GIAN Abondoned Patents Database

An integrated circuit package for electrically interconnecting a first bus signal path disposed on a printed circuit board and a second bus signal path disposed on the printed circuit board. The integrated circuit package may have a substrate, an integrated circuit chip die supported by the substrate. The interconnection network may be for electrically connecting the first bus signal path and the second bus signal path to a chip pad on the chip die. Thus, the first bus signal path and the second bus signal path may be electrically interconnected by only the interconnection circuit.

In a storage apparatus, a recording medium has a first recording region and a second recording region. A command executor sets a first and second password in the first and second recording region respectively for performing access control so as to restrict unauthorized access to the recording medium by a third party. An access controller performs the access control on the basis of the first password and the second password. When initializing the recording medium, only the first recording region can be initialized. It is possible to effectively perform the access control on the recording medium all the time by an authorized user and to maintain the security.

A bypass logic circuit (30) generates select signals (SelRs0, SelRt0, SelRs1 and SelRt1) by using prediction result flags (PrdNTkn1A and PrdNTkn1D) which are results of prediction about branch, instead of a branch condition not-taken signal (NTknA) actually output from a branch unit (52). Bypass multiplexers (44, 46, 54, 56) select operands to be output to ALU (42) or the branch unit (52) on the basis of these select signals (SelRs0, SelRt0, SelRs1 and SelRt1). Therefore, ample time is given for generating these select signals (SelRs0, SelRt0, SelRs1 and SelRt1).

The present invention relates to a system and method for reliably transmitting Internet Protocol (IP) data packets over fading Internet communication channels. The invented system 10 comprises a transmitting device 12 having an interleaver circuit 22. The invented system 10 also includes a receiving device 14 having a de-interleaver circuit 38. The transmitting device 12 and the receiving device 14 communicate over a fading Internet communication channel 16. The transmitting device 12 applies error control coding to the IP packets before they are transmitted over the fading Internet communication channel 16. The Interleaver circuit 22 interleaves the IP data packets before transmitting them over the fading Internet channel 16. The receiving device 14 receives the interleaved IP packets from the fading Internet channel 16. The de-interleaver circuit 38 de-interleaves the received IP data packets. The receiving device 14 also uses the error control coding to detect and correct any errors incurred during transmission. The interleaving “spreads out” transmission errors over several IP packets and thus makes the error control and correction process more effective and efficient.

This invention concerns a novel traceback memory management method and apparatus in which a memory stores Viterbi trellis state records and shifts the records in a manner so that the memory mirrors the relevant portion of the trellis accessed during the traceback for error correction and decoding. Several pointers are used so that a random access memory (RAM) can store and access the Viterbi trellis state records with only a minimum amount of hardware required to implement the memory accesses. In certain instances, where memory length is a power of 2, entire elements needed in the address generation steps are eliminated by the invention, thereby saving valuable chip area and clock cycles.

A system, method and computer program features of the present invention, relate to verification or simulation of a design using a behavioral model structure for use in a Client/Server configuration. A physical part presents the external interface, and a functional procedural part which is comprised of at least one VHDL process. A testcase is a set of procedure calls written in VHDL. The present invention describes the architecture and implementation of a client/server behavioral model and procedural approach for testcase development which results in significant gain in productivity, quality of logic verification, and portability.

A system and method are employed for the creation of test procedures. Through use of a data network (12), remotely located users may access the system and either retrieve existing test procedures or create new ones. Further, the system provides the capability to combine new procedures with pre-existing templates. The system may provide a number of sections (44-60) in which a system user may enter information for creating a test procedure. Further functions are provided to edit test procedure (32), copy, rename or delete test procedures, as well as submit a test procedure (38) for approval. Following acceptance and approval (40) of the test procedure the facility to execute the procedure exists. The system user enters the required information into the fields provided in the automated procedure and executes the procedure documenting each step and entering notes or flag information during the interactive session. The results are documented and time tagged for later review and acceptance by the appropriate parties.

A device is provided for producing a distributed wave winding. To improve the currently used method for producing a distributed wave winding the device provides for a relative indexing to be carried out between a template and a coil receiver after a first concentric coil group has been transferred from the template to the coil receiver. After this indexing, a further concentric coil group of the same phase, with a connection to the first coil group, is wound on the template and transferred to the coil receiver. The template and coil receiver rotate synchronously during the winding of the further coil group.

A repositionable display system in the shape of a human figure that can be used to communicate information by holding signs or by making simple gestures; or it can be used to support various items such as clothing or accessories. The repositionable display is in the shape of a life-size human form comprising a head, torso, arms, and legs. A two-pin connection forms each shoulder and hip joint, thereby allowing for positioning of the arm and legs in multiple planes. A single-pin connection forms the wrist, elbow, and knee joints. Each of the pin connections are removable, thereby allowing for assembly and disassembly of the repositionable display system. A stand may be provided to maintain the repositionable display system in a substantially upright position. Cedar wood may be used to construct the repositionable display system which assists in repelling insects while emitting a pleasing aroma.

Trigger lock, safety and alarm devices for a firearm includes a trigger clamp that immobilizes the devices on the firearm in a position in which the device cannot be moved with respect to the firearm to actuate the trigger and discharge the firearm. The devices include a locking mechanism that is used to mount the device to the firearm. An alarm on the device is sounded by actuation of a motion sensor when the device is moved, for example, when the firearm is moved. The alarm can be enabled and disabled using buttons mounted on the devices, and an indicator light flashes on the devices when the alarm is enabled. The keys are also used to operate the locking mechanism to lock or unlock the devices.

An actuator drive unit in which either of two types of actuators and a drive direction thereof (either forward direction or backward direction) are corresponded to respective four pistons. When one of the four pistons in one of four displacement signal generating units generates a displacement signal, the actuator corresponding to the piston generating the displacement signal is driven in a corresponding drive direction, by an amount of drive corresponding to the displacement signal.

A method of assembly, tightening and locking fixed weight dumbbells and barbells which is commonly provided with weight plates whether individual or one piece styles, a handle or bar with or without an end plate and a locking female member to retain plate(s) to the handle or the bar. The locking member consists of a spring steel oblong threaded insert that can be installed in any shape body i.e. hex, square, round etc. The insert threads over a threaded handle or bar and retains the plates in different size weight configurations. The threaded insert goes on under light hand tool pressure and conforms to the threaded handle or bar. Once applied pressure ceases it locks into position. It may be adjusted as needed and will riot loosen under shock or vibration. It will lock wherever it is left and is considered tension adjustable. It will adapt to wear and may be tightened or loosened as many times as the circumstances require.

A first signal transmission apparatus installed in an operating room and a second signal transmission apparatus installed in a remote control room in a remote place are linked by a public line. Assuming that surgery is performed on a patient using a surgical instrument in the operating room while endoscopic images are viewed, the surgical instrument can be controlled using a first controller. The control and patient data are displayed on a display device via a second controller connected to the second signal transmission apparatus. The state of the surgical instrument and the patient data can always be checked in the remote control room. Surgical instructions or any other surgical support can be given easily.

A sanitary napkin 1 includes respective pairs of upper and lower layer flaps 11, 12 placed upon each other, each of the upper layer flaps 11 is elastically stretchable longitudinally of the napkin 1 and each of the lower layer flaps 12 is provided with a wing 13, and thereby prevent the menstrual discharge from leaking sideways.

An apparatus for reaming a patella includes a clamp for securing the patella and a reamer. The reamer includes a depth scale to indicate a depth to which the patella has been reamed. The clamp includes a pivoting collet to enable the clamp to stably secure different patellas having a variety of shapes and sizes. The stability of the collet is ensured by a plurality of prongs on the side contacting the patella, which are arranged to be equally spaced around the peak of the patella. Using this reaming apparatus, the depth to which the patella is reamed can be accurately determined. The reamed patella can then be fitted with a prosthesis to coordinate with a femoral prosthesis fitted on a resected femur and a tibial prosthesis fitted on a resected proximal end of a tibia to form a reconstructed knee joint which is substantially at anatomic level and has a proper degree of laxity in both flexion and extension.

This invention is a surgical device for producing a generally circular, interlamellar pathway within the corneal stroma of the eye. The device is made up of three major components: a vacuum centering guide having an inner bore which fits at one end against the front of the eye, a barrel which fits within the inner bore of the centering guide and to which is attached the third major component, a generally circular dissecting ring. The dissecting ring is shaped in such way that when an eye surgeon twists the barrel to which the ring is attached, the ring moves through the interlamellar space in the stroma producing the desired channel or pathway. The centering guide may optionally include a ring having one or more pins which firmly engage the cornea's epiphilium. The constituent parts of the surgical device, particularly the dissecting ring, also form a part of this invention. A split ring, or intracorneal ring (“ICR”), is inserted into the intrastromal passageway produced by the inventive device. The ICR changes the shape of the cornea and, in doing so, provides a chosen measure of visual correction.

The present invention is directed to a method of preparing a legume resulting in reduced flatulence when ingested and the product thus prepared. It is also directed to a process for reducing the flatulence of a flatulence-causing legume. It is also directed to a product produced therefrom.

A process for depositing an antimony-containing coating upon a surface of a heated glass substrate includes dissolving an antimony halide in an organic solvent to form an antimony halide containing solution. This solution is then vaporized to form a gaseous antimony precursor. The gaseous antimony precursor is then directed toward and along the surface of the heated glass substrate. The antimony precursor is reacted at or near the surface to form an antimony containing coating.

Stress resulting from silicon nitride is diminished by forming an oxidation mask with silicon nitride having a graded silicon concentration. Grading is accomplished by changing the silicon content in the silicon nitride by varying the amount of hydride, such as dichlorosilane (DCS), mixed with ammonia. The silicon nitride can be graded in a substantially linear or non-linear fashion. Silicon nitride formed with higher levels of DCS mixed with ammonia is referred to as silicon rich nitride because of its relatively higher silicon content. In one embodiment, the graded silicon nitride may be formed with one type of non-linear silicon grading, an abrupt junction. In other embodiments, the silicon nitride is formed in a variety of shapes fashioned during or after silicon nitride growth. In one embodiment, the stress from the silicon nitride is reduced by forming a polysilicon buffer layer between two silicon nitride layers. In another embodiment, the stress from the silicon nitride is reduced by forming the silicon nitride on a pad layer, which in turn is formed on a base layer.

The present invention is in the field of processes for making alkylbenzenesulfonate surfactants. The processes herein include a combination of two essential steps, delinearization and alkylation. The delinearization step selected herein introduces particular types of limited branching into an aliphatic hydrocarbon having ten or more, but no more than about 16, carbon atoms. The hydrocarbon includes olefin having a hydrocarbon chain length suitable for detergent manufacture, e.g., C10-C14, or a corresponding paraffin. The second essential step is an alkylation step having an internal isomer selectivity of from 0 to no more than about 40 in which the hydrocarbon is used to monoalkylate benzene catalytically with an alkylation catalyst. Such alkylation catalysts preferably comprise an at least partially crystalline porous zeolite-containing solid, the zeolite having moderate acidity and intermediate pore size. Preferred alkylation catalysts include certain at least partially dealuminized acidic nonfluoridated mordenites. The processes herein further comprise sulfonating, neutralizing and incorporating the resulting modified alkylbenzenesulfonate surfactants into consumer products. The invention relates also to the products of the processes, including modified surfactants and consumer cleaning products containing them.

Zein is recovered from gluten meal prepared by wet milling procedures by washing the gluten with clean water to remove water-soluble components; separating the water-soluble components and recovering the water-insoluble components; extracting the water insoluble components with hydrous ethanol solvent to extract zein; recovering the crude zein extract; treating the crude zein extract with an adsorbent that adsorbs at least one of color, odor, oil and fatty acid; and to yield a purified zein extract.

The present invention relates to a high performance, high reliability antifuse using conductive electrodes. According to first and second embodiments, the problem of switch-off in conductor-to-conductor antifuses is solved by utilizing conductive electrode materials having a relatively lower thermal conductivity than prior art electrode materials and by utilizing relatively thin electrodes, thus increasing their thermal resistance. According to a third embodiment, a relatively thin barrier layer is placed between one or both of the low thermal conductivity electrodes and the antifuse material to prevent reaction between the conductive electrodes and the antifuse material, or the materials used in manufacturing. According to a fourth embodiment, low thermal conductivity conductors are used for both electrodes in the conductor-to-conductor antifuse to achieve enhanced reliability and freedom from switch-off. According to a fifth embodiment, switch-off is cured in conductor-to-conductor antifuses without compromising low on-state resistance of the antifuse.

A hermetically sealed container includes a front substrate, a back substrate disposed opposite to the front substrate, and an outer frame disposed in a peripheral portion between the front substrate and the back substrate. The front and back substrates and the outer frame are bonded with an adhesive to form a hermetically sealed space. When a ratio W/T of width W and thickness of T of the outer frame is set to an aspect ratio A of the outer frame, 1.5≦A.

An image display unit includes first and second substrates spaced from each other, an electron source arranged on the first substrate, and an image display member arranged on the second substrate and having a first electric conductor. A second electric conductor is in contact with the first electric conductor through an opening formed in the first substrate. The second electric conductor has a holding member with a portion in contact with the first substrate and a portion joined to the first substrate through an adhesive. The holding member may also have a portion coming in contact with an outer surface of the first substrate and a portion joined to the outer surface of the first substrate through the adhesive.

There is provided a field emission type display which is capable of suppressing deterioration of image quality which otherwise occurs due to stepwise cuts and to the increase of wiring resistance caused by a thin width of a cathode line and which causes less failures. The display includes a plurality of cathode lines having an equal line width within the pixel and is structurally based on a multiple gradation representing a scheme of controlling spatial gradation display by changing the number of field emission type emitters to be driven by changing the number of cathode lines to be selected.

A security system for actuating a security mechanism of a vehicle includes a transceiver coupled to the security mechanism and having one transmission channel for transmitting a first signal and a number of reception channels. A remote radio-frequency transponder key has a number of transmission channels and one reception channel matched to the respective reception and transmission channels of the transceiver. The transponder key is arranged to transmit an unlock signal to the transceiver upon reception of the first signal. The unlock signal is verified by the transceiver as valid before actuating the security mechanism. The transceiver is further arranged to select a channel for reception of the unlock signal and to embed the identity of the selected channel in the first signal, such that the transponder key transmits the unlock signal using the selected channel.

A correction circuit 50 is provided to correct the luminance shading caused by uneven thickness of the liquid crystal layer in the LCD panel. The correction circuit 50 generates a correction signal obtained by modulating the gradually changing signal with smaller amplitude at positions closer to the center in the horizontal direction of the LCD panel and with smaller amplitude at positions closer to the center in the vertical direction when the signal is seen vertically. The signal in the lowfrequency range components of the video signal is used for such modulation. After addind the correction signal from the correction circuit 50 to the video signal by the adder 51, the signal is processed for AC driving and then supplied to the LCD panel section 10. By thus superimposing the correction signal on the video signal for the LCD panel, the luminance shading can be corrected. In particular, by correcting the luminance shadings on the LCD panels in the three-panel type unit so as to achieve the same pattern and brightness characteristics, color shading generation can be suppressed.

The invention pertains to a method for examining a series of objects that are symmetrical in reference to a rotational axis, e.g., circular disks, during or after the manufacturing process of the disks. In particular, the invention pertains to the optical examination of circular data carriers, e.g., CD, DVDs, CD-Rs or the like. The invention proposes that each object contains at least one marking or is provided with at least one marking. The marking makes it possible to unequivocally determine the angular position of each object about the rotational axis in reference to the marking for objects manufactured in the same manufacturing process. At least one section of the objects is scanned by at least one scanning element, and the marking is detected during the examination process. The scanning result and/or examination result of geometric regions with corresponding positions on the objects in reference to the marking is determined and/or evaluated and/or displayed on a display element in the same angular position in reference to the marking. A defect that always occurs at the same position will always have the same geometric data independent of the rotation of the object to be examined during its transport to the examination point and can be treated with other criteria.

A gas detecting apparatus includes a gas cell, a laser source, a light diffuser and a photodetector. The gas cell has a gas inlet hole for letting the target gas come inside and a gas discharge hole for discharging the target gas, and retains a target gas to be detected. The laser source emits coherent light into the gas cell in order to detect a concentration of the target gas. The light diffuser is disposed in the optical path of the coherent light output from the laser source to diffuse the coherent light, thereby eliminating coherence of the coherent light. The photodetector receives light diffused by the light diffuser.

A method and apparatus for providing magnetic wear debris collection for an air bearing of a spindle motor in a hard disk drive is disclosed. A magnetic ring is provided near one end of the journal bearing forming an air bearing. In addition, the mating surface of the air bearing is paramagnetic or ferromagnetic material. The magnetic ring, acting as a debris collector, collects debris from the air bearing to prevent wear debris form reaching the head/disk interface, which can lead to a head crash. The journal bearing includes a mating surface. The mating surface may be of a paramagnetic or ferromagnetic material. A thrust bearing is provided to axially support the hub. The thrust bearing may be an oil bearing or an air bearing.

Disclosed are an optical system driving device, for preventing the unwanted vibration of an elastic member supporting a holder on which an object lens is mounted, as well as resolving a resonance frequency problem and for increasing manufacturing efficiency and reducing the number of parts required, and an optical recording apparatus incorporating such an optical system driving device. The optical system driving device includes a holder holding an optical element; support means for supporting the holder and permitting its displacement in a focusing direction; a carriage mounting the holder and the support means moving in a tracking direction; drive coils included in the holder for displacing the holder in the focusing direction; and a flexible printed board supplying a drive current to the drive coils. The support means includes a fixed portion and an elastic member, one end of which is fixed to the fixed portion and the other end of which is connected to the holder. Further, a vibration damping member, connected to the fixed portion, is mounted on the side of the elastic member and is sandwiched between the flexible printed board and the elastic member.

The communication device (KE) has a coupling arrangement (ASN) with at least a number N of active line assemblies (BG 1 to BG N), which are respectively connected to a transmission line (LTG 1 to LTG N) and, together with an additional standby line assembly (BG N+1), form a “1:N” redundancy group. In such a “1:N” redundancy group, line-specific switches (S) and selection devices (SEL 1:N) are designed and arranged in such a manner that the selection devices can be replaced without adversely affecting the normal operation of the communication device.

A system and a method of the present invention for implementing a combined use Timer_CU within an ATM transmitter. The ATM transmitter being able to handle a plurality of ATM channels, at least one of the channel being an ATM AAL2 channel. The ATM channels can provide ATM-cells at different traffic parameters, such as, for example, different cell or bit rate, priorities, and bursts. The system schedules channels in a first table by channel identifiers. Cyclical pointers to this first table advance (i) at every time slot, (ii) within a time slot, whereas (iii) CPS-Packets with one or more octets already packed wait at most the duration of a Timer_CU before being scheduled to be sent by CPS transmitter to ATM transmitter. Conveniently, the schedule scheme is based upon a scheduling table comprising of a plurality of time slots. CPS-Packets are multiplexed and packed to form a CPS_PDU, the CPS_PDU is submitted to a processor that handles the transmission of ATM cells, each CPS_PDU is converted to an ATM cell and transmitted to a communication channel during a single time slot. Therefore, Timer_CU ends when the ATM cell actually is transmitted.

A power calculator calculates the power of an input signal in accordance with a component of an input received signal. A comparator asserts an unmodulated signal detection signal when the power calculated by the power calculator exceeds a prescribed threshold. A maximum value detector detects the maximum power of the input received signal in accordance with the assertion of the unmodulated signal detection signal and generates non-modulated signal position instruction information with a maximum value detection signal, and a frequency error calculator calculates an error of a carrier frequency on the basis of the received signal corresponding to the maximum power. The frequency error is calculated only with a non-modulated signal, whereby the frequency error can be correctly calculated and the non-modulated signal position can also be correctly detected.

A method and call center system monitors performance of agents in a call center. A call is received within a call center and has a plurality of agents, an automatic call distributor (ACD) server for routing calls to individual agents based on the proficiency skills of the agents, an interactive voice response (IVR) server, and in one aspect, a structured query language (SQL) server having a historical database. The requested type of service is determined and the call routed to an agent based on the requested type of service. After the call between an agent and caller is completed, the call is transferred to the IVR server and responses are solicited from the caller to allow the caller to rate the performance of the call center and agent. In the event that a response is indicative of a poor rating of an agent in the call center, the caller is transferred to a supervisor at a supervisor stations for personal questioning of the caller.

A method for correcting quantitative DNA measurements in a tissue section in which an operator measures, using an image analysis apparatus, the DNA content, profile area, and profile perimeter data for a plurality of nuclei and truncated nuclei in a Feulgen-stained histologic tissue section. The operator then operates a computer program embodying a method of analyzing ploidy measurements in a tissue section. The program includes a routine for obtaining an eccentricity index, which reflects the shape of each of the profiles of the nuclei and truncated nuclei in the tissue section. The program uses the eccentricity index of each nucleus and truncated nucleus to improve the accuracy of the calculation of the DNA content of the whole nuclei that existed in the tissue prior to making the tissue section, and to improve the discrimination of subpopulations of nuclei of different DNA content.

A system and method for simultaneously obtaining a plurality of images of an object or pattern from a plurality of different viewpoints is provided. In an exemplary embodiment, proper image contrast is obtained by replacing the light sources of earlier systems with equivalent light sensitive devices and replacing the cameras of earlier systems with equivalent light sources. With such a system, bright-field images and dark-field images may be simultaneously obtained. In one aspect of the invention, a light source is positioned to illuminate at least a portion of an object. A plurality of light guides having input ends are positioned to simultaneously receive light reflected from the object and transmit the received light to a plurality of photodetectors. The light guides are arranged such that their respective input ends are spaced substantially equally along at least a portion of a surface of an imaginary hemisphere surrounding the object. The signals generated by the photodetectors (as a result of light detection) are processed and a plurality of images of the object are formed. Another aspect of the invention provides a method for generating composite images from simultaneously obtained images. Equivalent regions of each image (corresponding to geographically identical subpictures) are compared. The subpicture having the highest entropy is selected and stored. This process continues until all subpictures have been considered. A new composite picture is generated by pasting together the selected subpictures. In another aspect of the invention, the vector of relative light values gathered for each pixel or region of an object illuminated or scanned (i.e., one value for each photodetector) is used to determine reflectance properties of points or regions illuminated on the object or pattern. The reflectance properties may be stored in a matrix and the matrix used to read, for example, a Bar Code of a data matrix symbol.

A pattern inspection method and apparatus for carrying out pattern inspection with a simple mechanical apparatus following a simple procedure are provided. A recording medium which records a pattern inspection program for carrying out the pattern inspection is also provided. The pattern inspection apparatus of the present invention includes: a first image data generator which generates first image data from a pattern image captured from a sample; a second image data generator which generates second image data by reducing the four sides of each pattern contained in the first image data; a pattern number detector which detects a first pattern number that is the number of patterns contained in the first image data, and also detects a second pattern number that is the number of patterns contained in the second image data; and a defect detector which detects a defect contained in the patterns of the sample in accordance with a result of the comparison between the first pattern number and the second pattern number.

In accordance with the invention, an optical fiber Bragg grating comprises a length of gloss optical fiber having a core, a Bragg grating formed along the core, a glass cladding and a polymer coating on the cladding having an index of refraction matched to that the cladding. Such index matching can reduce the cladding mode loss by a factor of four over current levels. A preferred coating material comprises fluorinated urethane acrylate.

A method and apparatus is disclosed for coupling substantial optical power into an optical fiber from the side without encumbering ends of the fiber. A special optical fiber having a gain medium preferably including rare earth dopants in the core is provided for carrying optical information signals, and for amplifying the information signals when the gain medium is stimulated with pump light. Launch sections are selected at intervals along the special fiber with absorptive loops therebetween. The launch sections are stripped to their inner cladding layer, which preferably has a rectangular cross section, and are positioned adjacent each other on a support block to form a launch region which is upwardly convex. The support block presents a low refraction index surface to the fiber. Pump light is provided, preferably by one or more stripe diodes about 1-3 microns wide and about as long as the total width of the adjacent launch sections. The pump light is focused by appropriate optics into a launch port, the launch port having a refractive index substantially matching that of the cladding layer, and being optically mated with the adjacent launch sections. The launch port guides the pump light into the launch sections in a direction generally parallel to the tangent of the launch section axes. Pump light may be provided, for example, by a single diode stripe, or the light from two diode stripes may be combined by polarization control, and such combined beams may be directed into the launch port from a single side or from different sides. A first reflective face may be formed on the launch port to reflect unabsorbed pump light back into the cladding from which it is re-emerging into the launch port. The first reflective face may be made transmissive to another wavelength of light directed into the face, while a second face is made inversely transmissive and reflective, permitting reflective recapture of residual light from two different pump beams, each of which can be a combination of two source beams. As the pump light travels along the special fiber in the absorptive loops between the launch sections, it is significantly absorbed by the gain medium in the signal-carrying core, where it generates signal light in the core or amplifies existing signal light. The special fiber may have single cladding or double cladding.

