A bottom stacker having a pair of slotted disks to receive incoming mail pieces one at a time from an input nip. The mail pieces are separately placed in the slots and carried by the rotation of the disks to a stack support in the stacker. The stack support is disposed at a small angle from the vertical axis so that the mail pieces in the stack are kept in the stack by gravity. When a new mail piece is carried in a slot toward the stack support, the lead edge of the mail piece is stopped by a stopping surface so as to disengage the mail piece from that slot. As the disks rotate further, part of the outer periphery of the disks moves the disengaged mail piece toward the stack so as to deposit the mail piece at the bottom of the stack.

A mail stacker is usually a part of a mailing machine, addressing equipment or mail creation equipment. Mail stackers can be classified into two types: top stackers and bottom stackers. In a top stacker, a later mail piece is stacked on top of the earlier ones. In a bottom stacker, a later mail piece is placed at the bottom part of the stack. In some applications such as addressing and inserting systems, mail pieces are required to be stacked in a certain serial order. For example, mail pieces are required to be stacked in a forward serial order in order to be eligible for a postal discount. The addressing information is often printed on top of the mail pieces.
For mail pieces printed in a 1-to-N order, the topmost mail piece in a mail stack having a forward serial order is always printed earlier than the rest of the stack. However, top stackers will reverse the order of the mail pieces to an N-to-1 order while stacking. In order to keep a forward serial order when using a top stacker, an application software can be used to reverse the serial order when addressing. The use of order-reversing software adds considerable complexity to the mail processing system, especially for jam recovery.
Thus, in a mail system requiring a forward serial order, it is advantageous and desirable to use a bottom stacker to reverse the serial order while stacking.
Bottom stackers are known in the art. For example, Keane et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 6,398,204 B1) discloses a belt stacker wherein mail pieces are separately fed by an edge feeder to a stacking deck on the edge of the stacker at the upstream end of the stacking deck. The mail pieces already in the stack are moved by a conveyer belt toward the downstream, away from the edge feeder. At the same time, a stack support is used to keep the stacked mail pieces in an upright position while they are moved downstream. The stack support must be moved toward the downstream end to allow additional room for the stack to grow. In Keane et al., the stack support is either manually relocated or moved by the conveyor belt. Marsullo et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 5,709,525) also discloses a bottom stacker, wherein a pusher mechanism is used for sealing the incoming envelope and pushing the sealed envelope onto a horizontal deck for stacking. In order to keep the stacked envelope in an upright position, a stack support is placed on top of the stack. The stack support is urged by a spring disposed on the back side of the stack support against a rear wall of the stacking deck.
This type of bottom stacker requires a large footprint in that the size of the stacker is determined mainly by the size of the stack, and not the size of the mail pieces in the stack.
It is thus advantageous and desirable to provide a method for stacking the mail pieces in a forward serial order without requiring a large stacker footprint. Furthermore, the mail pieces in a stack can be easily unloaded.

Bottom disk stacker employing a slotted disk to stack sheet material


A connector including a housing. A lock is positioned on a mating end of the housing. The connector also includes a contact. A slide member is positioned on the housing and is slideable along a longitudinal axis to the mating end and engageable with the lock in a lock position, and being slideable along the longitudinal axis to a terminal end of the housing in an unlock position.

Conventionally, there are many types of connectors that transfer a signal and electric power. These connectors include a lock portion to lock the connector to a mating connector and to prevent unintentional disengagement of the connector from a mating connector.
For example, Japanese Patent No. H09-63694A illustrates a conventional connector which includes a lock portion and a slide plate to release the lock portion. Prior to the connector engaging with the mating connector, the lock portion is in a lock position. As the connector engages with the mating connector, the lock portion is deformed by the mating connector such that upon complete engagement, the lock portion is locked to the mating connector. To release the lock portion, the slide plate is operated, and the lock portion is deformed. While the lock portion is deformed, the mating connector can be disengaged. Upon disengagement, the slide plate returns to a starting position and the lock piece returns to the lock position.
Since the lock piece deforms upon engagement with the mating connector, the force required to mate the connector with the mating connector must be great enough to overcome both the insertion resistance of the connectors, and the resistance from the lock portion's deformation by the mating connector. For example, it is common for the connector to include many contacts or the connector to transfer high current. Consequently, the insertion resistance required to mate the connector with the mating connector can be very high, without factoring in the addition insertion resistance added by the lock portion being deformed. For this reason, when the insertion resistance is further added by the lock portion, the combined insertion resistance becomes so great that mating the connector to the mating connector can be difficult.

Connector having a lock with a locking protrusion actuated by a slide member


A method for determining the composition of a fluid by using measured properties of the fluid. One embodiment of the method of the current invention generally comprises: selecting a fluid property that has a response to fluid composition that is linear, or can be approximated as linear; measuring the selected fluid property at a series of specific time intervals; and plotting the measured property as a function of the selected property. In effect, plotting the measured property as a function of fluid composition in an arbitrary set of units. This allows for a in-situ qualitative evaluation of fluid composition by measuring a fluid property that has a known linear relationship to fluid composition. Another embodiment of the present invention further comprises, establishing the endpoints of contamination and plotting the measured properties through these endpoints. Once the endpoints have been established a quantitative evaluation of the fluid composition can be performed. One preferred fluid property that can be used is density.

Not applicable.
Not applicable.
The present invention relates generally to the evaluation of wellbore fluids, in particular to the determination of the composition of a multi-component fluid. More specifically, the present invention relates to the determination of the fluid composition of a multi-component fluid using measured physical properties of the fluid. This method is particularly useful in in-situ determination of the quality of wellbore fluid samples.
During drilling operations, a wellbore is typically filled with a drilling fluid (xe2x80x9cmudxe2x80x9d), which may be water-based or oil-based. The mud is used as a lubricant and aids in the removal of cuttings from the wellbore, but one of the most important functions of mud is well control. Hydrocarbons contained in subterranean formations are contained within these formations at very high pressures. Standard over-balanced drilling techniques require that the hydrostatic pressure in the wellbore exceed the formation pressure, thereby preventing formation fluids from flowing uncontrolled into the wellbore. The hydrostatic pressure at any point in the wellbore depends on the height and density of the fluid column of mud above that point. A certain hydrostatic pressure is desired in order to offset the formation pressure and prevent fluid flow into the well. Thus, it is well known in the art to control the mud density and it is often necessary to use high density xe2x80x9cheavyxe2x80x9d mud to achieve a desired hydrostatic pressure.
Whenever the hydrostatic pressure of the mud is greater than the pressure of the surrounding formation, drilling fluid filtrate will tend to penetrate the surrounding formation. Thus, the fluid in the formation close to the wellbore will be a mixture of drilling fluid filtrate and formation fluid. The presence of fluid filtrate in the formation can interfere with attempts to sample and analyze the formation fluid. As a fluid sample is drawn from the formation at the wall of the wellbore, the first fluid collected may comprise primarily drilling fluid filtrate, with the amount of filtrate in the mixture typically decreasing as collected volume increases. Because the fluid sought to be analyzed is the wellbore fluid, and not the drilling fluid filtrate, it is desirable to collect a sample containing as little drilling fluid filtrate as is possible.
Early formation testing tools were designed to draw in a fixed volume of fluid and transport that volume to the surface for analysis. It was soon realized that the fixed volume was not sufficient to collect a reasonable sample of formation fluid because the sample would be primarily drilling fluid filtrate. To solve this problem, formation testing tools were developed that were able to continuously pump fluid into the testing tool so that sample collection could be controlled by the operator. Using these types of tools, the operators attempt to avoid collecting filtrate in the fluid sample by pumping for a period of time before collecting the fluid sample. The amount of time used to obtain a filtrate-free sample is based on experience or intuition. The problem with this design is there is still no way to determine the quality of the collected sample without pulling the tool to the surface. Therefore, it is desirable to be able to determine the quality of the fluid sample in-situ, with the formation tester still in the well, in order to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of sample collection.
One method that has been used in an attempt to evaluate the quality of a fluid sample downhole is monitoring of a fluid property over time. One such fluid property is fluid density. There are tools available to measure fluid density downhole and plot the measured density as a function of time. As time increases, the measured fluid density in the sample volume changes until it levels out very close to the density of the formation fluid. This leveling out of the density is known as asymptotic convergence and the value of density at this point is the asymptotic value.
It is usually preferred to acquire a sample of the formation fluid when the measured properties of the sample fluid reach asymptotic levels, which indicates that the amount of filtration in the sample cannot be reduced further. The difficulty with this method is that, although an equilibrium between the amounts of formation fluid and drilling fluid filtrate entering the sample volume has been reached, the level of contamination of the fluid mixture may still not be known. For example, if drilling fluid filtrate is migrating into the formation faster than the sample is being drawn, the asymptotic level reached will still have a high percentage of drilling fluid filtrate. Therefore, there is still required a method for in-situ evaluation of a fluid sample that provides more than a qualitative, or low resolution (xc2x110% or more) quantitative, measure of fluid composition.
One method of in-situ evaluation of fluid composition is described in WO 00/50876 and utilizes optical analysis of a fluid sample to evaluate fluid quality. The method utilizes optical density measurements to create data points to which are then used, by curve fitting techniques, to estimate an asymptotic value for the fluid density. This estimated asymptotic value is assumed to be the optical density of the wellbore fluid and is used to determine the amount of drilling fluid filtrate contamination in a sample. Optical density sensors work by transmitting a light of a specific wavelength through a fluid and measuring the optical absorption. The absorption of light as it travels through the fluid is greatly dependent on the type of hydrocarbons present in the fluid and on the wavelength of the light transmitted. Thus, the use of optical density sensors depends greatly on established knowledge of the type of hydrocarbons found in the formation fluid. This method also assumes an additional function for the change in optical density that is used to predict the asymptote and requires that the fluid be analyzed for a significant period of time before the end point (formation fluid property) can be established. Therefore, optical density evaluation does not provide real-time quantitative assessment of the fluid composition. Consequently, there still exists a need for a method for real-time quantitative assessment of the composition of fluid in a wellbore where little or no information may be available about the formation fluid.
The present invention is directed to improved methods for determination of fluid composition in a wellbore that seek to overcome these and other limitations of the prior art.
Accordingly, there is provided herein a method for determining the composition of a fluid by using measured properties of the fluid. One embodiment of a method generally comprises: selecting a fluid property that is related to the volume fraction of two or more fluids according to a mixing law; measuring the selected fluid property at a series of specific time intervals and plotting the measured property as a function of the selected property. The selected fluid property preferably has a linear, or approximately linear, relationship to fluid composition, but a property having a non-linear relationship to composition may also be selected if the relationship can be extracted from a single measurement (i.e. only one unknown). In effect, the present method entails plotting the measured property as a function of fluid composition in an arbitrary set of units. This allows for a in-situ qualitative evaluation of fluid composition by measuring a fluid property that has a known relationship to fluid composition.
Another embodiment of the present invention further comprises, establishing the endpoints of contamination and plotting the measured properties through these endpoints. Once the endpoints have been established, a quantitative evaluation of the fluid composition can be performed. The endpoints of contamination (100% drilling fluid filtrate and 100% wellbore fluid) can be determined using any known method.
The selected fluid property would preferably be measurably different for the two components of the fluid, but any fluid property that has a determinable response to levels of contamination may be used. Use of this method for evaluation of formation fluid enables operators to determine the quality and suitability of the sample being collected while the formation testing tool is in the well. Measurements of other fluid properties may also be taken and plotted as a function of the selected fluid property in order to determine the response of those properties to fluid contamination.
Thus the present invention comprises a combination of features and advantages that enable it to substantially advance the fluid evaluation art by providing methods for determining the composition of a fluid mixture using measured properties of the fluid. These and various other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention and by referring to the accompanying drawings.

