1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a laser light amount control method of a semiconductor laser scanner used for a writing head of a laser beam printer and a digital copying machine, particularly relates to a laser light amount control method in a tri-level developing system of forming a normal latent image and a reverse latent image by one exposure to execute two-color developing.
2. Description of the Related Art
In a conventional laser printer, a method of developing one color of toner by one laser scanning beam is used. Recently, for one of methods for the color laser printer, a tri-level developing method is developed, in which a method is used for forming by one laser scanning beam a normal developing latent image, a reverse developing latent image and an intermediate potential latent image in which neither a normal developing nor a reverse developing is executed, thereby developing two colors of toner at a time.
In an electrophotographic process, when an electrostatic latent image is formed on a photosensitive drum, an electric field polarized opposite to the polarity of the latent image is generated in the circumference of the latent image in addition to an electric field for highlighting developing generated at the end of the latent image. In the conventional one-color developing, when an image is formed, field reversing does not matter. However, in the tri-level process in which positive and negative electrostatic latent images are formed on the photosensitive drum and the developing of two colors of toner such as red toner and black toner polarized opposite to the polarity of the respective latent images is executed, special developing (hereinafter called fringe developing) occurs that red toner adheres around a black image and black toner adheres around a red image because of field reversing. Therefore, a problem arises that the quality of a two-color image is remarkably deteriorated.
The fringe phenomenon remarkably emerges in a solid image. Though the situation of the emergence is different at the top end and at the back end in the rotational direction of the photosensitive drum, the fringe phenomenon particularly arises at the back end. Heretofore, efforts to reduce a fringe at the back end have been made.
For a method of reducing the fringe, there is a method of reducing the fringe by using various exposure controls for trade-off relations among the fringe, the adhesion of a carrier and a printing density, which is a theme of tri-level developing. Specifically, there is a method of controlling an electric potential field in steps around an image by controlling the exposure amount to improve the surface of the photosensitive drum.
The fringe has been reduced by controlling the exposure amount under the aforementioned background. In case of the reduction of the fringe, as described above, the exposure amount control has been focused at the back end of the solid image in which the fringe phenomenon is remarkable.
However, as the experiments are made, it has proved that another correction is also necessary for a new fringe phenomenon arising between close vertical lines because the fringe phenomenon is remarkable not only at the back end of the solid image but between the close vertical lines.
Moreover, in case that a reverse image and a normal image are adjacent in the horizontal scanning direction, the correction control generates an unnecessary image turbulence in a portion to which the correction exposure is applied under a solid part under a part between the adjacent images.


1. Field
Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure relate to an apparatus and method for generating a medical image to realistically display an object or inner tissues of the object.
2. Description of the Related Art
Research into medical imaging apparatuses is actively being conducted to go along with an increasing interest in improving the health of people. Examples of medical imaging apparatuses may include an X-ray imaging apparatus, an X-ray fluoroscopy apparatus, a computerized tomography (CT) scanner, a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) apparatus, a positron emission tomography (PET) apparatus, and an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.
These medical imaging apparatuses display a 2D or 3D medical image of an object. A 2D medical image refers to a sectional image of inner tissues of an object. A 3D medical image refers to an image acquired through volume rendering of 3D volume data generated based on a plurality of sectional images.
The 2D and 3D medical images may be grayscale images or color images. Grayscale images are limited in the ability to provide a realistic image of an object, and thus, color images are currently the norm. Such color images may be acquired by mapping a grayscale image with colors that are similar to those of inner tissues of an object.
However, colors used in mapping are arbitrarily selected and thus, there remain limitations in providing a more realistic color image.


BNP and proBNP are reliable markers of heart failure (HF) widely used in clinical practice. Several types of sandwich immunoassays (conventional assays) utilizing two mono- or polyclonal antibodies, specific to different epitopes of BNP or BNP-fragment of proBNP molecule are described in literature.
BNP molecule is known as an extremely unstable molecule rapidly losing its immunological activity in water solutions. This loss of activity is usually associated with proteolytic degradation of the peptide. Sandwich immunoassays commonly used for qualitative or quantitative antigen immunodetection utilize two or more antibodies specific to two or more different epitopes. The longer is the distance between the epitopes, the higher is the probability that sites of proteolysis would be located between the epitopes of the antibodies, thus increasing the sensitivity of the assay to proteolytic degradation of the antigen. And vice versa, the closer are the epitopes to each other, the smaller is the probability of the proteolytic cleavage of the molecule between the epitopes.
Immunoassay methods for very small molecules have been described, including the application of so called anti-metatype antibodies. Such methods are disclosed, e.g. for detecting digoxin (Self et al., 1994, Clin. Chem. 40:2035-2041), and angiotensin II (Towbin et al., 1995, J. Immunol. Meth. 181:167-176).
However, it is not an easy task to apply this type of method to different analytes, since very specific monoclonal antibodies are required in such a method.


The present invention relates to a fluid control valve device suitably used as a rotary fluid channel switching valve in a power steering apparatus of a hydraulic type or the like for reducing a steering wheel operating force of, e.g., an automobile and, more particularly, to an improvement in a rotary fluid control valve device for controlling distribution of a fluid pressure by relative rotational displacement between a rotor and a sleeve.
A fluid control valve device of this type is used as a fluid channel switching valve in a power steering apparatus or the like to operate a power cylinder as a movable unit in accordance with a steering wheel operation, thereby generating an auxiliary steering force during a steering operation. Various types of such a fluid control valve device have been conventionally proposed as disclosed in, e.g., Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 57-178971 and Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 63-30613. That is, in this fluid channel switching valve, a rotor formed integrally with an input shaft (stab shaft) of a steering wheel and a sleeve formed integrally with its output shaft (pinion shaft) are assembled to be rotationally displaced relative to each other and arranged in a valve housing. A plurality of channel grooves formed in the outer circumferential surface of the rotor and the inner circumferential surface of the sleeve in their circumferential direction are connected to channels communicating with an oil pump as a fluid pressure generating source, an oil tank, and right and left cylinder chambers constituting a power cylinder, thereby easily and properly switching fluid channels of a fluid pressure circuit (hydraulic circuit). In addition, the arrangement of the device is simple.
One of problems posed when the above rotary fluid control valve device is used as a fluid channel switching valve in a power steering apparatus is a noise problem. That is, in the hydraulic circuit extending from the pump to the right and left cylinder chambers or to the tank through the pressurized oil channels in the fluid channel switching valve, an abrupt increase or decrease in a fluid channel sectional area forms a turbulence, a vortex, or the like in a flow of a pressurized oil in the pressurized oil channels constituted by the channel grooves or land portions formed in the rotor and the sleeve of the control valve and channel holes formed to open in the grooves or the land portions, thereby generating a fluid sound (so-called shoo sound). More specifically, when a wide or narrow portion, a bent portion, a branch portion, or the like is present in the fluid channel through which the pressurized oil flows, since a pressure variation is caused to form a turbulence or a vortex, generation of the fluid sound is more or less inevitable. However, this fluid sound is desired to be minimized in the fluid channel switching valve of this type.
Especially in the above rotary fluid channel switching valve for use in a power steering apparatus, the channel grooves and the land portions formed in the sleeve inner circumferential surface and the rotor outer circumferential surface are selectively combined by the relative rotational displacement therebetween, thereby connecting or disconnecting the fluid channels to perform switching between the fluid channels. Throttle portions formed between side edge portions of the land portions for controlling connection/disconnection of the fluid channels abruptly change the fluid channel sectional area because the side edge portions are formed as sharp corner portions. Therefore, a turbulence or a vortex is inevitably formed in the flow of a pressurized oil flowing from an input port of the pump into the channel grooves. For this reason, Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 63-38138, for example, proposes an arrangement in which the throttle portion defined between the two side edges of the channel grooves communicating with the input port or the two side edges of the land portions is formed to have a structure which does not cause much change in fluid channel sectional area by forming the shape of the side edge portion into an inclined surface shape, thereby solving the noise problem. However, this arrangement is still unsatisfactory to prevent the fluid sound caused by the flow of a pressurized oil. Therefore, a demand has arisen for a countermeasure capable of solving the above noise problem with a comparatively simple and inexpensive arrangement.
In addition, this noise problem similarly arises in channel grooves or a fluid discharge hole portion communicating with a return port to the tank in the above rotary fluid channel switching valve. Therefore, this point must also be considered.