A diversity receiving apparatus for receiving data that has been primarily modulated and then secondarily modulated includes a plurality of uni-directivity antennas arranged so that they orient in different directions, a signal information detector for detecting signal information of all frequency bands of received signals of each of the uni-directivity antennas, a branch selector for selecting one of received signals of the individual branches received by the uni-directivity antennas, a secondarily modulated data demodulator for demodulating data that has been secondarily modulated as the received signal selected by the branch selector, and a primarily modulated data demodulator for primarily demodulating data that has been primarily modulated as an output signal of the secondarily modulated data demodulator, wherein the branch selector is controlled corresponding to an output signal of the signal information detector.

Calendar entries provide for a wealth of information. For example, for a meeting, information such as the start date, subject, attendees, and location are provided. Yet, when writing a follow up e-mail, that's exactly the information a user has to copy/or cut and paste from the calendar entries to the e-mail. Significant time is saved by automatically finding the relevant calendar entry(ies), extracting the known information, and augmenting that information into the e-mail and sending it via a server.

An apparatus for dynamically generating query explain data includes a processor for executing instructions and a memory device having thereon modules of operational data and executable code for execution by the processor. The modules include a query explain program operating on a workstation. The query explain program communicates over a network with a server hosting a database system and is configured to temporarily store the query explain data received across the network from the database system in a data cache. The query explain program may be configured to automatically clear a selected portion of the data cache when the data cache reaches a user-selectable size. The user is thus allowed to determine when to clear the data cache and how much of the data cache to clear.

A computerized method for dynamically extending a main application comprising a first user-interface-control by at least one supplementary application is proposed. The method comprises a first-step of monitoring system-messages of a system-message-queue and determines if a monitored system-messages comprises a user-interaction-request for creating said first user-interface-control of said main application. In the affirmative case, an indicator is set that said user-interaction-request for creating said first user-interface-control has been detected. Said method comprises a second-step monitoring application-messages of an application-message-queue and associates in response to setting said indicator the next one or multitude of application-message with said monitored system-message. Said method interprets said next one or multitude of application-message as application-message comprising the request for creating said first user-interface-control by determining based on said next application-message a first user-interface-control-handle, which is used by said GUI system as unique identification of said first user-interface-control. Finally said method executes said supplementary application.

An instruction fetching system (and/or architecture) which may be utilized by a high-frequency short-pipeline microprocessor, for efficient fetching of both in-line and target instructions. The system contains an instruction fetching unit (IFU), having a control logic and associated components for controlling a specially designed instruction cache (I-cache). The I-cache is a sum-address cache, i.e., it receives two address inputs, which compiled by a decoder to provide the address of the line of instructions desired fetch. The I-cache is designed with an array of cache lines that can contain 32 instructions, and three buffers that each have a capacity of 32 instructions. The three buffers include a Predicted (PRED) buffer that holds the instructions which are currently being executed, a NEXT buffer that holds the instructions which are to be executed after the instructions in the PRED buffer, and an ALT buffer that holds the alternate set of instructions when a branch is predicted taken/not taken and is utilized along with the PRED buffer to permit branch target retrieval within I-cache prior to a prediction.

A computer system utilizing a processing system capable of efficiently comparing register identifiers and instruction attribute data to detect data hazards between instructions of a computer program is used to execute the computer program. The processing system utilizes at least one pipeline, a first decoder, a second decoder, and comparison logic. The pipeline receives and simultaneously processes instructions of a computer program. The first and second decoders are coupled to the pipeline and decode register identifiers associated with instructions being processed by the pipeline. The comparison logic is interfaced with the first and second decoders and receives the decoded register identifiers along with attribute data indicating the status and/or type of instructions being processed by the pipeline. The comparison logic compares the decoded register identifiers and the attribute data to other decoded register identifiers and attribute data to detect data hazards.

A system and method are provided for maintaining state synchronization between a primary device and a secondary device. The present method includes the steps of generating a sequence identifier in the primary device, attaching the sequence identifier to a message in the primary device, transmitting the message and the sequence identifier attached thereto to the secondary device, and storing the sequence identifier in the secondary device as a secondary sequence identifier. In addition, the method includes the step of comparing a secondary sequence identifier from the secondary device with the sequence identifier in the primary device to detect a lost message.

Methods for upgrading the operating system of an appliance and/an one or more applications run by the appliance. The method can be used to reload existing software, to add an operating mode to the appliance, and/or to enable an existent but previously disabled operating mode of the appliance. Also disclosed are methods for making a laser readable disk which is used in the upgrading process and which also can be encoded with an operating system and/or application software.

A method of manufacturing an electrode array has an elongate flexible carrier that is much more flexible in a first direction than in a second direction orthogonal thereto. The elongate flexible carrier is formed with a bias force that causes the array to flex in the first direction so as to assume the general spiral or circular shape of the scala tympani duct within the cochlea. The less-flexible direction is the direction that makes it difficult for the array to twist as it is inserted within the scala tympani duct. The bias force is sufficiently strong to cause the array to assume its preformed spiral shape even after being straightened during initial insertion into the cochlea. Electrode contacts, embedded into the carrier so as to be exposed along an inner or concave surface of the spiral, thus wrap snugly around the modiolus, thereby positioning the electrode contacts against the modiolar wall in an optimum position for stimulation.

Apparatuses and methods for determining the position of a part on a vehicle are provided. The methods comprise measuring the respective distances from first and second measuring locations to each of a plurality of measuring points associated with the part whose position is to be determined. The position of each of the measuring points is then calculated relative to a fixed location, and these values are compared to determine the position of the part. The inventive apparatus comprises a main body which is attached to the vehicle. The main body includes an elongate member extending substantially therefrom and mounted to pivot relative to the main body about a pivot point central to the location of attachment of the main body to the vehicle. Finally, the main body comprises a retractable wire which can be extended to droppers removably fixed to the vehicle at various pick-up points. A sensing unit determines the distance from the main body to the pick-up point from the length of wire extended.

A transportable living quarters configured for maximum comfort and spaciousness, with a relatively small footprint. A unique sofa/bed arrangement is contemplated, wherein first and second, facing fold-out sofas are provided which are convertible to a single bed, which may be full size or larger. One of the sofas further provides a mechanism to manipulate, via bracketed supports, the sofa back to form a long counter area, which, in the preferred embodiment of the invention, is situated adjacent to the kitchen counter and thereby extends same. The present invention further contemplates a dining/work table which is configured to be stored along the ceiling of the unit, in a relatively hidden capacity, and easily deployed between the first and second sofas when needed, providing a relatively large, stable work surface. The bathroom unit of the present invention contemplates a unique drain connection system, wherein the lavatory drain includes a drainpipe connection to a stationary drainpipe built into the wall structure of the unit, the connection accomplished without the requirement of hoses, pipe fittings or the like. The present invention may be utilized as a stand alone facility, or may be incorporated into a building or other structure in a temporary or permanent capacity, or in a camper, boat, or modular housing or the like, or any other location where a small, yet fully equipped living quarters is required.

A method of retaining a suspension system includes creating a negative pressure within an air spring such that a longitudinal member is retained in a substantially fixed position relative to a chassis component when the longitudinal member is placed in an unloaded condition. When there is no pressure in the air spring, the air cell is deflated and the suspension is mechanically bottomed out. By further introducing a negative pressure into the air cell with the gas feed, a partial vacuum is formed and the air cell collapses in upon itself. The collapsed air cell grips the piston thereby immobilizing the air spring. Accordingly, when the vehicle is lifted and the air suspension becomes unloaded, the longitudinal member is maintained relative to the chassis component by the immobilized air spring to thereby prevent the air cell from being inverted and damaged.

A sluice-gate wall thimble has a support stem (1, 12) which covers an embedment side of a sluice-gate nut (2) and is fixable to a wall anchor (5, 11). The sluice-gate nut is inside threaded and fixable to an embedment side (16) of a predetermined sluice-gate wall (7) with an axis of the sluice-gate nut being in line concentrically with an axis of a wall-bolt aperture (8) on the predetermined sluice-gate wall. A plurality of the support stems on a plurality of the sluice-gate nuts in line with a plurality of the wall-bolt apertures and fixed to at least one wall anchor are employed first to prevent encroachment of fluid concrete (3) or other foundation material onto inside-diameter threading (4) of the plurality of sluice-gate nuts during construction of a predetermined sluice gate. Then after construction of the predetermined sluice gate, the plurality of support stems are employed to anchor the predetermined sluice-gate wall to the concrete or other foundation material throughout a long and reliable life of sluice-gate-wall attachment to the sluice-gate nuts.

A female connector is provided with a guide protrusion portion so as to cover a tip face of a female side shield shell, and when a male side shield shell is butted against an inclined face provided in the guide protrusion portion and pushed thereto, it proceeds toward an outer edge side of a tip face of the female side shield shell by being guided by the inclined face. Here, since the guide protrusion portion is provided in a female side connector housing of the female connector, a large guidable range can be ensured without being limited due to a wall thickness dimension of the shield shell.

In a solid golf ball comprising a solid core and a cover, the solid core has a multilayer construction which includes a center core and an outer core of at least one layer that encloses the center core. The center core is formed primarily of a resin and has a diameter from 3 mm to less than 15 mm. The outer core is formed of a rubber composition based on polybutadiene. The center core has a surface hardness which is higher than the hardness of an innermost layer of the outer core. The ball has a high-pitched click and a soft feel.

A pair of bone clamps used for open reduction and internal fixation of a fractured bone or osteotomy is interconnected by a lockable, articulating connection apparatus. Each bone clamp includes a primary clamping means for manipulating a bone fragment back into a proper position. Additionally, each bone clamp includes a secondary bone clamping means that provides adequate clamping force for maintaining the reduction so that the primary clamping means can be released. The secondary bone clamping means provides clearance for the positioning and application of a fracture fixation prosthesis to stabilize the reduction during healing. The bone clamps and lockable, articulating connection apparatus together comprise a bone setting apparatus that provides for unconstrained manual reduction and alignment of the bone fracture, locking of the reduction in a fixed position and orientation, and application of a fracture fixation prosthesis, thereby securing the reduction.

This invention discloses devices for use with an ophthalmologic insertor apparatus. In one embodiment, the device is a flexible, stretchable sleeve holder adapted to fit over a deformable sleeve that houses an implant. The sleeve holder facilitates loading of an implant into the sleeve by providing a suitable gripping surface. Application of a compressive force to the sleeve holder further allows the implant to be immobilized within the sleeve. After loading of the implant into the sleeve, the holder may be used as a collar or hub to secure the sleeve to an insertor hand-piece. Methods for loading implants into delivery sleeves, methods for attaching sleeves to inserters, and methods for delivering implants to an incision are also disclosed.

A single housing includes a diluent inlet, a solution outlet, and a plurality of discrete reagent beds comprising at least one reagent in dry form, wherein the reagent is present in the discrete reagent bed in a proportion sufficient for production of a complete hemodialysate solution.

A method for producing a golf ball including a spherical elastic inner layer having a large number of projections with a round shape or a polygonal shape when viewed two-dimensionally on the outer surface with a predetermined space, and a thermoplastic resin outer layer covering the inner layer. The method employs a mold including an upper mold and a lower mold with a spherical cavity formed in the inside and a parting surface provided at a position corresponding to an equator of the spherical cavity, with pole sections of the upper mold and the lower mold each provided with a plurality of columnar support pins elongating into the cavity reciprocally movably. In the method, the inner layer is supported at the cavity center portion of the mold by the support pins from above and below at the outer surface space position, and an external layer resin is injected into the space between the inner layer and the cavity wall surface so as to integrally form the inner and outer layers.

The invention relates to stable ophthalmic preparations including the penetrant antiphlogistic diclofenac or salts thereof and the penetrant antibiotic ofloxacin present in the form of the racemate, an enantiomer, particularly levofloxacin, or the corresponding hydrochloride thereof. The preparations may be used for treating eye infections and/or inflammations and for preventing infections before and after eye surgery.

The present invention relates to an immunogenic determinant. More particularly, it relates to a protein or a protein fragment for use in the diagnosis of Kaposi's sarcoma or human herpesvirus 8 (KSHV/HHV8) and to a diagnostic kit utilising the protein or protein fragment of the invention. The amino acid sequence of the carboxyterminal end of KSHV orf 65 is given below: Sequence 1: Amino acids 86-170 of KSHV orf 65. ADRVSAASY DAGTFTVPSR PGPASGTTPG GQDSLGVSGS SITTLSSGPH SLSPASDILT TLSSTTETTA PAVADARKPP SGKKK.

The present invention provides a method of hybridization, differential methylation hybridization (DMH) for high throughput methylation analysis of multiple CpG island loci. DMH utilizes nucleic acid probes prepared from a cell sample to screen numerous CpG dinucleotide rich fragments affixed on a screening array. Positive hybridization signals indicate the presence of methylated sites. Methods of preparing the hybridization probes and screening array are also provided.

The present invention relates to novel methods for sequencing nucleic acid molecules. More specifically, methods are provided for sequencing nucleic acid molecules present in bacterial lysates without the need to purify nucleic acid templates from highly soluble cellular components.

Administration of expressible polynucleotides encoding eukaryotic heat shock proteins to mammalian cells leads to the stimulation of an immune response to antigens present in those cells. This makes it possible to stimulate an immune response to target antigens, including target tumor antigens or antigens associated with an infectious disease, without having to isolate a unique antigen or antigen-associated heat shock protein for each target antigen by administering to a mammalian subject or to a group of mammalian cells containing the antigen, an expressible polynucleotide encoding a heat shock protein. The expressed heat shock protein may have the same structure as native heat shock proteins, or may have a modified form adapted to control the trafficking of the expressed heat shock protein within the cells.

A method for forming a wirebond connection to an integrated circuit structure includes forming an insulative structure overlaying a corrosion susceptible metal wiring within the integrated circuit structure, defining a via through the insulative structure above a portion of the corrosion susceptible metal without exposing the portion of the corrosion susceptible metal, and attaching a wirebond material to the portion of the corrosion susceptible metal. The attaching process includes a preliminary process of exposing the portion of the corrosion susceptible metal. The attaching completely covers the portion of the corrosion susceptible metal.

The present invention refers to glass-ceramics consisting of the mixtures (I): ZrO2—SiO2—MeIIO, or (II) SiO2—MeIIIO2—MeIIO, wherein: MeII is chosen in the group consisting of: Ca, Ba, Mg, Zn or mixture thereof; MeIII is chosen in the group consisting of Al, B or mixtures thereof; each of the above said constituents being present in determined quantities; the invention refers also to a process for preparing the glass-ceramics above defined; porcelain stonewares and glazes containing them and their use for preparing ceramic items.

A nanocrystal cerium zirconium composite oxide and its preparation and application are disclosed. The nanocrystal cerium zirconium composite oxide of the present invention comprises 4-98% by weight of CeO2 and 1-95% by weight of ZrO2, the crystalline particle size thereof is 100 nm or less, and the ignition loss thereof after igniting at 900° C. for one hour is smaller than 5%.

Isolated polynucleotides encoding novel polypeptides which are capable of binding to native and methylated LDL (low density lipoprotein), the isolated polypeptides, called LBPs (LDL binding proteins), and biologically active fragments and analogs thereof, are described. Also described are methods for determining if an animal is at risk for atherosclerosis, methods for evaluating an agent for use in treating atherosclerosis, methods for treating atherosclerosis, and methods for treating a cell having an abnormality in structure or metabolism of LBP. Pharmaceutical compositions and vaccine compositions are also provided.

Compounds of the formula and their pharmaceutically acceptable salts, wherein R1, R2, and R3 are as defined herein; intermediates for the synthesis of such compounds, pharmaceutical compositions containing such compounds; and methods of using such compounds in the treatment of neurological and psychological disorders.

The invention concerns a compound of the formula (I): wherein, for example:T is of the formula (IA), (IB), or (IC); R1 is of the formula —NHC(═O)Rb wherein Rb is (1-4C)alkyl;R2 and R3 are hydrogen or fluoro;>A—B— is >C═CH— (but not when T is (IA)) or >CH—CH2—;wherein when T is of the formula (IA) or (IB);R6 is, for example, (1-4C)alkyl; R5 is hydrogen, R10CO—, R10SO2— or R10CS— wherein R10 is, for example, optionally substituted phenyl, or (1-10C)alkyl,or when T is of the formula (IA), (IB); or (IC):R5 and R6 are linked to give a 5- or 6-membered ring which is fused to the ring shown in (IA), (IB), or (IC) so as to give an optionally substituted bicyclic ring;and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, processes for their preparation, pharmaceutical compositions containing them, and their use as antibacterial agents.

Olefins containing selected functional groups such as silyl, ether and alkenyl, and often containing a blocking group, may be copolymerized with unsubstituted olefins such as ethylene and propylene in the presence of certain coordination compounds of nickel or palladium. The resulting polymers are useful as molding resins, elastomers, in adhesives and for films.

An upper dielectric layer in a plasma display panel that is capable of enlarging an insulation intensity as well as improving a dielectric constant. In the upper dielectric layer, a ferrodielectric thin film and a dielectric thick film are provided. Since the upper dielectric layer uses a ferrodielectric thin film with a high temperature stability made by a vacuum vapor deposition technique, it can minimize a chemical reaction to electrodes and a generation of bubble to keep a stable discharge characteristic. Also, it can enlarge a capacitance value to reduce a discharge voltage.

In a cathode ray tube of the present invention, the shape 20 of an outer wall opening and the shape 21 of an inner wall opening in a direction perpendicular to a tube axis within a range which extends 35 mm to the panel portion side and 20 mm to the neck portion side from a reference line set in a deflection yoke mounting region of a funnel portion are respectively formed in an approximately rectangular shape and an approximately pin-cushion shape, and the shape 21 of the inner wall opening of deflection yoke mounting region of the funnel portion in a direction perpendicular to a tube axis direction has a radius of curvature Rc at respective corners, and the difference between a first straight line 22V and 22H which connects neighboring bottom portions of the corners and a second straight line 23V and 23H which is in contact with a central point of the inner wall between the neighboring corner portions and is disposed parallel to the first straight line is set to 2.0 mm at maximum provided that the direction toward the tube axis is taken as +.

A vacuum container for a flat image display apparatus includes a rear substrate having an electron-emitting device mounted thereon, a face substrate arranged to face the rear substrate, having thereon a phosphor emitting light when the electron emitted from the electron-emitting device collides therewith, and an outer frame arranged between the dace substrate and the rear substrate. For this vacuum container, the outer frame is provided with a plurality of frame members. With the structure thus arranged, this vacuum container contributes significantly to manufacturing a light weight, but highly robust flat image display apparatus at lower cost. By providing a plurality of frame members for the outer frame portion, thinner substrates can be utilized with a good sealing mechanism, while securing the sufficient robustness of the edge circumference of the vacuum container.

A temperature-controlled semiconductor wafer chuck system, the chuck being configured for mounting on a prober stage of a wafer probe test station. The chuck having a top surface and a bottom surface including a heat sink configuration for removal of thermal energy from the chuck. A primary heater configured to add heat to the chuck is adjacent the top surface of the chuck. A secondary heater is adjacent to the bottom of the chuck, whereby the temperature of the top surface of the chuck and the bottom of the chuck can be independently controlled. The chuck may include a plurality of layers above the heat sink which may be connected to accommodate differential expansion and contraction, thereby minimizing distortion of the chuck due to thermal effects. The heat sink and associated layers are integrally connected and are configured to stiffen the chuck to resist deformation due to forces applied to the chuck by probe pins. Still further, the chuck has cooling channels closer to the top surface than the heater and is disclosed to reduce the thermal resistance of the chuck. Furthermore, a chuck with a heater having double walled construction is disclosed whereby the inner wall is grounded and insulated from the outer wall to shield the chuck from voltage and electrical noise from the heater.Furthermore, a chuck with a prober adapter with a thermal insulator, secondary heater and cooling channels to offset the heat generated by the chuck and maintain the prober adapter at some preferred operating temperature.

Systems and methods for programmable logic arrays having depletion mode, non volatile p-channel floating gate transistors with ultra thin tunnel oxides are provided. The programmable logic arrays of the present invention can be programmed with voltages of 2.0 to 3.0 Volts and the normal operating voltages on the control gates are of the order 1.0 Volt. The depletion mode, non volatile p-channel floating gate transistors the present invention, include a range of floating gate potentials over which charge can not leak on to or off of the floating gate. The non volatile p-channel floating gate transistors in the programmable logic array include an oxide layer of less than 50 Angstroms (å) which separates the floating gate from a p-type doped channel region separating a source and a drain region in a substrate.

The invention relates to apparatus for the manufacture of a photographic print on a copier material, whereby an exposure arrangement is provided with a projection optic for the manufacture of the photographic print, which includes a mirror matrix with individually movable mirrors, whereby the exposure arrangement includes a broadband light source, for example a halogen light source, whereby a filter arrangement for filtering or letting pass certain spectral portions or certain amounts of light is positioned in the light path between the light source and the mirror matrix.

There is disclosed an optical information recording medium having phase-change recording films whose the transmittance can be made substantially uniform irrespective of the presence or absence of recording. There are also disclosed methods for recording, reading, and erasing information well at a high density on such a medium. Each of the phase-change recording films other than the top one has a phase-change recording film for recording and erasing information by a phase change caused by illumination of laser light. A transparent upper protective film is formed on the phase-change recording film to protect the phase-change recording film mainly against thermal deformation during recording and erasing of information. A transparent lower protective film is formed under the phase-change recording film to protect the phase-change recording film mainly against thermal deformation during recording and erasing of information. A foundation interference film is formed under the transparent lower protective film to adjust the transmittance of the phase-change recording film for the laser light.

A first-order digital PLL configured to accommodate a large frequency difference between a clock signal embedded in an incoming data stream received by a phase-locked loop and a local reference clock signal received by a phase-locked loop circuit. The PLL includes a data sampler which receives the incoming data stream, a frequency-locked loop (FLL) which receives the incoming data stream and is connected to the data sampler, and a frequency synthesizer which receives the local reference clock signal and is connected to the FLL. The FLL is provides a signal having a frequency which is substantially equal to the frequency of the local reference clock signal when no incoming data stream is received by the FLL, and provides a signal having a frequency which is substantially equal to the frequency of the incoming data stream when the FLL receives the incoming data stream.

A technique for enhancing audio signals generated from compressed digital audio files is described. The technique uses a Bass Maximizer module, a Harmonic Exciter module and a Quasi Stereo module. The Bass Exciter module enhances the intensity, depth and punch of the bass audio content by creating harmonic sequences from low frequency components contained in the original input signal. The Harmonic Exciter module adds to the treble audio content of the original input signal by generating harmonic series from the high frequency components contained in the input signal. The Quasi Stereo Module creates a stereo image of the enhanced input signal by adding and subtracting delayed and filtered versions of the enhanced input signal with itself to create left and right channeled stereo-like outputs. The technique provides a useful tool to regenerate from an audio signal more pleasant and joyful sounds.

The present invention concerns a wood chips analyser. A sample of a load of chips is weighed, and then inserted into the analyser. A sifting drum sifts out any dust present in the sample. The chips are then spread out through the use of a spreader drum and two vibrating trays, which insure that the chips are oriented horizontally. The chips are then fed to a transparent conveyor. A pair of cameras are arranged about the conveyor, one camera facing each surface of the conveyor. The output of the cameras is sent to a controller, which makes a three-dimensional representation of each chip. Once the sample have been analysed, a report is generated according to modifiable criteria. A typical report will indicate the percentage of a category of chips. This information is then used by paper mills to treat the chips accordingly.

In cordless telephone system where any of a base unit and portable units did not respond to an incoming call, LEDs of the base unit and the portable units are respectively set in a blinking state. In the case where the base unit responded to the incoming call, the LEDs of the base unit and the portable unit which is set to a common mode are respectively switched off state, and the LED of the portable unit which is set to a separate mode is switched off. In the case where the portable unit responded to the incoming call, the LEDs of the base unit, the portable unit having responded to the incoming call, and the portable unit which is set to the common mode are respectively switched off and the LED of the portable unit which is set to the separate mode is switched on.

A method of selecting a mirror server for client-host interaction over a network provides automatic, user-transparent, selection of a particular mirror server from among multiple mirror servers that replicate a host server providing web content over the Internet. The method selects the mirror server that has the best response time for a given client computer requesting web content under changing web traffic and mirror server load conditions. The host server creates and maintains a list of addresses of available mirror servers, preferably ranked according to the load on the mirror servers. In response to an initial information request from the client computer, the host server sends the mirror server list to the client computer along with the requested web content. The client computer creates multiple mirror server requests, corresponding to the mirror servers on the address list, sends the requests to the mirror servers, then compares the round trip response times to determine the optimum mirror server site from which to continue subsequent client-host interaction. The invention also includes methods and apparatus, preferably in the form of computer program products, which are operable at the host server, to create, maintain and send the address list, and other methods and apparatus operable at the client computer, to receive the list, query the mirror servers and select the optimum mirror server for further interaction.

A system and method for providing links to a browser program running on a computer connected to a network include receiving a request from the browser program to transfer a file representing a home page for display in the browser program, and determining a storage location on the computer for links used by the browser program. The system and method may include requesting permission to modify links used by the browser program prior to transferring a list of links to the storage location on the computer for subsequent use by the browser in retrieving information from the network. The list of links may be statically or dynamically generated with one or more links provided by a link server on the network. In one embodiment, accounting information relative to the number and type of links transferred to the user's computer is collected and may be forwarded to an associated billing computer located on the network.

