1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is related to an electromagnetic valve apparatus for driving an open/close valve to open or close a high-pressure fuel passage in order to control fuel injection timing and fuel injection quantity used particularly in the fuel injection equipment of an internal combustion engine.
2. Description of the Related Art
Electromagnetic valve apparatus has been known for driving by utilizing electromagnetic force, an open/close valve to open or close a high-pressure fuel passage in order to control fuel injection timing and fuel injection quantity. The electromagnetic valve apparatus comprises a core with a coil embedded therein and an armature located adjacent to the core. The armature is attracted toward the core when magnetic flux generated by electric current in the coil passes through the armature, and thus a valve body connected to the armature is driven.
As the electromagnetic valve apparatus is composed such that the valve body sits on the valve seat in a state in which the armature is attracted toward the core to close the fuel passage, there must be a gap between the core and the armature in the state in which the armature is attracted toward the core. It is required that this gap is as small as possible for securing strong electromagnetic attraction.
However, heretofore, both the surfaces of the core and the armature facing each other have been shaped as flat surfaces (see FIGS. 1, 3, 4, and 5 of Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 2003-193939, and FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 of Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 2002-98024, for example). The valve apparatus has been composed to provide a sufficient initial gap between the surfaces of the core and the armature facing each other so that the end surface of the armature does not interfere with the surface of the core facing the end surface of the armature even when the armature is installed aslant. This is caused by insufficient accuracy of the component parts, since it is difficult from the standpoint of accuracy of the component parts to compose them so that the gap is even allover the surfaces.


This invention relates generally to thin flexible plastic bags, and more particularly to a plastic bag which can be evacuated after articles are inserted therein.
Heretofore, the evacuation of entrapped air from plastic bags, after articles have been inserted therein, has been accomplished with the use of complex and expensive machinery. For example, plastic bags have been collapsed about articles by inserting a needle-like tube into the bag and connecting the tube to a vacuum pump for evacuating the bag. This type of machinery is common in the packaging of food products such as cheese, meats and vegetables.
The expensive machinery required to evacuate bags heretofore utilized in the packaging of products is not readily available to the individual consumer who, at one time or another, may want to store food products either in a refrigerator or in a freezer by using an evacuated bag.


1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a dimming method of an organic EL (electroluminescence) displaying apparatus as one kind of restoring techniques of the organic EL displaying apparatus in which organic EL elements are arranged in a matrix form.
2. Description of the Related Art
An organic EL displaying apparatus is an apparatus constructed in such a manner that a plurality of pixels each having an organic EL element and a driving circuit for driving the organic EL element are arranged on a substrate in a matrix form.
There is a case where a defect occurs in the driving circuit provided every pixel due to a defect in a manufacturing step of the organic EL displaying apparatus, so that defective display occurs in the organic EL displaying apparatus. As an example of the defective display, there is such a defect (defective bright-spot) that a bright-spot pixel in which the organic EL element is turned on even in a black displaying mode occurs.
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-006339 discloses a method whereby, in an organic EL displaying apparatus, a laser beam is selectively irradiated to a part of a semiconductor layer included in a thin film transistor (hereinbelow, called a TFT) in a driving circuit which a bright-spot pixel has. By irradiating the laser beam to (a part of) the semiconductor layer, a resistance of the laser-irradiated semiconductor layer increases, so that dimming of the bright-spot pixel can be performed (that is, light of the bright-spot pixel can be dimmed).
Further, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-006339 also discloses a method whereby a region to which the laser beam is irradiated is set to a region where a gate electrode layer is arranged upward in the semiconductor layer included in the TFT. According to such a method, the laser beam irradiated from a downward direction is reflected by the gate electrode layer, thereby enabling the dimming to be efficiently performed (that is, enabling the light to be efficiently dimmed).
However, if the method disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-006339 is applied to the organic EL displaying apparatus, there are the following problems. That is, when the laser beam is irradiated from the downward direction of the substrate toward the semiconductor layer in order to perform the dimming of the bright-spot pixel, there is a possibility that the laser beam is irradiated to the region where the gate electrode layer provided over the semiconductor layer is arranged. There is such a problem that if the laser beam is irradiated to the gate electrode layer, the semiconductor layer and the gate electrode layer are short-circuited, so that the dimming of the bright-spot pixel is not performed.
There is also a case where even if the resistance of the TFT semiconductor layer is increased, the dimming of the bright-spot pixel is not sufficiently performed due to a variation in shape of the TFT by a process variation, a variation in characteristics, or a variation in laser beam which is irradiated. Therefore, it is necessary to increase an energy of the laser beam which is irradiated. In this case, according to the method in the related art, that is, the method whereby the laser beam is irradiated from the downward direction of the substrate toward the region where the gate electrode layer provided over the semiconductor layer is arranged, the foregoing problem of the short-circuit between the semiconductor layer and the gate electrode layer becomes more conspicuous.


1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a superconducting X-ray detection apparatus having a highly sensitive superconducting X-ray detector produced using a superconductive material, and to a method for mounting a low-temperature first-stage amplifier for amplifying a feeble signal output from the detector. The present invention also relates to a superconducting X-ray analyzer equipped with the superconducting X-ray detection apparatus.
2. Background Art
Recently, superconducting X-ray detectors called TES (Transition Edge Sensor) or STJ (Superconducting Tunnel Junction) have been developed. Currently, study on systemization of the superconducting X-ray detectors is made for meeting various requirements because of their high sensitivity and high energy resolution compared with conventional X-ray detectors. Since each of the superconducting X-ray detectors is a device utilizing superconduction, it needs to be cooled to a low temperature to be driven. Since drive at a lower temperature provides reduction in influence of thermal noise and expectable improvement in performance, the detectors are typically cooled to a very low temperature of about 100 mK.
TES is a temperature sensor utilizing change of a resistance value occurred when a material in a superconducting state transits into a normal conduction state following temperature rise, and is an X-ray sensor that converts energy of X-ray irradiation into heat and thus performs the detection. When a working point is fixed to a superconducting transition edge by applying appropriate bias current, abrupt temperature rise occurs when X-ray is irradiated on the TES, resulting in change of resistance. Since a current value flowing into the TES changes due to the resistance change, X-ray can be detected by monitoring the current value. Since the change of the current following the X-ray irradiation is feeble, several picoamperes, a SQUID array is typically used for signal amplification.
As a main application of the superconducting X-ray detector, an X-ray analyzer and a cosmic-ray detection apparatus are given. When used in the X-ray analyzer, for example, the superconducting X-ray detector is used in combination with a scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The superconducting X-ray detector is inserted into a sample room of the SEM, which is maintained in vacuum environment, at a normal temperature.
The detector needs to be placed near a sample to improve X-ray detection efficiency. X-ray generated from the sample by an electron beam irradiation is detected by the superconducting X-ray detector.
Near the sample, in addition to a sample stage for placing the sample, a lens barrel comprising an electron gun for irradiating an electron beam and an electron lens for focusing the electron beam, and a secondary electron detector for detecting electrons generated from the sample are placed, therefore a space for placing a refrigerator for cooling the superconducting X-ray detector to 100 mK or lower can not be secured. Therefore, the refrigerator is provided separately from the SEM, a cooling head is provided in a thin cylinder called snout constructed in a heat insulation structure, and the superconducting X-ray detector is fixed to an end of the cooling head. The sample is placed near the superconducting X-ray analyzer by inserting the snout from a port of the sample room of the SEM.
FIG. 5 shows a structure of an end portion of a conventional superconducting X-ray detection apparatus (for example, see non-patent literature 1). The end portion mainly comprises an outer layer of a snout 102 for maintaining vacuum, a radiation-heat shield plate 70 in about two layers for shielding radiation heat, a cooling head 103 for mounting the detector, and a super-insulation 80 applied to inner and outer layers of the radiation-heat shield plate 70. The outer layer of the snout 102 and the radiation-heat shield plate 70 have a certain thickness, and an appropriate interval is necessary, therefore even if the snout has a diameter of about 30 mm, diameter of the cooling head is small, about 10 mm.
A superconducting X-ray detector 10 such as TES is adhered to a sensor holder 30 produced using a material having high heat conductivity such as oxygen free copper or sapphire together with a connection pad 40, and mounted on an end section portion of the cooling head 30 by a screw clamp.
A low-temperature first-stage amplifier 20 is adhered to an amplifier holder 21 produced using the same material as the sensor holder 30 together with a connection pad 41, and mounted on the side near the end of the cooling head 30.
The superconducting X-ray detector 10 is connected to the connection pad 40 by wire bonding. Among electrodes of the connection pad 40, an output terminal of the superconducting X-ray detector 10 is connected to the connection pad 41 on the amplifier holder 21 using a lead, and as wiring for driving the superconducting X-ray detector 10, connection is made to a connector attached to outer packaging of the refrigerator using a lead.
On the other hand, the low-temperature first-stage amplifier 20 is connected to the connection pad 41 by the wire bonding. Among electrodes of the connection pad 41, an electrode for driving the low-temperature first-stage amplifier 20 is connected to a connector attached to the outer packaging of the refrigerator using a lead.
[Non-Patent Literature 1]
Y. Ishisaki, et al. “Proceeding of the Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE)”, Hawaii U.S., 2002, p831.
In the conventional superconducting X-ray detection apparatus, there has been a problem that since there is no space except for the space for mounting the superconducting X-ray detector, the low-temperature first-stage amplifier that amplifies an output signal from the detector is placed distantly from the detector, and the detector is connected to the amplifier using the lead having high electric conductivity, therefore wiring length is large, the output from the detector that is the feeble signal is influenced by disturbance noise. Furthermore, there has been a problem that handling performance is bad because connection of wiring is complicated.
The present invention overcomes the problems in the conventional art by providing a superconducting X-ray detection apparatus having a structure where the influence of the disturbance noise on the output from the detector is minimized by placing the detector and the amplifier in a same place and by providing a mounting method in which the connection of wiring can be easily made.


