All The Claims

1. A photographing apparatus comprising:
a first imaging device for converting light from a subject received through a first optical system into a first electric signal;
a second imaging device for converting light from the subject received through a second optical system into a second electric signal;
a first image signal processor for generating an image signal for a live view based on the first electric signal output from the first imaging device before a photographing operation of a still image;
an exposure controller for controlling an exposure so as to perform a step exposure in the second imaging device before the photographing of the still image;
an exposure calculator for calculating an exposure amount during the photographing operation of the still image based on the second electric signal converted in the second imaging device obtained through the step exposure;
an exposure amount setting unit for setting an exposure amount of the first or second imaging device based on a highlight reference and an exposure amount of the other imaging devices based on a dark reference at the same time based on the calculated exposure amount; and
a second image processor for generating a first image signal for a still image based on the first electric signal converted by the first imaging device and a second image signal for a still image based on the second electric signal converted by the second imaging device at the same time when the photographing operation of the still image is performed based on the set exposure amount.
2. The photographing apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:
a dislocation detector for detecting a dislocation between the first and second image signals; and
a combining unit for combining the first and second image signals with each other using the detected dislocation.
3. The photographing apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:
a dislocation detector for detecting a dislocation between the first and second image signals; and
a stereo unit for calculating a stereo image parameter.
4. A photographing apparatus comprising:
a first imaging device for converting light from a subject received through a first optical system into a first electric signal;
a second imaging device for converting light from the subject received through a second optical system into a second electric signal;
a first image signal processor for generating an image signal for a live view based on the first electric signal output from the first imaging device before a photographing operation of a still image;
an exposure controller for controlling an exposure so as to perform a step exposure in the second imaging device before the photographing of the still image;
an exposure calculator for calculating an exposure amount during the photographing operation of the still image based on the second electric signal converted in the second imaging device obtained through the step exposure;
an exposure amount setting unit for setting exposure amounts of the first and second imaging devices to be the same as each other at the same timing based on the calculated exposure amount; and
a second image processor for generating a first image signal for a still image based on the first electric signal converted by the first imaging device and a second image signal for a still image based on the second electric signal converted by the second imaging device at the same time when the photographing operation of the still image is performed based on the set exposure amount.
5. The photographing apparatus of claim 4, further comprising:
a dislocation detector for detecting a dislocation between the first and second image signals; and
a combining unit for combining the first and second image signals with each other using the detected dislocation.
6. The photographing apparatus of claim 4, further comprising:
a dislocation detector for detecting a dislocation between the first and second image signals; and
a stereo unit for calculating a stereo image parameter.
7. A photographing method comprising steps of:
converting light from a subject received through a first optical system into a first electric signal by a first imaging device;
converting light from the subject received through a second optical system into a second electric signal by a second imaging device;
generating an image signal for a live view based on the first electric signal converted by the first imaging device before a photographing operation of a still image;
controlling an exposure to be a step exposure in the second imaging device before the photographing operation of the still image;
calculating an exposure amount required in the photographing operation of the still image based on the second electric signal converted by the second imaging device, which is obtained by the step exposure;
setting an exposure amount of the first or second imaging device based on a highlight reference and an exposure amount of the other imaging devices based on a dark reference at the same time based on the calculated exposure amount; and
generating a first image signal for a still image based on the first electric signal converted by the first imaging device and a second image signal for a still image based on the second electric signal converted by the second imaging device at the same time when the photographing operation of the still image is performed based on the set exposure amount.
8. The photographing method of claim 7, further comprising steps of:
detecting a dislocation between the first and second image signals; and
combining the first and second image signals with each other using the detected dislocation.
9. The photographing method of claim 7, further comprising steps of:
detecting a dislocation between the first and second image signals; and
calculating a stereo image parameter.
10. A photographing method comprising steps of:
converting light from a subject received through a first optical system into a first electric signal by a first imaging device;
converting light from the subject received through a second optical system into a second electric signal by a second imaging device;
generating an image signal for a live view based on the first electric signal converted by the first imaging device before a photographing operation of a still image;
controlling an exposure to be a step exposure in the second imaging device before the photographing operation of the still image;
calculating an exposure amount required in the photographing operation of the still image based on the second electric signal converted by the second imaging device, which is obtained by the step exposure;
setting exposure amounts of the first and second imaging devices to be the same as each other at the same timing based on the calculated exposure amount; and
generating a first image signal for a still image based on the first electric signal converted by the first imaging device and a second image signal for a still image based on the second electric signal converted by the second imaging device at the same time when the photographing operation of the still image is performed based on the set exposure amount.
11. The photographing method of claim 10, further comprising steps of:
detecting a dislocation between the first and second image signals; and
combining the first and second image signals with each other using the detected dislocation.
