An automatic data collection device is provided with an aiming beam that can be deactivated prior to reading a target machine-readable symbol. The data collection device includes a sensor that generates one or more signals associated with light received by the sensor. The sensor signal(s) is used to adjust the illumination levels for the sensor and/or the gain of the sensor, and are also used to deactivate the aiming beam prior to reading the target machine-readable symbol or to perform other illumination adjustment.

The automatic data collection (ADC) arts include numerous systems for representing information in machine-readable form. For example, a variety of symbologies exist for representing information in barcode symbols, matrix or area code symbols, and/or stacked symbols. A symbology typically refers to a set of machine-readable symbol characters, some of which are mapped to a set of human-recognizable symbols such as alphabetic characters and/or numeric values. Machine-readable symbols are typically composed of machine-readable symbol characters selected from the particular symbology to encode information. Machine-readable symbols typically encode information about an object on which the machine-readable symbol is printed, etched, carried or attached to, for example, via packaging or a tag.
Barcode symbols are a common one-dimensional (1D) form of machine-readable symbols. Barcode symbols typically comprise a pattern of vertical bars of various widths separated by spaces of various widths, with information encoded in the relative thickness of the bars and/or spaces, each of which have different light reflecting properties. One-dimensional barcode symbols require a relatively large space to convey a small amount of data.
Two-dimensional symbologies have been developed to increase the data density of machine-readable symbols. Some examples of two-dimensional symbologies include stacked code symbologies. Stacked code symbologies may be employed where length limitations undesirably limit the amount of information in the machine-readable symbol. Stacked code symbols typically employ several lines of vertically stacked one-dimensional symbols. The increase in information density is realized by reducing or eliminating the space that would typically be required between individual barcode symbols.
Some other examples of two-dimensional symbologies include matrix or area code symbologies (hereinafter matrix code). A matrix code machine-readable symbol typically has a two-dimensional perimeter, and comprises a number of geometric elements distributed in a pattern within the perimeter. The perimeter may, for example, be generally square, rectangular or round. The geometric elements may, for example, be square, round, or polygonal, for example hexagonal. The two-dimensional nature of such a machine-readable symbol allows more information to be encoded in a given area than a one-dimensional barcode symbol.
The various above-described machine-readable symbols may or may not also employ color to increase information density.
A variety of machine-readable symbol readers for reading machine-readable symbols are known. Machine-readable symbol readers typically employ one of two fundamental approaches, scanning or imaging.
In scanning, a focused beam of light is scanned across the machine-readable symbol, and light reflected from and modulated by the machine-readable symbol is received by the reader and demodulated. With some readers, the machine-readable symbol is moved past the reader, with other readers the reader is moved past the machine-readable symbol, and still other readers move the beam of light across the machine-readable symbol while the reader and machine-readable symbol remain approximately fixed with respect to one another. Demodulation typically includes an analog-to-digital conversion and a decoding of the resulting digital signal.
Scanning type machine-readable symbol readers typically employ a source of coherent light such as a laser diode to produce a beam, and employ a beam deflection system such as an rotating or oscillating mirror to scan the resulting beam across the machine-readable symbols. Conventional laser scanning systems employ progressive symbol sampling.
In imaging, the machine-readable symbol reader may flood the machine-readable symbol with light, or may rely on ambient lighting. A one-dimensional (linear) or two-dimensional image (2D) capture device or imager such as a charge coupled device (CCD) array captures a digital image of the illuminated machine-readable symbol, typically by electronically sampling or scanning the pixels of the two-dimensional image capture device. The captured image is then decoded, typically without the need to perform an analog to digital conversion.
A two-dimensional machine-readable symbol reader system may convert, for example, two-dimensional symbols into pixels. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,988,852 issued to Krishnan, U.S. Pat. No. 5,378,883 issued to Batterman, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,330,974 issued to Ackley, U.S. Pat. No. 6,484,944 issued to Manine, et al., and U.S. Pat. No. 6,732,930 issued to Massieu, et al.
Regardless of the type of data carrier used, their usefulness is limited by the capability of a data collection device (such as a matrix code reader, bar code reader, and the like) to accurately capture the data encoded in the machine-readable symbol. Optical data collection devices are directional in nature—such devices need to be optimally positioned in order to accurately read the data on the target symbol. If the data collection device is pointed askew to the symbol, for example, then the data may not be read or may be read incorrectly. The inability of an inexperienced user to skillfully position the data collection device also contributes to the directional limitations of such devices, thereby further contributing to the chances of erroneous or missed data readings.
Furthermore in many situations, the acquisition beam (e.g., the scanning beam the context of a scanner type symbol reader, the flood illumination beam in the context of an imager type symbol reader, or other light beam that is output by the data collection device to read the target symbol) from the data collection device is invisible or has low-visibility. The invisibility or low-visibility of the acquisition beam adversely affects the user's ability to determine whether the data collection device is optimally positioned at a target symbol. This drawback becomes quite apparent in a situation where the user has to specifically locate and accurately read a particular individual symbol among several different symbols that are clustered near one another, such as when large quantities of inventory are stacked on a shelf. In such a situation, the user needs to carefully operate the data collection device to ensure that the desired symbol (rather than an adjacent symbol) is being read.
To assist the user, many data collection devices use an aiming beam (sometimes referred to as a "spotter beam") in addition to the acquisition beam. For example with imager type symbol readers, the aiming beam can be a plurality of light beams (such as laser light) that provide one or more spots, boxes, crossing dots, or some other 2D pattern, so as to assist the user in roughly identifying the intended target area. The aiming beam is typically provided by way of a separate electronic circuit and/or by an electronic circuit that outputs a flashing light having a fixed frequency. Once the aiming beam has identified the target area for the user, the user can activate the acquisition beam to capture an image the symbol.
There are drawbacks to using these types of aiming beams for imager type symbol readers. One drawback is that there are added costs and complexity associated with providing a separate dedicated electronic circuit to operate the aiming beam in a manner that ensures deactivation of the aiming beam prior to image acquisition, since an illumination pattern produced by the aiming beam on the target area can interfere with the image to be captured by the acquisition beam. A flashing fixed-frequency aiming beam reduces the prominence of the illumination pattern on the target area during image acquisition, but the flashing of the aiming beam is user-perceptible and therefore can be annoying to the user after extended periods of use of the data collection device.

Sensor control of an aiming beam of an automatic data collection device, such as a barcode reader


A semiconductor integrated circuit comprises a digital-to-analogue converter for converting a digital signal into an analogue signal to output an analogue current signal, a current-to-voltage converter for converting the analogue current signal output by the digital-to-analogue converter, into an analogue voltage signal whose level has been controlled, and a filter for filtering the analogue voltage signal converted by the current-to-voltage converter. The current-to-voltage converter converts the current signal into the voltage signal in which a factor variable in accordance with manufacturing process conditions and/or environmental conditions has been corrected.