1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a droplet generating method and apparatus therefor, and more particularly to a method and apparatus therefor for emitting a droplet from an orifice of a small liquid chamber containing liquid therein more specifically the present invention provides a method for repeated high-speed generation of the droplets and apparatus for allowing accurate generation of droplets of a uniform diameter.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In the related field there are already known ink jet recording apparatus for example of drop-on-demand type, which are recently attracting particular attention because of their negligibly low noise and absence of an unnecessary ink deposit when recording. Such recording is considered particularly useful in the ability of recording on plain paper without a particular fixing treatment. In the field of such drop-on-demand type ink jet recording there have been proposed various apparatus some of which are already in commercial use, while others are still in the course of development.
In summary, the ink jet recording of the drop-on-demand type performs recording by emitting a droplet of recording liquid, called ink, from a small orifice in response to an instruction signal and depositing the droplet onto a recording material. In the known methods, the droplet generation is achieved for example by the use of a piezoelectric element.
The present invention relates to a novel drop-on-demand type ink jet recording method which is different from the conventional method utilizing the piezoelectric element and which effects the droplet emission from a small orifice by applying a drive signal to the liquid introduced to a small liquid chamber thereby causing bubble formation in the liquid. Also in a related field U.S. Pat. No. 3,878,519 discloses another apparatus, which while not requiring pressurizing and deflecting means, does provide droplets of insufficient evenness because of a weak droplet forming force and further requires a liquid recovery mechanism for unused droplets, and thus cannot be compactized.


It is a matter of common knowledge to use a magnetic actuator with high force density to operate moving contacts for a purpose of electrical power interruption in the medium-voltage field of technology. Known magnetic actuators have a design with a fixed core in the center of the device, and two moveable plungers, one above and one below the core, that are connected with a plunger rod. Such a device is supposed to generate a high static holding force in the closed position to latch opening and contact springs. The magnitude of this static holding force is the key parameter for the design of the entire circuit breakers and for space and weights reasons it is generally advantageous to generate this force with a small magnetic actuator. In the open position, a lower static holding force is needed to keep the circuit breaker in open position. For bringing the actuator from close to open position feeding the electrical coil of the actuator with electrical energy is needed.
The document EP 0 898 780 B1 describes a magnetic actuator with a ferromagnetic armature which is displaceable linearly between two limit positions and which is mechanically connected to a circuit breaker and which in the limit positions is under the influence of magnetically generated forces. The armature and the ferromagnetic shunt body are arranged in succession in a space between first and second abutment. The abutments are pole surfaces of magnetic circuits which include at least one permanent magnet for generating a holding force for the armature. This known device is as well supposed to operate a vacuum circuit breaker. In the closed position, the ferromagnetic shunt body is apart from the armature. The shunt can now be moved towards the armature to initiate the opening operation of the circuit breaker. The known solution is based on a design that does not use the full potential of the static holding force as the effective area between the moveable armature and the fixed yoke is limited to the area that is inside the coil. As a result, the actuator is almost twice as big as needed.
WO 03/030188 A1 discloses a further magnetic actuator, such as for a vacuum circuit breaker design being large in size. Two electrical coils are needed in order to operate the magnetic actuator or bringing a connected circuit breaker from an open to a closed switching position. A first magnetic flux is generated by the armature and the yoke in such a way that the armature is held in one limit position and the electrical coil generates a second magnetic flux that actuates the armature. The permanent magnet is located between the yoke and a fixed magnetic return element, in such a way that the magnetic flux runs via the magnetic return element. In addition, the armature outside the yoke covers a front face of the yoke, said face running perpendiculary to the direction of displacement of the armature. Since the permanent magnet is provided to hold the magnetic armature in one of the two limit positions, neither mechanically latching nor a constant electrical current supply is specified.
Also this known solution uses the armature for generating the static holding force in both limit positions. This solution implies a second magnetic path from the magnets to the armature that is only effective in the open limit position. This second magnetic path increases sizes again and weights of the magnetic actuator. The known solution also specifies a closed room around both the armature. The ferromagnetic shunt body forms the two abutments that need to fulfill magnetic functions. This increases the size and weight of the actuator further. The known solution entails the driving of the ferromagnetic shunt body back to the lower abutment during the opening operation. This driving should include additional energy that is not available for the opening operation, which is the most critical operation of a circuit breaker in case of short circuit switching.


Image display devices such as cathode ray tubes (CRTs), liquid crystal display devices (LCDs), plasma display devices (PDPs), electroluminescence display devices (ELDs), and electronic paper are generally provided with optical laminated bodies for antireflection on the outermost surface thereof. Such optical laminated bodies for antireflection suppress reflection of images and decrease the reflectivity by light diffusion or interference of light.
As one of such antireflection optical laminated bodies, an anti-glare film including an anti-glare layer that has a surface roughness and is provided on a surface of a transparent substrate is known. Such a surface roughness of an anti-glare film diffuses ambient light, whereby a decrease in visibility can be prevented.
Conventional anti-glare films are known in which anti-glare layers formed by applying resins containing filler such as silicon dioxide (silica) on surfaces of transparent base films (see, for example, Patent Literatures 1 and 2).
For example, in such anti-glare films, a surface roughness is formed by adding cohesive particles, an inorganic filler and/or an organic filler in a resin; laminating a film with unevenness on an anti-glare layer; and phase separation using compatibility among compounds such as two or more different polymers, which constitute a binder.
In all such conventional anti-glare films, a light diffusion function and an anti-glare function are obtained by the effect of a surface shape of the anti-glare layer. In order to increase such an anti-glare function, the size of the surface roughness needs to be increased. However, the large-sized projection and depression increases a haze of a coating, whereby white muddiness is generated.
Further, the twinkling brightness which is called scintillation is generated on the surfaces of conventional anti-glare films, which results in a decrease in visibility of display screens.
In recent years, high definition liquid crystal displays have been developed. However, scintillation is generated in such high definition liquid crystal displays when conventional anti-glare films are used therein. Such scintillation is a serious problem.
Furthermore, in the conventional anti-glare films, cracks are generated during a process for adhering the films to polarizing elements or a fabrication process of liquid crystal cells, at, for example, an interface between light-transmitting fine particles and a light-transmitting resin that are included in an anti-glare layer. Furthermore, in the conventional anti-glare films, anti-glare performance and a scintillation state are changed over time due to the haze variation in response to temperature and moisture changes. Therefore, the conventional anti-glare films are less resistant to moisture and heat.
Patent Literature 3 discloses an anti-glare material obtainable by mixing a binder resin with resin beads in which 70% or more thereof is swollen with a solvent.
In an anti-glare film provided with an anti-glare layer including such resin beads that are previously swollen with a solvent, the adhesion at the interface between the resin beads and the binder resin is expected to be improved. Such an anti-glare film is expected to be used in high definition displays.
In such an anti-glare film provided with an anti-glare layer including resin beads that are previously swollen with a solvent, the adhesion at the interface between the swollen resin beads and the binder resin in the anti-glare layer is improved only by an anchor effect created at the interface. Therefore, the adhesion and the like can be further improved.
Patent Literature 4 discloses a method for producing a light diffusion film in which the density of light-transmitting fine particles, a coating composition, and the average particle size of light-transmitting fine particles are in a specific relation to one another. Patent Literature 5 discloses an optical film including light-transmitting particles having a certain average particle size that depends on the thickness of a light diffusion layer. Patent Literature 6 discloses an optical film including an anti-glare layer formed from a coating composition in which a binder and two types of resin fine particles different in particle sizes and swelling rates that satisfy a certain relation with each other are dispersed in a dispersion. Patent Literature 7 discloses a method for producing a light diffusion film, including a coating composition for a light diffusion layer. The coating composition includes light-transmitting fine particles, a light-transmitting resin containing a certain amount of a light-transmitting polymer with a molecular weight of 1000 or more, and a solvent.
However, Patent Literatures 4 to 7 do not disclose at all that light-transmitting fine particles are impregnated with a binder, and do not disclose at all, either the effect exerted by the impregnation of light-transmitting fine particles with a binder. Therefore, the anti-glare films disclosed in the patent literatures do not sufficiently achieve an anti-glare property, prevention of white muddiness, and prevention of scintillation.
Therefore, in conventional anti-glare films, generation of cracks at the interface between resin beads and a binder resin is required to be prevented at a high level in a process for attaching the films to polarizing elements and a fabrication process of liquid crystal cells. Furthermore, white muddiness is required to be reduced by reducing reflection at the interface between a binder and resin beads and scintillation is also required to be prevented by appropriately dispersing resin beads.