12. The photographing method of claim 10, further comprising steps of:
detecting a dislocation between the first and second image signals; and
calculating a stereo image parameter.
13. A photographing apparatus, comprising:
means for converting light from a subject received through a first optical system into a first electric signal by a first imaging device;
means for converting light from the subject received through a second optical system into a second electric signal by a second imaging device;
means for generating an image signal for a live view based on the first electric signal converted by the first imaging device before a photographing operation of a still image;
means for controlling an exposure to be a step exposure in the second imaging device before the photographing operation of the still image;
means for calculating an exposure amount required in the photographing operation of the still image based on the second electric signal converted by the second imaging device, which is obtained by the step exposure;
means for setting an exposure amount of the first or second imaging device based on a highlight reference and an exposure amount of the other imaging devices based on a dark reference at the same time based on the calculated exposure amount; and
means for generating a first image signal for a still image based on the first electric signal converted by the first imaging device and a second image signal for a still image based on the second electric signal converted by the second imaging device at the same time when the photographing operation of the still image is performed based on the set exposure amount.
14. The photographing apparatus of claim 13, further comprising:
means for detecting a dislocation between the first and second image signals; and
means for combining the first and second image signals with each other using the detected dislocation.
15. The photographing apparatus of claim 13, further comprising:
means for detecting a dislocation between the first and second image signals; and
means for calculating a stereo image parameter.

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 clip-delivery device for delivering clips to a target region in a body comprising:
a distal device comprising a plurality of clips loaded on an inner screw in cooperation with a plurality of telescoping sleeves, wherein operation of the distal device causes the telescoping sleeves to cooperate with one another and the inner screw to deliver each of the plurality of clips out of a needle extending from the inner screw to the target region;
a proximal device comprising a control assembly configured to control the operation of the distal device; and
a connecting system comprising a plurality of tubes that interconnect the distal device and the proximal device.
2. The clip-delivery device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of clips are configured to secure an implant to the target region.
3. The clip-delivery device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of clips are formed at least in part with shape-memory material.
4. The clip-delivery device of claim 3, wherein the shape-memory material includes nitinol.
5. The clip-delivery device of claim 4, wherein the nitinol clips have a curled memory shape.
6. The clip-delivery device of claim 3, wherein the shape-memory material clips assume a substantially straight orientation when exiting the needle to facilitate penetration into the target region.
7. The clip-delivery device of claim 3, wherein the shape-memory material clips assume a curled memory shape upon penetration into the target region.
8. The clip-delivery device of claim 1, wherein the telescoping sleeves comprise an inner screw sleeve, a first sleeve, a second sleeve, and a saline sleeve.
9. The clip-delivery device of claim 8, wherein at least a portion of the inner screw sleeve extending from the distal device comprises a shape-memory material having a curled memory shape.
10. The clip-delivery device of claim 9, wherein the shape-memory material is nitinol.
11. The clip-delivery device of claim 8, wherein at least a portion of the second sleeve extending from the distal device comprises a shape-memory material having a bent memory shape.
12. The clip-delivery device of claim 11, wherein the shape-memory material is nitinol.
13. The clip-delivery device of claim 1, wherein the distal device further comprises an inflatable structure at least partially surrounding the plurality of telescoping sleeves.
14. The clip-delivery device of claim 13, wherein the saline sleeve is connected to the inflatable structure and inflates the structure using a biocompatible material delivered from the proximal device.
15. The clip-delivery device of claim 14, wherein the biocompatible material is saline.
16. The clip-delivery device of claim 1, wherein the control assembly comprises a first dial, a second dial, a first slider, and a second slider.
17. The clip-delivery device of claim 16, wherein operation of at least one of the first dial, the second dial, the first slider, and the second slider causes at least one of the plurality of tubes of the connecting system to actuate the telescoping sleeves.
18. The clip-delivery device of claim 1, wherein the inner screw comprises a threaded outer surface adapted to cooperate with the plurality of clips.
19. The clip-delivery device of claim 1, wherein operation of the control assembly causes the plurality of telescoping sleeves to rotate and extend the inner screw outwardly relative to the telescoping sleeves, and wherein the rotation of the inner screw translates each clip linearly up and out of the needle into the target region of the body.
20. The clip-delivery device of claim 1, wherein the distal device comprises a clip sensor for detecting a location of each of the plurality of clips during deployment.
21. The clip-delivery device of claim 20, wherein the proximal device comprises an indicator communicatively connected to the clip sensor for indicating to a user the location of each of the plurality of clips during deployment.
22. The clip-delivery device of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of clips are delivered to the target region from within a lumen of a vessel.