This application is based upon and claims priority of Japanese Patent Application Nos. 2000-140034 and 2001-132688, filed on May 12, 2000 and Apr. 27, 2001, the contents being incorporated herein by reference.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to semiconductor integrated circuits for digital-to-analogue or analogue-to-digital conversion, particularly suitable for use in portable telephones, automobile telephones, cordless telephones, image processors, etc.
2. Description of the Related Art
FIG. 10 shows the construction of a conventional digital-to-analogue (D/A) converting system. A D/A converter (DAC) 101 converts n-bit digital signals D1 to Dn into an analogue current signal, and then outputs it. A resistance 102 has the function of converting the current signal into a voltage signal. Between both terminals of the resistance 102, an analogue voltage appears in accordance with the analogue current output by the D/A converter 101. A low pass filter (LPF) 103 filters the analogue voltage signal generated by the resistance 102, to pass only its low frequency components. The filter 103 thereby outputs an analogue voltage signal.
An electronic volume 107 comprises a reversal operational amplifier including an operational amplifier 106, a fixed resistance 104, and a variable resistance 105. The ratio of the fixed resistance 104 to the variable resistance 105 determines the amplification factor of the electronic volume 107. For controlling dispersion in manufacturing process, the output level of each such D/A converting system must be regulated before shipment as products, by changing the value of the variable resistance 105 in the electronic volume 107.
The electronic volume 107 is thus necessary for controlling dispersion in manufacturing process of such D/A converting systems. But, it requires a large area. More specifically, since the electronic volume 107 includes the operational amplifier 106, it cannot but occupy a large area on the semiconductor chip. This causes an increase in size of the whole D/A converting system.
Such D/A converting systems are used in portable telephones or the like, and their high speed operation has been required recently. The above-described low pass filter 103 is an RC type low pass filter with its input and output by voltage, and includes about five operational amplifiers in general. Conventionally, these D/A converting systems were operated at a relatively low speed, so the current consumption of each operational amplifier in the low pass filter 103 was little. In recent years, however, because of the demand for high speed operation of these D/A converting systems, the current consumption of each operational amplifier in the low pass filter 103 has increased to the extent of 2 to 3 mA. In addition, the current consumption of the operational amplifier 106 in the electronic volume 107 is also much. Consequently, the power consumption of the D/A converting system becomes much. This causes short battery lives in portable telephones or the like.
Besides, conventionally, discrete cells of an existing D/A converter 101, an existing low pass filter 103, and an existing electronic volume 107 which are designed individually, are combined into one semiconductor chip, and a resistance 102 is connected as an external resistance to the semiconductor chip. Such an exterior type resistance 102 can bring about a highly accurate fixed resistance, but causes an increase in size of the whole D/A converting system.
FIG. 11 shows the construction of a conventional analogue-to-digital (A/D) converting system. A low pass filter (LPF) 111 is an RC type low pass filter with its input and output by voltage, like the above-described low pass filter 103. The filter 111 filters an analogue voltage signal AN to pass only its low frequency components. The filter 111 thereby outputs a filtered analogue voltage signal. An electronic volume 116 includes an operational amplifier 114, a fixed resistance 112, and a variable resistance 113, like the above-described electronic volume 107. The level of the analogue voltage signal filtered by the low pass filter 111 can be controlled by changing the value of the variable resistance 113. An A/D converter (ADC) 115 converts the analogue voltage signal whose level has been adjusted by the electronic volume 116, into n-bit digital signals D1 to Dn.
Also in this A/D converting system, like the case of the above-described D/A converting system (see FIG. 10), the electronic volume 116 is necessary for controlling dispersion in manufacturing process of such A/D converting systems, but the electronic volume 116 requires a large area, and thus causes an increase in size of the whole A/D converting system.
Besides, also in this A/D converting system, either of the current consumption of each operational amplifier in the low pass filter 111 and the current consumption of the operational amplifier 114 in the electronic volume 116 is much, and it causes short battery lives in a portable telephone or the like using this A/D converting system.
As described above, in either of the conventional D/A and A/D converting systems, the size of the whole system becomes large because the electronic volume with the operational amplifier occupies a large area.
Besides, since either of the current consumption of each operational amplifier in the low pass filter and the current consumption of the operational amplifier in the electronic volume is much, it causes short battery lives in a portable telephone or the like using such a D/A or A/D converting system.
Furthermore, in the D/A converting system (see FIG. 10), the D/A converter 101, the low pass filter 103, and the electronic volume 107 are provided within one semiconductor chip, and the resistance 102 is connected as an external resistance to the semiconductor chip. This causes an increase in size of the whole D/A converting system.
It is an object of the present invention to make such an electronic volume as described above with no operational amplifier, thereby realizing reduced-size D/A or A/D converting systems.
It is another object of the present invention to reduce the current consumption of such an electronic volume, thereby realizing D/A or A/D converting systems with their reduced power consumption.
It is still another object of the present invention to reduce the current consumption of such a filter as described above, thereby realizing D/A or A/D converting systems with their reduced power consumption.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide reduced-size D/A converting systems by using an element that has both the function of a resistance for converting an analogue current signal output by a D/A converter, into an analogue voltage signal, and the function of such an electronic volume as described above.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide semiconductor integrated circuits capable of outputting stable voltages irrespective of manufacturing process conditions and/or environmental conditions.
According to an aspect of the present invention, a semiconductor integrated circuit comprises a digital-to-analogue converter for converting a digital signal into an analogue signal to output an analogue current signal, a current-to-voltage converter for converting the analogue current signal output by the digital-to-analogue converter, into an analogue voltage signal whose level has been controlled, and a filter for filtering the analogue voltage signal converted by the current-to-voltage converter. The current-to-voltage converter converts the current signal into the voltage signal in which a factor variable in accordance with manufacturing process conditions and/or environmental conditions has been corrected.
According to another aspect of the present invention, a semiconductor integrated circuit comprises a filter for filtering an input signal to output a filtered analogue current signal, a current-to-voltage converter for converting the analogue current signal output by the filter, into an analogue voltage signal whose level has been controlled, and an analogue-to-digital converter for converting the analogue voltage signal converted by the current-to-voltage converter, into a digital signal. The current-to-voltage converter converts the current signal into the voltage signal in which a factor variable in accordance with manufacturing process conditions and/or environmental conditions has been corrected.
According to either aspect, since the current-to-voltage converter converts the current signal into the voltage signal in which a factor variable in accordance with manufacturing process conditions and/or environmental conditions has been corrected, the circuit can output a stable voltage signal irrespective of dispersion in manufacturing process and/or a change in environmental conditions for operation.


A method for forming a semiconductor device including forming a semiconductor substrate; forming a gate electrode over the semiconductor substrate having a first side and a second side, and forming a gate dielectric under the gate electrode. The gate dielectric has a first area under the gate electrode and adjacent the first side of the gate electrode, a second area under the gate electrode and adjacent the second side of the gate electrode, and a third area under the gate electrode that is between the first area and the second area, wherein the first area is thinner than the second area, and the third area is thinner than the first area and is thinner than the second area.

Semiconductor devices, such as MOSFETs (metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistors), may have asymmetrically doped source and drain regions to increase drive currents and reduce parities. In the prior art, the asymmetrical source and drain doped regions may have different dopants or different numbers of implanted regions. In addition, to form the different dopant regions, spacers on either side of a gate electrode may be different shapes or sizes. While these prior art techniques allow for increased drive current, to form these asymmetrically doped semiconductor devices additional process steps are used that undesirably increase cycle time. Therefore, a need exists for obtaining the advantages of asymmetrically doped source and drain regions without dramatically increasing cycle time.

Method of forming a semiconductor device having asymmetric dielectric regions and structure thereof


There is provided a silver halide photographic light-sensitive material comprising a support and photographic layers containing at least one silver halide emulsion layer thereon. At least one silver halide emulsion layer contains a silver halide grains having a silver chloride content of not less than 90 mol % and silver bromide content of not less than 0.05 mol % and at least one photographic layer contains a specific oxanol dye. The silver halide photographic light-sensitive material is suitable for rapid processing and excellent in image-sharpness.

Recently in the photographic industry, there have been demands for a silver halide photographic light-sensitive material to be rapidly processed, to have high quality images, and to keep stable and constant characteristics.
To be more precise, silver halide photographic light-sensitive materials have usually been processed continuously with an automatic processor installed at every photofinishing laboratory. On the other hand, there have been requirements for the laboratories, as a part of their customer services, to return finished products to every customer within the every day of the acceptance of their customer's orders and, more recently, there have been the increased requirements of rapid processing to return the finished products within several hours time from the acceptance of orders. In addition, further rapid processing services have been required from the viewpoints that the production efficiency can be improved and the production cost can also be reduced by shortening the processing time. The approaches to achieve a rapid processing have been made from the aspects of both light-sensitive materials and processing solutions. For the color developing treatments, some attempts have been made, such as the treatments at a high temperature, a high pH, and/or a high concentration of a color developing agent and, further, it has been well known to add a development accelerator. Such development accelerators are, for example, 1-phenyl-3-pyrazol-idone disclosed in British Patent No. 811,185, N-methyl-p-aminophenol disclosed in British Patent No. 2,417,514, and N,N,N,,N,,-tetramethyl-p-phenylenediamine disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication Open to Public Inspection (hereinafter referred to as Japanese Patent O.P.I. Publication) No. 50-15554(1975). In the above-mentioned methods, however, a satisfactory rapidness may not be achieved and the characteristic deteriorations such as a fog-increase may be produced in many cases.
On the one hand, it has been known that development speed is greatly influenced by the configurations, sizes, and compositions of the silver halide grains of a silver halide emulsion used in a light-sensitive material. It has been proved that the influence of a silver halide composition is particularly great and, when using a highly chloride-containing silver halide, a remarkably high development-speed may be shown.
On the other hand, for the purpose of absorbing the rays of light having a specific wavelength, coloring of a hydrophilic colloidal layer has been carried out by making use of a dye so as to work as a filter, to prevent halation and/or irradiation, or to control the sensitivity of a photographic emulsion. Further, for the purpose of improving image-sharpness, preventing of halation and/or irradiation has also been carried out.
The dyes used for such a purpose as mentioned above should satisfy the following various requirements; they should have excellent spectral absorption characteristics to meet the purpose of application; they should completely be decolored in a photographic processing solution and should readily flow out of a light-sensitive material so as not to produce any residual color contamination after the completion of treatment; any spectrally sensitized photographic emulsion should be neither sensitized nor desensitized or should not be affected by fog or the like; and they should have an excellent stability on standing and neither discoloration nor color-fading in a solution or a light-sensitive material.
Heretofore, there have been many proposals for a large number of dyes with great efforts for the purpose of discovering the dyes satisfying the above-given requirements. They include, for example, oxonol dyes disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,247,127, and Japanese Patent Examined Publication No. 43-13168(1968); styryl dyes typically disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 1,845,404; melocyanine dyes typically disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,493,747, 3,148,187, and 3,282,699; cyanine dyes typically disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,843,486; and anthraquinone dyes typically disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,865,752.
Among the dyes given above, oxanol dyes having two skeletal pyrazolone have been used as the useful dyes, because they may be decolored in a photographic processing solution and may readily flow out of a light-sensitive material in character and, further, any photographic emulsion may not be so affected by them.
It was found that most of the oxonol dyes may have no problem when the silver halide composition of a spectrally sensitized silver halide emulsion in a light-sensitive material is a highly bromide-containing silver halide. However, it was also found that, when using a highly chloride-containing silver halide, there may be the defects such as a further sensitization of a spectrally sensitized silver halide emulsion to an undesired spectral region, a fog increase, or a serious variation in sensitivity and the like produced by a temperature or humidity change.
Among the above-mentioned defects, in the case of the spectral sensitization to an undesired spectral region, for example, a color balance may not well be obtained in printing operation, so that a desired image quality may not be obtained. In the case of fog increase, it may be presumed that this defect may be caused by making a dye which has flowed out or a decolored dye or the decomposed matter thereof active to a light-sensitive material in a processing solution, so that a white background may be deteriorated. In the case of serious variations of sensitivity or the like cause by a temperature or humidity change, there may be raised a serious problem that a constant quality may not be obtained because of the differences in the temperature and humidity controls and storage conditions followed by various photofinishing laboratories.
The above-mentioned defects are peculiar to the case of using a silver halide emulsion having a high silver chloride content. However, such a silver halide having a high silver chloride content is still essential to perform a rapid-processing. It has therefore difficult to obtain a silver halide photographic light-sensitive material capable of keeping a high image quality stable even in a rapid processing.