Determining fluid composition from fluid properties


A field-effect transistor includes a gate electrode, a source electrode, a drain electrode, a semiconductor active layer, and a dielectric layer. The semiconductor active layer is connected to the source electrode and the drain electrode. The dielectric layer includes denatured albumen and is positioned between the gate electrode and the semiconductor active layer.

Currently, field-effect transistors are almost formed of semiconductor materials with single element, compound elements or organic compound elements. Other than those elements described above, biomaterials have been widely employed in field-effect transistors.
In one example, β-carotene has been reported as an active layer for a field-effect transistor. See Synth. Met. 2004, 146, 43. In another example, deoxyribonucleic acid-hexadecyltrimethylammonium chloride (DNA-CTMA) has been reported and used as a dielectric layer for a field-effect transistor. See J. Appl. Phys. 2006, 100, 024514, Appl. Phys. Lett. 2009, 95, 263304, and Appl. Phys. Lett. 2010, 96, 103307. In still another example, nucleobase has also been reported and used as a dielectric layer for a field-effect transistor. See Org. Electron. 2010, 11, 1974. In still another example, silk has been used as a dielectric layer or a substrate for a field-effect transistor. See Adv. Mater. 2011, 23, 1630 and Nat. Mater 2010, 9, 511. In still another example, poly(L-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) has also been used as a substrate for a field-effect transistor. See Adv. Mater 2010, 22, 651.
Biomaterials are essentially biodegradable, bio-absorbable, biocompatible, environment-friendly, and no chemical synthesization required. Biomaterials are easily acquired so that process of manufacturing the field-effect transistor is simplified and the production is inexpensive. Therefore, it is desirable to exploit more biomaterials in the field-effect transistor so as to reduce cost in the production of the field-effect transistor and to exhibit electric behavior equivalent to or better than that of any prior field-effect transistor.

Field-effect transistor with a dielectric layer having therein denatured albumen


Methods are presented of forming sub-lithographic patterns using double exposure. One method may include providing a photoresist layer over a layer to be patterned; exposing the photoresist layer using a first mask having a first opening; developing the photoresist layer to transfer the first opening into the photoresist layer, forming a boundary in the photoresist layer about the transferred first opening that is hardened; exposing the photoresist layer using a second mask having a second opening that overlaps the boundary; and developing the photoresist layer to transfer the second opening into the photoresist layer, leaving the boundary, wherein the boundary has a sub-lithographic dimension.

1. Technical Field
The disclosure relates generally to integrated circuit (IC) chip fabrication, and more particularly, to methods of forming sub-lithographic patterns.
2. Background Art
Double exposure methods are used during integrated circuit (IC) chip fabrication. The existing double exposure method requires two steps of resist coating process and two exposures. The double patterning method can achieve smaller pitch size, however, both overlay and critical dimension (CD) control are difficult.

Forming sub-lithographic patterns using double exposure

International Business Machines Corporation


The present invention provides method and apparatus for treating tissue in a region at depth by applying optical radiation thereto of a wavelength able to reach the depth of the region and of a selected relatively low power for a duration sufficient for the radiation to effect the desired treatment while concurrently cooling tissue above the selected region to protect such tissue. Treatment may be enhanced by applying mechanical, acoustic or electrical stimulation to the region.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to methods and apparatus for the photothermal treatment of tissue and, more particularly, to methods and apparatus for photothermal treatment of at least a selected region of tissue located starting at a depth at about the boundary zone of dermal and subdermal tissue and extending therebelow.
2. Description of the Related Art
The benefits of being able to raise and/or lower the temperature in a selected region of tissue for various therapeutic and cosmetic purposes has been known for some time. For instance, heated pads or plates or various forms of electromagnetic radiation, including microwave radiation, electricity, infrared radiation and ultrasound have previously been used for heating subdermal muscles, ligaments, bones and the like to, for example, increase blood flow, to otherwise promote the healing of various injuries and other damage, and for various therapeutic purposes, such as frostbite or hyperthermia treatment, treatment of poor blood circulation, physical therapy, stimulation of collagen, cellulite treatment, adrenergic stimulation, wound healing, psoriasis treatment, body reshaping, non-invasive wrinkle removal, etc. The heating of tissues has also been utilized as a potential treatment for removing cancers or other undesired growths, infections and the like. Heating may be applied over a small localized area, over a larger area, for example to the hands or feet, or over larger regions of tissue, including the entire body.
Since most of the techniques described above involve applying energy to tissue at depth through the patient's skin surface, peak temperature generally occurs at or near the patient's skin surface and decrease, sometimes significantly, with depth. Further, while microwaves or ultrasonic and other acoustic radiation have been used in the past for certain heating treatments at depth, as disclosed in, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,871,524 to Knowlton, U.S. Pat. No. 5,769,879 to Richards, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,507,790 to Weiss, or U.S. Pat. No. 5,143,063 to Fellner, since such radiation, particularly microwaves, are potentially mutagenic and can otherwise result in cell or systemic damage and, particularly for acoustic sources, are relatively expensive, and may not be practical for large-area treatment, these techniques have had limited use for the heating of tissues.
While optical and near infrared (NIR) radiation (collectively referred to hereinafter as "optical radiation" is generally both less expensive and, being non-mutagenic, safer than microwaves radiation, the use of optical radiation has heretofore not been considered suitable for most applications involving heating of tissue at depth, the term "tissue at depth" as used herein meaning tissue at the border zone of the dermis and hypodermis, some of which tissue may be in the lower dermis, mostly at a depth deeper than 1 mm, and tissue below this border zone to a depth of up to about 50 mm The reason why this radiation has not been considered suitable is because such radiation is both highly scattered and highly absorbed in surface layers of tissue, precluding significant portions of such radiation from reaching the tissue regions at depth to cause heating thereof. In view of the energy losses due to scattering and absorption, substantial optical (including NIR) energy must be applied in order for enough such energy to reach a region of tissues at depth to have a desired effect. However, such high energy can cause damage to the surface layers of tissue, making it difficult to achieve desired photothermal treatments in tissue regions at depth. For these reasons, optical radiation has heretofore had at most limited value for therapeutic and cosmetic treatments on tissue at depth.
Further, while heating of tissue at depth alone is useful for many treatments, there are treatments, for example to relieve pain and stiffness in muscles or joints, where heating in conjunction with massage or other mechanical stimulation, ultrasound or other acoustic stimulation or electrical stimulation of the tissue may also be useful.
Thus, a need exists for improved method and apparatus for photothermal treatment of tissue regions at depth, and in particular for treatment of subdermal regions of tissue, and for method and apparatus for combining heating with stimulation in such regions for various treatments.