Computing devices can be used to request content from other computing devices over a communication network. In a common application, a client computing device can request a web page from a server computing device via the internet. Browser application software on the client computing device typically retrieves a requested web page, processes resource identifiers embedded in the web page to generate requests for additional resources (e.g., images, script files, etc.), and renders the content for presentation. From the perspective of a user of a client computing device, a user experience can be defined in terms of the performance and latencies associated with obtaining and rendering the requested network content on the client computing device. Latencies and performance limitations of any of the above processes may diminish the user experience.
Optimizations and other improvements may be implemented to reduce latency and otherwise improve the user experience. For example, some content items may be cached at a client device, and future requests for the content items can be fulfilled from the local cache. As another example, proxy servers may be used to cache content for multiple clients and then pass the content to the clients that originally requested the content. Subsequent requests to the proxy server can be served from the proxy cache if the content is present, rather than requiring retrieval of the content from an origin server. As a further example, content delivery networks (“CDNs”) can locate points-of-presence closer (in either a geographic or networking context) to certain client devices. Content requests may be made to the CDN rather than the origin server, and the CDN can fulfill the request more quickly due to being closer to the requesting device. Some proxy servers and other intermediary systems can pre-render or otherwise pre-process content prior to responding to a client request. Such pre-processing enables some of the processing burden to be offloaded from the client device to the intermediary system.


This specification relates to communications between virtual machines.
Cloud computing is network-based computing in which collections of servers housed in data centers or “server farms” provide computational resources and data storage as needed to remote end users. Some cloud computing services provide access to software applications such as word processors and other commonly used applications to end users who interface with the applications through web browsers or other client-side software. Users' electronic data files are usually stored in the server farm rather than on the users' computing devices. Maintaining software applications and user data on a server farm simplifies management of end user computing devices. Some cloud computing services allow end users to execute software applications in virtual machines. In a public cloud computing environment, multiple users are able to launch virtual machines (VMs), and each VM launched by a user is included in a cluster of other VMs launched by the user.
Like reference numbers and designations in the various drawings indicate like elements.


1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a method for determining a weight per unit area and/or a chemical composition of a conveyed material sample, and to a device for carrying out the method.
2. Discussion of the Background
For determining a weight per unit area (e.g., grams per square meter; g/m2) and/or a chemical composition of material samples or material webs in conveyor and production plants partially operated at high speeds, absorption measurements are carried out according to the state of the art, using ionized radiation, in particular x-ray, gamma or particulate radiation. In this case, the webs or samples to be tested are passed through between a source of radiation and a detector arrangement placed opposite the source of radiation, and, in a transmission measurement, the intensity of the radiation absorption is determined. This radiation absorption depends on the weight per unit area of the webs and samples so that the mentioned characteristics of the webs and samples may be measured in a contact-free manner by means of this known method and corresponding devices.
A further possibility of measuring the weight per unit area of a material web or a sheet material consists in detecting scattered radiation. NDC Infrared Engineering and Adaptive Technologies, for example, are companies who use this method in their products by detecting back-scattered photons originating from a gamma radiation source, e.g. photons of the 59 keV line of the Am 241 isotope.
A systematic measurement error occurs in this method when the distance between the place where the particles of the incident ray are scattered and the location of the detector varies. Such a distance variation may occur due to a random fluttering movement of the material web, and also always occurs when the thickness of the measured product changes. In this case, purely geometric reasons cause the measurement signal to be influenced, and these reasons, if not corrected by additional independent measurements, will lead to an erroneous reproduction of the value of the weight per unit area. This systematic effect, however, may be limited when a large distance between the measured product and the detector is selected. But the distance may not be so large, for the purpose of maximizing the detection efficiency of the scattered radiation and lowering the associated statistical error of the detector with using, at the same time, the least possible intensity of the source of the incident ray. It is therefore important to correct the inaccuracies caused by distance variations in order to attain minimal measurement error at an economic cost.
In all known methods for measuring weights per unit area in which ionized radiation is used, the radiation originates from the decomposition of radioactive isotopes. In this case, the operating company is subjected to the radiation-protection regulation requiring the operating company to observe rest times even during a standstill of the plant, as well as being subject to elaborate safety measures.
The economic availability and the natural properties of radioactive nuclides and the ionized radiation thereof, e.g. half-life, type and energy distribution, strongly restrict the number of industrially usable preparations. In addition, using a single radionuclide may allow only a restricted functional range to be covered. Thus, the beta radiation of the frequently used nuclide Kr 85, for example, having an end-point energy of 687.4 keV, due to its absorption behaviour is well suited for determining weights per unit area of up to about 1000 g/m2. Higher weights per unit area may no longer be detected with it in a satisfactory manner and are preferably measured with the nuclide Sr 90, in which in the consecutive decomposition of Y 90, a beta radiation of a higher energy and hence of a higher penetration occurs having an end-point energy of 2280.1 keV.


The present invention relates to an exercise assembly, and more particularly, to a modular exercise assembly intended for use in water.
The past few years have seen an increase in the awareness of individuals of their physical well-being and stamina. The benefits of exercise have been highly publicized and the exercise market has increased tremendously as a result of this publicity and awareness. Exercise may take a variety of forms, and includes cardiovascular exercise such as jogging, running or cycling, or it may include traditional weight or resistance training such as weightlifting. Whereas cardiovascular exercise typically improves endurance, weight or resistance training builds up or strengthens particular aspects of an individual's body. The present invention is primarily directed to this latter category of exercise.
Weight training usually requires a barbell shaft and a plurality of different weighted elements which are held on the ends of the barbell shaft by retaining collars or the like. The user lifts, or otherwise moves, the barbell between at least two preselected positions for a predetermined number of repetitions. A user may perform a large number of repetitions at a moderate weight to tone specific body areas, or the user may perform a number of repetitions with maximum weight until failure in order to build up strength in his particular muscles.
Resistance training is similar to weight training in that it requires a user to perform repetitions. However, instead of using static weights, the user typically pushes or pulls against a resistance force of an exercise machine which may be supplied by rubber or elastic bands. Although weight and resistance training are generally effective methods of physical conditioning, they are not without certain disadvantages. For example, weight training necessitates that a user keep a large number of weights on hand. The weights are bulky and heavy in nature and are not easily stored or transported. Additionally, most weight training exercises require the presence of a spotter, who is another individual who is available to assist the user in case of trouble. Also, both resistance and weight training tend to impart, dependent on the particular exercise, undue stress on the user's joints. Resistance training not only requires a machine, but also necessitates replacement of the resistance bands as they wear down over time.
Hydrodynamic exercises, where the user is partially immersed in water and uses the water as a weight or resistance medium, has been recognized as providing comparable benefits to weight or resistance training while eliminating the detrimental stress on the joints of the user. Hydrodynamic exercise includes either the user lifting or pushing one of his limbs, such as an arm or leg against the water in a repetitive movement or the user manipulating an exercise device in the water in a repetitive manner. These hydrodynamic exercise devices are well known in the art and include, for example, barbells having one or more foam rubber elements which the user pushes or pulls against the resistance of the water as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,188,993, issued Feb. 9, 1993. Hydrodynamic exercise devices may also include a barbell or dumbbell having plurality of planar fin-or blade-like members which the user pushes and/or pulls against the water, such as those disclosed in either U.S. Pat. No. 4,623,142, issued Nov. 18, 1986 or U.S. Pat. No. 4,819,915, issued Apr. 11, 1989.
These types of hydrodynamic exercise equipment are easy to use and relatively simple in design and construction. However, the blades or fins which provide the water resistance surface(s) for the exercise device typically extend radially outwardly from a shaft at different angles. These extensions render the exercise equipment bulky and cumbersome for transport and storage. Heretofore, no one has provided aquatic exercise equipment which is modular in nature which may be easily disassembled for component storage and transport, and which may be assembled in a minimum amount of time.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a modular aquatic exercise equipment assembly in which the exercise equipment assembly may be easily disassembled and which requires a minimum of space for storage and transport.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved hydrodynamic exercise equipment component having a user-engageable shaft and two water-resistance members removeably attached thereto at opposite ends of the shaft, each of the water-resistance members including planar fins which radially extend outwardly therefrom in different radial directions, and each of the water-resistance members including a hand grip portion interposed between the fins.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a set of components for a modular assembly of aquatic exercise equipment which may be quickly assembled together to form an aquatic exercise device and which may be quickly disassembled into its constituent components for storage or transport space, the disassembled components occupying a minimum of space, the set of components including two aquatic dumbbell members threadedly engaging a barbell shaft, each of the aquatic dumbbell members having a hand grip portion thereon provided near the intersection of two engageable half portions, each half portion having a planar surface constituting a fin extending radially outwardly therefrom, the two half portions being mutually engageable with each other such that, when engaged together, the half portions define a dumbbell having a plurality of fins extending radially outwardly from the hand grip portion, the fins being displayed at different angles to each other.
Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide hydrodynamic exercise equipment in which two water engagement members are removeably attached to opposite ends of the assembly and in which the water engagement members include two interlocking members which engage each other along an axis of the assembly, each of the interlocking members including a planar fin portion and an elongated shaft portion disposed centrally therein, the shaft engagement portions engaging each other such that the planar fin portions extend radially outwardly therefrom along different radial directions to define a plurality of water-resistance surfaces of the assembly.


