Disclosed are an indium Tin Oxide (ITO) target, a method for manufacturing the same, a transparent conductive film of ITO, and a method for manufacturing the transparent conductive film of ITO. The ITO target includes at least one oxide selected from the group consisting of Sm2O3 and Yb2O3, wherein an amount of the oxide is about 0.5 wt. % to about 10 wt. % based on the weight of the target.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to manufacturing a sputtering target and manufacturing a transparent conductive film using the same, and more particularly, to an Indium Tin Oxide (ITO) target, a method for manufacturing the same, a transparent conductive film of ITO, and a method for manufacturing the transparent conductive film of ITO.
2. Description of Related Art
In general, an Indium Tin Oxide (ITO) film obtained by doping tin to Indium oxide may be employed as a electrode material of a solar cell and a Flat Panel Display (FPD) such as a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD), Plasma Display Panel (PDP), Electro Luminescence Display (ELD), and the like. In particular, demands for the ITO dramatically increase due to the growth in the FPD market requiring the transparent electrode, and a crystalline ITO film having a relatively low resistivity may be generally used in the FPD. The crystalline ITO film having the relatively low resistivity is obtained by performing film deposition at a high temperature or performing a predetermined heat treatment thereon after performing the film deposition. However, the crystalline ITO film is etched (patterned) only using a strong acid such as aqua regia (a mixed solution of nitric acid and hydrochloric acid), which results in a disadvantage such that disconnection or the narrowed line width is caused due to corrosion of gate or data lines at the time of etching the ITO film using the strong acid.
In order to overcome the above disadvantage, a method for manufacturing an amorphous ITO film having superior etching characteristics has been suggested. Specifically, manufacturing the amorphous ITO film by adding hydrogen or water to an injection gas under a low temperature atmosphere at the time of thin film deposition, and etching the amorphous ITO film thus obtained with a weak acid may improve patterning characteristics, and prevent occurrence of the corrosion of the gate or data lines. However, this method also may incur occurrence of anomalous discharge due to the added hydrogen or water at the time of sputtering, which results in disadvantages that anomalous protrusions referred to as nodules are created on an ITO target, and an impurity aggregate is created causing generation of a local high-resistance region on the film. Also, problems such as deterioration in adherence and increase in contact resistance each between the film and the substrate, debris after etching, and the like may be created.
Also, an Indium Zinc Oxide (IZO) has been devised as a target material for manufacturing the amorphous film, which has superior characteristics as an amorphous film but has a relatively poor resistivity and transmittance and requires a relatively high cost in comparison with the ITO. In addition, the IZO having characteristics such as being melted even in an aluminum etching agent may encounter difficulties in a case where a reflection electrode is formed on the transparent electrode.

Indium tin oxide target, method for manufacturing the same, transparent conductive film of indium tin oxide, and method for manufacturing transparent conductive film of indium tin oxide


The invention relates to a thermoplastic membrane (e.g. film, fluid barrier, and the like) which is formed from a blend of:

