Author: claimsbot

1. A sparse variable optimization device comprising:
a gradient computation unit for computing a gradient of an objective function in a designated value of a variable;
an added variable selection unit for adding one of variables included in a variable set, to a nonzero variable set;
a variable optimization unit for optimizing a value of a variable to be optimized, for each variable included in the nonzero variable set;
a deleted variable selection unit for deleting a variable that, when deleted, causes a smallest increase of the objective function from among variables included in the nonzero variable set, from the nonzero variable set; and
an objective function evaluation unit for computing a value of the objective function for the variable to be optimized,
wherein the gradient computation unit computes the gradient of the objective function in the variable to be optimized, and
wherein the added variable selection unit adds a variable corresponding to a largest absolute value of the computed gradient from among the variables included in the variable set, to the nonzero variable set.
2. The sparse variable optimization device according to claim 1, wherein the gradient computation unit computes the gradient of the objective function in the variable to be optimized, the objective function representing a logistic regression model, and
wherein the deleted variable selection unit deletes the variable that causes the smallest increase of the objective function, from the nonzero variable set.
3. The sparse variable optimization device according to claim 1, wherein the gradient computation unit uses a covariance function as the objective function, and computes the gradient of the objective function in an off-diagonal element of a precision matrix which is an inverse of a covariance matrix,
wherein the variable optimization unit optimizes the off-diagonal element of the precision matrix, for each off-diagonal nonzero component of the precision matrix,
wherein the deleted variable selection unit sets a nonzero component that, when deleted, causes the smallest increase of the objective function from among off-diagonal nonzero components of the precision matrix, to zero, and
wherein the objective function evaluation unit computes the value of the objective function for the off-diagonal element of the precision matrix.
4. The sparse variable optimization device according to claim 1, comprising
an optimality determination unit for determining that the variable to be optimized is optimized, in the case where the largest absolute value of the computed gradient is less than a predetermined threshold.
5. The sparse variable optimization device according to claim 2, comprising
an optimality determination unit for determining that the variable to be optimized is optimized, in the case where the largest absolute value of the computed gradient is less than a predetermined threshold.
6. The sparse variable optimization device according to claim 3, comprising
an optimality determination unit for determining that the variable to be optimized is optimized, in the case where the largest absolute value of the computed gradient is less than a predetermined threshold.
7. A sparse variable optimization method comprising:
computing a gradient of an objective function in a designated value of a variable;
adding one of variables included in a variable set, to a nonzero variable set;
optimizing a value of a variable to be optimized, for each variable included in the nonzero variable set;
deleting a variable that, when deleted, causes a smallest increase of the objective function from among variables included in the nonzero variable set, from the nonzero variable set; and
computing a value of the objective function for the variable to be optimized,
wherein when computing the gradient, the gradient of the objective function in the variable to be optimized is computed, and
wherein a variable corresponding to a largest absolute value of the computed gradient from among the variables included in the variable set is added to the nonzero variable set.
8. The sparse variable optimization method according to claim 7, wherein when computing the gradient, the gradient of the objective function in the variable to be optimized is computed, the objective function representing a logistic regression model, and
wherein the variable that causes the smallest increase of the objective function is deleted from the nonzero variable set.
9. A non-transitory computer readable information recording medium storing a sparse variable optimization program that, when executed by a processor, performs a method for:
computing a gradient of an objective function in a designated value of a variable;
adding one of variables included in a variable set, to a nonzero variable set;
optimizing a value of a variable to be optimized, for each variable included in the nonzero variable set;
deleting a variable that, when deleted, causes a smallest increase of the objective function from among variables included in the nonzero variable set, from the nonzero variable set; and
computing a value of the objective function for the variable to be optimized,
wherein when computing the gradient, the gradient of the objective function in the variable to be optimized is computed, and
wherein a variable corresponding to a largest absolute value of the computed gradient from among the variables included in the variable set is added to the nonzero variable set.
10. The non-transitory computer readable information recording medium according to claim 9, wherein when computing the gradient, the gradient of the objective function in the variable to be optimized is computed, the objective function representing a logistic regression model, and
wherein the variable that causes the smallest increase of the objective function is deleted from the nonzero variable set.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. A method for providing a dose of a gaseous drug to a patient that has a respiratory disorder comprising:
determining a normal resting breath rate for the patient at a particular time;
b. monitoring the current breath rate of the patient;
c. comparing the current breath rate with the normal resting breath rate; and
d. providing a dose of the gaseous drug based on the comparison of the current breath rate with the normal breath rate.
2. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the dose is delivered during a first two-thirds of an inhalation cycle.
3. The method as recited in claim 1 including:
a. determining a standard ratio of inhalation time to exhalation time during a breath for a patient;
b. monitoring the current ratio of inhalation time to exhalation time;
c. comparing the current ratio with the standard ratio; and
d. adjusting the dose of the gaseous drug provided based on a change in the ratio of inhalation and exhalation.
4. The method as recited in claim 1 including varying the flow of the dose delivered to the patient so that less flow will be used when the patient is close to normal resting breath rate.
5. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the normal resting breath rate for the patient is determined by a control circuit that is connected to a vacuum sensor that senses a patient’s inhalation.
6. The method as recited in claim 5 wherein the current breath rate is monitored by the vacuum sensor and provided to the control circuit.
7. The method as recited in claim 6 wherein the normal breath rate is compared with current breath rate by the control circuit.
8. The method as recited in claim 7 wherein the comparison of the current breath rate with the normal resting breath rate is done by the control circuit and based on the comparison, the control circuit determines the dose of the gaseous drug to fit the need of the patient.
9. The method as recited in claim 8 wherein the dose is provided by the control circuit adjusting a valve to deliver an appropriate dose to the patient.
10. The method as recited in claim 8 wherein the dose is provided by the control circuit choosing from a low flow valve, a high flow valve, a combination of the low flow and high flow valve to deliver an appropriate dose to the patient.
11. A method for providing a dose of a gaseous drug to a patient that has a respiratory disorder comprising:
a. determining a standard ratio of inhalation time to exhalation time during a breath for a patient;
b. monitoring the current ratio of inhalation time to exhalation time;
c. comparing the current ratio of inhalation time to exhalation time with the standard ratio of inhalation time to exhalation time; and
d. providing the dose of the gaseous drug based on the comparison of the current ratio of inhalation time to exhalation time with the standard ratio of inhalation time to exhalation time.
12. The method as recited in claim 11 wherein the dose is delivered during a first two-thirds of an inhalation cycle.
13. The method as recited in claim 11 including varying the flow of the dose delivered to the patient so that less flow will be used when the patient is close to the standard ratio of inhalation time to exhalation time.
14. The method as recited in claim 11 wherein the standard ratio of inhalation time to exhalation time is determined by a control circuit that is connected to a vacuum sensor that senses a patient’s inhalation time and exhalation time.
15. The method as recited in claim 14 wherein the standard ratio of inhalation time to exhalation time is monitored by the vacuum sensor and provided to the control circuit.
16. The method as recited in claim 15 wherein the standard ratio of inhalation time to exhalation time during a breath for a patient is compared with the current ratio of inhalation time to exhalation time by the control circuit.
17. The method as recited in claim 16 wherein the comparison of the current breath rate with the standard ratio of inhalation time to exhalation time is done by the control circuit and based on the comparison, the control circuit determines the dose of the gaseous drug to fit the need of the patient.
18. The method as recited in claim 17 wherein the dose is provided by the control circuit adjusting a valve to deliver an appropriate dose to the patient.
19. The method as recited in claim 17 wherein the does is provided by the control circuit choosing from a low flow valve, a high flow valve, a combination of the low flow and high flow valves or a continuous flow switch to deliver an appropriate dose to the patient.
20. A method for providing a dose of a gaseous drug to a patient that has a respiratory disorder comprising:
a. determining an inhalation window;
b. determining an amount of the dose of the gaseous drug based on a duration of the inhalation window; and
c. delivering the dose of the gaseous drug within a second inhalation window.
21. The method as recited in claim 20 wherein the dose is delivered during a first two-thirds of the second inhalation cycle.
22. The method as recited in claim 20 wherein the inhalation window for the patient is determined by predetermining a fixed value.
23. The method as recited in claim 22 wherein the inhalation window for the patient is determined by a control circuit that is connected to a vacuum sensor that senses a patient’s inhalation.
24. The method as recited in claim 23 wherein the second inhalation window is determined by the vacuum sensor and provided to the control circuit.
25. The method as recited in claim 24 wherein determining the amount of the dose based on the duration of the inhalation window is determined by the control circuit.
26. The method as recited in claim 25 wherein the dose is provided by the control circuit adjusting a valve to deliver an appropriate dose to the patient.