There has already been proposed a device of the type generally described above, featuring a cylindrical tube inclined from the vertical below a sliver guide, the bottom end of the tube being mounted on a supporting element, and the top end or upper part being accommodated in a ball bearing, the outer race of which is located in a horizontal plate describing a gyratory movement through the action of two crankshafts coupled by drive elements, such that the tube will undergo a generally nutational movement in operation, in the sense that the tube will move in a generally conical path about its lower end. An exemplary such device is disclosed in a commonly assigned U.S. application Ser. No. 88,814 filed Oct. 29, 1979, (Schopper), entitled "Apparatus for loading a rope-like strand of fibers into spinning cans." Attention is also invited to commonly assigned earlier U.S. application Ser. No. 920,822, filed June 30, 1978, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,173,057, corresponding to Swiss Pat. No. 611,239. With such a device in operation, the sliver is piled into a can in cycloidal loops, but there is a tendency for the sliver to accumulate or concentrate in particular areas of the can in an undesired manner, the sliver typically accumulating in the center of the can. This applies in particular to the situation in which the tilted tube and the cans at the delivery end of the device are of relatively small diameters, as in feeding open-end frames.
An object of the instant invention is to remove this shortcoming in the piling operation, thereby bringing about improved distribution of the sliver in the piling operation, principally by shifting the axis of the cycloidal loops. In general, this object is met by locating the crankshafts on a second horizontal plate which also describes a gyratory movement through a second pair of coupled crankshafts, the first pair of crankshafts being driven more slowly than the second pair. Preferably the first pair of crankshafts is rotated between ten degrees and fifty degrees for every complete rotation of the second pair of crankshafts.
Other and further objects, advantages and features of the instant invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the ensuing description of a preferred embodiment, taken in conjunction with the appended drawing.


1. Field of the Disclosure
The present disclosure relates to a method of utilizing a mobile device to detect an emergency, and more particularly, to a method of detecting an emergency and determining whether a user is involved in the emergency according to an acceleration status of a mobile device carried by the user.
2. Description of the Prior Art
As the average wealth of a nation increases, people start to place more importance on their quality of life and the security of their family. Security monitoring devices which integrate various fields such as burglar alarms, entrance management and remote monitoring can be utilized for personal safety and protection of property. As the related technology matures, various digitized, networking or integrated security products and applications have become commercially available. Most modern security monitoring products and applications are realized by monitors or security systems. Coverage of such monitors and security systems, however, may not be satisfactory. If an accident or emergency occurs in a place not covered by the monitors or security systems, the circumstances will not be known, and follow-up assistance or appropriate handling cannot be performed. Thus, how to immediately detect and determine whether a user is involved in an emergency has become a main focus of the industry. Such functionality can enable assistance or processing to be performed immediately after an emergency, in order to achieve effective monitoring for personal safety.


As a radiation detector for use in a CT sensor, etc., there is a detector of an arrangement wherein a scintillator is disposed on a light-incident surface of a semiconductor photodetecting element, which is a semiconductor element. With such a radiation detector, when an X-ray, γ-ray, charged particle beam or other radiation to be detected is made incident on the scintillator, scintillation light is generated inside the scintillator by the radiation. The semiconductor photodetecting element then detects the scintillation light that is made incident from the scintillator and output an electrical signal that is in accordance with the intensity of the radiation.
Also, in order to carry out signal processing of the electrical signal output from the semiconductor photodetecting element, a signal processing element is provided. As an arrangement for electrically connecting the semiconductor element with the signal processing element and transmitting the electrical signal, an arrangement is used wherein a semiconductor device is arranged in one united body by connecting the semiconductor element to a wiring substrate that is provided with a conduction path and the signal processing element is connected to the wiring substrate of this semiconductor device. Such a semiconductor device using a wiring substrate is used in various applications besides radiation detectors (see for example, Japanese Patent No. 2555720 and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H3-203341).


The present invention relates to semiconductor structures, and more particularly to field effect transistor structures having an asymmetric SiGe channel, and methods of manufacturing the same.
A SiGe channel, i.e., a channel composed of a silicon-germanium alloy, provides a smaller band gap than a channel composed of silicon in a metal-oxide-semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET). The SiGe channel can be advantageously employed, for example, in combination with a high-k gate dielectric and a metal gate electrode thereupon to provide an optimized band gap in field effect transistors. However, the reduction in the band gap induces gate-induced drain leakage (GIDL) current in field effect transistors employing a SiGe channel. Such increase in the GIDL current has been observed, for example, in Dongyun Kim et al., “Band to Band Tunneling Study in High Mobility Materials: III-V, Si, Ge and strained SiGe,” Device Research Conference, pp. 57-58 (2007), Krishna C. Saraswat et al., “High Mobility Materials and Novel Device Structures for High Performance Nanoscale MOSFETs,” IDEM (2007), and X. Chen et al., “A cost Effective 32 nm High-k/Metal Gate CMOS Technology for Low Power Applications with Single-Metal/Gate-First Processes, IEEE VLSI pp. 88-89.
Such increase in the GIDL current due to a SiGe channel has a negative impact on the performance of a field effect transistor by increasing off-current of the field effect transistor, thereby rendering the field effect transistor unsuitable for low power applications. In order to fully utilize the advantage of a SiGe channel in providing a well controlled threshold voltage, the GIDL current of the transistor needs to be controlled to a minimal level.


As a method of surface treatment of aluminum and/or aluminum alloy, there is known chromate treatment, and zirconium phosphate treatment (cf. Japanese Kokai Publication Hei-05-302042, for instance). However, since chromate treatment uses harmful chromium metal, it causes a problem of liquid waste treatment. In zirconium phosphate treatment, there is a problem of being low in corrosion resistance.
Further, though surface treating agents which use a fluorine and zirconium-containing compound are used, there may be cases where the corrosion resistance is inadequate in some uses even though using such surface treating agents. Therefore, a rust prevention coating agent is desired, which can impart higher corrosion resistance to aluminum and/or aluminum alloy. As such a rust prevention coating agent, there has been disclosed a surface treating agent, which contains a zirconium compound and a compound containing nitrogen atoms having a lone pair (cf. Japanese Kokai Publication 2000-204485, for instance). But, adequate corrosion resistance has not been attained even though using such a surface treating agent. And, coats obtained by using such a surface treating agent were inadequate for being adopted as a rust-proofing because they have low corrosion resistance during not yet being coated and insufficient adhesion to a coating film.


Typical water meter assemblies comprise a series of plumbing elements positioned within a meter box. The plumbing includes a water meter coupled to an angle meter stop (sometimes also referred to as an “angle meter valve”). The angle meter stop includes a valve and is typically positioned adjacent to the water meter toward one end of the meter box. The angle meter stop forms a 90° downward bend, with a horizontal portion coupled to the water meter and vertical portion coupled to a downwardly extending vertical conduit that connects with a water main or water source. The vertical portion of the angle meter stop is typically attached to the downwardly extending vertical conduit using a “grip-tite” friction fit.
Periodically, maintenance needs to be performed on the plumbing elements of the water meter assembly. For example, the water meter may need to be replaced every 15 years. To replace the water meter, the valve of the angle meter stop is first closed and the old water meter disconnected from the angle meter stop. A new water meter is then installed. With the valve closed, the water pressure in the vertical portion of the valve can exert a strong upward force on the angle meter stop. Without the water meter connection holding the angle meter stop in place, the only force holding the angle meter stop to the vertical conduit is the “grip-tite” friction fit. If the friction fit is not properly formed, or the friction fit fails for any reason, the water pressure can cause the angle meter stop to violently blow off from the vertical conduit and injure a person performing maintenance.