1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, a control method therefor, and a computer-readable storage medium storing a program for implementing the control method.
2. Description of the Related Art
In recent years, as image forming apparatuses have become increasingly sophisticated, it has become common to store user data in a nonvolatile device such as an HDD (hard disk drive) or flash memory and read and use the user data when using a certain function.
In this case, when a nonvolatile device in which user data is stored fails, it becomes impossible to read the user data.
As a countermeasure against data loss caused by such a nonvolatile device failure, there is a mirroring function (RAID1) of constantly backing up data using two HDDs and providing notification when the HDDs fail.
There is also a failure predicting function of, before an HDD fails, using S.M.A.R.T. (Self-Monitoring, Analysis and Reporting Technology) information on the HDD to provide notification of a failure prediction indicating that a failure of the HDD is anticipated, thus urging a user to back up data.
In a case where, out of the mirroring function and the failure predicting function described above, only the mirroring function is enabled, data is constantly backed up, and hence a service engineer has only to replace the HDD after the HDD fails.
Using an HDD to the limit as described above has a merit of, for a user, eliminating downtime of an image forming apparatus caused by occurrence of an error, and a merit of, for the service engineer, reducing maintenance costs.
On the other hand, in a case where only the failure predicting function is enabled, upon receiving notification of a failure prediction, a service engineer needs to replace an HDD after backing up user data so as to ensure the user data. This failure prediction, however, is merely a prediction, and hence the HDD may fail immediately after notification or may be usable for several years after notification.
In a case where both the mirroring function and the failure predicting function are enabled, when notification of a failure prediction using the failure predicting function is provided, notification of an error is provided to a user although an HDD can still be used.
As a result, it is necessary to replace the HDD of an image forming apparatus for which notification of the error has been provided, resulting in undesired downtime and cost of maintenance by a service engineer.
Moreover, when both the mirroring function and the failure predicting function are enabled, this means that an image forming apparatus is equipped with two HDDs. In this case, when notification of a failure prediction with respect to both the two HDDs is provided, it is necessary to notify a user of the failure prediction although the two HDDs are unlikely to fail at the same time. The user, however, does not know what to do even when he/she is notified of the failure prediction.
In relation to the above described technique, there has been disclosed a technique that S.M.A.R.T. information is stored in a server in case that the S.M.A.R.T. information is corrupted, and in the server, the S.M.A.R.T. information is compared with a previous log to thus reduce the load for analyzing the cause of a failure (see, for example, Japanese Laid Open Patent Publication (Kokai) No. 2001-312375).
Also, there has been disclosed a technique that a failure is predicted based on, for example, the number of accesses to an HDD or the like (see, for example, Japanese Laid Open Patent Publication (Kokai) No. 2006-256251).
For example, according to the technique described in Japanese Laid Open Patent Publication (Kokai) No. 2001-312375, a server can be notified of a status of an image forming apparatus, and also, values obtained using the failure predicting function can be backed up to the server.
According to the technique described in Japanese Laid Open Patent Publication (Kokai) No. 2006-256251, a failure can be predicted based on the number of accesses. These conventional arts can improve the accuracy of the failure predicting function.
However, when both the mirroring function and the failure predicting function are enabled, problems described hereafter arise. First, unnecessary notification of a failure prediction is provided to a user. This means that, for example, an image forming apparatus provides notification of a failure prediction to a user interface or the like.
Next, unnecessary notification of a failure prediction is provided to a service engineer. This means that, for example, unnecessary notification of an error is provided to a server that manages an image forming apparatus, and a service engineer is called.
Moreover, notification of a failure prediction is provided which causes a service engineer to falsely recognize that a trouble is serious and urgent. This means that, for example, notification of an error is provided to a server that manages an image forming apparatus, and the service engineer is called although a visit of the service engineer is unnecessary.
Further, even if a display indicative of a failure prediction notification is produced on a user interface of an image forming apparatus or the like, a user does not know what to do.
As described above, the conventional techniques have the problem of requiring unnecessary operational costs for calling a service engineer, replacing an HDD, and so on.