The invention relates to membranes comprising a blend of at least one thermoplastic polyolefin component having crystallinity derived from the presence of polypropylene sequences, an inorganic filler, and a processing oil.
Blends of one or more polyolefin polymers, one or more fillers, and one or more process oil plasticizers have historically been used to form membranes having a desired balance of properties for severe service conditions such as roof sheeting. Such composition are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,854,327, 5,859,114, 5,468,550, 5,582,890, 5,370,755, 5,389,715, 5,242,970, 5,286,798, and 5,256,228, among others. In general, the polymer compositions described in these inventions comprise ethylene-propylene-diene terpolymers (EPDM) or other rubber components that are cured or crosslinked to form a thermoset composition and/or materials high in ethylene crystallinity. Typically, any crystallinity present in these blends is derived from polyethylene sequences.
The term xe2x80x9cmembrane,xe2x80x9d as used herein, refers to films useful in a variety of uses such as roof sheeting, geo membranes, pond liners, and other applications requiring long term exposure to extreme environmental conditions with minimal degradation. These films are typically much thicker, possess less elasticity, and require greater long term resistance to severe environmental conditions resulting from roof movement, heavy winds, freeze-thaw cycles, and high temperatures than their lighter duty, disposable counterparts such as those films used in food and medical applications. It would be particularly advantageous for such membranes to be produced from thermoplastic compositions that possess adequate or superior tensile and tear strength properties from polypropylene crystallinity without the need for curing or crosslinking, thereby facilitating their production in conventional thermoplastic processing equipment. It would further be desirable for such membranes to possess a degree of tack sufficient to produce a desired level of bonding force where the edges of multiple sheets of the membrane material meet and overlap to form a continuous barrier, for example, over an entire rooftop.
For these membranes, it would be particularly advantageous for such thermoplastic membranes to have the following properties:
1. Tensile elongation, as measured by ASTM Method D412 greater than 100%, more preferably greater than 300% and most preferably greater than 500%.
2. Tensile strength greater than 5 Mpa, as measured by ASTM Method D412 preferably greater than 10 MPa and more preferably greater than 13 MPa.
3. Shore hardness, as measured by ASTM Method D412 less than 100 Shore A, preferably less than 80 Shore A and more preferably less than 60 Sh A
4. Softening point, greater than 45xc2x0 C., preferably greater than 60xc2x0 C. and most preferably greater than 80xc2x0 C.
5. A glass transition temperature substantially below 0xc2x0 C.
6. Small changes in these properties on exposure to environmental conditions for an extended period.
7. Self tack greater than 10 KN/m2
U.S. Pat. No. 3,888,949 suggests the synthesis of blend compositions containing isotactic polypropylene and copolymers of propylene and an alpha-olefin, containing between 6-20 carbon atoms, which have improved elongation and tensile strength over either the copolymer or isotactic polypropylene. Copolymers of propylene and alpha-olefin are described wherein the alpha-olefin is hexene, octene or dodecene. However, the copolymer is made with a heterogeneous titanium catalyst resulting in copolymers with non-uniform composition distribution and a broad molecular weight distribution. Non-uniform intramolecular compositional distribution is evident in U.S. Pat. No. 3,888,949 by the use of the term xe2x80x9cblockxe2x80x9d in the description of the polymer where the copolymer is described as having xe2x80x9csequences of different alpha-olefin content.xe2x80x9d Within the context of the invention described above the term sequences describes a number of olefin monomer residues linked together by chemical formed during polymerization.
More recently several authors have shown the formation of more refined structures of partially atactic, partially isotactic polypropylene which have elastomeric properties. It is believed that in these components each molecule consists of portions which are isotactic and therefore crystallizable while the other portions of the same polypropylene molecule are atactic and therefore amorphous and not crystallizable. Examples of these propylene homopolymers containing different levels of isotacticity in different portions of the molecule are described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,594,080, in the article in the Journal American Chemical Society (1995), 117, p. 11586; in the article in the Journal American Chemical Society (1997), 119, p. 3635; in the journal article in the Journal of the American Chemical Society (1991), 113, pp. 8569-8570, and in the journal article in the Journal Macromolecules (1995) 28, pp. 3771-3778. These articles describe the copolymer of the present composition but do not describe the compositions obtained in blends with a more crystalline polymer such as isotactic polypropylene, nor its resultant desirable physical properties.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,853,969 and 3,378,606, suggest the formation of in situ blends of isotactic polypropylene and xe2x80x9cstereo blockxe2x80x9d copolymers of propylene and another olefin of 2 to 12 carbon atoms, including ethylene and hexene. The copolymers of this invention are necessarily heterogeneous in intermolecular and intramolecular composition distribution. This is demonstrated by the synthesis procedures of these copolymers which involve sequential injection of monomer mixtures of different compositions to synthesize polymeric portions of analogously different compositions. In addition, FIG. 1 of both patents shows that the xe2x80x9cstereo blockxe2x80x9d character, which is intra or intermolecular compositional differences in the context of the description of the present invention, is essential to the benefit of the tensile and elongation properties of the blend of these patents. Moreover, all of these compositions either do not meet all of the desired properties for various applications.
Similar results are purportedly achieved in U.S. Pat. No. 3,262,992 wherein the authors suggest that the addition of a stereoblock copolymer of ethylene and propylene to isotactic polypropylene leads to improved mechanical properties of the blend compared to isotactic polypropylene alone. However, these benefits are described only for the stereoblock copolymers of ethylene and propylene. These copolymers were synthesized by changing the monomer concentrations in the reactor with time. This is shown in examples 1 and 2. The stereoblock character of the polymer is graphically shown in the molecular description (column 2, line 65) and contrasted with the undesirable random copolymer (column 2, line 60). The presence of stereoblock character in these polymers is shown by the high melting point of these polymers and the poor solubility in hydrocarbons at ambient temperature.
The invention relates to a thermoplastic membrane (e.g. film, fluid barrier, and the like) which is formed from a blend of:
a) from 30 to 90 percent by weight of a first polymer component (FPC), wherein said FPC comprises a propylene-ethylene copolymer containing from 80 to 93 percent by weight of units derived from propylene, and having a melting point derived from stereoregular polypropylene sequences, as determined by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), in the range of from 25xc2x0 C. to 70xc2x0 C., and a heat of fusion of from 2 J/g to 25 J/g;
b) from 1 to 40 percent by weight of an inorganic filler; and
c) from 1 to 25 percent by weight of a processing oil,
wherein the sum of components in said is 100 percent.
In one embodiment, the membrane further comprises up to 40 percent by weight of a second polymer component (SPC), wherein said SPC is a stereoregular polypropylene containing less than 7 percent by weight of units derived from ethylene or alpha-olefin monomer containing from 4 to 8 carbon atoms and having melting point, as determined by DSC, greater than 130xc2x0 C., and a heat of fusion greater than 80 J/g.
In another embodiment, the membrane of the invention contains an FPC which is a blend of two polymers. The additional first polymer component (FPC2) is a second propylene-ethylene copolymer containing at least 75 weight percent units derived from propylene and at least 5 weight percent less units derived from propylene than the first propylene-ethylene copolymer of the FPC. Preferably the FPC2 has a melting point less than 100xc2x0 C. and a heat of fusion less than 60 J/g.

Thermoplastic filled membranes of propylene copolymers

Abstract: a) a first polymer component (FPC), wherein said FPC comprises a propylene-ethylene copolymer containing from 80 to 93 percent by weight of units derived from propylene, and having a melting point derived from stereoregular polypropylene sequences, as determined by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), in the range of from 25xc2x0 C. to 70xc2x0 C., and a heat of fusion of from 2 J/g to 25 J/g;

Abstract: b) an inorganic filler;

Abstract: c) a processing oil, and

Abstract: d) optionally, a second polymer component (SPC), wherein said SPC is a stereoregular polypropylene containing less than 7 percent by weight of units derived from ethylene or alpha-olefin monomer containing from 4 to 8 carbon atoms and having melting point, as determined by DSC, greater than 130xc2x0 C., and a heat of fusion greater than 80 J/g.


The present invention provides reduced fatigue stress levels in a stressed area of an engine crankcase by lowering the outer edges of the crankshaft bearing cap fracture-split lines without changing the central axis location of the crankshaft in the crankcase. This is accomplished by causing the fracture-split lines of the bearing caps to angle downward from the horizontal plane of the crankshaft axis to a slightly lower position at the outer edges of the bearing caps. This lowers the outer edges of the bearing caps sufficiently to allow larger radii to be formed on the lateral connectors of the crankcase support webs with the adjacent sidewalls of the crankcase. Accordingly, the fatigue stress levels in the crankcase web members are reduced without requiring a significant change in the crankcase dimensions.