The present invention relates to an electric discharge machining power source of an electric discharge machine which performs machining by using electric discharge of a capacitor.
A power source circuit of an electric discharge machine which performs machining by using electric discharge of a capacitor conventionally uses a circuit as shown in FIG. 5. Referring to FIG. 5, reference symbol E denotes a power source; R1, a current-limiting resistor; C2, a charge/discharge capacitor; P, an electrode; W, a work; T2, a transistor serving as a switching element; and G2, its base. With this circuit, a pulse is input to the base G2 of the transistor T2 to turn it on and thus to charge the capacitor C2. The charge voltage of the capacitor C2 is applied between the electrode P and the work W. The discharge current from the capacitor C2 flows as an electric discharge between the electrode P and the work W, thereby performing electric discharge machining. In order to quickly charge the capacitor C2, the resistance of the resistor R1 must be set small. However, when the resistance of the resistor R1 is set small, the resistor R1 generates heat, resulting in a large energy loss.
In view of this situation, an electric discharge machining power source as shown in FIG. 6 is developed (Japanese Patent Application No. 59-35984). Referring to FIG. 6, reference symbol E denotes a power source; T3 and T4, charge and discharge transistors serving as switching elements; G3 and G4, bases thereof; C3, a charge/discharge capacitor; D3, a diode; P, an electrode; W, a work; and L3, an inductance.
The operation of this electric discharge machining power source circuit will be described. First, when a pulse is applied to the base G3 of the charge transistor T3 to turn it on, a current flows from the power source E to the capacitor C3, inductance L3, transistor T3, and power source E, and the capacitor C3 starts to be charged. At this time, the current linearly increases because of the impedance of the stray inductance L3. Then, the charge voltage of the capacitor C3 also gradually increases. When application of the pulse to the base G3 of the charge transistor T3 is stopped to turn it off, the current as the energy accumulated in the stray inductance L3 flows through the diode D3, thus constituting a so-called flywheel circuit to further charge the capacitor C3. In this case, the charge current and voltage to the capacitor C3 are determined by the value of the stray inductance L3 and the width of the pulse applied to the base G3 for turning on the transistor T3, as is apparent from the above description. Therefore, the charge voltage can be adjusted by adjusting the pulse width and the stray inductance L3.
In this manner, the capacitor C3 is charged, the pulse is applied to the base G4 of the transistor T4, and thus the transistor T4 is turned on. As a result, the charge voltage in the capacitor C3 is applied in the gap between the work W and the electrode P, the capacitor C3 starts discharging, and the discharge current flows. In this manner, since this electric discharge machining power source uses no power source limiting resistor, no energy loss is caused and good power source efficiency is ensured. However, since the discharge switching element T4 is used, the overall system becomes expensive. Particularly, in order to flow a large discharge current, a plurality of transistors T4 (only one is shown) serving as the switching elements must be connected in parallel with each other, rendering the electric discharge machining power source expensive.


This invention relates to systems for inspection of substrates, especially semiconductor wafers and reticles. More specifically, the invention relates to a novel system which utilizes a sensor array in conjunction with two threshold arrangement, preferably integrated on a CMOS camera.
Several systems are known in the art for the inspection of wafers and reticles. Three examples of such systems that are currently available on the market are depicted in FIGS. 1-3. In the system exemplified in FIG. 1, the wafer 100 is illuminated with a light beam emanating from a light source 110 and reaching the wafer at a 90xc2x0 angle (generally referred to as normal illumination). Preferably, light source 110 provides coherent light, i.e., source 110 may be a laser source. The light beam is scanned over the wafer by a scanner 120, typically an acousto-optical deflector (AOD) or a rotating mirror, in the direction marked by the double-headed arrow. The wafer 100 is moved in the perpendicular direction by moving the stage upon which the wafer rests. Thus, a two dimensional area of the wafer can be scanned by the light beam.
Since the wafer has basically a mirror-like top surface, the light beam is specularly reflected back per Snell""s law at 180xc2x0. This specularly reflected light is collected by a light sensor 140 and its signal is used to obtain a xe2x80x9cbright fieldxe2x80x9d image, i.e., an image created from specularly reflected light. However, whenever the light beam hits an irregularity on the wafer, such as a particle, the light scatters in various directions. Some of the diffracted/scattered light is then collected by the light sensors 130, and their signal is used to obtain a xe2x80x9cdark fieldxe2x80x9d image, i.e., an image created from diffracted/scattered light. Thus, irregularities appear in the dark field image as stars in a dark sky.
In the system exemplified in FIG. 2, the wafer 200 is illuminated by a light beam emanating from light source 210, but reaching the wafer at a shallow angle, generally referred to as grazing illumination. The light beam is scanned over the wafer by a scanner 220, typically an acousto-optical scanner or a rotating mirror, in the direction marked by the double-headed arrow. The wafer 200 is moved in the perpendicular direction by moving the stage upon which the wafer rests. Thus, a two dimensional area of the wafer can be scanned by the light beam.
Since the light reaches the wafer at a grazing angle xcex8, its specular reflection is at a corresponding angle, xcex8xe2x80x2, according to Snell""s law. This light is collected by sensor 240, and its signal is used to create the bright field image. Any scattered light is collected by sensors 230, the signal of which is used to create dark field images.
It should be appreciated that in the above exemplified systems, with respect to each sensor the image data is acquired serially. That is, each two dimensional image, whether bright or dark field, is constructed by acquiring signals of pixel after pixel, per the scanned light beam. This is time consuming serial operation, which directly affects the throughput of such systems. Moreover, the scan speed of such systems is limited by the scanner""s speed (i.e., the band-width for an acousto-optic scanner) and by the electronics that support the detectors, e.g., the PMT (Photo-Multiplier Tube). Thus, a need exists to develop a system that does not utilize a scanned light beam.
Another difficulty with systems which use coherent light is diffraction caused by features arranged in a repeated order, thereby effectively forming a grating. Specifically, in semiconductor devices many features are constructed in a repeated order fashion. When these features are illuminated by a coherent light beam, they diffract the light in much the same manner as a diffraction grating would diffract the light. However, such constructive diffraction can be mistaken by the system for a defect. One way to overcome such a problem is to use a spatial filter in the Fourier plane, as exemplified by filters 235 in FIG. 2. This problem and proposed solutions are disclosed in, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,898,471, 4,806,774, and 5,276,498, which are incorporated herein by reference.
The system depicted in FIG. 3 performs a bright field inspection only, but does not use a scanner to scan the light beam. Instead, light source 310 provides a relatively broader light beam which illuminates the wafer 300 with a relatively large spot 315. A TDI sensor is used to image an elongated strip 325 of the illuminated spot. The length of the strip corresponds to the width of the TDI sensor. For example, if the TDI sensor comprises a 2048xc3x972048 pixels, then the scanned strip is of size 2048xc3x971. As the wafer is moved by the stage, strips are imaged and collected to form a bright field two-dimensional image of the inspected area.
Looking forward, as design rules shrink, the importance of detecting increasingly small irregularities becomes paramount. With design rules such as 0.18 and 0.15 xcexcm, very small irregularities, such as particles of sub-micron size, can be killer defects and cause the device to malfunction. However, in order to detect such small irregularities, one needs to use a very small wavelength light source, such as ultra violate (UV) or deep ultra violate (DUV) light source. This presents at least two crucial problems: first, optical elements operating in the DUV regime are expensive and, second, small short wave implies small spot size of the light beam; thus, the scanning speed and collection data rate need to be increased.
The small size of killer defects also present a formidable challenge for bright field system which do not use scanning, such as the TDI system depicted in FIG. 3. Specifically, since bright field system construct an actual image of the inspected area, the image includes multitude of structural elements built upon the wafer. Thus, the resulting image looks much like a maze, and it is increasingly difficult to detect a small irregularity in the maze-like image. Thus, the system requires a complicated image processing algorithm to recognize the defect, thereby increasing the processing power and time required and increasing the cost of purchasing and operating the system. It is not clear at this time whether even the most sophisticated algorithm may be unable to detect such small irregularities.
According to the present invention, a two dimensional sensor array is used to collect light returned from the inspected substrate. The signal generated by each individual sensor is passed through a threshold. Those signals which are below the threshold are amplified and are summed up. The summed signal is then passed through a second threshold. Summed signals which pass the second threshold are flagged as indicating suspect locations on the substrate.
The preferred implementation of the present invention is an integrated CMOS camera. Specifically, both thresholds, the amplifiers and the adder are integrated into the CMOS camera. This implementation is advantageous in that it enables much faster throughput of the system.


The present invention relates generally to an optical device, and more particularly, to an optical device utilizing a superlattice of one or more indirect bandgap materials.
The strengths of optical transitions between conduction band states and valence band states in semiconductors are greatly influenced by whether or not these transitions require phonon participation. Direct transitions (i.e. transitions between states with the same wavevector) can occur without phonon participation, and can have relatively large transition strengths. However, indirect transitions (i.e. transitions between states with unequal wave vectors) require phonon emission or phonon absorption in addition to the photon emmision or absorption process, and have relatively weak transition strengths.
The efficiency of optical devices can be significantly improved by the use of active region materials with direct transitions at the photon energies of interest. In addition, certain optical devices such as laser diodes essentially require the use of materials with direct band-edge transitions; i.e., electron-hole recombination events which occur at energies close to the band gap.
Many materials having direct transitions are used in optical devices. For instance, bulk GaAs and InAs are examples of conventional direct transition materials. However, some applications require the use of materials having indirect bandgaps. For example, all of the known technologically relevant compound semiconductors with appropriate bandgaps for green LEDs and green laser diodes have indirect band gaps. The emission efficiencies of sub-bandgap transitions can be enhanced somewhat in certain materials by the incorporation of selected impurities. However, the efficiencies obtained in this manner do not approach those obtained from direct gap materials.


In Australian Patent Number 769719 there is described and claimed a multifocal contact lens wherein the contact lens is made of flexible material and the contact lens is arranged to translate on an eye.
The entire disclosure of Australian Patent Number 769719 is incorporated herein by reference.
The present invention provides a means of manufacturing a lens of the type described in Australian Patent Number 769719.