For hundreds of years, the use of certain non-toxic agents such as herbal compounds has been widely accepted for a variety of physiological conditions, especially in the Orient. Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer is the best known traditional Chinese medicine. The important pharmacological activities of ginseng extracts, alone or in combination with other drugs, include alleviation of renal impairment, inhibition of carcinogenesis and prevention of stress. There are also a number of reports on the influence of ginseng on the immunological responsiveness of the individual. Some immunomodulatory properties that have been reported include enhancement of host resistance against infection, anti-inflammatory effect, inhibition of tumor growth, as well as modulation of some basic immune function at the cellular level. American ginseng, Panax quinquefolium, is another specie of ginseng which has gained popularity as a health supplement having many beneficial health effects. Several groups of scientists have attempted to isolate and elucidate the structure of the polysaccharides present in ginseng. Some of the polysaccharides have been demonstrated to be active in modulating the immune system.
A series of studies on the isolation, characterization, and biological evaluation of ginseng polysaccharides was carried out by Tomoda's group in Kyoritsu College of Pharmacy, Japan. In one set of studies, ginseng polysaccharides were fractionated based on their acidity. Two acidic polysaccharides having immunological activities have been isolated from root of Korean ginseng (Panax ginseng)[1,2]. The sliced roots were extracted with hot water. The extract was treated with cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) in the presence of sodium sulfate. The precipitate was separated, dialyzed, and applied to a Sephadex G-25 column, DEAE-Sephacel (Pharmacia) column to give two pure polysaccharides, which were designated as ginsenan PA and ginsenan PB. Gel chromatography on Toyopearl HW-55F gave the values of 1.6×105 and 5.5×104 for the molecular weight of ginsenan PA and ginsenan PB, respectively. Quantitative analyses showed that ginsenan PA contained 21.3% arabinose, 53.4% galactose, 2.0% rhamnose, 16.0% galacturonic acid and 2.7% glucuronic acid. The molar ratio of these component sugars was 11:22:1:6:1. Ginsenan PB contained 11.0% arabinose, 32.2% galactose, 8.1% rhamnose, 39.9% galacturonic acid, and 5.0% glucuronic acid. The molar ratio was 3:7:2:8:1. Both polysaccharides showed marked reticuloendothelial system-potentiating activity in a carbon clearance test, and pronounced anti-complementary activity and alkaline phosphatase-inducing activity in a dose dependent manner.
In another study[3], an additional two polysaccharides were isolated from the supernatant of the above extract treated with CTAB, i.e., the supernatant was poured into ethanol. The precipitate was separated and applied to columns of DEAE-Sephadex A-25 and Sephadex G-25 to give another two pure polysaccharides, designated S-IA and S-IIA. Gel chromatography on Toyopearl HW-55F gave the values of 5.6×104 and 1.0×105 for the molecular weight of S-IA and S-IIA respectively. Ginsenan S-IA contains 42.3% arabinose, 50.8% galactose and 6.9% galacturonic acid with the molar ratio of 8:8:1. Ginsenan S-IIA is composed of 42.0% L-arabinose, 32.6% galactose, 6.2% glucose, and 19.2% galacturonic acid. The molar ratio is 15:10:2:5.
Several polysaccharide fractions from leaves and roots of Panax ginseng have been separated by Yamada's group in the Oriental Medicine Research Center of the Kitasato Institute, Japan. The chemical properties and biological activities were investigated and compared.[4]
Ginseng roots and leaves from China, after treated with ethanol to remove their ginsenosides, were extracted with water, and the residue were extracted with 0.5 M NaOH to give water-soluble and alkaline soluble polysaccharide fractions (designated as GR-2 and GL-2 for the water-soluble fractions and GRA-2 and GLA-2 for the alkaline-soluble fractions, respectively). Based on the acidity of the component polysaccharides, all fractions were further fractionated into strongly acidic (designated as GR-3, GL-3, GRA-3, and GLA-3), weakly acidic (designated as GR-4, GL-4, GRA-4, and GLA-4), and neutral polysaccharide fractions (designated as GR-5, GL-5, GRA-5, and GLA-5), by treatment with cetyltrimethylammonium. The roots contained larger amount of polysaccharide than the leaves. The strongly acidic polysaccharide fractions from the roots had a high content of uronic acid, even higher than 50%. Similar component sugars were detected from all fractions. They were rhamnose, arabinose, galactose, glucose, galacturonic acid, and glucuronic acid. Galacturonic acid was the main uronic acid component.
The fraction with highest anti-complementary activity, GL-3, was further fractionated with columns of DEAE-Sephadex, Sepharose CL-6B, DEAE Toyopearl, and ethanol precipitation to give fractions designated as GL-PI through GL-PIV.[5]All fractions contained 32-44% uronic acid. Fraction PI had the highest molecular weight of 50,000. PI and PII consisted mainly of Rha, Gal, and GalA, and PIII contained Fuc in addition, whereas PIV consisted of Gal, Glc, and GalA. A detailed structural determination was performed.
An anti-ulcer pectic polysaccharide (GL-BIII) was isolated from weakly acidic polysaccharide fraction GL-4 by chromatography on DEAE Sepharose CL-6B and Sepharose CL-6B. It was mainly composed of Rha, Ara, Man, Gal, Glc, GalA, and GlcA in the molar ratio of 3:4:2:10:1:7:4. Detailed structural determination was performed.[6]
Another macrophage Fc receptor expression-enhancing polysaccharide (GL-4IIb2) was separated from GL-4 by anion-exchange chromatography on DEAE-Sepharose CL-6B. Chemical analysis showed that the sample contained 65% total carbohydrate and 33.7% uronic acid. The composition analysis and structural determination were performed.[7]
Another Panax ginseng extract with anticomplementary activity, G-115, was studied by the same group.[8]G-115 was fractionated in order to characterize the active substances for anticomplementary and mitogenic activities. The most potent anticomplementary activity was observed in the crude polysaccharide fraction, G-115G, whereas the water-soluble dialyzable fraction, G-115E, showed the most potent mitogenic activity. G-115G was further purified by precipitation with cetyltrimethylammonium bromide, anion-exchange chromatography on DEAE-Sepharose and gel filtration on Sepharose CL-4B, and a major potent anticomplementary polysaccharide, G-115I1-IIa-2-3 was obtained. This polysaccharide was homogeneous. Its molecular weight was estimated to be 3.68×105. It consisted mainly of arabinose, galactose and glucose in addition to small amounts of galacturonic acid, glucuronic acid and rhamnose.
Ginseng polysaccharides were isolated from Korean, Chinese, and Japanese ginseng by Hikino's group at the Pharmaceutical Institute, Tohoku University, Japan. The hypoglycemic activities of the ginseng polysaccharides have been tested. The composition and some structure feature have been elucidated.[9-14]
Three polysaccharides, quinquefolans A through C, were isolated from American ginseng.[14]Their molecular weights were estimated to be higher than 2.0×106 by gel chromatography over Sephacryl S-500. The neutral sugar components were mannose and glucose (molar ratio, 1.0:2.3) for quinquefolan A, mannose and glucose (1.0:5.5) for quinquefolan B, and xylose for quinquefolan C. The acidic sugar components in quinquefolans A through C were found to be 10.8, 11.7, and 7.1% respectively. The content of peptide moieties in these glycans was 2.7, 2.9, and 2.3% for quinquefolans A through C respectively. All of these polysaccharides showed hypoglycemic effects in normal and alloxan-reduced hypoglycemic mice.
An acidic polysaccharide with the molecular weight of 150,000, called ginsan, was isolated from Panax ginseng by a research group at the Laboratory of Immunology, Korean Cancer Center Hospital, Seoul, Korea.[15]This polysaccharide was composed of 3.7% protein and 47.1% hexose (glucose and galactose) and 43.1% uronic acid (galacturonic acid). Ginsan induced the proliferation of T cells and B cells and generated lymphokine activated killer cells from both natural killer and T cells through endogenously produced multiple cytokines.[16]
Miao et al. from Northeast Normal University of China has isolated polysaccharides from American ginseng. The purification and structural analysis were performed.[17]
The biological activities of polysaccharides from American ginseng have been investigated by a research group in Norman Bethune University of Medical Science.[18, 19]They found that polysaccharides from American ginseng (PPQ) enhanced lymphocyte transformation. The effect of polysaccharide from Panax quinquefolium (PPQ-1) on cytokine production from murine spleen lymphocyte in vitro was studied. The data suggest that PPQ-1 regulates immune function.