A host controller, such as a host controller for a Universal Serial Bus, may process isochronous and interrupt transfers on a preferential basis. If time permits, bulk and control transfers may be executed. The bulk and control transfers may be executed in queues having a queue context made up of a queue head and one or more transfer descriptors. These queues may be processed one after another in a circular linked list. By uniquely marking an element in the circular linked list and determining the status of the transfer operation, the host controller can be avoid thrashing the bus when the reclaim list is empty.

A high speed interrupt controller and interrupt discrimination scheme for a data communication system is provided, usable in a subsystem of a data communication system. The controller and its scheme may be used for expanding the number of interrupts to be efficiently received and discriminated by a processor having a limited number of interrupt input lines. The present invention can be used for optimizing the management of data within a shared bus with multiple masters, wherein a shared bus is connected to a plurality of bus masters and corresponding slaves and located between an external bus connected to a system processor, and an internal bus connected to an internal processor. The architecture utilizes the high speed interrupt controller device having a circuitry which has a plurality of interrupt lines and may have one output line and a control code, located in the device interrupt handler. The circuitry consists of a status register where an appropriate bit is set when an interrupt is received from an external interrupt source device, and an interrupt mask register which enables and disables certain interrupts. The control code is used for monitoring and controlling the circuitry and servicing the interrupts received by the processor.

When power-off is instructed, a 1394 bus power source management section reads the value of a register of a link layer control unit circuit, and checks if a network device acts as a data transmission mediator. When the device does not act as a data transmission mediator, the 1394 bus power source management section instructs a power source control section to turn off power, including power applied to the link layer control circuit and physical layer control circuit. When the device acts as a data transmission mediator, the 1394 bus power source management section instructs the power source control section to turn off power while keeping power applied to the link layer control circuit and physical layer control circuit. At the same time, the 1394 bus power source management section instructs a power source control circuit to turn off only power applied to the link layer control circuit.

A protection data control unit is provided for a cache control unit. In the writing operation to write user data from an upper apparatus into a cache memory, protection data is formed on a data block unit basis of the user data and written into the cache memory. When the interruption of the transfer of the data block is detected during the writing into the cache memory, a forming state of the protection data upon interruption is stored in the cache memory. When the transfer restart of the data block is detected after the interruption, the forming state is returned to the forming state of the protection data upon interruption stored in the cache memory and the formation of the protection data is restarted.

Scan chain links which step data through a scan chain using only a single control signal, and which require a reduced number of transistors to scan data into and out of a latch. One scan chain link, which allows the output of a scanned latch to “wiggle”, uses eight transistors and only a single control signal. Another scan chain link, which prevents the output of a scanned latch from “wiggling”, and which allows data to be maintained in a latch during a scan operation if it is so desired, uses twenty-five transistors and two control signals: one control signal for stepping data through a scan chain, and an additional control signal for preventing the output of a scanned latch from wiggling.

A wiper device has an arm support constituting a wiper arm that is provided with a waterproof structure. The waterproof structure protects a link coupling portion of the arm support from water. First and second link coupling portions are provided on a proximal end portion of the arm support. First and second guiding passages are formed between the first and second link coupling portions, and a third guiding passage is formed above the second link coupling portion. Furthermore, locking hooks for mounting a cover that serve also as dripping guide members are provided and disposed at right ends of the first, second, and third guiding passages such that the locking hooks face each other. Thus, water on a surface of the arm support is positively drained toward a window surface.

A wiper device is located between a rear door and a rear window, which is opened independently from the door. An actuator having an output shaft is attached to the rear door. A power transmission unit includes a shaft holder attached to the rear window and a pivot shaft supported by the shaft holder. Before the shaft holder is attached to the rear window, a positioning mechanism fixes the position of the power transmission unit relative to the actuator such that the axis of the pivot shaft is aligned with the axis of the output shaft. Thus, the axes of the output shaft and the pivot shaft are fixed during the installation process. Therefore, no adjustment of these axis is required during installation.

A method is provided for fabricating a piezoelectric vibrator without degrading vibration characteristics. The piezoelectric vibrator has a vibration plate formed with a piezoelectric vibration portion and a frame portion integrally connected with a base portion of the piezoelectric vibration portion and surrounding the piezoelectric vibration portion. Opposite surfaces of the piezoelectric vibration plate are provided with a pair of lid members bonded to hermetically seal the piezoelectric vibration portion without interfering with vibration thereof. To achieve the bonding, a metal film is coated over substantially the entire area of opposite surfaces of the piezoelectric vibration plate. The metal film is patterned to form oscillation electrode films on opposite surfaces of the piezoelectric vibration portion and to form bonding films on opposite surfaces of the frame portion for bonding the frame portion to the pair of lid members.

An apparatus or kit is described for creating a standard sized display from assorted memorabilia. The apparatus includes frames for displaying such standard sized display as well as components for creating a long-term storage and display container to receive the standard sized display without additional creative effort. Also claimed is the method for using the apparatus or kit to create a single standard sized display for viewing and later transfer directly into a long-term storage or display container.

An apparatus for automatically loading trays includes a servo motor that is mechanically coupled to a plurality of elongated engagement members. The engagement members are coupled to the servo motor at a first end and include engagement elements at the second end of the engagement member. The engagement elements may be designed to uniquely operate with the type of tray to be lifted by the apparatus. In one embodiment where the apparatus is loading a disposable tray, the engagement member may be an auger-type bit that screws into the trays. The apparatus also includes a lifting mechanism by which the engagement assembly is vertically positioned. The apparatus mechanically engages and retains the tray and moves the tray into position over a carton or other shipping container. The apparatus is vertically displaced to lower the tray into the carton and the servo motor operated in a reverse direction to mechanically disengage the tray. The process may be repeated to automatically load a plurality of trays into a shipping container.

An apparatus for assessing the strength of a user is disclosed which includespneumatic reservoir means adapted to be repeatedly vented by the user, andmeasuring means for measuring parameters indicative of strength, work, work rate and speed of muscle contraction of the user in evacuating the reservoir means.

A punching mechanism has a plurality of predetermined standby positions where the punching mechanism is previously moved by move means and stands by based on size information in the width direction of a sheet material and punching execution information as to whether or not the sheet material is to be punched. The standby position corresponding to a sheet material of the maximum width that can be punched by the punching mechanism and the standby position applied when punching is not executed are set to substantially the same position.

Shower heads are disclosed providing for varying types of spray. One spray head permits two different spray patterns with one of the patterns optionally being pulsed or unpulsed. Another provides three different spray patterns, with two of the patterns having pulsing impellers which can pulse at different speeds from each other. The third provides three different spray patterns, each of which provides spray through outlets at different force levels.

An illuminating optical system includes a light source device for emitting a substantially parallel light beam, a first lens array for dividing the light beam into a plurality of sub light beams, and a superimposing lens for superimposing the sub light beams on a surface to be illuminated. In the first lens array, the size of each of the small lenses disposed on the outer periphery is set to be smaller than the size of each of the small lenses disposed on the center so that light application areas formed by the plurality of sub light beams emitted from the plurality of small lenses have substantially the same size within a predetermined error range. Therefore, light emitted from a light source can be efficiently utilized.

A lens 1, for use in a vehicular lamp, including a front section 4 directed generally to the front, a curved section 5 extending from the front section 4 and changing direction to face laterally and seal legs projecting generally to the back from the peripheral edges. The seal leg in the curved section has a portion that extends inwardly to form an undercut in the direction in which the lens is removed from a lens shaping mold. The curved section 5 is shaped from resin in at least two colors and the seal legs which at least form an undercut in the curved section are shaped from a resin having one of said at least two colors. Thus the lens can be shaped in a mold of a simplified structure.

A method and apparatus for improved stencil/screen print quality is disclosed. The stencil or screen assists in application of a printable material onto a substrate, such as an adhesive to a semiconductor die of a semiconductor wafer during a lead-on-chip (LOC) packaging process. In one embodiment, the stencil includes a coating applied to at least one surface of a pattern of the stencil or screen to retard running of the printable material onto the surface. In another embodiment, the stencil or screen includes a second coating applied to at least one other surface of the pattern to promote spreading of the printable material onto the substrate.

An article including a first exterior layer; a second exterior layer; and a cell layer having at least one cell containing an active material wherein at least one layer is an apertured film and the cell layer is disposed between the two exterior layers. Typically the article is useful for cleaning or treating surfaces including skin, metal, wood, glass, and plastics.

An air bag made of resin which can be easily produced and of which volume in the folded state is small, a first resin sheet 1 and a heat resisting sheet 3 are disposed to be superposed on each other in a mold 7. The diameter of the heat resisting sheet 3 is smaller than that of the sheet 1 so that the periphery of the sheet 1 are exposed from the heat resisting sheet 3. Resin is injected into a cavity 13 through a sprue bushing end 12 to mold a second resin sheet 2 and to bond the sheet 2 to the sheet 1.

This invention relates to methods for assaying the presence and/or risk of endometrial cancer by measurement of levels of matrix metalloproteinase-2 and/or matrix metalloproteinase-9 in uterine washings. The method may be qualitative or quantitative, and is adaptable to large-scale screening and to clinical trials.

A blood collection system and method are disclosed in which taurolidine, a neutralizing agent for pathogens is added to the blood collected in standard blood bags. The taurolidine agent may be prepositioned in the collection bag prior to the collection of blood or alternatively the taurolidine may be added after the collection of blood has been completed.

A medicament for treatment of cancer comprising a compound represented by the following general formula (I) or a physiologically acceptable salt thereof:Ar1—S—R1—S—Ar2 wherein R1 represents a nonmetal bridging group; Ar1 and Ar2 independently represent a group selected from the group consisting of an aryl group which has, on its ring, one to three hydroxyl groups optionally substituted with a monovalent group and said aryl group may have one to three substituents other than hydroxyl group on its ring; and a heteroaryl group which has, on its ring, one to three hydroxyl groups optionally substituted with a monovalent group, and said heteroaryl group may have one to three substituents other than hydroxyl group on its ring.

Syndiotactic poly(lactic acid) is formed by polymerization involving a cleavage of the same oxygen-acyl bond in a series of meso-lactide molecules to form polymer containing a series of units with stereocenters wherein adjacent stereocenters are of the opposite stereochemistry. The mechanism is catalyzed by chiral metal alkoxides that afford stereocontrol such as those formed by reacting or the opposite enantiomer with Al(OR)3 where R is straight chain or branched alkyl containing 1 to 20 carbon atoms, e.g., methyl or isopropyl, in solvent, with subsequent evaporation of solvent in vacuo.

The invention provides tomato polynucleotides which, when transformed into a plant, confer on the plant resistance to Verticillium species. The polynucleotides of the invention are useful for producing transgenic plants that are resistant to Verticillium species.

A semiconductor device having high carrier mobility, which comprises a substrate provided thereon a base film and further thereon a crystalline non-single crystal silicon film by crystal growth, wherein, the crystals are grown along the crystallographic [110] axis, and source/drain regions are provided approximately along the direction of carrier movement which coincides to the direction of crystal growth. Moreover, the electric conductivity along this direction of crystal growth is higher than any in other directions.

A clock signal generator circuit comprises an off-chip driver, a first clock control circuit for outputting a first internal clock signal Tu synchronizing with an external clock signal CK, a second clock control circuit for outputting a second internal clock signal Td 180° out-of-phase with the external clock signal CK, a third clock control circuit for outputting a third internal clock signal aTx1 synchronizing with the first clock signal Tu and advanced in phase by at least the signal delay time in the off-chip driver, a fourth clock control circuit for outputting a fourth internal clock signal aTx2 synchronizing with the second clock signal Td and advanced in phase by at least the signal delay time in the off-chip driver, an OR circuit to which the third and fourth internal clock signals aTx1, aTx2 are inputted and which outputs a fifth internal clock signal aTx, and a fifth clock control circuit for outputting a sixth internal clock signal Tx which is in synchronization with the fifth internal clock signal aTx outputted from the OR circuit, has twice the frequency of the external clock signal CK, and is advanced in phase by the signal delay time in the off-chip driver.

A real-time, or synchronous, sensor data acquisition system acquires physical characteristics or properties associated with a structure or physical system using a plurality of sensors coupled in series to a single cable. The sensors may sense vibration, noise, temperature, acceleration, pressure, strain, force, etc. The sensors transmit data along the cable at greater than 100 dB dynamic range, with a bandwidth between about 5 to 20 KHz, and in a digital, single bit wide data stream. The sensors include modulators to code the data signals with distinct codes. A receiver has a demodulator to decode and separate the data signals.

Orientation layers of monomeric or polymeric liquid crystal layers having any desired azimuthal orientation direction and a tilt angle are produced by irradiating at an angle differing from the normal to the surface photopolymers orienting parallel to linearly polarized light.

In a projection exposure apparatus for transferring a pattern formed in a transfer area on a mask onto a photosensitive substrate by a scanning exposure system, provision is made of an illuminating optical system for applying illuminating light to the transfer area of the mask through a rectangular aperture in a field stop disposed apart from a plane conjugate with the pattern surface of the mask, and a light intercepting member having an aperture of which the width is variable in the direction of the relative scanning of the mask and the photosensitive substrate for shielding at least a part of an illumination area on the mask which is defined by the rectangular aperture in the field stop from the light, and provision is further made of a member for driving the light intercepting member so as to change the width of the aperture therein in operative association with a change in the position of the illumination area on the transfer area of the mask which is changed by the relative scanning.

In a facsimile system having a server device connected to a local-area network system, to which a plurality of client terminals are connected, and connected also to an ISDN and a pay-station telephone network, the server device performs communication with the pay-station telephone network and the plurality of client terminals, performs communication with the ISDN and the plurality of client terminals, and changes over communication between the ISDN and the pay-station telephone network in accordance with a command from each of the plurality of client terminals.

A high resolution optical coherence microscope system for visualizing structures below a surface of a biological sample is provided. The system includes a light source emitting light in a wavelength of between 700 and 1500 nm, the light being directed along a sample path and a reference path. The length of at least one of the paths is a modulated path having a selected amplitude of modulation that is equal to or less than about 3 fringes of the wavelength.

A magnetic disk unit includes a housing which accommodates a magneto-resistive element and a magnetic disk, a temperature sensor for detecting a temperature within the housing, a circuit for detecting a resistance value of the magneto-resistive element, and a current control unit for controlling a sense current which is supplied to the magneto-resistive element, based on the detected temperature detected and the detected resistance value.

According to the invention, techniques for minimizing power consumption in optical disk drives. Embodiments according to the present invention can provide disk drives with optimal positioning of a fixing part of an objective lens driving unit incorporated therein. Spatial location of magnets can also be determined in order to reduce the power consumption and the torsion of the lens.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a semiconductor laser device, including: a semiconductor substrate of a first conductivity type; an active layer having a stripe structure formed on the semiconductor substrate; a first buried layer of a second conductivity type formed on the semiconductor substrate and in a vicinity of the active layer; a second buried layer of the first conductivity type formed on the first buried layer and in the vicinity of the active layer; and a third buried layer of the second conductivity type formed on the second buried layer and in the vicinity of the active layer. In this semiconductor laser device, a difference between a refractive index of the first buried layer and a refractive index of the second buried layer is about 0.02 or less, and a difference between the refractive index of the second buried layer and a refractive index of the third buried layer is about 0.02 or less.

The logging tap disclosed and claimed herein provides for the direct connection of a plurality decoder units having a plurality of digital-to-analog converter inputs to a plurality of digital telephone signal lines in telephone logging applications without requiring a separate wide band, shielded cable from the bridging tap device to the decoder unit. The logging tap comprises a decoder unit supported on a planar substrate and having a plurality of digital-to-analog converters, an input terminal for coupling each of the input digital telephone signals to a corresponding DAC circuit and an output terminal for coupling the output analog signal of the corresponding DAC circuit to a recording device; A type 66 block is provided for bridging at least one of the plurality of digital telephone lines coupling a PBX to a subscriber's digital telephone devices. An adapter is provided for connecting each of the ID pins of the first row of the type 66 block to a corresponding input terminal of the DAC circuit and each of the ID pins of the second row of the type 66 block to a corresponding output terminal of the DAC circuit.

There is provided an image processing method for performing magnification processing at a specified magnifying power. The method divides the magnification processing at the specified magnifying power into a first magnification processing step and a second magnification processing step and performs the first and second magnification processing steps. A start position of the first magnification processing step and a start position of the second magnification processing step are dislocated relatively to each other so that phases of pixel positions in the first and second magnification processing steps are reversed to each other. There is also provided an image processing apparatus for implementing the method. Artifacts that are generated in image magnification (enlargement and reduction) processing can be suppressed.

The present invention relates to a proximity IC card (PICC). More particularly, the present invention relates to and provides a detection circuit of a simple structure, which is easy to set up in a PICC and a proximity coupling device (PCD) for transmitting data to and receiving data from the PICC. This detection circuit is operative to detect a subcarrier signal sent from a PICC and superposed onto a carrier signal received through an antenna. Further, this detection circuit comprises a bias circuit for applying predetermined DC potential to a signal received from the antenna, a rectifier circuit for extracting a subcarrier signal superposed onto the carrier signal by rectifying a signal received from the antenna at a bias point, and an amplifier circuit for amplifying the subcarrier signal extracted at the bias point.

A computer based system, computer program product, and method for managing geographically distributed assets. A computer based system, computer program product, and method are provided for managing geographically distributed electric power transmission assets. Mapping, routing, and asset location information is managed and combined with real time Global Positioning System (GPS) location information to alarm field maintenance and inspection crews prior to inadvertent entry into restricted areas, such as environmentally protected or otherwise restricted lands. Detailed information is maintained on the electric power transmission assets providing management insight into past performance, as well as predictive information as to future costs and performance.

A method and system for operating a duty-free article shopping mall provides only a user whose exit and/or entry is confirmed with services such as order, payment and delivery of duty-free articles via a computer network. The method and system include the steps of introducing information supported by duty-free shops from numerous nations to a client machine, and determining what kind of information is selected by the user; requiring the user to input user information in accordance with a result of the determination, and identifying and confirming the information related to exit and/or entry status of the user and credit information. The method and system provides the selected information when the user is authorized, and provides foreign travelers or the general public with information related to duty-free articles of all the countries of the world. Other useful information and services such as order, payment and delivery of the articles via computer network enable expansion of duty-free article markets and provide convenience for the user.

A processor and data processing system suitable for dispatching an instruction to an issue unit. The issue unit includes a primary issue queue and a secondary issue queue. The instruction is stored in the primary issue queue if the instruction is currently eligible to issue for execution. The instruction is stored in the secondary issue queue if the instruction is currently ineligible to issue for execution. An instruction may be moved from the primary issue queue to the secondary issue queue if instruction is dependent upon results from another instruction. In one embodiment, the instruction may be moved from the primary issue queue to the secondary issue queue after issuing the instruction for execution. In this embodiment, the instruction may be maintained in the secondary issue queue for a specified duration. Thereafter, the secondary issue queue entry containing the instruction is deallocated if the instruction has not been rejected.

A storage system is described that includes a controller and a disk array. The disk array includes at least a first and a second storage area. The first storage area is associated with a first mean time to failure (MTTF) and the second storage area is associated with a second MTTF. The controller operates to test the first storage area at a first frequency and the second storage area at a second frequency. The first frequency and the second frequency are each based upon the first and second MTTF so as to optimize the overall reliability of the storage system.

In a shoe, an apparatus for the support of a foot, comprising a semi rigid piece of metal or plastic extending from the heel to the ball of the foot, disposed over the inner sole of the shoe, and a screw penetrating upward to raise or lower the semi rigid piece.

When a bonded substrate stack prepared by bonding a first substrate in which a single-crystal Si layer is formed on a porous layer, and an insulating layer is formed on the single-crystal Si layer to a second substrate is to be separated at the porous layer, serrate defects at the peripheral portion of the separated substrates are prevented. A fluid is ejected from an ejection nozzle (112) and injected into the porous layer of a bonded substrate stack (30) while rotating the bonded substrate stack (30) about an axis (C) in a direction (R), thereby separating the bonded substrate stack (30) into two substrates at the porous layer. When the peripheral portion of the bonded substrate stack (30) is to be separated, the ejection nozzle (112) is located within a range (B).

A method for solution mining nahcolite, capable of extracting nahcolite from geological formations lean in nahcolite comprising injecting high pressure water (which may include recycled aqueous solution of bicarb and sodium carbonate) at a temperature of at least 250° F. into the formation, dissolving nahcolite in the hot water to form a production solution and recovering the production solution. The invention also includes the processing of the production solution to provide sodium carbonate and, optionally, sodium bicarbonate, comprising: decomposing the sodium bicarbonate portion of the hot aqueous production solution to form a hot aqueous solution of sodium carbonate; evaporating water from the hot aqueous solution comprising sodium carbonate to form a concentrated solution of sodium carbonate; producing sodium carbonate monohydrate from the concentrated solution of sodium carbonate by crystallization; and dewatering and calcining the sodium carbonate monohydrate to produce anhydrous sodium carbonate.

An easily removable modular optical signal transceiver unit for conversion between modulated light signal transmission and electronic data signals and which conforms to the Small Form Factor standard for transceiver interfaces is disclosed. The structural details of its chassis include aspects which insure the proper positioning of electronic circuit boards of a transmitter optical subassembly and a receiver optical subassembly as well as the positioning of electromagnetic radiation shielding on the chassis. In conjunction with an interface device on an electronic circuit board of a host device, the chassis supports electromagnetic radiation shielding which substantially encloses the sources of electromagnetic radiation within the module and suppresses the escape of electromagnetic radiation, thereby preventing electromagnetic interference with sensitive components and devices in proximity to the module. During assembly, the chassis side walls are deflected, so that electronic or electro-optic components can pass over latching surfaces into contact with positioning surfaces for retaining the components in their assembled positions.

The multipurpose machine for monitoring and control of locoregional therapies in oncology comprises a head which has a box-like structure, is supported by a stand provided with means for modifying its dimensions, and is provided with adsorbent and/or filtering means and with means for controlling and regulating chemotherapy and chemofiltration which are arranged along a first set of duct circuits accommodated in the head; the first set of circuits is divided into at least two loops, each of which has its own pumping means; the loops are mutually interactive or separable, and the first loop is provided for the infusion of the chemotherapeutic agents and the second loop is provided for the filtration of the chemotherapeutic agents; an emergency electronic circuit is inserted between the two loops in order to detect malfunctions of the pumping means and functionally restore at least the infusion loop; the head furthermore accommodates a second main set of circuits which can be activated alternately with respect to the first one and is meant to perform intraperitoneal hyperthermal perfusion therapy.

The invention deals with an implant, in particular, an intervertebral prosthesis, which consists of an elongated elastic body which is form-elastic and takes on the form of a spiral S in the force-free state. The spiral can be drawn by a reverse winding up into an insertion instrument which is only unsubstantially larger in the insertion region than the cross-section of the elongated elastic body in order to reach the inner space of an intervertebral disc through a small opening in the annulus fibrosus and to push in and sever off the self-winding spiral when the interior is filled. This has the advantage that inner spaces of differing sizes can be filled with the same spiral.

A novel aviation fuel characterized by having a low freeze point (typically no higher than −40° C.) comprising a mixture of an aviation fuel and a compound selected from at least one member of the group consisting of(1) the reaction product of an alkanol amine with a hydrocarbyl-substituted acylating agent wherein the hydrocarbyl group comprises a substantially linear alkyl or alkenyl group containing an average of about 8 to about 50 carbon atoms; or(2) the reaction product of (a) substantially linear hydrocarbyl-substituted phenol wherein the hydrocarbyl substituent contains an average of about 8 to about 40 carbon atoms with an aldehyde or a source thereof having between 1 to 10 carbon atoms; or(3) aromatic moieties containing from about 1 to 3 aromatic rings wherein the aromatic moieties contains up to three substituents hydrocarbyl substantially linear constituents having from about 1 to 50 carbon atoms and the aromatic moieties are coupled by alkylene groups having 1 to 100 carbon atoms; or(4) an ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer having a number average molecular weight of between about 2,500 to 10,000 with a mole percent ethylene to vinyl acetate ratio of between about 65:35 to 85:15.

A semiconductor wafer processing system including a multi-chamber module having vertically-stacked semiconductor wafer process chambers and a loadlock chamber dedicated to each semiconductor wafer process chamber. Each process chamber includes a chuck for holding a wafer during wafer processing. The multi-chamber modules may be oriented in a linear array. The system further includes an apparatus having a dual-wafer single-axis transfer arm including a monolithic arm pivotally mounted within said loadlock chamber about a single pivot axis. The apparatus is adapted to carry two wafers, one unprocessed and one processed, simultaneously between the loadlock chamber and the process chamber. A method utilizing the disclosed system is also provided.

A cleaning composition effective for removing reactive polyurethane hotmelts and reaction products thereof is presented containing (a) a non-volatile monohydroxy compound having a boiling point at normal pressure of greater than 140° C., a monoamine, or mixtures thereof, and (b) a catalyst for the production of a polyurethane or a depolymerization catalyst selected from the group consisting of an alkali metal alcoholate, an alkaline earth metal alcoholate, an aluminum alcoholate, a tertiary amine and mixtures thereof. The cleaning composition removes both residues of the reactive uncrosslinked hotmelt and also adhering deposits of already reacted, crosslinked or cracked, infusible hotmelt.