Various embodiments of the present invention relate generally to a rifle or firearm and in particular, a gas regulator for a firearm. Still other embodiments relate generally to a rifle or firearm and in particular, a locking sight for a firearm.
Folding or collapsible sights are desirable for weapons in that the same allows the sight to transition from a first folded or stowed position to a second extended or deployed position. In one application, the first folded or stowed position allows the sight to be configured or located in a position that does not interfere with an optical sighting system or accessory that is mounted to a rail of the weapon. However, folding or collapsible sights may be inadvertently moved from the deployed position. Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a folding or collapsible sight with a locking mechanism that prevents inadvertent movement of the sight
A flash suppressor and/or a sound suppressor used with a firearm or rifle will increase the rate of fire or cycling of the firearm. This increase in cycling may also increase the wear rate of components of the firearm. In addition, variations in the types of ammunition used with rifle will also vary the cycling rate of the rifle and a rifle configured for use with one type of ammunition may cycle too fast when fired with another type of ammunition thus causing the aforementioned excessive wear to the components of the rifle. Non-limiting examples of different types of ammunition are 5.56 mm NATO ammunition and 223 Remington ammunition each of which may provide different cycling rates when fired from a rifle having the same gas port configuration in a gas impingement system. Still further there are reliability issues associated with higher cycling rates when ammunition is changed for example, round feeding may not occur or may occur improperly.
Accordingly, it is desirable to provide an apparatus and method for regulating the gas pressure in a rifle and thus allowing the same to be configured for use with suppressors and various types of ammunition.


The present invention relates in general to compressed natural gas ("CNG") storage and dispensing systems, and more particularly concerns novel apparatus for dispensing CNG at substantially constant and easily measured mass flow rates.
In light of expanding concerns about emissions and foreign energy dependence, commercial and passenger vehicles are increasingly being designed to operate on CNG. There is a growing need, therefore, for CNG fueling stations able to resupply these vehicles. In order for CNG-fueled vehicles to have commercial appeal, not only must these stations be conveniently located, as gasoline filling stations are today, but in addition they must be able to refuel a constant stream of vehicles, each in a relatively brief period of time. Further, they must be reasonably inexpensive to install and operate. Given these considerations and the high pressures at which CNG is typically stored within a vehicle, these CNG fueling stations therefore must be specially designed.
A paramount concern of the CNG station operator is the station's "storage effectiveness," defined as the fraction of stored CNG that can be transferred, at a particular pressure, to CNG vehicle tanks. Storage effectiveness, together with compressor flow rate characteristics, determine the number of vehicles that a station can fill in a given time period. Today, storage effectiveness can be improved by increasing the CNG storage pressure, the number of "cascade" levels, or both.
In a typical cascade CNG station, empty vehicle tanks are filled first from one of a series of three conventional CNG storage tanks. If the pressures in the vehicle and first storage tanks equalize at a pressure below the maximum desired vehicle tank pressure, a sequential valve then connects the vehicle tank to a second storage tank, which contains CNG at higher pressure. If necessary, this process then repeats using a third tank. A dome valve ensures that the vehicle tank pressure does not exceed the maximum desired pressure. During filling, a priority valve determines, based on the pressures in each, which storage tank should be refilled first by the compressor. Throughout the filling operation, a mass flow sensor monitors the total amount of CNG transferred to the vehicle.
Although they greatly increase both the cost and the complexity of the station, these various valves and the gas flow rate sensor are essential to the operation of the cascade system. Even with this expense, however, the storage effectiveness still remains well below unity. Storage effectiveness can be incrementally improved in this type of system only by increasing CNG storage pressure. However, not only does this require a higher pressure compressor, but any energy used to increase storage pressure above the maximum vehicle storage pressure is necessarily lost during the filling operation. This increases the total operating cost of filling each vehicle.
Vehicle owners and station operators would also prefer to reduce the temperature rise in the vehicle tank during the filling operation. The lower the final temperature of the tank, the greater the mass of CNG that can be stored there. When filled by a cascade system, however, vehicle tanks experience considerable "compression heating."


Such bowling game systems are configured with: an approach where players carry out a bowling action; a lane extending from the approach and on which the ball bowled by the player rolls; a plurality of pins placed on an end of the lane opposite a side of the approach; and trough-like gutters provided paralleling both sides of the lane to receive the ball slipping off the lane. Players enjoy the game by competing with each other for a higher score that depends on the number of pins they knock down (see Patent document 1).
Patent document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2005-334224


The embodiments described herein relate generally to sampling devices, and more specifically, to a sampling device including a mechanical force feedback mechanism.
Screening systems for threat compounds such as explosives as well as chemical and biological weapons are commonly used. These screening systems must be able to collect, concentrate, and analyze trace samples quickly and accurately. Many detection technologies such as mass spectrometry (MS), ion mobility spectrometry (IMS), gas chromatography (GC), optical spectroscopy, have been developed to detect a wide range of explosives and chemical weapons, and, to a lesser extent, biological weapons. The precision of a trace detector is an important factor in minimizing false positive rates. However, collecting enough of a sample to deliver to the trace detector is an important factor in maximizing detection rates, because if a trace sample is not appropriately delivered to the detector, a “non-detect event” may occur. In at least some cases, collection and delivery of samples to these trace detectors is difficult, as methods of collection and delivery must adapt to a wide range of applications and screening scenarios.
Certain contraband substances—such as explosive or narcotics—are difficult to detect in trace amounts. Security screenings for high traffic areas, such as an airport, attempt to identify and detain individuals involved with contraband substances by collecting samples from the body or clothing. Due to the high traffic nature of these security screenings, the screenings need to be both quick and accurate.
One type of sampling method involves using hand-held detection devices. These devices, usually in the form of a “wand”, are easy to handle, provide a suitable distance between the user and the target surface to avoid cross-contamination, and simplify sample transfer to an analytical device. However, these devices generally require the application of a particular amount of force or pressure in order to obtain a sufficient amount of sample from the target surface. Sufficient collection of a sample increases the probability of detecting a trace material within the sample, and the trace detection rate decreases when a user does not apply enough force or pressure against the target surface.


This invention relates to a method of transmitting information between a plurality of stations in a local area network.
Various methods are known for sharing network communication channels among stations in a local area network (LAN). One widely used method is known as CSMA/CD, (carrier sense multiple access/collision detect). According to this known method, a station wishing to transmit a message listens until the transmission channel is idle before commencing to transmit an information packet. Furthermore, the station continues to listen to the channel after commencing a transmission and if a collision is detected, that is, more than one station has commenced to transmit an information packet, any station which detects such collision terminates its message transmission and transmits a burst of noise (or garble) such that all other stations can be informed of the collision, terminate message transmission, and wait a random time before attempting to commence a further message transmission.
From Patent Abstracts of Japan volume E-690, page 102, abstract of Japanese Published Application No. 63-187746, there is known a wireless communication system wherein a plurality of stations communicate via a repeater installation. A first frequency is used for transmission from the stations to the repeater installation and a second frequency is used for transmissions from the repeater installation to the stations. If the repeater installation detects a collision on the first frequency transmissions, then it immediately informs all stations of such collision using the second frequency, such that the stations can take appropriate action.
Although the CSMA/CD method has proved satisfactory for transmissions over a cable physical medium, it has been found that a problem arises if it is attempted to apply the method to wireless radio transmissions in that small radio signals may be totally masked by larger signals during reception. This phenomenon is known as the "capture effect", and may prevent the detection of collisions in a system such as that disclosed in the aforementioned Japanese patent abstract.


This invention relates generally to gas-insulated power transmission lines, and more particularly to a power transmission line which utilizes two sheaths, one of carbon steel and the other of aluminum for the outer enclosure.
Compressed gas-insulated power transmission lines are a relatively recent commercial product which is gaining increased acceptance by the electric utility industry as an economical means for transmitting large blocks of electrical energy, and for use in special applications where conventional power transmission lines are inadequate. A typical compressed gas-insulated transmission line is generally comprised of an elongated outer sheath having disposed therein an inner conductor at high potential, with means disposed in the outer sheath to insulatably support the inner conductor within the outer sheath. An insulating gas, typical of which is sulfur hexafluoride at a pressure of 50 psi gauge, is utilized for electrically insulating the inner conductor from the outer sheath. The inner conductor is typically used to transmit energy at voltage ranges from 121-1200 KV. Both the inner conductor and the outer sheath are of good electrically conducting materials such as aluminum.
One of the drawbacks of gas-insulated power transmission lines which is hindering even more widespread applications of the lines is associated with the cost of the lines. One of the more costly components of the transmission lines is the outer enclosure utilized to contain the inner conductor and the insulating gas.
Present gas-insulated power transmission lines utilize a solid enclosure of aluminum to contain the inner conductor and the insulating gas. Aluminum is preferred because of the low loss it exhibits to the return current flowing through it induced by the conductor currents on the inner conductor. Typically, for grounded aluminum enclosures, the loss ratio (i.e., the ratio of enclosure loss to conductor loss) is of the order of one or less. However, the aluminum material utilized for the enclosure is itself expensive, and large quantities of the material must be utilized.
One method attempted in the prior art to minimize the cost of the outer enclosure has been to utilize carbon steel as the outer enclosure. Although carbon steel pipe is generally readily available at less expensive costs, the losses which result with respect to the return current are substantial. The loss ratio of carbon steel is generally of the order of three or higher. Therefore, because of the high-loss ratio, the use of carbon steel for the outer enclosure has generally occurred only when the current rating of a line is very low and the high electrical losses are acceptable.