Method and apparatus for photothermal treatment of tissue at depth


A magnetic recording medium having excellent durability and corrosion resistance as well as a magnetic recording device equipped with the magnetic recording medium is provided. The protective layer of the magnetic recording medium is composed of two layers, that is, a lower layer contacting with the magnetic layer and an upper layer on the lower layer. The internal stress of the lower layer is made smaller than that of the upper layer, and the surface free energy of the lower layer is made smaller than that of the upper layer.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a magnetic recording medium.
2. Description of the Related Art
A hard disk drive that is one of magnetic recording devices with floating of a record converting element (or a head) that is an information recording unit, is widely used as an external storing unit for computers and other various information terminals, in general.
Current magnetic disks employ, as a magnetic layer, a thin magnetic alloy layer made of a cobalt alloy indicating good magnetic properties on a hard nonmagnetic substrate. However, the magnetic alloy layer is significantly inferior in durability and corrosion resistance, and tends to cause degradation of magnetic properties and mechanical or chemical damage, owing to friction through contact with or sliding on a head, and corrosion generated by the wear and moisture adsorption. Accordingly, as matters now stand, a protective layer is laid over the surface of the magnetic alloy layer, and a lubricant layer made of a lubricant is laid on the protective layer so as to improve the durability and corrosion resistance.
As the protective layer, various materials such as SiO2 and Al2O3 are used. However, it is presently considered that a carbon-type protective layer comprising carbon such as an amorphous carbon is desirable as a protective layer for a magnetic recording medium as well as a head, in terms of thermal stability, corrosion resistance and wear resistance. Carbon-type protective layers deposited by the sputtering method and the CVD (Chemical Vapor Deposition) method are generally used.
In the current information-intensive society, the amount of information to be handled shows a tendency to increase in every application. Accordingly, further increase of recording density and storage volume is anxiously anticipated for magnetic recording discs. In order to meet the requirement for a higher recording density, it is indispensable to shorten the distance between the magnetic layer and the information recording/reading part of the head, that is, so-called magnetic spacing, and therefore, it is believed necessary to make thinner the protective layer itself.
Accordingly, there has been increasing a strong need for a protective layer that can secure a sufficient durability even if it is as extremely thin as 5 nm or less. In recent years, the Filtered Cathodic Arc method (the FCA method) has drawn great attention by which it is possible to form a protective layer having better durability than a conventional protective layer (see IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON MAGNETICS, H. Hyodo, et al., vol. 37. p. 1789-1791, July 2001).
An amorphous carbon can be prepared by the FCA method as follows. FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a FCA deposition system to perform the FCA method. In reference to FIG. 3, a carbon source such as graphite is used as a cathode 31. Arc discharging is caused between the cathode 31 and an anode 32 to generate carbon ions, electrons, carbon neural atoms and carbon macroparticles, from which the carbon neutral atoms and carbon macroparticles are removed by magnetic filters (filter coils 33 and 34) so that only the carbon ions and electrons are sent to a substrate 35. Thus, a DLC (diamond-like carbon) layer 36 is formed on the substrate. An ion gun 37 is used for doping with other elements.
With the FCA method, it is easy, based on the deposition principle, to increase the amount of sp3 bonding that is generally called diamond bonding, to 50% or more of the total amount. Accordingly, it is possible to realize a hardness and density similar to those of diamond in an amorphous form. However, a protective layer formed by the FCA method has a disadvantage that it is liable to be exfoliated from the magnetic layer to be protected, owing to its large internal stress.
It has been also found that though a protective layer formed by the FCA method has a high coating capability as a film, it is inferior in corrosion resistance to protective layers formed by the conventional methods, and the inferiority becomes more significant when it is thinner. It is considered that it is caused indirectly by the high internal stress that the FCA film has. That is, it is supposed that damage of the protective layer owing to the release of the stress occurs at an interface of the protective layer and a magnetic layer that has undergone corrosion, with the result that corrosion at the exfoliated surface of the protective layer is accelerated.
Furthermore, though a protective layer formed by the FCA method has a high coating capability as a film, there is a problem that corrosion of the magnetic layer occurs, caused by the moisture that has intruded into the magnetic layer through small defected parts such as pin holes, when the protective layer is as extremely thin as 5 nm or less. Such a problem cannot be ignored.
Because of the present status as described above, it is difficult to readily apply an amorphous carbon protective layer formed by the FCA method from the viewpoint of a protective layer for the magnetic recording medium, though it is surely excellent in mechanical strength.
It is an object of the present invention to solve these problems, and to provide a magnetic recording medium having excellent durability and corrosion resistance as well as a magnetic recording device equipped with the magnetic recording medium. Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be clarified through the following explanation.

Magnetic recording medium and magnetic recording device


A self-locking clip may include a first member configured to attach to an item, the first member having a tongue arranged adjacent the item when the first member is attached to the item, the tongue configured to allow an article to be received between the tongue and the item when the first member is attached to the item; a second member pivotally attached to the first member, the second member having at least one engagement surface for engaging the article, when the first member is attached to the item and the article is received between the tongue and the item; and a bias member arranged to bias the second member to pivot in a direction to urge the at least one engagement surface toward the article to engage the article, when the first member is attached to the item and the article is received between the tongue and the item.

1. Field of the Invention
Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to clip members, and, in specific embodiments, to self-engaging clip members.
2. Related Art
There are many different organizational and attachment systems, including clips, for carrying and securing various items such as personal equipment, mobile devices, and accessories to a user or an article associated with the user, such as a pants pocket, belt, purse, jacket, and/or the like. However, most clips designed for attaching items such as personal equipment, mobile devices, and accessories hold onto the user or article with tension and friction.
Some clips lock to a user or an article. These clips may include a strong spring that allows the clips to lock to the article. However, these clips can be more complicated and expensive to build. In addition, the holding force of the clip is only as strong as that of its spring. Accordingly, the spring cannot be too strong or the user will not be able to press and/or depress the spring. Likewise, if the spring is not strong enough, the clip cannot be properly secured to the article. Furthermore, these locking clips can require the user to depress the spring (and overcome the force of the spring) to move the clip to an unlocked position in order to insert or engage (or otherwise lock) the clip to the attached article. Moreover, over time the pressure from a strong spring-loaded locking clip can damage the material or article (e.g., pants or jacket pocket, gear bag, nylon strap, vest, purse, belt, boot, and/or the like) to which it is clipped.


Monoclonal antibodies which bind (E)-5-(2-bromovinyl)-arabinofuranosyluracil and/or immunologically related compounds, hybrid cell lines which produce these monoclonal antibodies, and immunoassay methods for detecting (E)-5-(2-bromovinyl)-arabinofuranosyluracil and/or immunologically related compounds using these monoclonal antibodies.

The fusion of mouse myeloma cells to spleen cells derived from immunized mice by Kohler and Milstein in 1975 [Nature 256, 495-497 (1975)] demonstrated, for the first time, that it was possible to obtain continuous cell lines making homogeneous (so-called "monoclonal") antibodies. Since this seminal work, much effort has been directed to the production of various hybrid cell lines (also called "hybridomas") and to the use of the antibodies made by these hybridomas for various scientific investigations. While the general technique for the preparation of hybridomas and monoclonal antibodies is well-known, there are many difficulties met and variations required for each specific case. In fact, there is no assurance, prior to attempting to prepare a given hybridoma, that the desired hybridoma will be obtained, that it will produce antibody if obtained, or that the antibody so produced will have the desired specificity.
The present invention concerns monoclonal antibodies which bind (E)-5-(2-bromovinyl)-arabinofuranosyluracil and/or immunologically related compounds, hybrid cell lines which produce these monoclonal antibodies and immunoassay methods for detecting (E)-5-(2-bromovinyl)-arabinofuranosyluracil and/or immunologically related compounds using these monoclonal antibodies.

Monoclonal antibodies which bind (E)-5- (2-bromovinyl)-arabinofuranosyluracil and diagnostic methods based thereon


An epidural anesthesia kit preferably includes a skin-preparation package that is readily accessible before having to unfold a packaging towel, a plurality of pre-filled syringes, and a cup having a removeable lid for quick access to saline or other injectable fluid. Methods of manufacturing such kits and using them are also provided.

