baber/WOPTO huggingface dataset:
Patent JP-2002197343-A (JP)
Title: Download waiting system
Inventor: SATO HIDEO
IPC: A63F13/61
Filed: 2000-12-25
Abstract: PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enhance an advertisement propaganda effect to an advertiser by using download waiting time by preventing an operator from feeling tired at download waiting time. SOLUTION: A display means is provided for displaying both or one of character information such as a prescribed image and a telop on a display device of a network terminal at download waiting time when downloading data by using network resources.
Patent JP-2002191678-A (JP)
Title: Sterilization lamp for nursing bottle
Inventor: MORISHITA SHIGENOBU
IPC: H01J65/04
Filed: 2000-12-26
Abstract: PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To sterilize a nursing bottle easily and securely by using a microwave oven without damaging parts of the microwave oven or the lamp. SOLUTION: The sterilization lamp 10 consists of a non-electrode lamp 20 and a holder 30. The non-electrode lamp 20 comprises rare gas and mercury enclosed in a small-diameter glass tube which transmits at least ultraviolet rays and generates ultraviolet rays with the wavelength suitable for the sterilization by a high frequency current of the microwave oven toward the periphery. The holder 30 is engaged with the mouth 53 of the main body of a nursing bottle 50 for hanging and holding the non-electrode lamp inside the main body of the nursing bottle. The inside/outside of the nursing bottle is sterilized by holding the sterilization lamp inside the nursing bottle and making the lamp emit light with the high frequency current of the microwave oven.
Patent JP-2002195497-A (JP)
Title: Liquid level control device
Inventor: MIYAMOTO ATSUSHI
IPC: F17C6/00
Filed: 2000-12-26
Abstract: PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a liquefying device with a reduced equipment cost without requiring a complicated control system. SOLUTION: The liquefying device comprises a container 1, a feeder means for feeding gas (vaporized LPG) to the container 1, and a heat exchanger 7 of a pulse tube freezer 6 for cooling and liquefying the gas fed to the container 1 by the feeder means at the temperature of liquefaction or lower and for storing the LPG 5. The heat exchanger 7 and the like are disposed in parts of the container 1 corresponding to a required liquid level so that the liquid level of the LPG 5 stored in the container 1 is maintained at the required liquid level.
Patent JP-2002194856-A (JP)
Title: Connecting structure of roof material
Inventor: YAMANE SHOICHI
IPC: E04D3/36
Filed: 2000-12-26
Abstract: PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enhance watertightness in joints of roof material, to firmly install a gutter member on a roof backing, and to enhance workability by simplifying the joints and omitting a cap of the joint. SOLUTION: A tight frame 6 is formed of a support part 7 for supporting an end part under surface by abutting on the end part under surface of the roof materials A, presser pieces 8 obliquely extended downward and outward from the outside end of the support part 7, and a holding part 12 for elastically inserting and holding upper end parts 11 and 11 of both side walls 10 and 10 of the cross-sectional almost U-shaped gutter member 9 having an opening upper part.  The tight frame 6 is installed on the roof backing 20, the upper end parts 11 and 11 of both side walls 10 and 10 of the gutter member 9 placed on the roof backing 20 are elastically inserted into and held by the holding part 12 of the tight frame 6, pressing object pieces 5 and 5 of a lower end part of connecting pieces 2 and 2 of the roof materials A and A are positioned under the presser pieces 8 and 8 through the mutual presser pieces 8 and 8 opposed in an almost inverse bottom opened V letter shape, a projecting part 4 and a recessed part 3 are fitted, and the opposed connecting pieces 2 and 2 are forced to abut on each other.
Patent JP-2002197241-A (JP)
Title: Secretary operation support system and method thereof
Inventor: YAMANAKA NOBUO
IPC: G06Q10/00
Filed: 2000-12-27
Abstract: PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a secretary operation support system and a method enabling to prevent omission of an event in setting up schedule and to make re- scheduling without any inconsistency in the occurrence of duplicated events. SOLUTION: In the secretary operation support method, basic information including information about an individual and an organization consisting of a plurality of persons and calendar information is managed and an annual event and a lifetime event are automatically created based on the basic information, managed and registered to the event database and an event newly arisen is inputted and a schedule is automatically created referring to the event database. In addition, a priority identification database that registers necessary information for determination of respective priorities for annual events, lifetime events and newly inputted events is included and rescheduling is carried out automatically in descending priority sequence each time a newly arisen event is inputted based on the information necessary for determination of priority.