This invention relates generally to electromagnetic relays and more specifically to flat electromagnetic relays which have a very small width when vertically oriented and or a very small height when horizontally oriented.
Flat electromaqnetic relays are already known from U.S. Pat. No. 4,010,433 granted to Hiromi Nishimura et al Mar. 1, 1977; U.S. Pat. No. 4,031,493 granted to Michael Van Der Wielen Jun. 21, 1977; U.S. Pat. No. 4,272,745 to Takashi Tanaka Jun. 9, 1981; U.S. Pat. No. 4,290,037 granted to Takashi Inagawa et al Sep. 15, 1981; U.S. Pat. No. 4,517,537 granted to Josef Weiser et al May 14, 1985 and from U.S. Pat. No. 4,684,909 granted to Michael Dittmann Aug. 4, 1987.
A flat electromagnetic relay is also already known from U.S. Pat. No. 5,038,123 granted to Christopher Alan Brandon Aug. 6, 1991. This patent which is incorporated herein by reference discloses a flat electromagnetic relay comprising a lead assembly having six stamped insert molded circuit leads, an armature frame pivotally supporting a balanced beam armature which carries two contact bars, a coil assembly and an electromagnetic frame having two diagonally arranged pole wings which are on opposite sides and ends of the armature. The armature is biased into a first operative position where the contact bar at one shunts two circuit leads. When the coil is energized, the armature is pivoted into a second operative position where the contact bar at the other end shunts two other circuit leads.
While this flat electromagnetic relay has many advantages it has a disadvantage in that the armature assembly is complicated, expensive to manufacture and does not lend itself to miniaturization very well.