It is known in the art relating to engine crankcases that crankshaft support webs are required to absorb major stresses from the combustion and inertia loads developed in the engine cylinders and from the reciprocating and rotating masses connected to the crankshaft throws. To withstand these loads, engine crankcases and cylinder blocks may be formed as a single casting and machined with the crankshaft bearing caps in place. The bearing caps are then cracked off with a mandrel, leaving a generally horizontal split line of cracked surfaces at which the bearing caps are reattached to the crankcase with bolts or studs.
To minimize stresses, joining of the support webs to crankcase sidewalls makes use of smoothly curved joints avoiding sharp angles which would introduce stress risers. These joints begin above the split line for the bearing caps, which may limit the space available for larger stress reducing radii in the support webs themselves. Such a problem was presented when it was desired to increase the fatigue strength of an already completed crankcase design without changing the basic crankcase dimensions.

Engine and method for improved crankcase fatigue strength with fracture-split main bearing caps


A robot cleaner includes a drive unit for driving a plurality of wheels, a camera disposed in a body for photographing an upper image extending perpendicular to a running direction, a controller for recognizing a position by using position information obtained from a recognition mark formed on a ceiling of a working area that is photographed by the camera, and controlling the drive unit by using the recognized position information to correspond to a target cleaning operation. Accordingly, since the recognition mark for the recognition of a current position of the robot cleaner is formed on a ceiling that has a few changes, the position recognition is performed with more accuracy and the traveling of the robot cleaner to the target work area and a cleaning operation is performed efficiently.

A typical robot cleaner determines an area to be cleaned by using an ultrasonic wave sensor disposed in its body while traveling along an outline of the area to be cleaned that is enclosed by a wall or an obstacle, and plans a cleaning course to clean the area to be cleaned. Next, the robot cleaner calculates its running distance and current position based on a signal that is detected by a sensor that detects the number of revolutions per minute and the rotation angle of a wheel of the robot cleaner. The robot cleaner drives the wheel to travel along the planned cleaning course. However, in such a position recognition method, errors can occur between the calculated running distance and current position obtained based on the signal detected by the sensor, and the actual running distance and position. The error is generated by a slip of the wheel or an uneven surface of the area to be cleaned. As the robot cleaner travels, the position recognition error accumulates. Therefore, the robot cleaner may deviate from the planned cleaning course due to the accumulated position recognition error. As a result, there is an occasion where some of the area to be cleaned remains unclean, or the same area is repeatedly cleaned. Accordingly, the working efficiency of the robot cleaner deteriorates.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Robot cleaner, robot cleaning system and method of controlling same


A new and distinct cultivar of lily plant named Marlene, particularly characterized by pinkish upper surface and ivory lower surface of the flowers, height of about 110 cm, pedicel of 10-12 cm in length with 4-6 flowers, rather strong, smallish leaves, and capable of producing stems and flowers for cut-flower production.

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar of lily, botanically known as Lilium asiatic and hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name Marlene.
The new cultivar is a product of a planned breeding program which had the objectives of creating new lily cultivars with the capacity to produce stems and flowers for cut-flower production.
The new cultivar was originated from a hybridization made by the inventor Messr. Petrus Mattheus Maria Hoff in a controlled breeding program at Hoffgaarde, B.V., Franseweg 9, 4651 PV Steenbergen, The Netherlands in 1989. The female and male parents were seedlings originated by Applicant, which were proprietary, and maintained by Applicant for breeding purposes.
The new cultivar was discovered and selected as one flowering plant within the progeny of the stated cross by the inventor on May 25, 1991 in a controlled environment in Steenbergen.
The first act of asexual reproduction of the new cultivar was accomplished by the invention when scales were taken from the initial selection on Oct. 30, 1991 in a controlled environment in Steenbergen.
Horticultural examination of selected units initiated Apr. 1, 1992 has demonstrated that the combination of characteristics as herein disclosed for the new cultivar are firmly fixed and are retained through successive generations of asexual reproduction.
The new cultivar has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary significantly with variations in environment such as temperature, light, intensity, and day length. The following observations, measurements, and comparisons describe plants grown in Steenbergen under greenhouse conditions which approximate those generally used in commercial practice.
The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be basic characteristics of the new cultivar which in combination distinguish this lily as a new and distinct cultivar.
1) Flower color having an interesting white-blushed-with-red at the tips, with tepals having an essentially white ground color centrally, with soft but progressively more intensive red blush with progressive proximity toward apex of each tepal, and with white bottom surfaces.
2) About 110 cm in height.
3) Pedicel 10-12 cm in length with 4-6 flowers.
4) Rather thick and stiff, smallish leaves.