Patent JP-2002192816-A (JP)
Title: System for monitoring error of recorder and method for controlling monitoring error
Inventor: TAMURA MASATO
IPC: B41J29/46
Filed: 2000-12-27
Abstract: PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a system for monitoring errors of a recorder 2 and a method for controlling monitoring errors whereby generation of errors at the side of the recorder 2 can be detected at an information processor 1 as well by monitoring a driving state of the recorder 2 even after a recording data 5 is stored in a printer buffer 16 in the information processor 1 connected to the recorder 2. SOLUTION: There are provided recording data-transmitting means (7, 8, etc.), for transmitting recording data managed by a central control unit 4 of the information processor 1 to the printer buffer 16 set to the recorder 2, error- monitoring means (11, 8, etc.), which continues monitoring the generation of errors of the recorder 2 until a residual amount of the recording data 5 stored in the printer buffer 16 becomes zero, and error message display means (11, 10, 9, 17, etc.), for displaying to a screen display device 3 connected to the information processor 1, contents of the error generated in the recorder 2 when the generation of the error of the recorder 2 is detected.
Patent JP-2002201825-A (JP)
Title: Door outside handle device for automobile
Inventor: KONDO TETSUYA
IPC: E05B1/00
Filed: 2000-12-28
Abstract: PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a door outside handle device for automobile mountable on a door panel without inclination. SOLUTION: This door outside handle device for automobile comprises a handle body 4 mounted on a handle case 3 provided with a mounting screw 2 to an automotive door panel 1. The handle case 3 comprises a pair of positioning projections 6 which are collided with the periphery of the handle insert opening 5 of the door panel 1 in the fastening directional rotation of the mounting screw 2 to determine the mounting attitude of the handle case 3.
Patent JP-2002204186-A (JP)
Title: Apparatus and method for analyzing fh communication signal
Inventor: MANIWA HISAKAZU
IPC: H04B1/7143
Filed: 2000-12-28
Abstract: PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a method and an apparatus for analyzing an FH communication signal having a high estimating accuracy capable of avoiding a riskiness for erroneously estimating a tone frequency even when a large noise exits in an output signal of a BPF. SOLUTION: The apparatus for analyzing the FH communication signal comprises the BPF 10 for passing only a signal of a preset frequency band, a detecting means 12 for measuring a strength of an output signal of the BPF 10, a detecting timing generating means 11 for setting timing for measuring by the means 12 to control the detecting means, an output signal strength system of each BPF 10 so far, an FH feature estimating means 20 for estimating an FH feature from the system of the estimated tone frequency so far, and a tone estimating means 21 for estimating the frequency used at present in the FH communication from the FH feature and the output signal strength of the BPF.
Patent JP-2002201627-A (JP)
Title: Method for soil-erosion control works or shore protection works, and structure for soil-erosion control or shore protection
Inventor: FUKUI TOMIO
IPC: E02B7/02
Filed: 2000-12-28
Abstract: PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a work method for preventing a riverbed and a riverbank using steel cables and nets from being eroded, which does not require a large amount of works and cost. SOLUTION: This method for soil-erosion control works for preventing the riverbed of a torrent from being eroded comprises the steps of fixing at least two vertical cables 1 directly or indirectly to a base 2, fixing the plurality of vertical cables to each other at a proper interval by at least two horizontal cables 5, and anchoring each net with anchoring cables fixed to the horizontal cables or vertical cables by generally opposing the nets to the flow direction of water so that at least two nets 3 corresponding to the number of the horizontal cables are present at proper intervals in an area ranging from the upstream to the downstream side of the mountain torrent.
Patent JP-2002206193-A (JP)
Title: Plating layer forming method and plating treatment equipment
Inventor: TANAKA YOSHIJI
IPC: C25D5/10
Filed: 2000-12-28
Abstract: PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a plating layer forming method which eliminates, in principle, the variations in the quality of the films formed by plating caused by additives and can improve the characteristics of the wiring and inter-layer connection formed by plating and polishing thereof and plating treatment equipment. SOLUTION: The plating layer of the layers upper than the layers formed by plating to high quality without fine grooves, holes and gaps by a plating liquid added with the additives then formed to be mainly polished are formed by using a solution not containing a composition to accelerate the plating formation and a composition to suppress the plating formation as the plating liquid. As a result, the variations in the quality of the films formed by the plating occurring in the additives are eliminated in principle and the controllability of the quality of the formed films is improved and therefore the uniformity of the quality of the formed films is improved, by which the wiring and inter- layer connection formed by the plating and the polishing thereof can be more uniformly created and consequently the characteristics thereof can be improved.