The invention encompasses methods of processing internal surfaces of a chemical vapor deposition reactor. In one implementation, material is deposited over internal surfaces of a chemical vapor deposition reactor while processing semiconductor substrates therein. The deposited material is treated with atomic oxygen. After the treating, at least some of the deposited material is etched from the reactor internal surfaces. In one embodiment, first etching is conducted of some of the deposited material from the reactor internal surfaces. After the first etching, remaining deposited material is treated with atomic oxygen. After the treating, second etching is conducted of at least some of the remaining deposited material from the reactor internal surfaces. In one embodiment, the deposited material is first treated with atomic oxygen. After the first treating, first etching is conducted of some of the deposited material from the reactor internal surfaces. After the first etching, second treating is conducted of remaining deposited material with atomic oxygen. After the second treating, second etching is conducted of at least some of the remaining deposited material from the reactor internal surfaces.

A fuel tank, in particular for fuel-cell systems, which can feed fuel into a system via a mechanism without a pump or the like. This is achieved by a fuel tank with a fuel cavity of variable size and a mechanism for compressing the fuel cavity. The fuel cavity is preferably bounded by a cylindrical inner wall of the fuel tank, by a circular end surface of the fuel tank and by a circular, displaceable intermediate wall. The intermediate wall is forced essentially in the direction of the fuel cavity by a spring and has a form fit with the cylindrical inner wall. A feed device and a discharge device allow incorporation in a fuel line. The system also includes a control device and a method for this fuel container, which is thus enabled to have the following operating states: A. fuel-cell system is switched on: discharge valve open, feed valve closed; B. fuel-cell system is in operation: discharge valve open, feed valve open; C. fuel-cell system is switched off: discharge valve closed, feed valve open; and D. fuel-cell system is off, fuel cavity is full: discharge valve closed, feed valve closed.

Zinc finger-nucleotide binding polypeptides having binding specificity for target nucleotides containing one or GNN triplets are provided. Compositions containing such polypeptides and the use of such polypeptides and compositions for regulating gene expression are also provided.

A fourth cold shock protein of the Escherichia coli CspA family is disclosed, as are the regulatory elements of the 5′ UTR of the corresponding gene. The cspI gene is located at 35.2 min on the E. coli chromosome map, and CspI shows 70, 70, and 79% identity of CspA, CspB, and CspG, respectively. The 5′-untranslated region of the cspI mRNA consists of 145 bases and causes a negative effect on cspI expression at 37° C. The cspI mRNA was very unstable at 37° C. but was stabilized upon cold shock. The 5′ UTR of cspI can enhance the translation of cold shock inducible genes under conditions that elicit a cold shock response in bacteria.

Compounds that modulate natural &bgr; amyloid peptide aggregation are provided. The modulators of the invention comprise a peptide, preferably based on a &bgr; amyloid peptide, that is comprised entirely of D-amino acids. Preferably, the peptide comprises 3-5 D-amino acid residues and includes at least two D-amino acid residues independently selected from the group consisting of D-leucine, D-phenylalanine and D-valine. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the peptide is a retro-inverso isomer of a &bgr; amyloid peptide, preferably a retro-inverso isomer of A&bgr;17-21. In certain embodiments, the peptide is modified at the: amino-terminus, carboxy-terminus, or both. Preferred amino-terminal modifying groups alkyl groups. Preferred carboxy-terminal modifying groups include an amide group, an acetate group, an alkyl amide group, an aryl amide group or a hydroxy group. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds of the invention, and diagnostic and treatment methods for amyloidogenic diseases using the compounds of the invention, are also disclosed.

A method is disclosed for the treatment of non-rheumatoid arthritis by administering to a mammal in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of an sPLA2 inhibitor.

An adhesive composition that includes a mixture of a cationically polymerizable component, an acidic component, and an initiator is provided. Preferably, the initiator comprises an iodonium salt, a visible light sensitizer, and an electron donor compound, wherein the initiator has a photoinduced potential greater than or equal to that of N,N-dimethylaniline in a standard solution of 2.9×10−5 moles/g diphenyl iodonium hexafluoroantimonate and 1.5×10−5 moles/g camphorquinone in 2-butanone. This adhesive composition is cationically polymerizable and is able to bond to hard tissue and cationic restorative materials upon curing.

The invention provides isolated polypeptide and nucleic acid sequences derived from Klebsiella pneumoniae that are useful in diagnosis and therapy of pathological conditions; antibodies against the polypeptides; and methods for the production of the polypeptides. The invention also provides methods for the detection, prevention and treatment of pathological conditions resulting from bacterial infection.

Novel P(III) bisamidite reagents as phosphorus protecting groups, nucleoside phosphoramidite intermediates, and synthetic processes for making the same are disclosed. Furthermore, oligomeric compounds are prepared through the protection of one or more internucleosidic phosphorus functionalities, preferably followed by oxidation and cleavage of the protecting groups to provide oligonucleotides.

A heterojunction bipolar transistor has a stack comprised of a base layer, an emitter layer and a ballast layer made of AlGaAs. The emitter layer is comprised of a single layer or a multiplicity of layers, and at least one of which is comprised of a material that prevents hole injection from the base layer into the ballast layer. Thus, the hole injection from the base layer into the emitter layer is prevented. Accordingly, it is able to prevent the conductivity modulation of the ballast layer that is the cause of a deterioration in temperature characteristics.

An improved semiconductor device, and a corresponding fabrication method thereof, are provided that include a ground region defined in a semiconductor substrate. A hole is formed using a known electropolishing system to electropolish a portion of a bottom surface of the substrate which corresponds to the ground region. A metal layer is formed on the bottom surface of the substrate and in the hole. The metal layer serves as ground by being linked with a ground metal line formed on a substrate surface.

An apparatus for measuring the magnetic field distribution of a magnetic sample includes a magnetic field sensor arrangement having three, orthogonally-disposed, Hall sensors for sensing the magnetic field produced by a magnetic sample at a given location, The sensor arrangement is scanned along a predetermined scan pattern. The apparatus then acquires sampling data from the sensor arrangement, the sampled data providing a representation of the magnetic field distribution of the magnetic sample. The data is preferably acquired by an interface card for a PC, which stores sampled data in the main memory of the PC for data analysis and display.

By a first camera fastened to the head of a worker at a remote working environment, an image of an object to be worked on is shot within a range including at least the worker's field of view. This image is transmitted to the work instructor side and displayed on a display device. The work instructor carries out a pointing indication movement with respect to the image of the object displayed on the display device. That movement is shot by a second camera and applied to an instruction information determination unit as video information. The instruction information determination unit generates pointing position information by the well-known gesture recognition process and transmits the information to the worker side. A marker according to the pointing position information transmitted from the work instructor side is overlapped on the image of the object shot by the first camera and displayed on the display of a head mount type display device fastened to the head of the worker. A particular region on the object is indicated by pointing to the worker. At the same time, the work procedure is explained by voice transmission from the work instructor.

A surface scanning inspection system that uses a laser to scan the surface of a wafer for defects. The wafers are pre-aligned at a specified angle prior to the scan. This enables maximum light scattered off stacking fault defects, to be directed into a collector, enhancing the abilities of the system to classify the defect from other type of defects.

A surface plasmon optical modulator element includes a dielectric material block disposed so that light-to-be-modulated travels through the interior of the dielectric material block and impinges upon one surface thereof at an angle of total reflection, a metal film formed on the surface of the dielectric material block, a photo-functional film which is formed on the metal film and whose refractive index is changed upon exposure to light, and a modulating light source which projects modulating light onto the photo-functional film. The photo-functional film is formed of dye which contains an electron donor and an electron acceptor so that a photoelectron can be transferred therebetween.

A head disc interface having a fine pitch surface roughness including fine pitch projections having a relatively smooth roughness height and a projection pitch <1.0 &mgr;m for optimizing tribological performance.

A plurality of address chains are assigned to each of such flows as output lines, priority control, etc. in the address management carried out in a switch with a shared buffer. Each of the address chains has a write address register 20 and a read address register 30. The switch is also provided with a distributive pointer 22 for distributing cells in a flow to a plurality of address chains and a write address register selector 21, as well as a read pointer 32 for reading packets from a plurality of the address chains and a read address register selector 31 so as to read the packets through a pipeline with use of those plural address chains.

A motion vector between a current block and a reference block of a reference frame is determined by calculating the exact linear cross-correlation between the current block and the potential reference blocks of the reference picture. The current block is orthogonally transformed using DCT/DST transforms of a first type without prior zero padding of the current block to generate a current quadruple of transform coefficient blocks. The current quadruple is processed together with a reference quadruple of transform coefficient blocks generated from four of the search region blocks to generate a quadruple of processed transform coefficient blocks. The quadruple of processed transform coefficient blocks is inversely transformed using inverse DCT/DST transforms of a second type to generate a block of exact cross-correlations between the current block and the search region. The motion vector is determined from the block of exact cross-correlations.

It is described a broadband radio transmitter for a digital signal consisting of a plurality of not necessarily equispaced, digitally modulated carriers. The transmitter selects the second replica of the spectrum of the signal coming out from a digital-to-analogue converter DAC to increase the space of the useful signal from the continuous in comparison of the direct use of the base band spectrum would involve. The object of the invention is in fact to obtain a wider transition band and consequently a less stringent local oscillator residue and image filter at radio frequency. To eliminate or reduce the effect of the sin(&pgr;fT)/(&pgr;fT) function that envelopes the signal coming out from the DAC, the invention foresees the use of an equalization of the analogue type, or the adoption of a zero insertion technique (of the digital or analogue type) or in general a digital x/sin x equalizer. The broadband signal is converted at radio frequency and the image filter selects the lower side band to cancel the spectral inversion made by the DAC if an even order replica is used. The transmitter can be profitably employed in any broadband transmitter application and in any mobile system GSM 900 MHz, or DCS 1800 MHz or UMTS.

The present invention comprises methods for efficiently identifying international outbound calls, in the telecommunications network (TN) of the outgoing country, which should be screened as possibly requiring processing according to a Global Virtual Network Service (GVNS), as opposed to conventional international long distance (ILD) call processing. In particular, the present invention is directed to outbound international GVNS calls, known as “on-net,” which are from one GVNS location to another GVNS location of the same customer. International calls that are not Outbound International GVNS On-net calls, referred to as Other ILD calls, include at least three types: standard ILD, non-GVNS data and international GVNS off-net calls. Standard ILD, non-GVNS data calls and international GVNS off-net calls all have a routing number which comprises a country code (CC) followed by a national number (NN). In the present invention, all Outbound International GVNS On-net calls have a routing number which begins with a CC followed by a country code suffix (CC-suffix). Therefore, the presence of a CC-suffix after the CC in a call routing number indicates that the call should be screened as being, possibly, an Outbound International GVNS On-net call.

A incoming-call tone generation device comprises: a first storage unit 1, for storing an effect calculation formula for incoming-call tone data; a second storage unit, for storing incoming-call tone data that consist of data for original sounds; a controller, for reading incoming-call tone data from the second storage unit and transmitting the data to a digital signal processor 4, and for controlling a D/A converter 5; the digital signal processor 4, for calculating an effect pattern and a sine wave using the calculation formula read from the first storage unit, and for performing an envelope process for the incoming-call tone data; the D/A converter 5, for converting, into analog data, digital incoming-call tone data obtained during the envelope process, and for outputting an analog incoming-call tone; and a loudspeaker 6 through which an analog incoming-call tone is released.

A random number generating unit generates a random number t. An elliptic curve setting unit defines an elliptic curve E: y{circumflex over ( )}2=x{circumflex over ( )}3−3x+t. An elliptic curve finitude judging unit judges whether orders m1 and m2 of respective elliptic curves Ep1 and Ep2 produced by reducing the elliptic curve E on a rational number field modulo primes p1 and p2 are relatively prime. An elliptic curve order computing unit computes an order of the elliptic curve E. An elliptic curve condition judging unit judges the security of the elliptic curve E based on the computed order.

A method for decoding auxiliary data from media signals in multimedia content decodes watermarks from different media signals and uses the watermarks to control processing of the multimedia content. A copy control method decodes a watermark from one of the media signals in multimedia content, and uses the watermark to control processing of the multimedia content. Another method uses a watermark decoded from a first media signal to decode a second media signal. Yet another method uses a watermark decoded from a media signal to decode metadata associated with the media signal. Finally, another method forms a key for decoding data from at least first and second watermarks extracted from first and second media signals.

An optical coupler and method of making an optical filter is disclosed wherein a compound lens having two separate movable lenses are disposed between input/output ports and a filter element, such as a dichroic filter element. The filter is tuned during assembly by varying the gap between the movable lenses. Once it is established that optimum coupling is achieved and a desired wavelength response is achieved, the two lenses are fixed in place.

The invention relates to a device and a method for run monitoring of processes in a digital computer. In accordance with the present invention, time-stamped analysis data are manipulated such that the analysis data can be output in a freely selectable time sequence and at a freely selectable rate. This enables user-friendly run monitoring of backup operations.

A device for designing knit products to be manufactured on a knitting machine includes at least one storage device for storing data required for the production of the knit products on the knitting machine; at least one display device for displaying design images for the knit products; and at least one input device for altering the design images. Data to be exchanged between the storage, input and display devices is processed to generate at least one knit image presentation and at least one corresponding thread course presentation for display as the design images on the display device, and one of the presentations is simultaneously correspondingly altered as the other is being altered by using the input device.

An input speech signal to an input terminal is supplied to a speech synthesizer section through a speech analyzer section and frequency parameter quantizer section to form a synthesis filter, and the input speech signal is expressed by quantized LPC coefficients representing the characteristics of the synthesis filter and an excitation signal for exciting the synthesis filter. In this case, in a pulse excitation section, a pulse position selector selects pulse position candidates from the integer pulse positions and non-integer pulse positions stored in a pulse position codebook, and an integer position pulse generator and non-integer position pulse generator respectively generate integer position pulses set at sampling points of the excitation signal and non-integer position pulses set at positions located between sampling points. These pulses are synthesized into a pulse train serving as a source of an excitation signal.

A binary learning system characterized by consisting of an input layer having binary input terminals, a coupling layer, a first binary gate layer with first similar logical elements, a second binary gate layer with second similar logical elements, and an output layer, so as to form a learning network, in that each coupling condition between the adjacent layers limited to one way directing from their inlet side to the outlet side, and each layer has independent routes without mutual coupling conditions, the coupling layer having means for selecting either one of a direct coupling condition and a coupling condition routed through an inverter, relative to routes from the respective signal units in the input layer to the respective signal units in the first binary gate layer, in such manner that the selected coupling condition is adapted to eliminate or decrease the respective errors between original output signals at the output layer and monitor signals in the learning network.

The backup/restore method as described in this invention has a “backup copy generating process” to generate backup copy(ies) and a “restore process” to restore the original file(s) from the backup copy(ies) generated by the “backup copy generating process,” and includes a process to instruct the execution of the “restore process” by designating the file (name) and the time period backing from the current time (S801-S803), and when the execution of “restore process” is instructed, a process to control the execution of the “restore process” (S804) by selecting the corresponding backup copy file(s), according to the designated file (name) and designated time period.

A network comprises an IEEE 1394 sub-network serving as a wire-communication system at the high-level layer, and a plurality of radio-communication terminals (radio-communication nodes) which form DHCP clients. The IEEE 1394 sub-network constitutes an in-home LAN (Local Network Area). The IEEE 1394 sub-network includes antenna base stations each serving as a DHCP server. The antenna base stations have a pool comprising a predetermined number of addresses which are assigned automatically to radio-communication terminals (or DHCP clients) in a cell under control by each of the antenna base stations. In this case, the addresses in the pool controlled by the antenna base stations (DHCP servers) are varied among the servers according to a dynamic mobility distribution of radio-communication terminals. In this way, addresses can be utilized efficiently and, at the same time, it is possible to avoid a bus reset caused by a movement of a radio-communication terminal.

A method for providing recommendations to a user based on user activity. A plurality of activity data tracking a plurality of activities of a user is obtained. The activity data may be obtained over a wide area network such as the internet or downloaded from a data card which stores activity data whenever the user participates in an activity. The activity data is either stored on the data card or transmitted over the network whenever the user uses a card when participating in any activity such as when making a purchase of goods, paying for services, watching television, etc. The activity data is processed to identify a plurality of user patterns. The user patterns are used to form a user profile and may include user habit data. Recommendations specific to the user based on the user patterns are then created for and provided to the user. The recommendations are provided to a user when the user logs onto a computer network such as the internet. The recommendations may also be provided by electronic mail, electronic pager or other methods. The recommendations are provided by various data analysis techniques including rule based inference engines and other forms of artificial intelligence.

A hierarchical power control system for an integrated circuit may be integrated into a clocking system that includes a global clock generator, a clock distribution network in communication with the global clock generator and a plurality of functional unit blocks each in communication with the global clock generator. The hierarchical power control system may include a first power controller provided in a communication path between the global clock generator and the clock distribution network, and a plurality of second power controllers, one provided in each communication path between the clock distribution network and a functional unit block.

A frame apparatus made of two side frames and four interlocking cross arm supports, held together with a locking member with leg support feature. This configuration provides a frame apparatus that is less complex to assemble, and when the components are in place and locked together, the shape of the frame apparatus will not become distorted. In a preferred embodiment the frame apparatus is used as a bed frame.

A toothbrush having a hinge located between its head and its handle, provided by first and second hinge parts extending respectively from the head end of the toothbrush toward the handle end, and from the handle end toward the head end, in a longitudinally overlapping side by side relationship, the overlapping parts being able to rotate relative to each other through a restricted angle about an axis generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, the two parts being linked by a torsion element between them.

A process and system for mounting terminals with electric wires in cavities of connector housings. Press-connecting terminals are initially loaded in cavities arranged in an upper surface of a connector jig and electric wires are press-connected on the terminals in the jigs. Then, the terminals with electric wires are transferred from the connector jig to cavities arranged in a lower surface of a inserting jig by pins arranged to contact and push the terminals from below in the transfer direction. Then, the terminals are loaded from the inserting jig to cavities of connector housings from the back by blades arranged to contact and push the terminals from one end in the inserting directing.

A mechanical actuator for micro mechanical or micro electro mechanical devices, the actuator comprising a supporting substrate, an actuation portion, a first arm attached at a first end thereof to the substrate and at a second end to the actuation portion, the first arm being arranged, in use, to be conducively heatable, a second arm attached at a first end to the supporting substrate and at a second end to the actuation portion, the second arm being spaced apart from the first arm, whereby the first and second arm define a gap between them, at least one rigid member interconnecting the first and second arms between the first and second ends thereof, and wherein, in use, the first arm is arranged to undergo expansion, thereby causing the actuator to apply a force to the actuation portion.

A seal with anti-theft device for items having rod-like portions, particularly for eyeglasses. The seal comprises a hollow body which contains an electronic signal-emitting component and forms a plane of arrangement for a rod-like portion. Two parallel and mutually opposite guides protrude from the body and each guide has at least one sawtooth engagement surface for the nonreversible sliding, in a direction which is perpendicular to the plane of arrangement, of a slider which has complementary sawtooth engagement surfaces. The rod-like portion is retained between the plane of arrangement and a parallel plane of arrangement formed by the slider.

A pressure sensing device suitable for medical use including: a dielectrically isolated sensor chip including a first wafer having first and second surfaces, a deflectable diaphragm formed therein and defining an active area of the sensor chip surrounded by an inactive area of the sensor chip, an electronic circuit formed on the first surface in the active area and being adapted to provide a signal indicative of an amount of deflection of the diaphragm, and a non-conductive coating on at least a portion of the second side; and, a plastic header including first and second ends, a recess in the first end and a plurality of electrically conductive pins extending from the recess through the header and out the second end; wherein, the sensor chip is secured within the recess of the plastic header such that the electronic circuit is in electrical contact with at least one of the pins.

A method and a device for destroying drifting sea mines (5). According to the invention, a capture-and-destroy device (11) is brought into the vicinity of the drifting sea mine (5) with the aid of a buoyant body (12, 22) having a coupled-on drive system (13) or a drive device (24), and the mine is captured in that the sea mine (5) is surrounded by deployment of a capture net (16) normally located in a capture unit (11.1) of the capture-and-destroy device (11). A motorized element (17) disposed in the capture unit (11.1) draws the capture net (16) together automatically until the captured sea mine (5) rests directly against a destroyer unit (11.2) with a destructive charge (15). The destructive charge (15) is then automatically detonated to destroy the mine.

A tire (1) having sidewalls (3) with an annular strip (8) within which a plurality of ribs (9) is formed. The ribs are disposed in mutual side by side relation and circumferentially distributed. The annular strip (8) is made in the form of a hollow on a sidewall (3) of the tire (1) and is designed to display informative inscriptions (12) the characters of which (13) are defined by projections (19) projecting from the surface of the annular strip.

A frontal structure for cabins of elevators, made of steel and/or aluminum or other suitable material, includes a pair of parallel uprights (18) (20), extending in the vertical direction and connected at the upper end by a plate (22) which forms the support for the movement mechanism or “operator” of the doors of the elevator.

A tape-like medium running device realizes a reduction of a fast-forwarding time and a rewinding time by running a tape-like medium at a high speed up to a marginal point near a leading end or a tail end of the tape-like medium during a fast-forward and a rewind operation. For this purpose, rotating speed of a motor is gradually slowed down with the lapse of time from a high target speed and then settled at a low target speed, if an irregularity detection unit determines there is an irregular condition based on an output of a wound-up diameter detector. The invention can thus allows a setting of a wound-up diameter comparison reference value at the marginal point near the leading end when rewinding (or, the marginal point near the tail end when fast-forwarding), and minimize a time during which the motor rotates at the low target speed.

A multi-function truck of the present invention has a load-carrying platform, a pump having a motor driven by electric power from an AC power supply and mounted in a space below the load-carrying platform, and a liquid collector loaded on the load-carrying platform. The load-carrying platform also has thereon a hose having the length enough to connect one pipe-end of a suction or a delivery of the pump to the liquid collector and a hose having the length enough to connect the other pipe-end of the pump to a on-site liquid container placed at a collection site, containing an accumulated liquid, wherein a switch is disposed between a plug connected to the AC power supply and the motor, and when a load current exceeds a specified value due to a cause on the side of the truck, the electric current of the AC power supply borrowed is automatically intercepted by the side of the truck.

A support for a vehicle seat, which support can be fastened to a supporting element of the seat and is used to support a cushion of the seat upholstery. The support is designed as a hollow body which provides a pneumatic pressure accumulator to which a pneumatic pressure source and at least one pneumatic consumer can be connected.

A cradle for placing a support in a mine. The cradle includes a housing for holding the mine support. The cradle includes an arm mechanism rotatably attached to the housing which has an open position that allows the support to enter the housing and a closed position which prevents the support from leaving the housing. The cradle includes an attachment mechanism connected to the housing for rotatably attaching the housing to a platform of a mechanism for moving the mine support. The attachment mechanism maintains the housing in the horizontal position or a vertical position. A method for placing a support in a mine. The method includes the steps of moving a support from a platform to a cradle. Then there is the step of rotating the cradle until the support is in a vertical position relative to ground. Next there is the step of placing the support on the ground. Then there is the step of separating the support from the cradle. Next there is the step of tensioning the support with the mine roof.

A method for manufacturing an electron source includes an activation operation for repetitively applying a pulse voltage to a plurality of electron-emitting devices in an atmosphere containing an organic material to form a film containing carbon from the organic material existing in the atmosphere. An activation operation is divided into a plurality of steps from a first activation step to a final activation step, with the plurality of electron-emitting devices being divided into operation units each comprising a plurality of device groups, each of which includes a plurality of electron-emitting devices. The first activation step of the activation operation is sequentially executed from an arbitrary operation unit wherein, in the first activation step, a pulse voltage is applied to each of the plurality of groups sequentially, and the sequential applying of the voltage is repeated. The first activation step for all of the operation units is terminated, and after that, the plurality of electron-emitting devices are divided into operation units each comprising a plurality of device groups, each of which includes a plurality of electron-emitting devices. A next activation step for all of the operation units is terminated in a manner similar to the first activation step, and such a procedure is repeated until the final activation step.

A golf swing training apparatus includes a base that has a top surface in which is defined a slot. A cover is movably mounted on the base and includes a top surface upon which is defined a second slot. The second slot of the cover is vertically aligned with the first slot of the base when the cover is mounted on the base. A light source is positioned in the base and transmits light through the first and second slots toward the eyes of a user. A number of color strips are positioned within the first slot such that the color of light witnessed by the user will vary depending upon the lateral position of the user's head relative to the center line of the second slot.

Light-protective container assembly for a light-sensitive fluid includes a translucent container defining an inner reservoir to contain the fluid, and a flexible sleeve connected to the container. The sleeve has a tubular configuration sized to substantially cover at least the reservoir of the container, and is made of a material capable of substantially preventing the transmission therethrough of an identified range of wavelengths from the electromagnetic spectrum. Preferably, the sleeve is made of a mixture of a base material and a colorant capable of substantially preventing the transmission of undesired energy through a predetermined thickness of the base. material. The sleeve is connected indirectly to the container by providing the container with at least one passageway therethrough, and by positioning the sleeve such that a first portion of the sleeve is on one side of the container, and a second portion is on an opposite side of the container. The first and second portions are attached together through the passageway by a heat stake or fastener or the like. Preferably, the container is a flexible intravenous supply bag having a port structure at one end. A method of making the light-protective container assembly is also provided.