Silver halide photographic light-sensitive material


A piezoelectric ignition mechanism includes an assembly having first and second members rotatable with respect to one another between an activated configuration and a deactivated configuration, a piezoelectric element associated with the assembly, and a plexor movably disposed in the assembly. When the assembly is in the activated configuration, the plexor is capable of being driven toward the piezoelectric element with sufficient force to impact the piezoelectric element and cause it to produce a spark.

The present invention relates to ignition mechanisms and devices containing such ignition mechanisms, such as, for example, lighters, including pocket and extended wand type lighters, disposable and non-disposable lighters, and, more particularly relates to piezoelectric ignition mechanisms and piezoelectric lighters, including particularly such ignition mechanisms and lighters that present increased resistance to operation by unintended users.
Disposable gas lighters are available in a variety of forms. Typically, one common element of disposable lighters is an actuator pad or lever used to initiate the flow of fuel. An actuator pad is typically operated in conjunction with a spark producing mechanism so that the flow of fuel is ignited soon after it commences. For example, one type of lighter requires a user to rotate a toothed spark wheel against a flint in order to generate a spark, while, or immediately followed by, depressing the actuator pad to release gas and produce a flame.
Other means of ignition for disposable lighters employ a piezoelectric mechanism. In this type of ignition mechanism, a piezoelectric element, such as a crystal, is struck by a hammer in order to produce an electric spark. The spark is created at the fuel outlet or nozzle to ignite the gaseous fuel. The actuator button, upon forced depression by a user, typically commences both the flow of the fuel and then the ignition process. An example of such a piezoelectric ignition mechanism is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,262,697, entitled xe2x80x9cPiezoelectric Mechanism For Gas Lighters.xe2x80x9d
Measures have been introduced to make activation of lighters more difficult or resistant to operation by unintended users. One typical method employed is to incorporate a latch member that inhibits depression of the actuator pad. Examples of such mechanisms are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,435,719; 5,584,682, and 5,636,979.
There remains, however, a need in the art for ignition mechanisms and lighters which increase the difficulty of inadvertent operation or undesirable operation by unintended users, and at the same time are user-friendly and appeal to a variety of intended users.
The present invention relates to a piezoelectric ignition mechanism which presents increased difficulty of operation by unintended users, and lighters, including pocket or extended wand type lighters that incorporate the same. In one embodiment, the ignition mechanism includes an assembly having first and second members which are slidable and rotatable with respect to one another about their common longitudinal axis. A piezoelectric element is positioned on the assembly, and a plexor is associated with, preferably located inside, the assembly. The assembly is rotatable between an activated and a deactivated configuration. When in the activated configuration, the plexor is capable of striking the piezoelectric element with sufficient force to produce a spark. Preferably, an impact spring is associated with one end of the plexor and is compressed by the plexor, the impact spring capable of driving the plexor, when in the activated position, with sufficient force to generate a spark. When in the deactivated configuration, the spring may not compress or be sufficiently compressed to drive the plexor toward the piezoelectric element to cause it to produce a spark.
The plexor preferably includes a lug disposed on its side that is received by a longitudinal slot defined on the first member. The first member may further have a notch associated with the longitudinal slot that is capable of receiving the lug. When the assembly is in the activated configuration, the lug may be moved into the notch and compressed against the impact spring. A window is defined in the second member and has a side portion. When the assembly is in the deactivated configuration, the side portion may contact the lug and block it from entering the notch. The window may further define a ramp portion, such that when the assembly is in the activated configuration and the first member is moved a predetermined distance toward the second member, the lug engages the ramp portion of the window, which rotates the plexor until the lug is released from the notch and is moveable within the longitudinal slot. More than one lug may be provided on the plexor, and more than one longitudinal slot and more than one notch may be provided in the first member. The second member also may have more than one window with more than one side and ramp portions.
In one embodiment, an abutment may be disposed on the first member and a cam may be disposed on the second member, wherein the cam is dimensioned to interact with the abutment when the first member is depressed toward the second member, such that the assembly is rotated to the deactivated configuration. Alternatively, the abutment may be disposed on the second member and the cam may be disposed on the first member. The abutment may be a portion of a push button associated with the first or second member.
In a further embodiment, the ignition mechanism includes an arm disposed on the second member for rotating it with respect to the first member, and the cam is disposed on the first member. The cam is dimensioned to bias the arm upon substantial depression of the first member such that the assembly is rotated to the deactivated configuration. Alternatively, the arm may be disposed on the second member and the cam may be disposed on the first member.
The present invention is also directed to a lighter incorporating the ignition mechanism. The ignition mechanism may be located in a lighter body having a fuel reservoir and which may have a valve for selectively releasing fuel. In one embodiment, the lighter body has an aperture defined therein, and an arm disposed on the ignition mechanism protrudes through the aperture to allow rotation of the first or second members therein with respect to one another.
The present invention is further directed to a utility lighter incorporating the ignition mechanism. The ignition mechanism may be located inside a housing having a handle, a fuel supply, and an extended wand having a nozzle for selectively releasing fuel. In one embodiment, an arm is connected to the ignition mechanism and the arm passes through an aperture provided in the housing. Rotation of the arm allows a user to rotate the first and second members with respect to one another within the housing, thus rotating the members between the activated and deactivated configurations. Preferably, the aperture is configured and dimensioned to bias the arm such that the plexor is automatically rotated to the deactivated configuration after the members are moved toward one another a predetermined distance.


An AC power supply system and a state monitoring circuit for the same, and a power consumption equipment are provided. The state monitoring circuit includes: a monitoring circuitry, configured to monitor current state information of the AC power supply system; and a control circuitry, coupled with the monitoring circuitry and configured to identify a current state of the AC power supply system based on the current state information monitored by the monitoring circuitry, and to determine whether to enable an AC power supply to deliver electrical energy to a power consumption equipment. Safety during an AC power supply process may be improved.

With development of electricity and electronic technologies as well as improvement in energy saving and environmental protection requirements, more and more power consumption equipment tend to use a drive solution based on high-frequency electricity and electronic conversion technology, to reduce energy consumption of the power consumption equipment and improve power consumption efficiency and reliability of the power consumption equipment.
There are various types of power consumption equipment. For example, the power consumption equipment may be an illuminating bulb, a domestic inverter air conditioner, or a charging pile for electric vehicles. Power of such power consumption equipment is supplied by an AC mains network provided by a power station or a nearby substation.
The substation or AC mains electricity output from the substation is an AC voltage source with very low internal impedance in essence. The AC voltage source is transmitted to an AC distribution box at a user side via an electricity cable for transmission, then goes through an electricity cable and an AC power switch at the user side, and finally is delivered to the power consumption equipment. In embodiments of the present disclosure, apparatuses in a whole AC power supply system except the power consumption equipment are referred to as electrical supplying facilities.
In an entire AC electrical energy delivery process, if power consumption of one or more electrical supplying facilities increases, heat generated by the electrical supplying facilities may be too great. Generated high-temperature heat may melt an insulating material in the electrical supplying facility, and even cause the insulating material in the electrical supplying facility to burn to result in a fire.
In view of the above problems, an existing approach is to use a material with a higher flame retardant grade or an anti-aging and corrosion-resistant material as an electrical insulation component in the electrical supplying facility, and to plate gold or silver at a contact of a conductive metal reed to reduce a contact resistance.
However, with an increase in using years of the electrical supplying facility, the material of the electrical insulation component is gradually aging, and the gold-plated or silver-plated material at the contact of the conductive metal reed may fall off. Therefore, the existing method cannot fundamentally avoid a potential safety hazard during a power consumption procedure.