23. A method for delivering a plurality of clips to a target region in a body, comprising the steps of:
introducing a distal device into the body including a plurality of clips loaded on an inner screw disposed within a plurality of cooperative telescoping sleeves, wherein the distal device is connected to a proximal device by a connecting system;
navigating the distal device to a target region of the body;
operating a control assembly of the proximal device to actuate the connecting system and the cooperative telescoping sleeves to extend and rotate the inner screw; and
deploying each of the plurality of clips through a needle extended from the inner screw at a desired location of the target region.
24. The method of claim 23, wherein the step of deploying further comprises rotating the plurality of telescoping sleeves to extend and rotate the inner screw, thereby causing each of the plurality of clips to linearly translate along the inner screw and out of the needle.
25. The method of claim 23, further comprising the step of inflating an inflatable structure to secure the distal device in place at the target region.
26. The method of claim 23, wherein the plurality of clips are formed at least in part with a shape-memory material.
27. The method of claim 26, wherein the shape-memory material includes nitinol.
28. The method of claim 23, wherein the plurality of clips are deployed one at a time.
29. The method of claim 23, wherein the plurality of clips secure an implant to the target region.
30. The method of claim 23, further comprising the step of monitoring a location of each of the plurality of clips during the deploying step.
31. The method of claim 23, wherein the step of deploying comprises application of each of the plurality of clips from within a lumen of a vessel.
32. A kit comprising:
a distal device comprising an inner screw adapted to cooperate with a plurality of telescoping sleeves; a plurality of telescoping sleeves adapted to house the inner screw;
a plurality of nitinol clips adapted for loading on the inner screw; and a needle extending from the inner screw.
33. The kit of claim 32, wherein the distal device further comprises a clip sensor for detecting a location of the plurality of nitinol clips during deployment.

1. A computer implemented method for guaranteeing a consumer a best price on an item or service purchased from a vendor in a first transaction at a first time at a first price, the first price paid by the consumer at the first time, the method comprising:
storing in a first database at a computer data for a first price on an item or service at a first time and information identifying a consumer,
receiving at the computer at least one second price for the item or service, the at least one second price comprising a price for the item or service at a time later than the first time,
determining, during a predetermined time period following the first time, any price of the at least one second price lower than the first price for the item,
comparing the first price to the at least one second price and calculating a money-value difference between the first price and the price of the at least one second price lower than the first price,
determining a refund amount equal to the money-value difference, and
posting the refund amount as a credit to an account of the consumer, wherein only prices for the item or service purchased from the vendor involved in the first transaction are taken into account in the step of determining any price of the at least one second price lower than the first price for the item.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the computer implemented method further comprises entering the consumer in a contest, the consumer qualifying for said entering and for winning a prize in said contest by completing the first transaction.
3. The method of claim 2 wherein the prize is from the group consisting of an item or items; a service or services; a monetary amount; and a payment to the account of the consumer.
4. The method of claim 2 wherein the prize is awarded for the consumer to designate for another entity other than the consumer.
5. The method of claim 2 wherein the prize is a monetary amount paid to an account of the consumer in lieu of payment due on said account of the consumer.
6. The method of claim 2 wherein the consumer is automatically entered in the contest upon completion of the first transaction.
7. The method of claim 2 wherein the prize is a monetary amount automatically credited to an account of the consumer.
8. The method of claim 1 wherein the item or service is purchased by the consumer on-line via a network system.
9. The method of claim 1 wherein the item is purchased via a host system with at least one computer for implementing the computer implemented method and the host system records the first price and information identifying the customer.
10. The method of claim 9 wherein the host system provides the refund by crediting the account of the consumer.
11. The method of claim 10 wherein the account is an account of the consumer with the host system.
12. The method of claim 1 wherein a refund adjustment is made for each subsequent sales price lower than the at least one second price for the predetermined time period.
13. The method of claim 1 further comprising monitoring sales of the item or service during the predetermined time period for any incentive provided to consumers purchasing the item or service following the first transaction, and providing the consumer involved in the first transaction with a refund based on a money value of said incentive.
14. A computer program product comprising a computer storage medium having a computer program therein for guaranteeing a consumer a best price of an item or service purchased at a first price from a vendor in a first transaction at a first time, the first price paid by the consumer at the first time, said computer program performing the steps of
receiving and storing in a first database data for the first price with a unique identifier identifying the consumer,
receiving and storing in a second database at least one second price for the item or service, said second price comprising a price for the item or service at a time later than the first time,
determining, during a predetermined time period following the first time, any price of the at least one second price lower than the first price,
comparing the first price to the at least one second price,
calculating a money-value difference between the first price and the at least one second price lower than the first price, generating a refund amount equal to the money-value difference,
crediting an account of the consumer with the refund amount, and wherein only prices for the item or service purchased from the vendor involved in the first transaction are taken into account in the determining step.
15. The computer program product of claim 14 wherein the computer program performs the step of entering the consumer in a contest, the consumer qualifying for said entering and for winning a prize in said contest by completing the first transaction.
