Abstract: An imaging optical system includes: sequentially from an object side, a first lens group G1 having a positive refractive power, a front lens group GF having a negative refractive power, and a rear lens group GR having a positive refractive power; wherein for zooming from a wide-angle end to a telephoto end, a distance between G1 and GF increases, a distance between GF and GR decreases, and G1 monotonously moves to an object side, G1 has at least one negative lens, GF includes a lens group having a negative refractive power of 1 or more, GR has a final lens group GL arranged closest to an image plane I side, and is fixed to I, and does not move for zooming and focusing, GL has a vibration reduction lens group movable in a direction including a perpendicular component with respect to an optical axis, and prescribed conditional expressions are satisfied.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for re-rounding a distorted end (e.g., oval-shaped) of a pipe for insertion into a mechanical joint fitting or pipe bell have a circular diameter. The apparatus involves two separate semi-circular members having jack bolt assemblies evenly distributed in each. The two ends of each of the semi-circular members have extensions that can be releasably coupled to join to the two members to form a circular re-rounding tool. A first semi-circular member is positioned on the maximum diameter side of the distorted pipe and the other semi-circular member is placed on the opposite side of the distorted pipe and extensions joined. With an equal number of jack bolt assemblies in each member, corresponding jack bolt assemblies in the two members are diametrically aligned forming pairs. To re-round the distorted end, pairs of these jack bolt assemblies are tightened in a “star sequence” to re-round the distorted end.

Abstract: A disposable lancet assembly includes: a spring aligned along a linear axis; a lancet aligned along the linear axis adjacent to the spring; a needle cup aligned along the linear axis adjacent to the lancet; and a housing including a channel that accepts an actuator interface such that the needle cup and lancet are able to be moved along the linear axis via the actuator interface. A medical test cartridge includes: a bottom plate; a microfluidic chip; and a top plate, wherein the top plate is coupled to the bottom plate such that the microfluidic chip is retained between the top plate and the bottom plate. A sample collection and testing device includes: a lancet assembly; a lancet actuator coupled to the lancet assembly; and a microfluidic test chip.

Abstract: An automated fluid sample collector includes: a collection receptacle; an actuator; and a piercing element coupled to the actuator. An automated sample collection device includes: a sample receptacle; a needle that is able to extend into the sample receptacle; an actuator coupled to the needle such that the actuator is able to extend and retract the needle; and a fluid chip coupled to the sample receptacle, the fluid chip able to accommodate an amount of collected fluid. An automated method of collecting a fluid sample includes: activating a pump associated with a finger retention element in order to add fluid to the finger retention element; extending an actuator associated with a piercing element; opening a pinch valve; activating a collection pump; deactivating the collection pump; closing the pinch valve; and releasing fluid from the finger retention element.

Abstract: An automated method of evaluating a collected fluid sample includes: filling a sample cavity with the collected fluid sample; adding a buffer solution; separating the collected fluid sample into a first portion and a second portion; mixing the second portion with tagged antibodies; removing leftover tagged antibodies; and measuring a difference between the first portion and the second portion. A sample collection and testing device includes: a reference cavity comprising a reference fluid sample; a test cavity comprising a test fluid sample; a reference measurement element associated with the reference cavity; and a test measurement element associated with the test cavity. A method of evaluating a collected fluid sample including: separating the sample; pumping a first portion to a first measurement cavity; adding a solution to a second portion and pumping the mixture to a second measurement cavity; and measuring a charge difference between the first and second measurement cavities.

Abstract: An optical fluid measurement element includes: an emitter that generates an optical output; an absorber that measures an optical input; and a fluid flow pathway, where the optical output of the emitter passes through the fluid flow pathway and is received as the optical input to the absorber after passing through the portion of the fluid flow pathway. An automated method of measuring fluid volume using an optical fluid measurement element includes: activating an emitter; capturing data from an optical sensor; detecting a leading edge of fluid travelling along a flow pathway; starting a counter when the leading edge is detected; and calculating a volume based on a value of the counter. An automated method of measuring fluid attributes along a flow pathway. The method includes: activating an optical emitter; receiving a signal from an optical sensor; and processing the received signal to determine at least one fluid attribute.