The present invention relates to administering anesthesia to patients and more particularly to an improved epidural anesthesia kit and method.
Epidural anesthesia is a common neuraxial analgesia for labor and other procedures. In delivering epidural anesthesia, the healthcare provider desires safely and efficiently to provide the anesthesia to the patient. This form of anesthesia is most frequently used with women who are in labor, but a number of other uses exist as well.
The use of epidural anesthesia is well established and various approaches have been documented. See generally, Samuel Hughes, Gershon Levinson, and Mark Rosen, eds., Shnider and Levinson""s Anesthesia for Obstetrics (Philadelphia: Lippincott, Williams and Wilkins, 2002) and Mark Norris, ed., Obstetric Anesthesia (Philadelphia: Lippincott, Williams and Wilkins, 1999). The technique suggested in Shnider and Levinson""s text involves the steps that follow.
After a number of preliminary steps are taken, the patient is positioned, the back of the patient is washed with an appropriate antiseptic solution, and the lumbar area is draped. The lumbar spinous processes are palpated and the widest interspace is selected below L3. An epidural needle is then used to locate the epidural space using a midline approach or lateral or paramedian approach. Typically the loss-of-resistance technique is used with a saline-filled or air-filled syringe to identify the likely location of the epidural needle during placement. Once the needle is placed, one aspirates for blood or cerebrospinal fluid. The catheter is then placed through the needle. A free saline or dilute local anesthetic may be used to facilitate the passage of the catheter.
After the catheter is inserted, the needle is removed and a test dose is usually administered; the text describes it this way: xe2x80x9cUse of a 3-mL test dose of a local anesthetic containing epinephrine 1:200,000 (5 xcexcgxc2x7mLxe2x88x921) is most common. Observe for heart rate increase within 60 sec. or evidence of spinal blockade within 3-5 min. If test dose is negative, administer additional drug in divided doses as required to obtain desired pain relief.xe2x80x9d After this, certain follow-up steps are suggested.
Numerous kits are available for administering epidural anesthesia. One of the many possible examples is the Baxter(copyright) Continuous Epidural Anesthesia tray (Model 1T2673). This kit contains a plastic tray container that is sealed with a top sheet that can be removed. Once it is removed all the items inside the tray are resting upon a large towel blanket that is folded around the contents, i.e., the contents are wrapped in the towel. When the towel (or blanket) is opened one finds another towel to be used and a drape. Once those are removed there is a first subtray that contains three gauze sponges and a package of a skin preparation solution (Providone iodine solution USP, 10% Providone iodine, Titratable iodine 1%). Under that subtray there is another subtray or procedural tray that contains the following items: A glass vial with 1.5% Lidocaine Hydrochloride injection, and Epinephrine 1:200,000, 5 mL (for test dose); 1% lidocaine Hydrochloride injection, USP 5 mL; 0.9% Sodium Chloride injection, USP, 10 mL; mixing cups; syringe, 3 cc with needle, 18 ga.xc3x973.8 cm; needle, 25 ga.xc3x972.5 cm; needle, 22 ga.xc3x973.8 cm; needle, filter aspirating, 19 ga.xc3x973.8 cm; procedure filter, 0.22 microns; sharp""s stickpad, a catheter connector; a catheter support pad; a syringe, 20 cc; syringe tip and catheter connector; protectors; fenestrated drape; and an epidural caution label.
In using a kit like this one, the top level of the package is first opened and the towel that surrounds everything is unfolded to reveal the contents. The skin-preparation subtray is removed and set out. The skin preparation solution is opened and poured into a compartment of the skin-prep subtray, and then the gauze sponges are dipped and used to prepare the skin. The skin-preparation solution must typically be placed on the skin a certain period of time before other steps can be taken in the procedure. With respect to preparing other implements, the healthcare provider breaks the vial containing the local anesthetic, i.e., the tip of it is literally broken off by hand. Thisxe2x80x94as with the breaking of other glass vialsxe2x80x94can lead to the healthcare provider cutting himself or herself on the glass. The local anesthetic can be loaded into a syringe using a filter needle to address concerns about any glass being in the anesthetic. Then the filter needle is replaced by a hypodermic needle, and then the patient""s skin can be punctured and the local anesthetic delivered.
Assuming a loss-of-resistance technique is being used with saline, the vial containing saline (sodium chloride) must be broken off and then the saline is placed in the epidural syringe. Then the epidural needle (Tuohy, Crawford, etc.) is attached. The needle is placed in the epidural space. A test does may be given to help confirm placement of the needle. To administer the test dose, a glass vial with the test dose is broken, filtered, and loaded into a syringe and administered. Once the test satisfies the healthcare provider that the needle is properly placed, a catheter may be placed and an initial loading dose can be administered. The epidural catheter may be placed through the epidural needle and put into the proper location and then the epidural needle removed. If a continuous epidural anesthesia is to be applied, the catheter is then attached to the appropriate equipment. With all the preparations and steps, this can be a lengthy process.
In anesthesia kits in general, the skin preparation components are typically in a tray as discussed above. One recent kit secures the skin preparation package by placing it in an interior fold of an outer towel. In this kit, AGB""s ARROWgard Blue plus(trademark) Multi-Lumen CVC Super Kit (AK-45703-SK) by Arrow International of Reading, Pa., a 1-step applicator (CHLORAPREP(copyright)) is found inside a first or second fold of the exterior towel. When accessing the 1-step applicator, the healthcare provider opens the package and has to unfold the external towel at least partially to access the skin preparation unit, and then with one or two more folds the remainder of the kit is accessed as well.
Improvements remain desirablexe2x80x94especially for epidural blocks. Particularly of interest are improvements in the safety of the procedure and kits as well as any timesaving devices or steps.
Therefore, a need has arisen for an improved epidural anesthesia kit and method that address shortcomings of previous epidural processes and kits.
According to an aspect of the present invention, an epidural kit for quickly administering epidural anesthesia to a patient includes a packaging towel; a skin preparation package that is ready to be opened and used to prepare a patient""s skin for penetration by needles before having to further open the kit; a first syringe pre-filled with a local anesthetic; an epidural needle for locating an epidural space of a patient; a catheter for positioning in the epidural space of a patient through the epidural needle; a second syringe pre-filled with a test fluid; a preloaded cup having a removable lid and filled with a saline solution; a tray for holding and removeably securing the first and second syringes, epidural needle, and saline cup; and a package for enclosing the tray in a sterile environment.
According to another aspect of the present invention, an anesthesia kit includes an outer tray; a packaging towel disposed within an interior portion of the outer tray; a plurality of syringes disposed within the outer tray and on the interior of the packaging towel; and a skin-preparation package located on the exterior of the packaging towel to provide for access to the skin-preparation package without requiring access to the interior of the packaging towel.
According to another aspect of the present invention, an anesthesia kit includes an outer tray; a packaging towel disposed within an interior portion of the outer tray; a skin preparation package secured relative to the outer tray; and a plurality of syringes pre-filled with an injectable fluid and disposed within the outer tray and on an interior of the packaging towel.
According to another aspect of the present invention, an anesthesia kit includes an outer tray; a packaging towel disposed within an interior portion of the outer tray; a cup having a removeable, sealed lid and containing an injectable fluid; and a plurality of syringes disposed within the outer tray and on the interior of the packaging towel.
According to another aspect of the present invention, a method of manufacturing an epidural anesthesia kit includes the steps of providing an outer tray; providing an inner-tray having compartments for holding objects secure; filling a local anesthetic syringe; filling a test-dose syringe; placing the local and test-dose syringes into the inner-tray; filling a cup with saline and sealing it with a removeable lid; placing the saline cup in the inner tray; placing an epidural syringe, catheter, and epidural needle on the inner tray; placing the inner-tray on a packaging towel; placing the packaging towel in the outer tray; folding the packaging towel about the inner tray; sealing the top portion of the outer tray with a top-sealing sheet; and removeably securing a skin-preparation package to an outer portion of the packaging towel or an outer portion of the top sheet so that the skin-preparation package may be accessed without requiring the packaging towel to be unfolded.
According to another aspect of the present invention, a method of administering an epidural block using an epidural kit includes opening the anesthesia kit and accessing a skin-preparation package before unpackaging the remainder of the kit, using a plurality of pre-loaded syringes, and using a pre-filled saline cup.
The present invention provides advantages, and a few examples follow. An advantage of the present invention is that it allows for faster implementation of epidural anesthesiaxe2x80x94something both the patient and healthcare provider want. Another advantage is that the present kit and method enhance safety by removing any risk of injury to the healthcare provider""s hands due to broken glass vials as well as any risk of glass shards remaining in any of the liquids administered to the patient.


A system is disclosed for providing low data rate broadcast services. Different types of broadcast packets are detected among data packets received an external network. The different types broadcast packets contain different a different broadcast content. When a particular type of broadcast packet is detected, a transmit data rate is selected and Walsh codes are assigned for achieving the transmit data rate. Data packets corresponding to the broadcast packets are compressed, and at least one RLC block containing the compressed data packets is created. The RLC blocks are transmitted from a satellite using the assigned Walsh codes.

Consumer mobile devices are increasingly being used for a variety of functions in addition to conventional voice communication. For example, consumers often use mobile phones and other handheld devices to access audio and video content for personal enjoyment. These mobile devices typically access audio and video content using applications which utilize data connection networks. For example, devices such as mobile phones can access cellular data networks, satellite data networks, or available wi-fi networks in order to establish a data connection to services providing video and/or audio content.
Certain types of content only transmission from a service provider with little, or no, interactive communication with user devices. Such content can include, for example, traffic, weather, emergency warnings, etc. that can be simultaneously broadcast to multiple users. While such content can be easily provided to consumers using cellular networks, various complications can be encountered when satellite networks are used. For example, such content can sometimes require bidirectional communication to authenticate users subscribing to the service. Bandwidth limitations in the satellite network can also restrict services that may utilize excessive airtime or require bidirectional communication. It can also be difficult to allocate permanent satellite bandwidth for such services.
Based on the foregoing, there is a need for an approach for providing broadcast services directly to mobile devices using low earth orbit (LEO) satellites without the need bidirectional communication with the terminal.

Low data rate broadcast using low earth orbit (LEO) satellites


A display hand for a portable object including an indication by the display hand, inside which is housed a rechargeable electrical energy source. The display hand includes at least one solar cell, the electrical energy source being connected to the display hand to be recharged.

In a known manner, timepieces are equipped with a dial formed of a solar cell comprising a substrate, at least one plurality of superposed layers defining at least one n-i-p or p-i-n element and a conductive layer forming a first electrode intended to be exposed to light radiation in order to power a horometrical circuit or an electrical circuit of a timepiece, such as a watch.
Patent No EP 0872783 discloses a dial formed of a solar cell for a timepiece. Such a dial is of questionable aesthetic appearance and its electrical performance is average. Indeed, a dial formed of a solar cell must be translucent, so that the cell is less visible and cannot receive any type of finish or specific colours.