Patent JP-2002165556-A (JP)
Title: Processed food preservative from fermented edible plant and processed food
Inventor: IAN B DAVIDSON
IPC: A23L11/00
Filed: 2000-11-30
Abstract: PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a processed food preservative harmless to the human body, and to provide a processed food giving a long-term preservation period. SOLUTION: This processed food preservative harmless to the human body is obtained by inhibiting the progress of fermentation of edible plants fermented using cultured edible bacteria so as to make the edible plants stable, and the processed food is obtained using the processed food preservative.
Patent JP-2002185028-A (JP)
Title: Rack for installing solar battery with reflector
Inventor: OGAWA MASAAKI
IPC: H01L31/042
Filed: 2000-12-11
Abstract: PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide the structure of a rack for installing a solar battery for the purpose of improving power generation efficiency per area in solar power generation, enlarging the installation conditions of the solar battery and reducing the installation costs of the solar battery. SOLUTION: On the upper part of this rack for installing the solar battery, a slope 1 for installing the solar battery to be matched with a roof shape and the slope 2 for providing a reflection material are provided. Furthermore, the rack is turned to a box structure made of plastic.
Patent JP-2001515275-A (JP)
Title: マルチカラーセンサー
IPC: H01L25/04
Filed: 1998-08-28
Abstract: (57)【要約】
【解決手段】  本発明はｐ−およびｎ−型ドープド層を持ち、複数のダイオード機能を含む一連の層で構成されるマルチカラーセンサーに関する。この場合、導電性の透明なコンタクト層が適している。本発明によれば、ｐｉｎ，ｎｉｐ，ｎｐｉｎおよび／またはｐｎｉｐ−構造を提供できる。
Patent JP-2001522736-A (JP)
Title: いろいろな異なる分散混合素子を備えたスクリュー押出機
IPC: B29C48/605
Filed: 1998-09-18
Abstract: (57)【要約】
内面を画定する内孔を有するバレルを備えたスクリュー押出機である。内孔内には、中心軸（３４）と少くとも１つのスクリュー羽根（３０）から成る少くとも１つの押出機スクリュー（２８）が配置されている。スクリュー羽根（３０）は、押圧前面（３６）と後面（３８）を有する。各押圧前面（３６）の断面輪郭（４０）は、バレルの内面と協同して漸狭通路を形成する形状であり、材料は、この漸狭通路を通して高延伸及び剪断応力の多重領域内へ順次に圧送され、それらの高延伸及び剪断応力領域において材料中の凝集塊が解体され、それによって材料が分散混合される。
Patent JP-2001524438-A (JP)
IPC: B65H23/24
Filed: 1998-12-01
Abstract: A change device of a reel-up in placed in the reel-up of a paper web in connection with the reel spool (2) forming the core of a new roll and located against the web (W) running onto the old roll (R). The change device comprises a guiding device (3) which is provided with nozzles or the like which are positioned and directed with respect to the reel spool (2) in such a way that they direct air jets (S) to the new end of the web following the cut-off point of the web (W) substantially over the full width of the web, to guide the web around the reel spool (2).
Patent JP-2001527247-A (JP)
Title: 携帯用一方向無線財務メッセージングユニット
IPC: G06Q40/00
Filed: 1998-12-04
Abstract: (57)【要約】
【課題】  携帯用財務メッセージングユニットを使用して無線ネットワークにより安全な財務取引を可能にする選択呼出しシグナリングシステムを提供する。
【解決手段】  保安メッセージングシステムは保安メッセージングシステムコントローラ１１００および第１の財務メッセージングユニット９０６を含む。ユーザは取引認証コードを保安メッセージングシステムコントローラ１１００に提供することにより財務取引を開始する。第１の財務メッセージングユニット９０６がある値を含む保安財務取引メッセージを受信すると、ユーザは対応する取引認証コードを入力しこれは財務取引を行なうために第１の財務メッセージングユニット９０６に対し前記値の少なくとも一部を解除しかつ支出を可能にする。
Patent JP-2002502976-A (JP)
IPC: G01N1/28
Filed: 1999-02-09
Abstract: An analytic plate such as a microscope slide or a diagnostic plate and kit having the slide or plate, the slide or plate having a containment border for containing a liquid or liquid sample. The containment border is substantially transparent and is substantially flush with the surface of the slide or plate for containing the liquid or liquid sample disposed thereon and thereby preventing spreading or migration of the sample across the slide or plate.