In a frequency hopped wireless network, more robust method and system are disclosed for recovering clock synchronization. The method and system of the invention relies on the fact that correct decoding of a received packet occurs only when the same clock value is used to generate the decoding sequence at both the sender and the receiver. Several decoding sequences are tried based on different clock values to decode the packet. The different clock values used may be adjacent or nearby an initial estimated clock value. The clock value of the first decoding sequence to result in a correctly decoded packet is taken as the proper clock value for synchronization. Correct decoding is determined by checking the CRC of the packet.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to communication systems where transmitter and receiver are time locked. In particular, the invention describes how the receiver can recover from clock slips.
2. Description of the Related Art
Advances in wireless technology and VLSI has allowed mobile radios and other portable devices to be produced with lower cost, size, and power consumption. As a result, the use of radio communication in consumer applications is becoming more widespread. In addition, it is expected that wireless technology will move beyond the present focus on voice communication (e.g., handheld radios) to include other types of communication. For example, radio communication will be used to connect master devices (e.g., laptop computer) to their respective peripheral devices (e.g., printer).
The aforementioned radio communication will require an unlicensed frequency band with sufficient capacity to accommodate high data rate transmissions. A suitable band is the ISM (Industrial, Scientific and Medical) band at 2.45 GHz, which is globally available. The ISM band provides 83.5 MHz of radio spectrum to be shared amongst all radio networks wishing to use this band.
In order to allow different radio networks to share the radio spectrum without having to coordinate with one another, some form of signal spreading is usually applied. Signal spreading involves scattering the transmitted data across the entire range of available frequencies. Each channel is assigned a unique spreading code which is used to spread the data. The data is spread in such a way that only the same spreading code may be used to recover the data. Spreading can be done either at the symbol level by applying direct-sequence (DS) spread spectrum, or at the channel level by applying frequency hopping (FH) spread spectrum. The latter is more attractive for the radio applications mentioned above, since frequency hopping can more readily incorporate the use of cost-effective radios.
A wireless system called Bluetooth™ has been developed that takes advantage of the 2.45 GHz band. Bluetooth™ provides pervasive wireless connectivity, especially between mobile and portable devices such as mobile phones, laptop computers, PDA, and other nomadic devices as well as fixed devices. The Bluetooth™ system uses frequency hopping, which enables the construction of low-power, low-cost radios with small footprints. Both data and voice communication are supported. The latter is optimized by applying fast frequency hopping in combination with robust voice coding. Frequency hopping is done at a nominal rate of 1600 hops/s through the entire 2.45 GHz band. The dwell time for one hop is 625 μs, which corresponds to the nominal time for one transmission time slot.
Devices based on the Bluetooth™ system can create so-called piconets. A piconet is basically an ad hoc network of two or more Bluetooth™ devices connected together. Each piconet includes a single master device and one or more slave devices. The master device controls all communication in the piconet. Slave devices can only communicate in response to a master device. The master device can communicate with any slave device. Communication is carried over a frequency hopped channel in the 2.45 GHz band mentioned above. All devices in the piconet have to use the same hopping sequence. The hopping sequence is determined by the identity of the master device.
Each Bluetooth™ device has a free-running system clock. The system clock of a master device determines the phase in the hopping sequence used in the piconet. Since the free-running clocks of the master and the slaves are not coordinated, mutual drift will occur. The slave devices then have to align their clocks with the clock in the master device to be able to communicate. The clock alignment keeps the slave devices in phase synchronization with the master device. Clock alignment can be accomplished by adding a time offset to the clocks in the slave devices. For more details, see "The Bluetooth radio system," J. C. Haartsen, IEEE Personal Communications Magazine, Vol. 7, No. 1, February 2000, pp. 28-36.
The hop sequences used in the Bluetooth™ system are generated through a hop selection mechanism. An example of a hop selection mechanism is described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/950,068, entitled "Method and apparatus for the generation of frequency hopping sequences," filed on Oct. 24, 1997. See also U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/932,911, entitled "FH piconets in an uncoordinated wireless multi-user system," filed on Sep. 18, 1997. Both of these patent applications are hereby incorporated by reference. The patent applications describe a hop sequence selection mechanism wherein the hop carriers are generated "on the fly" because the mechanism has no inherent memory. Instead, address and clock information are used to instantaneously determine the hop sequence and phase and, therefore, the desired hop carrier. The advantages of such a selection scheme are numerous. For example, the selection scheme allows a slave device to jump from one piconet to another by simply selecting a different master address and clock combination.
The frequency hopping sequences used in Bluetooth™ are based on the 28 LSB bits in the master address. For purposes of this description, these 28 bits will be referred to as the master identity. As a result, there are 228 (or 268,435,456) different hop sequences available. The length of each sequence is determined by the master clock, which counts from 0 to 227-1 at a rate of 1600 increments per second. The counting wraps around after about 23.3 hours. The number of possible sequences and the size of each sequence make it impossible to store the sequences and process them off-line. Instead, a sequence selection mechanism such as described in the above referenced patent applications is used.
For proper operation of the Bluetooth™ system, the master and the slave have to remain in frequency hop synchrony. The frequency hopping is driven by the system clock of the master device. At each packet reception, the slave adjusts its clock offset such that the input to the slave's hop selection mechanism is aligned with the input to the master's hop selection mechanism. To maintain synchronization, the slaves use a special synchronization word called the access code in the Bluetooth™ packets. The slaves obtain the access code by scanning the packet they receive from the master.
For the above approach to work properly, the slave has to receive packets from the master on a regular basis. If the time elapsed since the last packet reception becomes too long, there is a risk the access code transmitted by the master will fall outside the scan window of the slave. The slave can widen its scan window to try and catch the access code again (at the expense of power consumption). Nevertheless, an error in the clock alignment will occur if: (1) the misalignment is larger than one time slot, and (2) the considered time slots happen to use the same carrier frequency. The latter scenario can happen when a hopping sequence results in the same carrier frequency for two consecutive or nearby time slots. In that case, the receiver may obtain the right carrier frequency, but the wrong time slot and hence, the wrong clock synchronization. Because correct clock alignment is required to decode the whitening and, in some cases, the encryption performed in Bluetooth™ systems, packets cannot be decoded correctly (if the clocks are not aligned).
Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a more robust way to recover clock alignment in a wireless communication system. Specifically, it is desirable to provide a more robust method and system of recovering clock alignment in a Bluetooth™ system.


