a papered sliding door or sliding paper door, and mechanical parts or the like.
The above-noted conventional finishing agents are solid or emulsified, and generally comprise the mixture of a petroleum solvent, silicone, wax or lower alcohol, and an abrasive material.
Conventional finishing agents have weak water repelling and lustering properties, and conventional overcoats do not have sufficient endurance and hardness since they are merely applied to the substrate surfaces. In addition, they hardly possess an oil-repelling property. Since the agents are physically adhered to the substrate surfaces, they have endurance and solidity deficiencies. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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In the preparation of such products, it is desirable to keep costs to a minimum. It is for this reason that skinless products such as sausages may be preferred to sausages with skins, since the cost applying an edible skin to a sausage can amount to a substantial proportion of the total manufacturing costs. By "skinless" is meant a product free from an external supporting membrane of e.g. collagen or natural gut.
A conventional method of producing skinless products involves the use of a permeable cellulose casing which may be inedible, or at least unacceptable for consumption. This is filled with e.g. meat paste, formed into links, heat processed to form a heat coagulated protein skin and then cooled, after which the cellulose casing is removed. In United Kingdom Pat. No. 1,422,344 there is described a process in which the filled casing is treated with an edible acid which reacts with protein at the surface of the meat paste to form a skin, prior to removal of the casing. This may avoid the necessity for heat processing to provide a coagulated skin, but the disposable casings are relatively expensive and their use is labor intensive.
It has been proposed to prepare a skinless product without the use of casings. One advantageous method of doing this is to treat the surface of e.g. a sausage, after it has been shaped, with a suitable fluid, for example an edible acid which reacts with protein and precipitates to form a cohesive surface for the sausage paste. In U.S. Pat. No. 3,503,756 there is disclosed a process in which a meat emulsion is extruded, and then treated in an acid bath, either before or after cutting into suitable lengths for frankfurters or the like. The treating of the extruded meat does however present handling difficulties.
In United Kingdom Pat. No. 1,441,494 there is disclosed a system in which an edible acid is introduced onto a meat emulsion before it is passed through an extrusion tube, so as to lubricate the emulsion as it passes through the tube, and also to form a cohesive skin for the product as it is extruded. The acid may be introduced through a sintered metal filter.
With this arrangement, as with many extrusion processes, there is the problem of controlling the weight of the product, which must be cut from the extruded length. Moreover, since extrusion and cutting take place after the acid has been introduced, the ends of a product will not be provided with a coagulated skin.
It has been proposed, e.g. in U.S. Pat. No. 2,897,745, to mold a sausage in a rigid re-usable mold. In this arrangement however, it is necessary to cook the product while in the mold, and this may take a considerable time--for example several minutes.
It is known, from for example U.S. Pat. No. 3,940,217, to insert certain treating liquids into a mold prior to injection of the product forming material--in that case a slurry. This does not however ensure an even distribution of the liquid over the product, due for example to gravity effects. | {
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The present invention relates to a connecting structure for connecting a glasses temple with a glasses frame. The connecting structure permits the glasses temple to be outward over 90 degrees biased without breaking down. Also, by means of the connecting structure, the glasses temple can be easily connected with the glasses frame.
A conventional connecting structure for connecting a glasses temple with a glasses frame is shown in FIG. 1. This connecting structure permits the glasses temple to be outward over 90 degrees biased without breaking down. Such connecting structure includes a first hinge member 11 fixed on the glasses frame, a second hinge member 12 pivotally connected with the first hinge member 11 and formed with a shaft hole 121, a U-shaped member 20 fitted with a rear portion of the second hinge member 12 and formed with a thread hole 21, and a rivet pin 40 having a shaft portion 41 extending through a compression spring 30 into the shaft hole 121 of the second hinge member 12. The second hinge member 12 is punched to fixedly engage with the rivet pin 40 and placed into a tunnel 51 of the glasses temple 50. A screw is screwed into the thread hole 21 of the U-shaped member 20 to secure the second hinge member 12 with the glasses temple 50 and thus connect the glasses temple 50 with the glasses frame.
According to the above arrangements, the thichness of the U-shaped member 20 is not sufficient and the thread hole 21 thereof can include only a few circles of thread. Therefore, in case the screw is over-tightened, the thread may be broken and become useless. In addition, because the U-shaped member 20 is placed in the tunnel 51 of the glasses temple 50, it is difficult to align the screw with the thread hole 21 of the U-shaped member 20 from outside. This causes trouble in assembling operation.
Therefore, it is necessary to provide an improved connecting structure which permits the glasses temple to be outward over 90 degrees biased without breaking down and permits the glasses temple to be easily connected with the glasses frame. | {
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As communication means in remote areas where network infrastructures are unavailable or at the time of disaster, autonomous distributed (self-configuring) mobile ad-hoc networks (MANET) have come to attention in recent years, in which data is forwarded from one communication terminal to another by wireless communication, and implementation of information sharing in a large-scale environment in which a wide range of many communication terminals (nodes) participate, as well as network infrastructures, is desired.
In order to share information among a wide range of many communication terminals in a mobile ad-hoc network (MANET), especially the following two kinds of information need to be shared among communication terminals in the network: (1) Node information (i.e. node IDs, node IP addresses, and information about contents held by nodes) and (2) Routing information (i.e. next-hop (forwarding destination) node information for reaching a destination node, the probability of reaching the destination node, and the routing address of the destination node).
This is because the mobile ad-hoc network uses a mechanism in which each communication terminal identifies an “information sharing terminal” with which the communication terminal is to communicate by “(1) node information” and identifies a “communication (data transfer) route” to the aforementioned “information sharing terminal” by “(2) routing information”.
Accordingly, each communication terminal (node) needs to be in a state where they manage “(1) node information” relating to each of other communication terminals in a network and “(2) routing information” in association with each other or hold both kinds of information.
On the other hand, the amount of information exchanged between communication terminals needs to be reduced because communication bandwidth available between communication terminals in a mobile ad-hoc network (MANET) is limited. In other words, since communication terminals in the mobile ad-hoc network (MANET) directly communicate with each other by wireless communication, interference occurs between radio waves from communication terminals that participate in the network, thus limiting available communication bandwidth. Furthermore, since communication radio waves can fail to reach communication terminals due to movement of the communication terminals or interruption of radio waves by obstacles, the communication link between communication terminals can often disconnected or network disruption can occur.
Consequently, communication bandwidth and time available to one communication terminal for communication with another communication terminal are limited.
In order to enable information sharing in a large-scale environment in mobile ad-hoc networks (MANET) under these circumstances or delay/disruption tolerant networks (DTN) which cope with a poor-quality communication environment in which the network can be disrupted, a method is used in which each communication terminal holds for some time node information and routing information relating to a correspondent communication terminal with which the communication terminal was once connected in order to enable “(1) node information” and “(2) routing information” to be exchange between many communication terminals.
For example, a communication terminal exchanges node information and routing information relating to every other communication terminal that the terminal has met or neighbored and stores the information for a certain period of time in methods for managing information in a delay/disruption tolerant network (DTN) described in NPL 1, “Probabilistic routing in intermittently connected networks” by Anders Lindgren et al. (ACM SIGMOBILE Mobile Computing and Communications Review, Volume 7, Issue 3, July 2003, Pages 19-20 and NPL 2, “ROUTING IN INTERMITTENTLY CONNECTED MOBILE AD-HOC NETWORKS AND DELAY TOLERANT NETWORKS: OVERVIEW AND CHALLENGES” by ZHENSHENG ZHANG et al. (IEEE Communications Surveys & Tutorials, 1ST QUARTER 2006, VOLUME 8, NO. 1, Pages 24-37). Storing node information and routing information as a history for a certain period of time in this way enables a communication terminal to identify a next communication terminal to which data is to be passed when a communication link is recovered or when the communication terminal meets another communication terminal.
However, the amount of information to be exchanged between communication terminals increases in proportion to the number of communication terminals participating in the network. Given these circumstances, in order for communication terminals (nodes) to share information with each other in a mobile ad-hoc network (MANET) in which a wide range of many communication terminals participate or a delay/disruption tolerant network (DTN), which is liable to network disruption, the amount of information exchanged between communication terminals (nodes) needs to be minimized to reduce load on communication bandwidth by cleverly managing and exchanging node information and routing information.
As described above, for information sharing in mobile ad-hoc networks (MANET) or delay/disruption tolerant networks (DTN), “(1) node information” and “(2) routing information” needs to be managed in association with each other or to be held, and the amount of exchanged information relating to both “(1) node information” and “(2) routing information” to be exchanged between communication terminals needs to be reduced.
However, existing network techniques, for example methods proposed in NPL 3 , “Design Issues of Peer-to-Peer Systems for Wireless Ad Hoc Networks” by Dewan Tanvir Ahmed et al. (Networking, 2007. ICN '07. Sixth International Conference on Date of Conference, Pages 22-28, April 2007) and NPL 4, “Scalable routing protocols for mobile ad-hoc networks” by Xiaoyan Hong (Network, IEEE Date of Publication: July/August 2002, Volume: 16, Issue: 4, Pages 11-21) have not achieved a fundamental solution. In the methods, mechanisms for exchanging node information and routing information independently of each other are used and a network is layered and information is managed in a layered manner in order to reduce the amount of information exchanged.
Specifically, in the existing network techniques, since the function of exchanging node information and the function of exchanging routing information operate independently in different network layers and control focusing solely to one of the node information and routing information is performed, the node information and the routing information are not managed or held in pairs. Consequently, a lag between a period in which node information N100 is exchanged and a period in which routing information R100 is exchanged occurs with the other communication terminal (other node) as illustrated in FIG. 11. FIG. 11 is a diagram for illustrating the messaging timings of providing node information and routing information held by a communication terminal (node) and periods during which the communication terminal is holding the node information and routing information in an existing technique. FIG. 11 focuses on a node Y entry relating to node Y received from node X, i.e. a node information entry N100y, and a routing information entry R100y out of the node information N100 held by node A and the routing information R100 held by node A and illustrates a situation where there are differences in the messaging timing of providing information to another node and in period in which the received information is held.
Specifically, with regard to a node information entry N100y relating to node Y that is to be held by node A, for example, there is a period, depicted as node information non-holding period P1 in FIG. 11, between receipt of the routing information entry R100y from node X and receipt of the node information entry N100y from node X during which node A does not hold the node information entry N100y relating to node Y and the routing information entry R100y in pairs because of a difference between the periodicity of exchange of node information N100 and the periodicity of exchange of routing information R100.
Furthermore, because of a lag between a node information N100 holding period and a routing information R100 holding period, the holding period of the routing information entry R100y of node Y, for example, may expire and the routing information entry R100y may be deleted, which may result in a period during which node A holds only the node information entry N100y of node Y out of the two kinds of information relating to node Y that are to be held by node A, as depicted as a routing information non-holding period P2 in FIG. 11.
When node A provides information to the other node at messaging timing T1 and messaging timing T2 in FIG. 11, node A does not provide the routing information entry R100y relating to node Y and provides only the node information entry N100y relating to node Y. As a result, communication bandwidth and storage of the communication terminals are wasted. | {
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1. Field
The present invention generally relates to drilling tools that may be used to drill geological and/or manmade formations and to methods of manufacturing and using such drilling tools.
2. Technical Background
Drill bits and other boring tools are often used to drill holes in rock and other formations for exploration or other purposes. One type of drill bit used for such operations is an impregnated drill bit. Impregnated drill bits include a cutting portion or crown that may be formed of a matrix that contains a powdered hard particulate material, such as tungsten carbide. The hard particulate material may be sintered and/or infiltrated with a binder, such as a copper alloy. Furthermore, the cutting portion of impregnated drill bits may also be impregnated with an abrasive cutting media, such as natural or synthetic diamonds.
During drilling operations, the abrasive cutting media is gradually exposed as the supporting matrix material is worn away. The continuous exposure of new abrasive cutting media by wear of the supporting matrix forming the cutting portion can help provide a continually sharp cutting surface. Impregnated drilling tools may continue to cut efficiently until the cutting portion of the tool is consumed. Once the cutting portion of the tool is consumed, the tool becomes dull and typically requires replacement.
Impregnated drill bits, and most other types of drilling tools, usually require the use of drilling fluid or air during drilling operations. Typically, drilling fluid or air is pumped from the surface through the drill string and across the bit face. The drilling fluid may then return to the surface through a gap between the drill string and the bore-hole wall. Alternatively, the drilling fluid may be pumped down the annulus formed between the drill string and the formation, across the bit face and return through the drill string. Drilling fluid can serve several important functions including flushing cuttings up and out of the bore hole, clearing cuttings from the bit face so that the abrasive cutting media cause excessive bit wear, lubricating and cooling the bit face during drilling, and reducing the friction of the rotating drill string.
To aid in directing drilling fluid across the bit face, drill bits will often include waterways or passages near the cutting face that pass through the drill bit from the inside diameter to the outside diameter. Thus, waterways can aid in both cooling the bit face and flushing cuttings away. Unfortunately, when drilling in broken and abrasive formations, or at high penetration rates, debris can clog the waterways, thereby impeding the flow of drilling fluid. The decrease in drilling fluid traveling from the inside to the outside of the drill bit may cause insufficient removal of cuttings, uneven wear of the drill bit, generation of large frictional forces, burning of the drill bit, or other problems that may eventually lead to failure of the drill bit. Furthermore, frequently in broken and abrasive ground conditions, loose material does not feed smoothly into the drill string or core barrel.
Current solutions employed to reduce clogging of waterways include increasing the depth of the waterways, increasing the width of the waterways, and radially tapering the sides of the waterways so the width of the waterways increase as they extend from the inside diameter to the outside diameter of the drill bit. While each of these methods may reduce clogging and increase flushing to some extent, they also each present various drawbacks to one level or another.
For example, deeper waterways may decrease the strength of the drill bit, reduce the velocity of the drilling fluid at the waterway entrance, and therefore, the flushing capabilities of the drilling fluid, and increase manufacturing costs due to the additional machining involved in cutting the waterways into the blank of the drill bit. Wider waterways may reduce the cutting surface of the bit face, and therefore, reduce the drilling performance of the drill bit and reduce the velocity of the drilling fluid at the waterway entrance. Similarly, radially tapered waterways may reduce the cutting surface of the bit face and reduce the velocity of the drilling fluid at the waterway entrance.
One will appreciate that many of the current solutions may remove a greater percentage of material from the inside diameter of the drill bit than the outside diameter of the drill bit in creating waterways. The reduced bit body volume at the inside diameter may result in premature wear of the drill bit at the inside diameter. Such premature wear can cause drill bit failure and increase drilling costs by requiring more frequent replacement of the drill bit.
The lack of water on the cutting surfaces of conventional drill bits results in a decrease in the rate at which cuttings are removed, thereby leading to an increase in the wear of the cutting surface. Additionally, the lack of water flow can also minimize the removal of heat from the cutting surface during high-rotational operation of the bit. These known drill bit designs are also associated with relatively low penetration rates and reduced contact stress measurements.
Accordingly, there are a number of disadvantages in conventional waterways that can be addressed. In particular, there is a need in the pertinent art for drill bits that more effectively provide high velocity fluid flow to the cutting surface of the bit and remove heat from the cutting surface. There is a further need in the pertinent art for drill bits that provide increased cutting removal rates and penetration rates in comparison to conventional drill bits. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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This invention relates to electrical connections for planar cable, such as ribbon cable.
The term "ribbon cable" as used herein, is intended to denote a flat cable comprising a plurality of parallel solid or stranded conductors laminated between layers of an insulating material, such as polyvinyl chloride, teflon, or the like. It is often necessary to connect such cable to a printed circuit board or the like. Several ways of making such a connection have been used. The individual ribbon cable connectors may be soldered to individual conductors on a printed circuit board, a tedious task, and requiring separate mechanical support of the ribbon cable to avoid damaging the printed circuit board or the connections, should the cable be moved. Ribbon cable conductors have been soldered or wire wrapped to pins protruding from a dual-inline plug, which mates with a dual-inline-socket of the type used for integrated circuits, which in turn is attached to printed circuit board conductors. It is also known to solder or wire wrap ribbon cable conductors to the terminals of a connector, which fits over the edge of a printed circuit board or mates with another connector mounted on a printed circuit board. The present invention overcomes numerous difficulties and deficiencies of the above-mentioned connection techniques. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
} |
1-amino-1(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-azo-guanidine hydrate (“Tetrazene,” 1, Scheme 1) is widely used in ordnance systems as a sensitizer of primer mixes for use in both percussion and stab applications.
It has low thermal and hydrolytic stability compared with other components of primer mixes and there currently exists the need for a replacement with enhanced stability characteristics.
This material was initially prepared in 1910 by Hoffman and Roth, Ber. Dtsch. Chem. Ges., 43, 682 (1910), and the molecular structure was determined in 1971. Duke, J. R. C., “X-Ray Crystal and Molecular Structure of Tetrazene”, J. Chem. Soc. D Chemical Communications, 2 (1971). Tetrazene was first used in primer compositions in Germany in the 1920s due primarily to the work of Von Herz who demonstrated it to be non-corrosive as well as free of the toxic mercury fulminate used up to that time. In the United States, mercury fulminate-based primers were initially replaced with FA70, which contained potassium chlorate, lead thiocyanate and TNT. Fedoroff, Encyclopedia of Explosives and Related Items, Vol. 8, P373 (S. M. Kaye ed., US Army ARDEC 1978). These compositions, although useful for high temperature applications, also proved corrosive and were replaced in 1948 by FA956, which was developed by Rathsburg and contained Tetrazene and lead styphnate.
Current primer mixes, such as NOL-130, are generally comprised of basic lead styphnate 40%, lead azide 20%, barium nitrate 20%, antimony sulfide 15%, and Tetrazene 5%. Cooper, P. W., Explosives Engineering, 323-326 (Wiley-VCH, New York, 1996). However, mixes containing other components are known. Id. (teaching use of VH2 and L Mix); Federoff, supra (teaching use of PA100).
The NOL-130 composition is relatively insensitive to stab initiation when the Tetrazene component is omitted. The addition of ≧2% Tetrazene is currently a requirement to ensure high stab sensitivity. It has been proposed that the low mechanical energy requirements for initiation of Tetrazene-based compositions is a direct result of its low temperature of ignition (143° C.) in conjunction with its metastable chemical structure. Bird, R., “The Stab Sensitizing Action of Tetrazene,” Materials Research Laboratories Technical Note, 362 (1975). This may be related to the mechanism of initiation where mechanical energy is applied to the primer and is converted to heat by friction and impact events between the explosive materials and/or grits in the composition. Field, J., “Hot Spot Ignition Mechanisms for Explosives,” Acc. Chem. Res., 25, 489 (1992). Spear and Elischer have investigated 17 compounds as alternates to Tetrazene for sensitizing lead azide. Spear, R. J. and Elischer, P. P., “Studies on Stab Initiation. Sensitization of Lead Azide by Energetic Sensitizers”, Aust. J. Chem., 35, 1 (1982). They correlated ignition temperature with initiation energies.
Tetrazene suffers from a number of issues, most importantly low thermal and hydrolytic stabilities. It has been demonstrated that Tetrazene readily decomposes at approximately 90° C., which is in the temperature range that may be encountered during storage and handling in some parts of the world. As illustrated in Scheme 2 below, Bird has demonstrated using IR and UV monitoring that at 90° C., 1 mol of Tetrazene decomposes to afford 1.7 mol of 5-aminotetrazole (2, Scheme 2) via a fragmentation process followed by cyclization of a majority of the guanyl azide intermediate. Bird, R. and Power, A. J., “Thermal Decomposition of Tetrazene at 90° C.,” Materials Research Laboratories Report MRL-R-710 (1978).
This decomposition is complete after 1 week at 90° C. and appears to be auto-catalytic. Thus, it is reasonable to presume that it will occur to some extent at lower temperatures. More recent investigations have confirmed these results. Whelan, D. J. and Fitzgerald, M. R., “The Kinetics and Thermochemistry of the Thermal Decomposition of the Initiating Explosive, Tetrazene,” DSTO Aeronautical and Maritime Research Laboratory Report DSTO-TR-0450 (1996). Tetrazene has also been shown to be susceptible to hydrolytic decomposition and is destroyed/decomposed simply by addition to boiling water. Spear and Elischer, supra.
As a result, it is clear that there is a need to develop a stab sensitive material with improved thermal stability for primers used in normal or high temperature applications. In light of current environmental concerns, it may also be desirable to generate this new material both inexpensively and without the use of toxic materials as reactants or effluents. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
} |
Field of the Invention
The invention relates to performing high dynamic range optical image detection of a scene.
Description of Related Art
The ability to “see” with application-specific intelligence is critical in today's world of big data that is saturated with diverse image characteristics across fundamental science and industry. Classic state-of-the-art optical imager designs deploy photo-detector arrays such as the Charge Coupled Devices (CCDs) and the Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (C-MOS) devices. These multi-pixel devices are inherently hard-wired to operate within a fixed wavelength band and spatial sampling grid, including in most cases, fixed time integration maps across the device. This highly rigid multi-pixel approach to imager design and operations today not only produces massive amount of read-out data, but also creates severe imaging limitations, such as under extreme contrast lighting conditions. This is because CCD/CMOS sensors are fundamentally limited by saturation, nonlinear response, limited spatial resolution, inter-pixel crosstalk and inter-pixel dead zone light scattering. Furthermore, when one uses custom fluorescence materials, precision lens and coding optics and nano-motion mechanics, as well as advanced computation image processing algorithms with the CCD/CMOS sensors to beat the diffraction limit, the system becomes very expensive and restricted in usage.
As a result of the drawbacks of these prior-art imagers, there is a strong need for imagers operating under extreme lighting contrast (e.g., >104:1) conditions to deliver high resolution (including beating the diffraction limit), wavelength flexibility, high dynamic range, low inter-pixel crosstalk, high Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR), and low cost as well as data compressed, compact and mechanically robust imager designs.
One new platform for imager design invented by the inventor of the present application is called Coded Access Optical Sensor (CAOS). This platform greatly alleviates the problems associated with the prior art imagers. This is due to the fact that the CAOS engages an electronically agile pixel platform using hybrid space-time-frequency RF coded multiple-access of a smartly sampled irradiance map that undergoes both optical and electronic domain signal processing.
Imaging of Electromagnetic (EM) radiation is a multidisciplinary challenge of fundamental importance to medical, manufacturing, astronomy, aerospace, arts, entertainment, forensics, security, research, and defense sectors. For effective deployment and impact from optical imagers, it is not only highly desirable to provide an imager which provides the features mentioned earlier, but it is also important to provide an imager which can realize portability, low energy consumption, and security of operations.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an imager which overcomes at least some of the above mentioned problems with prior art imagers. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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Electromechanical lock devices that include an electrically co-acting or controlled release mechanism for manoeuvring a lock cylinder are known to the art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,839,307 describes an electromechanical cylinder lock that includes outer lock housing and a core which is rotatable in the lock housing and which is controlled by double lock elements, The core includes a plurality of electromechanical lock elements that include slots which receive a side bar in a non-latched position. A magnetic core rotates the electromechanical latching elements to a desired position in relation to the side bar so as to enable the drum to be rotated.
One drawback with this known lock device is that it does not include mechanical resetting of the latch elements. This means that the latch elements will remain in a non-latching state if the lock is activated during manoeuvring of the lock, thereby detracting from the security of the lock. This can be the result if the key-mounted battery that powers the latching mechanism is removed.
A cylinder lock of the kind given in the introduction is described in Swedish patent specification SE 9904771-4. This patent specification describes the manner in which a linearly movable finger (see FIG. 1) rotates an actuator under the control of a key-carried code surface. The actuator, in turn, allows, or prevents, movement of a side bar.
This solution is encumbered with several drawbacks. Firstly, it is relatively space consuming. Secondly, movement of the finger is code-dependent, in other words it is necessary to include a suitable code surface. This solution will not work if the key lacks such a code surface.
The European patent publication EP 1134335A2 describes a lock device of the type given in the introduction, in which a latching mechanism includes a linearly movable part. Consequently, this solution is also space consuming and code dependent. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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Personal electronic devices may include smart phones, multi-media players, portable music players, digital cameras, handheld gaming systems, and other devices for communication and entertainment. In some implementations, personal electronic devices may be capable of wirelessly connecting to a network, for example via Wi-Fi™ or a cellular carrier. Personal electronic devices, in some implementations, may include one or more features such as voice recognition, voice based control, motion sensing, location sensing, one or more microphones, one or more speakers, one or more video and/or audio outputs, and input mechanisms such as QWERTY keyboard controls, buttons, track balls, and touch screen control elements. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
} |
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to wiring boards on which flat package type integrated circuit devices are mounted.
2. Discussion of Background
Conventionally, in typical wiring boards for flat package type integrated circuit devices, pattern pads which make contact with the leads of the integrated circuit devices are formed in rectangular shapes.
However, in conventional wiring boards, the pattern pads all have the same configuration and the same area and, furthermore, they are formed only slightly wider than the contact portions of the leads. Thus, the amount of solder required for soldering is restricted. Therefore, when soldering is carried out, there is a tendency for defective soldering to occur, such as leads becoming detached from the pattern pads.
Also, since the pattern pads are all the same shape, the pattern pad on which the reference lead of the integrated circuit devices should be mounted is difficult to distinguish. Accordingly, the mounting direction of the integrated circuit devices easily can be mistaken. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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Animals, including humans and other mammals, can be afflicted by a number of bone related disorders such as osteoporosis and Paget's disease. Although the cause of bone related disorders is poorly understood, it is believed that there may be an imbalance between bone formation and bone resorption (bone breakdown). For example, in animals suffering from an osteoporotic condition, bone resorption exceeds bone formation. The complex process of bone formation and bone resorption may be mediated by two cell types: osteoblasts, which is involved in bone formation and osteoclasts, which is involved in bone resorption.
A promising therapeutic approach to the treatment of bone related disorders would be the administration of agents which have been designed to modify the balance between the rate of bone formation and the rate of bone resorption in such a manner that the ratio of the former to the latter is increased, resulting in no net bone loss. For example, the bone loss may be suppressed by inhibiting bone resorption (e.g. inhibiting activity of osteoclasts) or inducing bone formation (e.g. inducing activity of osteoblasts). After the previously occurred bone losses have been restored, a steady state is reached where the rate of bone production and rate of bone resorption are equal. Such a modification may be effected by stimulating the physiological mechanism of bone deposition, i.e., bone formation, or by retarding the mechanism of bone resorption, or both. Drugs presently in use or in the experimental stages for accomplishing these purposes include hormone replacement therapy, selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) (e.g., Raloxifene), bisphosphonates (e.g., alendronate) and calcitonin. These therapeutic treatments reduce bone resoption by decreasing osteoclast generation and reducing osteoclast activity (Canalis E, 2000, J Clin Invest., 106(2): pp 177-179). Although the resulting decrease in bone resorption leads to small increases in bone mineral density (BMD), these drugs do not increase bone matrix deposition or bone volume (Tashjian, A. H., et. al., J. Bone Miner. Res. 17: 1151-1161. 2002). One agent, parathyroid hormone (PTH), when administered once daily stimulates bone matrix formation (Cosman, F. et. al., Calcif. Tissue Int. 62: 475-480, 1998, Neer, R. M., et. al., N. Engl. J. Med. 344:1434-1441, 2001)
PTH and its biologically active fragment PTH 1-34, have been recognized since 1930 that they could exert strong bone forming effects. Interest in bone forming ability of PTH was revived in 1970s and 1980s after numerous clinical studies indicated a bone forming activity of PTH primarily within trabecular bone while with little or no effects on cortical bone (Bauer et al, 1929, J Exp Med, 49: pp 145-162, Selye H, 1932, Endocrinology, 16: pp 547-558, Dempster et al., 1993, Endocrine Reviews, 14(6): pp 690-709, Bauer et al, 1929, J Exp Med, 49: pp 145-162; Selye H, 1932, Endocrinology, 16: pp 547-558). More recent work has shown that the increase in bone formation by PTH increases not only bone mass but improves bone architecture and biomechanical properties (Brommage, R. et. al., J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab. 84:3757:3763, 1999., Sato, M. et. al., Osteoporos. Int. 11:871-880, 2000., Burr, D. B., et. al., J. Bone Miner. Res. 16:157-165, 2001., Jerome, C. P., et. al., Bone 28:150-159, 2001). Although PTH has these anabolic (bone forming) properties its actions are complex because it can have catabolic (bone degradation) activities under certain treatment regimens (Dempster, D. W. et. al., Endocrine Reviews, 14:690-709, 1993).
A significant need exists to identify novel gene(s) and their protein products for the elucidation of the molecular mechanism of bone modulation or formation, for the screening and development of new drugs, for diagnosis, prognosis, prevention, and treatment of bone development and bone loss disorders, and evaluation of therapies for bone related disorders such as osteoporosis. Furthermore, there is currently a need in the industry for models of bone related disorders, including animal models, to enable screening and identification of compounds for the treatment of these diseases. The present invention overcomes these problems and provides the needed tools. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
} |
This invention relates to amplifiers employing semiconductor devices. More particularly, it is concerned with high frequency, high gain, amplifier circuits employing field effect transistors.
One type of semiconductor device which provides a combination of high power, high frequency, good gain efficiency, and high breakdown voltage is a form of field effect transistor (FET) known as the static induction transistor (SIT). By employing these devices it is possible to design and implement efficient, high gain, high frequency, power amplifiers and oscillators capable of operating with high DC supply voltages. Static induction transistors are a special class of junction field effect transistors in which electrical current flows "vertically" between the source and drain and is controlled by an induced electric potential barrier under the source.