A dental composition contains a polymerizable monomer, a polymerization initiator, and an inorganic filler, and is most widely used today as a restorative material for repairing fractures of teeth and dental caries. Such a dental composition is required to have the following properties. Specifically, as a cured product obtained after polymerization, the dental composition is required to have sufficient mechanical strength and hardness to serve as a substitute for natural teeth, wear resistance against occlusion of teeth in an oral cavity, surface smoothness and gloss, color matching with natural teeth, transparency, etc. Furthermore, from the viewpoint of handling properties, the dental composition, as a paste which has not yet been polymerized, is desired to have ease of handling for dental clinicians, for example, proper fluidity and high forming property. Particularly, a type of composition to be filled directly in a cavity must have a viscosity low enough to be filled directly from a syringe. If a specific component is added or the blend ratio of the components is adjusted, the resulting composition can produce favorable effects as a dental material.
These properties of the dental composition are greatly influenced by the component materials, shape, particle size of an inorganic filler used therein, and further by the content of that filler. For example, when an inorganic filler having a large average particle size of 1 μm or more is used, the filling rate of the filler in the polymerizable monomer can be increased easily and therefore sufficient mechanical strength as a cured product and high handling properties as a paste can be obtained. The use of such an inorganic filler has, however, a drawback in that it is difficult to obtain satisfactory gloss even after final polishing. On the other hand, when an inorganic ultrafine particle filler having an average particle size of less than 1 μm is used, the surface smoothness and gloss after polishing of the cured product and the gloss durability in the oral cavity are improved. The use of such an inorganic ultrafine particle filler has, however, a drawback in that when the inorganic filler is mixed and kneaded with the polymerizable monomer, the viscosity of the resulting paste increases significantly, which makes it difficult to increase the content of the filler. As a result, the mechanical strength of the cured product decreases, and the unpolymerized pasty composition becomes sticky, which reduces the handling properties. When a conventional dental composition, particularly a type of composition to be filled directly in a tooth is used, a reduction in the content of an inorganic filler seems to be a good solution to meet the handling properties requirements. However, when the content of the inorganic filler is reduced, the physical properties such as flexural strength of the resulting composition are low in value. When the content of the inorganic filler is increased to increase the strength, the viscosity of the resulting composition also increases. Such a composition cannot be used for direct filling during dental treatment. Furthermore, a spherical filler can be used to increase the surface smoothness and gloss, but it is difficult to increase the strength while maintaining the handling properties. Under these circumstances, it is difficult to increase the mechanical strength and the surface smoothness and gloss after polishing of the cured product and the handling properties of the paste in a balanced manner.
Patent Literature 1 discloses a dental restorative material in which an inorganic filler treated with a specific silane coupling agent and a polymerizable monomer having high hydrophobicity are used in combination to achieve high density filling, high strength, high aesthetic quality, and durability. In a dental restorative material disclosed in Patent Literature 2, a mixed filler composed of irregular-shaped inorganic particles, spherical inorganic particles, and inorganic ultrafine particles are used. The irregular-shaped particles having a small average particle size are used in this mixed filler, and acylphosphine oxide is used as a photopolymerization catalyst, so that the resulting dental restorative material has increased surface smoothness and gloss while maintaining high fracture toughness and strength. Patent Literature 3 discloses a dental composition in which a spherical filler having a specific particle size is used to achieve a good balance between the paste properties and the polishability.


1. Field of the Invention
Recent advances in the general field of molecular biology have made it possible to detect specific genes of clinical and commercial importance. For example, the structures of various genes and gene sequences associated with specific human diseases are known, as are various techniques for detecting the presence of such genes. It is therefore possible to diagnose human disease at the genetic level.
The most common technique for detecting a particular gene sequence is hybridization. A particular nucleotide sequence or "probe" is marked with a detectable label, typically a radioactive label or chemical modification, and combined with the nucleic acid sample of interest, either in situ as part of intact cells or as isolated DNA or RNA fragments. The sample can be either free in solution or immobilized on a solid substrate. If the probe molecule and nucleic acid sample hybridize by forming a strong non-covalent bond between the two molecules, it can be reasonably assumed that the probe and sample are essentially identical. The probe's detectable label provides a means for determining in a known manner whether hybridization has occurred and for measuring the amount of DNA/RNA sample present. The hybridization technique is of prime importance in basic research directed at understanding the relationship between nucleotide sequences and their function, as well as in diagnostic use to detect known aberrant genes or disease agents such as viruses or bacteria.
The main limitation of present gene detecting methods is that they are not sensitive enough and therefore require a relatively large amount of sample to accurately verify the existence of a particular gene sequence. This is not surprising since the detection of a single gene in the entire genetic repertoire of a human being requires locating one part in one to ten million. In fact, most hybridization methods require at least one to ten micrograms of purified DNA, representing a substantial sample of cells, to perform a reliable analysis. This limitation is particularly significant in pre-natal diagnosis of genetic disorders where only a small cell sample can be taken or in identifying infectious agents such as viruses in small tissue samples. Consequently, there is a substantial need for gene detecting methods which will increase the sensitivity of the hybridization assay without sacrificing its specificity.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The hybridization procedure typically includes the initial steps of isolating the DNA sample of interest and purifying it chemically. The DNA sample is then cut into pieces with an appropriate restriction enzyme. The pieces are separated by size through electrophoresis in a gel, usually agarose or acrylamide. The pieces of interest are transferred to an immobilizing membrane in a manner that retains the geometry of the pieces. The membrane is then dried and prehybridized to equilibrate it for later immersion in a hybridization solution.
A probe labeled with a radioactive isotope is constructed from a nucleotide sequence complementary to the DNA sample by a conventional nick translation reaction, using a DNase and DNA polymerase, although other types of labels can be used. The probe and sample are then combined in a hybridization buffer solution and held at an appropriate temperature until annealing occurs. Thereafter, the membrane is washed free of extraneous materials, leaving the sample and bound probe molecules supported on the membrane. The signal of the bound probe molecules is typically detected and quantified by autoradiography and/or liquid scintillation counting.
Southern, J. Mol. Biol. 98:503 (1975) teaches the transfer of DNA fragments to strips of nitrocellulose after the fragments have been resolved by electrophoresis in agarose gels. Immobilization of DNA on diazobenzyloxymethyl cellulose is taught by Noyes and Stark, Cell 5:301 (1975). Alwine et al., PNAS USA 74:5350 (1977) teach a method for detecting specific RNA molecules that are resolved in agarose gels, transferred to diazobenzyloxymethyl paper and then hybridized with DNA probes. Similarly, Reiser et al., Biochem. Biophys. Res. Comm. 85:1104 (1978), teach the detection of small DNA fragments resolved in polyacrylamide gels by immobilizing the same on diazobenzyloxymethyl paper and then hybridizing them to DNA probes.
Both Bittner et al., Anal. Biochem. 102:459 (1980) and Stellwag and Dahlberg, Nucl. Acid Res. 8:299 (1980) teach the use of an electrical current to transfer DNA and RNA fragments from either agarose or acrylamide gels to diazobenzyloxymethyl paper. Similarly, electrophoretic transfer of nucleic acids to diazophenylthioether paper is taught by Reiser and Wardale, Eur. J. Biochem. 114:569 (1981).
A New England Nuclear (Boston, Mass.) technical bulletin entitled "Gene Screen Hybridization Transfer Membrane Instruction Manual", by D. J. Green and D. R. Rittenbach (1982), teaches a modification of two different techniques ("electrophoretic transfer" and "capillary wicking") for immobilizing DNA and RNA samples on a porous substrate, specifically nylon-base membranes.
Nucleic acid probes have heretofore been labeled separately with either tritium or radioactive phosphorus [.sup.32 P] by nick translation, Rigby et al., J. Mol. Biol. 113:237 (1977) or with biotinylated uridine, Narayanswami, Hutchison and Ward, J. Cell Biol. 95:74a (1982). Other references, besides Rigby et al., identifying radioactive labels for DNA probes include Wahl et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,302,204 (.sup.32 P); Falkow et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,358,535 (.sup.32 P, .sup.3 H, .sup.14 C); and Axel, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,399,216 (.sup.32 P) A New England Nuclear technical bulletin, Vincent et al., "Preparation of DNA Labeled With High Specific Activity [.sup.35 S]-Deoxyadenosine 5' - [.alpha.-Thio] Triphosphate; the Use of .sup.35 S-Labeled Nucleic Acids as Molecular Hybridization Probes" (1982), teaches that a hybridization probe labeled with [.sup.35 S]-deoxyadenosine 5' [.alpha.-thio] triphosphate is qualitatively indistinguishable from a conventional .sup.32 P labeled probe.
Wahl et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,302,204 teach the use of ionic polymers, particularly dextran sulfate, to increase the local concentration of nucleic acids in hybridization reactions and in turn increase the signal of the DNA sample of interest. It also describes the use of a depurination step to increase the efficiency with which very large nucleic acid segments are transferred from a gel to a solid membrane.
A method of incorporating a phosphorothioate analog of deoxynucleotides, namely .sup.32 S, into DNA polymers, using known DNA polymerases (E. coli DNA polymerase I and E. coli DNA polymerase III) is described by Kunkel et al., PNAS USA 78:6734 (1981). This reference mentions the use of thionucleotides to induce site-specific mutations as an application of the method. Putney et al., PNAS USA 78:7350-7354 (1981) teach that a protective effect against enzymatic degradation occurs following the incorporation of a thionucleotide (.sup.32 S) into DNA polymers.
The use of a polyfunctional disulfide compound to cross-link protein molecules is taught by Kotani et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,287,345.
The present invention improves prior methods of detecting DNA genes and gene sequences by amplifying the detectable signal generated by bound probe molecules, thereby providing an accurate and reliable method for detecting and quantifying particular nucleotide sequences, even in relatively small samples. Accordingly, the present invention includes as its objects the following:
(1) to increase the mass of complementary DNA bound to specific gene sequences immobilized on a membrane; PA0 (2) to increase the signal-to-noise ratio produced in hybridization reactions involving immobilized DNA; PA0 (3) to improve the resolution of bands visualized by autoradiography of radioisotopically-labeled DNA; PA0 (4) to produce radioisotopic probes which will provide the same intensity of autoradiographic signal as obtained with .sup.32 P-labeled probes, but with less danger of radiation exposure to the worker due to the decreased emission energy of the probe; PA0 (5) to improve existing protocols for hybridizations, especially filter hybridizations, with .sup.35 S-labeled probes and reduce both the direct cost of the reaction mixture and the labor cost of the procedure; and PA0 (6) to produce a system of signal amplification which is not dependent upon the use of radioisotopes and which is compatible with a variety of probe-labeling systems.
Other objects will be apparent from the Description of a Specific Embodiments.