Patent JP-2002503831-A (JP)
IPC: G09F11/02
Filed: 1999-02-05
Abstract: A device for providing object visibility from all sides comprises a cylinder having an opaque surface interrupted by a plurality of transparent sections forming viewing slots elongated in the direction of a longitudinal axis of the cylinder, and a like plurality of objects mounted inside the cylinder, with each object being associated with a viewing slot. The cylinder rotates around the longitudinal axis at a high angular velocity to enable viewing of the object through the slots. The objects can be, for example, an inscription, a picture, a three-dimensional object, a running inscription, a mobile picture, a mobile three-dimensional object or any combination thereof.
Patent JP-2002509760-A (JP)
IPC: A61F2/91
Filed: 1999-03-25
Abstract: A unit cell (90) for use in a medical device, such as a stent, is disclosed along with a description of a stent formed from a plurality of unit cells (90) and for use in the treatment of restenosis or other vascular narrowing. The unit cell (90) is designed and configured for uniform radial expansion with minimal axial shortening and recoil, and is selectively variable in flexibility and expendability.
Patent JP-2002510897-A (JP)
IPC: H04H20/48
Filed: 1999-02-24
Abstract: This invention provides a method of broadcasting including the steps of providing a broadcast signal in a central frequency band of an FM radio channel; providing a first plurality of sub-carriers in an upper sideband of the FM radio channel; providing a second plurality of sub-carriers in a lower sideband of the FM radio channel; modulating a first group of the first plurality of sub-carriers with a complementary punctured convolution coded encoded version of program material; modulating a first group of the second plurality of sub-carriers with the complementary punctured convolution coded version of the program material; and transmitting the broadcast signal, the first group of the first plurality of sub-carriers and the first group of the second plurality of sub-carriers. In an all-digital version of the invention, the central frequency band may include a plurality of sub-carriers transmitted at a lower power level than that of the sub-carriers in the upper and lower sidebands. These additional sub-carriers can be used to transmit additional data. Transmitters and receivers which utilized the method are also included.
Patent JP-2002510475-A (JP)
Title: 別の処理を施すための食品調製方法と装置
IPC: A23L5/10
Filed: 1999-04-01
Abstract: (57)【要約】
【課題】別の処理を施すための食品調製方法と装置
【解決手段】食品は、その表面層を固めるために、下方から加熱される。前記表面層は別処理を行う間、食品を保持し、支える皮を形成する。装置は、柔らかい、または、粘着性のある食品を、別処理の上流側経路に沿って移送するベルトコンベヤーと、前記上流側経路においてベルトコンベヤーの下方側、両横方向側に加熱要素を備える。加熱要素は、コンベヤーベルト面の食品を下方、両横方向から加熱して、別の処理において食品を保持し支える皮を形成する。
Patent JP-2003514160-A (JP)
Title: 燃料を加圧するために差動ピストンを備えた燃料噴射装置
IPC: F02M57/02
Filed: 1999-02-09
Abstract: (57)【要約】