Alternating current power supply system and state monitoring circuit for the same, and power consumption equipment

SHANGHAI LUMIXESS LIGHTING TECHNOLOGY COMPANY


A platform may comprise a management controller (MC) and a BIOS that may store SMBIOS information that may comprise metadata. SMBIOS information may be stored in the SMBIOS structure table. SMBIOS information may be transferred to the MC and may be communicated from the MC to an entity external to the platform. The BIOS may be inaccessible to the external entity. The MC may communicate with the external entity when the platform is powered ON or OFF. SMBIOS information may be transferred between the BIOS and the MC via a communication link. The MC and/or the BIOS may determine whether SMBIOS information from the MC is up-to-date. SMBIOS information may be copied from the BIOS to the MC if not up-to-date. SMBIOS information may be transferred via SMBIOS messages based on structure type, instance ID and/or handle.

Within a computer system or platform, a Basic Input Output System (BIOS) may comprise firmware code enabling the system to function when first powered on or initialized. Hardware and/or firmware components may be identified, initialized and loaded with software via the BIOS. System Management BIOS (SMBIOS) may work together with the BIOS interface. In this regard, "SMBIOS Reference Specification" from the Distributed Management Task Force (DMTF) may enable a standardized way of representing system management information with respect to platform hardware and firmware components. Moreover, SMBIOS may provide key platform asset information such as platform Universally Unique Identifier (UUID), BIOS version, processor family and/or processor speed, memory type and/or memory capacity. An SMBIOS structure table may be a low-level data model used to store platform asset information. Each SMBIOS structure may begin with a header which may comprise type, length, and handle. The SMBIOS structure table may be located in the upper 1 MB of real-mode memory for non Extensible Firmware Interface (EFI) systems. Instrumentation may deliver SMBIOS based inventory information using Common Information Model (CIM). An SMBIOS structure table may comprise platform asset management information, system health monitoring information, and a system event log.
Further limitations and disadvantages of conventional and traditional approaches will become apparent to one of skill in the art, through comparison of such systems with the present invention as set forth in the remainder of the present application with reference to the drawings.

Method and system for a platform level data model and messages for transferring SMBIOS structures and data


An apparatus for supporting and maneuvering a wafer comprises a handle having a gas inlet adapted to couple to a gas supply, a supporting surface coupled to the handle section including a frame structure having edge segments connecting at vertices and spoke elements extending from a center of the frame structure to the vertices, a gas supply channel coupled to the gas inlet that extends from the handle and branches into channels that run through the spoke elements, and a plurality of nozzles positioned at the vertices on the supporting surface and coupled to the channels in the spoke elements. Gas provided to the plurality of nozzles exits the nozzles in a stream directed parallel to the supporting surface and the stream of gas generates forces that enable wafers to be securely supported in a floating manner over the supporting surface without coming into direct contact with the supporting surface.

Semiconductor fabrication typically involves deposition of a mask or pattern which determines the components and the electrical connections on a substrate. One common masking technique involves depositing photoresist across a substrate surface and then selectively exposing a pattern on the photoresist. During wet treatment, the pattern is etched onto the substrate material by removal of the exposed sections (or alternatively by sections that were not exposed, depending on the type of photoresist). By chemical development both exposed photoresist and material underlying the exposed photoresist can then be chemically removed by immersion in a solvent, resulting in a patterned structure.
To accommodate fabrication on substrates that are harder to remove by conventional solvent immersion, such as Gallium Arsenide (GaAs), photoresist can be deposited first, underneath subsequently deposited material that is harder to dissolve. When solvent is applied, the photoresist dissolves and layers overlying the photoresist can be removed, or lifted-off, as well. During both the immersion phase and subsequent lift-off phase, a considerable amount of debris and residue can accumulate. Additionally, during immersion incompletely dissolved materials build-up in the solvent bath and can also remain on the meniscus on the wafer surface.
After immersion, the wafer is typically transferred to a spin chamber in which a high-pressure spray is applied to remove excess material and residual photoresist from the wafer. The residual debris tends to accumulate rapidly on walls of the spin chamber or in filters positioned in the fluid drain path, necessitating frequent cleaning of the spin chamber (e.g., several times per day). The time that the chambers spend offline reduces wafer throughput and the overall efficiency of the fabrication process. Furthermore, the high-pressure spray can damage the wafer surface as any adhering or trapped debris is dragged along by surface by the force of the spray.
It would therefore be advantageous to adapt the semiconductor fabrication process to meet these challenges caused by the accumulation of residual resist and other dislodged material.
It is with respect to these and other considerations that the disclosure made herein is presented.

System and method for self-cleaning wet treatment process


A method of measuring a quantity of moisture in an electrode includes at least three steps as follows: disposing an electrode, which is a measurement target sample, inside a container provided with a gas introduction pipe and a gas discharge pipe; heating the electrode by supplying inert gas heated to a predetermined temperature in advance to the inside of the container through the gas introduction pipe, and vaporizing moisture adsorbed to the electrode; and collecting the moisture vaporized from the electrode, together with the inert gas through the gas discharge pipe and determining the quantity of the collected moisture. In addition, a moisture quantity measuring apparatus includes a container that has a gas introduction pipe and a gas discharge pipe, a heating unit, and a moisture quantity measuring unit that collects moisture vaporized from a sample, through the gas discharge pipe and determines the quantity of collected moisture.

For their large capacity per unit volume and unit mass, lithium-ion secondary batteries are widely used for laptops and electronic terminals such as mobile phones. Recently, lithium-ion secondary batteries are also applied in electric vehicles which can travel by only a battery, hybrid vehicles which use both a battery and an engine, electric motorcycles, and the like. Moreover, in accordance with the spread of renewable energy and rising awareness of the environment, lithium-ion secondary batteries are also used for stationary batteries, and development in lithium-ion secondary batteries for a large-capacity power storage system and the like become active as well.
Since lithium-ion secondary batteries are used in a potential range in which water cannot exist stably, an electrolytic solution having a non-aqueous organic matter as a main body is used. If moisture is included in a member configuring a lithium-ion secondary battery, the moisture is decomposed at the time of the first charging, and there are cases where hydrogen and oxygen are generated. In such a case, due to the generated hydrogen and oxygen, each of members configuring the lithium-ion secondary battery deteriorates, and the characteristics of the lithium-ion secondary battery are degraded.
Therefore, in a step of manufacturing a lithium-ion secondary battery, main members are sufficiently dried such that no moisture is adsorbed thereto. In addition, lithium-ion secondary batteries are assembled in a dry room from which atmospheric moisture is maximally eliminated (for example, having a dew point equal to or lower than −40° C.).
In this manner, in order to minimize the quantity of moisture included in a lithium-ion secondary battery, the quantity of moisture in members used in a battery is required to be managed strictly.
As a method of measuring the quantity of moisture in such members, there is the Karl Fischer's moisture quantity determination method. In the Karl Fischer's moisture quantity determination method, for example, the amperage flowing in accordance with the chemical reaction below is precisely monitored and the quantity of moisture included in a member is measured.B.I2+B.SO2+B+H2O→2BH+I−+B.SO3 B.SO3+ROH→BH+ROSO3−
In a case where the quantity of moisture in a member is measured, a vaporization apparatus is used for sufficiently heating the member and vaporizing moisture from the member. Examples of such a vaporization apparatus include a type in which a measurement sample is put in a boat and is measured, and a type in which a measurement sample is put in a vial bottle and is measured. In an apparatus of the type in which a measurement sample is put in a boat and is measured, there is a need to perform an operation of switching the sample after a measurement. In contrast, in a vial bottle-type apparatus, measurements can be performed by automatically replacing the sample. Therefore, the quantity of moisture in a member can be efficiently measured by using the vial bottle-type apparatus.
Examples of a technology related to such a vial bottle-type apparatus include technologies disclosed in Patent Document 1 (Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. H7-43371) and Patent Document 2 (Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. H7-43268).
The apparatuses disclosed in those Patent Documents include a turntable, a mechanism for switching a vial bottle, and a mechanism for lifting and lowering the vial bottle. In addition, the apparatuses include a mechanism for selecting a vial bottle having a measurement sample therein, inserting the selected vial bottle into a set heater unit, and heating the vial bottle to a set temperature.
In such apparatuses, inert gas is introduced to the inside of the selected vial bottle, moisture vaporized from the measurement sample is sent to the inside of a Karl Fischer moisture meter together with the inert gas, and the quantity of moisture included in the inert gas is measured. Accordingly, the quantity of moisture in the measurement sample can be determined. In these apparatuses, as long as the measurement sample can be inserted into the vial bottle, it is possible to measure moldings, powder, liquid, and the like unless a substance hindering Karl Fischer reaction is generated.
Generally, the apparatuses disclosed in those Patent Documents manage the quantity of moisture in a member such as an electrode and a separator of a lithium-ion secondary battery.