Amplifiers having high power gain and operating at high frequency with high drain efficiency have been constructed employing a single static induction transistor in the common-gate configuration. Static induction transistors operated in a common-source configuration are capable of providing very high gain at high frequencies. However, when they are operated in this configuration, the inherent parasitic drain-to-gate capacitance provides a positive feedback path which may result in instability and/or oscillation. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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The following invention relates to a ROM emulator module to be used in conjunction with a diagnostic tester for testing or troubleshooting microprocessor-based electronic systems.
Microprocessor-based electronic systems such as microcomputers require test instrumentation capable of diagnosing and correcting system faults and faulty electronic components. Such diagnostic testers in the past have relied upon the technique of emulating the system's microprocessor or central processing unit in order to control the remainder of the system so that a series of diagnostic tests may be conducted which isolate the system's microprocessor from the remainder of the components. Microprocessor emulation performs two basic functions. In isolating the microprocessor from the remainder of its system components, it ma quickly be determined whether the microprocessor itself is faulty or whether the problem lies in some other component. Second, using an emulator to control the remainder of the system, rather than the system microprocessor, allows the diagnostic tester much more flexibility in exercising the remaining components of the system which might not otherwise be possible. This is due to the fact that the microprocessor in the system depends in large amount upon other system components in order to execute programs, and it is very likely that one or more of these other components could be the source of the problem. The diagnostic test routines can effectively remove these components from the system selectively or exercise these components from the microprocessor emulator in such a way that their functions are isolated from one another and diagnosis of the system may proceed in an orderly fashion.
The problem with such testers is, however, that they are expensive. A diagnostic tester using the microprocessor emulation technique is unique to the particular microprocessor used in the device under test (DUT). Since there are a large variety of different microprocessors currently in use in various types of systems, it can be very expensive to acquire a plurality of evaluators, one for each type of microprocessor. Due to the wide variations of ways in which microprocessors are structured, there is, as yet, no general-purpose microprocessor emulator available.
What is needed therefore, is a universal diagnostic test device which is capable of being used with any type of microprocessor without requiring separate circuitry for each type of microprocessor that might be encountered. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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At present, there are generally multiple boards in one subrack. Each board has an independent operating system, and the boards are connected with each other via a bus. The operating system accesses a storage device through a hard disk controller, and generally the hard disk controller can only be controlled and managed by one operating system, so that the operating system of each board can only access one storage device. Because the operating system on each board can only access one storage device, the operating system on each board cannot access storage devices corresponding to other boards, so that multiple operating systems cannot access stored data in a same storage device. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
} |
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a technology for providing service from a service providing device to a service user terminal via the service relaying apparatus.
2. Description of the Related Art
There had been technologies to realize the Internet services by a combination of communication line services provided by communication carriers and application services provided by service providers. In such conventional technologies, application software corresponding to an application service to be used is installed on a service user terminal, so that the application software communicates with an application server that provides the application service using a predetermined protocol. Thus, various types of applications become available on the service user terminal device.
It has becomes an important issue how to assure quality of communication for the application services. For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2004-341583 discloses a method for controlling quality of communication. According to the conventional method, passing packets are sorted by identifying transmission destinations and applications based on the destination addresses and the port numbers of the packets in a communication relaying apparatus such as a communication gateway, so that the quality of communication between application software and the application server can be assured.
However, with conventional technologies including the one mentioned above, a protocol related to the communication is exchanged between the service user terminal and the application server. The communication relaying apparatus only performs network layer processing to transfer communication packets.
Accordingly, every time a new application service starts being used, application software corresponding to the application service needs to be installed on the service user terminal and appropriate settings need to be made. This requires not only the cumbersome operation of installing the application software and making the appropriate settings, but also, in some cases, specialized knowledge for installing and setting up the application software. Consequently, it is difficult to start using a new application service.
Further, due to the recent development in ubiquitous computing, various types of information appliances having a microcomputer have become available. It is not possible for a user to add and install new application software on the information appliance, unlike personal computers to which users have been able to add new application software. Furthermore, it is often the case that personal computers are connected to intranets, and installation of new software is restricted for security reasons.
Thus, a problem arises where it is impossible or difficult to use a new application service if it is impossible or difficult to install application software corresponding to the new application service on a service user terminal.
With regard to assuring the quality of communication in the application service, it has not been possible, with the conventional technologies, to block unauthorized access from a service user terminal because the communication relaying apparatus only transfers communication packets and is not at all involved with the application protocol.
Further, when the application software required in the communication of the application service is managed for each service user terminal, while the communication relaying apparatus only relays communication packets, if a failure occurs, it is difficult to identify a cause of the failure. This also makes it difficult to assure the quality of communication in the application service. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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The invention is concerned with an occupant protection device for fastening in a vehicle seat with a receiving container for an airbag.
An occupant protection device of this type is known, for example, from German patent document no. DE 196 25 436 (incorporated by reference herein). The previously known occupant protection device has a receiving container in which an inflatable airbag is stored. The receiving container is closed by a covering cap. The covering cap has a predetermined breaking point in the form of a groove in its central region. The covering cap breaks open at this predetermined breaking point as soon as the airbag is inflated in the event of a vehicle accident and exerts a corresponding internal pressure on the covering cap. In the previously known occupant protection device, the seat cover is provided with an opening slot in the region of the covering cap of the receiving container. When inflating, the airbag can pass through the seat cover through this slot and can be deployed outside the vehicle seat. The seat cover is fastened in the region of its slot to the covering cap of the receiving container, specifically in such a manner that the two subregions of the seat cover which are separated by the slot are fastened to the covering cap on different sides of the predetermined breaking point. This fastening of the seat cover to the covering cap has the effect that, when the airbag is inflated, the covering cap which breaks open at the predetermined breaking point opens the slot of the seat cover and allows the airbag “to pass”.
Another occupant protection device is described in German utility model DE 299 12 825 (incorporated by reference herein). In this previously known occupant protection device, a receiving container for an airbag is likewise provided. The receiving container has a covering part which can swing open and which covers the receiving container. The covering part is swung open by means of pulling means as soon as the airbag is inflated. In order to make it possible for the covering part to swing open, a hinge section is provided about which the covering part is pivoted when appropriately actuated by the pulling means.
A further occupant protection device is described in German utility model DE 296 01 257 (incorporated by reference herein). This previously known occupant protection device has a receiving container which receives an airbag and is closed by a covering cap. The covering cap is mounted in a manner such that it can rotate about a pivot axis and has tearing teeth on its outer side, which faces the seat cover. If the airbag is inflated, then, the airbag presses from the inside against the covering cap and pivots the cap outwards, as a result of which the tearing teeth of the covering cap tear open the seat cover and provide an opening for the airbag. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
} |
1. Technical Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to a control unit and a control method of appropriately maintaining an output signal of a nonlinear system by carrying out adaptive control of variable impedance components, and especially relates to a control unit and a control method of appropriately maintaining a signal received by an adaptive antenna system that has two or more antenna elements.
2. Description of the Related Art
In the technical field, appropriately maintaining an output signal is often carried out by optimizing impedance by an optimization technique that uses a perturbation method in a nonlinear system wherein an output signal changes depending on the impedance of two or more components.
FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of a conventional control system 100. The control system 100 serves a radio frequency (RF) processing type adaptive antenna system, and is a nonlinear system wherein the impedances of two or more RF components (L, C) are unknown, and two or more received signals are added and output. The control system 100 includes two or more antenna elements 102, the quantity of which is expressed as M+1, and an adder 104 that combines signals from the antenna elements 102. The output of the adder 104 is provided to an analog-to-digital converter 106. The output of the analog-to-digital converter 106 is provided to a control unit 108.
Out of the M+1 antenna elements, each of M antenna elements includes a phase shift circuit 110 that consists of an inductor Li connected in series and a capacitor Ci (i=1, . . . , M) connected in parallel to the antenna element 102. The inductance of the inductor Li and the capacitance of the capacitor Ci are adjusted by a control signal provided by the control unit 108. Contents xi (i=1, . . . , 2M) of the control signal specify a signal for setting up the impedance of the inductor Li and the capacitor Ci.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a control flow 200 of the control system 100 mainly performed by the control unit 108, the control flow 200 employing the perturbation method. The control flow 200 starts at Step 202. At Step 204, impedance xi of two or more components (inductors Li and capacitors Ci) is set at a suitable initial value. At Step 206, a parameter m relevant to the number of repetition times of the process is set at an initial value 0.
At Step 208, an evaluation function value f(x) is obtained, where f(x) varies depending on a signal y(x), where x=x1, x2, . . . , x2M, output by the analog-to-digital converter 106 (FIG. 1). The evaluation function value is stored as a fiducial point f0(x).
At Step 210, the parameter m is incremented by one.
At Step 212, the value of the impedance xm of the m-th component is changed to xm+Δxm. For example, if the value of m is 1, a minute change is added to the value of the inductor Ll. The minute change causes the output signal y(x) to change.
At Step 214, the evaluation function value f(x) is calculated based on the output signal y(x).
At Step 216, a slope (gradient) vector ∇f is calculated by computing the difference between the evaluation function values f(x) before and after the minute change of the impedance xm. The gradient vector ∇f is a vector quantity that has 2M components, and each component is calculated by the following formula.(∇f)xm=f(x1, . . . , xm+Δxm, . . . , x2M)−f0(x1, . . . , xm, . . . , x2M)
At Step 218, the added minute change Δxm is deducted, and the value of xm returns to the original value.
At Step 220, it is determined whether the parameter m is equal to or less than 2M. If the determination is affirmative, the process returns to Step 208, and other components of the gradient vector ∇f are calculated. Otherwise, if m is determined to be greater than 2M, all the components of the gradient vector ∇f have been calculated.
At Step 222, the impedance value xi is updated using the calculated gradient vector ∇f. The gradient vector ∇f represents the direction in which a slope (inclination) changes most rapidly in the coordinate (x1, x2, . . . , x2M) of the curved surface expressed by f. That is, the maximum or the minimum value (the desired optimal value) of the evaluation function value f is present in the direction indicated by ∇f. Accordingly, the impedance value x is updated to x+α∇f, where α represents a step size in the direction of ∇f.
At Step 224, it is determined whether the impedance value is satisfactorily converged by comparing the impedance value with the previous impedance value. If negative, the process returns to Step 206 for further updating. If affirmative, the process proceeds to Step 226, and the control flow 200 is ended.
The optimization technique wherein the gradient vector ∇f is calculated, and the impedance value is updated by adding a minute change to the impedance using the perturbation method has been disclosed by, e.g., JPA 2002-118414, Robert J Dinger, “A Planar Version of a 4.0 GHz Reactively Steered Adaptive Array”, IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON ANTENNAS AND PROPAGATION, vol. AP-34, No.3, March 1986, and Robert J Dinger, “Reactively Steered Adaptive Array Using Microstrip Patch Components at 4.0 GHz”, IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON ANTENNAS AND PROPAGATION, vol. AP-32, No.8, August 1984.
It is common for the above control technique to use a semiconductor integrated circuit to form the variable impedance component such as a variable inductor and a variable capacitor. However, while the common practice is advantageous in that a high response speed is available when changing the impedance, a disadvantage is that high power is consumed. This is particularly disadvantageous for a small appliance that uses a battery.
On the other hand, an impedance variable component is available, wherein the impedance is mechanically changed using a micro electro mechanical system (MEMS). The impedance can be changed by various methods, and examples are to change the impedance by changing the interval between two plates of a capacitor, and by changing the amount of insertion of a magnetic core of an inductor. Indeed, the MEMS type component consumes very little power, compared with the semiconductor integrated circuit, and it is possible to solve the problem concerning power consumption. However, the response time of the MEMS component tends to be longer than the semiconductor integrated circuit for the same impedance. Especially, when a process such as the control flow 200 is used in order to obtain a gradient vector ∇f, the slow response poses a problem in that the gradient vector ∇f cannot be promptly calculated. That is, an MEMS type component is not capable of accurately following changes in a nonlinear system. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
} |
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a wiring substrate and an electronic parts packaging structure and, more particularly, a wiring substrate on which electronic parts are packaged by an ultrasonic flip-chip packaging and an electronic parts packaging structure in which the electronic parts are packaged on the wiring substrate.
2. Description of the Related Art
In the related art, a wide variety of packaging methods are proposed as the flip-chip packaging that is being quickly spread as the representative high-density packaging method. As one of the flip-chip packaging method, there is the ultrasonic flip-chip packaging method.
In the ultrasonic flip-chip packaging method, as shown in FIG. 1A, first an electronic parts 106 having bumps 108 thereon and a wiring substrate 100 having connection pads 104 on an insulating film 102 are prepared. Then, the bumps 108 on the electronic parts 106 picked up by the ultrasonic tool are arranged so as to oppose to upper surfaces of the connection pads 104 of the wiring substrate 100. Then, the bumps 108 on the electronic parts 106 are bonded to the connection pads 104 of the wiring substrate 100 by applying the ultrasonic vibration in parallel with the surface of the wiring substrate 100 in a state that the pressure is applied to the electronic parts 106.
Meanwhile, in many cases the resin is used as the insulating film 102 of the wiring substrate 100. As shown in FIG. 1B, since the insulating film 102 made of resin is relatively soft, sometimes the connection pads 104 are pushed into the underlying insulating film 102 by the pressure or the ultrasonic vibration applied when the ultrasonic flip-chip packaging is carried out, and are deformed. Therefore, since an energy of the ultrasonic vibration is not sufficiently transmitted as the energy to bond the bumps 108 on the electronic parts 106 and the connection pads 104 of the wiring substrate 100, such a problem exists that it becomes difficult to bond the bumps 108 and the connection pads 104 with good reliability.
Also, in the ultrasonic flip-chip packaging, the ultrasonic vibration has such a characteristic that its energy is ready to transfer to the center portion of the electronic parts 106 rather than both end portions. Therefore, the bonding characteristic of the bump 108 and the connection pad 104 is varied between the center portion and both end portions of the electronic parts 106, and thus reliability of the bonding is lowered in some cases. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
} |
The present disclosure relates to a camera apparatus.
As a display of captured information in a camera apparatus, for example, there is a display with a lens focus state. In related art, emphatically displaying a high frequency component of a captured image is well known as this display method. Alternatively, transmitting a focal state of a lens to a photographer, by an enlarged scaling of an arbitrary necessary area, is well known as this display method. However, in the case of these display methods, switching and displaying is performed with captured main line signals in one display unit display, and so the actual state of the captured main line signals will not be able to be usually confirmed. Further, in related art, a method is proposed which combines a main line image and an enlarged image, and displays the combined image on one screen (for example, refer to JP 2013-341173A). However, in this case, it will be a display within one screen, and simultaneous confirmation of an actual main line image will not be able to be performed.
Further, as a display of imaging information in a camera apparatus, for example, there is a display of luminance levels of captured signals. Related to this display, while a region of a level specified in advance is identified by replacing with a color or a specific image, a captured main line will not be able to be usually confirmed.
Further, as a display of imaging information in a camera apparatus, for example, there is a display of status information at the time of imaging. Related to this display, while there are many cases in related art in which status information at the time of imaging is superimposed, for example, as characters on the top and bottom parts of a display screen of a captured image, the superimposed part will conceal the image, and so there will be cases where obstructions to imaging are produced.
Further, in related art, in the case of a system which sets an image of an arbitrary camera apparatus to an on air (ON AIR) image by using a plurality of camera apparatuses, the on air image can be confirmed by transmitting to each of the camera apparatuses as a return image. In this case, there will be one display unit for displaying at the imaging apparatus side, it may be necessary to switch signals, and operations may not be possible while confirming an on air image for a long time period. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
} |
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a chart display device for creating and displaying a chart, and program for the same.
2. Prior Art of the Invention
Charts or graphs such as line graphs, etc. have been used for displaying numeric values or changes in the numeric values, and used at ordinary presentations or presentations at scientific meetings, etc. A simple and easy method to create a graph has so far been desired. Various graph display systems for smoothly creating graphs using a terminal of a personal computer have been proposed (Japanese laid open patent publication No. 2003-288486).
An easy-to-read display of a plurality of graphs can be achieved by a graph arrangement in which each graph has the same plot area size and is aligned and displayed. In the prior art described above, however, a plurality of graphs created in advance are copied and pasted on one display sheet by adjusting their size and position and aligning them on the display sheet. Such work consumes a lot of time and energy. In addition, in the case where new data are freshly added, after alignment of these graphs is completed, sizes of the plot areas of some graphs must be changed in concert with an increase in the volume of the data to be freshly added, causing deterioration in appearance of the display sheet. In such case in the above-mentioned prior art, operators of the computer must manually re-adjust the size and location of the graphs in the display sheet on the computer screen, consuming a lot of time and energy, too. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
} |
As distributed systems continue to increase in size and capacity through the introduction of additional equipments or additional interconnections between equipments or components, the need to manage and determine the status of the distributed system becomes increasingly more difficult and complex.
In distributed systems, such as storage area networks (SANs), a plurality of data providers/users are typically connected through a FibreChannel switch fabric to a plurality of storage devices. The FibreChannel switch fabric typically includes a plurality of switches that allow any data provider to supply data to one or more storage devices and similarly enables a storage device to provide stored data to each of the data users. The providers/users have no explicit knowledge of which of the storage devices to which the data is stored or provided. As additional storage devices are added to the plurality of storage devices or new switches are added to the fabric, the interconnections within the switch fabric are updated to accommodate the new equipments. FIG. 1 illustrates a conventional Storage Area Network which illustrates a plurality of hosts 110 in communication with a plurality of switches 120 which provide access to a network 130. The network represents an internal or external communication network (e.g., private or public internet) or may represent a switch fabric. In essence, the specific communication paths among the elements of the network are unknown to a user (host). Accordingly, information provided to the network 130 from host 110 may be stored on selected storage devices 150 via switches 140. The data may, for example, include header information that identifies the specific storage device to which data is stored or retrieved.
Because of the number of interconnections (paths, pathlinks) between the switches and the external data providers/users and the storage area network devices, there is an inherent redundancy in the SAN as data may be provided to any one of the storage devices that are indicated to be in an operational state. That is, if one particular storage device fails by losing power or component breakdown, a SAN controller may receive an indication of the non-operational status may declare the device failed and direct subsequent requests for storing data to another storage device. Similarly, when a switch fails, the SAN controller may declare the device failed and direct subsequent requests to the switch to another switch.
However, when a connection between a host and a storage device fails due to a link or switch failure in the SAN, there is no explicit indication of such a failure. One way to determine whether connections have failed, and provide subsequent re-routing information, is to test each connection by physically transmitting signal and determining a reply. This method is very time consuming and expensive as the test signals must be transmitted without interfering with the underlying operation of the SAN.
Hence, there is a need in the industry for a method and apparatus for determining the interconnections among a plurality of equipments and utilizing this information to determine connectivity between equipments or components in the distributed system. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
} |
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is directed to electrical power distribution devices; particularly load bases which provide electrical connection between a fuse and an electrical cable that is connected to a load.
2. Description of Art
Electrical distribution devices often utilize fuses for circuit protection devices. Load bases, sometimes also referred to as fuse blocks, are used to provide electrical continuity from an electrical cable to the fuse. In some applications, a load base is used on each end of a fuse, i.e., on both the so-called load and line ends of the fuse. In other applications, a disconnect switch is used on the line end of the fuse and a load base is used on the load end of the fuse, i.e., the end closer to the device which utilizes electrical power.
Known fuse bases and fusible switches generally have an insulating base and a conductive bus attached to the base which has threaded apertures for attachment of a wire lug with a threaded member, such as a machine screw. A load base has a fuse clip attached to the conductive strip and electrical continuity is established between a wire connected to a load and a fuse by connection of the wire to the wire lug and insertion of a fuse conductive end into the fuse clip. Fusible switches often have a line end similar to a load base and a set of stationary switch terminals, attached to the conductive bus in lieu of a fuse clip. The switch has a translatable blade contact assembly for completion of continuity with the stationary switch terminals and a fuse clip is electrically connected to the blade contact assembly. Examples of load bases and fusible switches are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,293,392; 3,525,835; 3,840,717; 3,993,395; 4,288,138 and 4,302,643.
Known load bases and fusible switches require attachment of the conductive bus to the insulating base with fasteners or by molding the conductive bus into the base. Some types of load bases and switches utilize fasteners for the dual purpose of mounting a lug or fuse clip to the conductive bus and in turn retaining the bus on the base. Removal of one of the fasteners causes disassembly of the components from the base that are secured by that fastener, and the components can be lost during field service.
Also, the requirement for a manufacturing facility to stock and install during assembly separate fasteners for retaining the lug to the conductive bus, the fuse clip to the conductive bus and the conductive bus to the base increases manufacturing costs.
It is an object of the present invention to create a wire lug which allows direct attachment of a fuse clip thereto without the need for an additional conductive bus strip or other like components.
It is another object of the present invention to minimize the number of components needed to establish electrical continuity between an electrical wire and a conductive end of a fuse, to minimize parts, inventory and manufacturing costs, assembly effort and discontinuities which may be caused by inadvertent component separation.
It is an additional object of the present invention to create a wire lug retainer which holds a wire lug in position relative to a load base or disconnect switch housing after removal of a fuse clip coupled to the lug. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
} |
A white light-emitting device including a blue light-emitting element including a nitride semiconductor element as a light-emitting element and a phosphor has recently increasingly been used for a backlight of a large-sized liquid crystal television or a light source for lighting equipment. In such a product as a large-sized liquid crystal television or lighting equipment, many white light-emitting devices are used in one product. Therefore, blue light-emitting elements included in such products are required to be high in quality in mass production.
A nitride semiconductor light-emitting element included in a backlight of a large-sized liquid crystal television or a light source for lighting equipment has increasingly generally been driven in a relatively high-current region, for example, at 80 mA or higher. A conventional nitride semiconductor light-emitting element is driven in a relatively low-current region around 20 mA in many cases.
In some conventional nitride semiconductor light-emitting elements, a nitride semiconductor layer is formed on a C plane of a sapphire substrate and light from a light-emitting layer is extracted not only from the nitride semiconductor layer but also from a side surface of the sapphire substrate. In such a nitride semiconductor light-emitting element, the sapphire substrate should have a thickness large to some extent. In order to prevent light emitted from the side surface of the sapphire substrate from returning to the inside of the sapphire substrate as a result of total reflection by the side surface of the sapphire substrate, the side surface of the sapphire substrate should also be roughened.
For example, Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2010-141331 (PTD 1) describes growing a light-emitting structure on a substrate, thereafter forming a division groove like a dotted line in the substrate with laser beams, and thereafter dividing the substrate and the light-emitting structure by applying a pressure to the substrate. Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2013-21250 (PTD 2) describes formation of an affected layer in a side surface of a sapphire substrate by emitting laser beams from an upper surface side or a lower surface side of the sapphire substrate. PTD 1: Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2010-141331 PTD 2: Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2013-21250 | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
} |
The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for writing an address conversion table. Particularly, the present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for writing, in a non-volatile memory, an address conversion table for wear leveling of the non-volatile memory.
A non-volatile memory, such as a flash memory and a phase-change memory, has a limitation in the number of rewrites of data. As a result, the data cannot be rewritten in a cell with the number of rewrites exceeding the limitation, or the data is erased (inverted), leading to the end of the lifetime.
Therefore, if rewrites are concentrated on a specific cell, the cell quickly (for example, in about several seconds) reaches the end of lifetime. Thus, the numbers of rewrites in cells are leveled to prevent the concentration of rewrites in a specific cell. The leveling of the numbers of rewrites is generally called wear leveling. The wear leveling is a process of using an address conversion table to dynamically convert a physical address provided from a CPU or the like to a memory system into an internal address for actual writing of data in order to level the numbers of rewrites in the cells.
Here, a simple, new and effective start gap system is known as a system of wear leveling (for example, see the publication of Moinuddin K. Qureshi, Michele Franchescini, Vijayalakshmi Srinivasan, Luis Lastras, Bulent Abali, and John Karidis, “Enhancing Lifetime and Security of PCM-Based Main Memory with Start-Gap Wear Leveling”, IBM Research, [online], [searched Apr. 22, 2014], Internet <URL: http://researcher.watson.ibm.com/researcher/files/us-moinqureshi/papers-sgap.pdf>).
Qureshi, et al. discloses a start-gap system using algebraic mapping between logical addresses and physical addresses, the start-gap system including two registers Start and Gap as well as an additional memory line GapLine for facilitating data migration, Gap tracking the number of lines reshuffled in the memory, Start keeping track of the numbers of reshuffles of all lines in the memory.
Further, an example of a known technique described in a patent application includes a technique of reducing exhaustion of a flash memory (for example, see JP2013-196155A).
JP2013-196155A discloses that when a snapshot condition is met, a management table is saved as a snapshot from a first storage unit to a first block of a second storage unit, a pointer indicating the save location of the management table is saved in a write unit in a second block of the second storage unit, and part of the management table is saved in a non-written area in the write unit of the second block that saves the pointer.
Furthermore, techniques of updating an address conversion table are also known (for example, see JP2007-18499A and WO2012/074554).
JP2007-18499A discloses a storage apparatus including: a 2-chip flash memory that can be accessed in parallel; a page register that acquires data from the flash memory in parallel and that temporarily stores the data; and a control circuit including a RAM provided with an address conversion table for managing contrast between logical addresses and physical addresses on the basis of data stored in parallel in the page register, wherein data is rewritten by update of the address conversion table and addition to a storage medium.
WO2012/074554 discloses restoration of a transaction log including: checking some entries saved in the transaction log to determine a writing pattern based on the entries; reading a memory based on the writing pattern; updating the transaction log with information associated with data read from the memory based on the writing pattern; and updating a logical address (LA) table by using the transaction log.
Further, techniques of duplicating and storing data are also known.
JP7-248978A discloses a non-volatile memory, wherein a first latest write signal is generated and stored after writing of data in a first memory is finished, the same data as the data written in the first memory is written in a second memory, a second latest write signal is generated and stored, a check code indicating whether the latest write signal is normally stored in the memory is generated and stored, and when the check code stored in the memory is determined to be normal, the data is read from the first memory or the second memory according to the latest write signal stored in the memory.
JP10-312338A discloses a memory control apparatus, wherein in address conversion from a virtual address to a physical address, a page table walk process generates two physical addresses of primary and shadow to duplicate data written in a physical memory, and when a failure occurs, the address in which effective data remains is used to enable recovery from the failure.
JP2004-139503A discloses a storage apparatus, wherein the same data is written in a different storage medium when an instruction of mirror writing is input, management information of mirror writing (data ID, mirror writing flag, logical address, and the like) is generated, correct data is read from another recording medium if one recording medium is broken when data is read, and at this point, the correct data read from the other recording medium is rewritten in a normal area in place of the data of the broken recording medium.
Further, a technique of causing a plurality of flash EEPROMs to execute write operation at the same time is also known (for example, see Patent Literature 7).
JP7-302176A discloses a semiconductor disk apparatus, wherein a NAND bus interface independently receives sixteen ready/busy signals from the flash EEPROMs to manage the operation state of each flash EEPROM. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
} |
Various types of seed meters have been developed that use an air pressure differential, either vacuum or positive pressure, to adhere seed to a metering member. The metering member takes seed from a seed pool and sequentially discharges single seeds. (In some cases, multiple seeds may be discharged at a time.) One common type of seed meter is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,170,909. There, a seed disk 48 contained in a housing is used to meter the seed. The seed pool is positioned on one side of the disk at a lower portion thereof while vacuum is applied to the opposite side of the disk. As the disk is rotated, individual seeds from the seed pool are adhered by the vacuum to apertures that extend though the disk. When the seed reaches a desired release position, the vacuum is terminated, allowing the seed to drop from the disk, through a seed tube to a furrow formed in the soil below.
Flexible belts have also been used in an air pressure differential seed meter. One example is shown in US patent application 2010/0192818, A1. There, a flexible belt having an array of apertures therein is movable along a path in a housing. A seed pool is formed on one side of the belt. Vacuum applied on the opposite side of the belt along a portion of the belt path adheres seed to the apertures, allowing the belt to move the seed to a release position where the vacuum is cut-off. The seed then falls or is removed from the belt.
When seed falls by gravity from the meter through the seed tube, it can be difficult to maintain accurate and consistent seed spacing at planting speeds greater than about 8, kph (5, mph). To maintain spacing accuracy, a seed delivery system that controls the seed as the seed moves from the seed meter to the soil is desirable. One such delivery system is shown in US patent application 2010/0192819-A1. With such a delivery system, the hand-off of seed from the disk of U.S. Pat. No. 5,170,909, to the delivery system is difficult to achieve in a consistent manner. While the hand-off of seed may be improved with the use of a belt meter, there is still a need for a more consistent and reliable hand-off of seed from the seed meter to the delivery system. Improvements to the seed meter and seed delivery system can improve the hand-off of seed to the delivery system. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
} |
In mass spectrometry, multiple radio frequency (“RF”) components may be used. Examples of radio frequency components used in a mass spectrometer include ion guides, mass filters, and ion traps. Such RF components may be implemented using a quadrupole configuration. Some mass spectrometers use radio frequency components in tandem or adjacent to one another. The close proximity of these components results in RF coupling between the components. Such RF coupling can be more pronounced in systems that do not use lenses or other intervening components between RF components. This RF coupling causes unwanted perturbations from an adjacent RF component on the other RF component. As a result of these external perturbations, the system performance of the mass spectrometer is degraded. For example, external perturbations on a mass filter as a result of RF coupling with an adjacent RF component results in the mass selectivity of the mass filter to shift. This results in the mass filter passing undesired ions through the system, which degrading the results. In addition, adjacent RF components used in mass spectrometers are particularly prone to RF coupling because of the use of high power RF signals.