Abstract: A joint restraint for deforming an outer diameter of a pipe for insertion into a socket. The joint restraint can selectively mount to a portion of an irregularly shaped pipe having a maximum outer diameter that differs from a desired substantially constant outer diameter. The joint restraint can have a circumferential ring body surrounding a central axis. A plurality of jacking assemblies can be secured to a portion of the ring body. Each jacking assembly can have a frame and a jacking bolt. The frame can have a threaded aperture that can receive the jacking bolt. Each jacking bolt can be selectively actuatable for radial movement relative to the central axis to deform the pipe proximate the maximum outer diameter of the pipe by selectively urging an outer surface of the pipe to the desired substantially constant outer diameter.

Abstract: A joint restraint assembly for connecting pipe ends together, or to other objects, which includes a body encircling the pipe. The body has a plurality of cavities adjacent to the pipe with a segment configured to fit into each cavity. One or more threaded bores are disposed through the body into each cavity. A threaded bolt extends through each threaded bore to engage the segment in that cavity, and to pre-load the segment against the pipe when assembled thereon. Mechanical or pressure loading, tending to pull the pipe out of the restraint assembly, causes the segment to self actuate, and the application of increasing load causes a proportional increase to the force engaging the segment to the pipe. The joint restraint assembly reliably accommodates comparatively high levels of mechanical loading and/or pipe internal pressure, and does so without relying upon the limited force produced by the threaded bolt pre-load on the segments at the time of assembly.

Abstract: A joint restraint assembly for connecting pipe ends together, or to other objects, which includes a body encircling the pipe. The body has a plurality of cavities adjacent to the pipe with a segment configured to fit into each cavity. One or more threaded bores are disposed through the body into each cavity. A threaded bolt extends through each threaded bore to engage the segment in that cavity, and to pre-load the segment against the pipe when assembled thereon. Mechanical or pressure loading, tending to pull the pipe out of the restraint assembly, causes the segment to self actuate, and the application of increasing load causes a proportional increase to the force engaging the segment to the pipe. The joint restraint assembly reliably accommodates comparatively high levels of mechanical loading and/or pipe internal pressure, and does so without relying upon the limited force produced by the threaded bolt pre-load on the segments at the time of assembly.

Abstract: A joint restraint assembly for connecting pipe ends together, or to other objects, which includes a body encircling the pipe. The body has a plurality of cavities adjacent to the pipe with a segment configured to fit into each cavity. One or more threaded bores are disposed through the body into each cavity. A threaded bolt extends through each threaded bore to engage the segment in that cavity, and to pre-load the segment against the pipe when assembled thereon. Mechanical or pressure loading, tending to pull the pipe out of the restraint assembly, causes the segment to self actuate, and the application of increasing load causes a proportional increase to the force engaging the segment to the pipe. The joint restraint assembly reliably accommodates comparatively high levels of mechanical loading and/or pipe internal pressure, and does so without relying upon the limited force produced by the threaded bolt pre-load on the segments at the time of assembly.

Abstract: This invention relates to a system and method for reclosing a package. A package reclosure is provided with a top layer having a perforation and a carrier substrate. A folded substrate or folded member is provided between the carrier substrate and top layer. The folded member is only secured to the top layer such that, when the perforation is torn, a portion of the folded member may be unfolded to reveal a repositionable adhesive which is used to retain an end of the package in a closed position.

Abstract: In a computer network having a system bus, a system processor connected to the system bus, and a plurality of local processors each connected to a respective local bus each having a plurality of interface cards attached thereto, each interface card includes an identification ROM. Each interface card responds to an initial reset signal enabling that interface card to respond to the same initial address. Each local processor outputs that initial address. The closest interface card of each local bus responds by transmitting information from its identification ROM to the requesting local processor, which then assigns an address to the closest interface card, which then automatically sets circuitry that enables the next closest interface card to respond to the initial address. The procedure is repeated to assign unique addresses to all of the interface cards.