燃料噴射装置はコイル（２８）で囲まれた差動ピストン（３２）を有するハウジング（１２）を含み、差動ピストン（３２）はアーマチュア（６６）を担持すると共にそれを取囲み、アーマチュア（６６）はニードル・バルブ（６８）を担持する。ニードル・バルブ（６８）のバルブ座（７０）は、差動ピストン（３２）と一緒に移動するように担持される。噴射装置ハウジング（１２）内の空気チャンバ（２６）は吸気マニホルドに通じており、また燃料噴射装置への燃料入口（２２）はチェック・バルブ（５６）を含む。燃焼室の吸気ストロークの開始時に、差動ピストン（３２）はばね（６４）によって燃焼室へ向けて移動され、チェック・バルブ（５６）を開き、燃料が噴射装置の燃料通路（４２，３４，６９，８１，８３，８５）へ流入できるようにする。燃焼ストロークにおいて燃焼室内の圧力が高まることで、差動ピストン（３２）は噴射装置内の燃料を加圧するように移動される。圧縮ストロークの最上位置の近くでコイル（２８）が付勢され、ニードル・バルブ（６８）が開かれて、加圧された燃料が燃焼室内へ噴射される。コイル（２８）の消勢により、ニードル・バルブ（６８）は閉じられる。
Patent JP-2002511360-A (JP)
Title: 自動車の安全ベルト配置
IPC: B60R22/46
Filed: 1999-04-08
Abstract: (57)【要約】
本発明の安全ベルト配置２は引き続き２回作動するベルト・プリテンショナ２０を備える。２回目の作動は車体１２の固定点Ｆの互いに相対的な位置変化があったときにのみ生じる。それによって、事故の進行中に生じる可能性のあるベルト緩み１２ｃが避けられ、搭乗者９の傷害リスクが減少する。
Patent JP-2002512830-A (JP)
IPC: A61B5/145
Filed: 1999-04-21
Abstract: Disclosed is a tissue modulation device for use dining spectroscopy of tissue of a subject. In one embodiment, the device comprises an inner sheath, an outer sheath and a window disposed through the inner and outer sheaths, wherein the inner and outer sheaths comprise a sufficiently flexible material that the device can be secured to a region of tissue to be spectroscopically probed, wherein the inner and outer sheaths are joined to one another so that at least one temperature regulating element can be disposed between the inner and outer sheaths, and wherein the window is sufficiently transparent that electromagnetic radiation can be delivered to and collected from an underlying tissue through the inner and outer sheaths. The invention additionally provides a method of modulating temperature of tissue in a subject to be spectroscopically probed. In a preferred embodiment, the method comprises applying a tissue modulation device of the invention to the tissue, passing current through the temperature regulating element so as to elevate or lower the temperature of the tissue, and passing electromagnetic radiation through the window of the device. Preferably, spectroscopic probing is performed when the temperature of the tissue has been elevated or lowered and when the temperature of the tissue is not elevated or lowered. The method can further comprise collecting Raman spectra emitted by the tissue. The invention also provides a method for determining phase transition, and a method for determining lipid content and identity and protein content in a tissue of a subject.
Patent JP-2002516327-A (JP)
Title: 細胞増殖の阻害剤としての二環式ピリミジンおよび二環式３，４−ジヒドロピリミジン
IPC: A61K31/519
Filed: 1999-05-10
Abstract: (57)【要約】
本発明は、細胞増殖性疾患、例えば癌および再狭窄ならびに血管新生およびアテローム性動脈硬化症を治療するのに有用である二環式複素環化合物を提供する。本発明者等は、サイクリン−依存性キナーゼ（ｃｄｋｓ）、増殖因子−仲介キナーゼおよび非−受容体キナーゼの強力な阻害剤である一群の二環式化合物を発見した。この化合物は、容易に合成され、経口的を包含する種々な経路によって投与することができそして臨床的に使用するのに十分な生物学的利用能を有している、本発明は、式（Ｉ）
【化１】
 （式中、ＺはＮまたはＣＨであり；ＧはＮまたはＣＨであり；ＷはＮＨ、Ｓ、ＳＯまたはＳＯ 2 であり；Ｒ 1 はフェニルおよび置換されたフェニルを包含し；Ｒ 2 はアルキルおよびシクロアルキルを包含し；Ｒ 3 はアルキルおよび水素を包含し；Ｒ 8 およびＲ 9 は水素およびアルキルを包含する）の化合物およびその医薬的に許容し得る塩を提供する。本発明は、また、医薬的に許容し得る担体、希釈剤または賦形剤と一緒に式（Ｉ）の化合物を含有する医薬処方物を提供する。
Patent JP-2002524293-A (JP)
Title: ロッキング・カラー除去工具
IPC: B25B13/54
Filed: 1999-09-10
Abstract: (57)【要約】
【課題】  留められた部品に損傷を与えることなく、壊れやすい留め具を除去するように設計された工具を提供することにある。