One solution to reduce RF coupling between components includes rotating the RF components along a shared central axis with respect to one another to minimize the RF coupling between the components. But, this solution degrades the performance of a mass spectrometer because rotating the components with respect to each other creates a mismatch between the exit ion pattern of the first RF component and the entrance acceptance field of the second RF component.
Another solution is to use high voltage, physically attached capacitors between the two adjacent RF components. The high voltage, physically attached capacitors aid in the suppression of the RF coupling between the RF components. However, inconsistencies between the high voltage, physically attached capacitors because of manufacturing tolerances limit the effectiveness of this solution. These inconsistencies in the values of capacitors result in the high voltage, physically attached capacitors not properly reducing the RF coupling as desired. Moreover, changes in capacitance as a result of temperature variations and other operating conditions of a mass spectrometer also reduce the effectiveness of high voltage, physically attached capacitors effectiveness at reducing RF coupling between components. Other problems with using high voltage, physically attached capacitors between RF components to reduce RF coupling between the components include how to mount and connect the capacitors in the mass spectrometer without negatively changing ion flow or other characteristics of the system. Moreover, the use of high voltage, physically attached capacitors is disadvantageous in that the cost of the capacitors significantly adds to the cost of the RF components. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
} |
When sound, e.g. human speech, is transcribed to text automatically by means of a speech recognition system, it is generally and easily possible to associate each word or even smaller lexical subunit, referred to as a text datum in the following, with the corresponding sound segment (also referred to as a sound datum), for instance by automatically including timing data derived from the sound data in the text file which is produced by the speech recognition system. The timing data can then be used to directly access a text datum corresponding to a given sound datum, and vice versa. Such an association is in particular required for commonly known features such as synchronous playback, wherein a segment of text (text datum) such as a word or a syllable corresponding to a currently played sound segment is shown to a user, for instance by highlighting the text segment in question on a display. Such a feature is especially useful for correction of transcriptions established through speech recognition as well as for review and quality assurance.
However, when sound is transcribed manually, which is the case frequently due to the well-known imperfections of current speech recognition systems, e.g. when dealing with sound data of poor quality or a highly specialized jargon, such an association is generally not available automatically. Therefore, in the prior art synchronization of text and sound has to be done manually by marking sound segments with a precision of the order of a few milliseconds and subsequent entering the corresponding text. Such an approach is very time consuming, thus representing an important matter of expenses. Nevertheless, it constitutes an important feature of transcription for further analysis, e.g. in the field of psychology, marketing, etc. A similar approach has been published by Bainbridge, D., and Cunningham, S. J.: “Making oral history accessible over the World Wide Web”, History and Computing, vol. 10, no. 1-3, pp. 73-81 (1998).
Thus, there is a need in the art to be able to cost-effectively synchronize sound and text in connection with the manual transcription of sound data.
It is the object of the present invention to provide a method for synchronizing sound data and text data, said text data being obtained by manual transcription of said sound data during playback of the latter, which obviates the above-mentioned disadvantages. It is also an object of the present invention to provide a method for synchronized playback of sound data and corresponding text data, which incorporates the inventive method for synchronizing sound data and text data, thus obviating the common disadvantage of the prior art of synchronous playback being exclusively reserved to systems using speech recognition. Furthermore, the present invention has for its object to provide a system adapted to translate into action the respective inventive methods mentioned above. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
} |
1. Field of Invention
The invention relates to an automatic steering device and method employed in a vehicle automatically driven for parking, for example, without requiring a vehicle operator to perform a steering operation.
2. Description of Related Art
An automatic steering device disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open publication No. 4-205505 allows the operator of the vehicle to perform the steering operation easily during the automatic steering operation by generating automatic steering torque and an assist torque of the power steering simultaneously. The automatic steering device reduces the steering torque in excess of the automatic steering torque using the assist torque of the power steering. When the vehicle operator intends to perform the steering operation in the automatic steering mode, the steering torque is reduced so as to assist the vehicle operator to perform the steering operation easily.
When the vehicle operator performs steering operation in the automatic steering mode, the steering mode is switched to the manual steering mode by cancellation of the automatic steering mode. According to the technology disclosed in the aforementioned publication, the automatic mode can be smoothly switched to the manual steering mode. As the automatic steering device that has been produced before introduction of the aforementioned technology generates no assist torque of power steering in the automatic steering mode, the automatic steering torque is lost at substantially a high rate. The assist torque, in turn, is generated at a high rate in the direction opposite to that of the automatic steering torque, resulting in a sharp change in the steering reaction force. On the contrary, the technology disclosed in the aforementioned publication prevents sharp change in the steering reaction by reducing the steering torque in excess of the automatic steering torque. As a result, the steering mode can be smoothly switched between the manual steering mode and automatic steering modes.
The technology for switching the steering mode from the automatic steering mode to the manual steering mode in response to the steering operation of the vehicle operator is disclosed in JP-A-11-198839. In this technology, it is determined whether the steering operation has been performed by the vehicle operator based on detection values of the steering torque detected by the steering torque sensor.
With the automatic steering device that generates the automatic steering torque and the assist torque of power steering simultaneously, the vehicle operator is allowed to perform the steering operation even in the automatic steering mode at a reduced steering torque. The steering torque that has been kept small for assisting the vehicle operator may, in turn, make it difficult to determine whether the steering operation has been performed based on the steering torque detection values. The threshold value of the steering torque detection values have to be decreased so as to determine the steering operation of the vehicle operator. In this case, however, it is difficult to distinguish the steering torque generated by the steering operation of the vehicle operator from an inertia torque of the steering wheel itself as noise. As a result, the steering operation cannot be accurately detected. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
} |
1. Technical Field
This disclosure relates to a surgical instrument and, more particularly, to a surgical instrument for percutaneously accessing an operative site within a body.
2. Background of Related Art
Accessing body tissue within a body cavity or beneath the skin involves creating an opening in the skin through which different types of surgical instruments are inserted to perform various surgical or diagnostic functions. The opening of the skin to access an operative site is usually created by incising with a surgical knife or by puncturing through the skin with an instrument having a sharp tip such as a needle or an obturator. Additional instruments are then inserted through the incision to perform the surgical procedure. For example, the surgeon may use one instrument for piercing the skin to introduce a pressurized gas to inflate or distend the surgical site, an endoscope for viewing areas or objects surrounding the surgical site and other instruments for performing surgical functions such as shearing and stapling. Therefore, frequent insertions and withdrawals of surgical instruments through the skin opening are typical. These insertions and withdrawals through the skin opening may traumatize the body tissue surface layer which surrounds the skin opening, enlarge the incision or opening, and/or create room for undesired or inadvertent movement of the surgical instrument during the surgical procedure.
A trocar is one commonly used surgical instrument for creating a port of entry through the skin. A trocar guide sleeve is thus positioned for receiving surgical instruments and for facilitating passage of the surgical instruments through the skin opening. However, unless the trocar guide sleeve is somehow affixed in a stationary position with respect to the body, the frequent insertion and withdrawal of surgical instruments may move the sleeve, causing enlargement of the incision and/or trauma to the surrounding tissues. Moreover, whether or not a sleeve is fixed or held stationary relative to the body, manipulative movement of the surgical instrument while it is received in the sleeve may be inhibited.
A variety of percutaneous instruments for providing communication through the surface of body tissue are known. Known percutaneous instruments typically include a cutting or puncturing implement and some sort of safety mechanism, e.g., a spring-biased blunt styler or shielding tube which is biased to protrude beyond the distal end of the cutting implement to obstruct anatomical organs from making cutting contact with the cutting implement. Examples of devices which include spring-biased safety mechanisms and provide for percutaneous introduction include conventional Verres needles and the devices shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,535,773 to Yoon; U.S. Pat. No. 4,556,059 to Adamson, Jr.; U.S. Pat. No. 4,601,710 to Moll; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,152,754 to Plyley et al.
Various trocars and devices for securing other surgical devices relative to a patient's body have also been proposed. See for example, U.S. Pat. No. 2,898,917 to Wallace, U.S. Pat. No. 3,487,837 to Petersen, U.S. Pat. No. 4,170,995 to Levine et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 4,915,694 to Yamamoto et al. Devices for supporting surgical instruments larger than catheters have also been proposed. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,073,169 to Raiken discloses a trocar support having an elastic membrane having an aperture to receive the trocar. The elastic membrane has a flat base for adhering to the patient's skin.
Notwithstanding the devices discussed above, a need remains for an instrument which minimizes the passage of surgical instruments through the skin opening, thereby minimizing potential enlargement of and trauma to the incision site. The surgical instrument disclosed herein provides such advantageous features. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
} |
Toll receptors, first discovered in Drosophila, are type I transmembrane protein having leucine-rich repeats (LRRs) in the extracellular portion of the protein, and one or two cysteine-rich domains. The mammalian homologs of the Drosophila Toll receptors are known as “Toll-like receptors” (TLRs). TLRs play a role in innate immunity by recognizing microbial particles and activating immune cells against the source of these microbial particles.
Currently, ten types of Toll-like receptors have been identified in humans, TLRs 1-10. These TLRs are characterized by the homology of their intracellular domains to that of the IL-1 receptor, and by the presence of extracellular leucine-rich repeats. The different types of TLRs are activated by different types of microbial particles. For example, TLR4 is primarily activated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS), while TLR2 is activated by lipoteichoic (LTA), lipoarabinomannan (LAM); lipoprotein (BLP), and peptideglycans (PGN). Toll receptor homologs, such as RP105, have also been identified.
Myeloid differentiation protein-2 (MD-2), a TLR4 accessory protein, has been identified and characterized. This protein has been found to interact directly with TLR4, and MD-2 has the ability to enable post-translational modifications of TLR4, as well as facilitate its transport to the cell surface. TLR4 and MD-2 form a complex on the cell surface.
Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a component of gram-negative bacteria, is a microbial particle capable of strongly activating the innate immune system. LPS delivers signals to immune cells via its multi-chain receptor, comprising the TLR4/MD-2 complex as the principle signaling component.
Accordingly, there exists a need for methods and compositions that modulate signaling that is mediated by the TLR4/MD-2 complex. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
} |
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an apparatus for living body inspection and a non-invasive blood analyzer using the same, and particularly to an apparatus for transcutaneously detecting optical information from a tissue including a blood vessel of a portion of a living body and an apparatus for analyzing the detected optical information to acquire information on blood, for example, hemoglobin concentration or hematocrit.
2. Description of the Related Art
For such an apparatus for living body inspection, an apparatus is known in which a human finger is inserted into a groove of a finger accepting device, the finger is deformed by pressing it with a roller until the outline of the finger is fitted to a cross-sectional shape of the groove, and the deformed finger is irradiated with light to detect a transmitted light therefrom (for example, see Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. HEI 06-503728).
However, in such a conventional apparatus, the finger is extended linearly and pressed strongly in the groove, so that the blood vessel or tissue is deformed to cause a congestive state or ischemic state. This raises a problem that it is not possible to obtain optical information from a blood vessel or tissue in a normal state.
The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-described situation and it is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for living body inspection and a non-invasive blood analyzer using the same in which it is possible to acquire normal optical information by holding a portion of the living body stably without applying an excessive correcting force or pressing force.
The present invention provides an apparatus for living body inspection comprising: a base for mounting a portion of a living body to be inspected; sidewall members capable of holding the mounted portion of the living body therebetween from both sides; a light source section for supplying a light to the portion of the living body held on the base and between the sidewall members; and a light receiving section for detecting optical information from the portion of the living body supplied with the light.
In this apparatus for living body inspection, the base has a morphology that conforms, for example, to a palm of a hand of a human being and its plural fingers and its thumb, and the sidewall members position one of the plural fingers and the thumb appropriately relative to the light source section and the light receiving section.
Further, the present invention provides an apparatus for living body inspection wherein the light receiving section comprises an image capturing element. Further, the present invention provides a non-invasive apparatus for living body inspection comprising: an analyzing section for calculating information on blood flowing through a blood vessel by analyzing an image of a tissue including the blood vessel obtained by an image capturing element of an apparatus for living body inspection; and an outputting section for outputting the calculated information. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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Superconductors based on the YBa.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.7-x system [123 YBCO], where x.ltoreq.0.6, have been known since IBM researchers discovered them in 1986. They are called "high temperature" superconductors because they are superconducting at temperatures well above absolute zero, e.g., at liquid nitrogen temperature (77.degree. K) and higher.
YBa.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.7-x crystals can trap magnetic fields, but the flux density is largely dependent on the grain size and the microstructure. The largest trapped magnetic fields require large grain, single crystal specimens, but growing YBa.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.7-x crystals larger than 0.5 cm in diameter is difficult. It is especially difficult to make crystals that can achieve a current density (J.sub.c) exceeding 10.sup.3 A/cm.sup.2 in a magnetic field of 1 Tesla or higher at 77.degree. K. Conventionally made YBa.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.7-x superconductors tend to exhibit rapid loss of J.sub.c when subjected to magnetic fields of increasing strength.
Several researchers have attempted to increase crystal and grain sizes and improve J.sub.c by a quench-melt-grow method (Mat'l Res., Vol. 7, No. 4, April 1992, pp. 801-807) or by directional solidification (Cryogenics, Vol. 30, January 1990, pp. 5-10). These prior art methods have not achieved a crystal with sufficient magnetic flux trapping ability and current density capacity for practical application in such devices as low loss magnetic bearings, high strength magnetic clamps, or high gain electromagnetic antennas. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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1. Technical Field
The present disclosure generally relates to electronic user devices and in particular to controlling the amplitude of the audio output generated by an electronic user device. Still more particularly, aspects of the disclosure relate to controlling the amplitude of audio output that is generated by an electronic user device in response to a received voice input.
2. Description of the Related Art
Many electronic user devices or systems, such as smart phones, tablets, and personal digital assistants (PDAs) include audio components that enable the device to receive audio input and generate audible output, such as speech. A growing number of these user devices also support the use of voice command inputs to trigger specific responses from the device, and voice input is increasingly being utilized as a preferred method for hands-free interaction with the user device. With the availability of voice inputs, the device listens for audio commands and provides an audio response. As two examples, with Android based devices, Google Voice Search™ implements this feature to provide voice responses to audio inputs received at the device, while with iOS based devices. Siri™ implements this feature.
One issue with the generation of an audio response from the electronic device is that the device is required to have the media volume set to some acceptable level for the outputted audio response to be audible, while not being too loud. The level of the audio output generated in response to the received voice command input is typically preset to that of the device's media volume setting. For example, with some devices, if the device is muted, the voice readouts will not be audible. Conversely, if the audio output volume is set to a high level, the audio response can be very loud and disruptive, and in some instances, can lead to user embarrassment. As one recent enhancement overcoming the scenario in which the electronic device is muted, the media volume controller unmutes the device and sets the device's audio output to a fixed volume level (e.g., the regular audio volume level from before the user places the device on mute) before announcing the audio output at that regular volume level. However, in some situations, the owner or user of the electronic device may not want the audible output to be broadcasted from the electronic device at the fixed volume. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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Most conventional magnetic recording media are the coated type which is produced by dispersing particles of magnetic oxides or ferromagnetic alloys such as .gamma.-Fe.sub.2 O.sub.3, Co-doped .gamma.-Fe.sub.2 O.sub.3, Fe.sub.3 O.sub.4, Co-doped Fe.sub.3 O.sub.4, a Berthollide compound of .gamma.-Fe.sub.2 O.sub.3 and Fe.sub.3 O.sub.4 and CrO.sub.2 in an organic binder such as a vinyl chloride/vinyl acetate copolymer, a styrene/butadiene copolymer, an epoxy resin or polyurethane resin. The resulting coating solution is applied to a non-magnetic base, followed by drying the coating. However, due to the recent increasing demand for higher density recording, researchers' attention has been drawn to magnetic recording media of thin metal film type that uses as a magnetic recording layer a thin ferromagnetic metal film that is formed by the vapor deposition such as vacuum vapor deposition, sputtering or ion plating, or the plating such as electroplating or electroless plating. Various efforts are being made to use such recording medium on a commercial scale.
Most of the magnetic recording media of the coated type use a metal oxide with small saturation magnetization as a magnetic material. Therefore, an attempt to achieve high-density recording by using a thinner magnetic recording medium results in a decreased signal output. By using a magnetic recording medium of thin metal film type, a very thin magnetic recording layer can be formed by applying a ferromagnetic metal having a greater saturation magnetization than that of the magnetic oxide without using a non-magnetic material such as binder. This thinness is very advantageous for providing good electro-to-magnetic conversion characteristics. However, the thin metal film type magnetic recording medium has its own problems: (1) it develops friction against the magnetic head, guide poles or other transport means when it is run to record, reproduce or erase magnetic signals, and hence wears easily; (2) it is easily attacked by corrosive environments; and (3) the magnetic recording layer may be damaged by impacts during handling.
Some attempts have been made to solve these problems by forming a protective layer on the magnetic recording medium of the thin metal film type. One such proposal is described in Japanese Patent Application (OPI) No. 75001/75 (the term "OPI" as used herein refers to a "published unexamined Japanese patent application") wherein a thin lubricant layer is formed on the metal film. According to this proposal, the coefficient of friction between the magnetic head or guide poles and the metal film is reduced to provide a tape that runs consistently and which is the least likely to be abraded. However, these advantages are quickly lost if the tape is used repeatedly. Another method is described in Japanese Patent Application (OPI) Nos. 39708/78 and 40505/78 wherein a lubricant protective layer made of a metal or metal oxide is formed on the thin metal film, but even in this case, the effect of the protective layer does not last long and as the tape is used repeatedly, the friction coefficient increases rapidly or the thin magnetic metal film breaks. Still another method is described in Japanese Patent Application (OPI) No. 155010/79 wherein an overcoat of a high molecular film is formed on the metal film. However, if the overcoat is made of vinylidene chloride/acrylic ester copolymer and other known high molecular substances, the resulting film thickness is at least about 0.2.mu. and this causes spacing loss which in turn leads to reduced output in high density recording.
To achieve high density recording, most thin magnetic metal films are supported on a very smooth base. However, regardless of how smooth the base surface is, none of the lubricating methods described above can provide a magnetic recording medium having good running properties, especially in very humid atmospheres, or high wear resistance. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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Traditional methods for grasping a complex three-dimensional object using a robot hand are tedious and consumptive in terms of time and processing resources. One iterative manual approach consists of (1) manually moving the robot hand to near the object, (2) positioning the fingers around the object for a desired grasp, (3) using a command program to initiate closure of the fingers around the object, (4) checking to see if the object is securely held by manually attempting to shaking the object out of the robot grasp, (5) making a mental judgment of whether other robot finger positions would be better, and, if so, (6) repeating above steps until the operator is satisfied with the grasp.
The difficulties relates in part to the need to independently control each of the large number of degrees of freedom (DOF) associated with the hand.
In addition to being time and energy consuming, it is difficult or impossible to achieve efficiently a best or ideal grasp for a specific task. And the likelihood of doing so decreases in reverse proportion to the degrees of freedom of the robot hand being used, especially at higher degrees such as six, ten, twelve, or more. That is, the difficulty of planning a feasible and robust grasp is much higher in real-time for grasping devices having more separately-actuatable elements.
A five-finger hand, for instance, can have twelve or more degrees of freedom (DOF), or separately-movable elements. A DOF breakdown for an example five-finger robot hand resembling a human hand includes four DOF for the thumb, three DOF for each of the index finger and the middle finger, one DOF for the ring finger, and one DOF for the little finger.
As another example, a human hand has been modeled with twenty (20) DOFs.
Some conventional systems grasp objects based simply on feedback from real-time vision systems and/or touch sensors. Some attempt to grasp objects based only on feedback from a camera and/or one or more touch on-robot sensors, or by human, manual, control or teaching of a robot hand. All are computationally expensive, and time consuming for performing efficiently in real-time applications.
Active research in automatic robotic grasp planning includes grasp contact modeling, grasp quality evaluation, and grasp optimization. Contact modeling includes modeling effects of contact frictions at one or more grasp contact locations. Quality evaluation includes quantifying grasp quality based on a set of grasp quality metrics.
Other difficulties associated with planning an optimal grasp for a robotic hand include the complex kinematic structure associated with the many degrees of freedom, complexities of the geometric shapes of objects to be grasped, and the need to determine the frictional forces required at each grasp contact—i.e., at each hand to object contact points.
Conventional approaches, such as academia, for planning a robotic grasp can be grouped roughly into three groups. The groups include classic motion planning using collision detection, direct-construct grasp contacts based on grasp-closure properties, and grasp planning using explicit kinematic hand constrains.
Example classic motion planning with collision detection use probabilistic roadmaps (RPM), rapidly-exploring random trees (RRT), and collision-detection techniques to generate a high number of candidate grasps, such as thousands of candidate grasps, and then to evaluate the candidate grasps for grasping qualities. Generating thousands of candidate grasps is, alone, time and computation consuming. Selecting a preferred grasp according to this approach, by evaluating each of the generated candidates, takes even more time and processing. Generating the grasps and selecting one can take an hour or more.
Three main bottle necks to reaching a speed solution exist in this approach. The first one is the complexity of object modeling required. A second is the need for explicit collision detection. A third is the high dimension space of robot hands to search a valid robotic grasp.
The second conventional approach mentioned above, regarding constructing grasp contacts based on grasp-closure properties, starts with a grasp quality metric, such as form closure or force closure, then attempts to construct such an optimized grasp using a given number of grasp contacts for specific shaped objects in two or three dimension. This approach is also time and computationally intensive and, like the other conventional approaches, still does not reliably result in a feasible grasp using a robotic gripper, or grasping device.
The third above-mentioned conventional approach plans grasps using explicit kinematic hand constrains, robot hand data. The approach starts with a set of good initial feasible grasp positions and then iteratively refines grasp positions based on a grasp quality measure by exploring adjacent grasp candidates that satisfy the kinematics of the robotic hand.
Disadvantages of this approach include the requirement for a good initial feasible grasp position, because otherwise the search process terminates with a failure or a local minimum position. Another disadvantage is that the process, including the needed convergence on a preferred grasp, which can include fifty to eighty iterations, or more, is slow and computationally intensive. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a lithographic projection apparatus and more particularly to apparatus and methods of matching performance from machine to machine.
2. Description of the Related Art
The term “patterning means” as here employed should be broadly interpreted as referring to means that can be used to endow an incoming radiation beam with a patterned cross-section, corresponding to a pattern that is to be created in a target portion of the substrate; the term “light valve” can also be used in this context. Generally, the said pattern will correspond to a particular functional layer in a device being created in the target portion, such as an integrated circuit or other device (see below). Examples of such patterning means include:
A mask. The concept of a mask is well known in lithography, and it includes mask types such as binary, alternating phase-shift, and attenuated phase-shift, as well as various hybrid mask types. Placement of such a mask in the radiation beam causes selective transmission (in the case of a transmissive mask) or reflection (in the case of a reflective mask) of the radiation impinging on the mask, according to the pattern on the mask. In the case of a mask, the support structure will generally be a mask table, which ensures that the mask can be held at a desired position in the incoming radiation beam, and that it can be moved relative to the beam if so desired.
A programmable mirror array. One example of such a device is a matrix-addressable surface having a viscoelastic control layer and a reflective surface. The basic principle behind such an apparatus is that (for example) addressed areas of the reflective surface reflect incident light as diffracted light, whereas unaddressed areas reflect incident light as undiffracted light. Using an appropriate filter, the said undiffracted light can be filtered out of the reflected beam, leaving only the diffracted light behind; in this manner, the beam becomes patterned according to the addressing pattern of the matrix-adressable surface. An alternative embodiment of a programmable mirror array employs a matrix arrangement of tiny mirrors, each of which can be individually tilted about an axis by applying a suitable localized electric field, or by employing piezoelectric actuation means. Once again, the mirrors are matrix-addressable, such that addressed mirrors will reflect an incoming radiation beam in a different direction to unaddressed mirrors; in this manner, the reflected beam is patterned according to the addressing pattern of the matrix-adressable mirrors. The required matrix addressing can be performed using suitable electronic means. In both of the situations described hereabove, the patterning means can comprise one or more programmable mirror arrays. More information on mirror arrays as here referred to can be gleaned, for example, from United States Patents U.S. Pat. No. 5,296,891 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,523,193, and PCT patent applications WO 98/38597 and WO 98/33096, which are incorporated herein by reference. In the case of a programmable mirror array, the said support structure may be embodied as a frame or table, for example, which may be fixed or movable as required.
A programmable LCD array. An example of such a construction is given in U.S. Pat. No. 5,229,872, which is incorporated herein by reference. As above, the support structure in this case may be embodied as a frame or table, for example, which may be fixed or movable as required.
For purposes of simplicity, the rest of this text may, at certain locations, specifically direct itself to examples involving a mask and mask table; however, the general principles discussed in such instances should be seen in the broader context of the patterning means as hereabove set forth.
Lithographic projection apparatus can be used, for example, in the manufacture of integrated circuits (ICs). In such a case, the patterning means may generate a circuit pattern corresponding to an individual layer of the IC, and this pattern can be imaged onto a target portion (e.g. comprising one or more dies) on a substrate (silicon wafer) that has been coated with a layer of radiation-sensitive material (resist). In general, a single wafer will contain a whole network of adjacent target portions that are successively irradiated via the projection system, one at a time. In current apparatus, employing patterning by a mask on a mask table, a distinction can be made between two different types of machine. In one type of lithographic projection apparatus, each target portion is irradiated by exposing the entire mask pattern onto the target portion in one go; such an apparatus is commonly referred to as a wafer stepper. In an alternative apparatus—commonly referred to as a step-and-scan apparatus—each target portion is irradiated by progressively scanning the mask pattern under the projection beam in a given reference direction (the “scanning” direction) while synchronously scanning the substrate table parallel or anti-parallel to this direction; since, in general, the projection system will have a magnification factor M (generally<1), the speed V at which the substrate table is scanned will be a factor M times that at which the mask table is scanned. More information with regard to lithographic devices as here described can be gleaned, for example, from U.S. Pat. No. 6,046,792, incorporated herein by reference.
In a manufacturing process using a lithographic projection apparatus, a pattern (e.g. in a mask) is imaged onto a substrate that is at least partially covered by a layer of radiation-sensitive material (resist). Prior to this imaging step, the substrate may undergo various procedures, such as priming, resist coating and a soft bake. After exposure, the substrate may be subjected to other procedures, such as a post-exposure bake (PEB), development, a hard bake and measurement/inspection of the imaged features. This array of procedures is used as a basis to pattern an individual layer of a device, e.g. an IC. Such a patterned layer may then undergo various processes such as etching, ion-implantation (doping), metallization, oxidation, chemo-mechanical polishing, etc., all intended to finish off an individual layer. If several layers are required, then the whole procedure, or a variant thereof, will have to be repeated for each new layer. Eventually, an array of devices will be present on the substrate (wafer). These devices are then separated from one another by a technique such as dicing or sawing, whence the individual devices can be mounted on a carrier, connected to pins, etc. Further information regarding such processes can be obtained, for example, from the book “Microchip Fabrication: A Practical Guide to Semiconductor Processing”, Third Edition, by Peter van Zant, McGraw Hill Publishing Co., 1997, ISBN 0-07-067250-4, incorporated herein by reference.
For the sake of simplicity, the projection system may hereinafter be referred to as the “lens”; however, this term should be broadly interpreted as encompassing various types of projection system, including refractive optics, reflective optics, and catadioptric systems, for example. The radiation system may also include components operating according to any of these design types for directing, shaping or controlling the projection beam of radiation, and such components may also be referred to below, collectively or singularly, as a “lens”. Further, the lithographic apparatus may be of a type having two or more substrate tables (and/or two or more mask tables). In such “multiple stage” devices the additional tables may be used in parallel, or preparatory steps may be carried out on one or more tables while one or more other tables are being used for exposures. Dual stage lithographic apparatus are described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,969,441 and WO 98/40791, incorporated herein by reference.
For the correct positioning of substrate tables in the focus plane of the projection lens, a level sensor is used. Level sensors used in lithographic projection apparatus are subject to at least two types of process dependency. Process dependency is a type of error in which level sensor measurements provide differing results depending on how the substrate being measured has been processed. For example, a substrate having a resist coating may appear to the level sensor to be tilted when it is, in fact, perfectly flat (i.e., has no tilt). Likewise, even in the case that the surface of the resist is at exactly the same height as a surface of a bare substrate, the level sensor may measure the two substrates to have different heights. The first type of error is known as tilt process dependency and the second type of error is known as height process dependency.
Moreover, even apparently identical wafer processing machines may exhibit different tilt process dependency and/or height process dependency for a given process. That is, for a particular substrate that has been processed according to a particular process, the measured height and/or tilt process dependency may vary from machine to machine. This is likewise true for machines of different types. In a fabrication facility, it is common to have many machines working on executing a particular process. An available method of measuring and correcting such machine to machine dependencies is to perform a FEM (focus energy matrix) for every machine for each process. FEMs (and their readout on external devices) are time consuming and performing one for each machine for each process results in undesirable amounts of machine downtime. Thus, it would be helpful to characterize differences in process dependencies from machine to machine without having to measure a complete focus energy matrix for every machine for every process. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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Chair fittings generally comprise a rigid support of appropriate shape and an elastic layer, particularly of foam, which is kept on the front side of this support by a cover. The rigid support generally is wood or plastic (or similar material), though it may also be metal.