A catheter delivers an electrode within a vein for a minimally invasive treatment of varicose veins and venous insufficiency using RF energy. The catheter is introduced into a patient and positioned within the section of the vein to be treated. The electrode radiates high frequency energy towards the vein, and the surrounding venous tissue becomes heated and begins to shrink. The catheter includes a controllable member for limiting the amount of shrinkage of the vein to the diameter of the member. The electrode remains active until there has been sufficient shrinkage of the vein. The extent of shrinkage of the vein may be detected by fluoroscopy. After treating one section of the vein, the catheter and the electrode can be repositioned intraluminally within the vein to treat different sections of the vein until all desired venous sections and valves are repaired and rendered functionally competent.

A prosthesis has a cylindrical stent and a cover provided about the outer periphery of the stent. The cover can be made from a water absorbent material, and a matrix of protein. The cover can be made from either tissue or hydrogel.

LPG storing cylinder (1) has a top portion fixed to a valve block (2) provided with a through hole (4) for attaching a gas take-out nozzle (3). The gas take-out nozzle (3) is attached to the through hole (4) as it is urged with an urging spring (6) for valve closing. A gas take-out passage (7) within the gas take-out nozzle (3) communicates with the nozzle attaching through hole (4) by a window hole (8). A sealing ring (10) is fitted into a portion where the window hole (8) is formed to shut off a communication between an interior area of the gas storing cylinder (1) and the gas take-out passage (7). A guide pipe (12) to communicate the interior area of the cylinder with a valve chamber (5) projects from an inner end wall of the valve block (2) into the interior area of the LPG storing cylinder (1).

An object of the present invention is to provide a composite foam having a high compressive strength. A polyolefin resin is melted and kneaded with a modifying monomer to react them. A thermally decomposable chemical foaming agent is added to the obtained modified resin, and the mixture is kneaded. The obtained foamable resin composition is shaped into a sheet. A sheet-like facing material (3) having a strength sufficient to inhibit the foamable sheet from expanding in in-plane directions during thermal foaming is laminated on at least one side of the foamable sheet. The obtained foamable composite sheet is thermally foamed to produce a composite foam (1) having rugby-ball-shaped cells (2) oriented in the direction of the sheet thickness.

The invention concerns a multiple capillary electrophoresis system including many juxtaposed capillaries, at least one source for transmitting a beam designed to excite the molecules present in its path and inside the capillaries, and detection of the fluorescence of the molecules excited by said beam. The invention is arranged so as to detect the light emerging at the output of said capillaries and propagated along a direction wherein the capillaries extend and the detection resolution is sufficient for distinguishing the light emerging at the output of the capillaries from that coming from the walls thereof and/or their surrounding medium.

The present invention relates to apparatuses for processing homogeneous/heterogeneous radioactive wastes comprising ion-exchange reisns. A cooled discharge unit comprises a discharge pipe, a cooling jacket having a U-shaped form in cross section, a collector for feeding a coolant into the jacket, a discharge gate comprising a pipe, on one end of which a cone-shaped tip is positioned, on the other end a lid with an aperture. A cooled induction melter comprises a housing, side walls and bottom of which are made of metal pipes disposed with a gap therebetween and combined by a collector for supplying and discharging the coolant, an inductor positioned adaptable for displacement along the longitudinal axis of the melter and concentrically encompassing the side walls of the housing, the gaps between the pipes of which ensure transparency of the housing for an electromagnetic field of the inductor. The cooled discharge unit is positioned in an aperture, the height of which determines the minimum level of the melt, a portion of the side wall of which is a portion of the side wall of the housing, while another portion faces the melt.An installation for vitrification of liquid heterogeneous radioactive wastes comprises a mixer, a doser of vitrification agent additives, a doser of heterogeneous liquid radioactive wastes, a vessel-accumulator provided with means for homogenizing components, a vortex apparatus, a water-cooled induction melter with a movable inductor, means for filtering waste gas, means for capturing gaseous toxic components.

A relieved support material for a catalytic converter has a strip of support material with one or more relief cuts. This is used to insulate a segment of catalyst along with one or more inner end-cones positioned at the beginning and end of the converter. The support material is wrapped around the catalyst and the one or more inner end-cones. The wrapped support material is then covered with an outer-layer shell.

The present invention provides for a method for treating a subject suffering from a condition associated with an extracellular zinc sphingomyelinase activity which comprises administering to the subject an amount of a zinc sphingomyelinase inhibitor effective to decrease extracellular zinc sphingomyelinase activity in the subject and thereby treat the subject. The present invention also provides for a method for determining whether a compound inhibits an activity of an extracellular zinc sphingomyelinase involving ceramide formation which comprises: (a) contacting a sample containing zinc sphingomyelinase under acidic pH conditions known to be associated with the activity of such zinc sphingomyelinase, with: (i) a substrate of the zinc sphingomyelinase enzyme, and (ii) the compound being evaluated; (b) measuring the ceramide in the sample from (a); (c) determining the amount of zinc sphingomyelinase activity in the sample based on the concentration of ceramide measured in step (b); and (d) comparing the amount of sphingomyelinase activity determined in step (c) with the amount of sphingomyelinase activity determined in the absence of the compound, so as to determine whether the compound inhibits the activity of zinc sphingomyelinase.

Sanitary applicances with a casing, such as bath tubs, shower trays or washbasins, are glass fiber- and asbestos-free, and are further characterized in that the reinforcing material is 1.5 to 10 mm thick and consists of one or two layers. The one layer or the first layer of a multilayered reinforcement is obtained by hardening a first polylmerizable, cole-hardenable, reactive (meth)acrylate system sprayed on the back of the acrylic glass moulding. The (meth)acrylate system contains as filler hollow microparticles, preferably made of plastics, filled with an inert gas. The composition of the (meth)acrylate system is defined by the invention. The disclosed sanitary appliances meet all requirements of the DIN EN 19 norm and can be recycled.

A magnetoresistance effect film includes a substrate, a plurality of ferromagnetic particles disposed on the substrate, a nonmagnetic film deposited on the substrate and covering the plurality of ferromagnetic particles, and a pair of electrodes arranged on the nonmagnetic film, in which the resistance across the pair of electrodes is changed by applying a magnetic field. The magnetoresistance effect film is manufactured by vapor-depositing ferromagnetic particle starting material on a substrate at a temperature not exceeding 300° C., the starting material being vapor-deposited in an amount enough to cover the substrate surface to a thickness ranging from 0.5 to 15 nm, and, after formation of ferromagnetic particles on the substrate, vapor-depositing at a temperature not exceeding room temperature a nonmagnetic film over the ferromagnetic particles, the nonmagnetic film having a thickness ranging from 1 to 100 nm, and providing a pair of electrodes each at a predetermined position on the nonmagnetic film.

The present provides structurally related enzymes that act as enoyl reductases. These enoyl reductases share a common amino acid consensus sequence, and bind a flavin cofactor. One particular enoyl reductase provided, FabK, catalyzes the identical reaction as the NADH-dependent enoyl-ACP reductase, FabI. Nucleic acids encoding the enoyl reductases, the enoyl reductases, and anitbodies for the enoyl reductases are also included. Methods are also provides for identifying agents that can act to prevent and/or treat bacterial infections.

A microanalytical device is provided for conducting chemical processes using small amounts of fluid. The devices include microstructures, e.g., microcavities, microchannels and the like, that are laser ablated or otherwise formed in a support substrate, and can be used in a variety of chemical and biochemical methods, including chromatographic, electrophoretic and electrochromatographic separations, screening and diagnostics, and chemical and biochemical synthesis. The devices are formed from a material that is thermally and chemically stable and resistant to biofouling, significantly reducing electroosmotic flow and unwanted adsorption of solute. Preferred materials are polymeric.

A conductive connection forming method includes forming a first layer including a first metal on a substrate and forming a second layer including a second metal different from the first metal on the first layer. At least a part of the first layer may be transformed to an alloy material including the first and second metals. A conductive connection may be formed to the alloy material. The alloy material may be less susceptible to formation of metal oxide compared to the first metal. By way of example, transforming the first layer may include annealing the first and second layer. An exemplary first metal includes copper, and an exemplary second metal includes aluminum, titanium, palladium, magnesium, or two or more such metals. The alloy material may be an intermetallic. A conductive connection may be formed to the alloy layer. An integrated circuit includes a semiconductive substrate, a layer including a first metal over the substrate, and a layer of alloy material within the first metal including layer. The alloy material layer may include the first metal and a second metal different from the first metal. The alloy material may be an intermetallic. A conductive connection may be formed on the alloy layer.

Methods for obtaining beneficial stable levels of circulating histamine are disclosed for use in methods for enhancing natural killer cell cytotoxicity and for elevating histamine levels in individuals in need thereof. In such methods, a beneficial level of circulating histamine is attained and an agent whose ability to enhance natural killer cell cytotoxicity is augmented by histamine is administered. Alternatively, stable beneficial levels of circulating histamine can be attained in subjects receiving chemotherapy or antiviral treatment. The invention may also be employed in treatments combining histamine, agents which enhance natural killer cell cytotoxicity, and chemotherapeutic agents. Optimization of the delivery of histamine and substances which induce the release of endogenous histamine are also disclosed.

An offset printing ink is provided which comprises a colophony-modified phenolic resin and at least one component selected from the group consisting of (A) a maleic resin, (B) a modified hydrocarbon resin, (C) a colophony resin ester and mixtures thereof. The ink further comprises a water-insoluble fatty acid ester of a multivalent alcohol which has a high steric spatial requirement, and/or ethinol.

Materials not releasing gaseous organic materials during use are used as a dry-type sealing material such as a gasket disposed upon mounting an air filter to an opening of a ceiling or the like, a wet-type sealing material filled and used in a gap for connecting wall materials or partitionings, a vinyl chloride sheet or a vinyl chloride cloth as a facing material for walls and floors. Specifically, a carboxylic acid ester having a molecular weight of not less than 400 is used as a plasticizer, a phenolic compound having a molecular weight of not less 300 is used as an antioxidant, an aliphatic hydrocarbon having not less than 19 carbon atoms (for example, microcrystalline wax) is used as a lubricant, and an alkylamine ethylene oxide adduct having a molecular weight of not less than 350 is used as an antistatic agent.

The present invention contemplates a system for rapidly isolating nucleic acids. The system comprises an insoluble silica matrix and a buffered aqueous salt solution containing salt at a concentration of at least 3 molar and a buffering agent at a concentration sufficient to provide a buffering capacity corresponding to that which either tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane or phosphate ion at a concentration of 0.1 to 1 molar would provide in the solution. Methods of using the system are also contemplated.

Method and apparatus for thermal management of an integrated circuit. A semiconductor device includes an integrated circuit and an integrated thermoelectric cooler formed on a common substrate. A semiconductor device is fabricated by forming an integrated circuit on a front side of the substrate and forming an integrated thermoelectric cooler on a back side of the substrate. A first thermal sink of semiconductor material capable of absorbing heat from the integrated circuit is formed on the back side of the substrate. N-type thermoelectric elements are formed on contacts formed on the first thermal sink. P-type thermoelectric elements are formed on contacts formed on a second thermal sink of semiconductor material capable of dissipating heat. The p-type and n-type thermoelectric elements are bonded to the contacts on the first and second thermal sinks, respectively, by a flip-chip soldering process. Using this method, semiconductor devices including an integrated circuit and integrated modules of thermoelectric elements are formed having cooling capacities corresponding to heat dissipated from different portions of the integrated circuit. As a result, substantially uniform temperature distribution across the integrated circuit can be achieved.

A semiconductor device includes a barrier metal structure which are sandwiched between an electrode provided on a semiconductor chip and a bump. The barrier metal structure has a first through third conductive metal layers, where the third conductive metal layer as an uppermost layer thereof in contact with the bump covers the second conductive metal layer made of a material which is weak in resistance to diffusion and oxidation.

An apparatus for generating electromagnetic pulses includes circuitry comprising an induction coil having a silver anode projecting into the coil. Moveable silver mass elements are adjustably mounted on the anode. The circuitry is immersed in liquid hydrogen and when energized produces electromagnetic pulses. If is believed that some of the anode material is consumed during the production of EMP converting the anode material into electromagnetic radiation energy. As the consumption continues the elongate anode assembly produces a composite wave form that equates to the size, shape and arrangement of the mass elements.

A fluorescent screen for a color CRT including: a panel having a predetermined light transmittance: a black matrix formed on the inner surface of the panel for absorbing an external light; red, green and blue fluorescent material layers positioned on the upper surface of the panel where the black matrix is formed, for emitting light corresponding to each color; a red filter layer positioned between the red fluorescent material layer and the panel, for absorbing light having wave length except for the main light emitting region of the red fluorescent material layer; and a blue filter layer positioned between the red fluorescent material layer and the panel and the green fluorescent material layer and the panel, for absorbing light having a wave length except for the main light emitting region of the green fluorescent material layer and the blue fluorescent material layer.

The periphery of a stem, which seals off the neck of a CRT and supports pins providing electrical current to some of electron gun's electrodes, is designed to contact either inner surface or outer surface of the neck end as well as the cross section thereof in order to prevent pores when the stem and the neck are fused together.

Uniformity of the electron emission characteristics of electron emitting devices is improved. A substrate is formed with row-directional wires and column-directional wires electrically connected to electron emitting devices disposed in a matrix shape and each having electrodes and an electroconductive film. A pseudo row-directional wire is formed at a position X0 between a position X1 of a row-directional wire and a periphery of the substrate, and a pseudo column-directional wire is formed at a position Y0 between a position Y1 of a column-directional wire and a periphery of the substrate. Pseudo electrodes and are electrically connected to the pseudo row-directional wire and pseudo column-directional wire.

A process whereby a sequence of geometric transformations is applied to a three-dimensional data set so that the resulting stereogram has one image plane made congruent with one plane in the viewer's space. The image plane is usually, but not necessarily, the X-Z or ground plane of the image made congruent with some X-Z plane in the viewer's spatial environment, typically a desk top, table top or floor. When viewed from an angle of view and angle of regard which duplicates that used to create the stereogram, the resulting stereoscopic image appears as a virtual, erect, orthoscopic stereo environment whose X-Y-Z coordinates are congruent with the X-Y-Z coordinates of the viewer's space.

A monitoring installation in which a monitoring unit having a monitoring device is suspended from a trolley that rolls or glides along a rigid path by at least one traction rope or cable which pulls the trolley along the path.

It is detected whether an automobile is running in a direction departing from a traffic lane, has already departed from the lane, or is running in a direction recovering from departure, by mounting on the automobile a steering angle detecting device for detecting an actual steering angle based on steering wheel operation of a driver, a television camera for taking pictures of the lane and a computer for processing the pictures taken by the television camera. The television camera is used to take pictures of markers on the lane while the automobile is running on the lane, and video signals are input into the computer. The computer is then used to process the input signals, thereby setting a virtual reference line forming a cubic curve approximating the set virtual reference line, calculating a virtual standard steering angle from a coefficient of a function representing the cubic curve, and comparing the steering angle detected by the detecting device based on the steering wheel operation of the driver with the virtual standard steering angle calculated by the computer.

A system and method are disclosed for producing and displaying a one-step, edge-lit hologram. For production, an object beam and an edge-lit reference beam are directed at holographic recording material and to interfere with one another. The holographic recording material and the object beam and edge-lit reference beam are then translated with respect to one another. The translation successively exposes multiple portions of the holographic recording material to the interference of the object beam and the edge-lit reference beam to record an edge-lit hologram on the holographic recording material. In one embodiment, the holographic recording material is moved while the object beam and the edge-lit reference beam remain generally stationary. In another embodiment, the object beam and the edge-lit reference beam move in unison with each other while the holographic recording material remains generally stationary. A base enclosure is preferably formed to removably receive an edge of a plinth having an edge-lit hologram mounted thereon. A light source may be positioned within the base enclosure to provide an illumination beam to reconstruct the edge-lit hologram when the plinth is received by the base enclosure.

A data storage system includes a data storage disc for storing magnetically encoded data and servo information. The data storage disc includes a data layer adapted to be magnetically encoded with data to be written to the data storage disc, and a servo information layer formed beneath the data layer and having magnetic servo pits formed therein to provide servo information. The magnetic servo pits are positioned in portions of the servo information layer which are at least partially directly beneath magnetically encoded data regions on the data layer such that a data head can read both magnetically stored data and servo information from the disc at substantially the same time. A method of fabricating a magnetic data disc is also disclosed.

An active control mechanism and method for stabilizing a servo-controlled actuator system such as an actuator system in a data recording disk drive by compensating the vibrational modes of the actuator's arm assembly. The control mechanism has a sensing arrangement which can include one or more individual sensors attached to the actuator at locations where they generate signals in phase with the vibrational modes, and especially with all the low-frequency major vibrational modes, of the arm assembly. A control mechanism derives from the signals an adjustment signal consisting of three corrective terms—a stiffening correction, an active damping correction, and an inertia correction by a phase correction. Furthermore, high-frequency out-of-phase modes can be stabilized by appropriately shifting the phase of the signals. The adjustment signal is used in the feedback control loop to stabilize the actuator system.

A cartridge library apparatus comprises door 3 provided openably to an opening portion formed in apparatus body B and having a plurality of cells 4 for housing cartridges in its inner surface, inner door 1 provided movably in the apparatus body for opening and closing the opening portion of apparatus body B, and a motion converting mechanism (2, 5, 6 and 11) for driving the opening and closing of the inner door interlocking with opening and closing operations of the door between inner door 1 and door 3. When the door is pivotally moved in an opening direction, the motion converting mechanism causes the inner door to close the opening portion. When door 3 is pivotally moved in a closing direction, inner door 1 is moved to cause the opening portion to be opened.

At least an optical disk, a spindle motor, an optical head assembly and a seeking mechanism are mounted in a disk cartridge to accordingly establish a hermetically sealed structure. On the other hand, a disk cartridge guide member, an optical assembly, a disk cartridge lock mechanism, an optical path switching mechanism and the like are mounted in an optical disk drive. This enables the structure of improving the dust immunity of the disk cartridge and the low cost. Moreover, the optical disk drive can accommodate a plurality of disk cartridges. Thus, a disk cartridge implements a memory corresponding to various services. Or, an optical library of the present invention has mechanisms for mounting and detaching the optical disk cartridge and accordingly accommodating a large number of disk cartridges in a limited space. Moreover, it is possible to provide an extremely small type of an optical disk drive to thereby design a memory unit applicable to various services including a portable apparatus. This is a media convertible storage system, which is superior in dust immunity and rapid access of a fixed magnetic disk and can record large-scale information and can satisfy various requests from miscellaneous application fields.

A system and method are shown for establishing tunnel connections across multiple networks of differing types. A tunnel media translator device is connected to both a first and second network of different types. The translator receives a tunnel connection set-up request (SCCRQ) from a tunnel initiator on the first network. The translator uses the value from a host name field of the SCCRQ to obtain an address for a tunnel endpoint on the second network, through the use of either pre-configured static tables or a host name resolution service. The translator creates a dynamic table entry that contains the address and tunnel identifier value for the tunnel initiator from the SCCRQ message and the address of the tunnel endpoint obtained from resolving the host name. The translator inserts the address for the tunnel endpoint into a destination address field of the SCCRQ and its own address on the second network into a source address field of the SCCRQ and re-transmits the SCCRQ onto the second network. The translator will receive a tunnel connection set-up reply (SCCRP) from the tunnel endpoint and will use the address of the tunnel endpoint and the destination tunnel identifier for the tunnel initiator from the SCCRP to find the matching dynamic table entry. The translator will insert the address of the tunnel initiator from the dynamic table entry into the destination address field of the SCCRP and its own address on the first network into the source address field of the SCCRP and re-transmit the SCCRP onto the first network. Subsequent tunnel packets received by the translator for the connection are translated using the address and tunnel identifier for the tunnel initiator from the tunnel packet to find the dynamic table entry, inserting the address of the tunnel endpoint from the dynamic table entry into the destination address field of the tunnel packet, and re-transmitting the tunnel packet.

An equalizer with a phase-locked loop comprising: a phase rotator which rotates a phase of a received signal to output a rotated signal; an impulse response detector which detects impulse responses of a transmission line through which the received signal has been transmitted on the basis of the rotated signal; a first region designator which designates a first region on the basis of the impulse responses; a second region designator which designates a second region on the basis of the impulse responses; an equalizer which estimates a sequence on the basis of the rotated signal by using the impulse responses in the first region; a replica generator which generates a replica of the received signal on the basis of the sequence by using the impulse responses in the second region; a phase detector which detects a phase difference between the replica and the rotated signal; and a circuit for controlling the phase rotator on the basis of the phase difference to decrease the phase difference.

A system for the estimation of the complex gain of a transmission channel is designed for parallel type modulators/demodulators that can be used in digital radio broadcasting. The system includes a given number N of sets of interpolators to estimate the gain on a useful symbol from known symbols constituting gain references evenly positioned in the transmitted signal, each set of interpolators being adapted to a particular situation of reception, ranging from a stable single-path channel to a channel with high temporal dispersion and high instability. The outputs of the interpolators are coupled to a selection device programmed to choose the set of interpolators that gives the weakest estimated noise during a specified length of time. Such a system may find application to digital radio transmission.

A portable, automated telephone line test device includes a test module which applies test signals to a telephone line to be tested and detects electrical characteristics of the telephone line, and a user interface module. The user interface module includes a microprocessor, a display, a keyboard and a program memory in accordance with a standard microcomputer architecture. The processor of the user interface module is programmed to control the test module to perform a pre-programmed sequence of tests. The display provides indications of the tests being performed. The programmed sequence is varied by the device according to test results. Depending on the results obtained, the device also provides interpretative diagnostic messages and instructs the user to carry out additional test procedures.

A watermark system includes an embedder, detector, and reader. The watermark embedder encodes a watermark signal in a host signal to create a combined signal. The detector looks for the watermark signal in a potentially corrupted version of the combined signal, and computes its orientation. Finally, a reader extracts a message in the watermark signal from the combined signal using the orientation to approximate the original state of the combined signal. While adapted for images, video and audio, the watermark system applies to other electronic and physical media. For example, it can be applied to mark graphical models, blank paper, film and other substrates, texturing objects for ID purposes, etc.

The present invention includes testing devices and testing systems. This invention also includes machines or electronic apparatus using these aspects of the invention. The present invention also includes methods and processes using these devices and systems. In a preferred embodiment, a testing device and method are described that utilize infrared imaging and computer analysis thereof in detecting and measuring continuity, uniformity, and presence of inhomogeneities of wire heating grids in automotive windshields. The computer is capable of autonomous decision making, and can signal industrial equipment such as robotic actuators to automatically remove faulty windshields from the assembly line.

A low-cost system for wireless, bi-directional transformation of electric signals over a capacitive interface between a host unit and a guest unit is provided. The system allows a high impedance in the circuitry of the guest unit to obtain a good signal transfer ability in conditions of poor dieelectric materials, poor conductivity in the contact pads and relatively large gaps between the contact pads. The capacitive interface comprises a respective first (A1; B1), second (A2; B2) and third (A3; B3) conductive area in the host and guest units (10,40). The first conductive area (A1) of the host unit is connected to a self-tuning frequency generating resonant circuit (16) in the host unit (10) for obtaining high gain of signals transmitted to the guest unit (40). The second and third conductive areas (A2, A3) of the host unit are connected to an impedance circuit (30) in the host unit for receiving signals from the guest unit. The first and second conductive areas (B1, B2) of the guest unit are further connected to an impedance circuit (44) in the guest unit for receiving signals from the host unit. In a preferred embodiment, the first and third conductive areas (B1, B3) of the guest unit are also galvanically interconnected.

Communications sessions between two or more radio transceivers are synchronized automatically to conserve battery power. A duty cycle is established, and the duty cycle data are communicated from one transceiver to the other(s) along with the time of day and other information. When the on-time portion of the duty cycle indicates that the transceiver is to be powered-on from a power-conserving sleep state to a full-power active state, a microprocessor causes power to be applied to the radio transceiver circuitry. Because they are synchronized, all transceivers of the system simultaneously power-on in this manner. In the active state, there is sufficient power for radio communication between the transceivers, and the users can use the transceivers in the conventional manner during the active state. The transceivers remain in the active state until the off-time portion of the duty cycle indicates to the microprocessor that the transceiver is to be powered-off from the active state to the sleep state. The cycle repeats periodically in accordance with the duty cycle.

Systems, methods, and computer program products for analyzing experiment results obtained in a process are provided. The process is conducted separately in a first and second state of a control variable to generate a first and second plurality of experiment data, respectively. The experiment data corresponds to a plurality of attributes of the process. A processor is included in the systems for comparing the first and second plurality of experiment data, and identifying attributes having a statistically significant difference in their corresponding experiment data obtained in the first and second state of the process. The identified attributes are then compared with attributes expected to be affected by changes in the control variable, which are contained in a know-how database, in order to create a conformity database and a non-conformity database.