1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the field of Sic Bo dice games, both physical and electronic driven dice games, to variations of wagers for Sic Bo variants and provision of physical and electronic variations in random selection of dice used in gaming outcomes.
2. Background of the Art
Sic Bo, meaning “dice pair” is an ancient Chinese gambling game. It is very popular in Macau, in my estimation second to baccarat only. In the United States is often found in the Asian gaming rooms, especially in Atlantic City. The large Las Vegas properties will usually have one table in the general casino.
The game uses three dice and a table with a variety of betting options on the roll of those dice. The odds and table layout may also vary from place to place. However, the payoffs are the same across Atlantic City and Macau, but different from each other. In Vegas and on the Internet casinos, anything is possible.
Following is a list of the bets available. The payoffs vary on some bets, from casino to casino, so for those bets a range of viable payoffs is indicated.                Small: Wins on total of 4-10, except for a three of a kind. Probability of winning is 48.61%. Pays 1 to 1. House edge is 2.78%.        Big: Wins on total of 11-17, except for a three of a kind. Probability of winning is 48.61%. Pays 1 to 1. House edge is 2.78%.        Total of 4 and 17: Pays 50 to 1 in Macau, 60 to 1 in Atlantic City, and 62 to 1 in Australia.
House Edge for 4 and 17 BetsPaysProbabilityReturn501.39%29.17%511.39%27.78%521.39%26.39%531.39%25.00%541.39%23.61%551.39%22.22%561.39%20.83%571.39%19.44%581.39%18.06%591.39%16.67%601.39%15.28%611.39%13.89%621.39%12.5%631.39%11.11%641.39%9.72%651.39%8.33%                Total of 5 and 16: Pays 18 to 1 in Macau, 30 to 1 in Atlantic City, and 31 to 1 in Australia.
House Edge for 5 and 16 BetsPaysProbabilityReturn182.78%47.22%192.78%44.44%202.78%41.67%212.78%38.89%222.78%36.11%232.78%33.33%242.78%30.56%252.78%27.78%262.78%25.00%272.78%22.22%282.78%19.44%292.78%16.67%302.78%13.89%312.78%11.11%322.78%8.33%                Total of 6 and 15: Pays 14 to 1 in Macau, 17 to 1 in Atlantic City, and 18 to 1 in Australia.
House Edge for 6 and 15 BetsPaysProbabilityReturn144.63%30.56%154.63%25.93%164.63%21.3%174.63%16.67%184.63%12.04%194.63%7.41%                Total of 7 and 14: Pays 12 to 1 everywhere.
House Edge for 7 and 14 BetsPaysProbabilityReturn106.94%23.61%116.94%16.67%126.94%9.72%                Total of 8 and 13: Pays 8 to 1 everywhere.
House Edge for 8 and 13 BetsPaysProbabilityReturn79.72%22.22%89.72%12.50%                Total of 9 and 12: Pays 6 to 1 in Macau and Atlantic City. Pays 7 to 1 in Australia.
House Edge for 9 and 12 BetsPaysProbabilityReturn611.57%18.98%711.57%7.41%                Total of 10 and 11: Pays 6 to 1 everywhere. House edge of 12.50%.        Double: Bet on any specific pair (for example two l's). Player wins if at least 2 of the number chosen appears. Pays 8 to 1 in Macau, 10 to 1 in Atlantic City, and 11 to 1 in Australia.
House Edge for Double BetsPaysProbabilityReturn87.41%33.33%97.41%25.93%107.41%18.52%117.41%11.11%                Triple: Player may bet on any specific trips (for example three l's). Player wins if all 3 dice match the number chosen. Pays 150 to 1 in Macau and 180 to 1 in Atlantic City.
House Edge for Triple BetsPaysProbabilityReturn1500.46%30.09%1550.46%27.78%1600.46%25.46%1650.46%23.15%1700.46%20.83%1750.46%18.52%1800.46%16.20%1850.46%13.89%1900.46%11.57%                Any Triple: Wins on any three of a kind. Pays 24 to 1 in Macau and 30 to 1 in Atlantic City.
House Edge for Any Triple BetPaysProbabilityReturn242.78%30.56%252.78%27.78%262.78%25.00%272.78%22.22%282.78%19.44%292.78%16.67%302.78%13.89%312.78%11.11%322.78%8.33%                Any One Number: Bet on any specific number from 1 to 6. If chosen number appears 1 time bet pays 1 to 1, if it appears 2 times bet pays 2 to 1, and if it appears 3 times it pays 3 to 1 (in Atlantic City and Macau). Probability of 1 match is 34.72%, 2 matches is 6.94%, 3 matches is 0.46%. House edge of 7.87% (in Atlantic City and Macau). In Australia three matches pays 12 to 1, for a house edge of 3.70%.        Odd: Wins on any odd total, except loses with any three of a kind. The probability of winning is 48.61% and house edge is 2.78%.        Even: Wins on any even total, except loses with any three of a kind. This bet is predominantly in Macau, not in the United States. Probability of winning is 48.61% and house edge is 2.78%.        xyz: The player chooses a three-number combination, using three unique numbers, for example 1-3-5. The bet pays 30 to 1 if all three are rolled. Probability of winning is 2.78% and house edge is 13.89%.        xxy: The player chooses a three-number combination, using two unique numbers, and specifying which will be rolled twice. For example 2-2-4. The bet pays 50 to 1 if the roll matches exactly. So, in this example, 2-4-4 and 2-4-5 would lose. Probability of winning is 1.39% and house edge is 29.17%.        wxyz: The player chooses a four-number combination, using four unique numbers. For example 1-3-4-6. The bet pays 7 to 1 if the roll matches three of the chosen numbers. In my example, 1-3-4, 1-3-6, 1-4-6, and 3-4-6 would be the only winners. Probability of winning is 11.11% and house edge is also 11.11%.        xy: The player chooses a two-number combination, using two unique numbers. For example 2-5. The bet pays 5 to 1 if the roll contains both numbers. For example a bet on 2-5 would win on a rolls of 1-2-5, 2-2-5, 2-3-5, 2-4-5, 2-5-5, and 2-5-6. Probability of winning is 13.89% and house edge is 16.67%.
Following are tables summarizing each bet under the Atlantic City and Macau rules.
Sic Bo - Atlantic City RulesWinningBetPaysCombinationsProbabilityReturnSmall, Big11050.486111−0.0277784, 176030.013889−0.1527785, 163060.027778−0.1388896, 1517100.046296−0.1666677, 1412150.069444−0.0972228, 138210.097222−0.1259, 126250.115741−0.18981510, 11 6270.125000−0.125000Triple18010.004630−0.162037Any triple3060.027778−0.138889Double10160.074074−0.185185Xy5300.138889−0.166667Any number1, 2, 375, 15, 10.421296−0.078704
Following is a table summarizing each bet under the Macau rules.
Sic Bo - Macau RulesWinningBetPaysCombinationsProbabilityReturnSmall, Big11050.486111−0.027778Odd, Even11050.486111−0.0277784, 175030.013889−0.2916675, 161860.027778−0.4722226, 1514100.046296−0.3055567, 1412150.069444−0.0972228, 138210.097222−0.1250009, 126250.115741−0.18981510, 11 6270.125000−0.125000Triple15010.004630−0.300926Any triple2460.027778−0.305556Double8160.074074−0.333333xyz3060.027778−0.138889xxy5030.013889−0.291667wxyz7240.111111−0.111111xy5300.138889−0.166667Any number1, 2, 375, 15, 10.421296−0.078704Sic Bo - Australia RulesWinningBetPaysCombinationsProbabilityReturnSmall, Big11050.486111−0.0277784, 176230.013889−0.1250005, 163160.027778−0.1111116, 1518100.046296−0.1203707, 1412150.069444−0.0972228, 138210.097222−0.1250009, 127250.115741−0.07407410, 11 6270.125000−0.125000Triple18010.004630−0.162037Any triple3160.027778−0.111111Double11160.074074−0.111111Xy6300.138889−0.027778Any number1, 2, 1275, 15, 10.421296−0.037037
Following is a table summarizing each bet under the Australia rules.
Sic Bo House Edge ComparisonBetMacauAtlantic CityAustraliaSmall, Big2.78%2.78%2.78%4, 1729.17%15.28%12.50%5, 1647.22%13.89%11.11%6, 1530.56%16.67%12.04%7, 149.72%9.72%9.72%8, 1312.50%12.50%12.50%9, 1218.98%18.98%7.41%10, 11 12.5%12.50%12.50%Triple30.09%16.20%16.20%Any triple30.56%13.89%11.11%Double33.33%18.52%11.11%xy16.67%16.67%2.78%Any number7.87%7.87%3.7%Yee Hah Hi
About 20% of the many Sic Bo tables in Macau use dice with pictures, instead of numbers. The name of this game is “Yee Hah Hi.” The translation is “Fish Shrimp Crab.” Each picture has an associated number, as shown below. In addition to the usual bets there are some based on the colors of the symbols, as explained below.
Sic Bo - Chinese Dice RulesSymbolColorNumberFishRed1ScorpionGreen2GoardBlue3CoinBlue4CrabGreen5RoosterRed6                All same color: Wins if all three dice are the same color. Pays 7 to 1. The probability of winning and house edge are both, coincidentally, 11.11%.        Exactly two of specific color: Wins if exactly two dice are a color chose by the player, for example red. Pays 3 to 1. The probability of winning is 22.22%, and house edge is 11.11%.        Exactly one of specific color: Wins if exactly one die is a color chose by the player, for example red. Pays 1 to 1. The probability of winning is 44.44%, and house edge is 11.11%.Underlying Rules of Sic BoSetup
Sic Bo is a dice game which consists of many places on the table to place bets. Three dice are used to determine the outcome of the betting.
Betting
The bottom row of the Sic Bo table has six betting areas. These are called single number bets. If one of the three dice comes up as one the numbers bet on (from 1-6), you get paid out at 1 to 1. If two numbers come up you get paid out at 2 to 1 and if three numbers come up you get paid out at 3 to 1. So if you bet on the number 3 and you wagered $5.00 and 2 threes came up you would win $10.00.
The two number combination bets consist of placing a wager on any 2 dice combinations. If you wager on a 6,4 combination and the result of the dice roll was 4, 7, 6, you would win at 6 to 1 odds. You can only win on one instance of the two-number combination.
A three number total wager consists of combining the total shown on the resulting dice roll. Different totals have different odds. A result of 3 or 18 is always a loss. The payouts are as follows:
4 or 17, 50 to 1;
5 or 16, 25 to 1;
6 or 15, 15 to 1;
7 or 14, 10 to 1;
8 or 13, 6 to 1;
9 or 12, 5 to 1;
10 or 11, 5 to 1.
You can wager on whether the combined total of the dice roll will be either between 4-10 or 11-17. This wager pays out at 1-1 odds. All small or big wagers lose if the result of the dice is a triplet.
Triplets or trips (Trips) are when the dice roll is all one number. So if you wagered on three 6's and that was the dice result you would win at 150-1 odds. You can also wager on all six triplet bets at once, this is called “Any Triplet” and pays out at 25-1 odds.
Pairs are when the resulting dice roll contains a pair of the same number. Whether you have two fives or three fives you still only win once and you win at odds of 11-1.
Sic Bo is a single roll dice game in which players may wager on the sum of the dice, typically three. For example, the player may wager on the sum of twelve without regard to the combination of the dice required to add up to twelve, i.e. the player would win if the dice show 6-5-1, or 5-5-2. Alternatively or additionally, the player may wager on the combination of the dice. In the before-mentioned example, the player might wager on the roll of the dice results to be 6-6-6. In Sic Bo, three dice are rolled and all wagers are immediately resolved; that is, there are, at present, no multiple roll wagers in Sic Bo. Sic Bo is an easy dice game to understand and play, however its simplicity fails to keep the player interested and large payouts can be limited.
Sic Bo, known to some people as Tai Sai, means dice pair in Chinese. It is an ancient Chinese game of chance. It may have originally used dice shaken between a plate and an overturned bowl, but today it commonly has three dice in a cage for tumbling. Extremely popular in Asian cultures, this exciting and engaging game is winning new converts in many casinos around the world. Sic Bo is easy to play. The object is to pick the numbers or combinations that will appear on the dice when they come to rest after tumbling. There are 50 different ways to place bets, so players have plenty of choices with a range of payouts—some as high as 180-to-1. In a sense, this game is somewhat similar to the Western game of craps, but it involves many more betting opportunities and combinations due to the use of one additional dice than the game of craps. However, despite this similarity, this game has not yet found its way into traditional Western-style casinos.
A dice game proposed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,413,351 as described above is performed according to special rules, however, there is a problem that people are not familiar with this game and its special rules and therefore this game lacks amusement. The Sic Bo generally widely known is familiar to people, so that it can amuse players, however, the BET patterns are limited, so that there is still room for upgrading in terms of improvement in amusement. In detail, in the BET region whose appearance frequency is low and award ratio is highest (approximately 1 to 180), it is considered that a player performs a BET operation in an excited state, however, in this BET region, it is only predicted that rolled numbers on three dice rolled are the same (the combination of rolled numbers on the dice is (1, 1, 1), (2, 2, 2) . . . (6, 6, 6)), and this area lacks excitement when making a BET.
Variations of Sic Bo are disclosed as Published US Patent Application Document No. 20060049578 (Chen) describes a game titled Let Me Roll Sic Bo as a dice game blending both Sic Bo with the traditional craps game. There are three regular dice (cubes). Each die has six sides and different number of spots on it (from one to six). Each player takes a turn to shoot the dice clockwise. Players can wager on nine main designed betting areas to win different odds.
Another variation of Sic Bo are disclosed as Published US Patent Application Document No. 20060202416 (Madden) describes a method of playing a betting dice game with a progressive payout is disclosed. The game includes three dice and a game table with up to four wager zones for players to place a bet on. The wager zones correspond to a sum of the dice. Payout to a winning player results from the wager placed on the wager zones and the corresponding first, second and third sequential rolls of the dice.
Published US Patent Application Document No. 20060249907 (Wong) describes an East-West casino game that offers two or more gambling games in which at least one game involves a Feng Shui element of chance and the other involves either a game based upon a new Chinese Poker Deck of cards or a video slot machine having a carousel in which two or more wheels rotate in opposite directions and a random event associated with the two or more wheels is used in connection with a payout or bonus round of the video slot machine. The game involving a Feng Shui element of chance can be a Yin-Yang roulette game or a video slot machine (which may at least partially based upon the Chinese Poker Deck) or a Feng Shui keno machine while a game based upon the Chinese Poker Deck may be a poker game and the casino itself may be a website. The video slot machine can use a carousel in which two or more wheels (which need not be round) rotate in opposite directions and additional wheel can be added in which symbols are shuffled. Examples of video slot machines include a Yin-Yang roulette game in which two balls travel in opposite directions (similar to a roulette wheel) with landings for the ball designated by symbols related to the Chinese games of Tin Gau, Mahjongg, Fan Tan or Sic Bo and a Feng Shui keno machine in which at least one Chinese character is broken down into a plurality of radicals.
Published US Patent Application Document No. 20100069142 (Kido) describes a dice gaming machine accepts a bet on a bet area and a bet on an intermediate area between/among a plurality of bet areas. After ending the bet acceptance, the gaming machine starts rolling dice. After the rolling of the dice has been stopped, the dice gaming machine identifies a winning bet area based on the dice rolling result. A payout amount for each terminal is calculated based on the identified winning bet area, the bet area or the intermediate area on which the bet is accepted, and a payout magnification ratio set for the bet area or the intermediate area.
Automatic Sic Bo Machines are known in the art wherein dice are automatically tossed and read, and wagers are electronically entered and resolved based on the automatic reading and tossing of dice. Combination systems where manually tossed dice, manually entered outcomes, and electronic wagers are used that are resolved based upon the manually entered (or electronically read) manually thrown dice outcomes. TCS John Huxley showcased a machine at 2007 G2E Asia in Macau. The ergonomically designed Super Sic Bo table featured a high definition 55 inch LCD playing screen with an apparent Sic Bo playing surface. High impact computer generated graphic animations highlighted ‘no more bets’ and all winning bets as well as indicating the streak bets of either odd or even and big or small numbers as they progress on the Super Streak side bet.
A voice announcement feature delivered game results and number sequences. This was available in multiple languages and gave players concise and distinctive game information and attracted new players to join in.
There was also offered a Super Streak side bet option offering players the opportunity to participate in a bonus bet determined by the results over a number of games, which are clearly displayed and easy to understand. This provides incremental payouts for a streak of either odd or even and big or small results. A triple result where the three dice all display the same number does not cancel the Super Streak.
The system was compatible with e-FX LCD displays and with Animator LED displays, showing the last 17 individual dice results, big or small betting options, odd or even betting options and Super Streak side bet streak progress are easy to see.
System Highlights Included                Jumbo size color dices (888 mm)        Integrated electronic dice shaker        Electronic dice outcome recognition        Digital dice results communication        Touch-screen bet placing        Fully automated game        SAS 6.02 enabled        Adaptive design and graphic presentation        Minimum and maximum bet limits        Wide range of betting options and payout odds        Automatic game results calculation and payout        Increased productivity—no game stops        Jackpots and side bets available        Betting time indication        Easier monitoring and accounting        Game information display        Electronically activated        Precise dice rolling        Elimination of “no spin” and incorrect dice throw        Special system for flat lying dices        Dice shaker failure detection        Glass dome-shaped shaker cover        Digital Dice recognition        Touch-screen betting        No human interference        Faster game playable 24/7 without personnel in attendance        Game and dice statisticsAn example image of an electronic system is shown in FIG. 1. All references cited herein are incorporated herein by reference.