In one embodiment, a system for analyzing optical networks includes a network analyzer optically coupled to a fiber optic network. The network analyzer may transmit a test signal to the fiber optic network, receive a reflected signal in response to transmitting the test signal, wherein the reflected signal is generated in response to the test signal interacting with a defect of the fiber optic network. The analyzer may then analyze a power of the reflected signal, wherein the power of the reflected signal corresponds to the defect in the fiber optic network, calculate a transmit time of the reflected signal, wherein the transmit time corresponds a location of the defect in the fiber optic network, identify a component of the fiber optic network corresponding to the defect and the location of the defect in the fiber optic network, and generate a maintenance report based on the analyzed reflected signal.

Fiber optics are used for a number of applications including telecommunications and cable television transmissions. Fiber optic networks are also becoming standard in commercial, military, and unmanned aircrafts ("fly-by-light" networks). Fiber optic networks have lower attenuation and interference than typical copper wire systems while offering superior transmission speeds. However, anomalies in the physical layer of the fiber optic network such as air gaps, end face geometry mismatches, broken fiber links, and high bend radiuses may affect the quality and reliability of the fiber optic network.


A switching circuit places a load across the TIP and RING signals of a telephone line when the computer is reset and removes the load when the computer accesses a selected memory location. Thus, the telephone line remains in an off-hook state after the computer is reset and remains in that state until the computer executes software that causes the telephone line to return to the on-hook state. The computer may also execute software that causes the telephone line to enter the off-hook state.

The present invention relates to communication over a telephone line between a host computer and a remote computer and, more specifically, to a circuit for providing a "busy signal" on the telephone line when the host computer is resetting.
A computer connected to a telephone line via a modem may function as a host, receiving a telephone call initiated by a remote computer and establishing a remote computing session between the two computers. A host computer may operate an electronic bulletin board or other service in such a manner.
When the host modem is in an "auto-answer" mode, it responds to the incoming call by placing the telephone line in an "off-hook" state, transmitting a carrier tone, and waiting for a response from the remote modem. If the host modem does not receive a response within about 15 to 30 seconds, it returns the telephone line to the "on-hook" state, i.e., it hangs up. The "off-hook" state exists when a load is present across the TIP and RING signals of the telephone line.
The communications software that the host computer executes may reset or "boot" the host computer from time to time to ensure that the system is returned to a known state. Such software may, for example, reset the host computer each time a remote computing session is concluded.
A problem arises when a remote computer attempts to call the host computer before the host computer is ready to execute its communications software. In such a scenario, the host modem may answer the call, transmit a carrier tone and, after receiving a response form the remote modem, establish communications with the remote modem before the host computer has finished executing its boot routine. Thus, the host computer is unable to respond to the remote computer because the host computer is unaware of the presence of the call. The remote computer must hang up the call and try again.
A similar problem arises when an error in the host computer hardware or software prevents the host computer from completing its boot routine. If the host modem answers an incoming call after such a failure has occurred, the remote computer must hang up the call.
It would be desirable to prevent a remote modem from establishing communications with a host modem before the host computer is ready. This problem is clearly felt in the art and is solved by the present invention in the manner described below.


The photoreactor comprises a tube bundle (10) made up of numerous capillary tubes (11) through which a reaction medium flows. The tubes (11) are transparent. Solar radiation or artificial radiation acts upon the reaction medium for effecting a photochemical or photobiological treatment. The inlet chamber (12) connected with the tube bundle (10) comprises a flow distributor (16) which distributes the reaction medium from the fluid inlet (15) to the tubes (11). The flow distributor (16) allows for a smaller volume of the inlet chamber (12). The reactor volume, which is not irradiated, is thus reduced, and the efficiency of the rector is enhanced.