A method and system is provided to determine or estimate components that may have to be maintained before a molding system that has those components is caused to be stopped by problems with those components. Cycle times that each correspond to the time of the cycle of each operation of the molding system and operation times of the steps performed by the components, which operation times affect the cycle times, are measured and stored. Based on the sum of the operation times that exceed a predetermined time or the sum of the number of operation times that exceed the predetermined time, any step that may cause a problem among the steps of the components, which affect the cycle time, is determined.

A voice conversion system employs a codebook mapping approach to transforming a source voice to sound like a target voice. Each speech frame is represented by a weighted average of codebook entries. The weights represent a perceptual distance of the speech frame and may be refined by a gradient descent analysis. The vocal tract characteristics, represented by a line spectral frequency vector, the excitation characteristics, represented by a linear predictive coding residual, the duration, and the amplitude of the speech frame are transformed in the same weighted-average framework.

A data distribution network for distributing data stores up-to-date or even real-time data in a central computer and disseminates the data through a plurality of data distribution nodes to a plurality of hand-held computers. The data distribution network distributes current or even real-time data to consumers and travelers directly to the location where the consumers and travelers are likely to require the data. In a preferred embodiment, such a data distribution network can function completely automatically, in real time, and without any effort or expertise on the part of the consumer or traveler. Such a data distribution network enables several novel methods of attracting and retaining consumers to a specific commercial location and travelers to a specific hotel or travel agency.

A server receives supplier information from a supplier including a product/service that the supplier is offering along with a discount for the product/service. The supplier information further includes geographic locations where a customer can physically purchase the product/service, the sale dates, and supplier contact information. The supplier information is stored by the server in a database. The server also receives customer information from a customer including a product/service that the customer wishes to purchase along with a minimum discount that the customer desires for the product/service. The server searches the database for a matching supplier which has supplier information matching the customer information. The server then sends the customer the supplier contact information corresponding to the matching supplier.

A system and method for the purchase of used compact disks and other mass market removable media over the Internet is disclosed, in which the potential seller accesses the purchaser's website and identifies the CDs to be sold from a searchable database. The seller quantifies the condition of the CDs to be sold using a ranking criteria specified on the website. An offer price for each CD is computed based upon a percentage of the original list price, discounted by the stated CD condition. The seller is required to enter more than a specified minimum number of titles before receiving a quote price; the quote price is a total transaction amount only, with the individual CD prices not displayed to the potential seller.

A content copying system is formed from a host computer and connected disc drive, a removable recording medium being loaded into the latter. When the removable recording medium loaded into the disc drive is DVD-Audio, the disc drive reads a title, recorded on the recording medium and outputs it to the host computer, where it is-stored in a hard disk. When the removable recording medium loaded into the disc drive is DVD-RAM, the disc drive has the host computer read the title recorded in the hard disk, and records this title onto the DVD-RAM. The disc drive does not increment the number of copies made for a title when it is read from DVD-Audio and recorded in the hard disk in the host computer, but only when it is read from the hard disk and recorded onto DVD-RAM.

The present invention is a signaling system for the improvement of cognitive performance and intelligence, including: a) a method for improving the human cognitive performance and intelligence through a signaling program, a sequence of signals, that is presented to a person, stored in his/her long term memory, and recalled as control signals to effect periodical changes in the chunk size and number of chunks and the percentage of active units in the model of neural representation, thus reducing internal noise, error rate (ER) and response time (RT); b) a Computerized Auditory Program (CAP), which is a recording of a combination of sequences of computer generated sound signals and verbal instructions and signals, and is used as the signaling program mentioned in a) above; and c) a reinforcement system which uses a sequence of vibratory, visual, auditory, or other types of stimulus pulses that are initially associated with the signaling program, for example CAP in one embodiment, through time-correlated presentation and are subsequently presented at intervals in time that are correlated with CAP after CAP presentation has stopped, thus constantly offsetting the dissipation of the CAP memory and maintaining and reinforcing the CAP effects over time.

The method for providing a “Don't Care” bit to improve the speed of information matching in a digital information processing system. After the match information is input, it will be divided into multiple sub-bit-streams and then input to a correspondent selector for obtaining the content of a selected memory bank. The output of each selector is forwarded to the product module to compute an unencoded match result. Finally, the priority encoder receives the unencoded match result and performs priority encoding to generate an encoded match result and a match flag. If the match flag is positive, it indicates that there is a hit in the rule table for the match information. Thus, the match result serves as an index for looking up an information table.

A terminal apparatus for enabling the use of the Internet connection line. The terminal apparatus reads out the phone number of a first server and data for starting communication with the first server from an IC card mounted in the IC card socket, calls the phone number, and transmits the data in response to the demand from the first server. Moreover, the terminal apparatus receives the setting input by the setting acceptance screen for accepting the application for using the Internet connection line received from the first server, transmits the content to the first server, thereafter, demands the confirmation operation in response to the demand from the first server, and when it receives the confirmation input, advises the same. Furthermore, the terminal apparatus receives advice of the phone number of a second server, and the user ID and the password for starting communication with the second server from the first server, and stores the same in the IC card.

A method is disclosed for a mobile station (MS) for negotiating a set of Layer 3 parameters with a network device (NW) in association with the setup of a new Packet Data Protocol context. A request message (511) is created for requesting the setup of a new Packet Data Protocol context, and a set of suggested Layer 3 parameters (510) is inserted into the created request message. The request message is transmitted to the network device. After receiving from the network device a set of agreed Layer 3 parameters (514), they are employed within the new Packet Data Protocol context the setup of which was requested.

A method is provided for a network including a plurality of nodes where a originating node broadcasts an address request or change PDU. When the PDU is received at a receiving node, the receiving node determines from a look-up routing table whether the broadcast PDU was received on an optimal interface, i.e. an interface which defines the shortest path between the originating and receiving nodes. If the interface was determined to be optimal, the receiving node forwards the request PDU along every interface belonging to the receiving node except the optimal interface, otherwise, the receiving node drops the request PDU. When node address information concerning the originating node cannot be obtained from the routing database of the receiving node, a unique medium node is located to assist in making the optimal interface determination. The method completely avoids the formation of loops thereby improving the performance of a telecommunication management network.

Control data for a device driver that is stored on a first non-volatile memory is updated by writing new driver control data to a second non-volatile memory. In an embodiment, the new driver control data may be stored on the second non-volatile memory without modifying the control data on the first non-volatile memory. In a further embodiment, a processor reads non-volatile from the first non-volatile memory into a system memory, reads supplemental driver control data from the second non-volatile memory, and updates the set of driver control data in the system memory based on the supplemental driver control data.

A bus monitor section 8 calculates bus-occupancy rate for each of the DMA control sections 1 to 3 connected to a bus 5 in accordance with bus-use permission signals ack1 to ack3, respectively. Furthermore, a bus-use reconcilement section 6 changes manners of bus-use reconcilement control when the sum of a plurality of bus-occupancy rate exceeds “50”, a predetermined threshold. Thereby, this method avoids occurrences such that a specific device occupies the bus 5 or vice versa, a specific device cannot get access to the bus 5.

An input device may operate with a variety of different host processor-based systems running a variety of different applications by providing a translation module which translates input commands in one format to a format compatible with one or more applications that may run on a given processor-based system. A table may be provided, for example, in software, which enables a variety of different input device formats to be converted into a variety of formats utilized by an application. In this way, contention between an application and an input device may be resolved.

In a computer system that includes a first computer, a second computer, a first storage apparatus storing data in a fixed-length block format used by the second computer, and a backup apparatus connected to the first computer and storing data in a variable-length block format, the present invention provides a backup method for backing up data stored in the first storage apparatus to the backup apparatus. The first computer sends the second computer a request to read data in the fixed-length block format. In response to this request, the second computer reads the fixed-length block format data from the first storage apparatus and transfers this data to the first computer. The first computer converts the transferred fixed-length block format data into variable-length block format data. The converted variable-length block format data is stored in the backup apparatus.

A VLIW processor includes an instruction decode unit selecting one of parallel execution and consecutive execution and decoding a plurality of operation instructions included in an instruction word, and a program counter control unit controlling a value of a program counter for providing an indication for the instruction decode unit to provide as no-operation an operation instruction provided in a consecutive execution and executed prior to an operation instruction executed during a consecutive execution when branching to the operation instruction executed during the consecutive execution is introduced. This renders it possible to branch to an operation instruction executed during a consecutive execution and thus provide an enhanced efficiency of instruction-code compression.

A relation between the data process contents in an IC card chip and the consumption current of the IC card chip is reduced. Prior to executing an input data process of the IC card chip, the input data is transformed to thereby reduce the relation between the process data and the consumption current of the IC card chip. After the transforming process, the transformed data is untransformed to obtain a correct process result.

An optical disk and method of recording information on the same are provided in which music and images such as, motion pictures can be recorded without dropout of information by more reducing the time necessary to replace than in the prior art. On this optical disk are provided a plurality of management areas, of which one or a plurality of the management areas are located between the innermost and outermost peripheries and are used for storing replacement information. Therefore, the optical head need not be moved to the innermost or outermost periphery at the time of replacement unlike the prior art.

There is disclosed a data processor having improved debugging features that output from the data processor selected instructions, data, or addresses in response to the occurrence of one or more of events in the data processor. The events include execution of a branch instruction, detection of a trigger value on an internal bus, or execution of a unique spray instruction.

Waveform segment(s) of interest in the displayed logic analyzer trace can create the desire in an operator to re-define the trigger specification to be those segments. Those waveform segments are identified to the logic analyzer by drawing a “rubber band” box around them even as they are displayed as part of the trace. The analyzer is instructed to automatically create therefrom, by itself, the desired new trigger specification. It does this by inspecting the captured data corresponding to the contents of the box and creating a description of the associated signal(s) in terms of transitions and steady state conditions. These individual descriptions of activity are then assembled into a trigger specification according to certain rules. More than one box may be drawn. Multiple-boxes may be “stacked” to include waveform segments separated vertically by intervening waveforms for other signals that are to be excluded. Boxed transitions that appear to line up vertically are treated as though they happened at the same time, even if they in actual fact, did not. Multiple boxes may be displaced horizontally, in which case a sequential ordering of separate events is generally implied. Screens having auxiliary menus needed to complete the trigger specification are automatically produced.

A directory-based multi-processor computer system is provided with a mechanism for tolerating errors by providing the capability of checking data for errors and, if an error is detected, determining if another valid copy of the data is in the system. If another copy of the data is available, then the data is provided to the processor/memory controller that requested the data, without the need to generate an interrupt.

A down-converter comprises a frequency division circuit, PLL, and local oscillation circuit to convert a signal from a reference oscillation circuit to a converting reference signal with a constant frequency, and uses this signal to frequency-convert an in-building upward signal to an upward signal able to be transmitted in an external bi-directional CATV system. When the frequency of the converting reference signal deviates from the frequency of the converting reference signal on the side of an up-converter for converting the upward signal to the in-building upward signal on a terminal side, the upward signal cannot be accurately restored. Therefore, the down-converter uses the frequency division circuit to convert the converting reference signal to a transmitting reference signal with a low frequency, and outputs the transmitting reference signal to the terminal side.

Disclosed is a mobile double decked vehicular performance stage which is equipped with a variety of safety devices for use in transporting steel orchestra players and instruments during live performances in parades, carnivals and other events in which the musicians are required to continue to play their instruments while moving along with the crowd. In practice, the stage comprises two identically sized platform surfaces, the lower surface or deck rests on ground engaging wheels and includes steering, brake and tow bar mechanisms to facilitate the movement of the stage. The upper deck is situated above the lower deck in elevated parallel alignment with the lower deck and is secured and maintained in that position by supports which are between the upper and lower decks. Both the upper and lower decks are equipped with safety devices to protect the musicians from injury while the vehicle is in motion, as well as musical stands for holding the musical instruments in place on the vehicle. A canvas or plastic covered canopy roof extends above the upper deck and provides coverage for the musicians and their instruments. The stage is constructed with the safety and security of the users and to provide a means of having a mobile stage which has the facility to move to travel on straight routes and around comers with equal facility.

A metallic stud for use in a framing structure, the stud definable in terms a x, y, z coordinate system. The stud includes the z-axis elongate substantially rectangular integral web within a yz plane and further includes a series of xz plane tabs projecting in an x-axis direction, the tabs alternating in x-axis extent between interdigitating greater and lesser dimensions, in which a z-axis line of dependency exists between a common xz plane of all of the tabs in a first major rectangular base of the yz plane of the web of the stud. The stud further includes a z-axis elongate L-shaped element integrally dependent from a second major rectangular base of the web, the elongate element parallel to the first base. The element includes an integral xz plane sub-element, extending in a z-axis direction, and substantially parallel with the series of xz plane tabs from a z-axis line of dependency from the second major base of the web, the z-axis L-shaped element further including a yz plane sub-element, in the nature of a lip, integrally depending from the xz sub-element along an entire z-axis length and projecting toward the series of xz plane tabs, in which the yz sub-element is substantially parallel with the yz plane of the elongate web. The studs preferably formed of a thin gauge steel.

A convection, oven having a multi-speed fan for circulating hot air within the cooking chamber at a plurality of velocities, with the selection of the appropriate fan speed depending upon the food being cooked in the oven. The fan is disposed within a recess formed in a rear wall of the cooking chamber and is separated from the cooking chamber by a fan cover plate. The cover plate has an inlet opening proximate its center and three elliptical outlet openings equidistantly disposed around its. perimeter. The edge of each outlet opening is located proximate an edge of the recess in order to provide a smooth flow path for the air circulated by the fan. To minimize the influence of the circulating air on the operation of the gas heating element, and thereby minimizing the production of carbon monoxide, a first of the outlet openings is located at a position 45 degrees above horizontal.

A pressurized metered dose inhaler having an actuator constructed and arranged so as to inhibit airflow due to patient inhalation in the vicinity of the orifice of the nozzle block when the valve stem is in its dispensing position. This design reduces unwanted oropharyngeal deposition of medicament and increases the relative amount of medicament to the lung.

A respirator that comprises a head piece (1) that is shaped to form a breathing zone (13) around at least the nose and mouth of the wearer, and an air flow passage (15, 34) for supplying a forced flow of air to the breathing zone. The air flow passage has a constricted portion (46) that includes a flow detecting orifice (52). The forced flow of air generates suction at the flow-detecting orifice. A pressure-responsive indicator device (30) is in fluid communication with the flow-detecting orifice through a tube (54) and is operable to alert the wearer if the suction generated by the air flow through the passage falls below a predetermined value.

One or more templates are provided for circulating fluids in a main well bore and for drilling and completing at least one offset well bore from the main well bore. Each template has a body, an inlet leg, a main outlet leg, and an offset outlet leg. A straddle assembly is mounted in the template to configure the template for fluid circulation. The straddle assembly, in cooperation with the inlet and main outlet legs, effects a downhole flow path which directs fluids from the inlet leg through body of the template and out the main outlet leg, bypassing the offset outlet leg. The straddle assembly is distally displaced from the template to reconfigure the template for drilling. A diverter is placed in the body of the template upon displacement of the straddle assembly to define a drill string path from the inlet leg to the offset outlet leg. The offset well bore is drilled by conveying a drill string through the drill string path. The diverter may then be used to direct additional fluids or tools from the inlet leg to the offset outlet leg for completion of the offset well bore.

A swivel type working vehicle having a turntable (3) with a rear hood (28) covering an engine (11) and a side hood (42) covering hydraulic equipment. The rear hood (28) includes a pivot device (30) disposed in an upper front end region thereof and having a pivot axis extending transversely of a vehicle body. The rear hood is pivotable by the pivot device between a closed position covering the engine and an open position exposing the engine. The side hood (42) includes a pivot mechanism (50) disposed in a lower front end region thereof and having a pivot axis extending transversely of the vehicle body. The side hood being pivotable by the pivot mechanism between a closed position covering the hydraulic equipment and an open position exposing the hydraulic equipment.

A fluid damped shock absorber comprises an outer tube having a closed end and an open end, and a damper tube disposed within the outer tube. An inner tube is axially slideable within the outer tube and has a closed end and an open end. A sealing piston is attached to the inner tube to provide a seal between the inside of the outer tube and the outside of the damper tube. A sealing device is attached near the open end of the outer tube to provide a seal between the outside of the inner tube and the outer tube. A regulation valve is fixed to the damper tube in a sealed arrangement with the outer tube. The regulation valve is located between the closed end of the outer tube and the sealing piston. The regulation valve is configured to regulate fluid flow of a damping fluid between the outer tube and the damper tube upon axial movement of the inner tube within the outer tube.

A system, apparatus and method is disclosed for providing a consistent liquid mixture according to a predetermined recipe for use at a point of use. The apparatus includes a plurality of liquid component reservoirs in which a constant gas pressure is maintained. A plurality of valves are provided, with individual valves connected to an outlet port of each reservoir. An electronic controller controls the valve actuation in a repetitive sequence to discharge predetermined doses of selected liquid components for mixing to form the consistent liquid mixture. A mixing section receives the sequence of doses to mix them together to form the liquid mixture.

An analog scan data signal processor is disclosed, in which a time-domain non-linear substrate noise filter is provided before a first derivative signal generation stage so as to produce, as output, a substantially fixed zero-reference signal level whenever a signal level indicative of a bar code substrate is detected, and the signal level analog scan data signal, whenever a signal level indicative of a bar code element is detected. By virtue of the present invention, it is now possible to reduce the level of substrate noise signals within input analog scan data signals, prior to deriving first derivative signals for subsequent signal processing. Consequently, the accuracy of binary signal level detection within such analog scan data signal processors can be significantly improved, thereby improving the performance of bar code symbol reading systems within which such analog scan data signal processors are employed.

A durable part marking is achieved by local surface material modification. Selected surface area properties of the part are altered without substantial alteration of the physical configuration of the part. The alterations are placed in a coherent pattern accomplishing a durable method of identification marking on a part. Subsequently, the coherent pattern is detected and the coherent pattern interpreted to retrieve the original identification marking. Unlike labeling, ink marking, stamping or etching, many surface or near-surface modifications are not necessarily visible to the human eye. Hence, the invention includes: 1) a method for surface modification, 2) a method for assuring enhanced readability and accuracy of the read back of the encoded data, and 3) a method for locating the surface alteration.

A memory card is disclosed which has a card body (2) having a concavity (9) formed at the forward end thereof in the inserting direction and in which terminals (5) are disposed and projections (10) are formed between the terminals (5) to prevent the terminals (5) from being touched or accessed from outside. A receptacle for the memory card is also disclosed. The memory card has a simple structure designed to positively protect the terminals and easily let out dust or the like from inside, thereby permitting to assure a positive connection with the receptacle.

A mounting device including an upper and lower bracket. The lower bracket is generally L-shaped, for supporting the base of a waste basket or container. The upper bracket includes a flanged device that can be mounted to the interior of any door and support the upper lip or upper edge of a waste basket or container in position while the lower bracket supports the lower wall of any waste basket or container in place during usage.

An automotive vehicle door striker plate (10) includes first and second plate parts (22,24) coupled together by an edge flange (26). A continuous slot (28) separates the plate parts except for two bendable portions (30,32). In use, second plate part (24) is welded to a door closing surface in predetermined arrangement then the door has certain manufacturing operations. Next, the door is removed from the body for accessory mounting (e.g., windows). Finally, on reattachment of the door to the body, any reattachment positional adjustment is accomplished by bending the portions (39, 32) by force application.

A light assembly having a light source and a ring lens radially surrounding the light source for substantially collimating light from the light source. There is a prism ring having at least two prism bands surrounding the ring lens and receiving light from it. One of the prism bands is defined by a plurality of reflecting prisms and another of the prism bands is a refracting band. In another arrangement a multi-prism ring reflector surrounds the ring lens and is arranged to have total internal reflection except for exit faces formed therein which are substantially at right angles to the substantially collimated light from the light source. The ring prism bands may be of the same vertical height or they may have different vertical heights with respect to each other. In a further arrangement a prism ring includes at least two prism bands surrounding the ring lens and receiving light therefrom. Each of the bands has an inner surface and an outer surface and one of these surfaces of each band is inclined and adjacent another such surface and together therewith forms a continuous surface, and the other of these surfaces of each band is a wedge prism.

The invention concerns an electric drive device for medical applications, especially for driving drills, cutting instruments and screw drivers. Such endo-instruments have predetermined working rotation areas and comprise maximally permissible torque load limits according to the materials thereof. The drive device is equipped with a stepping motor in order to avoid exceeding the torque load limits. The stepping motor disconnects when the maximum torque limit of the stepping motor is fixed below the torque load limit of the instrument. In order to precisely set the torque load limit, a calibration is carried out within the limits of a no-load operation during which the efficiency of the driving shaft up to the instrument is detected, and with it, the value of the current is determined for a zero torque.

A method for filming a carbon nanotube film comprising the steps of preparing a solution having a solvent into which a coarse carbon nanotube is dispersed, evaporating the solvent, disposing a substrate in the solution, the substrate having an exposed portion patterned into a predetermined shape, and depositing a carbon nanotube on the exposed portion of the substrate.

A catheter used to measure chemical parameters, in particular to be inserted into biological tissue, fluids or the like, comprising a feed duct running longitudinally through the catheter to its outer end for the purpose of feeding a liquid, further a return duct running through the catheter to return the liquid and a partly permeable tubular membrane at the end of the catheter and enclosing the flow path between the end of the feed duct and the return duct. This catheter is characterized in that the feed duct (26) substantially coaxially encloses the return duct (4), or vice-versa, in that the tubular membrane (16) forms at least in the vicinity of the catheter end an inner wall (10) of the radially external return duct or the radially external feed duct (26), that the feed duct (26) and the return duct (4) communicate with each other at the catheter end by at least one radial aperture (24) and in that spacers are provided which brace the inner wall (10) of the radially external tubular part (12) and/or of the tubular membrane (16) against the external wall (6) of the inner tubular part (2).The catheter can be manufactured in simple and economical manner and makes possible a small diameter and small dead space and allows measurement without substantial time-delay at a high measurement level.

In combination an item of underwear (10) including a front part (11), a back part (12), a waist part (13) and a crotch part (14) which in use extends front to back between the legs of a wearer and a sanitary pad (30) of the kind having side wings (34) which carry an adhesive, characterised in that the item of underwear includes an inside lining part (20) which extends over at least a substantial portion of the crotch part (14) and has sides (25,26) which are unattached to the crotch part (14) over at least part of the front to back extent of the crotch part (14), and the side wings (34) of the pad are foldable into a position between the crotch part (14) of the item (10) and the inside lining part (20) with the adhesive adhered to the inside lining part (20).

An implantable osmotic pump system includes a pre-hydrated semipermeable membrane to reduce the time interval between implantation of the system into the patient and full operation of the pump system. The semipermeable membrane is maintained in a hydrated state prior to implantation by fluid contact with a saline solution maintained in a saturated state by a salt tablet. As the differential osmotic pressure across the hydrated semipermeable membrane is negligible as the saline concentration on both sides of the membrane is the same, the pump system does not operate and does not infuse the pharmaceutical agent as long as this osmotic equipotential state is maintained. When the saturated saline solution is removed from fluid contact with the semipermeable membrane and the system is implanted in a patient, the osmotic pressure differential across the semipermeable membrane increases, thereby causing the pump to immediately begin operation at or near its intended and designed steady state infusion rate. To further decrease the delay between implantation and effusion of a pharmaceutical agent from the system, the infusion lumen of an attached catheter may be at least partially flushed with the same or a different pharmaceutical agent as is loaded in the pharmaceutical agent compartment of the pump system.

A system is described for converting full motion video (102) into multiple markup language (HTML, WML, BHTML) presentations (140) targeted to different devices (144-152) and users. The markup language presentations (140) consist of different combinations of important visuals, audio and transcript of the full motion video (102), depending on the audio and visual/text display capability of the devices (144-152) and the user's requirements (112, 116). The important visuals are keyframes selected (118) from the video (102) based on significance measure (114, 112) associated to different segments in the video (102). The combinations of audio, visuals and transcript can be played in a synchronous/asynchronous manner. The user can control the rate of visuals and transcript displayed.

A process for making a hair colorant composition involving: (a) providing a phase inversion temperature emulsion or microemulsion containing: (i) an oil component; and (ii) an emusifier selected from the group consisting of an alkyl and/or alkenyl oligoglycoside, an anionic surfactant, an esterquat, a polyolpoly-12-hydroxystearate, a fatty alcohol, a fatty alcohol polyethylene glycol ether, and mixtures thereof; (b) providing a dye component; and (c) combining (a) and (b) at a temperature of from 15 to 25° C.

Adhesive bonds can be formed by a process that includes applying a dispersion containing a polyurethane which has structural units of formula (I)—N═C═N—  (I)to a surface. The dispersion is first coated onto the surface to form a coating. The coating is dried to give an essentially anhydrous coating. The dried coating is then subjected to heat activation. The adhesive bond is formed by joining the heat activated coating to itself or to another surface.

There are provided a sheet of filtration, separation or reaction elements, a method for preparing such a sheet, a filtration, separation or reaction module comprising at least one such sheet, and a method for preparing this module.