At the present time the covers are made of fabrics cut to the shape of the fittings with a very wide margin at the periphery. This margin allows gripping each cover by its edges, folding it along the periphery of the fitting and applying a traction for assuring placement of the cover around its fitting. The margin then is fixed on the solid support either at its back or on its periphery. When the support is wood, this fixing is generally carried out by stapling the fabric on the support. In case of a metal support, this fatening is carried out by a clip which is bent at the edge of the fitting to clamp the fabric margin.
This covering procedure incurs significant drawbacks. In the first place, the process requires extensive labor to carry out the manual operation of putting the cover in place by consecutive tractions, and fastening it by stapling or by clips. In the case of a metal support, these operations not only are lengthy, but furthermore delicate, requiring great skill. Also, the substantial width of the borders required on the periphery of each piece of fabric entails substantial losses in material over what would be actually necessary to cover the fitting. Very often these borders must be made extra large to eliminate the floating fabric strip, and this operation both increases labor costs and the danger of fraying the fabric edges which would be detrimental to the final product appearance. Further, the folds of the cover along the fitting periphery often are irregularly distributed and following fixation it is difficult to change them to improve the appearance of the finished product.
Furthermore, as regards some fittings, the cover fixation is carried out within a recess along the periphery of its rigid support. For a wooden support, fixation is by stapling with a fine stapling gun, and this operation also is lengthy and costly in labor.
One object of the present invention is to overcome the above drawbacks and to provide a process for upholstering or cladding objects at considerable saving in labor.
Another object is to make possible substantial savings in materils.
Another object is to produce a finished product with improved appearance.
In general the purpose of the invention is to provide an improved folding process for a flexible, in particular textile piece, applicable within the above stated scope of cladding objects or any other field. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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Platform screen gate systems are used to separate the passenger region of a train loading platform from an adjacent set of train tracks to prevent passengers from accessing the tracks prior to a train reaching the platform. Such systems generally utilize a sliding gate operable between a closed position, to prevent access to the track or train region, and an open position, to permit access to the train when the train arrives at the platform. Such platform screen gates systems vary in design; however, many gate systems require complex designs, include multiple moving parts and are expensive to manufacture. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
} |
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates generally to automatic clothes dryers having separately driven drum and blower
2. Description of the Related Art
Automatic clothes dryers are well known, and typically comprise, a cabinet enclosing a horizontally rotating drum for holding items to be dried and accessible through an access door at the front of the cabinet. The drum is rotated by a belt which is driven by a motor. The motor also drives a blower assembly which delivers dry, heated or unheated air to the drum for drying the items, and exhausts humid air from the drum to a discharge location exterior of the cabinet. The motor and blower assembly are typically mounted in a lower portion of the cabinet beneath the drum. The drum has a first diameter which is ideally maximized within the dimensions of the dryer cabinet. The blower assembly typically utilizes a horizontally rotating fan, having a second, smaller diameter, which must fit within the remaining dryer cabinet space not occupied by the drum. This frequently limits either the size of the drum or the size of the fan, or both.
Dryer cabinets are typically dimensioned to occupy a predetermined sized space, height, width, and depth, in a laundry room or basement area. This simplifies the construction of laundry rooms and any cabinetry. However, a preselected dimension necessarily limits the cabinet interior space available for enclosing the drum, the motor, and the blower assembly. This is a disadvantage in that there is a growing demand for larger capacity dryers.
The capacity of a conventional dryer is further limited in that conventional dryers use a single-shaft, dual-drive motor for driving both the drum and the blower. One end of the shaft is provided with a pulley for driving the belt rotating the drum. The other end of the shaft is directly coupled to the shaft of the blower impeller. The combined mounting of the drum drive and the blower limits where the motor can be mounted within the cabinet as the drum drive needs to be located such that the belt can connect to the drum, with the result that the motor is often located in such a position that the diameter of the drum cannot be maximized within the cabinet in order to accommodate the motor, drum drive, and blower housing.
The coupling of the blower impeller directly to the motor shaft while mechanically convenient is disadvantageous in that it requires the air flow path through the dryer to have additional paths or bends, which slow down the air flow and increase the back pressure in the system. Specifically, the longitudinal axis of the blower is oriented either coaxially or in parallel with the longitudinal axis of the motor. This configuration requires a relatively large space for the blower and motor. This also typically results in a blower exhaust opening which is oriented 90° to the dryer exhaust vent, thereby requiring a 90° elbow between the blower exhaust opening and the dryer exhaust vent.
There is an increasing need in the household dryer market for a dryer with a larger drum capacity for drying larger loads, thereby minimizing the number of separate loads that must be dried, and drying heavy, bulky items such as comforters, rugs, and the like. This need continues to increase as washers are able to achieve larger capacities. Conventional dryer configurations have reached their capacity limits. A new dryer configuration is needed. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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A code repository is typically a searchable, categorized, and/or Internet-accessible location that users may access to browse, search, and download source or compiled library code. Uses of code repositories may include open source projects, proprietary development projects, and/or projects that create libraries for later use. A code annotation is a special form of syntactic metadata that can be added to source code. Classes, methods, variables, parameters, and/or code packages may be annotated. Unlike comments, annotations may be actionable in that they may be embedded in files generated by a compiler, and may be utilized by an execution environment to be retrievable at run-time. A code library is a collection of resources used to develop software. Such resources may include pre-written code and subroutines, classes, values, or type specifications. Code libraries may contain program code and/or data that provide services to independent programs. Such an implementation allows for program code and/or data to be shared and changed in a modular fashion. Micro benchmarks may not accurately predict real work performance, as the inputs to various library calls may be user driven and different than anticipated during development. Challenges may exist, however, in that existing approaches may not automatically replace one program code library with another program code library. That is, existing approaches typically rely on manual and/or disparate searching operations. Such approaches may be inefficient and/or less accurate. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an underwater weighing container and an underwater weighing container unit for receiving a weight of a solid specimen immersed in a reference liquid and a buoyant force exerted thereon. The present invention also relates to an apparatus for measuring a specific gravity of the solid specimen.
2. Description of the Related Art
Generally, the commonly employed method for determining a specific gravity of a solid specimen without knowledge of its volume is to weigh the solid specimen in air, measure a weight of the solid specimen immersed in a reference liquid or a buoyant force exerted thereon, and use the obtained values for calculating the relevant specific gravity based on the following equation (1):Specific Gravity=Weight in Air/(Weight in Air−Weight in Liquid)=Weight in Air/Buoyant Force Equation (1)
As will be exemplified hereinafter, methods of weighing a solid specimen both in air and in a reference liquid, or measuring a weight of the solid specimen in air and a buoyant force produced by the solid specimen, for calculation of the relevant specific gravity have been applied to a number of conventional apparatus for measuring specific gravity. One such example is a specific gravity measuring apparatus 5A in FIG. 8, wherein a solid specimen 2 is first hung and suspended in air and then placed inside a liquid bath 3 to measure its weight by means of an electronic weighing scale 7, for determining the specific gravity. As shown in FIG. 9, another conventional specific gravity measuring apparatus 5B has an underwater weighing container 1A arranged on an electronic weighing scale 7, allowing the underwater weighing container 1A to mount a solid specimen 2 thereon in a liquid bath 3B. With this configuration, after the underwater weighing container 1A holding the solid specimen 2 is subjected to measurement, the corresponding tare weight is subtracted from the obtained weight to determine specific gravity of the solid specimen 2. The patent literatures pertaining to these apparatuses for measuring specific gravity are Unexamined Japanese Patent Application Publication Nos. H11-230885 and 2002-243615.
The aforementioned configurations are employed in the conventional specific gravity measuring apparatus and the underwater weighing containers. However, the method of hanging and suspending the solid specimen 2 as shown in FIG. 8 is troublesome, due to the need to replace and suspend the solid specimen 2 having different shapes. In the method of providing the underwater weighing container 1A for measuring the weight of the solid specimen 2, as shown in FIG. 9, the solid specimen 2, if its specific gravity is lower than that of a reference liquid, will be floating. As representative measures to prevent the solid specimen 2 from floating, a sinker frame 8 as shown in FIG. 9, or a lid (not illustrated) may be placed in a reference liquid L. If any such measure is to be implemented, users will be required to insert and remove the sinker frame 8 or to open and close the lid, whenever conducting weight measurement. This method, as illustrated in FIG. 8, is inconvenient for users. Depending on whether the solid specimen 2 sinks or floats in the reference liquid L, users will be required to employ a different configuration of the underwater weighing container 1A. This can increase users' work load for maintenance and management of the apparatus for measuring specific gravity. The amount of the reference liquid L used for the measurement process also increases. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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Early commercial production of maltol at the end of the last century involved the destructive distillation of wood. Then, in 1945, Schenck and Speilman obtained maltol by alkaline hydrolysis of streptomycin salts (J. Am. Chem. Soc. 67: 2276). The same group of investigators reported the first synthesis of maltol two years later (Spielman, M. A., and Freifelder, M., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 69:2908); in the process, pyromeconic acid derived from comenic acid, a fermentation product, was alkylated. A superior modification of this preparation was developed by Tait and Miller (U.S. Pat. No. 3,130,204).
Because of the increasing commercial importance of .gamma.-pyrones, several other syntheses were subsequently reported in the chemical and patent literature. For example, a five-step procedure employing methyl alcohol as a starting material to generate an epoxy ketone which was then refluxed with water and a Dowex.TM. 50 ion exchange resin to yield .gamma.-pyrone was briefly described by Shono and Matsumura in a short paper in 1976 (Tetrahedron Letters 17:1363). Brennan, et al., disclosed a one-pot method for preparing .gamma.-pyrones that same year (U.S. Pat. No. 4,082,717 and its divisionals, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,323,506, 4,147,705, and 4,387,235). The process involved contacting 1(2-furfuryl)-1-ethanol in aqueous solution with two equivalents of a halogen oxidant at room temperature and then heating until the hydrolysis of the 4-halo-dihydropyran intermediate was substantially complete. Other .gamma.-pyrones such as ethyl maltol were prepared in an analogous manner from appropriate alcohols.
The investigators later published another synthetic scheme employing an O-methyl derivative of isomaltol, available in a simple two-step procedure from lactose (Weeks, P. D., et al., J. Org. Chem., 1980, 45:1109). Trimethoxyfurfturyl alcohol was prepared in good yield via a bromination-reduction sequence, and this intermediate was converted under hydrolysis conditions directly to maltol. The paper summarized other slightly different preparative schemes involving related series of reactions using similar starting materials and intermediates to those described above (id., page 1109).
Following either synthesis or extraction from natural sources, .gamma.-pyrones are typically recovered by crystallization, continuous extraction and/or co-distillation. Brennan, et al., for example, suggested extraction with chloroform followed by distillation and then crystallization from methanol (Example 1, column 6, lines 23 to 27). In Jap. Pat. Pub. No. 47-29365, Takaishi, et al., suggested using a basic ion-exchange resin to separate maltol from an aqueous solution employing ion exchange. Following this step wherein maltol is bound to the resin by ionic interaction, it is released from the column by employing common regeneration methods for anion exchangers, more specifically, by using NaOH. The step is followed by chloroform extraction. Harada and Iwasaki also suggested a chloroform extraction (Agric. Biol. Chem. 47:2921-2922 (1983)).
Though these procedures seemed promising in benchtop tests, on a commercial scale solvent extractions tend to be expensive because of the costs of the apparatus and solvents required. At lower temperatures, maltol is only somewhat soluble in water, so that large amounts of solvents are needed to extract it from the dilute aqueous solutions obtained from synthetic preparations or natural isolates. Moreover, residual organic solvent in the products are not desirable in the manufacture of food grade ingredients.
Alternative procedures such as distillations are hampered because maltol easily volatilizes with steam. It is therefore extremely difficult to obtain by concentration of aqueous solutions such as those obtained from natural source isolations or synthetic preparations. In some procedures incorporating crystallization steps, special equipment is required, and obtaining a pure product can take hours, thus increasing processing costs.
It would be desirable to have other, more economical methods of extracting and purifying maltol and other .gamma.-pyrones, particularly methods that do not utilize organic solvents. | {
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Over the last several decades there has been a dramatic increase in the number and types of devices that are implemented utilizing circuit boards. The frequency with which devices and/or chips are mounted onto circuit boards has similarly grown. Improving the mounting of devices improves the final product incorporating the mounted devices and can significantly reduce the cost and complexity of the product.
The mounting of devices can be achieved through soldering, bonding and other similar methods. Further, devices can be mounted in many different configurations and/or orientations. Some devices are configured to allow one or more orientations for mounting. It can be difficult to mount some of these devices, and further the mounting of some of these devices may deteriorate over time. As a result, the accuracy of the operation of the product incorporating these mounted devices can degrade and/or fail to operate. | {
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Fullerenes are spheroidal, closed-cage molecules consisting essentially of sp2-hybridized carbons typically arranged in hexagons and pentagons. Fullerenes, such as C60, also known as Buckminsterfullerene, more commonly, xe2x80x9cbuckyballs,xe2x80x9d and C70, have been produced from vaporized carbon at high temperature. Presence of a transition metal catalyst with the high temperature vaporized carbon results in the formation of single-wall tubular structures which may be sealed at one or both ends with a semifullerene dome. These carbon cylindrical structures, known as single-wall carbon nanotubes or, commonly, xe2x80x9cbuckytubesxe2x80x9d have extraordinary properties, including both electrical and thermal conductivity and high strength.
Nested single-wall carbon cylinders, known as multi-wall carbon nanotubes possess properties similar to the single-wall carbon nanotubes, however, single-wall carbon nanotubes have fewer defects, rendering them stronger, more conductive, and typically more useful than multi-wall carbon nanotubes of similar diameter. Single-wall carbon nanotubes are believed to be much more free of defects than are multi-wall carbon nanotubes because multi-wall carbon nanotubes can survive occasional defects by forming bridges between the unsaturated carbon of the neighboring cylinders, whereas single-wall carbon nanotubes have no neighboring walls for defect compensation.
In defining the size and conformation of single-wall carbon nanotubes, the system of nomenclature described by Dresselhaus, et al., Science of Fullerenes and Carbon Nanotubes, 1996, San Diego: Academic Press, Ch. 19, will be used. Single-wall tubular fullerenes are distinguished from each other by a double index (n, m), where n and m are integers that describe how to cut a single strip of hexagonal graphite such that its edges join seamlessly when the strip is wrapped onto the surface of a cylinder. When n=m, the resultant tube is said to be of the xe2x80x9carm-chairxe2x80x9d or (n, n) type, since when the tube is cut perpendicularly to the tube axis, only the sides of the hexagons are exposed and their pattern around the periphery of the tube edge resembles the arm and seat of an arm chair repeated n times. When m=0, the resultant tube is said to be of the xe2x80x9czig zagxe2x80x9d or (n,0) type, since when the tube is cut perpendicular to the tube axis, the edge is a zig zag pattern. Where nxe2x89xa0m and mxe2x89xa00, the resulting tube has chirality. The electronic properties are dependent on the conformation, for example, arm-chair tubes are metallic and have extremely high electrical conductivity. Other tube types are metallic, semimetals or semi-conductors, depending on their conformation. Regardless of tube type, all single-wall nanotubes have extremely high thermal conductivity and tensile strength.
Several methods of synthesizing fullerenes have developed from the condensation of vaporized carbon at high temperature. Fullerenes, such as C60 and C70, may be prepared by carbon arc methods using vaporized carbon at high temperature. Carbon nanotubes have also been produced as one of the deposits on the cathode in carbon arc processes.
Single-wall carbon nanotubes have been made in a DC arc discharge apparatus by simultaneously evaporating carbon and a small percentage of Group VIIIb transition metal from the anode of the arc discharge apparatus. These techniques allow production of only a low yield of carbon nanotubes, and the population of carbon nanotubes exhibits significant variations in structure and size.
Another method of producing single-wall carbon nanotubes involves laser vaporization of a graphite substrate doped with transition metal atoms (such as nickel, cobalt, or a mixture thereof) to produce single-wall carbon nanotubes. The single-wall carbon nanotubes produced by this method tend to be formed in clusters, termed xe2x80x9cropes,xe2x80x9d of about 10 to about 1000 single-wall carbon nanotubes in parallel alignment, held by van der Waals forces in a closely packed triangular lattice. Nanotubes produced by this method vary in structure, although one structure tends to predominate. Although the laser vaporization process produces an improved yield of single-wall carbon nanotubes, the product is still heterogeneous, and the nanotubes tend to be too tangled for many potential uses of these materials. In addition, the laser vaporization of carbon is a high energy process.
Another way to synthesize carbon nanotubes is by catalytic decomposition of a carbon-containing gas by nanometer-scale metal particles supported on a substrate. The carbon feedstock molecules decompose on the particle surface, and the resulting carbon atoms then precipitate as part of a nanotube from one side of the particle. This procedure typically produces imperfect multi-walled carbon nanotubes.
Another method for production of single-wall carbon nanotubes involves the disproportionation of CO to form single-wall carbon nanotubes and CO2 on alumina-supported transition metal particles comprising Mo, Fe, Ni, Co, or mixtures thereof. This method uses inexpensive feedstocks in a moderate temperature process. However, the yield is limited due to rapid surrounding of the catalyst particles by a dense tangle of single-wall carbon nanotubes, which acts as a barrier to diffusion of the feedstock gas to the catalyst surface, limiting further nanotube growth.
Control of ferrocene/benzene partial pressures and addition of thiophene as a catalyst promoter in an all gas phase process can produce single-wall carbon nanotubes. However, this method suffers from simultaneous production of multi-wall carbon nanotubes, amorphous carbon, and other products of hydrocarbon pyrolysis under the high temperature conditions necessary to produce high quality single-wall carbon nanotubes.
More recently, a method for producing single-wall carbon nanotubes has been reported that uses high pressure CO as the carbon feedstock and a gaseous transition metal catalyst precursor as the catalyst. (xe2x80x9cGas Phase Nucleation and Growth of Single-Wall Carbon Nanotubes from High Pressure Carbon Monoxide,xe2x80x9d International Pat. Publ. WO 00/26138, published May 11, 2000 (xe2x80x9cWO 00/26138xe2x80x9d), incorporated by reference herein in its entirety). This method possesses many advantages over other earlier methods. For example, the method can be done continuously, and it has the potential for scale-up to produce commercial quantities of single-wall carbon nanotubes. Another significant advantage of this method is its effectiveness in making single-wall carbon nanotubes without simultaneously making multi-wall nanotubes. Furthermore, the method produces single-wall carbon nanotubes in relatively high purity, such that less than about 10 wt % of the carbon in the solid product is attributable to other carbon-containing species, which includes both graphitic and amorphous carbon.
All known processes for formation of single-wall nanotubes involve a transition-metal catalyst, residues of which are invariably present in the as-produced material. Likewise, these processes also entail production of varying amounts of carbon material that is not in the form of single-wall nanotubes. In the following, this non-nanotube carbon material is referred to as xe2x80x9camorphous carbon.xe2x80x9d
There are chemical processes involving single-wall carbon nanotube manipulation for specific applications, such as, for example, xe2x80x9cChemical Derivatization Of Single-Wall Carbon Nanotubes To Facilitate Solvation Thereof; And Use Of Derivatized Nanotubes,xe2x80x9d International Pat. Publ. WO 00/17101, published Mar. 30, 2000, and xe2x80x9cCarbon Fibers Formed From Single-Wall Carbon Nanotubes,xe2x80x9d International Pat. Publ. WO 98/39250, published Sep. 11, 1998, both of which are incorporated by reference herein. Many of these manipulation processes involve chemical reaction of the single-wall carbon nanotube sides and/or ends with other chemicals. These processes also often involve the physical interaction (through van der Waals or other inter-molecular forces) of nanotubes with one another or interaction of nanotubes with other matter within which they are suspended, encapsulated, or otherwise placed in proximity. Clearly, in performing a chemical or physical interaction process with nanotube material, any impurities present are likely to inhibit or modify such manipulation process and/or physical interactions making it difficult or even impossible to achieve the intended result.
One example of a nanotube interaction that has many uses is the process of self-assembly of nanotubes. Under some conditions, individual nanotubes self-assemble into xe2x80x9cropesxe2x80x9d of many parallel nanotubes in van der Waals contact with one another. See, e.g., xe2x80x9cMacroscopic Ordered Assembly of Carbon Nanotubes,xe2x80x9d International Pat. Publ. WO 01/30694 A1, published May 3, 2001, incorporated herein by reference. Likewise, individual single-wall carbon nanotube and ropes of single-wall carbon nanotube, can be caused to aggregate into large networks, which are themselves electrically conductive. This self-assembly process enables nanotubes and ropes of nanotubes to form such networks when they are suspended in a matrix of a different material. The presence of this network alters the electrical properties of a composite that includes nanotubes. The facility with which single-wall carbon nanotubes aggregate into ropes and networks is critically dependent upon the purity of the nanotube material.
Another example of nanotube manipulation is the chemical processing of nanotubes by reacting them with other chemicals to produce new materials and devices. Clearly, the presence of other species such as the transition metal catalyst or amorphous carbon material provides sites for chemical reaction processes that are distinct from the desired chemical reaction process involving the nanotube alone. As with any species involved in a chemical process, one seeks to perform that process with a pure species.
Likewise, the useful properties and behavior of nanotube-containing materials devices and articles of manufacture derive from the properties of the nanotubes themselves, and the absence of impurities in the nanotube material enhances the performance of any and all materials, devices, and articles of manufacture comprising nanotubes. Particular examples are those where the material, device, or article of manufacture must function in a high magnetic field or a chemically-active environment. Examples of such materials, device and articles would include those subjected to traditional nuclear magnetic resonance apparatus; those serving as electrodes in batteries, capacitors, sensors, and fuel cells; those implanted in or otherwise in contact with any living organism; those used in preparation of other materials requiring low-contamination environments (such as chemical apparatus, chemical storage devices, electronic materials and devices, or food processing equipment).
In environments where there are chemicals, such as oxygen, that react with the nanotubes at elevated temperatures, the presence of metallic particles reduces the temperature at which the nanotube material remains stable. This occurs because transition metals and transition metal compounds are known to catalyze the reaction of the nanotubes with other chemicals, such as oxygen, at elevated temperatures. High purity nanotubes, with the transition metal species substantially removed, would provide greater chemical stability to the nanotubes and a longer performance life to applications involving them.
The present invention relates to purified single-wall carbon nanotubes and means for their preparation. Known methods of single-wall carbon nanotube production all result in a product that contains single-wall carbon nanotube in addition to impurities such as particles of the metal catalyst used in single-wall carbon nanotube production and small amounts of amorphous carbon sheets that surround the catalyst particles and appear on the sides of the single-wall carbon nanotubes and xe2x80x9cropesxe2x80x9d of single-wall carbon nanotubes produced. The present process for purification comprises oxidizing the single-wall carbon nanotube material in an oxidizing gaseous atmosphere and treating the material with an aqueous solution of a halogen-containing acid. The oxidation step can be performed in a dry atmosphere or in an atmosphere comprising water vapor. The oxidation is performed at a temperature of at least about 200xc2x0 C. In one embodiment, the process also includes repetition of the oxidizing and halogen-containing acid treating cycle at the same or at higher subsequent oxidizing temperatures.
Many processing methods and articles of manufacture involving single-wall carbon nanotube are enhanced by the use of pure single-wall carbon nanotube material in which the presence of such impurities is minimized. There is a clear need for pure nanotube material and methods for its production. The present invention relates to such high-purity nanotube material, specific means for the production of the material, and articles of manufacture incorporating said material. The purification methods disclosed involve gas and liquid phase chemical treatments of the as-produced single-wall carbon nanotube material. The methods disclosed are scalable to provide for large amounts of high purity single-wall carbon nanotube material.
The material of this invention provides a superior nanotube material for applications because of the relative absence of impurities of metal and amorphous carbon, both of which exhibit different chemical, physical and electrical behavior than the single-wall carbon nanotube themselves.
Single-wall carbon nanotubes, purified to remove residual metal, are more stable and resistant to chemical attack at temperatures where metal-containing nanotube material would be chemically reactive. One example of such chemical attack would be oxidation of the nanotube material in air at temperatures exceeding 200xc2x0 C. Without being bound by theory, it is believed that the presence of transition metal impurities in the nanotube material catalyzes the oxidation of that material; and removal of the transition metal impurities would increase the oxidation temperature of nanotube material in air to over 600xc2x0 C. The present invention enables the chemical processing of nanotubes by providing high purity single-wall carbon nanotubes for reactions with other chemicals to produce new materials and devices. The present invention also enables aggregation of the single-wall carbon nanotubes into ropes and networks and therefore enables all articles of manufacture, materials and processes that depend on the propensity of single-wall carbon nanotubes and ropes of single-wall carbon nanotubes to aggregate. Such entities include composite materials comprising single-wall carbon nanotubes wherein the materials"" electrical, mechanical, optical, and/or thermal properties are enhanced by the presence of nanotube networks within the material. Such materials include bulk composite materials, paints, coatings, and adhesives, whose electrical, mechanical, optical, and/or thermal properties depend in part on the presence of nanotube networks therein, electrical circuitry, electronic devices (including batteries, capacitors, transistors, memory elements, current control elements, and switches) whose properties and function depend in part on the presence of nanotube networks therein. | {
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Power clamps are used in automotive and other industries for clamping together two workpieces, for example, while they are being welded. Pneumatic, hydraulic and electrically powered clamps have been used. The electric clamps produce no exhaust fumes, contamination, loud noise, nor leakage, and require no plumbing or seals. An example is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,723,767, Appl. No. 894,963, Filed Aug. 8, 1986, issued Feb. 9, 1988, of inventor Alexander W. McPherson, which is incorporated herein by reference. It is a rotary-powered, linearly-actuated clamp having a hollow electric motor drive shaft coupled to rotate a threaded nut. The nut is axially retained by reaction roller thrust bearings to enable it to drive a linear threaded rod. The rod has an integral toggle linkage actuator, guided by anti-friction rollers in linear reaction tracks. | {
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Field of the Disclosure
The present disclosure relates to a system and method for protecting business assets through dynamic segregation of business assets and liabilities. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a system and method for dynamically forming, funding, maintaining and terminating Cells within a Series Limited Liability Company or any other form of a protected cell company.
Related Art
A Series Limited Liability Company (“Series LLC”) is a form of a limited liability company where the assets of each series of a Series LLC are protected from liabilities arising from the other series therein. In states with enabling legislation for a Series LLC, each series (“Cell”) of a Series LLC can own distinct assets, incur separate liabilities, contract in its own name, have its own Operating Agreement, and have different managers and members, but only the Series LLC (and not each Cell therein) must file a single certificate of formation and pay a single annual state fee in the state of formation, regardless of the limitless number of Cells therein.
Despite the advantages (e.g., unlimited asset segregation potential, cost savings, etc.) of a Series LLC, especially compared with a similarly structured set of separately formed traditional LLCs, there are still a number of contract costs and administrative burdens associated with forming, maintaining, and terminating separate Cells in a Series LLC. Current systems require an arduous process of drafting, and having members sign, “separate series agreements” to form, fund, maintain, and terminate Cells of a Series LLC.
Therefore, there is a need for a system and method that can dynamically form, fund, maintain separate records, and terminate Cells easily and efficiently. | {
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It is known to provide a gaming system which comprises a plurality of player operable gaming devices connected together in a network and a bonus game controller which communicates with the gaming devices through the network and implements a bonus game when a bonus trigger is received from a gaming device.
Typically, the bonus game controller includes a relatively large screen which is disposed at a location such that players of the gaming devices are able to view the bonus game currently being played by one of the players.
However, with this type of bonus game arrangement, there is little interest in the bonus game by players of the gaming devices not involved in the bonus game. | {
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Tablet computing devices can be accessorized by a multitude of devices. For example, users can equip most tablet devices with stands, docking stations, covers and other accessories. As tablet devices have display-dominant form factors, stands serve to orient the display device in a manner that facilitates viewability of the device's display. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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Conventional articles of athletic footwear generally include two primary elements, an upper and a sole structure. The upper is secured to the sole structure and forms a void on the interior of the footwear for comfortably and securely receiving a foot. The upper, in at least some footwear structures, generally extends over the instep and toe areas of the foot, along the medial and lateral sides of the foot, and around the heel area of the foot. In some articles of footwear, such as basketball footwear and boots, the upper may extend upward and around the ankle to provide support for the ankle. Access to the void in the interior of the footwear is generally provided by an access opening. A lacing or other footwear securing system often is incorporated into the upper to selectively increase the size of the access opening and to permit the wearer to modify certain dimensions of the upper, particularly girth, to accommodate feet with varying dimensions and to allow for easy foot insertion and removal. In addition, the upper further may include a tongue that extends under the lacing system to enhance comfort of the footwear and a heel counter to limit movement of the heel.
Various materials are conventionally utilized in manufacturing uppers. The upper of athletic footwear, for example, may be formed from multiple material layers that include an exterior layer, an intermediate layer, and an interior layer. The materials forming the exterior layer of the upper may be selected based upon the properties of wear-resistance, flexibility, and air-permeability, for example. With regard to the exterior layer, the toe area and the heel area may be formed of leather, synthetic leather, or a rubber material to impart a relatively high degree of wear-resistance. Leather, synthetic leather, and rubber materials, however, may not exhibit the desired degree of flexibility and air-permeability for various other areas of the exterior layer of the upper. Accordingly, the other areas of the exterior layer may be formed from a synthetic textile, for example. The exterior layer of the upper may be formed, therefore, from numerous material elements that each imparts different properties to the upper. The intermediate layer of the upper is conventionally formed from a lightweight polymer foam material that provides impact force attenuation and enhances comfort. Similarly, the interior layer of the upper may be formed of a comfortable and moisture-wicking textile that removes perspiration from the area immediately surrounding the foot. In some articles of athletic footwear, the various layers may be joined with an adhesive, and stitching may be utilized to join elements within a single layer or to reinforce specific areas of the upper.