27. The method as recited in claim 26 wherein the dose is provided by the control circuit choosing from a low flow valve, a high flow valve, a combination of the low flow and high flow valves or a continuous flow switch.
28. A dosing apparatus for providing a dose of a gaseous drug to a patient that has a respiratory disorder comprising:
a. a control circuit;
b. a vacuum pressure sensor that is connected to a patient to sense patient inhalation and transmits the patient inhalation information to the control circuit;
c. a connection port for connection to a gaseous drug supply;
d. a gaseous drug delivery device that allows the volume of the gaseous drug delivered to the patient to be varied; and
e. a power supply that provides power to the apparatus.
29. The apparatus as recited in claim 28 wherein the gaseous drug delivery device comprises:
a. a low flow valve controlled by the control circuit; and
b. a high flow valve controlled by the control circuit.
30. The apparatus as recited in claim 29 including a continuous flow valve controlled by the control circuit.
31. The apparatus as recited 28 wherein the gaseous drug delivery device comprises a variable flow valve.
32. The apparatus as recited in claim 28 wherein the gaseous drug supply is a liquid oxygen reservoir.
33. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the normal resting breath rate is smoothed value calculated by an algorithm.
34. The method as recited in claim 33 wherein in the algorithm is the following:
Normal
\ue89e
\ue89e
resting
\ue89e
\ue89e
breath
\ue89e
\ue89e
rate

=
BR
Cur

\ue8a0

(
x
)
+
BR
curnorm

\ue8a0

(
y
)
100
Where x=1\u221299
and y=100\u2212x.
35. The method as recited in claim 4 wherein x is 0-25.
36. The method as recited in claim 35 wherein Normal resting breath rate is calculate on every breath except if BRCu+2 or more greater than BRcurnorm then the Normal resting breath rate remains the same and the calculation of does not start again until the BRCu is within 2 of BRcurnorm.
37. The method as recited in claim 35 wherein the calculation does not start again until 2 minutes after the BRCu is within 2 of BRcurnorm.
38. The method as recited in claim 35 wherein Normal resting breath rate is calculate on every breath except if BRCu+3 or more greater than BRcurnorm then the Normal resting breath rate remains the same and the calculation of does not start again until the BRCu is within 3 of BRcurnorm.
39. The method as recited in claim 35 wherein the calculation of does not start again until 2 minutes after the BRCu is within 3 of BRcurnorm.

1. An image pickup device comprising:
a storage unit that maps photographing position information indicating a photographing position of each of a plurality of photographing targets mapped to at least two pieces of target direction information indicating directions of the photographing target based on the photographing position;
a plurality of sensors, one of the plurality of sensors acquiring apparatus position information indicating a position of the image pickup device and another one of the plurality of sensors acquiring photographing direction information indicating a photographing direction of the image pickup device;
a calculation unit that selects at least one from among the plurality of pieces of photographing position information stored in the storage unit based on the apparatus position information acquired by the one of the plurality of sensors, and calculates at least two direction differences that are differences between the at least two pieces of target direction information, which are mapped to the selected photographing position information and are stored in the storage unit, and the photographing direction information acquired by the another one of the plurality of sensors; and
a display unit that displays information corresponding to the at least two direction differences calculated by the calculation unit.
2. The image pickup device according to claim 1, wherein:
the calculation unit calculates a position difference that is a difference between the selected photographing position information and the apparatus position information; and
the display unit displays information corresponding to the position difference calculated by the calculation unit.
3. The image pickup device according to claim 1, wherein:
the calculation unit calculates a first angle of view information indicating a photographing angle of view of the image pickup device and selects the at least one from among the plurality of pieces of photographing position information stored in the storage unit based on the angle of view information and the apparatus position information that is acquired by the the one of the plurality of sensors.
4. The image pickup device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of sensors includes a geomagnetic sensor and an angular velocity sensor, measures the photographing direction of the image pickup device using the geomagnetic sensor and the angular velocity sensor, and acquires the photographing direction information.
5. The image pickup device according to claim 1, wherein:
the storage unit stores first angle of view information for each of the photographing targets;
the calculation unit calculates a second angle of view information indicating a photographing angle of view of the image pickup device and an angle of view difference that is a difference between the first angle of view information and the second angle of view information; and
the display unit displays information corresponding to the angle of view difference calculated by the calculation unit.