Method of measuring quantity of moisture in electrode, method of manufacturing electrode for lithium-ion secondary battery, moisture quantity measuring apparatus, and method of measuring moisture quantity


A light emitting diode comprising a semiconductor layer, a first electrode, a second electrode and a diamond-like carbon layer is provided. The semiconductor layer includes a first type doped semiconductor layer, a light emitting layer and a second type doped semiconductor layer. Wherein, the light emitting layer locates between the first type doped semiconductor layer and the second type doped semiconductor layer. The first electrode is electrically connected to the first type doped semiconductor layer. The second electrode is electrically connected to the second type doped semiconductor layer. The diamond-like carbon layer covers on the semiconductor layer and exposes at least a portion of the first electrode. Moreover, the exposed outer surface of the diamond-like carbon layer is a rough surface. Alternatively, other passivation layer with rough surface can be substituted for the diamond-like carbon layer.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a light emitting device and a method for improving luminescence efficiency of a light emitting device. More particularly, the present invention relates to a light emitting diode (LED) and a method for improving luminescence efficiency thereof.
2. Description of Related Art
Recently, since luminescence efficiency of LEDs has been constantly upgraded, application of fluorescent lamps and/or incandescent bulbs is gradually replaced with LEDs in some areas, such as scanning light source which requires high speed response, back or front light source of a liquid crystal display (LCD), car dashboard illumination, traffic signs and general illumination devices. Compared with the traditional bulbs, LED has absolute advantages. For example, an LED is physically compact, long lasting, low voltage/current driven, durable, mercury free (pollution free) and with high emissivity (power saving) etc.
FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a conventional LED. Referring to FIG. 1, the conventional LED 100 comprises a substrate 110, a semiconductor layer 120, a first electric conductive layer 130, a first electrode 140, a second electric conductive layer 150, a second electrode 160 and a passivation layer 170. The first electric conductive layer 130 is disposed on the substrate 110. The semiconductor layer 120 is disposed on the first electric conductive layer 130. The semiconductor layer 120 comprises an N-type doped semiconductor layer 122, a light emitting layer 124 and a P-type doped semiconductor layer 126 from the bottom to the top. The first electrode 140 penetrates through the region of the N-type doped semiconductor layer 122 which the light emitting layer 124 is not disposed thereon and electrically connects the first electric conductive layer 130. The second electric conductive layer 150 is disposed on the P-type doped semiconductor layer 126. The second electrode 160 is disposed on the second electric conductive layer 150. The passivation layer 170 covers on the semiconductor layer 120 and exposes at least a portion of the first electrode 140 and of the second electrode 160.
With reference to FIG. 1, when current is applied between the first electrode 140 and the second electrode 160 of the LED 100, the light emitting layer 124 will emit light when current passes. However, due to the smooth surface of the passivation layer 170, the light emitted from a light emitting layer 124 inclines producing a total reflection on the surface of the passivation layer 170. Consequently, the emissivity of the LED 100 will be reduced. Besides, SiO2 and SiNx are often used as the material of the conventional passivation layer 170, which has poor light transmission. Thus, the luminescence efficiency of the LED 100 can not be improved.
Furthermore, the heat dissipating capacity of the prior art material, such as SiO2 and SiNx, used in the passivation layer 170 is poor. In addition, the substrate 110 composed of sapphire has bad heat dissipating capacity. Therefore, not only the performance of the LED 100 is inefficient, but also the lifetime of the LED is shortened resulting from the poor heat dissipating capacity.
Therefore, how to improve the luminescence efficiency and at the same time extend the lifetime of LEDs becomes an imminent issue to be solved.


A capacitor includes first and second electrodes and a quasi 1D dielectric material disposed between the electrodes. The dielectric material has a charge or spin density wave state.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to electronic devices that use dielectrics.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
Cuprates are crystalline materials with complex unit cells that contain copper-oxygen planes. Such materials often have quasi-one or quasi-two dimensional structures. Exemplary quasi-one dimensional cuprates include cuprate ladder materials. Exemplary quasi-two dimensional cuprates include high-temperature superconductors.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view along the c-axis of a generic cuprate ladder material 10. The cuprate ladder material 10 has the form of a stack along the crystal""s b-axis. The stack includes alternating Cu2O3 sheets 12 and CuO2 chains 14. The Cu2O3 sheets 12 and CuO2 chains 14 are separated by rows of atoms 16 whose relative percentages are determined by the crystal""s stoichiometry. For a crystal with the stoichiometry (Sr14xe2x88x92xCax)Cu24O41, the atoms 16 are Sr and/or Ca atoms.
FIGS. 2a, 2b, and 2c are side views of the Cu2O3 sheets 12, CuO2 chains 14, and rows of Sr, Ca 16 of one unit cell 18 of cuprate ladder material 10 of FIG. 1. The Cu2O3 sheets 12 include a ladder-like building block 19 of copper (light circles) bonded to oxygen (dark circles). In the Cu2O3 sheets 12, copper-oxygen ladders 19 link together via oxygen linkages. The CuO2 chains 14 also have a building block 20 of copper bonded to oxygen. In the unit cell 18, the Cu2O3 sheet 12 and CuO2 chain 14 have an almost commensurate structure in which seven blocks 19 match to ten blocks 20 along the c axis.
FIGS. 1, 2a-2c show that copper-oxygen ladders 19 define an anisotropy axis for the crystalline cuprate ladder material 10. The anisotropy axis is referred to as the c-axis. Due to the copper-oxygen ladders 19, cuprate ladder materials behave as quasi one-dimensional (1D) materials. Many such cuprate ladder crystals are 1D anti-ferromagnets with 1D lattice directions along the c-axis. It is believed that the copper-oxygen ladders cause the cuprate ladder crystals to behave as anti-ferromagnets.
Herein, a quasi-1D material has a strong anisotropy along a selected lattice axis. In exemplary quasi-1D materials, conductivities or dielectric constants are, at least, three times larger along the selected axis than along the remaining lattice axes.
Various embodiments advantageously include dielectrics that are quasi one-dimensional (1D) materials. The quasi 1D materials may have charge or spin density wave state in which their dielectric constants have giant real parts. Some of these dielectric constants have giant real parts at room temperature and above.
In one aspect, the invention features a capacitor having two electrodes and a quasi 1D dielectric material disposed between the electrodes. The dielectric material has a charge or spin density wave state.
In another aspect, the invention features an antenna having first and second electrodes and a quasi 1D dielectric material. The electrodes are located adjacent portions of the dielectric material. The dielectric material has a charge or spin density wave state.

Electronic devices based on density wave dielectrics


An electronic device includes a central processing module having a base board, a central processing unit fixed to the base board, and a heat dissipation assembly secured to the base board. The heat dissipation assembly has a first heat sink, a second heat sink and an air deflector. The air deflector blocks an opening of the channel to deflect and guide airflow flow through the first heat sink and the second heat sink.

1. Technical Field
The present disclosure relates to a heat dissipation assembly, a central processing module using the heat dissipation assembly, and an electronic device using the central processing module.
2. Description of the Related Art
Electronic devices such as laptops typically include a central processing unit or other electronic components that give off large amounts of heat. A heat dissipation unit may usually be attached on the central processing unit. Simplicity, low cost and good thermal dissipation performance are factors commonly considered when designing heat dissipation units for electronic components.
Therefore, there is room for improvement within the art.

Electronic device using heat dissipation assembly


The present invention relates to interferon-α2b modified with Y-shaped branched polyethylene glycol (PEG) at a single Lys residue and the preparation thereof. The peglated IFN-α2b can be used for the preparation of a medicament for treating a disease, e.g. viral infections such as Hepatitis C.