【解決手段】  この工具は、壊れやすい留め具のねじシャフトにロックされたカラーを除去する。この工具はグリップ手段を備えるコレットを含み、内側握り歯はコレットが寸法を減じることを許すように除去されたセグメントを有する。外側シリンダは、カラーを止め具のシャフトにロックするねじと逆ねじの内側ねじ部と、低部内側テーパ部とを有する。調和ねじ及びトルク手段を備える内側シリンダは、外側シリンダ内を移動するように外側シリンダに対してトルクを与えられ、外側シリンダの内側テーパ部にコレットを付勢し、それによりロックされたカラーを囲んで掴むように閉じる。さらに、止め具のシャフトが維持されつつ、開放方向への回転力がカラーに与えられる。
Patent JP-2002525569-A (JP)
Title: 股関節・体内人工装具のセラミック製のソケットインサートを検査する方法
IPC: A61F2/46
Filed: 1999-09-07
Abstract: (57)【要約】
股関節・体内人工装具は、現在では一般的にモジュール構造の機構から形成されている。大腿骨内にはピンを有する金属製のシャフトが定着され、該ピンには球面ヘッドが載着される。球面ヘッドは、ソケット又はソケットインサートに対して関節接合される。ソケットは直接大腿骨内にインプラントされるのに対して、ソケットインサートはまずソケットケーシング内に差し込まれ、次いでソケットケーシングが骨盤骨内に定着される。セラミック製のソケットインサート（８）の公知の過負荷検査、いわゆる耐力テストの場合の困難性は、テスト中に、股関節内にインプラントされたソケットケーシング内に挿入されているソケットインサート（８）の場合に支配するのと同じ応力状態が生ずるということにある。それ故本発明によれば、検査力（ｆ）が、ソケットインサート（８）の内側の機能面の極（１５）を対称的に取り囲む機能面（１４）の所定の部分面（１４Ａ）を介してソケットインサート（８）内に導入され、かつ、同時にソケットインサート（８）の外表面の部分領域に支持力（Ｆ）に抗して作用する支持力（Ｓ）がかけられる。
Patent JP-2002527130-A (JP)
IPC: A47L9/16
Filed: 1999-10-04
Abstract: The invention provides a vacuum cleaner having a dirty air inlet, a clean air outlet and dirt and dust separating apparatus lying in an air flow path therebetween, wherein the air flow path has a substantially uniform cross-sectional area between the dirty air inlet and the separating apparatus and between the separating apparatus and the clean air outlet. The uniformity of the cross-sectional area reduces frictional losses and reduces pressure drops within the cleaner. Some portions of the air flow path are preferably removable from the cleaner to allow access for maintenance and removal of blockages.
Patent JP-2002528075-A (JP)
Title: 遺伝子ライブラリーの生成方法
IPC: C12N15/09
Filed: 1999-10-14
Abstract: (57)【要約】
本発明は、環境上の生物プール由来の遺伝子ライブラリーを生成する方法に関し、ここでこの遺伝子ライブラリーは、注目の活性を有するポリペプチドをコードするＤＮＡで富化されている。更に、本発明は環境上の生物プールから、注目のＤＮＡ配列を選択する方法を提供する。更に、本発明は注目の活性を有するポリペプチドをコードするＤＮＡで富化された生物の、富化された環境上のプールから調製した遺伝子ライブラリーに関する。
Patent JP-2002530680-A (JP)
IPC: G01R27/26
Filed: 1999-11-18
Abstract: Apparatus for measuring the capacitance to ground of a plate, the apparatus comprising: a sample capacitor Cs having two terminals, a proximal one of the two terminals being connected to the plate and the second terminal being distal from the plate; a voltage measuring or sensing means (14) connected to one of the terminals of the sample capacitor; at least three switching elements, S1, S2, S3 each of the at least three switching elements having both a respective open state and a respective closed state; wherein: a first of the switching elements S1 connects the distal terminal of the sample capacitor to a first predetermined voltage when in its closed state; a second of the switching elements S2 connects the proximal terminal of the sample capacitor to a second predetermined voltage different from the first predetermined voltage when in its closed state; and the third switching element S3 connects the distal terminal of the sample capacitor to the proximal terminal of the sample capacitor when in its closed state; and a control means adapted to operate the three switching elements so that at any time at least one of the three switching elements is in its respective open state.