6. The image pickup device according to claim 1, wherein:
the storage unit stores datetime information for each of the photographing targets;
the calculation unit acquires datetime information indicating a current datetime from a built-in clock and selects the at least one from among the plurality of pieces of photographing position information stored in the storage unit based on the datetime information and the apparatus position information that is acquired by the one of the plurality of sensors.
7. A non-transitory storage device storing a program that causes a device, including a memory, a plurality of sensors, and a display, with the memory storing photograph position information indicating a photographing position of each of a plurality of photographing targets mapped to at least two pieces of target direction information indicating directions of the photographing target based on the photographing position, to execute:
an acquisition step of acquiring, with the plurality of sensors, apparatus position information indicating a position of the image pickup device and photographing direction information indicating a photographing direction of the image pickup device;
a calculation step of selecting at least one from among the plurality of pieces of photographing position information stored in the storage unit based on the apparatus position information, and calculates at least two direction differences that are differences between the at least two pieces of target direction information, which are mapped to the selected photographing position information and are stored in the memory, and the photographing direction information; and
a display step of displaying, by the display, information corresponding to the at least two direction differences calculated by the calculation unit.

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 scanning a stage device, the stage device including a stage and an actuator which includes a first coil and a second coil, the method comprising:
driving the stage using the actuator, wherein the actuator is arranged to drive the stage through a push point associated with the first coil and the second coil;
determining when driving the stage using the actuator includes driving the stage through a first location associated with the stage; and
altering the push point associated with the first coil and the second coil when it is determined that driving the stage using the actuator does not include driving the stage through the first location associated with the stage.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein driving the stage using the actuator includes:
providing a first input to the first coil; and
providing a second input to the second coil, wherein a difference between the first input and the second input substantially defines the push point associated with the first coil and the second coil.
3. The method of claim 2 wherein altering the push point associated with the first coil and the second coil includes:
altering at least one of the first input and the second input to substantially adjust the difference between the first input and the second input.
4. The method of claim 3 wherein the first input is a first amplitude of current and the second input is a second amplitude of current.
5. The method of claim 3 wherein the first input is a first voltage and the second input is a second voltage.
6. The method of claim 1 wherein the first coil and the second coil are arranged to be individually controlled.
7. The method of claim 1 wherein the first location is an approximate center of gravity of the stage.
8. The method of claim 7 wherein altering the push point associated with the first coil and the second coil include adjusting the push point such that the push point and the first location are aligned along a common axis.
9. The method of claim 1 wherein the first location is an approximate center of rotation of the stage.
10. The method of claim 1 wherein determining when driving the stage using the actuator includes measuring pitching moments associated with driving the stage.
11. A method for operating an exposure apparatus comprising the method for scanning of claim 1.
12. A method for making an object including at least a photolithography process, wherein the photolithography process utilizes the method of operating an exposure apparatus of claim 11.
13. A method for making a wafer utilizing the method of operating an exposure apparatus of claim 11.
14. A stage apparatus comprising:
a stage, the stage having a center-of-gravity; and
an actuator, the actuator including a first coil and a second coil, the first coil and the second coil being arranged to be substantially separately controllable, wherein the first coil and the second coil cooperate to define a center of force through which the stage is arranged to be driven by the actuator.
15. The stage apparatus of claim 14 wherein the first coil includes a first input and the second coil includes a second input, the first input and the second input being arranged to be adjusted to substantially move the center of force.
16. The stage apparatus of claim 14 wherein the first coil includes a first input and the second coil includes a second input, the first input and the second input being arranged to be adjusted to substantially move the center of force to be approximately aligned along a common plane with the center of gravity.
17. The stage apparatus of claim 14 wherein the first coil includes a first input and the second coil includes a second input, the first input and the second input being arranged to be adjusted to substantially move the center of force to be approximately aligned along a common plane with a center of rotation.
18. The stage apparatus of claim 14 wherein a first force associated with first coil and a second force associated with the second coil are adjustable to adjust the center of force.
19. The stage apparatus of claim 14 wherein the first coil and the second coil are arranged to be commutated substantially identically.
20. The stage apparatus of claim 14 further including:
a control source, the control source being arranged to control the first coil and the second coil substantially individually.
21. The stage apparatus of claim 20 wherein the control source is arranged to control the first coil and the second coil to substantially shift the center of force to be aligned with the center-of-gravity along a first axis.