Interferons (IFNs) are a family of small molecule proteins or glycoproteins produced by eukaryotic cells in response to viral infection and other antigenic stimuli, which display broad-spectrum antiviral, antiproliferative and immunomodulatory effects. IFNs have been widely applied in the treatment of various conditions and diseases, such as viral infections, e.g. hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV; inflammatory disorders and diseases, e.g. multiple sclerosis, arthritis, asthma, cystic fibrosis and interstitial lung disease; and tumors, e.g. myelomas, lymphomas, liver cancer, lung cancer, hairy-cell leukemia, and so on (Kenji Oritani, Paul W Kincade, et al. Type I interferon and limitin: a comparison of structures, receptors, and functions. Cytokine and Growth Factor Reviews, 12, 337-348, 2001; Yu-Sen Wang, Stephen Youngster, et al. Structural and biological characterization of PEGylated recombinant interferon alpha-2b and its therapeutic implications. Advance Drug Delivery Reviews, 54, 547-570, 2002).
IFNs are classified into four types according to their differences in chemical, immunological, and biological properties: interferon-α, β, γ and ε. Interferon-α (IFN-α) is secreted by leukocytes. Human IFNs-α are encoded by a multigene family consisting of about 20 genes, the encoded proteins sharing up to about 90% amino acid sequence homology (Henco K., Brosius F. J., et al. J. Mol. Biol., 185, 227-260, 1985). Human IFN-α2b is one of the subtypes of the α2 subfamily of human IFN-α family, and is a single chain protein with various biological activities. The single chain protein consists of 165 amino acid residues with 4 Cys, wherein two intrachain disulfide bonds are formed between Cys1-Cys98 and Cys29-Cys138 respectively and the N-terminal amino acid is Cys with one free α-NH2 group. The residues in positions 31, 49, 70, 83, 112, 121, 131, 133, 134 and 164 of the amino acid sequence are Lys, each of which contains one free ε-NH2 group. This protein is not glycosylated and sensitive to many proteases. The amino acid sequence of human interferon-α2b is shown in SEQ ID No: 1.
IFNs are usually administered parenterally in clinical treatments. The short in vivo half-life (2-4 h) and strong immunogenicity of IFNs result in a shorter dosing interval and a higher dosing frequency. As the generated antibodies significantly decrease the therapeutic efficacy, it is difficult to achieve ideal clinical efficacy. The polyethylene glycol (PEG) modification technology developed in recent years has provided a possible solution to the above problems.
PEG is an inert, nontoxic and biodegradable organic polymer, and is important in the fields of both biotechnology and pharmaceutics. PEG modification technique is to link PEG to an active protein via covalent bond. After the polyethylene-glycolation (PEGylation), the properties of the protein can be significantly improved, e.g. the prolongation of drug metabolic half-life, the reduction of immunogenicity, the increase of safety, the improvement of therapeutic efficacy, the decrease of dosing frequency, the increase of drug solubility/water solubility, the increase of resistance against proteolysis, the facilitation of drug controlled release and so on. For further details please refer to Inada et al. J. Bioact. and Compatible Polymers, 5, 343, 1990, Delgado et al. Critical Reviews in Therapeutic Drug Carrier Systems, 9, 249, 1992, Katre. Advanced Drug Delivery Systems, 10, 91, 1993, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,179,337.
It is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,179,337, after linking PEG to an enzyme or insulin, the immunogenicity of the protein was reduced, while simultaneously the activities of the protein were reduced as well. This was also found in G-CSF (Satake-Ishikawa et al. Cell Structure and Function, 17, 157-160, 1992), IL-2 (Katre et al. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 84, 1487, 1987), TNF-α (Tsutsumi et al. Jpn. J. Cancer Res., 85, 9, 1994), IL-6 (Inoue et al. J. Lab. Clin. Med., 124, 529, 1994) and CD4-IgG (Chamow et al. Bioconj. Chem., 5, 133, 1994).
It was reported that the branched PEG-modified protein exhibited better pH tolerance, thermo-stability and resistance against proteolysis than linear chain PEG-modified proteins (Monfardini et al. Bioconjugate Chem., 6, 62, 1995). Generally, a PEG molecule modifies a protein by linking itself to the N-terminal α-amino group or ε-amino groups of a Lys residue within the protein molecule. There are normally three types of PEGs for protein modification: a linear chain PEG (EP 0593868), an U-shaped branched PEG (EP 0809996) and an Y-shaped branched PEG (CN1243779C).
Currently many kinds of PEGylated proteins have been applied clinically. In 1990, the PEGylated-bovine adenosine deaminase (Adagen) produced by ENZON Inc. was approved by FDA, and used to treat severe combined immunodeficiency disease (pegfamg013102LB). In 1994, another PEG-modified protein for treating acute lymphoblastic leukemia, the PEGylated asparaginase (pegaspargase, Oncaspar), was also marketed in US (103411s5052lbl). The PEG modified interferon-α2b (PEG IFN-α2b, PEG-Intron) developed by Schering-Plough was approved by FDA for marketing in 2000 and the PEGylated interferon-α (PEG IFN-α2a, Pegasys) produced by Hoffman-la Roche Ltd. was also approved for marketing in 2002, both of which are used to treat hepatitis (103964s5037lbl, pegsche011901LB). In 2002, the PEG modified human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor produced by Amgen Inc. (PEG-filgrastim, Neulasta) was also approved by FDA, which is used to treat metastatic breast cancer (pegfamg013102LB). The FDA also accepted the application for PEGylated human growth factor antagonist developed by Pharmacia. The PEG combined TNF-α antibody fragment from Celltech and the PEG-TNF receptor from Amgen are tested in the advanced clinical trials. The first PEG-organic molecule conjugate, PEGylated camptothecin, has also entered phase II of clinical trial. In 2004, the PEG modified oligonucleotide (Pegaptanib, Macugen™) was approved by FDA. The in vivo metabolism of the PEG in the drug (or PEG itself) has already been clearly understood, and PEG has been proven to be a good and safe drug modifier without any adverse effect.
The PEGs that can be linked to a protein drug normally need derivatization, so that one or two terminal groups of the ends of PEGs can be chemically activated to possess a proper functional group which displays activity, and thus can form a stable covalent bond with, at least one functional group of the drug to be linked. For example, PEGs can be linked to ε-NH2 of Lys residue within the protein peptide chain, or to α-NH2 of the N-terminal amino acid residue of the protein peptide chain. In the PEGylation of IFN-α described in European patent EP0809996, PEG-NHS is linked through nucleophilic substitution to α-NH2 of the N-terminal amino acid or ε-NH2 of Lys in IFN-α. The PEG-NHS mentioned in the above patent is a U-shaped branched PEG derivative (PEG2-NHS), the molecular formula thereof as below:
wherein, R and R′ are independently a low molecular weight alkyl group, n and n′ are from 600 to 1500, and the average molecular weight of the PEG is from 26 KD to 66 KD. The molecular formula of the PEG2-NHS-modified IFN-α is as below:

Where one or more PEG2-NHS molecules are linked to α-NH2 of the N-terminal amino acid or ε-NH2 of Lys in IFN-α, the obtained products are a mixture of non-PEGylated IFNs-α, PEGylated IFNs-α at a single amino acid residue and PEGylated IFNs-α at multiple amino acid residues. The PEGylated IFN-α at a single amino acid residue can be isolated from the obtained products by any appropriate purification means. IFN-α has one N-terminal amino acid and more than one Lys residues, namely several reactive sites for PEG2-NHS, so the isolated PEGylated IFNs-α at a single amino acid residue are a mixture of the isomers of the PEGylated IFNs-α at different single amino acid residues.
In European patent EP 0593868, linear-chain PEG is used to modify IFN, the molecular formula of the modified product as below:
wherein R is a low molecular weight alkyl group; R1, R2, R3 and R4 are H or low molecular weight alkyl groups; m is from 1 to the number of possible PEG modification positions in IFN; W is O or NH; x is from 1 to 1000, y and z are from 0 to 1000, x+y+z is from 3 to 1000; and at least one of R1, R2, R3 and R4 is a low molecular weight alkyl group. Yu-Sen Wang et al (Yu-Sen Wang et al, Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews, 54: 547-570, 2002. Yu-Sen Wang et al, Biochemistry, 39, 10634-10640, 2000.) have reported the modification of rIFN-α2b with 12 KD linear monomethoxy-PEG (Peg-Intron) and shown that the products analyzed by HPLC-IE are a mixture of more than 14 isomers modified by PEG at different single amino acid residues. The molecular formula of the linear PEGs used by Yu-Sen Wang et al is shown below:
wherein the average molecular weight of the PEG is 12 KD.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Interferon alpha-2B modified by polyethylene glycol and methods of preparation thereof

Biosteed Gene Expression Tech. Co., Ltd.


A repeater for a wireless communication network includes a first reception antenna for receiving a reception signal on a first path from one of an access point, another repeater or a wireless station device; a second reception antenna for receiving the reception signal on a second path; a reception weighting circuit for applying first and second weights to the reception signal to generate a first weighted reception signal and a second weighted reception signal; a signal combiner for combining the first and second weighted reception signals according to various mathematical combinations to generate a plurality of combined reception signals; and a transmission antenna for transmitting a transmission signal corresponding to one of the combined reception signals to one of the access point, the another repeater or the wireless station device.

