Author: claimsbot

I claim:

1. A method for creating unique image passwords utilizing a separate keypad in conjunction with a universal computer system, to secure and gain access to a computer system comprised of a computer having a CPU, memory means, non-volatile memory storage, keyboard removable storage means, keypad with removable storage means and memory means, software for creating graphical images, and said system having a monitor capable of displaying graphics, said method comprised of the steps of:
a. Installing a computer residing program for controlling access to the computer so as to allow the computer to be disabled or enabled in response to a directive;
b. Creating the computer password digitized image utilizing the computer graphics program;
c. Storing said computer password digitized image in the keypad memory means;
d. Assigning the respective image password to a key on the keypad;
e. Storing the said computer digitized image on keypad removable storage means;
f. Inserting the keypad removable storage means when desired to operate the computer;
g. Inputting the numeric unique sequence code through the keypad;
h. Reading the image on the keypad removable storage means and comparing the image stored for a match, and comparing the unique numeric password with the stored numeric sequence associated with the respective graphic image, and granting access to the computer if a match is determined.
2. A method for creating unique image passwords utilizing a separate keypad in conjunction with a universal computer system, to secure and gain access to a computer system comprised of a computer having a CPU, memory means, non-volatile memory storage, keyboard removable storage means, keypad with removable storage means and memory means, software for creating graphical images, and said system having a monitor capable of displaying graphics, said method comprised of the steps of:
a. Installing a computer residing program for controlling access to the computer so as to allow the computer to be disabled or enabled in response to a directive;
b. Creating the computer password digitized image utilizing the computer graphics program;
c. Storing said computer password digitized image in the keypad memory means;
d. Storing in the keypad memory means a unique numerical sequence code for recalling the digitized image password;
e. Storing the said computer digitized image on keypad removable storage means;
f. Inserting the keypad removable storage means when desired to operate the computer;
g. Inputting the numeric unique sequence code through the keypad;
h. Reading the image on the keypad removable storage means and comparing the image stored for a match, and comparing the unique numeric password with the stored numeric sequence associated with the respective graphic image, and granting access to the computer if a match is determined.
3. A method for creating unique image passwords utilizing a separate keypad in conjunction with a universal computer system, to secure and gain access to a computer system comprised of a computer having a CPU, memory means, non-volatile memory storage, keyboard removable storage means, keypad with removable storage means and memory means, software for creating graphical images, and said system having a monitor capable of displaying graphics, said method comprised of the steps of:
a. Installing a computer residing program for controlling access to the computer so as to allow the computer to be disabled or enabled in response to a directive;
b. Creating the computer password digitized image utilizing the computer graphics program;
c. Storing said computer password digitized image in the computer memory means and in the keypad memory means;
d. Storing in the computer removable storage means the computer digitized image, and storing the digitized image on the keypad removable storage means;
e. Storing in the computer memory means and the keypad memory means a numerical sequence code for recalling the digitized image password;
f. Inserting the keypad removable storage means into the keypad, when desiring to operate the computer, and inserting the removable storage means having thereon the computer digitized image password, and inputting into the keypad the respective numerical sequence code associated with the digitized image password;
g. The digitized image stored in the computer memory means with the digitized images on the keypad removable storage means and computer removable storage means for a match, and if a match is obtained, comparing the unique numeric password entered on the keypad to determine if a match exists for the respective computer digitized password just matched, and granting access to the computer if a match is determined.

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 circuit for supplying a constant voltage to electrical loads connected to an output terminal thereof, the circuit comprising:
an output transistor, an emitter of which is connected to the output terminal;
a reference voltage supplying circuit for supplying a reference voltage to a base of the output transistor, the reference voltage supplying circuit being composed of a reference voltage generating element and a diode, both connected in series;
a voltage detecting circuit for detecting a voltage between the base and the emitter of the output transistor; and
a current-outputting circuit for supplying a current to the reference voltage supplying circuit, the current being determined based on the voltage detected by the voltage detecting circuit.
2. The circuit as in claim 1, wherein:
the voltage detecting circuit is composed of a voltage detecting transistor, an emitter of which is connected to the emitter of the output transistor, and a base of which is connected to the base of the output transistor; and
the current-outputting circuit is composed of a current-mirror circuit to which the current flowing through the voltage detecting transistor is supplied.