Solar hand for a portable object such as a watch or a measuring instrument

The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd


A method and apparatus for surface measurement using the shadow moire effect with the Talbot effect. The apparatus includes a specimen mount to receive a specimen having a surface to be measured, and a reference grating mounted adjacent to the specimen mount so as to be substantially parallel to a mean surface plane of the specimen. The reference grating is mounted in such a manner that the distance between the reference grating and the mean surface plane of the specimen can be adjusted to a Talbot distance xcex4T. The apparatus also includes a light source to illuminate the specimen through the grating and a detector positioned to detect the moire fringes produced by the grating due to variation of the surface of the specimen.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to surface measurement, and more particularly relates to surface measurement using a shadow moire technique with the Talbot effect.
2. Brief Description of the Prior Art
Surface measurement is required in the field of electronic device fabrication including, for example, fabrication of semiconductor devices. At the present time, wafers for fabricating such devices are slice either by an inner diameter saw or a wiresaw, followed by a series of lapping and polishing processes. A measuring device is necessary for measuring the flatness of the surface of the wafers after each manufacturing step. At the present time, such measurements are typically performed using a pair of capacitive probes to sample points on the surface of a rotating wafer.
In the method currently practiced, wafers are handled with a vacuum gripper to hold the wafer at the center and to spin it at high speed while the traversing capacitive probes are used to measure the thickness and surface properties of the wafers. There are a number of disadvantages associated with the current method. In order to obtain accurate measurements, numerous sampling points on the surface are needed, thus increasing the time required for inspection of wafers during production. Further, current techniques may distort the wafer which is being measured during the measurement process. Such distortions are introduced by the stress applied by the vacuum gripper, and also due to dynamic stresses caused by the high angular velocities used when spinning the wafer in order to traverse the capacitive probes.
In view of the foregoing deficiencies with current surface measurement techniques for electronic wafers, it would be desirable to develop an apparatus and method for surface measurement which can rapidly and accurately measure the surface characteristics of an entire wafer at once, without the need for multiple sampling points. Furthermore, it would be desirable if the measurement process did not introduce errors due to vacuum gripping or rotation Yet further, it would be desirable if the process could be automated, using, for example, a computer.
The present invention, which addresses the shortcomings of current systems, provides a method for surface measurement. The method includes the step of providing a specimen having a surface to be measured. A mean surface plane can be defined for the surface. The method further includes the step of supporting a reference diffraction grating at a distance xcex4T from the mean surface plane of the specimen and substantially parallel to the mean surface plane. The distance xcex4T is referred to as the Talbot distance. The reference diffraction grating has a characteristic pitch.
Further steps in the method include causing a beam of light to be directed through the reference grating onto the surface to be measured and then detecting moire fringes produced by the reference grating and the shadow of the reference grating on the surface (which forms an effective specimen grating) when there are irregularities on the specimen surface. In the step of causing the beam of light to be directed through the reference grating, the beam of light, which has a wavelength xcex, casts a reference grating shadow onto the surface which is to be measured. The reference grating shadow forms the effective specimen grating. In the step of detecting the moire fringes, the moire fringes produced by the reference grating and the effective specimen grating can be used to compute the variation in depth of the surface to be measured and are indicative of a condition of the surface to be measured. The orders of the fringes are implicitly detected with the fringes themselves.
The specimen which is to be measured would most typically be a substrate wafer used in microelectronic fabrication, such as for silicon or other semiconductor devices. The beam of light which is provided can be a coherent beam of light, such as that from a laser beam, and the detection of the moire fringes can be accomplished with a camera or video capturing device. The method can be automated by, for example, digitizing the position and order of the moire fringes and entering the position and order into a computer which then calculates the surface depth and compensates for any misalignment between the reference grating and the specimen. The spacing (Talbot distance xcex4Ts) can be adjusted, if desired, automatically, to measure different ranges of surface depths and variations.
An apparatus according to the present invention includes a specimen mount which is adapted to receive a specimen having a surface to be measured. Again, a mean surface plane can be defined for the surface. The apparatus also includes a reference grating which is mounted adjacent to the specimen mount and which is positioned to be substantially parallel to the mean surface plane of the specimen when the specimen is received in the specimen mount. The reference grating is movable with respect to the specimen mount so as to vary the Talbot distance xcex4T between the reference grating and the mean surface plane of the specimen. As before, the reference grating has a characteristic pitch.
The apparatus also includes a light source which is mounted so as to direct a beam of light having a given wavelength through the reference grating onto the surface to be measured when the specimen is received in the specimen mount. The beam of light casts a reference grating shadow onto the surface to be measured. The reference grating shadow forms an effective specimen grating on the surface of the specimen.
The apparatus according to the present invention also includes a detector which is positioned to detect moire fringes produced by the reference grating and the effective specimen grating due to variations in depth of the surface to be measured. For both the method, and apparatus of the present invention, the Talbot distance xcex4T is given by the formula:
xcex4T=n(2p2/xcex),
where: n=1, 2, . . . is a positive integer,
p=pitch of the reference grating, and
xcex=wavelength of the light.
As for the method, the light source (preferably a point light source) can be a coherent light source such as a laser and the detector can be a camera. In one embodiment, the camera is located at a distance L from the reference grating and at a distance D from the point light source, such that a line passing between the camera and the point light source is substantially parallel to the reference grating. The light source provides the coherent beam of light at a projection angle xcex1 with respect to the normal to the grating, while the camera is positioned to detect the moire fringes at a receiving angle xcex2 with respect to the normal to the grating at a location with a depth of w. The apparatus can also include a digitizer/detector for digitizing the position and order of the moire fringes and a computer for performing various calculations and compensations. The computer can also be used to control movement of the reference grating in order to adjust the Talbot distance.
The present invention thus provides an apparatus and method for surface measurement which overcomes the disadvantages of prior systems and methods. In particular, the present method and apparatus permit fast and concurrent measurement of a surface, without any dynamic effects or mounting distortion, over the full-field (i.e., whole surface of the wafer), can be automated, and can be applied to other types of surface measurements as well. Enhancement of the shadow moire technique via the Talbot effect permits measurement of very fine surface features typically encountered with substrate wafers for electronic devices.

Shadow moire surface measurement using Talbot effect

The Research Foundation of State University of New York


Methods and apparatus for controllably suppressing, at a network management system, SNMP event trap messages received from network nodes in a communications network are presented. The rate at which the traps are received from the network nodes is monitored and if the rate exceeds a threshold all subsequent traps received over a set time interval are not processed. The rate is calculated by counting received event traps over a time interval which is either preset or programmed. After the set time interval has passed all newly received traps are monitored. Information regarding traps received during the set time interval may be logged. Additionally, nodes from which excessive traps are received and indicating an event such as a Denial of Service (DoS) attack, are identified so that remedial action can be taken.

The simple network management protocol (SNMP) is based on a manager/agent model in which the agent requires minimal software. The SNMP, developed in 1988 has become the de facto standard for internetwork management. Because it represents a simple solution which requires little code to implement numerous vendors have been able to build SNMP agents to their products. Generally, SNMP is extensible thereby allowing vendors to easily add network management functions to their existing products. SNMP also separates the management function from the architecture of the hardware devices which broadens the base of multi vendor support.
Most of the processing power and data storage involved in the SNMP protocol resides on the management system while a complementary subset of those functions reside in the managed system. To achieve its goal of being simple SNMP includes a limited set of manual commands and responses. The management system issues get, get next and set messages to retrieve single or multiple object variables or to establish the value of a single variable. The managed agent sends a response message to complete the get, get next or set message. The managed element sends an event notification called a trap to the management system to identify the occurrence of conditions such as thresholds that exceed a predetermined value. In short there are five primitive operations namely get, get next, get response, set and trap.
Traps are asynchronous messages that notify SNMP managers of significant events that have occurred at the agent or node. Traps are sent unsolicitedly to the SNMP managers that are configured to receive them.
It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that event traps can identify potential problems with network nodes particularly if the management system receives a large number of traps from a particular node. It will also be apparent to one skilled in the art that such traps can be used by a malicious attacker to interrupt services provided by the network management system.
The CERT® Coordination Center has issued warning on potential flaws in the SNMP protocol, among others, that can be exploited for malicious attacks. A solution proposed by CERT to defend against such attacks involves identifying the offending node (i.e. the generator of the excessive SNMP event traps) and disabling SNMP on that node, if possible. Unfortunately, this is not an option for an NMS because it would no longer be able to manage that node, and this would be unacceptable to the network provider.
Another significant industry source of SNMP services addresses this problem by correlating certain types of traps so that the dissemination of duplicate traps of these types can be prevented. This technique is applied to certain standard types of traps, e.g. link up/down traps, etc. Unfortunately, this approach is limited because it doesn't address non-standard traps, e.g. unknown event traps, which cause an NMS to exhaust significant resources to analyze them.
Therefore, an improved technique for an NMS to respond to excessive SNMP event traps would be desirable. The problems with prior art solutions are, as discussed above, the CERT solution disables SNMP on the offending node which is not acceptable for a NMS while the second solution is limited to certain standard types of traps, and does not address non-standard traps such as unknown event traps, which can be particularly processing intensive to analyze.
There therefore is a need to solve the above mentioned issues.