The sole structure is positioned between the upper and the ground, and it may include a polymer foam midsole and an outsole. The midsole is arranged between the upper and the outsole and attenuates ground (or other contact surface) reaction forces to lessen stresses upon the foot and leg. The outsole forms a ground-engaging portion (or other contact surface-engaging portion) of the sole structure and is formed from a durable and wear-resistant material. The outsole is generally connected to a bottom surface of the midsole and provides cushioning and traction to the wearer. The sole is formed of a flexible material to allow the article of footwear to flex with the motion of the foot. The sole structure also may include a sockliner or an insole member that is positioned within the void and proximal a lower surface of the foot to enhance footwear comfort. | {
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Water treatment is needed in a variety of applications. Untreated water provides a hospitable environment for the growth of bacteria, algae, and other undesirable and potentially unhealthful organisms. It has become common practice to treat water on a periodic or continuous basis by introducing treatment chemicals to control such organisms.
Chemical feeders have been developed for bringing water into contact with solid, dry treatment chemicals so that the chemical material is dissolved in the water in a controlled manner. In a typical application of a chemical feeder, the feeder dissolves solid pellets of calcium hypochlorite (cal hypo) to introduce chlorine into the water stream; the quantity of chlorine in the water is generally expressed as a concentration of free available chlorine (FAC). An effective feeder design must provide dissolution at a desired rate, so as to maintain the desired FAC concentration, while avoiding undesirable deposits or residues; this is especially important in the case of cal hypo which produces calcium carbonate deposits. In particular, it is desirable to implement a chemical feeder that can continuously deliver a high concentration of FAC for an extended period of unattended operation. | {
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1. Technical Field
The present disclosure is related to information handling systems. In particular, embodiments disclosed herein are related to data center implementation and management.
2. Discussion of Related Art
As the value and use of information continues to increase, individuals and businesses seek additional ways to process and store information. One option available to users is information handling systems. An information handling system generally processes, compiles, stores, and/or communicates information or data for business, personal, or other purposes thereby allowing users to take advantage of the value of the information. Because technology and information handling needs and requirements vary between different users or applications, information handling systems may also vary regarding what information is handled, how the information is handled, how much information is processed, stored, or communicated, and how quickly and efficiently the information may be processed, stored, or communicated. The variations in information handling systems allow for information handling systems to be general or configured for a specific user or specific use such as financial transaction processing, airline reservations, enterprise data storage, or global communications. In addition, information handling systems may include a variety of hardware and software components that may be configured to process, store, and communicate information and may include one or more computer systems, data storage systems, and networking systems.
Currently, there is increasing demand and use of data centers to provide businesses and consumers with access to vast amounts of data and services. Some data centers include large numbers of servers networked together by a layer of top-of-rack switches, which in turn are coupled to a layer of leaf switches, which are further coupled to a layer of spine switches. Some of these devices have been configured together in data centers using the Border Gateway Protocol (BGP). However, such implementations have not been entirely satisfactory. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to: an optical information recording medium which utilizes both groove regions (i.e., guide grooves) and land regions (i.e., regions between grooves) as information tracks, the grooves and lands having been previously formed on the optical information recording medium; and an optical information recording/reproduction device for recording an information signal on the optical information recording medium.
2. Description of the Related Art
In recent years, there have been vigorous research and development activities for realizing optical information recording media for recording and reproducing information signals (e.g., video signals and audio signals) thereon. One example of such an optical information recording medium is an optical disk. A recordable optical disk includes guide grooves (hereinafter referred to as xe2x80x9cgroovesxe2x80x9d) previously engraved on a substrate, the grooves constituting information tracks. Any region between adjoining grooves is referred to as a xe2x80x9clandxe2x80x9d. Information signals can be recorded or reproduced on the optical disk by converging a laser light beam on the flat portions of grooves or lands.
In the case of common commercially-available optical disks, information signals are typically recorded on either grooves or lands. When information signals are recorded on the grooves, for example, the lands serve as guard bands for separating adjoining tracks defined by the grooves. In the case where information signals are recorded on the lands, the grooves serve as guard bands.
FIG. 9 is a magnified perspective view of a conventional optical disk having the above-mentioned structure. In FIG. 9, reference numeral 85 denotes a recording layer (which may be composed of a phase-change material, for example); 86 denotes a recording pit; 87 denotes a laser beam spot; 88, 90, and 92 denote guide grooves defining xe2x80x9cgroovesxe2x80x9d; 89 and 91 denote xe2x80x9clandsxe2x80x9d; 93 denotes a transparent substrate through which light enters. As seen from FIG. 9, grooves are made wider than lands in this exemplary conventional optical disk.
In an attempt to increase the recording capacity of the above conventional optical disk, the interspaces between tracks are shortened by narrowing the widths of the lands 89. However, a smaller interspace between tracks results in a larger diffraction angle of light reflected from the grooves. This results in a lower level of tracking error signal, which is employed to ensure accurate tracing of the beam spot 87 on the tracks.
Moreover, there is a limit to the increase in track density achieved by merely reducing land widths. However, reducing the groove widths might lower the amplitude of the reproduced signal due to thinner recording pits 86.
On the other hand, there are techniques for increasing the track density, such as that disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 63-57859, according to which information signals are recorded on both grooves and lands.
FIG. 10 is a magnified perspective view of such an optical disk. In FIG. 10, reference numeral 85 denotes a recording layer; 86 denotes a recording pit; 87 denotes a laser beam spot; 93 denotes a transparent substrate; 94, 96, and 98 denote grooves; 95 and 97 denote lands.
As shown in FIG. 10, the grooves and the lands have substantially the same width. Pre-pits 99, which are formed for both grooves and lands, are engraved at the beginnings of sectors of both information tracks (i.e., groove and lands) as identification signals representing locational information on the optical disk.
In the above optical disk, the recording pits 86 are formed for both grooves and lands as shown in FIG. 10. Although the grooves have a period equal to the period of grooves in the optical disk shown in FIG. 9, each interspace between adjoining recording pit rows in FIG. 10 is half of that of the optical disk shown in FIG. 9. As a result, the optical disk in FIG. 10 has twice as large a recording capacity as that of the optical disk in FIG. 9.
Rewritable optical disks require identification signals (indicating location information on the disk), etc., to be previously recorded on the disk. The inventors of the present invention have proposed in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 6-176404 a technique of recording one identification signal for an adjoining pair consisting of a groove and a land so as to be located between the groove and the land.
However, in the above-mentioned optical information recording media, the track pitch is reduced to half of that of conventional optical information recording media, thereby requiring an even more accurate track servo control. Particularly when an identification signal is recorded between a land and its corresponding groove, only one half of the beam spot will be incident on the pre-pits. Therefore, when the beam spot shifts away from the track center, toward regions where the identification signal is not present, it may be impossible to detect the identification signal.
An optical information recording medium according to the present invention includes at least one groove track and at least one land track allowing information to be recorded on or reproduced from the groove track and the land track, the groove track and the land track adjoining each other, wherein the optical information recording medium further includes: an identification signal region including a pre-pit array, the pre-pit array indicating identification information concerning the groove track and the land track; and a servo control region disposed ahead of the identification signal region along the groove track and the land track, the servo control region including wobble pits positioned so as to shift to opposite sides of a center line of either the groove track or the land track.
In one embodiment of the invention, the wobble pits include a plurality of pairs of pre-pits positioned so as to shift to opposite sides of the center line.
In another embodiment of the invention, the plurality of pairs of pre-pits indicate a reproduction synchronization signal.
In still another embodiment of the invention, a synchronization signal section indicating the beginning of the wobble pits is provided immediately before the wobble pits, and the synchronization signal section includes a pit array positioned on the center line of either the groove track or the land track.
In still another embodiment of the invention, at least a portion of the pre-pit array in the identification signal region is formed so as to be shifted away from the center line of either the groove track or the land track.
In still another embodiment of the invention, the identification signal region includes a pit indicating a track identification signal.
In still another embodiment of the invention, the pit indicating the track identification signal is shifted away from the center line of either the groove track or the land track.
In still another embodiment of the invention, the groove track and the land track are divided into a plurality of sectors, the pre-pit array in the identification signal region includes an address pit array indicating address information of a corresponding sector.
In still another embodiment of the invention, the groove track and the land track are formed in a spiral or concentric shape on a disk substrate.
In still another embodiment of the invention, the identification information includes a track number.
In still another embodiment of the invention, a portion of the pre-pit array indicating the identification signal that indicates the track number is shifted away from the center line of either the groove track or the land track along a direction across the groove track and the land track.
In still another embodiment of the invention, pre-pits in the pre-pit array indicating the identification signal which are formed so as to be shifted away from the center line of either the groove track or the land track are shifted away from the center line of either the groove track or the land track by about xc2xc of a track pitch.
In still another embodiment of the invention, an optical depth or height of the pre-pit array indicating the identification signal is substantially equal to the depth of the groove track.
In still another embodiment of the invention, an optical depth or height of the pre-pit array indicating the identification signal is substantially equal to xcex/4 (where xcex represents the wavelength of a light beam)
In still another embodiment of the invention, the width of the pre-pit array indicating the identification signal is substantially equal to the width of the groove track.
In still another embodiment of the invention, the width of the pre-pit array in the synchronization signal or the pre-pit array indicating the identification signal is larger than the width of the groove track.
In still another embodiment of the invention, a gap section is provided between the servo control region and the identification signal region.
In still another embodiment of the invention, the optical information recording medium further includes a rewritable recording layer, wherein the recording layer is formed of a phase-change type material capable of taking an amorphous state or a crystal state.
In another aspect, the present invention provides an optical information recording/reproduction device for recording/reproducing information with a light beam on an optical information recording medium including at least one groove track and at least one land track allowing information to be recorded on or reproduced from the groove track and the land track, the groove track and the land track adjoining each other, and the optical information recording medium further including: an identification signal region including a pre-pit array, the pre-pit array indicating identification information concerning the groove track and the land track; and a servo control region disposed ahead of the identification signal region along the groove track and the land track, the servo control region including wobble pits positioned so as to shift to opposite sides of a center line of either the groove track or the land track, and the optical information recording/reproduction device including: an optical system for allowing the light beam emitted from a light source to be incident on the optical information recording medium; transportation means for moving the relative position of a light spot on the optical information recording medium created by the light beam along a direction in which the groove track and the land track extend; light detection means for receiving reflected light of the beam spot from the optical information recording medium in a plurality of light receiving portions and for converting the reflected light into an electric signal which is output as a light detection signal; identification signal reading means for reproducing the identification signal from the light detection signal; a first tracking error detection circuit for detecting, while the optical spot travels on the groove track or the land track, a shift amount of the optical spot with respect to the center line and for outputting a first error signal indicating the shift amount; a second tracking error detection circuit for detecting, while the optical spot is travelling over the servo control region, a shift amount of the optical spot with respect to the center line by detecting the intensity of returned light from the wobble pits and for outputting a second error signal indicating the shift amount; a correction circuit for outputting a tracking signal obtained by correcting the first error signal based on the second error signal; and a tracking controller for controlling the transportation means to cause the beam spot to travel over the groove track or the land track based on the tracking signal.
Alternatively, the present invention provides an optical information recording/reproduction device for recording/reproducing information with a light beam on an optical information recording medium including at least one groove track and at least one land track allowing information to be recorded on or reproduced from the groove track and the land track, the groove track and the land track adjoining each other, and the optical information recording medium further including: an identification signal region including a pre-pit array, the pre-pit array indicating identification information concerning the groove track and the land track; and a servo control region disposed ahead of the identification signal region along the groove track and the land track, the servo control region including wobble pits positioned so as to shift to opposite sides of a center line of either the groove track or the land track; and a synchronization signal section indicating the beginning of the wobble pits, the synchronization signal section being provided immediately before the wobble pits and including a pit array positioned on the center line of either the groove track or the land track, and the optical information recording/reproduction device including: an optical system for allowing the light beam emitted from a light source to be incident on the optical information recording medium; transportation means for moving the relative position of a light spot on the optical information recording medium created by the light beam along a direction in which the groove track and the land track extend; light detection means for receiving reflected light of the beam spot from the optical information recording medium in a plurality of light receiving portions and for converting the reflected light into an electric signal which is output as a light detection signal; identification signal reading means for reproducing the identification signal from the light detection signal; a first tracking error detection circuit for detecting, while the optical spot travels on the groove track or the land track, a shift amount of the optical spot with respect to the center line and for outputting a first error signal indicating the shift amount; synchronization signal detection means for detecting from the light detection signal a point in time at which the beam spot travels over the synchronization signal section and outputting a reference signal indicating the point in time; a second tracking error detection circuit for detecting, while the optical spot is travelling over the servo control region, a shift amount of the optical spot with respect to the center line based on the reference signal and the light detection signal and for outputting a second error signal indicating the shift amount; synthesizing means for outputting a tracking signal based on the first error signal and the second error signal; and a tracking controller for controlling the transportation means to cause the beam spot to travel over the groove track or the land track based on the tracking signal.
In one embodiment of the invention, the synthesizing means outputs a signal obtained by adding the second error signal to the first error signal as the third error signal.
In another embodiment of the invention, the synthesizing means includes: identification signal region detection means for detecting whether or not the beam spot is travelling over the identification signal region and outputting a region detection signal while the beam spot is travelling over the identification signal region; and error signal retention means for retaining the third error signal while the region detection signal is output.
In still another embodiment of the invention, the second tracking error detection means derives a difference between a d.c. component of the light detection signal obtained after the lapse of a first time interval from a point in time at which the reference signal is input and a d.c. component of the light detection signal obtained after the lapse of a second time interval from the point in time and generates the second error signal based on the difference.
In still another embodiment of the invention, the light detection means includes two light receiving portions disposed symmetrically with respect to a direction across the groove track and the land track, each light receiving portion converting a received light amount into an electric signal; the first tracking error detection means includes differential operation means for deriving a difference between the electric signals output from the two light receiving portions; and the second tracking error detection means includes addition operation means for deriving a sum of the electric signals output from the two light receiving portions; and
In still another embodiment of the invention, the optical information recording/reproduction device further includes: recording means for recording an information signal on the groove track or the land track; recording control means for controlling the recording means so as not to record the information signal in the identification signal region.
Alternatively, the present invention provides an optical information recording medium including at least one groove track and at least one land track allowing information to be recorded on or reproduced from the groove track and the land track, the groove track and the land track adjoining each other, wherein the optical information recording medium further includes: a pre-pit array indicating identification information concerning the groove track and the land track; and a plurality of pits disposed ahead of the pre-pit array along the groove track and the land track, the plurality of pits indicating a reproduction synchronization signal for reproducing the identification information of the pre-pit array, the plurality of pits indicating the reproduction synchronization signal being positioned so as to shift to opposite sides of a center line of either the groove track or the land track.
In one embodiment of the invention, the groove track and the land track are divided into a plurality of sectors, the pre-pit array in the identification signal region includes an address pit array indicating address information of a corresponding sector.
Alternatively, the present invention provides an optical information recording/reproduction device for recording/reproducing information with a light beam on an optical information recording medium including at least one groove track and at least one land track allowing information to be recorded on or reproduced from the groove track and the land track, the groove track and the land track adjoining each other, and the optical information recording medium further including: a pre-pit array indicating identification information concerning the groove track and the land track; and a plurality of pits disposed ahead of the pre-pit array along the groove track and the land track, the plurality of pits indicating a reproduction synchronization signal for reproducing the identification information of the pre-pit array, the plurality of pits indicating the reproduction synchronization signal being positioned so as to shift to opposite sides of a center line of either the groove track or the land track, wherein the optical information recording/reproduction device includes a circuit for correcting a tracking offset based on the plurality of pits indicating the reproduction synchronization signal.
Alternatively, the present invention provides an optical information recording medium including information tracks including at least one groove track and at least one land track formed in a spiral or concentric shape on a disk substrate, the optical information recording medium including at least one zone composed of a plurality of information tracks, wherein the optical information recording medium further includes: a servo control region defined by a meandering portion of the groove track, the meandering portion having at least one meander; an identification signal region including one pre-pit indicating an identification signal provided for a pair consisting of adjoining ones of the groove track and the land track, the center lines of some or all of the pre-pits being shifted away from the center line of either the groove track or the land track along a direction across the groove track and the land track; and an information signal region in which an information signal is recorded by irradiation of a light beam, the an information signal region being distinct from the identification signal region.
Alternatively, the present invention provides an optical information recording medium including at least one groove track and at least one land track allowing information to be recorded on or reproduced from the groove track and the land track, the groove track and the land track adjoining each other, the optical information recording medium further including: an identification signal region including a pre-pit array indicating identification information concerning the groove track and the land track; and an information signal region in which an information signal is recorded by irradiation of a light beam, wherein the pre-pit array indicating the identification signal includes: a field number pre-pit indicating a field number representing the order of information fields composed of a pair consisting of adjoining ones of the groove track and the land track; and a track identification pre-pit for detecting whether a beam spot created on the optical information recording medium by the light beam is currently travelling over the groove track or the land track, wherein the field number pre-pit is formed substantially on a border line between the groove track and the land track included in each information field, the field number pre-pit being provided with a period twice as large as a track pitch along a direction perpendicular to the groove track and the land track, and the track identification pre-pit is formed substantially on a border line between two adjoining information fields, the track identification pre-pit being provided with a period four as large as the track pitch along the direction perpendicular to the groove track and the land track.
In one embodiment of the invention, the track identification pre-pit includes: a first track identifier disposed on the same line as the field number pre-pit array; a second track identifier disposed ahead of the first track identifier along the track direction and located between the first track identifiers adjoining each other along the direction perpendicular to the groove track and the land track.
In another embodiment of the invention, the optical information recording medium further includes a rewritable recording layer, wherein the recording layer is formed of a phase-change type material capable of taking an amorphous state or a crystal state.
Alternatively, the present invention provides an optical information recording/reproduction device for recording/reproducing information with a light beam on an optical information recording medium including at least one groove track and at least one land track allowing information to be recorded on or reproduced from the groove track and the land track, the groove track and the land track adjoining each other, the optical information recording medium further including: an identification signal region including a pre-pit array indicating identification information concerning the groove track and the land track; and an information signal region in which an information signal is recorded by irradiation of a light beam, wherein the pre-pit array indicating the identification signal includes: a field number pre-pit indicating a field number representing the order of information fields composed of a pair consisting of adjoining ones of the groove track and the land track; and a track identification pre-pit for detecting whether a beam spot created on the optical information recording medium by the light beam is currently travelling over the groove track or the land track, wherein the field number pre-pit is formed substantially on a border line between the groove track and the land track included in each information field, the field number pre-pit being provided with a period twice as large as a track pitch along a direction perpendicular to the groove track and the land track, and the track identification pre-pit is formed substantially on a border line between two adjoining information fields, the track identification pre-pit being provided with a period four as large as the track pitch along the direction perpendicular to the groove track and the land track, wherein the optical information recording/reproduction device includes: an optical system for allowing the light beam emitted from a light source to be incident on the optical information recording medium; light detection means for receiving the light beam reflected from the optical information recording medium and converting the reflected light into an electric signal which is output as a light detection signal; identification signal reading means for reproducing the identification signal from the light detection signal and outputting at least the field number; and track identifier detection means for outputting an identifier detection signal in the case where a signal from the track identification pre-pit is detected.
Thus, the invention described herein makes possible the advantages of: (1) providing an optical information recording medium utilizing information tracks composed of grooves and lands previously formed on the optical information recording medium, which does not require an unduly high accuracy of track serve control; and (2) providing an optical information recording/reproduction device for recording an information signal on such an optical information recording medium.
These and other advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading and understanding the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying figures. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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1. Field
The present disclosure relates generally to aeronautical communication services, and more specifically, to methods and systems for providing aeronautical communication services via efficient management of frequency band.
2. Background
The demand for aeronautical broadband communications is on the rise. Such increase in demand is attributed to deployment of applications or services which require aeronautical broadband communications. Applications range from in-flight entertainment, telemedicine, flight security, and flight logistics and maintenance. For example, by providing such applications on an aircraft, air travel can be made more productive, pleasant and secure. However, the cost of making such applications available on aeronautical vehicles such as aircrafts is substantial. Therefore, most airlines and the aircraft industry are looking for ways to provide such applications or services as economically as possible.
One of the key issues in the design of aeronautical broadband communications system is the availability of frequency spectrum. Available spectrum in the low frequencies is scarce crowded, as most of that spectrum is already occupied or used by existing services. One such service which occupies the spectrum in the low frequency range of below 3 GHz is the Mobile Satellite Service (MSS).
Due to this restricted bandwidth availability at low frequency and increasing data rate requirements, broadband aeronautical services are therefore generally operated at high frequencies such as the Ka or Ku bands. Operating at such high frequencies, however, has a number of disadvantages including, for example, higher power requirements and resulting costs.
Hence, it would be desirable to have more efficient methods and systems for managing frequency bands in order to provide aeronautical communication services in the low frequency spectrum. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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The present invention is an improved leveling system for achieving and maintaining a desired, level position for a platform or structure. The predominant application of the present invention will be in recreational vehicles and motor coaches that are driven from place to place and parked for substantial periods of time on potentially uneven surfaces. However, other applicationsxe2x80x94including applications on generally fixed structures subject to vibration, tilting, or other disturbancesxe2x80x94will be understood to be encompassed by the presently claimed invention.
Leveling systems of various types for recreational vehicles are known in the art and have been sold for many years. Examples of such leveling systems may be found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,746,133, 4061,309, 4,165,861, 4,597,584, and 4,743,037. The ""584 and ""037 patents disclose an automatic leveling system including a fluid-based level sensor. The level sensor of the ""584 patent comprises a group of switches disposed in a plane. The switches of the ""584 patent comprise housings having a blob of mercury contained therein. The mercury is disposed within the housing with an open circuit that may be closed by the conductive mercury when a selected range of leveling positions cause the blob of mercury to move into position and serve as a bridge between the otherwise open circuit ends.
In the ""584 and ""037 patents, the switches are disposed to detect level disturbance individually for each wheel. The ""133 patent utilizes switches similar to those just described, but in a disposition that detects level disturbances at a shift of about 45degrees from the detection positions disclosed in the earlier patents. The ""133 patent allows control of leveling through actuation of paired jacks (rear, front, left, or right). In addition, the ""133 patent discloses the use of an air bag leveling system.
Notwithstanding these leveling systems, there has remained a need for an improved, dynamic level sensing and level adjustment control system to achieve and maintain a level structure efficiently, with a minimum of movement. There has further been a need for a level sensor that accommodates generally unavoidable conditions such as changes in the volume of a fluid sensor material associated with temperature changes, mechanical disturbances caused by passenger or occupant activity, or vibration caused by engines, drive systems or road conditions while the vehicle is in motion.
In addition to the circuit closing sensors of the type described, there are known fluid-based level sensors that depended on differential wetting of an electrode or terminal. In theory, the differential wetting allows determination of a fluid level and therefore plane orientation or tilt. However, such systems have inherent infirmities due to boundary layer effects, the interference of the probes, terminals, or electrodes with the movement of the fluid, or changes in fluid volume and viscosity due to temperature changes. For application in recreational vehicles where the vehicles may travel through regions of dramatically changing temperature extremes and experience motion due to moving passengers, correction of temperature change infirmities and the minimization of system response to minor vibrations are important considerations. Sealed biaxial inclinosensor technology utilizing conductometric measurement via thin film sensor substrates provides a convenient method to overcome these infirmities.
A technology has been developed by others and is employed within the method and system of the present invention. The technology relates to a biaxial inclinosensor such as the NS-25/B2 produced and marketed by HL-Planartechnik Gmbh, Hauert 13, D-44227, Dortmund, Germany, which is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,182,947. Such sensors employ a sealed chamber with a thin-film sensor substrate disposed on a portion of the bottom of the chamber. The sealed chamber is typically ceramic to provide for maximum durability across a wide variety of temperatures and conditions. The chamber is partially filled with an electroconductive fluid (the particular fluid and amount of fluid may vary from application to application depending on the range of measurements deemed to be consequential for the application). Voltage potential differences may be applied at locations on the sensor substrate along the chamber bottom wall and the resultant electrical field generated by the flow of current through the fluid and between the terminals may be detected at a selected location on the thin film sensor substrate. With this known technology, the level of fluid above a detection point may be determined.
The basic methodology of such biaxial inclinosensors and conductometric measurements are known and, as such, are not discussed at further length herein. FIGS. 1 and 2 (prior art) illustrate such a sealed-chamber, biaxial inclinosensor. FIG. 3 (prior art) illustrates a microprocessor and circuitry associated with such a sensor.
Notwithstanding this known art as illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, there has remained a need for a level detection and correction system and method that better accommodates disturbances in recreational vehicles created by vibration from engine operation, occupant movements, etc. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a system for level or level disturbance detection that overcomes the noise of vehicle or structure vibration. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a system for level correction that is integrated with the system for level detection. It is a further object of the present invention to provide such a system that may be used to level recreational vehicles with selected ranges of disturbance without taxing the leveling system drive components through constant response to minor disturbances that need no correction. It is a further object to provide such systems utilizing conductometric measurement principles.
The present invention is an improved, dynamic level detection and leveling system. A biaxial inclinosensor is used to generate a series of measurements that reflect a level of tilt associated with a plane that a user desires to maintain level. When sufficient measurements have been collected, an average value is obtained. If the average value obtained exceeds (in either direction, low or high) a selected value limit, then corrective action may be instituted, or a signal may be generated to indicate a need for automatic or manual correction. Such measurements are taken along both axes of the biaxial sensor.
It is preferred to minimize leveling system response by selecting not only a value limit, but also a null value limit. The value limit is used to determine an outside range of acceptable values for averaged measurements. When the value limit is exceeded, the corrective action is instituted, but since the values are averaged over a sampling of times it will not adjust the leveling for every slight and temporary change. Such corrective action would require almost continual adjustment of the hydraulic, pneumatic, electric, or other drive mechanisms used to adjust the level of the structure. Similarly, it is not sufficient to merely correct the imbalance or disturbance to a point just within the range defined by the value limits. Such a correction would often result in an almost immediate need for further correction. Therefore, there is also defined within the present invention a null range of value limitations to define an acceptable range of average values for the termination of corrective action, which range is within the broader range of values used to define the limits for when corrective action should be initiated.
By employing the biaxial inclinosensors having conductometric measurement capabilities, temperature induced fluid changes generally do not impact operation of the level detection system. Use of the thin-film sealed chamber technology eliminates or at least severely minimizes the interference of boundary layer effects with measurement and the interference of physical disturbance of fluid flow by probes that extend into the fluid""s path. Finally, the multiple-measurement, averaged value technique of the present invention eliminates constant system response, overcorrection, and over-active leveling system correction through the muting of minor, isolated disturbances, and through the establishment of a broad range of inclination angles that trigger the commencement of corrective action along with a narrower range of inclination angles that trigger the termination of such action. | {
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The present invention relates to an access server and a connection restriction method, and particularly to filtering by a terminal or a communication system, and to an access server and a connection restriction method which is provided with a function to be capable of controlling the restriction of a time period when, even after a user terminal is authenticated, the user terminal can communicate by the access server.
A cellular phone, a personal computer, and a portable game machine become widespread in daily life, and the environment becomes such that the Internet can be used. Everybody, including children, uses a service such as a site access, download of music, or download of games through the Internet. Although everybody can use the Internet, there is a problem that a child accesses a harmful site such as a dating site and is harmed. Besides, from the viewpoint of leakage of personal information, also for the purpose of preventing the information from carelessly leaking, the access restriction to the harmful site is an important function.
A filtering technique is used for the access restriction to the harmful site, and for example, there is one in which a dedicated tool provided by an Internet browser or an Internet service provider (hereinafter referred to as ISP) is installed in a client terminal, and filtering is performed. Besides, for example, there is one in which filtering is performed by a house external apparatus such as a home router, there is one in which a proxy server is used in the network of an in-house LAN of a company or the like (see, for example, patent document 1), or there is one in which filtering is performed by the Web gateway server of a contract ISP.
As functions of the filtering, for example, there is one using a keyword (such as, for example, violence), there is one in which a specified Web address is not displayed or only a specified Web address is displayed, or there is one in which a display is inhibited according to a time period.
In the restriction using the keyword, inappropriate keywords are previously listed, and in the case where the keyword is included in a specified URL, the page of the Web is not displayed. However, there is a possibility of erroneous recognition that even if showing may be made for a URL, in case the keyword is included, the display can not be performed.
In the case of the restriction using a Web address, when the page of a specified Web address is not displayed, there is no effect on an unregistered URL. On the other hand, when the page of a specified Web address is displayed, Web pages which are freely seen are few. In the case where it is taken into consideration that a child sees a site, the child tends to desire to see what can not be seen by using any means from curiosity, and for example, the child may directly write the address of the URL of a harmful site to access it, and therefore, the restriction using the keyword or the web address has a problem in usefulness as the filtering.
In the case of the restriction using the time period, the restriction time is set, so that the excessive use of the Internet is prevented, and the use of a child in the time period when parents are absent can be restricted. There is known that detailed setting such as designation of a keyword or a Web address is not required, and the filtering can be performed without piquing child's curiosity and without being noticed by the child.