3. A circuit for supplying a constant voltage to electrical loads connected to an output terminal thereof, the circuit comprising:
an output transistor, an emitter of which is connected to the output terminal;
a reference voltage supplying circuit for supplying a reference voltage to a base of the output transistor, the reference voltage supplying circuit being composed of a reference voltage generating element and a diode, both connected in series;
a current detecting circuit for detecting a collector current of the output transistor; and
a current-outputting circuit for supplying a current to the reference voltage supplying circuit, the current being determined based on the current detected by the current detecting circuit.
4. The circuit as in claim 3, wherein:
the current detecting circuit is composed of a current detecting transistor, an emitter of which is connected to the emitter of the output transistor, and a base of which is connected to the base of the output transistor; and
the current-outputting circuit is composed of a current-mirror circuit to which the current flowing through the current detecting transistor is supplied.
5. The circuit as in any one of claims 1\u20134, further comprising a constant current supplying circuit for supplying a constant current only to the reference voltage generating element.
6. The circuit as in claim 5, further comprising a starting-up circuit for supplying a base current to the output transistor according to the reference voltage generated by the reference voltage generating element.
7. The circuit as in claim 6, further comprising a load through which a predetermined amount of current flows, the load being connected between the output terminal and the ground.
8. The circuit as in any one of claims 1\u20134, further comprising a load through which a predetermined amount of current flows, the load being connected between the output terminal and the ground.
9. The circuit as in any one of claims 1\u20134, the diode in the reference voltage supplying circuit is a diode-connected transistor having the same characteristics as the output transistor.
10. The circuit as in any one of claims 1\u20134, the reference voltage generating element is a Zener diode.
11. The circuit as in any one of claims 1\u20134, the reference voltage generating element is a band-gap reference voltage generating element.

1. Apparatus for effecting reactions, said apparatus comprising a plurality of reaction vessels for holding reagents, an electrically conducting polymer which emits heat when an electric current is passed through it, and control means for controlling supply of current to the polymer, the polymer being connectable to an electrical supply via the control means.
2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein different currents can be supplied to heat each vessel or group of vessels.
3. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the control means is arranged for the supply of current for a different temperature andor time profile for each of the reaction vessels.
4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein each reaction vessel comprises a container for reactants and the heater polymer is contiguous with said container.
5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein the heater polymer forms a sheath around the container.
6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein the heater polymer is in the form of a film.
7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein the sheath is integral with the container.
8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein the heater polymer is perforated or reticulated.
9. Apparatus as claimed in any claim 1 wherein the heater polymer forms a container for the reactants.
10. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claim 1 wherein the reaction vessel comprises a container for reactants, wherein one of the surfaces of the container is coated with the said heater polymer.
11. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein each reaction vessel comprises a capillary tube.
12. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the reaction vessel comprises a slide.
13. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the reaction vessel comprises a chip.
14. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the reaction vessels are provided in an array.
15. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the reaction vessel comprises a container and a cap member, the cap member being formed so as to project into the container to reduce the capacity thereof and to create a space therebetween of substantially consistent proportions.
16. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the control means is arranged to supply electric current so as to conduct reactions requiring multiple temperature stages within the reaction vessels.
17. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 and wherein the control means is programmed such that multiple cycles of the reaction can be effected automatically.
18. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the control means is arranged to supply current according to a predetermined timetemperature profile.
19. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 and adapted for polymerase chain reaction processes.
20. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a means for detecting a signal from a sample in a reaction vessel.
21. A method of carrying out a chemical or biochemical reaction which requires multiple temperature stages; said method comprising placing reagents required for said reaction in a reaction vessel which comprises an electrically conducting polymer which emits heat when an electric current is passed through it, supplying current to said polymer so as to heat reagents to a first desired temperature; and thereafter adjusting the current so as to produce the subsequent temperatures stages required for the reaction.
22. A method according to claim 21 wherein the reaction is a DNA amplification method.
23. A method according to claim 22 wherein the amplification method is a polymerase chain reaction (PCR).
24. A method according to claim 20 wherein reagents for a plurality of reactions are each placed in a reaction vessel and heated simultaneously.