The present invention relates generally to intake structures for internal combustion engines, and more particularly, to a vane which is incorporated in the intake passage of internal combustion engines for producing advantageous swirl in the combustion chambers of the engine during operation.
In the field of internal combustion engines, it is known that, if the intake gas induced into a combustion chamber is provided with a swirling motion, the resulting turbulence assists the propagation of flame in the combustion chamber increasing the speed of flame propagation, thereby improving the performance of the engine. In addition, the anti-knock and driving characteristics of the engine, and the quality of the exhaust emissions thereof, are improved.
Conventionally, the inlet port of an internal combustion engine, especially a gasoline engine, is formed so as to minimize the resistance to the flow of intake gases and thereby increase the volumetric efficiency and maximum output power of the engine at high load operation. When such an internal combustion engine is operating at high load, although the flow or suction resistance of the inlet port is low, sufficient turbulence and swirl is caused in the combustion chamber for the flame propagation speed to be kept at an acceptable level.
However, during low and medium load operation, in which the amount of inlet gases is relatively low, a good level of swirl and turbulence of the inlet gases does not occur, due to the low flow resistance of the inlet port, and because the velocity of the inlet gas entering the combustion chamber from the inlet port is low. Thus combustion speed is sometimes not high enough, and, especially if the engine is operating in a lean mixture condition, or is provided with a substantial quantity of exhaust gas recirculation, good operating performance of the engine may be lost.
Conventionally, it has been realized that the generation of swirl in the cylinder is strongly affected by the direction of entry of inlet gases thereinto, and their degree of swirling as they enter. Therefore, in the past, various types of inlet ports have been proposed, with a view to enhancing swirl. One of these has been the so-called helical port, which is provided with a helical surface leading to the valve seating surface and extending helically around the axis of the valve seating surface. This type of port imparts a swirling action to the inlet gases before they pass the inlet valve.
However, there is a significant disadvantage in the performance of such a helical inlet port, which limits the usefulness thereof. If the helical surface is provided as a long and deep helix, so that it imparts a very strong swirling action to the inlet gases, then, at high load operation, when a large volume of inlet gases is required to be passed by the inlet port, the volumetric efficiency of the engine will be degraded, and thus its maximum output power will suffer, due to the increase of the resistance of the inlet passage to the flow of inlet gases. On the other hand, if the helical surface is provided as a short and shallow helix, so that it imparts a rather weak swirling action to the inlet gases, it will not function well at low load operation of the engine. Accordingly, such a helical port has not fully met the need for generating swirl in intake gases.
The present invention results from the realization that, if the flow of inlet gases is specifically directed to the start of the helical surface of a helical inlet port during low and medium load operation of the engine, without greatly increasing flow resistance of the inlet port to inlet gases, swirl and turbulence in the combustion chamber would be advantageously improved, and combustion speed would be increased, without sacrificing engine output power.
It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus in the inlet passage of an internal combustion engine by which the mixture gas is directed to the start of the helical surface of a helical inlet port, particularly during low and medium load operation of the engine, without greatly increasing flow resistance of the inlet passage.


1. Field of the Invention
The presently disclosed subject matter relates to a technique that retrieves and presents a case image similar to a diagnostic object image (image of object to be diagnosed) on the basis of an amount of feature (feature amount) extracted from the diagnostic object image.
2. Description of the Related Art
In Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-5364, an ROI (region of interest) is specified on image data; information such as image data which has a similar feature and a diagnostic result of the similar image data are retrieved from a database and displayed.
In Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-117936, a region of interest is extracted from a diagnostic image, and a similarity search is performed using the amount of feature of the region of interest.
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-257292 shows another example of similar image search system.
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-245719 shows an example of a technique for extracting a lesion region on the basis of position information of a region of interest.
T. F. Cootes, G. J. Edwards, and C. J. Taylor “Active Appearance Models”, In Proc. 5th European Conference on Computer Vision, Springer Germany, volume II: pp. 484-498 (1998), shows a method of acquiring shape information and texture information of a lesion part in the ROI (region of interest).


1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a semiconductor memory device, particularly a dynamic semiconductor memory device (DRAM).
2. Related Background Art
In a related DRAM, a memory cell is composed of an MOS transistor and a capacitor. The scale-down of the DRAM has been remarkably advanced by the adoption of a trench capacitor structure and a stacked capacitor structure. At present, the cell size of a unit memory cell is scaled down to an area of 2 F×4 F=8 F2, where F is a minimum feature size. Namely, the minimum feature size F decreases with the advance of generation, and when the cell size is generally taken to be αF2, a coefficient α also decreases with the advance of generation. Thus, at the present of F=0.18 μm, α=8 is realized.
In order to hereafter secure the trend of cell size or chip size which is the same as before, it is demanded to satisfy α<8 in F<0.18 μm and further satisfy α<6 in F<0.13 μm, and together with microfabrication, the formation of cell size of the possible small area becomes a large problem. Accordingly, various proposals for decreasing the size of the one memory cell with the one transistor and one capacitor to 6 F2 or 4 F2 are made. However, practical use is not easy since there are a technical difficulty that the transistor has to be a vertical type, a problem that electric interference between adjacent memory cells increases, and in addition difficulties in terms of manufacturing technology including fabrication, film formation, and the like.
On the other hand, some proposals for a DRAM in which a memory cell is composed of one transistor without using a capacitor are made as mentioned below.
(1) JOHN E. LEISS et al, “dRAM Design Using the Taper-Isolated Dynamic Cell” (IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON ELECTRON DEVICES, VOL. ED-29, NO. 4, APRIL 1982, pp 707-714)
(2) Japanese Patent Laid-open Publication No. H3-171768
(3) Marnix R. Tack et al, “The Multistable Charge-Controlled Memory Effect in SOI MOS Transistors at Low Temperatures” (IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON ELECTRON DEVICES, VOL, 37, MAY, 1990, pp 1373-1382)
(4) Hsing-jen Wann et al, “A Capacitorless DRAM Cell on SOI Substrate” (IEDM93, pp 635-638)
A memory cell in (1) is composed of MOS transistors, each of which has a buried channel structure. Charge and discharge to/from a surface inversion layer is performed using a parasitic transistor formed at a taper portion of an element isolation insulating film to perform binary storage.
A memory cell in (2) uses MOS transistors which are well-isolated from each other and uses a threshold voltage of the MOS transistor fixed by a well potential as binary data.
A memory cell in (3) is composed of MOS transistors on an SOI substrate. A large negative voltage is applied from the SOI substrate side, and by utilizing accumulation of holes in an oxide film of a silicon layer and an interface, binary storage is performed by emitting and injecting these holes.
A memory cell in (4) is composed of MOS transistors on an SOI substrate. The MOS transistor is one in terms of structure, but here a structure, in which a reverse conduction-type layer is formed on top of the surface of a drain diffusion region, whereby a P-MOS transistor for write and an N-MOS transistor for read are substantially combined integrally, is adopted. With a substrate region of the N-MOS transistor as a floating node, binary data are stored by its potential.
However, in (1), the structure is complicated and the parasitic transistor is used, whereby there is a disadvantage in the controllability of its characteristic. In (2), the structure is simple, but it is necessary to control potential by connecting both a drain and a source of the transistor to a signal line. Moreover, the cell size is large and rewrite bit by bit is impossible because of the well isolation. In (3), a potential control from the SOI substrate side is needed, and hence the rewrite bit by bit is impossible, whereby there is a difficulty in controllability. In (4), a special transistor structure is needed, and the memory cell requires a word line, a write bit line, a read bit line, and a purge line, whereby the number of signal lines increases.