As the restriction using the time period, for example, as described before, there is one in which the dedicated tool is installed in the client terminal and the restriction is performed by the software, or there is one in which in the network of an in-house LAN of a company or the like, an administrator executes the restriction by using a database by a proxy server (see patent document 1), a Web gate server of an ISP or the like.
Besides, in JP-A-2006-60862 (patent document 2), there is disclosed a communication method in which information delivery is controlled by, for example, a time period. In this method, for example, when the user obtains information, a communication apparatus including a timer circuit uses the timer to compare the contents registered in a database in advance, with an information provision start time and an end time registered in the database, and when it becomes the start time, the requested information is delivered after connection to the communication network of the user, and when it becomes the end time, the delivery to the communication network of the user is stopped.
Further, in a communication apparatus accommodating subscribers, as a communication method of controlling network connection of each user terminal after authentication, there is one disclosed in, for example, JP-A-2003-174482 (patent document 3). In this method, for example, at the time when the user terminal requests connection to the Internet, the communication apparatus previously constructs the closed network by bridge connection or router connection after authentication. The method is such that after the closed network is constructed, the communication apparatus changes the management table of the communication apparatus in accordance with the setting request of the filter information from the terminal, and the filtering condition of the terminal can be freely changed.
[Patent document 1] Japanese Patent No. 3605343
[Patent document 2] JP-A-2006-60862
[Patent document 3] JP-A-2003-174482
However, with respect to the access time setting by the user himself/herself using the software tool of the user terminal or the home router, it is the condition that for example, the dedicated tool is installed, and in the case where it has been uninstalled, or the time setting is not accurately performed in the terminal, access to a harmful site in a time period becomes possible by the operation mistake of the user. Besides, since the setting is performed in the terminal, a user using it releases the restriction and can access a site.
In the technique disclosed in patent document 1 in which the proxy server is used in the in-house LAN or the like, since the filtering is performed by the dedicated proxy server, it is suitable for a small network such as the in-house LAN, however, in the case of a large-scale network in which the kinds and forms of user terminals vary and for example, wired and wireless terminals are included, it is necessary to install the same proxy server in each network. Besides, since one proxy server has many databases, the load is large, and there remains a problem also in redundancy.
In the execution of filtering by the Web gate server at the ISP side, it is the use condition to contract with the ISP, and the content of the service varies according to each ISP.
Besides, as the communication method in which the control of information delivery can be made by the time period, in the technique disclosed in patent document 2, desired information can be delivered in the desired time to the previously registered network of the user by the management of the timer of the communication apparatus and the database, however, only the desired information is registered in the database, and the communication condition of the user can not be restricted. For example, with respect to information not desired to be seen or unwanted information, the restriction is not made based on the time period, and everybody can acquire the information not desired to be seen or the unwanted information.
Further, in the communication apparatus accommodating subscribers, as the communication method for controlling the network connection of each user terminal after authentication, in the technique disclosed in patent document 3, the closed network is constructed after the authentication, the communication apparatus changes the management table of the communication apparatus in accordance with the setting request of the filter information from the terminal, and can freely change the filtering condition of the terminal. However, since the setting change of the filtering is based on the notification from the terminal, for example, in the case where the filtering condition in the time period is desired to be performed (for example, the filter condition is not provided in the daytime, and the filtering condition is made strict in the night), since the notification is required twice a day, a complicated operation is required. When the notification is forgotten, for example, there is a possibility that the filtering condition in the night is applied in the daytime, and the management of the filtering service based on the time setting is difficult.
It is required that independently of the form of a user terminal such as a wired or wireless terminal or the service function at the ISP side, the access server capable of accommodating subscribers or ISPs has a function to be able to restrict communication based on a time period and a function to perform distribution to apparatuses restricted in communication and web browsing. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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Current computer platform architecture design encompasses many different interfaces to connect one device to another device. The interfaces provide I/O (input/output) for computing devices and peripherals, and may use a variety of protocols and standards to provide the I/O. The differing interfaces may also use different hardware structures to provide the interface. For example, current computer systems typically include multiple ports with corresponding connection interfaces, as implemented by physical connectors and plugs at the ends of the cables connecting the devices. Common connector types may include a Universal Serial Bus (USB) subsystem with a number of associated USB plug interfaces, DisplayPort, High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI), Firewire (as set forth in IEEE 1394), or other connector type.
USB2 and USB3 are common I/O interfaces used to send and receive data between computer systems. These interfaces are also implemented together as USB micro-B connectors as specified by the Universal Serial Bus 3.0 Specification, Revision 1.0 Nov. 12, 2008. However, the USB micro-B connector does not have the bandwidth capacity of other interfaces (e.g., optical interfaces). | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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Modern people, especially office workers living in big cities, are busy with their work and spend a lot of time on commuting. Nevertheless, to ensure nutrition and health, a lot of people still choose to cook at home. However, if people need to buy food every day, it definitely wastes some of precious spare time. Therefore, many people choose to buy vegetables that can sustain for several days or even a week at one time. In this case, how to preserve vegetables becomes a problem.
In modern life, people use refrigerator cold storage technology to implement preservation of vegetables. Although refrigerators solve the issue of vegetable preservation in some degree, a common refrigerator can only regulate temperature, but cannot ensure the freshness and taste of vegetables after the vegetables are stored for a period of time; a common refrigerator achieves only a function of delaying putrefaction of foods such as vegetables, and the putrefaction can be delayed by only a very short time. As living requirements of people increase continuously, people want such a product that can keep vegetables still in a growth-retarded state or a slow growth state after being picked and sold, and ensure that vegetables can be preserved for a long time. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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Millions of transactions occur daily through the use of payment cards, such as credit cards, debit cards, prepaid cards, etc. Providing incentives to payment card customers to participate in offer campaigns is known to influence customer choice of payment methods. Various advertising techniques may be employed for encouraging customer participation in offer campaigns including, for example, word-of-mouth advertising. Data relating to payment card use are mined for specific advertising goals, such as to provide incentives to account holders, as described in PCT Pub. No. WO 2008/067543 A2, published on Jun. 5, 2008 and entitled “Techniques for Targeted Offers.”
U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No. 2009/0216579, published on Aug. 27, 2009 and entitled “Tracking Online Advertising using Payment Services,” discloses a system in which a payment service identifies the activity of a user using a payment card as corresponding with an offer associated with an online advertisement presented to the user.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,298,330, issued on Oct. 2, 2001 and entitled “Communicating with a Computer Based on the Offline Purchase History of a Particular Consumer,” discloses a system in which a targeted advertisement is delivered to a computer in response to receiving an identifier, such as a cookie, corresponding to the computer.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,035,855, issued on Apr. 25, 2006 and entitled “Process and System for Integrating Information from Disparate Databases for Purposes of Predicting Consumer Behavior,” discloses a system in which consumer transactional information is used for predicting consumer behavior.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,505,168, issued on Jan. 7, 2003 and entitled “System and Method for Gathering and Standardizing Customer Purchase Information for Target Marketing,” discloses a system in which categories and sub-categories are used to organize purchasing information by credit cards, debit cards, checks and the like. The customer purchase information is used to generate customer preference information for making targeted offers.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,444,658, issued on Oct. 28, 2008 and entitled “Method and System to Perform Content Targeting,” discloses a system in which advertisements are selected to be sent to users based on a user classification performed using credit card purchasing data.
U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No. 2005/0055275, published on Mar. 10, 2005 and entitled “System and Method for Analyzing Marketing Efforts,” discloses a system that evaluates the cause and effect of advertising and marketing programs using card transaction data.
U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No. 2008/0217397, published on Sep. 11, 2008 and entitled “Real-Time Awards Determinations,” discloses a system for facilitating transactions with real-time awards determinations for a cardholder, in which the award may be provided to the cardholder as a credit on the cardholder's statement.
The disclosures of the above discussed patent documents are hereby incorporated herein by reference. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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X-values in circuit design simulations represent unknown signal values, such as “don't care” values or “wildcard” values. These different interpretations of the X-values may cause different behaviors in physical circuits and simulations. Additionally, standard hardware description language (HDL) simulation semantics conceal X-value related bugs (X-bugs) in simulation as these X-values may not be propagated in certain scenarios. These X-bugs are generally uncovered during gate level simulation, which comes late in a circuit designing cycle and causes added cost in fixing the X-bugs. However, with the use of X-propagation in simulation, X-bugs can be detected at a register transfer level (RTL), which comes before gate level simulation. Although X-bugs are commonly detected at an earlier state of the circuit designing cycle, identifying the failure point of the X-bugs can be a cumbersome and time consuming process.
The description provided in the background section should not be assumed to be prior art merely because it is mentioned in or associated with the background section. The background section may include information that describes one or more aspects of the subject technology. | {
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The present invention relates to a Neurturin (xe2x80x9cNTNxe2x80x9d) receptor designated NTNRxcex1, and provides for NTNRxcex1-encoding nucleic acid and amino acid sequences. In particular, the invention relates to native sequence NTNRxcex1, NTNRxcex1 variants, soluble NTNRxcex1 variants including NTNRxcex1 extracellular domain, chimeric NTNRxcex1, and antibodies which bind to the NTNRxcex1 (including agonist and neutralizing antibodies), as well as various uses for these molecules. It also relates to assay systems for detecting ligands to NTNRxcex1, systems for studying the physiological role of NTN, diagnostic techniques for identifying NTN-related conditions, therapeutic techniques for the treatment of NTN-related and NTNRxcex1-related conditions, and methods for identifying molecules homologous to NTNRxcex1.
Neurotrophic factors such as insulin-like growth factors, nerve growth factor, brain-derived neurotrophic factor, neurotrophin-3, -4/5 and -6, ciliary neurotrophic factor, GDNF, and neurturin have been proposed as potential means for enhancing specific neuronal cell survival, for example, as a treatment for neurodegenerative diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Alzheimer""s disease, stroke, epilepsy, Huntington""s disease, Parkinson""s disease, and peripheral neuropathy. It would be desirable to provide additional therapy for this purpose. Protein neurotrophilc factors, or neurotrophins, which influence growth and development of the vertebrate nervous system, are believed to play an important role in promoting the differentiation, survival, and function of diverse groups of neurons in the brain and periphery. Neurotrophic factors are believed to have important signaling functions in neural tissues, based in part upon the precedent established with nerve growth factor (NGF). NGF supports the survival of sympathetic, sensory, and basal forebrain neurons both in vitro and in vivo. Administration of exogenous NGF rescues neurons from cell death during development. Conversely, removal or sequestration of endogenous NGF by administration of anti-NGF antibodies promotes such cell death (Heumann, J. Exp. Biol., 132:133-150 (1987); Hefti, J. Neurosci., 6:2155-2162 (1986); Thoenen et al., Physiological Reviews 60:1284-1335 (1980)).
Additional neurotrophic factors related to NGF have since been identified. These include brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) (Leibrock, et al., Nature. 341:149-152 (1989)), neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) (Kaisho, et al., FEBS Lett., 266:187 (1990); Maisonpierre, et al., Science, 247:1446 (1990); Rosenthal, et al., Neuron, 4:767 (1990)), and neurotrophin 4/5 (NT-4/5) (Berkemeier, et al., Neuron, 7:857-866 (1991)).
Neurotrophins, similar to other polypeptide growth factors, affect their target cells through interactions with cell surface receptors. According to our current understanding, two kinds of transmembrane glycoproteins act as receptors for the known neurotrophins. Equilibrium binding studies have shown that neurotrophin-responsive neuronal cells possess a common low molecular weight (65,000-80,000 Daltons), a low affinity receptor typically referred to as p75LNGFR or p75, and a high molecular weight (130,000-150,000 Dalton) receptor. The high affinity receptors are members of the trk family of receptor tyrosine kinases.
Receptor tyrosine kinases are known to serve as receptors for a variety of protein factors that promote cellular proliferation, differentiation, and survival. In addition to the trk receptors, examples of other receptor tyrosine kinases include the receptors for epidermal growth factor (EGF), fibroblast growth factor (FGF), and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF). Typically, these receptors span the cell membrane, with one portion of the receptor being intracellular and in contact with the cytoplasm, and another portion of the receptor being extracellular. Binding of a ligand to the extracellular portion of the receptor induces tyrosine kinase activity in the intracellular portion of the receptor, with ensuing phosphorylation of various intracellular proteins involved in cellular signaling pathways.
Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (xe2x80x9cGDNFxe2x80x9d) and Neurturin (xe2x80x9cNTNxe2x80x9d) are two, recently identified, structurally related, potent survival factors for sympathetic sensory and central nervous system neurons (Lin et al. Science 260:1130-1132 (1993); Henderson et al. Science 266:1062-1064 (1994); Buj-Bello et al., Neuron 15:821-828 (1995); Kotzbauer et al. Nature 384:467-470 (1996)). Recently, GDNF was shown to mediate its actions through a multi-component receptor system composed of a ligand binding glycosyl-phosphatidyl inositol (GPI) linked protein (designated GDNFRxcex1) and the transmembrane receptor tyrosine kinase Ret (Treanor et al. Nature 382:80-83 (1996); Jing et al. Cell 85:1113-1124 (1996); Trupp et al. Nature 381:785-789 (1996); Durbec et al. Nature 381:789-793 (1996)). The mechanism by which the NTN signal is transmitted has not been elucidated.
Aberrant expression of receptor tyrosine kinases (xe2x80x9cRTKxe2x80x9d) correlates with transforming ability. For example, carcinomas of the liver, lung, breast and colon show elevated expression of Eph RTK. Unlike many other tyrosine kinases, this elevated expression can occur in the absence of gene amplification or rearrangement. Moreover, Hek, a human RTK, has been identified as a leukemia-specific marker present on the surface of a pre-B cell leukemia cell line. As with Eph, Hek also was overexpressed in the absence of gene amplification or rearrangements in, for example, hemopoietic tumors and lymphoid tumor cell lines. Over-expression of Myk-1 (a murine homolog of human Htk (Bennett et al., J. Biol. Chem., 269(19):14211-8 (1994)) was found in the undifferentiated and invasive mammary tumors of transgenic mice expressing the Ha-ras oncogene. (Andres et al., Oncogene, 9(5):1461-7 (1994) and Andres et al., Oncogene, 9(8):2431 (1994)). Ret, the product of the c-ret proto-oncogene, is a member of the receptor tyrosine kinase superfamily.
In addition to their roles in carcinogenesis, a number of transmembrane tyrosine kinases have been reported to play key roles during development. Some receptor tyrosine kinases are developmentally regulated and predominantly expressed in embryonic tissues. Examples include Cek1, which belongs to the FGF subclass, and the Cek4 and Cek5 tyrosine kinases (Pasquale et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., USA, 86:5449-5453 (1989); Sajjadi et al., New Biol., 3(8):769-78 (1991); and Pasquale, Cell Regulation, 2:523-534 (1991)). Eph family members are expressed in many different adult tissues, with several family members expressed in the nervous system or specifically in neurons (Maisonpierre et al., Oncogene, 8:3277-3288 (1993); Lai et al., Neuron, 6:691-704 (1991)).
The aberrant expression or uncontrolled regulation of any one of these receptor tyrosine kinases can result in different malignancies and pathological disorders. Therefore, there exists a need to identify means to regulate, control and manipulate receptor tyrosine kinases (xe2x80x9cRTKxe2x80x9d) and their associated ligands or GPI-linked receptors, in order to provide new and additional means for the diagnosis and therapy of receptor tyrosine kinase pathway-related disorders and cellular processes. The present application provides the clinician and researcher with such means by providing new molecules that are specific for interacting with certain RTK receptors. These compounds and their methods of use, as provided herein, allow exquisite therapeutic control and specificity. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved therapy for the prevention and/or treatment of neurological conditions and other conditions in which certain neurotrophic signaling pathways play a role.
These and other objects of the invention will be apparent to the ordinarily skilled artisan upon consideration of the specification as a whole.
A NTN receptor termed NTNRxcex1, a soluble form of the receptor, and a NTNRxcex1 extracellular domain (xe2x80x9cECDxe2x80x9d) are disclosed herein. Also disclosed are NTNRxcex1 polypeptides, optionally conjugated with or fused to molecules which increase the serum half-lives thereof, and optionally formulated as pharmaceutical compositions with a physiologically acceptable carrier.
Soluble NTNRxcex1 that retains both ligand binding, preferably NTN binding, and receptor signaling function (via Ret receptor tyrosine kinase) can be used to impart, restore, or enhance NTNRxcex1-ligand (preferably NTN) responsiveness to cells. This responsiveness includes ligand-binding, Ret tyrosine phosphorylation and Ret-mediated downstream activity, which can result in modulation of cell activity such as survival or growth. The embodiments find use in vivo, in vitro or ex vivo. NTNRxcex1 ECD that binds NTN can be used as an antagonist to NTN ligand to reduce activation of endogenous NTNRxcex1. This is useful in conditions characterized by excess levels of NTN ligand and/or excess NTNRxcex1 activation in a mammal.
Pharmaceutical compositions of soluble NTNRxcex1, preferably ECD, further include an NTNRxcex1 ligand, preferably NTN. Such compositions are useful where it is desirable to prolong the half-life of the ligand, provide slow, sustained release of ligand, impart NTNRxcex1-ligand responsiveness to a target cell, and/or activate or enhance endogenous cellular NTNRxcex1 or Ret activity directly. Optionally, the composition further contains one or more cytokines, neurotrophic factors, or their agonist antibodies.
Chimeric NTNRxcex1 molecules such as NTNRxcex1 immunoadhesin (having long serum half-lives) and epitope-tagged NTNRxcex1 are disclosed. These find particular use as soluble forms of NTNRxcex1. Immunoadhesins can also be employed as NTNRxcex1 antagonists in conditions or disorders in which neutralization of NTNRxcex1 biological activity is beneficial. Bispecific immunoadhesins (for example, combining a NTNRxcex1-ligand binding activity with a ligand-binding domain of another cytokine or neurotrophic factor receptor) can form high affinity binding complexes for NTNRxcex1-ligands in combination with other factors or for targeted delivery.
Also provided are methods for identifying a molecule which binds to and/or activates NTNRxcex1. Thus assays are provided to screen for or identify NTNRxcex1-ligand molecules (such as peptides, antibodies, and small molecules) that are agonists or antagonists of NTNRxcex1. Such methods generally involve exposing an immobilized NTNRxcex1 to a molecule suspected of binding thereto and determining binding of the molecule to the immobilized NTNRxcex1 and/or evaluating whether or not the molecule activates (or blocks activation of) the NTNRxcex1. In order to identify such NTN ligands, the NTNRxcex1 can be expressed on the surface of a cell and used to screen libraries of synthetic candidate compounds or naturally-occurring compounds (e.g., from endogenous sources such as serum or cells). NTNRxcex1 can also be used as a diagnostic tool for measuring serum levels of endogenous or exogenous NTNRxcex1-ligand.
In a further embodiment, a method for purifying an NTNRxcex1-ligand is provided. This finds use in commercial production and purification of therapeutically active molecules that bind to this receptor. In one embodiment the molecule of interest (generally in a composition comprising one or more contaminants) is adsorbed to immobilized NTNRxcex1 (e.g., NTNRxcex1 immunoadhesin immobilized on a protein A resin). The contaminants, by virtue of their inability to bind to the NTNRxcex1, will generally not bind the resin. Accordingly, it is then possible to recover the molecule of interest from the resin by changing the elution conditions, such that the ligand molecule is released from the immobilized receptor.
Antibodies are provided that specifically bind to NTNRxcex1. Preferred antibodies are monoclonal antibodies that are non-immunogenic in a human and bind to an epitope in the extracellular domain of the receptor. Preferred antibodies bind the NTNRxcex1 with an affinity of at least about 106 L/mole, more preferably 107 L/mole. Preferred antibodies are agonist antibodies.
Antibodies, which bind to NTNRxcex1, can be optionally fused to a heterologous polypeptide. The antibody or fusion finds particular use to isolate and purify NTNRxcex1 from a source of the receptor.
In a further aspect is provided a method for detecting NTNRxcex1 in vitro or in vivo which includes the steps of contacting an NTNRxcex1 antibody with a sample suspected of containing the receptor, and detecting if binding has occurred.
For certain applications it is desirable to have an agonist antibody. Such agonist antibodies are useful for activating NTNRxcex1 as described for NTNRxcex1-ligands such as NTN. Furthermore, these antibodies are useful to treat conditions in which an effective amount of NTNRxcex1 activation leads to a therapeutic benefit in the mammal. For example, the agonist antibody can be used to elicit an NTN response in a cell comprising NTNRxcex1 and, preferably, Ret. For therapeutic applications it is desirable to prepare a composition having the agonist antibody and a physiologically acceptable carrier. Optionally, the composition further contains one or more cytokines, neurotrophic factors, or their agonist antibodies.
In other embodiments, the antibody is a neutralizing antibody. Such molecules can be used to treat conditions characterized by unwanted or excessive activation of NTNRxcex1.
In addition to the above, the invention provides isolated nucleic acid molecules, expression vectors and host cells encoding NTNRxcex1 which can be used in the recombinant production of NTNRxcex1 as described herein. The isolated nucleic acid molecules and vectors are also useful to prepare transgenic animals, for gene therapy applications to treat patients with NTNRxcex1 defects or increase responsiveness of cells to NTNRxcex1 ligands, or alternatively to decrease NTNRxcex1 activity (as by use of antisense nucleic acid). | {
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Various natural and recombinant proteins have medical and pharmaceutical utility. Once they have been purified, separated, and formulated, they can be parenterally administered for various therapeutic indications. However, parenterally administered proteins may be immunogenic, may be relatively water insoluble, and may have a short pharmacological half life. Consequently, it can be difficult to achieve therapeutically useful blood levels of the proteins in patients.
These problems may be overcome by conjugating the proteins to polymers such as polyethylene glycol. Davis et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,179,337 disclose conjugating polyethylene glycol (PEG) to proteins such as enzymes and insulin in order to result in conjugates where the protein would be less immunogenic and would retain a substantial proportion of its physiological activity. Nakagawa, et al. disclose conjugating PEG to islet-activating protein to reduce its side-effects and immunogenicity. Veronese et al., Applied Biochem. and Biotech, 11:141-152 (1985) disclose activating polyethylene glycols with phenyl chloroformates to modify a ribonuclease and a superoxide dimutase. Katre et al. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,766,106 and 4,917,888 also disclose solubilizing proteins by polymer conjugation. PEG and other polymers are conjugated to recombinant proteins to reduce immunogenicity and increase half-life. See Nitecki, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,902,502, Enzon, Inc., International Application No. PCT/US90/02133, Nishimura et al., European Patent Application 154,316 and Tomasi, International Application Number PCT/US85/02572.
Previous methods of forming PEG/Protein conjugates and the conjugates which result from said methods present several problems. Among these problems is that certain methods of forming these protein-PEG conjugates may inactivate the protein so that the resulting conjugates may have poor biological activity. In addition, certain linkers utilized in forming these PEG-protein conjugates may be susceptible to in vivo hydrolytic cleavage. When such cleavage occurs after administration, these conjugates lose the beneficial properties provided by PEG. | {
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1. Field of Invention
The invention relates to a head massager and a package therefor.
2. Prior Art
Head massagers are known in the art, but their construction and operation is flimsy and unstable. There still exists a need in the art for a head massager that will perform to a high standard and yet be available at a reasonable price. | {
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Dedicated electronic percussion instruments, e.g., electronic drums, having a drum pad are known. An electronic drum is a percussion instrument in which the sound is generated by an electronic waveform generator or sampler instead of by acoustic vibration. Typically, when an electronic drum pad is struck (i.e., triggered), a voltage change is caused in an embedded piezoelectric transducer (piezo) or force sensitive resistor (FSR). The resultant signals are translated into digital waveforms, which produce the desired percussion sound assigned to that particular trigger pad. Most newer drum modules have trigger inputs for 2 or more cymbals, a kick, 3-4 toms, a dual-zone snare (head and rim), and a hi-hat. The hi-hat has a foot controller which produces open and closed sounds with some models offering variations in-between.
Percussion instrument functionality can be implemented on devices having a touchscreen, but without a dedicated drum pad. Examples of such devices include tablet computers and smart phones. However, the touchscreen of such devices are typically “on/off” and not velocity sensitive like most drum pads in dedicated electronic percussion instruments. This may inhibit the range of expression of such devices to less than that of acoustic drums or dedicated electronic percussion instruments. Also, touchscreen electronic percussion instruments typically do not take advantage of some of the characteristics of dedicated electronic percussion instruments. Further, the limited user interface space typically available in touchscreen devices limits the number of controls that can be offered concurrently. A need exists to provide gesture interfaces for percussion instrument functionality implemented on devices having a touchscreen interface, but no drum pad, and a limited touch surface area. | {
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Disclosed herein are resins suitable for use in toner compositions used in imaging applications. More specifically, disclosed herein are rosin-derived resins and toners containing these resins.
The formation and development of images on the surface of photoconductive materials by electrostatic means is well known. The basic electrophotographic imaging process, as taught by C. F. Carlson in U.S. Pat. No. 2,297,691, entails placing a uniform electrostatic charge on a photoconductive insulating layer known as a photoconductor or photoreceptor, exposing the photoreceptor to a light and shadow image to dissipate the charge on the areas of the photoreceptor exposed to the light, and developing the resulting electrostatic latent image by depositing on the image a finely divided electroscopic material known as toner. Toner typically comprises a resin and a colorant. The toner will normally be attracted to those areas of the photoreceptor which retain a charge, thereby forming a toner image corresponding to the electrostatic latent image. This developed image may then be transferred to a substrate such as paper. The transferred image may subsequently be permanently affixed to the substrate by heat, pressure, a combination of heat and pressure, or other suitable fixing means such as solvent or overcoating treatment.
Numerous processes are within the purview of those skilled in the art for the preparation of toners. Emulsion aggregation (EA) is one such method. Emulsion aggregation toners can be used in forming print and/or xerographic images. Emulsion aggregation techniques can entail the formation of an emulsion latex of the resin particles by heating the resin, using emulsion polymerization, as disclosed in, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,853,943, the disclosure of which is totally incorporated herein by reference. Other examples of emulsion/aggregation/coalescing processes for the preparation of toners are illustrated in, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,278,020, 5,290,654, 5,302,486, 5,308,734, 5,344,738, 5,346,797, 5,348,832, 5,364,729, 5,366,841, 5,370,963, 5,403,693, 5,405,728, 5,418,108, 5,496,676, 5,501,935, 5,527,658, 5,585,215, 5,650,255, 5,650,256, 5,723,253, 5,744,520, 5,747,215, 5,763,133, 5,766,818, 5,804,349, 5,827,633, 5,840,462, 5,853,944, 5,863,698, 5,869,215, 5,902,710; 5,910,387; 5,916,725; 5,919,595; 5,925,488, 5,977,210, 5,994,020, 6,576,389, 6,617,092, 6,627,373, 6,638,677, 6,656,657, 6,656,658, 6,664,017, 6,673,505, 6,730,450, 6,743,559, 6,756,176, 6,780,500, 6,830,860, and 7,029,817, and U.S. Patent Publication No. 2008/0107989, the disclosures of which are totally incorporated herein by reference.
Polyester EA ultra low melt (ULM) toners have been prepared utilizing amorphous and crystalline polyester resins as disclosed in, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 7,547,499, the disclosure of which is totally incorporated herein by reference.
Two exemplary emulsion aggregation toners include acrylate based toners, such as those based on styrene acrylate toner particles as illustrated in, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,120,967, and polyester toner particles, as disclosed in, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,916,725 and 7,785,763 and U.S. Patent Publication 2008/0107989, the disclosures of each of which are totally incorporated herein by reference.
Energy and environmental policies, increasing and volatile oil prices, and public/political awareness of the rapid depletion of global fossil reserves has created a need to find sustainable monomers derived from biomaterials. By using bio-renewable feedstock, manufacturers can reduce their carbon footprint and move to a zero-carbon or even a carbon-neutral footprint. Bio-based polymers are also very attractive in terms of specific energy and emission savings. Using bio-based feedstock can decrease the amount of plastic targeted for landfills, help provide new sources of income for domestic agriculture, and reduce the economic risks and uncertainty associated with reliance on petroleum imported from unstable regions.
While known compositions and processes are suitable for their intended purposes, a need remains for improved resins and toner compositions. In addition, a need remains for resins and toners derived from sources other than petroleum and/or from renewable resources. Further, a need remains for resins and toners derived from sources other than bisphenol-A. Additionally, a need remains for toners having concurrent good fusing performance and good electrical performance. There is also a need for toners derived from relatively inexpensive sources. In addition, there is a need for emulsion aggregation toners having the aforementioned advantages. Further, there is a need for emulsion aggregation toners derived either from petroleum-based sources or from renewable resources that do not contain bisphenol-A and that can be obtained in high yield, have small particle size, have controlled particle morphology or shape, have a narrow particle size GSD, and have a core-shell structure. | {
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Technical Field
The present invention relates to a semiconductor chip whose purpose is to suppress an increase in the resistance of a wire that interconnects a solar cell and a secondary cell and particularly relates to a semiconductor chip that has a feature in the layout of external connection terminals disposed on the semiconductor chip.
Further, the present invention relates to a solar system including a semiconductor chip.
Related Art
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open (JP-A) No. 8-251818 discloses a charging control system having the function of controlling charging from a solar cell to a secondary cell. The charging control system is equipped with a solar cell, a secondary cell, a wire that electrically interconnects the solar cell and the secondary cell, and a backflow prevention section that is disposed on the wire and prevents backflow of electric current from the secondary cell to the solar cell.