25. A method according to claim 24 wherein each reaction vessel is heated individually to the temperature required for the reaction taking place within that vessel.
26. A reaction vessel comprising a slide or a chip and an electrically conducting polymer which emits heat when an electric current is passed through it, said polymer being arranged to heat reactants on said slide or chip.
27. A reaction vessel according to claim 26 wherein the said polymer is integral with the slide or chip.
28. A reaction vessel comprising a container, a cap member, and an electrically conducting polymer which is arranged so as to heat reagents in the reaction vessel when current is supplied to said polymer, the cap member being formed so as to project into the container to reduce the capacity thereof and to create a space therebetween of substantially consistent proportions.
29. A reaction vessel according to claim 28 wherein the cap member is adapted to seal the container.
30. A reaction vessel according to claim 29 wherein the cap member is adapted to snap fit onto the container.
31. A reaction vessel according to claim 28 wherein the space created between the cap member and the container when the cap member is in place is of substantially similar proportions to a capillary tube.
32. A reaction vessel according to claim 28 wherein the space defined between the container and the lid member is from 0.4 to 1.2 mm at any point.
33. A reaction vessel according to claim 28 wherein the container is of right cylindrical form and the cap member is arranged to impinge upon the base so that the space created when the cap member is in place has the form of an open cylinder.
34. Apparatus for carrying out reactions at controlled temperatures, which apparatus comprises a reaction vessel as claimed in claim 28 and a means for controlling the supply of current to the electrically conducting polymer so as to controller temperature thereof.
35. Apparatus according to claim 35 which further comprises means for observing a signal generated in the space between the container and the cap member of the reaction vessel.
36. Apparatus for carrying out reaction at controlled temperatures, which apparatus comprises a reaction vessel as claimed in claim 26 and a means for controlling the supply of electric current to the electricity conducting polymer so as to control the temperature thereof.

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 recording apparatus comprising:
an obtaining unit configured to obtain moving picture data;
a memory;
a management information processing unit configured to generate management information related to a position of a predetermined picture in the moving picture data obtained by the obtaining unit and to store the management information in the memory;
a recording unit configured to record the management information read from the memory and a moving picture file including the moving picture data on a recording medium; and
a control unit configured to control the recording unit so that, in response to a size of first management information which relates to a first moving picture file including first moving picture data and is generated by the management information processing unit reaching a predetermined size corresponding to a capacity of the memory during recording of the first moving picture file, the recording unit stops recording of the first moving picture file and starts to record a second moving picture file.
2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the recording unit so that the recording unit records the first management information on the recording medium after recording of the first moving picture file is stopped in response to the size of the first management information generated by the management information processing unit reaching the predetermined size.
3. The recording apparatus according to claim 1,
wherein the recording unit records the moving picture file and the management information on the recording medium according to a predetermined file system, and
wherein the control unit controls the recording unit so that, in response to a size of the first moving picture file that is being recorded reaching an upper limit size specified by the file system, the recording unit stops recording of the first moving picture file and starts to record third moving picture file.
4. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:
an operating unit configured to input instructions to start and stop recording of the moving picture data,
wherein the management information processing unit starts generation of the management information according to the instruction to start recording, and stops generation of the management information according to the instruction to stop recording, and
wherein the control unit controls the recording unit so that the recording unit starts recording of the first moving picture file according to the instruction to start recording, and stops recording of the first moving picture file and starts to record the second moving picture file in response to the size of the first management information generated by the management information processing unit reaching the predetermined size after recording is started.
5. The recording apparatus according to claim 1,
wherein the obtaining unit includes a coding unit configured to code the moving picture data in each group of pictures having a predetermined number of pictures,
wherein the recording unit records the coded moving picture data, and
wherein the management information processing unit generates the management information, the management information indicating a position of the group of pictures in the moving picture data.
6. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the management-information processing unit is configured to generate the management information related to the position of each of a plurality of the predetermined pictures in the moving picture data recorded by the recording unit.