An inhalation apparatus for medicinal use which will deliver aerosolized medication to the patient that comprises up to about 80% of the medication aerosolized in essentially the same particle size distribution of the aerosol mist that originates from the nebulizer which produces the mist. The apparatus also provides delivered dose consistency over a wide range of patient breathing parameters.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to inhalation devices. More particularly, the invention concerns an improved aerosol inhalation apparatus for medicinal use that delivers a mist of properly sized aerosol particles of medicament to the patient with a very high-level of efficiency.
2. Discussion of the Prior Art
Therapeutic aerosols are commonly administered to patients suffering from numerous types of pulmonary diseases. Specific medications include beta.sub.2 agonizes, anticholinergies, cromolyn sodium, and steroids. More recently the aerosol method of delivery has been used to administer Pentamidine to patients afflicted with AIDS, Tobramycin for cystic fibrosis, Morphine for pain, and is presently under consideration as a delivery means for use in drug delivery using gene therapy. Experience has shown that the use of aerosols to treat lung disease is highly advantageous in that it produces optimal therapy with minimum side effects.
Both physical and clinical factors affect aerosol deposition in the lungs. Physical factors include inertial impaction, sedimentation, and diffusion. Clinical factors include particle size, ventilatory pattern and lung function. Aerosols larger than 5 micron mass median aerodynamic diameter (MMAD) poorly penetrate the upper respiratory tract. Those in the 1 to 2 micron range tend to have their maximum deposition in the lung parenchyma.
In general the devices used for producing medical aerosols fall into two categories; the small volume nebulizer (SVN), and the metered dose inhaler (MDI). The small volume nebulizer (SVN) has traditionally been the apparatus of choice for delivery of therapeutic aerosols. The delivery apparatus typically consists of a disposable or reusable nebulizer, a mouthpiece or facemask, and a pressurized gas source usually oxygen or air. The metered dose inhaler (MDI), on the other hand, typically contains the active drug, a metering valve, and chlorofluorcarbon (CFC) or hydrofluoroalkanes (HFA) propellants. The drug-containing canister of the device is generally fitted to a mouthpiece actuator and activation by compression of the canister into the mouthpiece results in the release of a unit dose of medication.
As stated in current literature (Respiratory Care, Vol. 38, No. 38, August 93, and Advance for Respiratory Care Practitioners, Aug. 9, 1993, pages 8-10) the most limiting factor in the use of aerosolized medication is the inefficient mist production by current commercial nebulizer systems, whether they are of the small volume nebulizer (SVN) or metered dose inhaler (MDI) variety. Research has shown that most state-of-the-art commercial units deliver less than 10% of the original dose of medication to the patient's respiratory tract. (Respiratory Care, Vol. 38, #8, August 1993, Page 877, and AARC Times, June 1993, Page 48.) The apparatus of the present invention provides a very substantial improvement over all existing prior art aerosol devices by increasing the efficiency of delivery of medication to the patient by a factor of 2 to 3 times that exhibited by currently available prior art nebulizer devices. As a further substantial benefit, the apparatus of the present invention functions in a manner to assure that the medicament particles delivered to the patient will be of optimum size for drug delivery to any or all areas of the lung where it can most effectively be utilized.
A highly successful general purpose aerosol inhalation apparatus for use in respiratory therapy procedures in the field of medicine is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,727,542 issued to the present inventor. The apparatus described in this patent converts liquid medication into an aerosol mist and provides for delivery of this mist with such high efficiency that up to 40% of the original dose of medication placed in the nebulizer can be delivered to the patient's lungs. The present invention comprises an improvement to the apparatus disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,727,542 and provides for delivery of the aerosol mist to the patient at substantially equal efficiency. The present invention can also deliver drugs at these high efficiencies to patients on ventilators, where the device disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,727,542 cannot.


A high density substrate plate DRAM cell memory device and process are described in which a buried well region is formed adjacent to deep trench capacitors such that the substrate region of DRAM transfer FETs can be electrically isolated from other FETs on a semiconductor substrate. The buried region is partially formed by ion implantation and diffusion to intersect the walls of the deep trenches.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to semiconductor memory devices and particularly to high density dynamic random access memory cells and methods for their manufacture in sub-micron technologies.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Designers of technologies for producing semi-conductor devices have been continually pressured to increase effective device densities in order to remain cost and performance competitive. As a result, VLSI and ULSI technologies have entered the sub-micron realm of structural dimensions and now are designing technologies in the deep submicron feature size range. In the foreseeable future absolute atomic physical limits will be reached in conventional two-dimensional design approach to semiconductor device design. Traditionally, Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM) designers have met the severest of challenges in advancing technologies by pushing the limits of feature size resolution with each generation of DRAM. For example, designers of 64 K bit DRAMs were perplexed to learn that a practical physical limit to charge capacity of storage capacitors for planar cell layouts had already been reached due to the minimum charge capacity required to allow reliable data signal sensing in the presence of naturally occurring atomic particle radiation inherently present in fabrication materials and the operating environment. Storage capacitors in the range of about 50 femtofarads were considered to be a physical limit. From a practical view, this limitation prevented a continuation of the scaling of DRAM dimensions and voltages initiated in the early 1980s. Reduction in the surface area of semiconductor substrate utilized by the DRAM storage capacitor has been severely restricted. Due to deceases in the thickness of reliable capacitor dielectric materials, existing 1 Megabit (1 Mb) DRAM technologies continue to enjoy the freedom of planar, two-dimensional device and circuit design. Beginning with 4 Mb DRAMs, the world of three-dimensional design has been utilized to the extent that the simple single device/capacitor memory cell has been altered to provide the capacitor in a vertical dimension. In such designs, the capacitor has been formed in a trench formed in the surface of the semiconductor substrate. In yet denser designs, other forms of three-dimensional capacitors have been proposed, such as stacking the plates of the capacitor above the transfer device. Such designs, however, present difficulties in forming the interconnections to the required word access and data bit lines to the DRAM memory cell. Additional designs have been proposed in which the transfer device and its associated capacitor are both formed within a trench of preferably minimum feature size. Currently, insurmountable processing difficulties make such designs impractical for product manufacturing processes.
A large number of proposals for 16 Mb and greater density DRAM cell designs have avoided continuing development of trench cell technology because of the existence of charge leakage mechanisms known to be present in trench capacitor structures. As these leakage mechanisms have become known, extensions of trench DRAM cells designs have been used successfully in 16 Mb designs.
The following references describe various aspects of prior art techniques used in DRAM and other semiconductor technologies.
The article "Trench and Compact Structures for DRAMs" by P. Chatterjee et al., International Electron Devices Meeting 1986, Technical Digest paper 6.1, pp. 128-131, describes variations in trench cell designs through 16 Mb-DRAM designs, including the Substrate Plate Trench (SPT) cell described in more detail in U.S. Pat. No. 4,688,063 issued Aug. 18, 1987 to Lu et al. and assigned to the assignee of the instant invention. The SPT cell uses a highly conductive substrate as the DRAM cell plate. The storage node of each cell is formed in a deep trench in the substrate. U.S. Pat. No. 4,801,988 issued Jan. 31, 1989 to Kenney and assigned to the assignee of the instant invention, describes an improved SPT cell which includes a thick isolation region formed within the trench to enable higher density packing of DRAM cells. The article "CMOS Semiconductor Memory Structural Modification to Allow Increased Memory Charge" anonymous, IBM Technical Disclosure Bulletin, Vol. 31, No. 11, April 1989, pp. 162-5, teaches a method of isolating the substrate plate of an SPT cell from support devices by providing a buried region under support devices in order to allow the plate reference voltage to be separately biased at an optimum Vdd/2 volts.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,912,054 issued Mar. 27, 1990 to Tomassetti describes methods of isolating bipolar-CMOS circuit devices through the use of various epitaxial layers as commonly found in bipolar device technologies. The article "A 45-ns 16-Mbit DRAM with Triple-Well Structure" by S. Fujii et al., IEEE Journal of Solid-State Circuits, Vol. 24, No. 5, October 1989, pp. 1170-1175, describes techniques for isolating various different functional device types in which the entire array of trench DRAM cells is formed within a surface implanted P-well.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,829,017 issued May 9, 1989 to Malhi describes a method of forming a buried doped layer in a substrate by forming a shallow trench, protecting its sidewalls, further extending the trench and finally doping the walls of the extended trench to form a continuous doped region useful as the storage node of a trench DRAM.
The article "New Well Structure for Deep Sub-micron CMOS/BiCMOS Using Thin Epitaxy over Buried Layer and Trench Isolation" by Y. Okazaki et al., 1990 Symposium on VLSI Technology, Digest of Technical Papers, paper 6C-4, pp. 83-4, describes the use of buried epitaxial layers to isolate surface devices from the substrate.
The following references relate specifically to variations in SPT DRAM cells in which a buried region of opposite conductivity type from the substrate is used a one plate of the DRAM storage capacitor. U.S. Pat. No. 4,918,502 issued Apr. 17, 1990 to Kaga et al. describes a buried plate trench DRAM cell in which the storage node of the cell and a sheath plate are formed in a single trench. At the bottom of the trench a diffusion of opposite type from the substrate is formed such that the diffusions of adjacent cells interconnect forming a grid-like structure. One or more trenches not associated with a DRAM cell is formed to act as a reach through to enable the doped region to be biased at a suitable reference voltage. FIG. 12, thereof, clearly illustrates the grid-like aspect of the buried region. European published application 0 283 964, published Sep. 28, 1988 describes a buried plate SPT DRAM cell in which an out-diffused region from the DRAM trenches, similar to that in Kaga et al., in which the diffused region forms the plate of the SPT cell. As in Kaga et al. a grid-like region is formed and is contacted by a non-cell trench. U.S. Pat. No. 4,873,560 issued Oct. 10, 1989 to Sunami et al, describes yet another buried plate SPT cell in which the access transistor is formed in the cell trench. FIG. 30, thereof, and its related text, describes the importance of maintaining the grid-like structure of the buried region in order to enable proper operation of the cell transfer device. Sunami et al, further cautions that in the event that opening in the grid-like buried region should be "filled by the depletion layer" isolating the surface devices from the substrate a separate connection can be made to the "isolated" surface region in order to bias it to the same potential as the substrate. UK Patent Application GB 2 215 913 A, published Sep. 27, 1989 describes yet another variation in the buried SPT DRAM cell design in which the dopant for the buried region is provided by ion implantation into the sidewalls of the deep trench of the DRAM cell. Finally, U.S. Pat. No. 4,794,434 issued Dec. 27, 1988 to Pelley, describes a buried plate SPT DRAM cell formed using bipolar device processing methods in which the buried plate region is formed from a buried sub-collector structure normally part of a bipolar transistor.
While the above cited references illustrate the diverse and concentrated efforts made by DRAM designers in attempting to overcome the inherent barriers in continuing to reduce the size, and increase the density, of DRAM cells, none provide the capability to carry DRAM technology into the sub-0.5 micron feature size range, a feat which must be achieved in order to continue the two decade "tradition" of providing ever increasing density of DRAM technology. DRAM designers have turned to the process-complicating use of "stacked capacitor" DRAM cells knowing that the addition of processing steps decreases the manufacturability of a specific design.
Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a schematic cross-sectional view of the basic Substrate Plate Trench (SPT) DRAM cell described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,688,063 to Lu et al. entitled "Dynamic RAM Cell with MOS Trench Capacitor in CMOS". A P+ type semiconductor substrate 10 is provided with a lightly doped epitaxial surface layer 11 in which is provided N-type retrograde implanted well 12 formed at its upper surface in which the transfer device 14 is formed. A control gate electrode 16 is responsive to signals from word line circuitry to couple data signals applied to the bit or data line diffused region 18 to the diffused storage node region 20. A deep trench 22 is provided in which a storage capacitor is formed. A polysilicon storage node plate 24 is formed in the trench and isolated from the substrate 10 by a thin storage node dielectric, not shown. A conductive strap 26 connects the diffused node 20 to the plate 24.
Manufacturing experience has shown that the SPT DRAM cell described is not suitable for extension To greater than 16 Mbit applications due in part to the performance limitations of P-array transfer devices and the existence of a parasitic device formed by the diffused storage node 20, the polysilicon plate 24 and the substrate 10. Simple conversion to N-type transfer devices is not practical and reduction of electrical stress on the capacitor dielectric by using Vdd/2 reference node biasing is not possible. The subject invention addresses the unsolved problems of the prior art by providing a solution to barriers presented in extending the manufacturability of the simple SPT cell to 64 Mb DRAM and beyond.