16. The computer program product of claim 14 wherein the computer program performs the steps of said at least one second price lower than the first price comprising a plurality of said second prices, the computer program further comprising determining the lowest price of the plurality of said second prices and generating a refund amount corresponding to a money-value difference between said lowest price and said first price, generating a refund amount equal to said money-value difference and, crediting an account of the consumer with the largest money-value difference.
17. An apparatus for guaranteeing a best price to a consumer for an item or service purchased at a first price at a first time from a vendor in a first transaction, the first price paid by the consumer at the first time, the apparatus comprising
a storage device,
a processor connected to the storage device, the storage device storing a program for controlling the processor, the processor operative to compare the first price to at least one second price for the item or service, said at least one second price temporally subsequent to the first price, determine whether the at least one second price is lower than the first price, wherein only prices for the item or service purchased from the vendor involved in the first transaction are taken into account, and, if so, calculate a money-value difference between the first price and the at least one second price which is lower than the first price, generate a refund amount equal to the money-value difference, and credit an account of the consumer with the refund amount.
18. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the processor is operative to enter the consumer in a contest upon completion of the first transaction.
19. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the processor is operative to credit the consumer’s account by transmitting data indicative of the refund amount and data identifying the consumer from a first computer to a second computer, the second computer maintaining the account of the consumer.
20. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein said at least one second price lower than the first price comprises a plurality of said second prices, the processor operative to determine the lowest price of the plurality of said second prices and a refund amount corresponding to a money-value difference between said lowest price and said first price, and generate a refund amount equal to said money-value difference.
21. A computer implemented method for guaranteeing a consumer a best price on an item or service purchased from a vendor in a first transaction at a first time at a first price, the first price paid by the consumer at the first time, the method comprising
recording at a computer a first price on an item or service and information identifying a consumer;
monitoring at the computer the sales price of the item for a predetermined time period after purchase of the item by the consumer in a consummated final first transaction;
noting any price lower than the first price for the item during the predetermined time period following the purchase of the item;
calculating a money-value difference between the first price and said any price lower than the first price;
determining a refund to an account of the consumer an amount equal to the money-value difference; and
duplicating for the consumer any incentive accompanying sales of the item after the consummated final first transaction during the predetermined time period.
22. The computer implemented method of claim 21 further comprising conducting the consummated final first transaction with the vendor via a host system.
23. The computer implemented method of claim 21 further comprising determining a pertinent geographic area for the consummated final first transaction and for limiting the monitoring step to sales prices available within the pertinent geographic area.
24. The computer implemented method of claim 21 further comprising providing a warranty to the consumer.
25. A new system for guaranteeing a consumer a best price on an item or service purchased from a vendor in a first transaction at a first time at a first price, the first price paid by the consumer at the first time, the system comprising:
means for storing in a first database at a computer data for a first price on an item or service at a first time and information identifying a consumer,
means for receiving at the computer at least one second price for the item or service, the at least one second price comprising a price for the item or service at a time later than the first time,
means for determining, during a predetermined time period following the first time, any price of the at least one second price lower than the first price for the item,
means for comparing the first price to the at least one second price and calculating a money-value difference between the first price and the any price of the at least one second price lower than the first price,
means for determining a refund amount equal to the money-value difference, and
means for posting the refund amount as a credit to an account of the consumer, wherein only prices for the item or service purchased from the vendor involved in the first transaction are taken into account in the means for determining any price of the at least one second price lower than the first price for the item.

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. Mobile hand-held equipment with reusable biosensor, in particular for the local determination of original biological solutions, marked by
a functional wheel with valve and pump function (8),
an amperometric biosensor (11),
a measuring cell,
supply (19) and waste bags (18) for fresh and waste system solution
a pump (4),
a hose transport system,
a sample opening (20) and a sample canal,
a sealing lever for sensor exchange (9),
a display (1),
4 operating elements (12, 13, 14, 15),
a 9 V accumulator,
a solar cell (3),
a control unit for signal processing and the whole measuring process (2) and
a case (16).
2. Mobile hand-held equipment according to claim 1, marked by the fact that the biosensor (11) is arranged directly below the sample opening (20).
3. Mobile hand-held equipment according to claims 1 and 2, marked by the fact that the pump used (4) is operated by hand or by electric energy.
4. Mobile hand-held equipment according to claims 1-3, marked by the fact that welded PE foil is used for the supply (19) and the respective waste bags (18), the two bags are welded with each other, arranged one above the other and will be jointly disposed after the buffer stock will have been consumed.
5. Mobile hand-held equipment according to claims 1-4, marked by the fact that the power supply of the electrode may be effected through a chargeable accumulator recharged by a solar cell (3) or by a supply unit.
6. Mobile hand-held equipment according to claims 1-5 marked by the fact that the weight of the equipment is less than 500 g.