Here, the charging control system suggested particularly from FIG. 1 of JP-A No. 8-251818 will have the configuration shown in FIG. 4. The charging control system shown in FIG. 4 is equipped with a solar cell 1, a secondary cell 2, and a semiconductor chip 3. The semiconductor chip 3 is equipped with a first terminal 4 that is electrically connected to the solar cell 1, a second terminal 5 that is electrically connected to the secondary cell 2, a wire 6 that electrically interconnects the first terminal 4 and the second terminal 5, and a backflow prevention section 7 that is formed on the wire 6 and prevents backflow of electric current from the secondary cell 2 to the solar cell 1.
However, as shown in FIG. 4, it is common in recent years that, in addition to the backflow prevention section 7, circuits and so forth having various functions are consolidated as internal circuits 8 on the semiconductor chip 3 used in the charging control system.
Consequently, when the charging control system is given a configuration where the wire 6 that electrically interconnects the solar cell 1 and the secondary cell 2 extends from one side of the semiconductor chip 3 to another side opposing that one side like in the semiconductor chip 3 used in the conventional charging control system shown in FIG. 4, the wire 6 becomes lengthy because it is dependent on the size of the internal circuits 8, and the wire resistance ends up increasing in correspondence thereto. For this reason, there is the fear that the charging control system will suffer electrical loss in the case of performing charging from the solar cell 1 to the secondary cell 2. | {
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1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of a dicarboxylic acid from a fatty acid derivative using a thermophilic microorganism.
2. Description of Prior Art
Dicarboxylic acids are valuable substances as raw material for the production of synthetic resins, high-quality lubricants, plasticizers, or perfumes. However, the number of carbon atoms of the dicarboxylic acids prepared by the chemical synthesis has been limited, that is, it has been difficult to prepare dicarboxylic acids containing 12 or more carbon atoms. Thus a process for the preparation of dicarboxylic acids by fermentation using microorganisms, in place of the chemical synthesis, has been attracting attention recently.
Most of the microorganisms conventionally employed in the preparation of dicarboxylic acids are yeasts such as microorganisms of the genus Candida (see Japanese Patent Publication No. 19630/1975) or the genus Pichia (see Japanese Patent Publication No. 24392/1970). Only a microorganism of the genus Corynebacterium has been found as a bacterium that can produce dicarboxylic acids (see Japanese Patent Publication No. 17075/1981).
Many fatty acid derivatives, which are used as the substrate for the preparation of a dicarboxylic acid, have a melting point of 40.degree. C. or above. Development of microorganisms that can be employed at temperatures of 40.degree. C. or higher is, therefore, of great interest. Cultivation at high temperatures brings about many advantages, for example, reduction of cooling cost, reduced probability of contamination with germs, decrease in the viscosity of the substrate, increase in the efficiency of contact between the substrate and the microorganism, and the like. However, there have been no microorganisms that can be cultivated at temperatures around 45.degree. C. | {
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It is required that the cationic electrocoating compositions are stable at ambient temperature and quickly cure at an elevated temperature. In order to comply with the requirement, the curing temperature is very important. If the curing temperature is too high, energy consumption increases. If it is low enough to reach near ambient temperature, the compositions have poor storage stability. Accordingly, it is desired that the curing temperature is existent not near ambient temperature, but is not far from it.
Hitherto, the curing systems of the cationic electrocoating compositions, which have been employed, include a melamine curing system (e.g. U.S. Pat. No. 3,367,991, Japanese Kokai Publications (unexamined) 1256/1985 and 41571/1988); and a blocked isocyanate curing system (e.g. Japanese Kokoku Publications (examined) 34238/1980, 4978/1979, 22912/1981 and 39351/1986). The melamine curing system does not cure sufficiently at a suitable low temperature because the curing system proceeds in basic condition. In the blocked isocyanate curing system, it is difficult to cure at the desired temperature, because the blocked isocyanate curing agent is generally unblocked at relatively high temperatures. Although it is possible that the unblocking temperature lowers by selecting a blocking agent or a catalyst, such selection has some limits in view of coating composition ingredients, cured film properties and the like. | {
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In the related art, when link switching is realized by implementing a redundant configuration in a network, the implementation is made using the same type of link. For example, for a redundant configuration using a packet network, switching of a link from a packet network to a packet network is implemented using a router. In addition, for example, for a redundant configuration using a time division-multiplexing (TDM) network, link switching from a TDM network to a TDM network is realized. Although a redundant network is also configured between interface converters in technology disclosed in Patent Document 1, both an active (ACT) system and a reserve system are implemented using a packet network. | {
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Flat panels for radiation imaging have been extensively studied for over ten years, and are well known in the art. Examples of flat panels for radiation imaging can be found in the following patents:
U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,132,541, 5,184,018, 5,396,072 and 5,315,101 assigned to Philips;
U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,785,186 and 5,017,989 assigned to Xerox;
U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,382,187, 4,799,094, 4,810,881, and 4,945,243 assigned to Thomson-CSF;
U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,182,624, 5,254,480, 5,368,882, 5,420,454, 5,436,458 and 5,444,756 assigned to 3M;
U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,079,426 and 5,262,649 assigned to Michigan University;
U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,340,988, 5,399,884, 5,480,810, 5,480,812 and 5,187,369 assigned to General Electric; and
U.S. Pat. No. 5,315,102 assigned to Fuji Xerox.
One type of flat panel radiation imaging system includes a thick amorphous selenium (a-Se) film on an array of pixels such as that described in the article entitled "Flat Panel Detector for Digital Radiology Using Active Matrix readout of Amorphous Selenium," by W. Zhao et al., Medical Imaging 96, SPIE Conference, SPIE 2708, February 1996. In this flat panel radiation imaging system, the pixels are arranged in rows and columns with each pixel including a TFT switch. Gate lines interconnect the TFT switches in each row of the array while source or data lines interconnect the TFT switches in each column of the array. The thick amorphous selenium film is deposited directly on top of the TFT switch array and a top electrode overlies the amorphous selenium film.
When x-rays are incident on the amorphous selenium film and the top electrode is biased with a high voltage, electron-hole pairs are separated by the electric field across the thickness of the amorphous selenium film. The holes, which are driven by the electric field, move toward the pixel electrodes (i.e. the drain electrodes of the TFT switches) and accumulate in a storage capacitor in each pixel. This results in a charge being held by the pixel electrodes which can be used to develop an x-ray image.
The charges held by the pixel electrodes are read on a row-by-row basis by supplying gating pulses to each gate line in succession. When a gating pulse is supplied to a gate line, the TFT switches of the pixels in the row associated with that gate line turn on, allowing the signal charges stored in the storage capacitor of those pixels to flow to the source lines. Ideally, the TFT switches of the array should be controlled only by the potential voltage on the gate electrode. However, stray electric fields from the amorphous selenium film and the top electrode, which can be up to 10V/m, can have significant effects on the channel conductance of the TFT switches unless special shielding techniques are used. One such shielding technique is to provide a dual-gate structure in the TFT switches. In these TFT switches, one gate is disposed below the semiconductor channel layer and the other gate is positioned above the semiconductor channel layer. The two gates are electrically connected together. An example of a dual-gate TFT switch is disclosed in "IEEE Transactions on Electronic Devices-28, No.6, pp.740-743, June 1981" by F. C. Luo et al.
Also, in medical x-ray imaging systems, signal levels are generally much lower than visible light imaging systems, in order to minimize the exposure of patients to x-rays. Therefore, in order to obtain high resolution, a high signal to noise ratio is extremely important. In order to improve the signal to noise ratio in x-ray imaging systems, amplified imaging pixels for flat panels have been considered such as those described in the "IEEE Journal of Solid-State Circuits, Vol. SC-4, No.6, pp. 333-342, December 1969" by S.G. Chamberlain and in the "Proceedings of IEDM'93, pp 575-578, December 1993" by H. Kawashima et al.
In order to reduce the switch noise caused by parasitic capacitance distributed along the source lines and maximize the signal to noise ratio, a charge amplifier is provided for each column of TFT switches in the pixel array. The charge amplifiers sense the charges on the source lines when a row of pixels is gated and provide output voltage signals proportional to the charges and hence, proportional to the exposure of the pixels to radiation. Unfortunately, by providing a charge amplifier for each source line, two problems result. Firstly, in large format radiation imaging systems which include in excess of one thousand (1000) source lines, the cost associated with the charge amplifiers is significant. Secondly, in high resolution radiation imaging systems that have a small pixel pitch, it is difficult to wire-bond the charge amplifiers to each source line. Accordingly, there is a need for an improved high resolution flat panel for radiation imaging.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a novel high resolution flat panel for radiation imaging and a compensation circuit for an amplified flat panel which obviates or mitigates at least one of the above-mentioned problems. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an apparatus for rehabilitation treatment of patients with lower limb paralysis or physical strength weakening, and more particularly, to an apparatus and method for lower limb rehabilitation treatment and exercise, which allows a user to exercise both lower limbs separately, and which can detect changes in the angle of lower limb joints and the magnitude of weight loaded on lower limbs to determine the exercise condition, exercise intensity and motor ability of the respective lower limbs to provide corresponding feedback to the user, thereby enabling effective rehabilitation treatment.
2. Description of the Related Art
Paralysis or partial paralysis (hereinafter will be referred to as “partial paralysis”) originating from apoplexy, traumatic brain damage, cerebral palsy and so on is a motor paralysis that paralyzes muscles or motors so that the paralyzed or affected muscles cannot exert power to a proper extent at necessary moments. In order to treat the patient with partial paralysis, it is possible to use several methods such as physical strengthening, muscle controlling, extending, balancing and so on. As a rehabilitation exercise of the patient with upper-limb partial paralysis, a treatment for forcing the patient to use the paralyzed upper limb is being recognized as the most successful among several rehabilitation exercises.
In 1994, it was reported by Nugent et al, when patients with apoplexy capable of standing erect perform weight loading, improvement in walking was more apparent as the weight loading is repeated more.
Accordingly, the inventor proposed a sliding board exercise apparatus for rehabilitation treatment that induces forced use of lower limbs as disclosed in Korean Patent Application No. 10-2004-0016844. With this apparatus, a patient can lie on a board with the back or stomach touching the board in a stable posture with feet seated on a footing, and then take an exercise of flexing and extending knees without any feeling of uneasiness. Furthermore, the patient can take a patient-specified rehabilitation exercise by adjusting the slant of the board.
The sliding board exercise apparatus for rehabilitation treatment of the inventor has a footing integrated with a fixed frame in which both lower limbs of the patient are supported on the footing. So, there has been a problem in that when the patient with partial paralysis performs loading the weight on the lower limbs for rehabilitation treatment, he/she unconsciously loads the weight on the normal or unaffected lower limb thereby reducing the effect of exercise.
Furthermore, in order to exercise normal walking by continuously changing the angle of the joints of both lower limbs while shifting the weight, motors or muscles in use for weight-shift should be exercised simultaneously with those in use for changing the joint angle. However, Korean Patent Application No. 10-2004-0016844 does not provide any means for detecting the joint angle, and thus the user cannot recognize whether or not the joint of the paralyzed lower limb is used. This as a drawback disables effective rehabilitation exercise for normal walking.
A normal walking is performed by repeatedly flexing the knee of a lower limb at about 15° to support the weight. In the rehabilitation treatment for exercising the normal walking, it should be detected whether or not weight shifting and joint angle change are systematically combined together. However, since this cannot be confirmed in the prior art, the rehabilitation treatment is restricted to the repetition of simple actions of flexing/extending knees.
Accordingly, there is a need for an apparatus for lower limb rehabilitation treatment capable of allowing a user to take an exercise in a lying posture so that the user can feel comfortable without having any feeling of uneasiness to potentially fall down and to adjust the height of a sliding backing plate so that the user can easily raise exercise intensity. There is another need for an apparatus for lower limb rehabilitation treatment that can be easily mounted, used to measure weight load and joint movement, and constituted of inexpensive equipments. Furthermore, there is need for a method for lower limb rehabilitation exercise that can notify a patient in real-time of his/her condition measured by the apparatus so that the patient can perform the rehabilitation treatment without being bored. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to compositions for use in refrigeration and air conditioning systems comprising at least one haloketone or combinations thereof. Further, the present invention relates to compositions for use in refrigeration and air-conditioning systems employing a centrifugal compressor comprising at least one haloketone or combinations thereof. The compositions of the present invention are useful in processes for producing refrigeration or heat or as heat transfer fluids.
2. Description of Related Art
The refrigeration industry has been working for the past few decades to find replacement refrigerants for the ozone depleting chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) being phased out as a result of the Montreal Protocol. The solution for most refrigerant producers has been the commercialization of hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) refrigerants. The new HFC refrigerants, HFC-134a being the most widely used at this time, have zero ozone depletion potential and thus are not affected by the current regulatory phase out as a result of the Montreal Protocol.
Further environmental regulations may ultimately cause global phase out of certain HFC refrigerants. Currently, the automobile industry is facing regulations relating to global warming potential for refrigerants used in mobile air-conditioning. Therefore, there is a great current need to identify new refrigerants with reduced global warming potential for the automobile air-conditioning market. Should the regulations be more broadly applied in the future, an even greater need will be felt for refrigerants that can be used in all areas of the refrigeration and air-conditioning industry.
Currently proposed replacement refrigerants for HFC-134a include HFC-152a, pure hydrocarbons such as butane or propane, or “natural” refrigerants such as CO2 or ammonia. Many of these suggested replacements are toxic, flammable, and/or have low energy efficiency. Therefore, new alternatives are constantly being sought.
The object of the present invention is to provide novel refrigerant compositions and heat transfer fluids that provide unique characteristics to meet the demands of low or zero ozone depletion potential and lower global warming potential as compared to current refrigerants. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a method for making soluble zirconium and hafnium organic acid complexes.
2. Description of the Previously Published Art
Complexes of zirconium and hafnium with organic acids have several practical applications in industry. The most prominent one are related to the ability of these metal ions to serve as cross-linking agents for certain kinds of organic polymers which are used, for example, in the manufacture of paper. These applications require the complex containing the metal ion to be soluble in such media as alcohols. For several reasons it is desired that the complexes be obtainable as dry, free-flowing powders. This desire arises from economic and convenience criteria. It is usually undesirable to ship large volumes of a low-cost liquid over long distances. Furthermore, in using such chemicals, dry free-flowing powders are highly desirable for ease of transport and mixing.
Propionic acid complexes of zirconium are known and commercially available such as Magnesium Elektron's Z-plex (TM) 9700. However, reactions intended to prepare complexes from commercial starting materials often produce unsatisfactory products, i.e, ones which do not pass the solubility tests. A typical solubility test includes dissolving at least 65 g in 100 ml of isopropanol and at least 150 g in 100 ml of ethanol. Authoritative literature, however, fails to explain either the means or the reaction mechanisms for achieving products which pass such tests.
For example Blumenthal in "The Chemical Behavior of Zirconium" Van Nostrand, Princeton 1958, discuses formation of zirconium acetate complexes in detail, but on page 317 comments that compounds of other short-chained alkyl carboxylic acids have been studied only superficially. Blumenthal states that while carbonated hydrous zirconia is dissolved by formic acid and acetic acid, it is not dissolved by propionic acid. This statement by Blumenthal shows that this area is poorly understood since it has been discovered that zirconium basic carbonate does dissolve in an excess propionic acid.
In the book "Metal Carboxylates" Academic Press, London 1983, Mehrotra and Bohra discuss the behavior of zirconium acetates, but not synthesis of propionates. Page 240 incorrectly refers to a MO(O.sub.2 CC.sub.2 H.sub.5).sub.2.H.sub.2 O compound, but this is really about butyrates made by a different and commercially insignificant route.
3. Objects of the Invention
It is an object of this invention to provide a process for making organic acid complexes of zirconium and hafnium which are obtainable as dry powders and which are rapidly and readily soluble in alcohols.
It is a further object of this invention to provide a process for making propionic acid complexes of zirconium and hafnium which are obtainable as dry powders and which are rapidly and readily soluble in alcohols.
It is a further object of this invention to derive such complexes from inexpensive and commercially available precursors.
It is a further object of this invention to produce a process wherein high efficiencies of conversion to product of the zirconium and hafnium and also of the propionic acid are achieved.
It is a further object of this invention to provide a process which has a minimal impact on the environment by discharging a minimum amount of pollutants to the air and water.
These and further objects of the invention will become apparent from the following description of the invention. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image display controller, an image pickup apparatus, a method of controlling the image display controller, and a storage medium storing a control program for implementing the method, and more particularly to a technique for displaying information indicative of a specific area of an image.
2. Description of the Related Art
In general, an image pickup apparatus, such as a digital camera, is configured to detect a specific area of an image (e.g. a specific area of an object) for image pick up. Further, this type of image pickup apparatus is provided with an image display controller for displaying information (specific area information) indicative of a specific area of an image on a display device.
For example, there is proposed an image pickup apparatus which is provided with a face detecting section for detecting a face area (specific area) of an object and causes the image display controller to display a display frame (display information) indicative of the face area detected by the face detecting section on the display device (see Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2007-274207).
In Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2007-274207, the image display controller changes attributes (e.g. display frame color and shape) of the display frame indicative of the detected face area according to a feature value (e.g. a face angle) of the face of the object, and then displays the changed display frame on the display device. This enables the user to intuitively perceive the face feature of the object.
Further, there has been proposed an image pickup apparatus, such as a monitoring camera, provided with a human body-detecting section for detecting a human body portion (human body area) of an object, in addition to a face detecting section for detecting the face area of an object.
FIG. 35 is a view illustrating how a face display frame and a human body display frame are displayed in the conventional image pickup apparatus provided with the face detecting section and the human body-detecting section. As shown in FIG. 35, a face display frame 2010 corresponding to the face area of an object and a human body display frame 2020 corresponding to the object are displayed on a screen 2000 of a display device. The human body display frame 20200 contains the face display frame 20100 as shown in FIG. 35.
In the conventional image pickup apparatus provided with the face detecting section and the human body-detecting section, however, a face display frame and a human body display frame are displayed on the display device independently of each other. For this reason, when the human body-detecting section is configured to detect an area having a human figure shape including a head portion, the face display frame is displayed in a manner included in the area of the human body display frame (i.e. in a manner overlapping the area of the human body display frame).
When the face display frame is displayed in a manner overlapping the area of the human body display frame as mentioned above, the visibility of the face display frame and the human body display frame for the user, particularly the visibility of the human body display frame lowers.
FIG. 36 is a view illustrating how the face display frame 2010 and the human body display frame 2020 change in the conventional image pickup apparatus when zoom magnification is changed in a state where the face display frame 2010 and the human body display frame 2020 are consecutively displayed.
As shown in FIG. 36, when zoom magnification is changed from the telephoto end to the wide-angle end, the face display frame 2010 and the human body display frame 2020 both become smaller as the size of the object is reduced. As a consequence, particularly in a wide-angle state, the object is hidden by the frames, and the visibility of the frames and the object lowers.
Now, a description will be given of a case where a plurality of frames are consecutively displayed.
FIG. 37 is a view illustrating how the face display frame and the human body display frame of the object in the image shown in FIG. 35 are displayed as frames of image data are changed.
In FIG. 37, it is assumed that the face display frame 2010 and the human body display frame 2020 are displayed on the display device as described with reference to FIG. 35. For example, when a difference (change) occurs in a feature value of the human body display frame 2020 as the frame of image data is changed, the face display frame 2010 contained in the human body display frame 2020 is sometimes displayed in a manner shifted in one direction though there is no change in the relative position between the face and the human body. | {
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A programmer may use one or a combination of several programming languages (for example, HTML, PHP, JavaScript etc.) to build a website. A website is a collection of interlinked files that typically deploys in real-time on a host server which serves as a hosting backend computing device for addressing purposes. The hosting backend computer device transfers these website files to any client computing devices when a visitor uses a browser on a client computing device to browse the website. A “visitor,” herein referred to as an “end-user,” typically enters the address of the hosting backend computing device, thereby enabling the transfer of website files to the end-user's computing device. A browser on the end-user's device executes certain website files to generate the website for display on the end-user's display. An address of the backend computing device typically includes, either an internet protocol or IP address of the backend computing device, or its URL (Uniform Resource Locator).
For people who lack the programming knowledge for building websites, webhosting companies provide website builder tools that use pre-defined templates to create a website. These pre-defined templates use complex backend programming languages that appear as simple user-interface tools to the person building the website. The website builder tool allows users with no programming experience to customize the website content by editing text, color, images, forms, and adding/removing content into pre-defined areas on the chosen template. The user may typically publish the pre-defined template with the custom information into a live, real-time format on the hosting backend computing device. The result is a website that typically includes several browser-executable files with interlinked custom images, text, forms, and other interactive applications on a pre-defined main template file.
Website builder tools typically incorporate server-side programming technology to include custom textual content in a manner that prevents or inconveniences a website crawler from effectively indexing the site for search-engine purposes. One such server side technology embeds textual content into images for display on the final website. Search engines use website crawlers, which in turn uses key-words, texts, meta-tags and other information from within a website to recognize and index webpages within a website. The text crawling software codes do not typically read textual content from images.
“Small business owners,” herein referred to as “retailers,” typically sell merchandize, content, or services from their own websites. Such retailers face disadvantages when crawlers do not index their website, thereby disabling the site from appearing on popular search engines. Further, when an existing website offers a new product or service via an updated webpage, there is a need for immediate indexing of the webpage to inform web-based customers of the new product. A website with fixed style definitions in the form of cascade style sheets (CSS) needs updates to reflect any changes in the webpage design, such as, changes to fonts, sizes, colors, spacing, etc. Re-writing CSS files based on a customized design has to apply to the entire webpage and not to certain sections alone. This process creates large files, is time-consuming, and requires additional conflict checks for different page locations to prevent overlap of styling. | {
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A turbofan gas turbine engine comprises a fan, which comprises a fan rotor and a number of circumferentially spaced radially outwardly extending fan blades secured to the fan rotor. The fan is surrounded by a fan casing, which defines a fan duct. The fan casing is also arranged to contain one or more of the fan blades in the unlikely event that a fan blade becomes detached from the fan rotor.
If a fan blade becomes detached from the fan rotor, due to impact from a large foreign body, e.g. a bird, the released fan blade strikes a main fan casing containment region. The fan blade generally progressively breaks up under a buckling action. The fan blade increases in strength from the tip to the root and at some position between the tip and the root the remaining portion of the fan blade, including the root, no longer buckles. The remaining portion of the fan blade has substantial mass and is accelerated to impact a rear fan containment region of the fan casing.
It is necessary to provide additional material to the rear fan containment region of the fan casing to contain the remaining portion of the fan blade. The additional material may be in the form of an increase in thickness, the provision of ribs, honeycomb liners etc, which dissipate the impact energy by plastic deformation of the material. However, these methods of protecting the rear fan containment region add weight to the turbofan gas turbine engine. | {
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The present invention relates to methods and compounds for use with an instrument for performing chemical assays and measurements and, more particularly, to methods and compounds for chemiluminescence-based tests on an instrument employed in performing chemical assays, such as those performing quantitative and qualitative tests on chemical and biochemical solutions.
A variety of assay methods and compounds are employed in quantitative and qualitative analyses of chemical and biochemical mixtures. In some instances, those quantitative and qualitative analyses are performed by an instrument. Certain of the methods and compounds employed in analyses can be useful in testing the instrument employed in those analyses. Such tests may concern, for example, transfer efficiencies, instrument calibrations, membrane pore size measurements, and the like. A number of methods and compounds employed in these tests regarding instruments are known. New methods and compounds and improvements in existing methods and compounds, however, are being developed.
One chemical property utilized in certain analytical applications, including tests regarding instruments is referred to as "chemiluminescence". Chemiluminescence is the emission of light as the result of a chemical reaction. Chemiluminescence occurs when products of a chemical reaction are excited and emit light.
In an exemplary chemical reaction that generates chemiluminescence, a step of the reaction is a chemiexcitation step (which may be unimolecular or bimolecular) which achieves conversion of chemical energy into electronic excitation energy. In the reaction, a product molecule receives chemical energy and converts it to an excited electronic state. This electronically excited product molecule then produces light or luminesces under reaction conditions.
Attempts have been made to automate chemiluminescence measurements. Some attempts have involved a variety of instruments, such as, for example, the use of photographic film and a densitometer to record a chemiluminescent signal from a reaction in clear microtitration plates.
To provide accurate and desired results, measurements and other determinations regarding the systems may be made periodically. These determinations may indicate the condition of the system involved.
For instance, chemiluminescence may be useful in measuring transfer efficiencies and/or other aspects of instruments employed to perform assays which are measured or observed by chemiluminescent characteristics. Instruments which are capable of conforming to minute tolerances in these regards have relatively high transfer efficiencies. Instruments that do not yield accurate component measurements on transfer have relatively low transfer efficiencies. To perform accurate tests with some analytical instruments, knowledge of transfer efficiencies (and, thus, the inherent accuracies and inaccuracies of the instruments) is desirable.
It is known to make certain tests on instruments used to perform assays and other tests for determining the accuracy and the like of the instrument. A known method for making such tests performs particular assays on a standard sample of known composition and characteristics. Because the composition and characteristics of the standard sample are known, results of assays and tests performed with the sample should yield expected results if the instrument were to perform accurately. If expected results were not obtained, inaccuracies of the instrument being utilized may be indicated.
It is known to perform particular tests on the instrument used. In so testing instruments, acridinium activated particles may be used as a standard sample. Acridinium, when reacted with alkaline peroxides, yields a light producing reaction. Some currently available acridinium activated particles used in testing chemiluminescence-based instruments have certain disadvantages. One such disadvantage involves the method of preparing these particles. In this prior method, latex particles are coated with anti-HBsAg labelled acridinium using passive adsorption. Then, activated acridinium is passively adsorbed onto the particle surfaces.
The product activated acridinium microparticles obtained from some prior methods may be disadvantageous for use in testing some chemiluminescence-based instruments. The light emission profiles of particles may not be sufficiently identical to or closely resemble the actual light emission profiles of chemiluminescence-based immunoassays. It is desirable that a standard sample for testing perform substantially the same as an unknown will perform when tested. However, this may not always be the case. A possible reason for differences in light emission of some currently available product activated acridinium microparticles may be stearic hindrance effects caused by acridinium loading. | {
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Power efficiency and linearity in the transmitting function of a transmitter which can control its output variably are evaluated as indices for measuring the performance of the apparatus. The power efficiency and linearity in the transmitting function are most important indices for expressing the performance of the apparatus particularly in a high-frequency modulation transmitting apparatus such as a mobile phone.
A so-called class A operation amplifier is widely used as an amplifier provided in a last stage of such a high-frequency modulation transmitting apparatus. The class A amplifier is low in distortion, that is, excellent in linearity but poor in power efficiency because the class A amplifier always spends electric power resulting from a DC bias component.
Therefore, a method using a region of saturation of input-output power characteristic of a transistor to change a drain or collector voltage (supply voltage) in accordance with an amplitude component of a baseband signal to thereby amplify power has been devised as a method for operating a power amplifier efficiently. For example, to change average output power, the supply voltage is changed in proportion to desired average output power (e.g. see Patent Document 1).
FIG. 9 is a graph showing an example of input-output power characteristic (Pin-Pout characteristic) of the power amplifier.
As shown in FIG. 9, at each VCC, output power Pout increases linearly as input power Pin increases. When the input power is not lower than a certain value, the output power is saturated at a value Ps corresponding to the supply voltage. The region where the output power Pout increases linearly as the input power Pin increases is now called “linear region of the power amplifier”. The region where the output power Pout is saturated regardless of the input power Pin is now called “saturation region of the power amplifier”. Because the output power in the saturation operating region of the power amplifier is decided by the supply voltage as described above, the output power can be changed every moment so that average output power can be changed when the supply voltage proportional to desired average output power (dB unit) is given.
In the example of the power amplifier shown in FIG. 9, while the input power changes from Pi81 to Pi82, the output power changes from Po82 to Po83 when the supply voltage is changed from V82 to V83, and the output power changes from Po84 to Po85 when the supply voltage is changed from V84 to V85. When the supply voltage VCC proportional to desired average output power is given in this manner, the average output power of the amplifier can be changed.
Incidentally, the mobile phone network has come into the third generation standard system era in recent years. A mobile phone method such as a W-CDMA mobile communication method etc. has been used for mobile multimedia service. In such a third generation mobile phone method, the output level range required of the power amplifier is widened compared with the conventional one. (Patent Document 1) Japanese Patent No. 3,044,057 | {
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The present invention relates to semiconductor integrated circuits, and in particular to very large scale semiconductor integrated circuits (referred to in the following as VLSIs) which have a large chip size and which utilize a high clock signal frequency in order to enhance processing operations of a microprocessor etc.
As semiconductor technology has advanced in recent years, the number of elements and the chip size of large semiconductor integrated circuits have continually increased. This is especially true in the case of VLSIs which include a microprocessor and a built-in cache memory. Furthermore as a result of improvements in device technology, the operating speeds of circuit elements, such as logic elements, have increased. Hence, the frequency of the clock signal used in operation of such circuit elements has also increased in recent years. Such an increase in the clock signal frequency enables the processing capability of a microprocessor to be enhanced. However problems arise in the design of a VLSI having a microprocessor and a cache memory, when a high frequency of clock signal is used, i.e. problems arise relating to timing deviations of the clock signal in different regions of the semiconductor integrated circuit. These deviations result from variations in the path lengths over which the clock signal is supplied to various regions of the integrated circuit, with these path lengths depending upon the respective positions of various circuit elements. Variations in clock signal phase throughout the integrated circuit thereby arise, such variations generally being referred to as a skew of the clock signal supplied to different elements. If for example a logic circuit within an integrated circuit produces output data at a certain time point, and the data are to be received simultaneously by two other logic circuits, then if there is clock skew it is possible that one circuit will receive the data at the appropriate time but that the other circuit may receive incorrect data at that time. This problem of clock skew is particularly serious in the case of a VLSI, due to the large chip size, so that errors in logic circuit operation can readily arise.