22. The stage apparatus of claim 20 wherein the control source is arranged to control the first coil and the second coil to substantially shift the center of force to be aligned with a center of rotation along a first axis.
23. The stage apparatus of claim 20 wherein the control source includes a first amplifier coupled to the first coil and a second amplifier coupled to the second coil.
24. The stage apparatus of claim 20 wherein the control source includes an amplifier and a current divider, the current divider having a first output and a second output, the first output being coupled to the first coil and the second output being coupled to the second coil.
25. The stage apparatus of claim 20 wherein the control source includes an amplifier and a voltage divider, the voltage divider having a first output and a second output, the first output being coupled to the first coil and the second output being coupled to the second coil.
26. The stage apparatus of claim 14 wherein the actuator is one of a voice coil motor and a linear motor.
27. An exposure apparatus comprising the stage apparatus of claim 14.
28. A device manufactured with the exposure apparatus of claim 27.
29. A wafer on which an image has been formed by the exposure apparatus of claim 27.
30. The stage apparatus of claim 14 wherein the actuator includes a third coil, the third coil being arranged to generate force in a same direction of a force that is generated by at least one of the first coil and the second coil.
31. The stage apparatus of claim 30 wherein the third coil is arranged to sustain a majority of the force of the actuator.
32. An actuator comprising:
a magnet; and
a coil assembly, the coil assembly including a first coil and a second coil, the first coil being arranged to be controlled to adjust a first amount of force associated with the first coil, the second coil being arranged to be controlled to adjust a second amount of force associated with the second coil, the first amount of force and the second amount of force being arranged to cooperate to substantially define a push point of the actuator, wherein the magnet and the coil assembly are arranged to cooperate to cause the actuator to actuate.
33. The actuator of claim 32 further including:
a first controller, the first controller being arranged to adjust the first amount of force; and
a second controller, the second controller being arranged to adjust the second amount of force, wherein the first amount of force and the second amount of force are arranged to be adjusted to adjust the push point of the actuator.
34. The actuator of claim 33 wherein a difference between the first amount of force and the second amount of force substantially defines a relative force, the relative force being arranged to substantially determine a location of the push point.
35. The actuator of claim 34 wherein the difference is adjustable using at least one of the first controller and the second controller to alter the relative force and the location of the push point.
36. The actuator of claim 33 further including:
an amplifier; and
a current divider coupled to the amplifier, wherein the first controller and the second controller are individually coupled to outputs of the current divider.
37. The actuator of claim 33 further including:
an amplifier; and
a voltage divider coupled to the amplifier, wherein the first controller and the second controller are individually coupled to outputs of the voltage divider.
38. The actuator of claim 32 wherein the coil assembly includes at least the first coil and the second coil.
39. A stage apparatus comprising the actuator of claim 32.
40. An exposure apparatus comprising the stage apparatus of claim 39.
41. A device manufactured with the exposure apparatus of claim 40.
42. A wafer on which an image has been formed by the exposure apparatus of claim 40.
43. The actuator of claim 32 wherein the coil assembly includes a third coil, the third coil being arranged to generate a force in a same direction of a force that is generated by at least one of the first coil and the second coil.
44. The actuator of claim 43 wherein the third coil is arranged to sustain a majority of the force of the actuator.
45. A method for scanning a stage device, the stage device including a stage and an actuator, the method comprising:
driving the stage using the actuator, wherein the actuator is arranged to drive the stage through a center of force associated with the actuator;
determining when driving the stage using the actuator includes driving the stage through a center-of-gravity associated with the stage; and
altering the center of force associated with the actuator when it is determined that driving the stage using the actuator does not include driving the stage through the center-of-gravity associated with the stage.
46. The method of claim 45 wherein the actuator includes a first coil and a second coil, and altering the center of force associated with the actuator includes altering at least one of a first force associated with the first coil and a second force associated with the second coil.
47. The method of claim 46 wherein altering the at least one of the first force and the second force adjust the relative force of the actuator to substantially alter the center of force.
48. A method for operating an exposure apparatus comprising the method for scanning of claim 45.
49. A method for making an object including at least a photolithography process, wherein the photolithography process utilizes the method of operating an exposure apparatus of claim 48.
50. A method for making a wafer utilizing the method of operating an exposure apparatus of claim 48.
51. The method of claim 45 wherein the actuator includes at least a first coil and a second coil, and altering the center of force associated with the actuator includes altering at least one of a first force associated with the first coil and a second force associated with the second coil.