Abstract: An interchangeable variable aperture lens can be used as an automatic lens with a camera body using digital signal control and with a camera body using analog signal control, and as a manual lens. The lens has both digital and analogue circuits for providing signals, to different camera bodies, indicative of the full open and full closed values of the lens diaphragm. Digital and analogue signal contacts are so positioned on the lens that the coacting contacts of different camera bodies are engaged when the lens is mounted on the different bodies, provided that the mechanical mount is the same.

Abstract: A computer bus structure includes a plurality of separate bus segments on a mother board. Plugging in of each of a plurality of interface boards automatically connects the right-hand portion of a particular bus segment to the left-hand portion of an adjacent bus segment so that a local bus of the needed length is created from the separate bus segments by the plugging of a processor board and a plurality of interface boards into successive adjacent connector slots, respectively, of the mother board. Insertion of processor boards into a particular connection slot of the mother board prevents the two bus segments adjacent thereto from being connected.

Abstract: A zoom lens in which two pairs of optical elements of the lens are each movable simultaneously relative to each other to attain desired magnification while maintaining the image surface of the lens system substantially fixed.A common body supporting both sets of lens elements can be moved if required to maintain the focal plane of the lens system fixed. The need for moving the body may arise where the movement of the lens elements causes a shift or displacement of the focal plane of the zoom lens.

Abstract: A computer system including a first processor and a plurality of removable interface circuits is operated by storing hardware descriptors for each interface circuit, each hardware descriptor including a name and an attribute of each component of the interface. Software templates describing each data structure and pointers to code to be executed to build software objects corresponding to each component contained on any interface board in the system are stored, which code is executed to building such software objects. The hardware descriptors are utilized to obtain lists of components of each interface from a data base, using names of such components to obtain software templates corresponding to the named component and pointing to software that utilizes the software template to build the software object representing a function that can be performed by the component, assigns a name to that software object and entering the name and corresponding software object into the data base.

Abstract: A method for detecting an endpoint of development including the steps of; forming a resist layer on a conductive layer formed on a substrate; exposing the resist layer by using light, X-rays, or electron beams; forming one electrode by connecting a connector consisting of a first conductive material to the conductive layer through the exposed resist layer on the substrate; forming another electrode by dipping an assembly consisting of a second conductive material into a developing solution; and developing the exposed resist layer while monitoring the current flowing between two electrodes.

Abstract: A method for forming a electrical interconnections, according to the invention, comprises forming number of semiconductor circuit elements on one semiconductor substrate, depositing an electrically conductive layer on substantially the entire surface of the semiconductor substrate, etching the electrically conductive layer patterned by the photolithography, for example, coating a photoresist on the electrically conductive layer, placing a mask of a pattern of electrical connecting lines on the photoresist-coated conductive layer and exposing the assembly to actinic rays to effect a development treatment, then placing one electrode composed of the electrochemically same material as that of the electrically conductive layer so that at least one point of said one electrode is brought into contact with the electrically conductive layer, dipping the assembly in an etching solution while using as the other electrode an electric conductor composed of a material electrochemically different from the material of the el

Abstract: An appliance for adhering a sensing marker on a medium for recording information, such as a magnetic tape, comprising a case, removing rotor, and a guide way. The case has a cavity formed therein where the removing rotor is pivotally supported. The removing rotor also has a cavity therein where a marker roll is accommodated which is commercially available and which includes a backing liner and a plurality of pre-cut sensing markers adhered on the backing liner. The removing rotor has a station which is formed in a flat surface for receiving the backing liner withdrawn from the marker roll. An arc surface and a radial step are also provided with the removing roller. A location is formed on the case so that the magnetic tape is positioned there. A transfer block which has a rectangular shape is formed at the bottom thereof. Soft material which has a tendency to stick to the sensing marker is positioned on the block.

Abstract: This solar radiation measuring system records the integral of total solar radiation over a given period of time, and also records the periods during that time when the sun was obscured by clouds or other objects. The measurement of the integral of solar radiation includes all spectral components of the solar spectrum from the ultra-violet through the infrared. The design of the device is such that readout is simple and complex data reduction is unnecessary.