An electrical power system operates under a steady-state condition when there exists a balance between generated and consumed active power for the system. Power system disturbances may cause oscillations in machine rotor angles that can result in conditions like a power swing, when internal voltages of system generators slip relative to each other. Power system faults, line switching, generator disconnection, and the loss or sudden application of large amounts of load are examples of system disturbances that may cause the power swing event to occur in the system. Depending on the severity of the disturbance and power system control actions, the system may return to a stable state or experience a large separation of load angle and eventually lose synchronism. Large power swings, stable or unstable, may cause unwanted relay operations at different locations in the system, which can aggravate the system disturbance and can result in major power outages or blackouts.
Further, asynchronous operation of interconnected generators in the power system as an effect of unstable power swing may initiate uncontrolled tripping of circuit breakers resulting in equipment damage and posing a safety concern for utility operators. Therefore, the asynchronous system areas may need to be separated from each other quickly and dynamically in order to avoid extensive equipment damage and shutdown of major portions of the system. In order to contain these risks, it is required as per international standards to have an optimal generator protection device such as a generator relay in place to isolate generators from rest of the system within a half-slip cycle. The need to meet the international standards challenges protection engineers to ensure selective and reliable relay operation.
In a conventional relaying approach, a variation in system impedance determined at generator terminals is analyzed for detecting power swing. Various impedance-based protection approaches including power swing block (PSB) and out-of step trip (OST) are being currently used. However, these protection approaches may need an extensive power system stability study to arrive at an optimal setting for selective and reliable relay operation. Protection engineers typically use preliminary settings that are not adapted to accommodate variation in system configurations or operational dynamics, for example, changes in transmission and distribution layout during implementation phase or dynamically during operational phase. Extensive study and non-dynamic preliminary settings may result in the protection device being unable to selectively, reliably and dependably detect unstable power swings and isolate generators during such events.
Other known relaying approaches estimate swing center voltage (SCV) for detecting power swings. Such approaches use approximate estimation that does not take into consideration real time power system dynamics. In some relaying approaches, a high-speed communication network such as fiber optic or global positioning system (GPS) communication is used to obtain data at a source end from one or more generators at receiving end(s), which is at a remote location from the source end, for SCV estimation. However, such approaches have economic challenges due to cost associated with implementing and maintaining high-speed communication network. Moreover, such approaches may require data to be determined at the receiving end and then time synchronize the receiving end data with data determined at the source end.