For detoxification and/or degermination of fluids contaminated by pollutants or microorganisms, photochemical or photobiological processes are developed. In all these processes oxygen-rich species, such as singlet oxygen, hydroxyl or other oxygen-rich radicals or other strongly oxidizing intermediates, are produced by photonic excitation, which species effect a decomposition and/or deactivation of the pollutants and/or microorganisms.
Examples are the photonic activation of reagents, such as hydrogen peroxide or caroat, or photocatalytic processes, such as the semiconductor photocatalysis, using titanium dioxide, for example, or the light-amplified Fenton reaction (photo Fenton reaction).
For accomplishing this task, solar energy is used besides electrical light sources, such as gas discharge lamps, incandescent lamps, fluorescent lamps, light emitting diodes or tubes, excimer radiators and lasers. However, the non-solar light sources offer low efficiencies at moderate investment costs, which results in high costs for both the required electrical energy and cooling processes. Further, the illuminants are comparably expensive and have a short service life. The high illuminant temperatures produced during operation, the high electrical voltages and power as well as the frequently used toxic constituents, such as mercury vapor, further entail a high expenditure for safety equipment.
Besides the better sustainability of the light source mentioned last, financial incentives in addition to the ecological incentives may be an inducement to use solar energy in view of the comparably lower operating costs of solar plants.
Various receiver reactor concepts are presented concerning the use of the sun as a light source for the aforementioned fields of application.
In DE 198 44 037 A1 a flatbed receiver reactor for solar-photo and solar-thermochemical syntheses is described. In particular at high concentrations or high extinction coefficients of the dissolved substances or in the case of strongly turbid fluids, such as emulsions or suspensions, the use of such reactors with comparably thick fluid layers is disadvantageous. The penetration depth of the light into the reaction mixture is very small due to the light absorption according to the Lambert Beer law and due to light scattering at the particles and/or droplets.
Falling film reactors have been put to test with a view to solving this problem, among others (D. Bahneman, M. Meyer, U. Siemon, D. Mencke, A Self-Sufficient PV Powered Solar Detoxification Reactor for Polluted Waters, Proc. Int. Sol. Energy Conf. Solar Engineering—1997, Apr. 27-30, 1997, ASME, Washington D.C., 261-267; B. Braun, J. Ortner, K.-H. Funken, M. Schäfer, C. Schmitz, G. Horneck, M. Fasdni, Dye-Sensitized Solar Detoxification and Disinfection of Contaminated Water, Proc. 8th Int. Symp. Solar Thermal Concentrating Technologies, Vol. 3, C. F. Müller Verlag, Heidelberg (1997) 1391-1401). It is a drawback of the falling films that they require large covers which are expensive to produce. Further, much energy is consumed for repeatedly pumping the reaction mixture across the falling film surface. The use of falling films open to the atmosphere was demonstrated, but in this case low-boiling substances are uncontrolledly released into the atmosphere.
Multi-ribbed plate reactors which do not concentrate light, in particular double-ribbed plate reactors made of an extruded translucent plastic material (EP 0 738 686 A1) and so-called CPC reactors (compound parabolic collectors) (for example J. I. Ajona, A. Vidal, The Use of CPC collectors for Detoxification of Contaminated Water; Design, Construction and Preliminary Results, Solar Energy 68 (2000) 109-120), have been developed and put to test for solar detoxification of contaminated waste waters.
These reactor systems offer similar efficiencies (R. Dillert, R. Goslich, J. Dzengel, H.-W, Schuhmacher, D. Bahnemann, Field Studies of Solar Water Detoxification, Proc. 1st User Workshop Training and Mobility of Researchers' Program at Plataforma Solar de Almeria, Nov. 18-19, 1997, Almeria, Spain, Ser, Ponencias, Madrid (1998) 31-40). However, it has turned out that the multi-ribbed plate reactors tend to foul to a considerable extent, and that their efficiency rapidly decreases as compared with that of CPC reactors. CPC-reactors are disadvantageous in that they require a reflector of complex configuration. Therefore the investment costs for this reactor technology are comparably high. Further, the reflectors may be subject to optical or mechanical degradation.
Line- and point-focusing concentrators have also been used for solar detoxification (DE 434 41 63 A1). However, these concentrators only utilize the direct radiation and not the diffuse radiation of the sun which contains a particularly large amount of UV light. Although the light concentration leads to more rapid concentration changes than non-concentrated sunlight, the reactor-related solar photon yield is comparably small, and the treatment costs are correspondingly high due to the comparably high investment costs.
In a photoreactor comprising transparent tubes, as described in DE 100 09 060 A1 of the present applicant, similar decomposition rates as those of CPC collectors were obtained without a combination with reflectors. Here, too, the ratio of the aperture to the size of the inner surface of the tube is disadvantageous. A corresponding increase may result in a further enhancement of the reactor-related photon yield.
A general drawback of the prior art is the very small reactor-related solar photon yield. In particular the scattering losses, which occur when suspensions of finely dispersed photocatalysts on the basis of titanium dioxide, for example, are used, result in an inefficient utilization of the emitted photons in the prior-art solar reactor configurations.
The known solar tube reactors are further disadvantageous in that they are operated at a high velocity with a turbulent flow for preventing sedimentation of turbid substances and/or suspended photocatalysts.
The agitation of the entire fluid flow at a high velocity results in a relatively high energy consumption for driving pumps. It would be of advantage to the economic efficiency and the ecobalance of a solar photoreactor plant if only a smaller portion of the fluid had to be placed in turbulence.
A photoreactor described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,456,512 A comprises an inlet chamber provided with a fluid inlet, from which inlet chamber a bundle of capillary tubes extends. The capillary tubes extend through a room in which a plasma is produced. The outer wall of this room is cooled. In the reaction fluid passing through the capillary tubes photochemical reactions take place.
A similar photoreactor is described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,554,887. Here, the tubes are connected with an inlet chamber and an outlet chamber. Inside the tube system a light source is arranged which produces the light required for the photoreaction.

Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e.V.


