1. A memory controller having a universal serial bus (USB) interface; comprising:
a USB interface unit for receiving a USB instruction, decoding the instruction and converting the USB instruction to a USB request and responding to the USB instruction;
a memory interface unit serving as an interface with a memory unit, wherein the memory unit can be a read-only-memory, a one time programmable memory or a static random access memory;
a buffer region coupled to the USB interface unit and the memory interface unit for holding data corresponding to that portion of the address in the memory unit; and
a control logic unit coupled to the buffer region, the USB interface unit and the memory interface unit for receiving the USB request, executing and responding to the USB request.
2. The memory controller of claim 1, wherein the USB interface unit supports universal serial bus protocols including USB1.0, USB1.1 and USB2.0.
3. The memory controller of claim 1, wherein the buffer region has a plurality of buffers and supports interleaved access.
4. The memory controller of claim 1, wherein the control logic unit further includes a micro-controller.
5. The memory controller of claim 1, wherein the control logic unit supports a data security function.
6. The memory controller of claim 1, wherein the control logic unit supports a buffer region data cache function.
7. A memory device having universal serial bus (USB) interface, comprising:
a memory unit for holding data, wherein the memory unit can be read-only-memory, one time programmable memory or static random access memory; and
a memory controller coupled to the memory unit having a USB interface for receiving a USB instruction, decoding, executing and responding to the USB instruction so that data can be accessed.
8. The memory device of claim 7, wherein the memory controller further includes:
a USB interface unit for receiving a USB instruction, decoding the instruction and converting the USB instruction to a USB request and responding to the USB instruction;
a memory interface unit serving as an interface with a memory unit;
a buffer region coupled to the USB interface unit and the memory interface unit for holding data corresponding to that portion of the address in the memory unit; and
a control logic unit coupled to the buffer region, the USB interface unit and the memory interface unit for receiving the USB request, executing and responding to the USB request.
9. The memory device of claim 8, wherein the USB interface unit supports universal serial bus protocols including USB1.0, USB1.1 and USB2.0.
10. The memory device of claim 8, wherein the buffer region has a plurality of buffers and supports interleaved access.
11. The memory device of claim 8, wherein the control logic unit includes a micro-controller.
12. The memory device of claim 8, wherein the control logic unit supports a data security function.
13. The memory device of claim 8, wherein the control logic unit supports a buffer region data cache function.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
What is claimed is:
1. A method for measuring nitric oxide concentration in exhaled air, in which method the air is exhaled through a blow tube of measuring equipment, and the nitric oxide concentration is measured in the exhaled air flowing in the blow tube, wherein a flow rate of the exhaled air flowing through the blow tube is measured during the exhalation and flow resistance of the blow tube is adjusted on the basis of the measured flow rate value such that the flow rate of the exhaled air substantially remains at a preset value.
2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least two different flow rate values are set for the flow rate of exhaled air during the measurement, and the flow resistance of the blow tube is adjusted such that the flow rate of the exhaled air flowing through the blow tube sets in sequence either to one or more predetermined flow rate values, and the nitric oxide concentration of the exhaled air is measured at each flow rate.
3. The method as claimed in claim 2, wherein the measured nitric oxide concentrations of exhaled air are expressed proportional to the exhalation flow rate.
4. Measuring equipment for measuring nitric oxide concentration, the measuring equipment comprising a blow tube, through which exhaled air is blown and a measuring means for measuring the nitric oxide concentration of the exhaled air flowing through the blow tube, the measuring equipment comprising a flow meter for measuring air flow rate and a flow rate adjuster for adjusting the flow rate of exhaled air flowing through said tube to be substantially predetermined in magnitude during the measurement of nitric oxide concentration.
5. The measuring equipment as claimed in claim 4, comprising control means for setting the flow rate of the exhaled air consecutively to at least two different flow rate values and for measuring the nitric oxide concentration in the exhaled air at each flow rate value during either one or more exhalations.
6. The measuring equipment as claimed in claim 4, wherein the control means comprise a computer, to which are connected the measuring means for measuring the nitric oxide concentration and the flow meter, and which is correspondingly connected to control the flow rate adjuster for executing a measuring process preprogrammed in the computer on the basis of preset air flow rate values.
7. The measuring equipment as claimed in claim 5, wherein the control means comprise a computer, to which are connected the measuring means for measuring the nitric oxide concentration and the flow meter, and which is correspondingly connected to control the flow rate adjuster for executing a measuring process preprogrammed in the computer on the basis of preset air flow rate values.
8. The measuring equipment as claimed in claim 4, wherein the flow meter is a mass flow meter and the flow rate adjuster is a mechanical, electrically controlled throttle.
9. The measuring equipment as claimed in claim 5, wherein the flow meter is a mass flow meter and the flow rate adjuster is a mechanical, electrically controlled throttle.
10. The measuring equipment as claimed in claim 6, wherein the flow meter is a mass flow meter and the flow rate adjuster is a mechanical, electrically controlled throttle.
11. Method of diagnosing an inflammatory lung disease in a patient comprising measuring nitric oxide concentration in exhaled air of said patient, whereby the air is exhaled through a blow tube of measuring equipment, and the nitric oxide concentration is measured in the exhaled air flowing in the blow tube, wherein a flow rate of the exhaled air flowing through the blow tube is measured during the exhalation and flow resistance of the blow tube is adjusted on the basis of the measured flow rate value such that the flow rate of the exhaled air substantially remains at a preset value, whereby an increased nitric oxide concentration indicates an inflammatory lung disease.
12. Method as claimed in claim 11, wherein at least two different flow rate values are set for the flow rate of exhaled air during the measurement, and the flow resistance of the blow tube is adjusted such that the flow rate of the exhaled air flowing through the blow tube sets in sequence to said predetermined flow rate values, and the nitric oxide concentration of the exhaled air is measured at each flow rate, on the basis of which the location of a possible inflammation can be calculated.
13. Method as claimed in claim 12, wherein the alveolar NO concentration and the bronchial NO flux is calculated, whereby an increase in the alveolar NO concentration indicates alveolar or parenchymal lung inflammation, and an increase in the bronchial NO flux indicates bronchial lung inflammation.
14. Method of monitoring the effect of anti-inflammatory drug treatment, in a patient in need thereof comprising measuring nitric oxide concentration in exhaled air of said patient, whereby the air is exhaled through a blow tube of measuring equipment, and the nitric oxide concentration is measured in the exhaled air flowing in the blow tube, wherein a flow rate of the exhaled air flowing through the blow tube is measured during the exhalation and flow resistance of the blow tube is adjusted on the basis of the measured flow rate value such that the flow rate of the exhaled air substantially remains at a preset value, whereby a decrease in nitric oxide concentration indicates an effect of the anti-inflammatory drug treatment on an inflammatory lung disease in said patient.
15. Method as claimed in claim 14, wherein at least two different flow rate values are set for the flow rate of exhaled air during the measurement, and the flow resistance of the blow tube is adjusted such that the flow rate of the exhaled air flowing through the blow tube sets in sequence to said predetermined flow rate values, and the nitric oxide concentration of the exhaled air is measured at each flow rate, on the basis of which the alveolar NO concentration and the bronchial NO flux is calculated, whereby a decrease in the alveolar NO concentration indicates an effect of said anti-inflammatory drug treatment on alveolar or parenchymal lung inflammation, and a decrease in the bronchial NO flux indicates an effect of said anti-inflammatory drug treatment on bronchial lung inflammation.