1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a dielectric ceramic composition for a temperature-compensating ceramic capacitor which has a high dielectric constant and in which the temperature coefficient of its capacity can be controlled within the range of .+-.30 ppm (10.sup.-6)/.degree.C. at temperatures within the range of -55.degree. to +125.degree. C. The invention also relates to a multilayer ceramic capacitor obtained by firing at relatively low temperatures a laminate of a layer of the above dielectric ceramic composition and an Ag-Pd alloy layer containing a major amount of silver.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Generally, a temperature-compensating ceramic capacitor having a high dielectric constant, particularly a commercial multilayer ceramic capacitor, is obtained by laminating a plurality of thin dielectric layers having an inner electrode formed on their surface so that the internal electrodes are alternately connected in series to electrodes for external connection, and firing the assembly. Laminated capacitors of this type require relatively high firing temperatures (at least 1240.degree. C.) in order to make them sufficiently compact and thus give a high dielectric constant. Hence, the electrodes must be made of a metal having a higher melting point than the firing temperature of the dielectric material, such as an expensive noble metal (e.g., platinum or palladium). The cost of the metallic material thus increases the total cost of capacitors of this type.
Attempts have therefore been made to obtain multilayer ceramic capacitors of low prices by lowering the firing temperature for the dielectric material and the internal electrodes, and using inexpensive Pd-Ag alloys particularly having a major amount of Ag instead of the expensive noble metals. It is known however that generally, the crystallinity of a dielectric decreases with decreasing firing temperature, and therefore, its dielectric constant decreases. When the firing is carried out at lower temperatures than the aforesaid firing temperature, sufficient electrical properties and temperature characteristics for a high dielectric ceramic capacitor cannot be obtained.
Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 170405/1982 states that by adding moderate amounts of ZnO and SiO.sub.2 to a composition comprising Nd.sub.2 TiO.sub.7, BaTiO.sub.3, TiO.sub.2, Bi.sub.2 O.sub.3 and Pb.sub.3 O.sub.4, the resulting composition can be fired at 1050.degree. to 1100.degree. C. to obtain a sintered body, and in the production of a laminated capacitor in which the baking of the internal electrodes and the firing of the ceramic composition must be simultaneously carried out, a low-melting inexpensive Ag-Pd alloy can be used as the internal electrodes. This prior technique, however, has the defect that the temperature coefficient of the electrostatic capacity is within a relatively broad range of +30 to -300 ppm/.degree.C., the insulation resistance is reduced, or the breakdown voltage is low and varies greatly.


Lithium ion secondary batteries are widely used for portable electronic instruments such as mobile phones or notebook-size personal computers. As a cathode active material for a lithium ion secondary battery, a composite oxide of lithium with a transition metal, etc. (hereinafter sometimes referred to as lithium-containing composite oxide) such as LiCoO2, LiNiO2, LiNi0.8Co0.2 O2 or LiMn2O4, is employed. In recent years, it is desired to further reduce the size and weight as a lithium ion secondary battery for portable electronic instruments or vehicles, and a further improvement in the discharge capacity per unit mass and in the characteristics such that the discharge capacity will not be decreased after charge and discharge cycles are repeatedly carried out (hereinafter sometimes referred to as cycle characteristic), is desired.
To improve the cycle characteristics, it has been known to be effective to form a covering layer on a lithium-containing composite oxide.
Patent Document 1 discloses a process of adding an ammonium fluoride aqueous solution to a dispersion having a lithium-containing composite oxide dispersed in an aluminum nitrate aqueous solution, followed by filtration, washing and heating to form a covering layer of aluminum fluoride on the surface of the lithium-containing composite oxide. However, by this process, a step of carrying out filtration and washing is essential, whereby the process is complicated and in addition, a waste disposal treatment is necessary, and thus the process is inferior in the productivity. Further, when the wet cake after filtration is dried, the cathode active material tends to be agglomerated to form coarse particles.
Patent Document 2 discloses a method of fluorinating a cathode material using a fluorinating agent such as fluorine (F2), nitrogen trifluoride or chlorine trifluoride. However, this method requires special equipment since a highly toxic gas is used.
Patent Document 3 discloses a process of stirring and mixing an aqueous solution containing zirconium and a lithium-containing composite oxide represented by the formula LipNxMyOzFa (0.9≦p≦1.1, 0.965≦x<1.00, 0<y≦0.035, 1.9≦z≦2.1, x+y=1 and 0≦a≦0.02) wherein the molar amount of Li element is from 0.9 to 1.1 molar times the total molar amount of the transition metal element, and firing the mixture at high temperature of at least 450° C. in an oxygen atmosphere to obtain a cathode active material having the surface layer of the lithium-containing composite oxide covered with zirconium oxide. By this method, it is difficult to cover the lithium-containing composite oxide with a compound other than an oxide.