A system and method is disclosed for detecting the presence and level of wireless communications activity within a predetermined area, without disclosing the identity of the wireless users, and for generating a message to certain information and communications devices in response to the detection of a predetermined level of wireless communications activity within the predetermined area. The information detected also may include information relating to the general direction and rate of movement of detected wireless devices. The message generated in response to the detection of wireless communications activity may include wireless messages, including Short Message Service (SMS) messages, to persons desiring or needing to receive such information; messages to public officials and other interested persons; and automatic signals to devices such as computers, computer networks (including the internet and wireless networks), facsimile machines, signs, lights, loudspeakers, and other devices providing information through other communication and information media.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the field of enabling observers to detect and analyze the level of wireless communications activity within a predetermined area without disclosing to those observers the identity of individual wireless users, and generating messages from the observers to specific communication devices when the wireless communications activity detected within the predetermined area meets predetermined conditions.
2. Description of the Related Art
Carrying mobile wireless communications devices has become customary by a substantial proportion of persons in society. Generally, these wireless devices are turned on and in communication with the wireless service provider or wireless network (are active) so that their users can send and receive wireless communications. These mobile wireless communications devices are commonly carried by individuals while travelling in automobiles, shopping, or conducting other daily activities. Additionally, the development of technologies such as WIFI wireless computer networks has resulted in the increased availability of wireless computer networks enabling people to use their mobile wireless communications devices in many more places such as airports, hotels, and dining establishments.
The present state of the art in wireless communications enables wireless service providers and wireless networks to identify all active wireless devices in communication either through a wireless service provider with a cellular wireless system or through a wireless network. In the case of cellular wireless communications, the identifying information typically available to the cellular wireless service provider regarding each cellular wireless device includes the identity of the subscriber, the wireless address of the subscriber, the identity of the subscriber's home cellular wireless service provider, and related information regarding the services available to the subscriber. This information is obtained by periodic communications between the active cellular wireless device and the cellular wireless system providing service within the cell, and, in the case of a roaming subscriber, further communication between the cellular wireless service provider providing service within the cell and the home cellular service provider for the specific device.
Wireless devices generally may be located by methods of radio direction finding, or, in the case of cellular wireless communications, triangulation among the cellular wireless system cells with which the cellular wireless device is in communication. Additionally, the present state of the art enables cellular wireless service providers to determine the identity and location of certain specific cellular wireless devices by reference to GPS devices incorporated into those cellular wireless devices.
By detecting the presence of active wireless devices in a predetermined area it is therefore possible to approximate the number of persons located in that area, as well as their movement. This information, which is of both commercial and non-commercial value, is useful for deciding whether to generate messages to the detected group of persons or to other persons or groups of persons. For example, if a substantial number of wireless users are located in vehicles on a highway, then that information could enable the Department of Transportation to operate signs along the highway in the congested area providing alternative routing related to traffic congestion.
There also may be circumstances under which it is desirable to provide this information to wireless users within other areas. Thus, evaluating the population and movement in one predetermined area, it may be desirable to generate messages to persons in other areas. For example, motorists can also be advised directly by wireless messages of traffic congestion and potential delays in areas of interest before reaching those areas.
Additionally, based on detection of a threshold level of wireless communications activity in a predetermined area, commercial entities may wish to communicate through the cellular wireless network providing service in that area or through a local wireless network to send wireless messages, such as SMS messages, to those wireless devices configured for receipt of such messages and authorizing such messages, regarding nearby businesses or facilities and their products or services.
Generally, privacy concerns exist regarding any dissemination of information disclosing the identity of wireless device users in communication with a cellular wireless service provider or local wireless network. In the case of cellular wireless communications, because of concerns for the privacy of cellular wireless subscribers, information obtained using the state of the art systems and methods regarding the identity and location of individual cellular wireless devices is not disclosed to the public, despite its value. Instead this information is only available to the cellular wireless service providers for their operational purposes and to certain persons, typically governmental entities, otherwise having lawful access to such information, and to specified third persons with the consent of the subscriber. Therefore, a previously unsatisfied need exists in the wireless communications field to obtain and make available anonymous real-time information regarding the level of wireless communications activity within a predetermined area. This information can be used by third parties for both its commercial and non-commercial value; that is, to enable interested observers to detect the level of wireless communications activity within a predetermined area, without disclosing the identity of individual wireless users. This information could be used to generate messages to wireless subscribers and others having a need or indicating a desire to receive information such as public safety and traffic information, or information relating to events, facilities or services in that particular area.

System and method for wireless communications activity within a predetermined area and for generating messages to selected communication devices


A cradle motion unit for positioning a test head. The test head has a support structure which provides three degrees of freedom, a first lock, and a second lock. The three degrees of freedom are prevented by actuation of the first lock and second lock.

In the automatic testing of integrated circuits (IC) and other electronic devices, special machines, referred to hereinafter as "peripherals," have been used which place the device to be tested in position for testing by an automatic testing system. Peripherals include wafer probers, package handlers, and the like; the specific type of peripheral utilized is dependent upon the stage of production where it is used. The electronic testing itself is provided by a large and expensive automatic testing system which includes a test head which has been required to connect to and dock with the peripheral. In such testing systems, the test head has been usually very heavy—on the order of 40 to 1000 kilograms. The reason for this heaviness is that the test head uses precision high speed electronic timing signals as well as other data signals, which requires that the electronic circuit must be located as close as possible to the device under test. Accordingly, the test head has been densely packaged with electronic circuits in order to achieve the high speed testing of the sophisticated devices.
Test head positioner systems may be used to position the test head with respect to the peripheral. When the test head is accurately in position with respect to the peripheral, the test head and the peripheral are said to be aligned. When the test head and the peripheral are aligned, the fragile test head and peripheral electrical connectors can be brought together (i.e., docked), enabling the transfer of test signals between the test head and the peripheral. Prior to docking, the fragile test head and peripheral electrical connectors must be precisely aligned to avoid damaging the fragile electrical connectors.
In order to enable such precise alignment of fragile electrical connectors, electronic test head positioners typically facilitate maneuvering the test head through space with six degrees of freedom. As shown in FIG. 9, six degrees of motion are defined. The positioner system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention accomplishes these six degrees of motion. FIG. 9 illustrates left-right motion or motion along the X axis; up-down motion or motion along the Y axis; in-out motion along the Z axis; motion about the Y-axis or theta motion; motion about the X-axis or pitch motion; and motion about the Z-axis or roll motion.
Further, test head positioners also typically provide a substantially weightless or compliant condition to the test head so that the test head may be manipulated by hand for each degree of freedom and so that accurate docking and undocking of the test head relative to the peripheral may be accomplished. An example of an electronic test head positioner is disclosed in a previous patent by Smith (U.S. Pat. No. 4,527,942), herein incorporated by reference. This patent discloses a positioner assembly which enables a test head to be in a substantially weightless condition and to move with six degrees of freedom.
In order to provide the six degrees of freedom, the test head may be attached to a cradle assembly, which may be a U-shaped holder for the test head. Cradle assemblies are shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,527,942, the patent by Smith (U.S. Pat. No. 4,705,447), and the patent by Holt (U.S. Pat. No. 5,450,766). A cradle typically provides at least two of the required degrees of freedom. When a cradle is used to hold the test head, problems have been incurred in easily and quickly locking the cradle into place after it has been docked with the peripheral.