In the prior art, a clock signal supply circuit is generally positioned near the outer periphery of an integrated circuit chip (where the term "clock signal supply circuit" as used herein designates a circuit which produces a clock signal that is then supplied to various regions of an integrated circuit). If this is done, and if for example the clock signal supply circuit is positioned near the right-side edge of the integrated circuit chip, then the larger is the size of the chip, the greater will become the deviations in connecting lead capacitance and connecting lead resistance of the connecting leads that supply the clock signal to circuit elements at the right and left-hand sides of the integrated circuit chip. Differences in the amount of delay of the clock signal supplied to these elements in different positions on the chip will thereby arise, i.e. clock signal phase deviations (clock skew) will occur. Furthermore if a 2-phase non-overlap clock signal is used, then it is necessary to ensure that the non-overlap period of that clock signal is maintained. However if the maximum value of the clock skew of the clock signal supplied to respectively different logic circuits becomes greater than this non-overlap period, then operating errors will occur. | {
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Galactomannan gum thickeners are used where viscosity control of aqueous solutions or slurries is needed. For example, galactomannan gum thickeners are used to control the rheological properties of oil well drilling fluids and fire retardant compositions. When galactomannan gum-thickened aqueous compositions are stored for long intervals of time, viscosity loss sometimes occurs. The stability problem is more severe with compositions contacting steel apparently due to the destabilizing effect of ferrous ion. To extend storage stability of galactomannan gum-thickened compositions, the use of certain salts and of heavy metal ions have been proposed. See, for instance, U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,146,200 and 3,634,234. However, because of low efficacy of these known stabilizers, their use has not been generally accepted. Therefore, improved stabilizers for galactomannan gum-thickened compositions are needed. | {
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The Applicant has produced a highly effective steam powered liquid pump for pumping liquids accumulating within a housing or reservoir which fills over time, and which is cyclically discharged by steam or other high pressure gas as an actuating fluid based on accumulation of such liquid to a predetermined level within the reservoir. As such steam powered liquid pump using an over center valve actuating mechanism is the subject of U.S. Pat. No. 5,141,405, issued Aug. 25, 1992 and entitled LEAK PROOF, PRELOADED, HIGH-BIASING FORCE FLOAT-OPERATED OVER CENTER VALVE ACTUATING MECHANISM.
Steam or gas powered liquid pumps of this type include a float actuator mechanically coupled to a spring-biased over center toggle linkage controlling the position of a pair of valve actuators for controlling alternatively, feeding high pressure gas to the interior of the container or reservoir, and for effecting discharge of the accumulated liquid by the pressure of the steam or other pressurized gas above the level of the accumulated liquid within the reservoir. As the over center linkage passes through an in line centered position, one valve closes and the other opens. Such steam or gas powered liquid pump may operate at hundreds of thousands of cycles or millions of cycles over the life of the pump. Further, not only is the steam or other pressurized gas corrosive to the pump components and the over center valve actuating mechanism, but the liquid being pumped may vary from water, to a highly volatile liquid such as a liquid hydrocarbon.
Attempts have been made to count the cycles of operation of such steam or gas powered liquid pumps. Digital counters require electrical energy, either DC or AC, and where the steam or gas powered liquid pumps function to pump a highly volatile liquid, there is always the danger of spark ignition of such volatile liquids. Further, where the liquid being pumped is highly corrosive, the corrosive fluids, whether the pressurized gas powering the liquid pump or the liquid being pumped, may corrode the electrical or mechanical counter mechanisms to the extent where they become inoperable or impair the ability of the counter to provide an accurate account. Where steam provides the pressurized gas for powering the liquid pump, steam may be at temperatures in excess of 400 or 500 degrees Fahrenheit, and steam pressures within the vessel or reservoir may be in excess of 250 psi. The temperature of the pressurized gas or steam powering liquid pump in the past have tended to interfere with the actuator for either a mechanical cycle counter or its electrical counterpart, or both. The mechanical counters particularly in the past have been inadequately insulated thermally from the source of the gas pressure for operating the liquid pump resulting in failure of the mechanical or electrical counters over time.
It is therefore a primary object of the invention to provide an improved steam powered liquid pump mechanical cycle counter, which is formed of components of high strength, which have low heat transmission capability, which are corrosion proof, and in which the moving elements of the actuator are adequately sealed to prevent escape of the pressurized gas or steam functioning to power the liquid pump and which acts to power the actuator for the mechanical cycle counter. | {
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In recent years due to the rapid development of multimedia, digital, audio and video communication applications, there is a necessity for efficient and reliable signal modulation and demodulation techniques to accommodate different modulation formats chosen based on the media over which the signals are to be transmitted.
For instance, with respect to high definition television, and in fact other types of advanced television transmissions, program material in video, data or audio form is formatted by a channel encoder so as to be transmittable by Vestigial Side Band modulation or VSB which is typical for over-the-air television transmissions. On the other hand, Quadrature Amplitude Modulation or QAM is typically used for cable transmission, whereas Quadrature Phase Shift Keying or QPSK is generally used in satellite communication. Finally, discrete multitone or DMT techniques are typically used for telephone landline signalling such as with Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Lines or ADSL.
It will be appreciated that when a video source at the transmit side is encoded through a source coding unit, the source coding unit is set up to code the video source material in one of the four above-mentioned modulation formats. Likewise, on the receive side, in order for a receiver to decode all of the above-mentioned formats discrete VLSI chips or detectors can be provided in parallel, with the outputs going to source decoding. It will be readily apparent that because there is presently no universal modulation format, receivers destined to be utilized not only for over-the-air transmissions, but also for cable must at least have the capability of decoding the appropriate modulation format. While it is possible to use a parallel brute force approach by merely providing the receive side with a series of demodulators each configured to demodulate a particular format, this approach is costly and error-prone.
As to the parallel approach mentioned above, it is possible to design a modem in which the input signal is fed from the RF-IF stage of the receiver in parallel to each of four demodulators, with the output of each demodulator being switched to source decoding depending on the modulation format of the received signal. Modulation format can be determined in some instances by the channel to which the receiver is tuned, although this can vary from country to country.
For instance, in the United States, for VHF channels 1-13 and UHF channels, VSB modulation is used, with the VSB demodulator switched to source decoding. For the cable channels, generally over Channel 68, QAM modulation is used, with the output of the QAM demodulator switched to source decoding. For satellite channels, QPSK modulation is used, with the QPSK demodulator switched to source decoding, whereas for telephone line usage, assuming a channel indicating landline transmission, it is the DMT output of a demodulator which is switched to source decoding.
This duplication of demodulators aside from being four times the expense of a single demodulator, also has the following problems: First and foremost, it will be appreciated that in order to switch the outputs of the various demodulators to source decoding, the output of the demodulators must have a high impedance to damp switching transients and like anomalies. Secondly, care must taken to eliminate cross modulation between the different demodulators.
It will thus be appreciated that any parallel processing solution to the problem of multiple modulation formats generally resolves itself into a question of the cost associated with duplicating demodulators and technical complexity which is indeed a factor in mass marketed multimedia receivers for which such demodulator cost duplication and complexity is unacceptable.
On the transmit side, for multimedia transmissions requiring different modulation formats, duplicating modulators are likewise expensive and error-prone in much the same way as described above with respect to demodulators. Also, with specialty services such as data to be provided on different channels, oftentimes the modulation format is different from that of the main transmission. To provide such additional services ordinarily would require separate modulators having the expected cost impact. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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The present invention relates generally to an aerosol dispensing device, and in particular, to an aerosol dispensing device having an improved dosage indicator for indicating the number of metered dosages that have been dispensed from, or remain in, the dispensing device.
Aerosol dispensing devices have been developed that include a counting or dose indicating device to indicate the number of metered doses that have been dispensed from the device, or to indicate the number of doses remaining therein. For example, patients have certain conditions that can be treated with medicaments dispersed in an aerosol and administered to the patient by inhalation. In one format, the aerosol and medicaments are contained in a canister, or container, and dispensed in metered, or measured, dosages with an inhalation device, or actuator boot. In such an arrangement, it is important for the patient to be able to ascertain the number of metered doses remaining in the canister, either by an indication of the number remaining therein or by knowledge of the number already dispensed therefrom, such that the patient is not caught unaware with an empty canister when in need of the medicament. Thus, it may be important for the inhalation device to provide an accurate indication of either the number of doses remaining in the canister, or the number of doses already dispensed therefrom.
Typically, a conventional aerosol canister includes a body and a valve stem which can be depressed relative to the body so as to emit the metered dose of aerosol and medicament. The canister is usually supplied with a predetermined number of metered doses, generally on the order of about 200, such that the counting of the number of valve stem depressions, and corresponding number of dispensed metered doses, can be directly correlated with the number of doses remaining in the canister.
In operation, the canister is typically received within a housing of the inhalation device, wherein the valve is brought into engagement with a support block in the housing. The user administers the medicament by moving the canister relative to the housing so as to depress the valve stem and internal valve and thereby release a metered dose, which is typically administered to the user through a port or mouthpiece extending from the housing. After the dose is administered, the valve stem, which is typically spring loaded, biases the canister away from the support block so as to again move the canister relative to the housing. In this way, a metered dose of medicament is administered by each cycle of linear reciprocal movement of the canister relative to the housing.
Some actuator boots have indicating devices that convert the linear reciprocal movement of the canister relative to the housing into a one-way, or single-cycle, movement of an indicator, wherein the indicator identifies the relative fullness of the canister, the number of metered doses remaining therein or the number of doses already administered. Although these actuator boots with indicators have provided the advantage of generally being able to keep track of the number of dosages, there remains room for improvement. For example, indicating devices of this nature may include complex moving parts which can be difficult to assemble and expensive to manufacture. Such devices may also be susceptible to counting inaccuracies due to the configuration of the indexing or mating parts, or require excessive amounts of space within the housing to accommodate the relatively large or numerous moving parts. Others still may impede or interfere with the airflow and medicament being dispensed from the inhalation device. Alternatively, some devices use electrical circuitry to count or record the dispersements. Such devices can be relatively expensive to manufacture, however, and require electrical power and may be more susceptible to damage in various environments, such as moist conditions. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a photosensitive resin composition, more particularly to a photosensitive resin composition for a black matrix of a color filter. This invention also relates to a black matrix formed from the photosensitive resin composition, a color filter including the black matrix, and a liquid crystal display device including the color filter.
2. Description of the Related Art
In order to enhance contrast ratio and display quality of a liquid crystal display device, a black matrix is usually disposed in the gaps formed among stripes or dots of a color filter so as to avoid reduction of the contrast ratio and the color purity due to light leakage among the pixels. A vapor deposited film containing chromium or chromium oxide is used for forming the black matrix. However, there are problems of complicated process and costly material. Therefore, it has been proposed to form the black matrix using a photosensitive resin composition via photo-lithographic technology.
JP 2000-047378 discloses a photosensitive resin composition for forming a black matrix. The photosensitive resin composition includes an alkali-soluble resin obtained by the condensation reaction of phenol with aldehyde, an acid-crosslinkable methylolated melamine compound, a photoacid generator, a black pigment, and a dispersant. A specified dispersant is used to improve display quality of the photosensitive resin composition which contains a high amount of the black pigment so as to enhance pattern resolution of the black matrix.
JP 2008-268854 discloses a photosensitive resin composition for forming a black matrix. The photosensitive resin composition includes an alkali soluble resin having a carboxylic acid residue and a polymerizable unsaturated group in one molecule, a photopolymerizable monomer having at least one ethylenically unsaturated bond, a photo-initiator, and a black pigment. A specified alkali soluble resin is used to improve pattern resolution of the black matrix formed from the photosensitive resin composition which contains a high amount of the black pigment.
JP 2009-145432 discloses a photosensitive resin composition for forming a black matrix. The photosensitive resin composition includes a resin, a monomer having an ethylenically unsaturated double bond, a photo-initiator, and a pigment. The resin is a heat curable resin, a photosensitive resin, a thermoplastic resin, or combinations thereof. The amount of the black pigment in the total solid of the photosensitive resin composition is controlled so as to improve photosensitivity and development of the photosensitive resin composition containing a high amount of black pigment in a lithographic process.
In order to satisfy the high light-shielding requirement for the black matrix, the amount of the black pigment is increased in the art. However, the black matrix thus formed may have unsatisfactory surface smoothness and inferior stability of surface resistance after heating.
In view of the aforesaid, it is required in the art to provide a photosensitive resin composition for forming a black matrix which has a high light-shielding effect while obtaining superior surface smoothness and better stability of surface resistance after heating. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
} |
With the growing safety awareness of consumers, there is increasing demand for safer detergents. In particular, infants may accidentally swallow a detergent or lick a surfactant remaining on fingers. Thus, there is a demand for detergents containing a food additive surfactant, which is safe even in the case of accidental ingestion and has disinfection and cleaning effects.
“Guidelines for Measures against Novel Influenza (Feb. 17, 2009)” drawn up by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare of Japan in response to a recent pandemic of novel influenza suggests the importance of “hand-washing” as an effective infection preventive measure. A hand-washing method generally involves washing hands, for example, with soap suds. It is desirable to use safe detergent components in such hand soaps for infants and children.
For example, polyglycerin fatty acid ester and sucrose fatty acid ester surfactants are food additives, but these surfactants have poor foaming characteristics, and use of such surfactants as detergent components may result in insufficient hand-washing. Thus, there is a demand for detergents that contain a food additive surfactant as a main component and have satisfactory foaming characteristics. Another infection preventive measure other than hand-washing may be a method for spraying and rubbing hands with an antiseptic solution, such as an alcohol preparation. Recently, for infants, who cannot rub their hands evenly with sprayed antiseptic solution, an antiseptic foam that can entirely cover their hands for disinfection has been commercially available. However, use of such a food additive surfactant as a detergent component may result in not only poor foaming but also precipitation during cold storage because of poor compatibility of a polyglycerin fatty acid ester or a sucrose fatty acid ester with an alcohol. Thus, there is a demand for an antiseptic foam that can entirely cover hands with abundant foam even in the presence of a large amount of alcohol and has good low-temperature stability.
Polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid esters are surfactants that were designated as food additives in Japan in April, 2008. Polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid esters are less irritating to the human body and are compatible with solvents, such as water and alcohols. Thus, attempts are being made to use polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid esters in applications that require a high degree of safety, such as washing of vegetables and infant feeding bottles, as well as food applications.
Detergents that contain polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid esters are described in Patent Literatures 1 and 2, for example. Patent Literature 1 proposes a disinfectant detergent composition for toilet seats containing one or more nonionic surfactants. The disinfectant detergent composition contains (A) a lower alcohol, (B) an organic acid and an alkali metal salt thereof, or an inorganic acid and an alkali metal salt thereof, and (C) a polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid ester. This detergent composition has improved low-temperature storage stability and excellent disinfection effects but does not have satisfactory foaming characteristics.
Patent Literature 2 proposes a detergent for food that contains (A) a polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid monoester and (B) a lipophilic polyhydric alcohol fatty acid monoester having HLB of 8 or less. This detergent for food washes well but does not have satisfactory foaming characteristics.
Furthermore, the lipophilic polyhydric alcohol fatty acid monoester may be precipitated during cold storage, resulting in low storage stability.
Thus, no disinfectant detergent is available that contains a food or a food additive as a main detergent component and has satisfactory foaming characteristics, excellent disinfection effects, and excellent low-temperature stability. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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Conventionally, there are known remote monitoring and control systems for performing remote monitoring and control of a load, in which a transmission signal containing switch on-off information is transmitted through a signal line and in which a relay for turning on or off the electric power supplied to the load is opened and closed by the transmission signal.
One example of these remote monitoring and control systems is a centralized control system that includes a terminal device formed of an operation terminal having a switch and a control terminal having a relay for turning on or off the electric power supplied to a load and a central device formed of a transmission unit. Each of the operation terminal and the control terminal may be provided in plural numbers. The transmission unit, the operation terminal and the control terminal are connected to a two-wire type signal line. The transmission unit recognizes the operation terminal and the control terminal by using the terminal addresses individually allotted to the operation terminal and the control terminal.
The transmission unit includes a memory that stores a control table as a data table in which the operation terminals and the control terminals are mated with each other by the addresses. If the information on an on-off operation of a switch belonging to any one of the operation terminals is notified through the use of a transmission signal (e.g., a time-division multiplexed transmission signal), the transmission unit transmits a relay-opening or relay-closing command through the transmission signal to the control terminal which is mated with the operation terminal in the control table. Responsive to this command, the control terminal opens or closes the relay thereof. Thus, the switch of the operation terminal is turned on or off to thereby control the load.
In this regard, it is typical that each of the operation terminals includes a plurality of switches and that a plurality of loads are connected to each of the control terminals. In the control table of the transmission unit, the switches and the loads are mated with each other on a circuit-by-circuit basis. In a hypothetical case where there exists only a terminal address specific to each of the operation terminals even when the latter includes a plurality of switches, the terminal address would cover all of the switches provided in each of the operation terminals. This makes it impossible to specify one of the switches to be actually operated. For that reason, different load numbers are allotted to the respective switches in each of the operation terminals, and the terminal addresses of the operation terminals added with the load numbers at their ends are used as switch addresses. By doing so, it is possible to specify one of the switches to be actually operated. Similarly, different load numbers are allotted to the loads in each of the control terminals, and the terminal addresses of the control terminals added with the load numbers at their ends are used as load addresses. In addition, the plurality of loads connected to each of the control terminals may constitute a single load circuit, in which case the terminal address of each of the control terminals is used as a load address.
In the control table, the switches and the loads can be mated with each other not only in a one-to-one correspondence relationship but also in a one-to-multiple correspondence relationship. For example, in case where the remote monitoring and control system turns on or off the electric power supplied to illumination devices as the loads, it is possible for the transmission unit to set individual control by which the illumination devices of a single circuit are turned on or off with a single switch and collective control by which the illumination devices of a plurality of circuits are collectively turned on or off with a single switch. In other words, the individual control means that the loads belonging to a single circuit are controlled by one instruction, whereas the collective control means that the loads belonging to a plurality of circuits are controlled by one instruction. The collective control is divided into group control and pattern control. In the group control, the ranges of the loads to be controlled are preliminarily mated with switches, and the loads belonging to each of the ranges are collectively turned on or off by operating one of the switches. In the pattern control, the ranges of the addresses of the loads to be controlled and the on-off conditions of the loads corresponding to the respective addresses are preliminarily mated with switches, and the loads belonging to each of the ranges are individually turned on or off by operating one of the switches.
In order to perform the group control or the pattern control set forth above, the group numbers or the pattern numbers corresponding to the switches for performing the group control or the pattern control are mated with the addresses of the loads to be controlled, in the control table of the transmission unit. Upon operating one of the switches for performing the group control or the pattern control, the transmission unit checks up the control table, extracts the addresses of the loads to be controlled and determines the on-off conditions of the loads. Thereafter, the transmission unit issues an instruction to the control terminal having the address identified by checking up the control table.
When one wishes to control the operations of loads in a place, e.g., a meeting room, where there exists a plurality of loads, it is necessary to use a plurality of switches. This poses a problem of increasing the space occupied by an operation terminal. In this connection, use of the group control or the pattern control makes it possible to control the operations of loads with a single switch. However, the loads to be collectively controlled need to be set in advance in order to perform the group control, and the operation conditions of the loads need to be set in advance in order to perform the pattern control. This necessitates use of an operation unit for performing the setting noted above, consequently increasing the number of switches required and increasing the space occupied by the operation terminal.
As an operation terminal used in the remote monitoring and control system described above, there has been proposed a monitoring and control device (see, e.g., Japanese Patent Laid-open Publication No. 10-243478 (JP10-243478A)) that includes a device body, a display panel arranged in the device body and formed of a liquid crystal display, and an operation input unit arranged in the device body and formed of a transparent touch switch superimposed on the screen of the display panel. The monitoring and control device performs load control in response to the operation input of the operation input unit associated with the display content of the display panel and also performs screen display indicative of the load conditions. The device body of the monitoring and control device is attached to a wall. The device body includes a rear portion held inside an attachment hole defined in the wall and a front portion protruding forwards from a wall surface.
The monitoring and control device is configured such that it is possible to set the display content of the display panel (namely, the screen display) and the response to the operation of the operation input unit (namely, the load control). Therefore, the operation input unit can be given a wide variety of functions depending on the content of setting. Since the functions of the operation input unit and the display content of the display panel are changeable, it is possible to perform multi-purpose operations within a limited space and to reduce the space occupied by the operation terminal even when operating a plurality of loads.
Furthermore, the monitoring and control device is capable of changing over an operation mode in which the loads are controlled in response to the operation of the operation input unit associated with the display content of the display panel and a setting mode in which the display content of the display panel and the response to the operation of the operation input unit are set. By operating the monitoring and control device in the setting mode, it is possible to set the display content of the display panel and the load control (namely, the content of the group control or the pattern control).
If a long period of time is taken in performing the afore-mentioned setting at a job site where the monitoring and control device is installed, it may sometimes hinder the tasks of other workers working at that job site. Therefore, there exists a need to quickly finish the setting task at the job site. For example, there may be an instance where a plurality of remote monitoring and control systems provided with monitoring and control devices partially differing from one another is installed in the respective floors of a building. In order to perform different kinds of setting by operating the monitoring and control devices in the afore-mentioned manner, there is a need to repeatedly perform the same setting task for the respective monitoring and control devices. This reduces the efficiency of the setting task.
Meanwhile, the monitoring and control device of this kind may be configured to have a body unit fixed to a wall and a panel unit removably attached to the front side of the body unit. The body unit includes a power supply circuit and a communication circuit to which a signal line is connected. The panel unit includes the display panel, the operation input unit and a control unit. With this configuration, the panel unit has a connector electrically connected to a connector provided on the front side of the body unit. When attached to the body unit, the panel unit is operated by an electric current supplied from the power supply circuit through the connectors of the body unit and the panel unit. This configuration makes it possible to independently replace the body unit and the panel unit with a new one. For example, a monitoring and control device with a display panel differing in screen size can be provided by replacing only the panel unit.
With the monitoring and control device in which the body unit and the panel unit are divided as set forth above, the body unit to which a power supply line and a signal line have been connected in advance are fixed to a wall when installing the monitoring and control device or replacing the body unit or the panel unit. Then, the panel unit is attached to the body unit which remains in a current-supplying state. For that reason, when the panel unit is attached to the body unit, the contact members of the connectors of the body unit and the panel unit may come into contact with each other in a state that the connectors of the body unit and the panel unit are out of alignment. Thus, an abnormal current may flow through the connectors of the body unit and the panel unit. In addition, the contact members of one of the connectors may make contact with the contact members of the other at different time. This may generate a time lag in the timing at which an electric current begins to be supplied to the respective circuits. As a result, there is a possibility that failure or other trouble may occur in the body unit or the panel unit.
In an effect to prevent occurrence of the trouble, it may be thinkable to employ a configuration in which an operating member of a mechanical switch for detecting attachment of the panel unit is provided on the surface of the body unit opposed to the panel unit so that, upon attaching the panel unit, the mechanical switch is turned on to start power supply to the panel unit. However, such a movable part as the operating member of the mechanical switch makes the structure of the body unit complicated. The surface of the body unit opposed to the panel unit can be effectively used in many different ways by providing, e.g., function-extension terminals, on the surface. However, if the operating member of the mechanical switch is provided on the surface, the effectively usable space is reduced in proportion to the volume of the operating member.
With the configuration described above, the panel unit is sometimes removed from the body unit for maintenance of the monitoring and control device or other purposes. Removal of the panel unit from the body unit releases connection between the connectors, consequently stopping supply of electric power from the power supply circuit of the body unit to the panel unit. At this time, it is often the case that a noise such as a surge current or the like is generated. Therefore, if the panel unit is removed from the body unit during operation of the panel unit, e.g., when a CPU arranged within the panel unit is storing data in a storage region of a flash memory or the like, the CPU may possibly suffer from failure or other trouble which would be caused by a noise such as a surge current or the like.
Since the display panel formed of a liquid crystal display is used in the operation terminal disclosed in JP10-243478A, it is necessary to employ an internal power supply whose capacity is greater than that of the internal power supply of the operation terminal provided with a switch. In order to secure the internal power supply, there is a need to use a remote-controlled transformer which is arranged within a housing of a power distribution board or the like. Thus, the power distribution board needs to have a space for accommodating the remote-controlled transformer. This poses a problem of increasing the size of the power distribution board. In addition, a power supply line through which an electric current (AC 100V) is inputted to the remote-controlled voltage transformer needs to be inserted into the power distribution board. This leads to a problem of increasing the number of installation steps.
In addition, the monitoring and control device (or the multi-function switch) disclosed in JP10-243478A has a configuration in which, as shown in FIG. 26, the panel unit 2020 having a liquid crystal display (not shown) and a touch switch (not shown) is removably attached to the front surface of the body unit 2010 fixed to a wall through an attachment member (not shown).
Referring to FIG. 27, the body unit 2010 and the panel unit 2020 are electrically connected to each other by a flat cable 2056 and also joined together by drop-preventing ropes 2057 so that, even when the panel unit 2020 is separated from the body unit 2010, the panel unit 2020 can be prevented from colliding with the floor and eventually suffering from damage.
Since the body unit 2010 and the panel unit 2020 are joined together by the drop-preventing ropes 2057 in the monitoring and control device disclosed in JP10-243478A, a great deal of effort is required to perform the task of attaching the monitoring and control device to the wall. In addition, the drop-preventing ropes 2057 need to be removed from the panel unit 2020 when performing maintenance, e.g., checkup or repair, of the panel unit 2020. Therefore, the maintenance work requires a great deal of effort. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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Pending U.S. Ser. No. 13/565,100, titled “Traveler Roller,” filed Aug. 2, 2012, is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety into this patent application.
The present invention generally relates to vehicle recovery devices with masts and booms (“vehicle wreckers”), including those that can be rotated (“rotating wreckers”), as well as those which cannot be rotated, and whose supporting travel base can be moved along the longitudinal axis of the wrecker, to increase the reach of the boom. Such large vehicle wreckers (“heavy wreckers”) allow a large load to be lifted and then moved a given distance forward or rearward along the wrecker longitudinal axis.
The hydraulic controls for vehicle wreckers are typically located on a control panel located on the sidewall of the unit. A controller module sends electrical signals through a wiring harness to actuate solenoids at the hydraulic control valve spools. Wireless remote control systems communicating by radio signal with the controller module have also been utilized. However, vehicle wrecker users insist on redundant mechanical, manual back-up controls directly linked to the hydraulic valve, in the case of electrical failure. Such manual systems depend upon either mechanical linkages or cables, both of which restrict where the control levers and valves can be located.
The controls on a rotator or other heavy wrecker are typically located inside of a toolbox mounted on a sidewall of the wrecker, and are not comfortable for the wrecker operator to access, particularly if the operator is less than average height (see prior art FIG. 1). The toolbox may also partially shield the view of the operator as he attempts to work the controls and establish necessary sight lines during operation of the hydraulics for controlling outrigger, boom and winch movement.
Wreckers also typically have separate and independent controls for hydraulic boom, hydraulic outrigger and/or underlift and electrical (e.g., lighting) systems. (An underlift may be located in the rear of the wrecker.)
Accordingly, it would be advantageous to provide wrecker controls that are more easily accessible, as well as more ergonomically and visually appealing. It would also be advantageous to provide wrecker controls that eliminate redundant control levers, and are not tethered to a particular location on the wrecker. Further, it would be advantageous to integrate electrical and hydraulic controls on the same panel or touchscreen. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
} |
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is related to a motor driven power steering apparatus which assists the steering mechanism of a vehicle by the turning force of a motor, and particularly to a motor driven power steering apparatus which improves reliability when the apparatus is in trouble.
2. Description of Related Art
Conventionally, a motor driven power steering apparatus of this kind controls the assist torque to reduce corresponding to steering load which becomes lighter as the vehicle speed increases so that the steering torque at a high speed running is not too light. Generally, gradient of the characteristic of relationship between the steering torque and motor current is so controlled as to decrease corresponding to the increase of the vehicle speed.
As a concrete method of controlling, in digital controlling which employs a microcomputer, such method that a data of characteristic of relationship between steering torque and motor current which has been previously stored in an inner memory unit as a table is read out corresponding to a vehicle speed signal inputted to the microcomputer to be controlled is employed.
On the other hand, in an analogue controlling, such method that motor current is controlled to be a predetermined value corresponding to an output signal and a vehicle speed signal of the steering torque sensor by using an operation amplifier, comparator, and various kinds of semiconductors is employed.
In either case of above digital controlling using the microcomputer or analog controlling, however, there was a big problem from a viewpoint of reliability because, when the microcomputer, operation amplifier, comparator, and semiconductors, etc. are in trouble by some reason, large current flows during high-speed running, leading to troubles that a steering wheel turns round uncontrollably in the direction against the driver's will or oversteers due to too much assist torque. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
} |
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