Subsurface resources such as oil, gas and water are typically recovered by drilling a well bore from the surface to a subterranean reservoir or zone that contains the resources. The well bore allows oil, gas and water to flow to the surface under its own pressure. For low pressure or depleted zones, rod pumps are often used to retrieve the fluids to the surface.
To facilitate drilling and production operations, cavities are sometimes formed in the production zone. Short extensions, or “rat holes,” are often formed at the bottom of the cavity to collect cuttings and other drilling debris. As the subsurface liquids collect in the well bore, the heavier debris falls to the bottom of the rat hole and is thereby both centralized and collected out of the cavity. To avoid being clogged with debris, a pump inlet may be positioned within the cavity above the rat hole. The pump inlet may be positioned fairly low in the cavity (for example, below the fluid waterline) to avoid vapor lock. Traditional methods of positioning a pump inlet are sometimes inaccurate and inefficient, leading to clogging or vapor lock and increased maintenance and operations costs for the well.


1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a printing control apparatus and a printing control method used to execute printing using recording material stored in a plurality of storage portions.
2. Description of the Related Art
It is known that, when a conventional printing apparatus having a plurality of storage portions capable of storing recording material such as recording sheets executes printing, such printing apparatus uses the recording material stored in the storage portions while switching the storage portions. With such a printing apparatus, the user checks the type of recording material used by a print job to be executed and sets appropriate recording material in advance. According to a technique discussed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-193486, even after printing is started, the use order of a plurality of storage portions storing sheets identical to the sheet that is being used and storage portions into which the currently used sheet can be supplied are indicated. Namely, the technique enables supply of a sheet even during a print process.
However, the technique discussed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-193486 assumes that only the cut sheets are used as recording material. Use of a continuous sheet, such as a roll sheet, as recording material is not assumed. When a continuous sheet is used as recording material, unlike cut sheets, the continuous sheet cannot be supplied by addition. The recording material cannot be used appropriately by simply presenting unused storage portions.


The present disclosure relates to electronic devices capable of apparatus setting corresponding to a region where it is installed, storage media, and apparatus setting methods.
Among image forming apparatuses such as digital multifunction peripherals and printers, a certain image forming apparatus identifies its self-location using a satellite positioning system such as global positioning system (GPS), and performs apparatus setting on a regional basis according to a local resource information item corresponding to the self-location.
For example, a certain printer includes therein a GPS to identify its self-location at a power-up using the GPS. The printer then downloads a font (local resource information item) necessary in the region that includes the self-location from a font server.
This can enable appropriate setting of the printer corresponding to the region where the pointer is located. However, the necessity of an external server such as the font server may incur an increase in cost.
In view of the foregoing, another printer stores therein fonts in several languages in a switchable manner to eliminate an external server.
However, a license fee may be required for use of some font. Accordingly, for storage of every font in a switchable manner in the printer, an expense for the font requiring the license fee may be incurred regardless of the use or non-use of the font. This may limit cost reduction.


Protein receptors are known normally to bind to their target ligands via epitopes, which constitute a small proportion of the total protein molecule. For maximum binding or interaction, the structure of the epitope needs to be maintained in a rigid conformation in order to form a binding site containing all the necessary components of the epitope in close proximity. Attempts to produce an analogous peptide constructed solely of the amino acids comprising the binding site often fail because these peptides do not possess the same biological activity as the protein receptor. This is attributed to the peptide having a different conformation in free solution from that of the entire protein receptor. In addition, where the binding site of a protein is constructed of oligo-peptides from different, non-contiguous parts of a protein chain, mixing isolated oligopeptides in free solution does not result in reconstitution of the active binding site.
Being constrained to use such large proteins to present binding-site epitopes gives rise to several problems in development of new receptor-specific therapeutic strategies. One problem is that such large proteins can readily evoke an immune response. A second problem is that long peptide chains are susceptible to attack by endopeptidases, such as those in the lumen of the gut. Finally, these large proteins can be costly to manufacture, purify and maintain in stable form.


In-vehicle entertainment has traditionally been provided by the radio. The driver and, if present, passengers in the vehicle usually select a radio station, and then passively listen to the audio, be it music or talk. Other audio entertainment is also available, including cassette tapes, CDs, audiobooks, portable electronic music players. In each case, the vehicle occupants passively consume the content presented to them aurally.
More recently, in-vehicle entertainment systems provide the opportunity for vehicle passengers to watch video, such as movies or TV programs, on embedded in-vehicle displays. Such an option is not typically available to the driver of the vehicle due to the likelihood of distraction. And again, such entertainment options consist of the vehicle occupants passively consuming the content of the movie or TV program.
More advanced entertainment systems may include gaming consoles or computers. These systems give the vehicle passengers the opportunity to engage in, for example, video games while traveling to a destination. Again, however, such systems are not typically available to the driver of the vehicle because of the concern that such a game system could be distracting to the driver.


1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a driving force transmission device made of synthetic resin.
2. Description of the Related Art
Because gears made of synthetic resin can be readily formed by injection molding or the like at a low cost, manufacturing costs of drives employing synthetic resin gears can be reduced.
However, synthetic resin gears have drawbacks which metal gears do not, such as sink marks (i.e., defective shallow depressions) resulting from material shrinkage after a thick gear is molded. It is therefore necessary for synthetic resin gears to have a minimum thickness in order to prevent such sink marks from forming, and at the same time have sufficient rigidity and strength.
In a conventional gear 100 shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, an annular rib 106 is disposed between a boss 102 formed at the center of the gear 100 and a rim 104. Ribs 108 are interposed between and connect the boss 102 and the annular rib 106, and ribs 110 are interposed between and connect the annular rib 106 and the rim 104. A disc-shaped member 112 is disposed at a width-direction center of the rim 104 and connects (extends between) the rim 104 and the boss 102. Teeth are disposed along an outer periphery of the rim 104, with bottom lands being formed between respectively adjacent teeth and top lands 114 being formed at crests of the teeth. A radius R is equal to the distance from the center of the boss 102 to an imaginary circle formed by joining the top lands 114 (hereinafter, “top land circle”).
As mentioned above, when the gear 100 is made of synthetic resin, there arises a problem in that portions of top lands 114 corresponding to positions at which the ribs 110 connect to an inner peripheral surface of the rim 104 may be pulled radially inwards due to material shrinkage of the ribs 110 and the like. As a result, radii R drawn to top lands 114 corresponding to the positions at which the ribs 110 connect to the rim 104 become smaller than radii R drawn to top lands 114 not corresponding to positions at which the ribs 110 connect to the rim 104 (i.e., the gear 100 becomes radially nonuniform), whereby the top land circle becomes distorted.
When a synthetic resin gear having a distorted top land circle is used, angle speed of a member (e.g., another gear or a timing belt) driven by the gear varies despite the angle speed of the gear being constant, which results in uneven rotation of the driven member. Consequently, uneven rotation of the driven member can adversely affect the drive in which the gear is employed.