7. A recording apparatus comprising:
an obtaining unit configured to obtain moving picture data comprising a plurality of predetermined units;
a management-information processing unit configured to generate management information related to a position of the plurality of predetermined units in the moving picture data obtained by the obtaining unit;
a recording unit configured to record the management information and a moving picture file including the moving picture data on a recording medium, a size of the management information increasing in accordance with a length of recording time of the moving picture data; and
a control unit configured to control the recording unit so that, in response to a size of first management information which relates to a first moving picture file including first moving picture data and is generated by the management information processing unit reaching a predetermined size during recording of the first moving picture file, the recording unit stops recording of the first moving picture file.
8. The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the control unit controls the management information processing unit to generate second management information relating to the second moving picture file in response to the size of first management information reaching the predetermined size during recording of the first moving picture file.
9. The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the management information includes information relating to position of each of the plurality of predetermined units from a head of the moving picture file.
10. The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the recording unit encodes the input moving picture data in accordance with H.264 system and records the moving picture file including the encoded moving picture data on the recording medium, and wherein the predetermined unit corresponds to a group of pictures in the encoded moving picture data.
11. The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the control unit controls the recording unit to stop recording the first moving picture file in response to the size of the first moving picture file reaching a predetermined value during recording of the first moving picture file before the size of the first management information reaches the predetermined size.
12. The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the management-information processing unit starts creating the management information in accordance with a start of recording the moving picture data.
13. The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the control unit controls the recording unit so that, in response to the size of the first management information reaching the predetermined size during recording of the first moving picture file, the recording unit stops recording the first moving picture file and starts to record a second moving picture file, and
wherein the control unit controls the management information processing unit to generate second management information relating to the second moving picture file in response to the size of first management information reaching the predetermined size during recording of the first moving picture file.
14. A recording apparatus comprising:
an obtaining unit configured to obtain moving picture data;
an operating unit configured to give an instruction to start recording of the moving picture data;
a memory;
a management information processing unit configured to generate management information related to a position of a predetermined picture in the moving picture data obtained by the obtaining unit according to the instruction to start recording and to store the management information in the memory;
a recording unit configured to record the management information read from the memory and a moving picture file including the moving picture data on a recording medium; and
a control unit configured to control the recording unit so that, in response to a size of first management information which relates to a first moving picture file including first moving picture data and is generated by the management information processing unit reaching a predetermined size corresponding to a capacity of the memory after the instruction to start recording the first moving picture file is given, the recording unit stops recording of the first moving picture file starts to record a second moving picture file.
15. The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the management information processing unit is configured to generate the management-information related to the position of each of a plurality of the predetermined pictures in the moving picture data recorded by the recording unit.
16. The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the control unit controls the recording unit to stop recording the first moving picture file in response to the size of the first moving picture file reaching a predetermined value after the instruction to start recording the first moving picture file is given before the size of the first management information reaches the predetermined size.
17. The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the control unit controls the recording unit so that, in response to the size of the first management information reaching the predetermined size after the instruction to start recording the first moving picture file is given, the recording unit stops recording the first moving picture file and starts to record a second moving picture file, and
wherein the control unit controls the management information processing unit to generate second management information relating to the second moving picture file in response to the size of first management information reaching the predetermined size during recording of the first moving picture file after the instruction to start recording the first moving picture file is given.
18. A recording apparatus comprising:
an obtaining unit configured to obtain moving picture data;
a memory;
a management information processing unit configured to generate management information related to a position of a predetermined picture in the moving picture data obtained by the obtaining unit and to store the management information in the memory;
a recording unit configured to record the management information read from the memory and a moving picture file including the moving picture data on a recording medium in accordance with a predetermined file system; and
a control unit configured to control the recording unit so that, in response to a size of first management information which relates to a first moving picture file including first moving picture data and is generated by the management information processing unit reaching a predetermined size corresponding to a capacity of the memory during recording of the first moving picture file, the recording unit stops recording of the first moving picture file and starts to record a second moving picture file,
wherein the control unit is configured to control the recording unit so that, in response to a size of the first moving picture file that is being recorded reaching a predetermined value relating to an upper limit size specified by the file system, the recording unit stops recording of the first moving picture file and starts to record a third moving picture file.
19. A recording apparatus comprising:
an obtaining unit configured to obtain moving picture data;
a recording unit configured to record a moving picture file including the moving picture data obtained by the obtaining unit on a recording medium in accordance with a recording start instruction;
a generating unit configured to generate relating information relating to the moving picture data recorded by the recording unit in accordance with the recording start instruction, a size of the relating information increasing in accordance with a length of recording time of the moving picture data; and
a control unit configured to control the recording unit to stop recording a first moving picture file in response to a size of first relating information which relates to the first moving picture file including first moving picture data and is generated by the management information processing unit reaching a predetermined size.