The present invention provides an easy-to-handle biopolymer composite ion-exchanger with high cesium selectivity, and method for manufacturing this ion-exchanger with ease and good reproducibility, and relates to a cesium separation/recovery agent comprising a composite ion-exchanger with high cesium selectivity by employing a calcium alginate gel as a matrix and loading this matrix with an inorganic ion-exchanger; and to a manufacturing method therefor.

The present invention provides a method of isolating nucleic acid from a sample of cells, said method comprising: (a) binding cells in said sample to a solid support to isolate cells from the sample; (b) lysing the isolated cells; and (c) binding nucleic acid released from said lysed cells to said same solid support and a kit for carrying out such a method. The method may advantageously be used to prepare nucleic acid for use in a nucleic acid-based target cell detection method.

Anionic surfactant compositions containing alkoxylated amines and having enhanced detergent performance. The compositions may be formulated with anionic surfactants such as alkylbenzene sulfonates having cations that may be exchanged with, for example, ethoxylated amine and/or ethoxylated ether amine to form a salt.

Suspensions, emulsions or dispersions of therapeutically active agents which are water insoluble or water intolerant such as nutritional supplements, herbal products, drugs, bacteria, yeast, vitamins and minerals are prepared as suspensions in edible vegetable oils such as orange, lemon, soybean, cotton seed, peanut, canola corn oil, sunflower, safflower, palm kernel, palm and coconut. The active therapeutic agent may be in crystalline or amorphous form, it may be a liquid as for example an oil such as vitamin B or beta carotene, or a preparation of a comminuted plant structure such as flower, parts, leaf; stern, root or tree bark, or an extract of a dried plant structure or a freeze dried preparation of a vital bacteria or yeast. The suspension is formed by active mixing of the active agent and oil. To the suspension of the active agent in vegetable oil is added tile silicon dioxide while actively mixing at 2000-4000 rpm to provide a stable gel, the active agent being uniformly distributed throughout the gel. Two to 60 minutes of stirring is more than adequate for all systems. The compositions can be administered orally, sublingually, buccally and topically. For topical administration the preparation of the invention may be formulated as a cream or ointment.

A method and apparatus for gauging the levels of pH in the interiors of articles such as diapers, incontinence garments, pads, catamenial products, bedding, and would dressings are disclosed. This method and apparatus include sensing devices and relay systems for displaying the pH on the outside of the articles that provide visual and/or audible warnings that toxic levels are approaching and that it is time to remove and replace the article.

A photo detector includes: a semiconductor substrate having a first principal face and a second principal face; a photo detection area formed on the first principal face of the semiconductor substrate; a negative electrode electrically connected with the photo detection area; a positive electrode; a beveled face formed at least one edge portion of the first principal face of the semiconductor substrate; and a reflector formed on the second principal face of the semiconductor substrate, wherein incident light from outside of the semiconductor substrate, enters the semiconductor substrate at a side face of the photo detector while being refracted at the beveled face, and thereafter is reflected from the reflector so as to reach the photo detection area.

A magnetic bearing structure is used in a rotating device that includes a bearing base, a set of coils around a stator mounted on the bearing base, and a rotation shaft mounted on a rotor so that when the set of coils is excited with an electrical current, the rotor rotates. The magnetic bearing structure includes a magnetic shaft attachment in a concave or convex form and fixed on the rotation shaft; and a magnetic stator attachment in a concave or convex form and fixed to the magnetic shaft attachment; wherein the magnetic bearing structure is used to control the position of the rotor in both a radial direction and an axial direction by repulsive magnetic forces produced between the magnetic shaft attachment interacts with the magnetic stator attachment.

The invention relates to a motor-driven pump unit, in particular for antilock systems of motor vehicles, with an electric motor that is arranged on one side of a pump unit and an electronic unit that is arranged on another side of the pump unit and fastened thereto. The main aspect of the invention is that means are provided for an axially movable attachment and contacting of carbon brushes in connection with an axial installation of the unit. In this way, the individual components of the unit can be assembled axially in a simple manner and at low cost. In addition, the unit requires very little space.

An ultrasonic resonator comprising a wire member with an elongated shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end further including a filler material disposed within the proximal end; a crimp screw with an annular end and a threaded end, the annular end adapted to receive and fixedly secure the proximal end of the wire member, the annular end being crimped after the proximal end of the wire member is inserted within the annular end of the crimp screw; an ultrasonic transducer adapted to receive the threaded end of the crimp screw; and the ultrasonic transducer operatively connected to an ultrasonic generator.

An arbiter that includes a phase comparator receiving two input signals. The outputs of the phase comparator are propagated to a first SR type flip-flop. The outputs of the first SR type flip-flop are propagated to a second SR type flip-flop. The outputs of the second SR type flip-flop indicate which of the two input. signals changed first. The phase comparator can enter a metastable state. The first flip-flop reduces the magnitude of signal swing away from the power supply rails caused by the metastable state. The second flip-flop prevents any signal swing away for a power supply rail is not propagated to an output.

Communication units are each provided with a wireless communication control section, a timing pattern generating section for generating a specified timing pattern, an informing device control section for controlling an informing device in accordance with an arbitrary timing and a timing pattern analyzing section for analyzing the transmitted timing pattern. The communication unit generates a specified timing pattern in the timing pattern generating section, controls its own informing device in accordance with the timing pattern by the informing device control section and transmits the timing pattern from the wireless communication control section to the communication unit. The communication unit analyzes the timing pattern transmitted from the communication unit and controls its own informing device according to the analyzed timing pattern. This allows a person to reliably find his or her own unit to be searched even when a plural number of persons search different devices in an identical place.

Disclosed is a method of reducing the complexity of hidden surface removal in 3D graphics systems. A fuzzy projection (FF) of a surface (SU) as seen from a number of viewpoints (VP) in a bounding box (BB) is stored in a buffer (FA) having elements (FE). A combination of all the patches (PT) of the surface (SU) viewed form a fuzzy region (FR) where surfaces can be either visible, hidden, or unable to be determined with certainty as to whether or not visible/hidden. A non-fuzzy region (NF) describes those patches (PT) that are always visible.

A bright holographic stereograin having a high diffraction efficiency can be prepared by restricting vibrations. The apparatus comprises: an optical system 15 for letting an objective laser L2 beam subjected to image-modulation based on each image of a parallax image sequence and a reference laser L3 beam having coherence with respect to the objective laser beam L2 enter into a recording medium 3 and for recording interference fringes generated by the objective laser beam L2 and the reference laser beam L3, as a hologram element, onto the recording medium 3; an anti-vibration support means 19 for supporting the optical system 15 on a casing 20 while preventing vibrations; and cooling means 48 to 52 for cooling the optical system 15. The cooling means is constructed by drive sections 48 and 49 whose vibrations are prevented from being transferred to the optical system 15 by providing the cooling means in the casing side, and ducts 50, 51, and 52 made of non-rigid materials connecting the drive sections 48 and 49 with the optical system 15, and the objective and reference laser beams L2 and L3 kept in a stable state are let into the recording medium 3.

An optical pickup apparatus includes first and second light sources which selectively emit one of first and second light beams, the first and second light beams being different in wavelength, the wavelengths of the first and second light beams being appropriate for accessing first and second optical disks respectively. A coupling lens converts a corresponding one of the first and second light beams into a collimated beam. An objective lens forms a light spot on a corresponding one of the first and second optical disks by focusing the collimated beam. A holographic optical element receives a reflection beam of the light spot from one of the first and second optical disks and provides holographic effects on the reflection beam so as to diffract the reflection beam in predetermined diffracting directions depending on the wavelength of the reflection beam. A photodetector receives the reflection beam from the holographic optical element at light receiving areas and outputs signals indicative of respective intensities of the received reflection beam at the light receiving areas, so that a focusing error signal and a tracking error signal are generated based on the signals.

An optical pickup device has one or a plurality of aperture restriction devices that are disposed in the optical path of a light beam that is emitted from a light source and illuminated onto an optical disk. The aperture restriction device restricts the cross-sectional shape of the light beam corresponding to the aperture in the time axis direction in comparison to that corresponding to the aperture in the radial direction and restricts the light beam in the radial direction of the optical disk by a pair of first partial arcs.

A synchronization method for received sign and its apparatus capable of increasing accuracy of detection of a receiving signal, of estimating a frequency and of improving reliability in the synchronization of received signal are provided. A signal intensity detecting section is used to detect some peak values and timing values of signals obtained in a first frame and to store them into a memory. A signal extracting section is used to estimate timing, in a second frame, by obtaining a largest synthesized peak value in both frames from the peak value and timing value supplied by a timing estimating section. In a frame following the second frame, frequency data estimated based on a frequency estimating signal with an estimated timing and frequency data estimated based on a frequency estimating signal corresponding to the estimated timing in the frame following the second frame are synthesized and an estimated frequency error is obtained from the synthesized frequency data. The correlation between a synchronization word with its frequency corrected based on an estimated frequency error by a signal extracting and frequency correcting section and a known synchronization word is examined by a synchronization word correlating section and synchronization of a receiving signal is established by a timing estimating section.

This invention relates to apparatus and method in conjunction with a service wherein a called caller identification (caller ID) customer is provided a promotional message such as “We Are Talking Chevrolet”, rather than a conventional privacy message such as “anonymous caller”, during a silent interval between intermittent ringing signals or after a call waiting (CW) tone when a calling party or a local switching office of the calling party has invoked a privacy option to prevent the delivery of the calling party's directory telephone number with or without a corresponding name (DN) to customer premises equipment (CPE) of the caller ID customer. In accordance with this invention, when the calling party's DN is received at a local switching office (LSO) of the caller ID customer flagged as “private” indicating that the DN may not be disclosed to the caller ID customer, the LSO sends the intermittent ringing signals or the CW tone to the caller ID customer. The LSO then accesses its associate data-base and selects the promotional message from a plurality of promotional messages stored in the database and transmits the promotional message selected from the database to the CPE of the caller ID customer during the silent interval. The CPE receives and displays to the caller ID customer the promotional message from the LSO during the silent interval and subsequently stores the received promotional message in an associate memory for later retrieval and display.

The control apparatus for a hydraulic excavator according to the present invention comprises: an operating amount sensor for detecting operating amounts of operating levers; a characteristic amount extraction portion for operating the characteristic amounts on the basis of the operating amount; a membership function memory portion for storing a plurality of membership functions; a fitness operation portion for operating fitnesses with respect to works for the characteristic amounts by applying the operated characteristic amounts to the membership functions; an operating characteristic set value memory portion for storing preset operating characteristic set values; and an operating characteristic operation portion for outputting the operating characteristic for controlling a hydraulic excavator on the basis of the fitnesses operated corresponding to a plurality of kinds of work and the stored operating characteristic set values. Therefore, the operating characteristic of the hydraulic excavator can be enhanced.

A computer-implemented method and system for recommending electronic component connectivity configurations and marketing information to users of certain electronic equipment based upon information received from the user. The method includes providing a user interface display containing data representing a group of predetermined user-selectable electronic components, receiving data representing a user-selected subset of electronic components from the group of predetermined user-selectable electronic components, retrieving from a database attributes associated with each component of the subset of electronic components, comparing the subset of electronic components with the associated attributes to determine an appropriate component configuration; and presenting data representing the electronic component configuration to the user.

An apparatus for dynamically generating query explain data includes modules of operational data and executable code for execution by a computer processor. The modules include a query explain program operating on a workstation. The query explain program communicates over a network with a server hosting a database system and is configured to request generation of query explain data by the database system. A query identification module is configured to communicate with the query explain program to receive a selected query for which a user wishes the database system to generate the query explain data. A system settings module is configured to communicate with the query explain program to receive a user designation of a database system setting with which the user wishes the database system to temporarily comply when generating the query explain data.

For networked client-server computer graphics systems, performance is improved by caching immediate mode graphics commands in the server host. Two types of immediate mode command packets are employed—a full-size packet type and a truncated packet type. The full-size packet type includes a cache code field, a table index field and a data field corresponding to the command. The truncated packet type includes only the cache code field and the table index field. For certain outgoing immediate mode commands, if it is determined on the client side that the command's data field has not previously been stored within the server host, then the client host sends a full-size packet type to the server host to indicate the command. The server host executes the command and stores the command's data field in its own memory for possible later use. But if it is determined on the client side that the command's data field has previously been stored within the server host, then the client host sends only a truncated packet type to the server host to indicate the command. In the latter case, the server host executes the command by recalling a previously-stored data field responsive to the table index supplied in the truncated packet.

A method and apparatus are provided for interactively guiding a user through a scanner installation procedure. When a scanner installation program is launched, the scanner installation program causes various screens having various options to be displayed to a user. The screens provide the user with information that guides the user step-by-step through the scanner installation procedure. The scanner installation program automatically detects which I/O ports of the user's computer are available for connection to the scanner and displays a message to the user indicating which I/O port(s) is available for connection to the scanner. The scanner installation program then provides the user with the option of seeing a visual demonstration of steps that need to be taken by the user in connecting the scanner to the available I/O port of the computer. The user is also provided with the option of printing out, written instructions that list the steps that need to be taken in connecting the scanner to the available I/O port. The scanner installation program also provides the user with options as to which scanning software packages are to be installed on the user's computer. When the user selects scanning software packages to be installed on the computer, the amount of memory and time required for installation of each scanning software package is displayed to the user.

A procedure and a processor arrangement for parallel data processing in which data are read out from a data memory and are conveyed via a communications unit to processing units for parallel processing. The data are divided into data groups with several elements and are stored in a group memory under a common address. To each data group, a processing unit is allocated, in that at least one element of a data group can be directly linked to the allocated processing unit, directly bypassing the communications unit. In a parallel fashion, a data group is read out from the data memory and is distributed over one or several processing units and is processed in a parallel fashion in the latter.

The present invention is a method for implementing two architectures on a single chip. The method uses a fetch engine to retrieve instructions. If the instructions are macroinstructions, then it decodes the macroinstructions into microinstructions, and then bundles those microinstructions using a bundler, within an emulation engine. The bundles are issued in parallel and dispatched to the execution engine and contain pre-decode bits so that the execution engine treats them as microinstructions. Before being transferred to the execution engine, the instructions may be held in a buffer. The method also selects between bundled microinstructions from the emulation engine and native microinstructions coming directly from the fetch engine, by using a multiplexor or other means. Both native microinstructions and bundled microinstructions may be held in the buffer. The method also sends additional information to the execution engine.

The present invention discloses a system and method for simultaneously identifying a most recent advanced load instruction employing a particular register and determining whether the instruction conflicts with a store instruction thereby requiring a recovery operation. Fully associative tables are advantageously employed for identifying the most recent load instruction, for comparing store instruction address information with addresses employed in advanced load instructions, and for logging a validity status associated with a register number. Parallel operation of load vs. check register numbers and load instruction and store instruction memory addresses conserves time and preferably enables a hit/miss determination for a particular check instruction to be completed in single machine cycle.

A fault tolerant network server is described. This server has a pair of processing units, each processing unit has at least one CPU, system memory, an interface for a RAID system, at least one disk drive, a network interface, a cluster network interface, a power supply, and a case. The cases of both processing units are slideably mounted in a rack-mountable server case. The server also has a RAID system mounted in the server case and powered by two, redundant, power supplies and coupled to the processing units through isolators for blocking transactions when a processing unit has insufficient power or is being serviced.

A wire-stripping tool that has a pair or more of cutters sized for one gauge of wire. For example, instead of be able to strip 18, 16, 14, 12, and 10 gauges of wire, the device has cutters that strip 18, 12, 12, and 10 gauges of wire. Other variations include designs that can strip up to four wires of the same gauge. With this tool, a user can place two or more wires into the cutters and strip them at the same time. The number of bending holes can be increased to coincide with the number of wires capable of being stripped simultaneously. Slots may also be added instead of, or in conjunction with, the bending holes. Specific strippers can be designed for specific combinations of wire sizes and cables. In this way, the labor required to prepare wires can be cut down significantly.

A method for improving the operational performance of a disc drive through the identification of vital product information associated with a head-disc assembly (HDA) of the disc drive. The disc drive comprises a printed wiring assembly (PWA) housing control circuitry for the disc drive. The HDA of the disc drive is operably coupled to the printed wiring assembly and includes a rotatable disc to which data are written by a controllably positionable head. A non-volatile memory device is mounted on the HDA and operably coupled to the PWA so that, when the disc drive is initialized, the PWA verifies the configuration of the HDA before proceeding with the initialization of the disc drive, thereby preventing errors and damage to the disc drive as a result of the installation of a new, replacement PWA in the disc drive, or the downloading of new, incorrect firmware to the PWA.

A device for fitting onto a foot and ankle of a human body which is a thermoformable element suitable for being thermoformed onto the foot. This element includes a first part and a second part which are joined together in an edge-edge relationship. Each of the first and second parts is formed of a sheet of thermoformable material. The sheet of the first part has a different thickness or density than the sheet of the second part. The first part extends over the foot and the second extends around the ankle. A third part can be joined in edge-to-edge relationship to the first and second parts and extends over the top of the foot.

An automatic tape feeder for use in component placement machines includes a novel sprocket wheel for driving component carrier tapes to a gross position by an electric drive motor. Before the electric drive motor reaches the final position desired, it is deactivated or turned off. A novel indexing cam is connected to the sprocket drive wheel. A spring loaded pawl or positioning cam is moved into a vee-shaped groove on the indexing cam so as to achieve an actual fine position of the indexing cam as well as the teeth on the sprocket wheel. By first achieving a gross position with the drive motor and then a fine position with an indexing cam and pawl, it is possible to achieve a positioning accuracy in a pick up station which is as accurate as the sprocket holes and component pockets in the carrier tape. The present invention has achieved accuracies of ± one 1,000th of one inch which exceeds positioning accuracies of devices known heretofore.

A method for determining the condition of a reflow furnace so as to prevent the semiconductor element from tilting due to different collapsed amounts of solder bumps in the single semiconductor element of multiple chip modules mounted on the semiconductor element on the substrate. For the carrying direction in the reflow furnace using a carrying belt, temperature analysis for time duration is performed for the solder bumps at both the front and rear, and then the condition of the reflow furnace is determined so as to close at both the times for reaching the solder melting temperature and the times for maintaining the solder melting temperature.

A headlight device for motor vehicles has a light source for emitting light beams, a reflector for reflecting at least a part of the light beams emitted by the light source in a light outlet direction on a region in front of the vehicle, and a dispersing element which is bringable in beam path of the light beams reflected by the reflector.

The present invention provides a novel form of entertainment in which participants compete in a “tug of war” against opponents who are remotely located, stored in electronic form in memory, or are virtual opponents graphically generated in real-time by a computer. One embodiment implements “tug of war” in a manner compatible with international standards for Tug competitions. The invention consists of a rope attached to a motor to supply a counterforce to the pulling team. A tensiometer is attached to the rope to determine the force being applied to the rope by the pulling team. In one embodiment, there is a corresponding assembly being used by an opposing team and in data communication with the first assembly. The motor applies a counterforce to the rope being pulled by one team based on the force being applied by the other team to their own rope. In this manner, the system works as if the teams were each pulling on the same rope.

An apparatus for mechanically stimulating a human user includes in one embodiment a base frame, a rigid plate connected to the base frame and having an area sufficient to support a standing human, a vibrational device attached to the bottom of the horizontal plate whereby the plate is caused to oscillate in both vertical and horizontal directions at a desired frequency with an amplitude of less than 2.0 mm, and a frequency control device whereby the frequency of the vertical and horizontal oscillations may be selectively and independently adjusted. Vertically extending handrails are preferably connected to the device such that vibrations may be transmitted to the arms and upper spinal region of a user's body when grasped.

An intravenous catheter placement device having a hollow body and a nose on one end of the hollow body. A needle hub fits within the nose and contains a needle embedded therein. A catheter is free to slide along the needle and substantially covers the shaft of the needle. Winged beams on the needle hub include catches and release tabs that cooperate with slots in the nose to retain the needle hub in the nose. A magnified transparent verification cavity in the needle hub provides for viewing blood flash in the cavity to verify that the intravenous catheter is inserted into the correct location. An energy storage device in contact with the needle hub releasably retains the needle hub to prevent premature projection of the needle hub into the hollow body. Upon insertion of the intravenous catheter and introducer needle into a patient, depressing the release tabs triggers the needle hub and blunts the needle within the catheter and projects the needle hub and embedded needle into the hollow body.

A method is provided for manufacturing a painted plastic component having a badge, emblem or other ornamentation, such as air bag covers having a badge, or wherein the component is the badge itself. The method includes providing a painted film sheet and a one-piece thermoplastic elastomeric structural carrier. A bottom contact surface of the film sheet bonds with a front contact surface of the structural carrier by diffusion between the contact surfaces thereof within a mold cavity of an injection mold separate from the mold cavity of a vacuum mold which is utilized to vacuum-mold the film sheet to form the desired painted plastic component.

A mask for multiple exposure includes a plurality of periodic patterns in which a relation 0.5S Status Category:
Patent Expired Due to NonPayment of Maintenance Fees Under 37 CFR 1.362

A process for forming microcapsules having substantially impermeable microcapsule walls comprising the steps of: forming an emulsion of an internal phase in a continuous aqueous phase, the internal phase including a photosensitive composition and a polyvalent isocyanate, the continuous aqueous phase including a sulfonated polystyrene, at least one of the internal phase or the continuous aqueous phase further including a hydrophilic polymer; and enwrapping particles of the internal phase in an amine-formaldehyde condensation product produced by in situ condensation of an amine and formaldehyde is disclosed.

The invention provides a new human cathepsin (LCAP) and polynucleotides which identify and encode LCAP. The invention also provides expression vectors, host cells, agonists, antibodies and antagonists. The invention also provides methods for treating disorders associated with expression of LCAP.

An image receptor surface which receives an image of a sublimation dye thermally transferred thereto from a foundation sheet for formation of the image therein, the image receptor surface comprising a thermochromatic layer.The thermochromatic layer is a layer of a thermochromatic ink, and contains at least either one of an epoxy resin and an epoxy acrylate resin. The thermochromatic layer reversibly changes its color between an image concealable color and transparence in a predetermined temperature range.The image receptor surface may be formed of any of various materials or articles such as metals, wood materials, glass materials, ceramics, plastics, fabrics and fibrous materials for any applications, especially a mug.

The present invention is directed to novel 2-aminobenzamide thereof, represented by the general Formula I: where R1-R3, X, and A—D are defined herein. The present invention also relates to the discovery that compounds having Formula I are potent inhibitors of caspases and apoptotic cell death. Therefore, the inhibitors of this invention can retard or block cell death in a variety of clinical conditions in which the loss of cells, tissues or entire organs occurs.

The present invention provides benzoheterocyclic carboxyamides, particularly pyridobenzodiazepine and pyridobenzoxazepine carboxyamides, of the general formula: wherein: W is O or NH, optionally substituted, as well as methods and pharmaceutical compositions utilizing these compounds for providing a temporary delay of urination or for the treatment of disorder which may be remedied or alleviated by vasopressin agonist activity, including diabetes insipidus, nocturnal enuresis, nocturia, urinary incontinence, bleeding or coagulation disorders.

Methods are described for the purification and spinning of recombinant and non-recombinant proteins. Specifically, the lysis of bacteria and purification of silk proteins occur in a single solution of organic acid. Bacterial proteins are hydrolyzed while the silk protein remains intact. Silk proteins remain soluble as they are concentrated into a aqueous-based mixture for fiber spinning.

Biarylalkylenecarbamic acid derivative represented by general formula (I): [wherein Q is a phenyl group which may be substituted or the like, X is a halogen atom, a (C1-C6) alkyl group or the like, n is 0 or an integer of from 1 to 4, R1 is a (C1-C6) alkyl group or the like, R2 is a hydrogen atom, a (C1-C6) alkyl group or the like, A is a (C1-C7) alkylene group which may be branched, and G is an oxygen atom, a sulfur atom or a group —NR— (wherein R3 is a hydrogen atom or a (C1-C4) alkyl group)] and agricultural and horticultural fungicides.The agricultural and horticultural fungicides of the present invention are useful as agricultural and horticultural fungicides because they have high preventive effects on cucumber downy mildew, apple scab, wheat powdery mildew, rice blast, cucumber gray mold and rice sheath blight without damaging crops, and are excellent in residual effectiveness and rain-resistance.

A lead-frame for connecting and supporting an integrated circuit having an apertured frame with dimensions smaller than the corresponding dimensions of the chip so that chip-pad shoulder can be eliminated and the chip attach fillet is made remote from the chip corner.

An engine control system for a hybrid vehicle having an internal combustion engine and an electric motor as driving force sources, for permitting stopping and starting of the engine in accordance with predetermined drive conditions. The system includes a booster for receiving a negative pressure supplied by an operation of the engine, a pressure detector for detecting a pressure supplied to the brake booster, a throttle-opening state detector for detecting a throttle opening state and an engine-operation enable/disable determining device for determining whether or not to operate the engine when the engine is stopped, based on the throttle opening state detected by the throttle-opening-state detector and the pressure detected by the pressure detector.

A distance-measuring apparatus includes a diode projecting pulses of light toward an object at a distance to be measured, a photoreceptor for receiving reflected pulses of light reflected from the object, an arithmetic unit outputting a ratio signal according to the distance, an integrator integrating the ratio signal by discharging an integrating capacitor to produce a first integral, charging the integrating capacitor with constant current to produce a second integral, a maximum second integral time selector for selecting a maximum of the second integration times, and a detector for determining the distance based on the signal output by the integrator after the lapse of the maximum second integration time.