Conventionally, the coverage area of a wireless communication network such as, for example, a Time Division Duplex (TDD), Frequency Division Duplex (FDD) Wireless-Fidelity (Wi-Fi), Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (Wi-max), Cellular, Global System for Mobile communications (GSM), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), or 3G based wireless network can be increased by a repeater. Exemplary repeaters include, for example, frequency translating repeaters or same frequency repeaters which operate in the physical layer or data link layer as defined by the Open Systems Interconnection Basic Reference Model (OSI Model).
A physical layer repeater designed to operate within, for example, a TDD based wireless network such as Wi-max, generally includes antenna modules and repeater circuitry for simultaneously transmitting and receiving TDD packets. Preferably, the antennas for receiving and transmitting as well as the repeater circuitry are included within the same package in order to achieve manufacturing cost reductions, ease of installation, or the like. This is particularly the case when the repeater is intended for use by a consumer as a residential or small office based device where form factor and ease of installation is a critical consideration. In such a device, one antenna or set of antennas usually face, for example, a base station, access point, gateway, or another antenna or set of antennas facing a subscriber device.
For any repeater which receives and transmits simultaneously, the isolation between the receiving and transmitting antennas is a critical factor in the overall performance of the repeater. This is the case whether repeating to the same frequency or repeating to a different frequency. That is, if the receiver and the transmitter antennas are not isolated properly, the performance of the repeater can significantly deteriorate. Generally, the gain of the repeater cannot be greater than the isolation to prevent repeater oscillation or initial de-sensitization. Isolation is generally achieved by physical separation, antenna patterns, or polarization. For frequency translating repeaters, additional isolation may be achieved utilizing band pass filtering, but the antenna isolation generally remains a limiting factor in the repeater's performance due to unwanted noise and out of band emissions from the transmitter being received in the receiving antenna's in-band frequency range. The antenna isolation from the receiver to transmitter is an even more critical problem with repeaters operating on the same frequencies and the band pass filtering does not provide additional isolation.
The same issues pertain to frequency translation repeaters, in which receive and transmit channels are isolated using a frequency detection and translation method, thereby allowing two Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) IEEE 802.11 units to communicate by translating packets associated with one device at a first frequency channel to a second frequency channel used by a second device. The frequency translation repeater may be configured to monitor both channels for transmissions and, when a transmission is detected, translate the received signal at the first frequency to the other channel, where it is transmitted at the second frequency. Problems can occur when the power level from the transmitter incident on the front end of the receiver is too high, thereby causing inter-modulation distortion, which results in so called "spectral re-growth." In some cases, the inter-modulation distortion can fall in-band to the desired received signal, thereby resulting in a jamming effect or de-sensitization of the receiver. This effectively reduces the isolation achieved due to frequency translation and filtering.
Further, in a WLAN environment utilizing the proposed IEEE 802.11n standard protocol, wireless devices rely on multi-path transmissions to increase data rates and range. However, in a typical home WLAN environment, multi-path transmission capability and spatial diversity are limited for many of the same reasons discussed above in connection with lack of performance of wireless products in a home or indoor environment.

Repeater techniques for multiple input multiple output utilizing beam formers


An optical displacement measurement device in which variations in interference light by stray light are suppressed to improve interpolation accuracy and detection accuracy. The surface of diffraction grating 11 is coated with protective layer 12 of thickness L and refractive index n. The protective layer has thickness L such that, with angle θ between a line normal to the protective layer and an incident light beam and an angle θ′ between diffracted light generated by diffraction grating and reflected by boundary surface of protective layer to become stray light to be re-incident on diffraction grating and a line normal to diffraction grating, interference light is of an intensity of interference such that an optical path difference between stray light and light interfering with stray light represented byΔ=2L(n/cos θ′+tan θ′·sin θ)will amount to not higher than 2% of intensity of interference of interference light with optical path length difference Δ=0.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an optical displacement measurement device in which phase change of light produced by movement of a diffraction grating is detected to measure the amount of movement of the diffraction grating.
2. Description of Related Art
As an optical displacement measurement device for detecting the position of relative movement of a movable portion of, for example, a machine tool or a semiconductor manufacturing device, there is known such device exploiting a grating interferometer. This device is configured to detect the displacement of the position of a diffraction grating, recorded on a moving scale, by taking advantage of light interference.
The present inventors already proposed an optical displacement measurement device which, by superimposing two diffracted light beams, which are to interfere with each other, to high accuracy, is capable of detecting the position of movement of a moving portion to high resolution and to high accuracy. See Patent Publication 1, for example.
In the technique disclosed in this Patent Publication 1, a coherent light beam forms an optical image on a grating surface of a diffraction grating by a first image-forming means. A first diffracted light beam is collimated by a second image-forming means and illuminated on a reflector of a reflection optical system in a perpendicular direction at all times. With such configuration, even in case the optical axis of the first diffracted light beam has become deviated, the first diffracted light beam as reflected necessarily retraces the optical path it followed as the incident light, with there being no change in the optical image forming position on the grating surface of the diffraction grating. On the other hand, the optical axis of a second diffracted light beam, generated on diffraction of the first diffracted light beam, is not deviated, while there is no change in the optical path length. In this manner, there is no deterioration in the interference signal being detected even in case the diffraction grating has moved in a direction other than the direction parallel to the grating vector, for example, in case the diffraction grating has become tilted or distorted.
If, in an optical scale for a grating interferometer, detecting changes in the phase of light caused by movement of the diffraction grating to detect the position, the diffraction grating is exposed to outside, fingerprints or impurities tend to be affixed to the scale, or the scale may be grazed. Thus, in Patent Publication 2, for example, a transparent protective layer is formed on the surface of the diffraction grating to cover and protect it from contamination or grazing.
Among the position detectors in which light diffracted from a diffraction grating is made to interfere to detect the amount of movement of the diffraction grating from changes in the interference signal, there is such a detector that uses multi-mode semiconductor laser as a light source. With this light source, the length of coherence of the light source is limited to suppress the effect of wavelength variations otherwise brought about by changes in temperature. See Patent Publication 2, for example.
With the use of the arrangements disclosed in the Patent Publications 2 and 3, it is possible to implement an optical displacement measurement device which is strong against grazing or contamination of the diffraction grating or against wavelength variations otherwise brought about by changes in temperature. See Patent Publication 3, for example.

Optical displacement measurement device with optimization of the protective film


A process for foaming around a peripheral edge area of a cover (10) for a motor vehicle roof, the cover being placed on or in a foaming tool and the foam mass (18) being fed into the foaming tool such that two foam mass fronts are formed which run around the peripheral edge in the peripheral direction and merge with one another or meet one another in the merging area at a side opposite that at which the foam was introduced. The foaming tool is made such that, in the merging area, the cross section of the foam mass is reduced on the side opposite the ventilation side (40) of the foaming tool that is vented relative to the areas (42, 142) which border the merging area in order to prevent inclusion of gas bubbles in the merging area. Furthermore, a cover for a motor vehicle roof is produced which has a foamed peripheral edge area in which two foam mass fronts, which are formed during the peripheral foaming in a foaming tool, merge with one another. In the merging area, the cross section of the foam mass on the side opposite the ventilation side of the foaming tool is reduced relative to the areas which border the merging area.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a process for foaming around the peripheral edge area of a cover, especially a glass cover, for a motor vehicle roof, the cover being placed on or in a foaming tool and the foam mass being fed into the foaming tool such that two foam mass fronts are formed which run towards one another in the peripheral direction and merge with one another or meet one another in a merging area. The invention furthermore relates to a cover for a motor vehicle roof in which two foam mass fronts which are formed during the peripheral foaming in the foaming tool merge with one another in the merging area.
2. Description of Related Art
FIGS. 1 & 2 schematically show a cover for a motor vehicle roof during or after peripheral foaming by means of a conventionally used process. The cover 10 is placed in a foaming tool in order to foam a carrier element 16, which is usually called the "inside cover sheet," to the bottom of the cover 10 and to provide for a peripherally foamed edge area 18. In doing so, the foam mass, conventionally PUR, is added to the foaming tool from the sprue side 20, resulting in the formation of two foam mass fronts 22 in the peripheral direction of the cover 10, which fronts move towards one another in the peripheral direction of the cover and meet in an area 24 which is hereinafter called the merging area. Since ventilation takes place away from the peripheral area of the cover in the direction of the arrow 26, in the form of the front 22 shown, i.e., when the flow rate on the ventilation side 26 of the foaming tool is greater than on the opposite boundary edge, there is the danger that, in the merging area, on the boundary edge of the foam mass facing away from the ventilation side 26, air inclusions in the form of bubbles will occur. This area which is subject to bubble formation is labeled with reference number 30 in FIG. 2, which shows a section along the line II-II in FIG. 1. These air inclusions cause a high scrap rate.