Method of forming double well substrate plate trench DRAM cell array

International Business Machines Corporation


The present invention comprises a key identification cover having universal adaptability to all manner of conventional keys. More specifically, the key cover of the present invention includes two substantially planar panels linked at their periphery by a hinge means having an aperture therethrough for receiving a key shank, and fastening means for securing the panels together at their periphery as they lie against a key head. Identifier means for identifying the lock for which the covered key is intended are associated with at least one of the panels, and may comprise labels or other markings. The key cover, or at least a portion of the panel carrying the identifier means, is substantially transparent so as to permit the placement of the identifier means in a protected position while enabling the user to view it.

The present invention relates to a key cover, and more particularly to an easily applied key cover including means for identifying the lock which the covered key is intended to fit.
Since the commencement of the use of locks, key identification as to which lock a key is intended to fit has posed a problem. The advent of modern locks and locking systems which employ flat metal keys each having a head (also called a bow or tab) and a shank (also called a bit or shaft), has permitted the easy carrying of a large number of keys on a key ring or chain or in a key case, but the proliferation of keys to homes, garages, and offices, not to mention vehicles, renders it increasingly more difficult to sort through a group of keys and readily locate the right one. The fact that a number of keys from a given manufacturer may be virtually identical, except for the pattern of notches in the key shank, compounds this problem.
A number of attempts have been made in the past to mark or otherwise identify the destination lock for a particular key. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 312,545 discloses a key having a slot or recess in one side of the head into which a plate having an identifier thereon may be inserted; U.S. Pat. No. 2,549,228 discloses a key holder comprising two parallel flanges having a shaft at one end for extension through the hole in a key head, whereby the key can be rotated to fit between the flanges and an identifier placed on the outside of one of the flanges; U.S Pat. No. 3,618,346 discloses an identifier system using keys having abbreviated heads which are placed side by side in a key holder having a shaft at one end extending through parallel panels for securing the keys by their heads in the holder, and a cross-member extending between the panels and under the key shafts for receiving labels to identify each key; U.S. Pat. No. 4,305,267 discloses a one-piece key cover which stretches over the end or head of a key and covers one side thereof; U.S. Pat. No. 4,403,487 discloses a one-piece key identification cover into which a key is inserted bit first through a slot in the cover side, and the cover stretched around the head; U.S. Pat. No. 4,425,772 disclosed a key labeling system which uses elongated loops of wire, one end of each loop passing through a key head aperture, the other around a metal split key ring, the loop area between the ends being surrounded by a resilient sleeve carrying identifying indicia thereon; U.S. Pat. No. 4,601,185 discloses a key identifier comprising a series of strips or tabs on a key ring each secured to a key and extending beyond the shaft or bit tip of the key, each strip having an identifying shape on the end for selection of the correct key by the user; U.S. Pat. No. 4,768,362 discloses a one-piece elastic key marker which stretches over the head of a key, and on which an identifying inscription can be placed. In addition to the foregoing, U.S. Pat. No. 1,837,114 discloses a resilient sheet metal key head cover having tabs to fold over and grip the key head; U.S. Pat. No. 4,826,002 discloses several embodiments of a key case which covers the key head or tab and enhances the esthetics as well as facilitating the gripping of the key by the user.
All of the foregoing prior art attempts to produce a key cover possess drawbacks to practical use. For example, the identifier of U.S. Pat. No. 312,545 must use a specially made key; the identifiers of U.S Pat. Nos. 2,549,228, 4,425,772 and 4,601,185 add unacceptable bulk to a group of keys, are relatively expensive to produce and/or require assembly by the user when placing keys therewith; the identifier of U.S. Pat. No. 3,618,346 not only requires keys with special heads but also renders it impossible to view the key labels while the key shafts are in the holder; the stretch-fit key head covers of U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,305,267, 4,403,487 and 4,768,362 are of such design that they are difficult to apply for a person, such as an elderly person, having limited hand and finger strength and dexterity and in addition must be shaped at least in part to fit the key head shape; the cover of U.S. Pat. No. 1,837,114 is of metal and its tabs or flanges can snag the purse or pocket of the user, and in addition it, too, requires a shape to match that of the key head in order to provide a good, secure fit; the cover of U.S. Pat. No. 4,826,002 requires complex injection molding dies and adds significant bulk to both the sides and periphery of the enclosed key, and limits the size and shape of the key head being enclosed.


In the ECR plasma generating method, the microwave introduced into the plasma formation chamber is oscillated at frequencies in the range of a predetermined bandwidth, and the magnetic field applied to the introduced microwave has the flux densities in the range corresponding to the frequency bandwidth so as to meet the ECR condition, resulting a high density ECR plasma. The frequency bandwidth is at least +-4% of the center frequency of 2.45 GHz. The gradient of the magnetic field at the ECR area is at most 10 Gauss/cm. When a substrate is processed by the plasma generated by using the ECR, the ECR area is formed at a position at least 5 cms away from the microwave introducing window.