A Color Register Control system used to maintain close registration between colors printed on a surface by various printing cylinders. The control system acquires an image of a cluster of register marks printed by various printing cylinders. The register mark is a geometrically unique mark, The mark cluster is acquired by the camera and each mark pattern is identified by checking shape of individual marks. Resulting location of a mark is used to compute and correct registration errors. The image is analyzed to identify marks printed by various printing cylinders. Register error is determined by computing the lateral and circumferential distance between marks printed by a print cylinder and a master print cylinder. Any error detected in this process is corrected by activating correction motors typically stepper motors, on print cylinders. The control utilizes a commercially available IBM-PC compatible computer, which can accept additional boards in the expansion slots for indicated purposes.

A disk drive includes a DVD optical head and a CD optical head. An objective lens in the CD optical head moves along a reference radial line passing through the center of rotation of an optical disk. An objective lens in the DVD optical head moves along a transfer line parallel to the reference radial line, and is disposed so that an expression R0<(Rmin+Rmax)/2 is satisfied, where Rmin and Rmax represent distances along the reference radial line between the center of rotation and the positions of the objective lens when it is disposed on the innermost and outermost tracks of the optical disk, respectively, and R0 represents a distance along the reference radial line between the center of rotation and the position of the objective lens when its tracking correction direction is towards the center of rotation of the optical disk.

A voice messaging system allowing the monitoring of telephone calls is provided. The system permits subscribers to monitor incoming calls handled by voice messaging systems, and to selectively listen to the message as it is recorded, ignore the message, or establish two-way audio communications with the caller. The system further provides these monitoring capabilities to the subscriber at any location having access to a computer network that is interconnected to the message server, for example the Internet. The present invention is particularly well-suited for use with telephones that are part of private branch exchanges, telephones subscribing to central voice messaging systems, and telephones whose lines are used for the transmission of computer data in addition to voice communications.

A multichannel dynamic telephone link provisionally sets up an internode medium connecting two nodes of a telephone network and including a plurality of channels each carrying a call between the two nodes. Time-delayed controllers associated with respective channels each assume a measurement state or an overshoot state or a latent state according to whether a call has been supported by the channel associated with the controller for a time less than an authorized duration or a call has been supported by the channel for a time at least equal to the authorized duration or no call has been supported by the channel, respectively. They clear down the internode medium when none of the time-delayed controllers is in its measurement state. One particular application is to private networks including a dynamic link via a public network.

The present invention earphone support comprises a pair of curved ear contact supports, each held substantially rigidly apart from and attached to a slideable axis, thereby forming two slideable axes that meet and form an angled set of slideable axes. The ear contact supports are thereby releasably slideable from an in-contact position with the wearer's ear to a release position therefrom. The relative dimensions of the present invention comprise are critical to the wearer's comfort.

There is provided a contour extraction apparatus and a method thereof by which candidate data of a plurality of subjectively evaluable contour curves can be presented to a user by obtaining an accurate color projection axis and the user can be invited to make selection. An update sector extract section 31 obtains an update sector of a closed contour curve from representative points specified by a user. A color projection axis candidate calculator section 32′ calculates a plurality of color projection axes which maximizes contrast around an edge within the update sector, based on representative points 1 and 2 and an image. A contour curve generator section 33 generates a contour curve candidate list corresponding to the list of the plurality of color projection axis candidates. The contour curve candidate list generated by the contour curve generator section 33 is displayed on a display device. Further, a user is invited to make selection by a candidate list select section 71, and the color projection axis selected by the user is sent to the contour curve generator section 33. The contour curve generator section 33 generates a new contour curve within the update sector from the image, representative points 1 and 2, and the color projection axis. The update sector synthesizer section 34 synthesizes the contour curve of an updated sector with a closed curve thereby to generate a new closed contour curve.

An image retrieval system and method using an image histogram for determining central points and dispersion values as well as quantity information of color about respective histogram bins, thereby using these as mapping information for image retrieval. The image retrieval method using an image histogram includes the following steps. A first step of computing an image histogram bin when an image is inputted, and accumulating values of x, y, x2, y2 to compute central points and dispersion values. A second step of normalizing the respective central points and dispersion values through dividing these by size of whole image, and storing these. A third step of generating a value of model to be retrieved by drawing a feature vector when a query image is inputted, and computing the difference between the generated value of model and central points and dispersion values of an image histogram, count, and number of corresponding bins within the data stored in the second step. A fourth step of specifying a similarity value of an image using the values computed in the third step.

An electrode for acquiring bioelectrical signals employs an array of spikes that penetrate the viable epidermis layer of the skin of a patient. The spikes may be conductive to provide the bioelectrical signal. Or, the spikes may extend through a conductive layer that provides the bioelectrical signal. The signal obtained from the patient may be amplified using an amplifier and battery circuit present on the electrode body. The electrode may be used with or without conductive paste or gel.

The invention relates to an on-board or off-board diagnostic device (1) enabling a vehicle manufacturer or the like (“clients”) to carry out a client diagnosis (N) or to monitor a motor vehicle sub-system (2) manufactured by a special supplier, using the vehicles's data collection line (3) or data bus and comprising an electronic control device allocated to said sub-system (2) which is connected to an operating unit (5) for instance, by means of a line (HS). According to the invention, a specially coded signal (S) is fed into the electronic control device (4) in order to switch from client diagnosis mode (N) to special supplier diagnosis mode (U) so as to provide extended or modified sub-system (2) data on an already existing line (HS).

A fast search method for LSP (Linear Spectrum Pair) quantization is provided. The fast search method in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention includes the following steps. A first step is obtaining a target vector and a code vector. The target vector and the code vector are converted for ordering property. A second step is generating a code book having the ordering property for sub-matrices by utilizing the target vector and the code vector. A third step is selecting a particular line for determining a search scope in the code books and sorting the code book in descending order with respect to component values of the particular line. A fourth step is determining the search scope by utilizing the ordering property of the target vector and the sorted code vectors. The fifth step is obtaining an error standard by utilizing the target vector and the code vector, and obtaining an optimal code vector by utilizing the error standard within the determined search scope.

A method of creating an index of residual values for leased assets such as vehicles, transferring residual value risk, and creating lease securitizations. The index of residual values includes valuation information pertaining to different types of vehicles, different models and submodels of vehicles, different combinations of vehicle options, different vehicle model years, etc. The residual value index is updated with subsequent valuations of the leased assets and is employed to facilitate the transfer of residual value risk and create lease securitizations via mechanisms such as residual value futures, options, bonds and insurance products.

Conventional approaches or communications systems for data communications in an asymmetric network connection are disclosed. These approaches or systems relate to the problems posed by the difference in bandwidth between the downstream and upstream channels in the asymmetric network connection. In accordance with the invention, a method, a computer product and a communications system in relation to data communications in an asymmetric network connection are disclosed. The data communications is in accordance with a communications protocol wherein a receiver transmits acknowledgement packets for acknowledging data packets transmitted by a sender. The invention includes the step of measuring the interval between the transmission of data from one of the receiver and sender and the reception of a response thereto by the one of the receiver and sender. Additionally, the invention includes the step determining a window size indicative of the maximum number of the data packets transmittable by the sender for a duration absent any reception of the acknowledgement packets by the sender for the duration in accordance with the communications protocol, wherein the window size is determined using the measured interval. Further, the invention includes the step of regulating the frequency of transmission of the acknowledgement packets from the receiver, the regulation dependent on the determined window size.

A microprocessor, data processing system, and an associated method of executing microprocessor instructions and generating instruction fetch addresses are disclosed. The microprocessor includes an instruction fetch unit comprising and instruction fetch address register (IFAR) and an instruction processing unit (IPU). The IFAR is configured to provide an address to an instruction cache. The IPU is suitable for receiving a set of instructions from the instruction cache and for generating an instruction fetch address upon determining from the set of instructions that the program execution flow requires redirection. The IPU is adapted to determine that the program flow requires redirection if the number of branch instructions in the set of instructions for which branch instruction information must be recorded exceeds the capacity of IPU to record the branch instruction information in a single cycle. The IPU may include an address generation unit suitable for generating a set of branch target addresses corresponding to the set of received instructions and a multiplexer configured to receive as inputs the set of branch target addresses. The output of the multiplexer is provided to the instruction address fetch register. The IPU may include an address incrementer suitable for generating a next instruction address corresponding to the next sequential instruction address following the instruction address corresponding to the received set of addresses. In this embodiment, the next instruction address comprises an input to the multiplexer. The IPU may further include selector logic adapted to select the next instruction address as the output of the multiplexer if the number of branch instructions in the set of instructions for which branch instruction information must be recorded exceeds the capacity of IPU to record the branch instruction information in a single cycle. The selector logic is adapted to select as the output of the multiplexer the branch target address of the first instruction predicted to be taken if the number of branch instructions in the set of instructions for which branch instruction information must be recorded does not exceed the capacity of IPU to record the branch instruction information in a single cycle.

A branch target structure predicts a branch target address for an instruction flow. To conserve space, only a portion of the branch target address is stored. The branch target address is reconstructed assuming that an unspecified portion of a current branch instruction address matches corresponding bits of the branch target address. A comparator determines if the unspecified portion of the current branch instruction address matches corresponding bits of the branch target address. If the unspecified portion of the current branch instruction address does not match the corresponding bits of the branch target address, update of the branch target structure is inhibited. Otherwise update allowed.

In one embodiment, a file of all the initial states (or their equivalents) and the nth surviving states associated with the initial states is stored along with the path metric. The initial states (or their equivalents) are an index to a previous file. A.new file or files are then generated. An appropriate criterion is utilized to select a final surviving state. The path can be traced back through a plurality of files and the “most likely” path determined. The identifying binary numbers of the final states of each file and the binary numbers of an original initial state determine the “most likely” sequence of convolutionally-encoded symbols received by the decoder. The convolutional decoding can be implemented with a digital signal processor and a dedicated peripheral unit. This apparatus can provide an efficient use of memory for the possible decoding paths.

A novel power minimizing hardware/software co-design approach is presented that partitions an embedded application into an application specific core and a software program that executes on a microprocessor core. As opposed to prior art approaches, the present approach is very comprehensive since it takes into consideration a whole embedded system. In addition, it partitions at the cost of a very small additional hardware effort. The experimental results show high energy savings while maintaining (or even slightly increasing) the performance of the initial design.

A method and apparatus for testing software having a user interface are presented in various embodiments. The method generally entails evolving a test sequence by generating random test actions. A test sequence is created by assembling a set of interface components associated with an interface window. One of the interface components is randomly selected, and a random action is generated to apply to the interface component. The test sequence is documented by recording data that identifies the interface component and the action, and the action is then applied to the user interface.

A digital broadcast transmitting method and an apparatus for repeating and transmitting a digital broadcast program are disclosed. The method comprises transmitting individual information from a first to a second digital broadcast transmitter, wherein the second digital broadcast transmitter selects particular information from the individual information. The selected information is transmitted to a receiving terminal which stores contract data corresponding to the selected information. In addition, the first digital broadcast transmitter supplies common information necessary for descrambling the broadcast program. The scrambled broadcast program received at the receiving terminal may be descrambled utilizing a descramble key corresponding to the common information depending on the stored contract data. The apparatus comprises a first and second digital broadcast transmitter and a receiving terminal which are capable of repeating and transmitting digital broadcasts.

The invention relates to a handling module for at least one component (12) for mounting on and removal from a component carrier (14), having a holding device (22) which has at least one receptacle which is matched to the component (12), having a coil (42) which is arranged at an end of the holding device (22) which faces towards the component (22), is energized when the holding device (22) is being at least partially positioned with respect to the at least one component (12) and positions the at least one component (12) with respect to the holding device (22) by means of magnetic holding force.

The air remaining within a headspace of a can filled with a liquid such as a carbonated drink, juice drink, tea drink, coffee drink or the like is replaced with one of steam, a mixture of steam and carbonic acid gas, a mixture of steam and nitrogen gas, and a mixture of carbonic acid gas and nitrogen gas. Therefore, the quality of filled liquid can be maintained, and deterioration of the working environment can be prevented by avoiding the spraying of carbonic acid in all directions at the workshop.

An improved sound attenuating device for use in a gas transportation duct, said device comprising a core of acoustically absorptive material substantially enclosed within an impervious film to prevent direct contact between the acoustically absorptive material and gas flowing through said gas transportation duct, wherein said enclosed absorptive material is maintained in position between at least two perforated facing plates and further wherein there is provided between the perforated facing and the impervious film and between the impervious film and the acoustically absorptive material spacing means to allow unrestricted movement of the impervious film in the void between the perforated facing and the acoustically absorptive material, while preventing contact between the film and the perforated facing and between the film and the acoustically absorptive material, and blocking means to impede the internal flow of gas between the film and the perforated facing and between the film and the acoustically absorptive material.

A novel system and method of surfing Web-sites on the Internet and for composing and printing lists and sets of URL-encoded bar code symbols representing Web-sites within the WWW. In the first illustrative embodiment, the Internet Scanning System includes a bar code symbol reader programmed to read URL-encoded bar code symbols printed on various types of print media which, when read thereby, automatically connect the Internet Client System to the Internet Server supporting the Web-site specified by the scanned URL-encoded bar code symbol. In a second illustrative embodiment, the Internet Scanning system includes optical character reader programmed to read URLs printed on various types of print media which, when read thereby, automatically connect the Internet Client System to the Internet Server supporting the Web-site specified by the read URL.

The method of the invention provides a process for a player to choose cards, for that player's “playing deck,” from potentially hundreds of collected cards. According to the invention, each collectible card is assigned to a particular class. The composition of the playing deck is controlled in that the playing deck may only include so many cards from each particular class. The class of a particular card may be indicated in any suitable manner. In accordance with one embodiment, the class is indicated by a series of colored dots. The number of classes may be widely varied. Also, the number of cards in a class may be varied. In accordance with one embodiment, a user may have more cards of one class than another class. Further, the basis upon which the collectible cards are assigned to a particular class may be varied. For example, the cards may be assigned based on power of the cards, versatility of the cards, commonality of the cards, the type of card, as well as any other suitable attribute. The invention provides a simple and systematic manner to control the number of cards per class in a deck.

A wireless optical communication system can reduce the power consumption needed for light emission by a controlled node and suppress a modulated signal component, other than the modulated signal of input data for transmission, in the modulated signal components carried by the light output of the controlled node. The controlled node includes a transmission device for transmitting input data for transmission by an infrared ray amplitude-modulated by a modulated signal of a first frequency band and a light emission control device for suspending the light emission by the transmission device for a predetermined period based on a data amount of the input data for transmission. The light emission circuit generates a light emission control signal and the transmission device stops or starts the light emission based on the light emission control signal so that the modulated signal component in the second frequency band other than the first frequency band does not exceed a maximum allowable value.

An envelope that enables personal computer printers to be able to print a Facing Identification Mark (FIM) as part of a Information-Based Indicia (IBI) registered along the top edge of the envelope. The personal computer printers will also be able to print the FIM, IBI, the recipient's address and the sender's address without the glue on the envelope closure flap adhering to the body of the envelope, which would seal or partially seal the envelope, potentially rendering the envelope useless.

A trailer for use on standard highway systems and having a hopper with a central conveyor belt system forming the floor and two independent, non-linear sides is disclosed for transporting particulate materials such as asphalt, gravel, or low-slump concrete and delivering such materials in a controlled manner to the point of use. The sides of the hopper are formed as segments having a conic section geometry, i.e. circle, ellipse, hyperbola, or parabola. Such hopper sides have different tangential angles for all points on the surface and different rates of change of said angles per unit distance along the side, depending upon the conic segment selected. This design has the novel and unexpected result of producing a vortexing, or mixing, effect on the particulate material, both when it is loaded into the hopper and during transport.

A chipping and putting golf training facility for practice, education, competition, and recreational use. The golf training facility is comprises a plurality of strip greens and fringe grass aprons specifically designed and arranged in an order to provide a systematic training method in chipping and putting. Each strip green of the plurality exposes the golf trainee to a different putting circumstance naturally encountered in chipping and putting on a golf course. Each strip green is essentially planar and has an uphill or downhill longitudinal inclination and a left to right or right to left transverse downhill inclination. The preferred embodiment utilizes a combination of small, medium, and large inclinations along both axes. The preferred embodiment also includes two strip greens with level upper and lower tiers and an inclined planar surface separating the two level tiers.

An absorbent article that includes a topsheet, a backsheet that is at least partially joined to the topsheet and an absorbent core that lies between the topsheet and the backsheet are described. A water activatable adhesive that, when activated, can adhere to a wearer's skin is also deposited on at least part of the absorbent article is also described.

A keratome for performing corneal resectioning which functions without a need for a surface against which to press the subject cornea during surgery, facilitating access for the surgeon and reducing or eliminating mechanical part rubbing near the surgical site. The keratome has a positioning ring to position an eye with the cornea protruding through and restrained by the ring. A blade is preferably suspended from its ends by a blade support which is driven by a drive mechanism, and a guide is disposed substantially parallel to the blade. The blade describes a forward path above and at a controlled distance from the positioning ring while also oscillating laterally. A guide may be disposed parallel to the blade edge to control resectioning thickness. Drive control and vacuum for the positioning ring are provided under user command by a control unit having user inputs.

A cooled, therapeutic gelatinous disc is provided which includes a convex face configured to overlie a typical human eye and a surrounding margin of tissue. The convex face of the disc includes a non-planar surface, which presents a non-uniform, three-dimensional surface for contacting the eye. Water, gelatin powder, therapeutic plant extracts and oils, methylparaben, diazolidinyl urea and a coloring agent are mixed, poured into a mold and then cooled to form a cooled gelatinous disc having a convex face with the raised swirl design. A plastic film is attached to the mold to hermetically seal the gelatinous disc, which sealed assembly is stored in a light-impermeable and resealable bag. The gelatinous disc may be removed from the mold and placed onto the eye and surrounding tissue, preferably in connection with a moisturizer, in order to relieve irritation.

A first adhesively coated tape material length is supplied to a first die associated with a cutting and application mechanism. A second length of adhesively coated tape material is also provided to a second die of the cutting and application mechanism. A plurality of LOC leadframes is supplied sequentially through the application structure to apply a first decal cut from the first tape material to a first die site at a first location and to apply a second decal cut from the second tape material to a second die site at a second location.

A funnel-shaped chip tube and a tubular-shaped press frit are prepared. After the chip tube is disposed on a major surface of a substrate so that the center axis of an exhaust hole provided in the substrate of a sealed container body and the center axis of the chip tube may substantially coincide with each other, the press frit is so disposed as to be located on a surface of an opening portion. After that, by heating the whole device, the press frit is heated and melted, to provide a sealing member contiguously from an outer-rim outside portion of the flare-shaped opening portion of the chip tube to a portion of a tubular portion beyond a boundary.

A plasma reactor for processing a workpiece includes a reactor enclosure defining a processing chamber, a base within the chamber for supporting the workpiece during processing thereof, a semiconductor window electrode overlying the base, a gas inlet system for admitting a plasma precursor gas into the chamber, an electrical terminal coupled to the semiconductor window electrode, an inductive antenna adjacent one side of the semiconductor window electrode opposite the base for coupling power into the interior of said chamber through the semiconductor window electrode.

The present invention relates to nonlinear optical (NLO) materials, compositions thereof and NLO devices using polymeric matrices supporting a second order NLO material defined by the formulaED—B—EW  (I)where ED is an electron donating moiety, B is a bridging moiety, and EW is the electron withdrawing moiety (terminal acceptor group) defined by formula II, where C1 is a carbon atom linked through a double bond to a cyclic or an acylic carbon atom in the bridging moiety, and A1, A2, A3 or A4are the same or different from one another, each of which is an electron withdrawing group such as CN, COR, COOR, COOH or CH═C(R)2 where R is a C1-6 alkyl.

An exemplary embodiment of the present invention is a method for manufacturing a catalytic converter. A plurality of catalyst substrates having a periphery, an intake area and an outlet area, and comprising a catalyst, is longitudinally aligned. A mat support material is wrapped about the periphery of the catalyst substrates to form a subassembly. The subassembly is concentrically disposed within a shell. The shell is formed to have a non-linear geometry.

The present invention provides vaccine compositions comprising an oil-in-water emulsion optionally with 3 De-O-acylated monophosphoryl lipid A and QS21. The vaccine compositions are potent inducers of a range of immune responses.

A reflector is disclosed which enables bright image display with a wide angle of view and can be efficiently fabricated by a a simplified process. The reflector includes a resin layer having at its surface microscopic projections and depressions and formed by application of a coating composition containing a binder resin and crosslinked resin particles.

The invention provides a packaging film comprising a heat-shrinkable, heat-sealable polyester shrink film. The film comprises a homopolymer or copolymer of polyethylene terephthalate, preferably coated with a solvent-based, heat-seal coating, e.g., an amorphous copolyester. The film may be metallized and/or laminated to other films, e.g., ionomer films. The films and laminated are useful in various packaging applications including cook-in or non-cook bags for packaging meats, as well as lidding applications

A sealing strip, such as for fitting to the frame of a door opening in a motor vehicle body, comprises a longitudinally extending channel-shaped mounting portion incorporating a channel-shaped reinforcing carrier. The hollow tubular longitudinally extending sealing portion is attached to the outside of the mounting portion. When such a strip is bent to follow curves in the door frame, the increased tension in the mounting portion at the curves can cause the sealing portion to move inwardly of the curve so as partially the bridge across the curve. In order to avoid this, the sealing strip, and particularly the mounting portion are longitudinally compressed at positions corresponding to the positions where curves are to be formed in the strip. This local longitudinal compression helps to maintain the sealing portion in its correct attitude.

Using a mold equipped with a rib-forming member capable of moving forward and backward relative to the mold cavity, produced is a lightweight, hollow resin molding having a reinforcing rib structure in the hollow area, from a fiber-containing thermoplastic resin having a fiber content of from 10 to 70% by weight. To produce the molding, a melt of a fiber-containing thermoplastic resin is injected into the mold cavity or is injected thereinto under compression, then the movable mold member is moved backward in the direction in which the mold cavity is expandable, and after the start of the mold member moving, a gas is introduced into the resin melt. Even though the molding has a hollow structure and has a large surface area, it has good stiffness and high strength, and has good appearances. The weight of the molding can be well controlled and reduced to any desired degree. The molding has many applications in various fields.

The present invention relates to the metal oxide doped cerium oxide which has an excellent ultraviolet ray shielding effect and a transparency and whose catalytic activity is reduced. More in detail, relates to the metal oxide doped cerium oxide composed of cerium oxide in which metal ion having larger ion radius than that of Ce4+ and/or lower valence metal ion than Ce4+, such as Ca2+, Y3+, La3+, Nd3+, Eu3+, Tb3+, Sm3+, Mg2+, Sr2+, Ba2+, Ce3+ and so on are doped. Said metal oxide doped cerium oxide can be prepared at the temperature lower than 60° C. and in the condition of pH higher than 5 by reacting aqueous solution of cerium salt, aqueous solution of metal ion having larger ion radius than that of Ce4+ and/or lower valence metal ion than Ce4+ and alkali, then adding oxidizing agent. Further, said metal oxide doped cerium oxide can be blended to resin composition or cosmetic composition and can display and ultraviolet shielding effect without spoiling transparency at visible ray region.

Crystalline dielectric lead zirconate titanate thin film composites on metallic foils exhibit high dielectric constants, low dielectric loss (loss tangent of less than 5%) and low leakage current. The lead zirconate titanates may be of the formula PbZrxTiyOz (PZT) wherein x and y are independently from about 0.35 to about 0.65 and z is from about 2.5 to about 5.0. The thin foil dielectric composites can be prepared by a variety of methods including deposition of PZT thin films on brass, platinum, titanium, and stainless steel foils using sol-gel processing, sputtering deposition and chemical vapor deposition.

The object of the present invention is to obtain an electrode whose resistivity increases with temperature, and a battery using the same. Specifically, the invention consists in limiting the proportion of a conductive filler contained in electron conductive particles of an electron conductive particle layer to a range of from 55 to 70 parts by weight. A battery constituted by using the electrode has an increased discharge capacity and is capable of reducing a short-circuit current.

A power source element has a positive electrode case, a negative electrode case, and a pair of connecting terminals, each having a first end portion connected to a respective one of the positive and negative electrode cases, a second end portion for connection to a circuit board, and an intermediate portion disposed between the first and second end portions. The intermediate portion of each of the connecting terminals has a weakened region so that the first end portion is separated from the second end portion along a weakened line in the weakened region upon relative movement between the first and second end portions in a give direction.

A precursor for preparing a resist pattern comprises an imageable layer which includes a relatively volatile compound that can be volatilized by application of heat, wherein imaging radiation can be applied to the precursor to heat areas thereof and volatilizes said compound so that properties, for example, the ink accepting abilities of heated and non heated areas, are different.

The promoter of the human p27Kip1 gene is provided. The promoter region is useful to screen a compound that regulates the promoter of the human p27Kip1 gene or regulates the activity of the promoter. It enables the gene therapy utilizing the promoter.