Process for foaming around the peripheral edge area of cover for a motor vehicle roof and a motor vehicle roof cover

Webasto Vehicle Systems International GmbH


An air bag device for an instrument panel has a cover with a hinge and in one embodiment a break-away portion made of thermoplastic material. The cover has a bracket. The strength of the break-away portion is lower than that of the cover. The break-away portion breaks when an air bag inflates. The cover opens rotationally around the hinge. The second embodiment has no break-away portion.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an air bag device. More particularly, this invention relates to an air bag device being equipped in a vehicle instrument panel.
2. Description of Related Art
A cover of an air bag device is generally fixed to an opening for an instrument panel, and has a hinge or a break-away portion as described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,096,221 and Japanese Utility Model JIKKAISHO 63-111353.
However, by use of the hinge or breakaway portion, the number of composite parts increases, and it requires much time and labor to install these parts to the cover.


Data cache egress of a data storage device (DSD) in a data storage system including a system controller. A size of a reserved space in a memory of the system controller is determined for storing a data cache image for a data cache of the DSD. A loss of power is detected in the data storage system and the data cache image is transferred from the DSD to the system controller. The data cache image is stored in the reserved space in the memory of the system controller.

A data storage system can include a system controller and multiple data storage devices (DSDs) such as, for example, hard disk drives (HDDs) and/or solid state drives. In addition to providing more capacity than a single DSD, data storage systems such as a redundant array of independent disks (RAID) or cloud storage systems can be used to safeguard data by maintaining redundant copies of data on different DSDs in the data storage system. In the event of a loss or corruption of data at one DSD, a redundant copy of the data on a different DSD can be accessed by the system controller.
The system controller in a data storage system often includes a data cache stored in a volatile memory to service read and write requests from a host. The volatile memory of the system controller can have a battery back-up to protect against a loss of unwritten data stored in the data cache which has not yet been written to a non-volatile memory of a DSD. A battery back-up, such as an uninterruptible power supply (UPS), can typically supply up to 72 hours of power to maintain data in the volatile memory of the system controller.
Despite the use of battery backed-up data caches in system controllers, unwritten data can still be lost in the event of an unexpected power loss. In particular, data to be written to a DSD can be sent from the system controller to the DSD and erased from the battery backed-up data cache of the system controller before the data is written to a non-volatile memory of the DSD. In such a situation, the lost data has often been stored in a write cache in a volatile memory of the DSD. When the DSD loses power, the write cache of the DSD is lost with the data.

Data cache egress for a data storage system


A method of inhibiting replication of a flavivirus in animal cells, and an oligonucleotide compound for use in the method are disclosed. The oligonucleotide analog (i) has a nuclease-resistant backbone, (ii) is capable of uptake by the cells, (iii) contains between 8-40 nucleotide bases, and (iv) has a sequence of at least 8 bases complementary to a region of the virus' positive strand RNA genome that includes at least a portion of SEQ ID NOS:1-4. Exposure of cells infected with a flavivirus to the analog is effective to form within the cells, a heteroduplex structure composed of the virus ssRNA and the oligonucleotide, characterized by a Tm of dissociation of at least 45° C., and having disrupted base pairing between the virus' 5′ and 3′ cyclization sequences.

The family Flaviviridae is a group of single, positive-stranded RNA viruses with a genome size from 9-15 kb. They are enveloped viruses of approximately 40-50 nm. Within the Flaviviridae family is the flavivirus genus which includes the prototype yellow fever virus (YFV), the four serotypes of dengue virus (DEN-1, DEN-2, DEN-3, and DEN-4), Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV), Murray Valley encephalitis virus (MVEV), Kunjin virus (KUN), St. Louis encephalitis virus (SLEV), West Nile virus (WNV), Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV), and about 70 other disease causing viruses.
Most flavivirus infections are treated with supportive measures such as anti-pyretics to keep fever down, fluids, antibiotics for secondary bacterial infection, respiratory support as necessary, etc. The use of ribavirin has significant antiviral chemotherapeutic activity against a number of RNA viruses and has been proven to be effective in the treatment of Infuenza virus, Respiratory syncytial virus, Lassa fever virus, and Hanta virus infections. Ribavirin in combination with various interferon drugs is used to treat Hepatitis C virus infections. However, the in vitro and in vivo activity of ribavirin against flaviviruses such as dengue and yellow fever is very weak (Leyssen, De Clercq et al. 2000).
Despite four decades of research effort, safe and effective vaccines against most flaviviruses such as dengue are still not available. Although effective vaccines against yellow fever virus and Japanese encephalitis virus exist, these viruses still cause significant disease worldwide. Efforts to develop an effective dengue vaccine are complicated by the epidemiology of the virus. Although immunity to any given dengue serotype induces lifelong immunity for that particular serotype, a second infection with a different serotype can induce dengue hemorrhagic fever and dengue shock syndrome (DHF/DSS), the severe forms of dengue infection with associated mortality over 20% (Mongkolsapaya, Dejnirattisai et al. 2003).
In view of the severity of the diseases associated with flavivirus infection and their pervasiveness in animals and especially man, there is a need for therapeutic compounds and methods for treating a host infected with a flavivirus.

Oligonucleotide analog and method for treating flavivirus infections


A wheel traction lug assembly includes a pair of side plates with wedge-shaped elements on upper ends thereof extending toward one another so as to define a wedge-shaped gap therebetween being wider at respective front ends than rear ends of the wedge-shaped elements, a cross bracket pivotally attached to and extending between midsections of the side plates, a pair of holding clips disposed on lower ends of the side plates for gripping opposite sides of a wheel rim, and a lug extension plate pivotally mounted to the cross bracket and extending upwardly between the wedge-shaped elements on the side plates such that the tighter the lug extension plate becomes wedged between the upper ends of the side plates the tighter the holding clips on the lower ends of the side plates grip opposite sides of the wheel rim as to remain at a stationary position about the wheel rim.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to a device for improving wheel traction and, more particularly, is concerned with a wheel traction lug assembly used, for example, on wheels for an irrigation system.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Center pivot irrigation assemblies are widely used in many parts of the United States. In typical center pivot irrigation assemblies, multiple sections of tubing are connected end to end with one another. The innermost section of tubing is pivotally connected to a central stationary support structure and coupled in flow communication with a source of flowing water, such as a pump.
The connected sections of tubing are supported above the ground by mobile frames at heights sufficient to clear the crops growing in the field. Each of these mobile frames usually has a pair of large wheels rotatably mounted at opposite forward and rearward ends. One of the wheels of the pair is typically driven by an electric motor to cause circular movement of center pivot irrigation assembly about the central stationary support structure.
Frequently, due to accumulation of water, low places in the field become soft and spongy, causing the drive wheels to lose traction and spin and to become partially buried in the soft soil. The forward movement of the irrigation assembly is thereby impeded requiring the attention of an operator to unstick the drive wheels. One approach to dislodging the stuck parts of the irrigation assembly is to use a tractor to pull the assembly. Getting the tractor to the affected part of the irrigation assembly unfortunately causes destruction of some of the crop. Other approaches are to use jacks, logs, or rocks to attempt to raise the buried wheel or to use a spade to dig the mud away from the buried wheel. These latter approaches are time consuming and laborious and many times are futile.
Consequently, a need still exists for a device to effectively dislodge a buried wheel while avoiding the drawbacks of the above-described approaches.


A system includes a data storage configured to store a model human visual system, an input module configured to receive an original picture in a video sequence and to receive a reference picture, and a processor. The processor is configured to create a pixel map of the original picture using the model human visual system. A first layer is determined from the pixel map. A weighting map is determined from a motion compensated difference between the original picture and the reference picture. A processed picture is then determined from the original picture using the weighting map and the first layer.

The quality of a video image is ultimately determined by a human viewer of video image. Video noise includes significant energy (i.e., a significant number of bits) that does not contribute to the quality of the video image as determined by the human viewer of the video image. Video images containing video noise and difficult-to-track visual details are known to be determined to be of similar quality to similar video images without the video noise and difficult-to-track visual details. Thus, compression of video images for transmission or storage is impacted by both the video noise and the difficult-to-track visual details.
Reducing the energy or entropy of the video noise and difficult-to-track visual details will reduce the number of bits required to code video. However, it is difficult to accurately identify video noise and to accurately identify difficult-to-track visual details. In addition, if important details in the video image are removed, the end user will perceive a degradation in video quality. This degradation is known to include effects such as perceptual masking, in which interference from one perceptual stimulus decreases perceptual effectiveness of other perceptual stimulus.

System for reducing noise in video processing