20. The apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the relating information includes information related to a position of each of a plurality of predetermined pictures in the moving picture data from a head of the moving picture file.
21. The apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the moving picture data comprises a plurality of predetermined units, and wherein the relating information relates to position of each of the plurality of predetermined units from a head of the moving picture file.
22. The apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the recording unit encodes the moving picture data in accordance with H.264 system and records the moving picture file including the encoded moving picture data on the recording medium, and wherein the predetermined unit corresponds to a group of pictures in the encoded moving picture data.
23. The apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the control unit controls the recording unit to stop recording the first moving picture file in response to the size of the first moving picture file reaching a predetermined value before the size of the first relating information reaches the predetermined size.
24. The apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the control unit controls the recording unit so that, in response to the size of the first relating information reaching the predetermined size, the recording unit stops recording the first moving picture file and starts to record a second moving picture file, and
wherein the control unit controls the management information processing unit to generate second relating information relating to the second moving picture file in response to the size of first management information reaching the predetermined size.
25. A recording method comprising:
obtaining moving picture data comprising a plurality of predetermined units;
generating management information related to a position of the plurality of predetermined units in the obtained moving picture data;
recording the generated management information and a moving picture file including the obtained moving picture data on a recording medium, a size of the management information increasing in accordance with a length of recording time of the moving picture data; and
controlling the step of recording to stop recording of first moving picture file in response to a size of first management information which relates to the first moving picture file including first moving picture data and is generated by the step of generating reaching a predetermined size during recording of the first moving picture file.
26. The method according to claim 25, wherein the management information includes information relating to position of each of the plurality of predetermined units from a head of the moving picture file.
27. The method according to claim 25, wherein the step of recording encodes the input moving picture data in accordance with H.264 system and records the moving picture file including the encoded moving picture data on the recording medium, and wherein the predetermined unit corresponds to a group of pictures in the encoded moving picture data.
28. The method according to claim 25, wherein the step of controlling controls the step of recording to stop recording the first moving picture file in response to the size of the first moving picture file reaching a predetermined value during recording of the first moving picture file before the size of the first management information reaches the predetermined size.
29. The method according to claim 25, wherein the step of generating starts to generate the management information in accordance with a start of recording the moving picture data.
30. The method according to claim 25, wherein the step of controlling controls the step of recording so that, in response to the size of the first management information reaching the predetermined size during recording of the first moving picture file, the step of recording stops recording the first moving picture file and starts to record a second moving picture file.
31. A recording method comprising:
obtaining moving picture data;
recording a moving picture file including the obtained moving picture data on a recording medium in accordance with a recording start instruction;
generating relating information relating to the moving picture data recorded on the recording medium in accordance with the recording start instruction, a size of the relating information increasing in accordance with a length of recording time of the moving picture data; and
controlling the step of recording to stop recording of a first moving picture file in response to a size of a first relating information which relates to the first moving picture file including first moving picture data and is generated by the step of generating reaching a predetermined size.
32. The method according to claim 31, wherein the relating information includes information related to a position of each of a plurality of predetermined pictures in the moving picture data from a head of the moving picture file.
33. The method according to claim 31, wherein the moving picture data comprises a plurality of predetermined units, and wherein the relating information relates to position of each of the plurality of predetermined units from a head of the moving picture file.
34. The method according to claim 33, wherein the step of recording encodes the moving picture data in accordance with H.264 system and records the moving picture file including the encoded moving picture data on the recording medium, and wherein the predetermined unit corresponds to a group of pictures in the encoded moving picture data.
35. The method according to claim 31, wherein the step of controlling controls the step of recording to stop recording the first moving picture file in response to the size of the first moving picture file reaching a predetermined value before the size of the first relating information reaches the predetermined size.
36. The method according to claim 31, wherein the step of controlling controls the step of recording so that, in response to the size of the first relating information reaching the predetermined size during recording of the first moving picture file, the step of recording stops recording the first moving picture file and records a second moving picture file.