ECR plasma CVD (chemical vapor deposition) which forms a deposit film on a substrate by utilizing the ECR plasma reaction has an advantage such that it allows a low-temperature formation of the film and gives a less damage to the substrate. Further, the ECR plasma etching has some features that the exposure damage is small, the etching selection ratio is high and the anisotropic etching is possible, and forms one of the important etching methods in carrying out a highly fine processing on the substrate.
As the apparatus for etching or formation of a deposit film by utilizing the ECR, two typical examples have conventionally been known. FIG. 1 illustrates a first example, and FIG. 2 illustrates a second example. According to the apparatus of FIG. 1, a TE.sub.11 mode microwave 8 is introduced into a plasma formation chamber 1 from a magnetron 6 through a waveguide 5, and an ECR area 9 is formed by the interaction between the microwave 8 and the magnetic field generated by a coil 3. A reactive gas plasma formed by this ECR is conveyed through a plasma stream into the etching chamber 2 by the divergent magnetic field caused by the coil 3, where a substrate 14 is etched by ion impact. (See Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 56-155535.)
According to the apparatus of FIG. 2, within the plasma formation chamber 1, the substrate 14 is disposed remote from the ECR area 9 by a predetermined distance. In this arrangement, a local separation of electrons and ions takes place within the reactive gas plasma prevailing within the plasma formation chamber 1, and a resulting static electric field causes the ions to be withdrawn from the gas and to be exposed onto the substrate 14 for process such as formation of the deposit film or the like. (See Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 60-134423.)
Each of the two apparatus is designed to form the ECR area 9 within 5 cms (centimeters) from the microwave introducing window of the plasma formation chamber 1. Further, since there exists the electric field intensity distribution of the TE.sub.11 mode microwave 8 in the waveguide 5 as shown in FIG. 3, an unevenness takes place in the density distribution of the plasma generated in the chamber 1. In order to avoid the undesired effect of the uneven density distribution of the plasma, the substrate 14 is disposed at a sufficient distance from the ECR area 9.
Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the center frequency of the microwave 8 equals 2.45 GHz, and its frequency bandwidth is in the range of 2.45 GHz +-1 MHz. Further, the magnetic field applied to the microwave 8 by the coil 3 has a gradient of the flux density as shown in FIG. 5. In the apparatus of FIG. 2, the magnetic field gradient equals about 40 Gauss/cm in the ECR area 9 which is formed 2 cms above the substrate 14.
However, in the two apparatus, in order to obtain an uniform plasma density distribution on the substrate 14, the substrate 14 is disposed at a sufficient distance from the ECR area 9. As a result, the plasma density becomes low, and practical speeds of process such as the film deposition and the etching cannot be obtained.
Further, since the bandwidth of the introduced microwave is very narrow such as +-1 MHz, the microwave absorbing efficiency is low, and a high density plasma cannot be obtained. In consequence, the ion current becomes low, and the practical processing speeds cannot be achieved.
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a method of generating a higher density plasma so that the processing speed of the substrate is improved by increasing the ion current.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a method of achieving the uniform density distribution of the plasma generated at the ECR area to allow the substrate processing such as etching or deposit film formation in the vicinity of the ECR area.

Plasma formation using electron cyclotron resonance and method for processing substrate by using the same


An image forming apparatus includes: an image carrying unit; a charging unit; a transfer unit transferring an developed image to a recording medium in accordance with application of a transfer voltage; an application unit generating the transfer voltage and applying the transfer voltage to the transfer unit; a voltage detection unit detecting the transfer voltage; an inflow current detection unit detecting an inflow current flowing from the image carrying unit charged by the charging unit into the application unit; a transfer current detection unit detecting a transfer current flowing when the transfer voltage is applied to the transfer unit; a determination unit determining an initiating voltage which induces the inflow current; a calculation unit calculating load resistance of the application unit based on the transfer voltage, the transfer current, and the initiating voltage; and an adjustment unit that adjusts the transfer current in accordance with the load resistance.

According to a related art electro-photographic image forming apparatus, when an image formed on a photosensitive member (image carrying unit) is transferred to a sheet, adjustment is made such that a suitable transfer current flows between the photosensitive member and a transfer unit, for example, a transfer roller. In order to appropriately adjust the transfer current, it is necessary to accurately calculate load resistance of an application unit that applies a transfer voltage to the transfer roller.
The above described related art image forming apparatus discloses a technique to measure load resistance accurately. For example, according to the above technique, when a predetermined voltage is applied and a current is measured immediately after a recording medium enters the transfer roller, a leak current is measured at a portion, such as a sheet feed roller. And then, a current actually flowing in the transfer roller is calculated on the basis of the measurement result, thereby measuring accurate load resistance.


A liquid pressure type steering damper system for generating a damping force for preventing a handle from being swung due to a kick-back upon a disturbance wherein the generation of the damping force is nonlinear so that the steering angle would not be enlarged so much even if the kick-back becomes greater. A liquid pressure type steering damper is provided with a restriction passage for a working liquid and a solenoid-type control valve for varying the passage sectional area of the restriction passage. A needle portion is formed at the tip end of a plunger constituting the solenoid valve and is made to advance and retract in a restriction portion connected to a bypass passage. An annular gap passage is formed between the needle portion and the inside wall of the restriction portion so that, when the needle portion advances or retracts in proportion to the steering speed of a front wheel steering system, the clearance area of the gap passage is varied in the manner of a quadric curve in relation to the stroke amount of the needle portion, whereby the generation of the damping force is rapidly increased in the manner of a quadric curve. In addition, an upper limit of the damping force is restricted by an electromagnetic force of the solenoid valve.

The present nonprovisional application claims priority under 35 USC 119 to Japanese Patent Application No. 2001-400627 filed on Dec. 28, 2001 the entire contents thereof is hereby incorporated by reference.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a liquid pressure type steering damper system for vehicles which is preferable for saddle ride type vehicles such as motorcycles and the like and is used for restraining the swing of a handle during operation.
2. Description of Background Art
In order to prevent the handle from being swung due to a kick-back upon a disturbance, liquid pressure type steering damper systems which generate a damping force against the swing have been known, for example, as disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 2593461. In addition, systems in which the damping force is variable so that the damping force is generated only when required and a needless damping force is not generated in other situations have also been known; for example, a system which controls the damping force based on steering angle and operating velocity as disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-open No. Sho 63-64888. In addition, a system which controls the damping force based on variations in the load on the front wheel is disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. Hei 7-74023.
In the damping force variable type steering dampers according to the above-mentioned related art examples, a sensor quantity detected and a damping force quantity generated, which are used for controlling the damping force, are considered to be in a linear relationship. However, with such a linear relationship, the front wheel steering system would steer more largely before the generation of a required damping force as the kick-back to be generated due to a disturbance is greater. Therefore, it is desired to prevent a large kick-back by generating a damping force swiftly and appropriately, without causing a large extent of steering.
In addition, if the generation of a needlessly great damping force is allowed, the steering damper is required to have a needlessly high strength for enduring the excessively large damping force. Therefore, it is also desired that an excessively large damping force is not generated. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to realize the above-mentioned requests.
In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a steering damper system wherein a steering damper system of the liquid pressure type in which a damping force is exerted on a front wheel steering system provided at a front portion of a vehicle body and which includes a control valve for making the damping force variable with the control valve including a valve body advancing and retracting in a passage for the working liquid and wherein the valve body has a thickness varying uniformly along the longitudinal direction thereof. The advancing/retracting motions of the valve body make the clearance area of a gap passage formed around the valve body variable with the clearance area being varied nonlinearly in relation to the advancing/retracting stroke of the valve body. The damping force generated at the gap passage is increased in a manner of a quadric curve in relation to variations in the stroke.
The present invention includes the cross-sectional shape of the gap passage that is in an annular shape.
The present invention provides a control valve that includes an upper limit restricting means for restricting the generation of the damping force to be not more than a predetermined upper limit.
The present invention includes a control valve that is a solenoid valve, and the upper limit restriction of the damping force is effected by an electromagnetic force of the solenoid valve.
According to the present invention, the variation of the clearance area of the gap passage formed around the valve body is varied nonlinearly in relation to the stroke amount of the valve body which advances and retracts, whereby the damping force generated at the gap passage is increased in the manner of a quadric curve in relation to the variations in the stroke. Therefore, since the damping force is increased rapidly as the kick-back generated is greater, a great kick-back can be effectively prevented by generating the damping force swiftly and appropriately, without causing the front wheel steering system to steer to a large extent.
According to the present invention, the gap passage is annular, so that the clearance area varies in the manner of a square in relation to the variation in the radius of the gap passage which is proportional to the stroke amount of the valve body attendant on the advancing/retracting motions of the valve body. Therefore, the variation of the clearance area in the manner of a quadric curve mentioned above can be realized easily and with a comparatively simple structure because it suffices that the restriction passage and the valve body are formed to be circular in cross section.
According to the present invention, the control valve comprises the upper limit restricting means, so that the generation of the damping force can be restricted to a required level even when the damping force increases rapidly in the manner of a quadric curve. Therefore, it is unnecessary to provide the steering damper with a needlessly high strength.
According to the present invention, the control valve is a solenoid valve, whereby it is ensured that even if a damping force greater than the electromagnetic force of the solenoid valve tends to be generated, the generation of an excessively large damping force is hampered because the solenoid valve is opened by the liquid pressure. Therefore, the upper limit restricting means can be composed with a simple structure in which the control valve is simply a solenoid valve. Accordingly, it is unnecessary to separately provide a special upper limit restricting means.
Further scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.


Data associated with a structure or home may be received from an insurance provider, from publicly available sources and/or from a user. The data may include information about the structure and/or items within the structure, as well as a locality in which the structure is located, and/or other structures in the locality or neighborhood. The data may be used to assess items associated with the structure to determine a probability that an item may have an issue. Other aspects relate to receiving a request for assistance from a user in identifying a cause of an issue and remedying the issue. In some examples, the received data associated with the structure may be aggregated with data from the user about the issue in order to identify a cause of the issue and develop an action plan to address the issue.

A home or structure often includes various systems, structural features, appliances, etc. that, over the years, may require repair, replacement, or the like. However, it is often difficult to predict when these items will fail or require repair or replacement. That is particularly an issue when a homeowner is unfamiliar with the items, how they work, how long they typically last before repair/replacement is needed, etc. Having information associated with a likelihood of an issue occurring with one or more of these items may be beneficial to the user.
Further, some user's might not be familiar enough with the various items in a home to understand an issue when it occurs, what the cause is, how to address it, and the like. Having assistance when an issue arises may aid the user in handling the issue and minimize damage associated with the issue.

Home assessment and issue probability generation