Dynamic cradle assembly positioner system for positioning an electronic device test head


It is an object to provide a display panel and an electronic book which are manufactured with high yield and have high reliability. A display panel is provided which includes, a flexible display portion in which a scan line and a signal line intersect with each other over a substrate, a signal line driver circuit for outputting a first signal to the signal line adjacent to a first side of the flexible display portion over the substrate, and a scan line driver circuit for outputting a second signal to the scan line adjacent to a second side of the flexible display portion. In the display panel, the mechanical strength of a portion provided with the signal line driver circuit or the scan line driver circuit is improved as compared to the mechanical strength of other than the portion.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a display panel and an electronic book.
2. Description of the Related Art
In recent years, with the development of digitization techniques, a service in which textual information and image information of newspapers, magazines, and the like are provided in the form of electronic data has been in widespread use. In such a service, electronic data is displayed on a display device in a PC or the like, whereby the content is seen.
As a display device providing such a service, for example, electronic paper with flexibility has been proposed (see Patent Document 1). In the case where a display portion of the electronic paper with flexibility is formed using an element such as a transistor, a circuit for driving the transistor (hereinafter referred to as a driver circuit) needs to be provided. In this case, bending of the electronic paper might break the driver circuit.

Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.


An electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection device is provided. A proper trigger voltage is determined by providing an ESD doped injection layer into a PNPN structure and adjusting the injection energy and dosage of the ESD doped injection layer; a proper holding voltage is obtained by adjusting the size of the ESD doped injection layer, thus preventing the latch-up. The self-isolation effect of the electrostatic discharge protection device is formed on the basis of an epitaxial wafer high voltage process or a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) wafer high voltage process, the ESD protective device of the present invention can prevent the device from being falsely triggered due to noise interference. Compared with other known ESD protection devices, the device has the same electrostatic protection ability, much smaller area, and much lower cost.

The Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) is a common natural phenomenon in our lives. A large current is produced in a short time when the electrostatic discharge occurs, which causes a catastrophic failure to the integrated circuit, thus it is an important issue causing failure in the production and application of the integrated circuit. For example, the Human-Body Model (HBM) usually occurs in the hundreds of nanoseconds, the maximum peak current may reach several amperes. While in the other modes, such as Machine Model (MM), and Charged-Device Model (CDM), the electrostatic discharge occurs in much shorter time, the current is much greater. Such a large current flows through the integrated circuit in a short time, and the generated power dissipation severely exceeds the allowable maximum value, thus the integrated circuit suffers a severely physical damage to failure. The problem can be solved from the environment and the circuit in the practical application. In the environment, the main solution is to reduce the generation of static electricity and eliminate the static electricity in time; such as using the materials difficult to produce static electricity, increasing humidity, increasing operating personnel and equipment grounding and so on. In the circuit, the main solution is to increase the electrostatic discharge tolerance of the integrated circuit, such as increasing an extra-ESD protection device or circuit to protect the internal circuit of the integrated circuit from being damaged by the electrostatic discharge.
Currently, a Silicon Controlled Rectifier (SCR) is widely used in the electrostatic discharge protection circuit of the integrated circuit due to great electrostatic discharge protection and the relatively smaller device area. Generally, the parasitic SCR according to the design of the device structure in the integrated circuit can provide an electrostatic discharge protection.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,012,317 discloses an SCR applied to electrostatic discharge protection. Referring to FIG. 1, the SCR device 10 includes a P-type substrate 11, an N-type well 12 formed on the P-type substrate, a heavily doped P-type (P+) doped region 13 and a heavily doped N-type (N+) doped region 14 formed on the N-type well 12. The P+ doped region 13 and the N+ doped region 14 are connected to a contact 17 (i.e. an input of the device 10) after connecting to each other, a heavily doped N-type (N+) doped region 15 and a heavily doped P-type (P+) doped region 16 are formed on the P-type substrate and inside the N-type well, the heavily doped N-type (N+) doped region 15 and the heavily doped P-type (P+) doped region 16 are connected to a cathode (i.e. the ground terminal of the device 10) after connecting to each other. When the P-N junction between the P-type substrate 11 and the N-type well 12 is avalanched, the SCR device is turned on, the SCR current flows through the P+ doped region 14, the N-type well 12, the P-type substrate 11, and the N+ doped region 15 and releases energy to the ground terminal. The disadvantage of this structure is: when the trigger voltage is too high (approximately 60V) and the holding voltage is too low (approximately 10V), the integrated circuits with the operating voltage of 20V-40V cannot provide an effective electrostatic discharge protection, and the risk that the integrated circuit is failure due to the latch-up in practice is greatly increased.
Chinese patent 200510071001.6 discloses an electrostatic discharge device which can control the trigger voltage. Referring to FIG. 2, an electrostatic discharge device 20 formed in a P-type substrate 21, which includes an N-type well 22, a first N+ region 24c and a first P+ region 25b isolated by a field oxide, a field oxide layer 26, a second N+ region 24a, a second P+ region 25a, and a third N+ region 24b. In which, the second P+ region 25a, the N-type well 22, and the P-type substrate 21 form an equivalent transistor, while the N-type well 22, the P-type substrate 21, and the first N+ region 24c form another equivalent transistor. The field oxide layer 26 is used to isolate the third N+ region 24b and first N+ region 24c. A first electrode is connected to the second N+ region 24a and the first P+ region 25b via a first electrical conductor 28. A second electrode is connected to the second N+ region 24a and the second P+ region 25a via a second electrical conductor 27. The electrical conductors 27 and 28 can be made of metal material. In which, the predetermined distance between the edge of the second field oxide layer adjacent to the third N+ region and the edge of the N-type well is d. The trigger voltage of the electrostatic discharge device is determined by adjusting the predetermined distance. The disadvantage of this structure is that the holding voltage cannot be effectively controlled; it is unable to resolve the risk that the integrated circuit is failure due to the latch-up effect.

Electrostatic discharge protective device


A main stop valve includes: a hydraulic cylinder; a piston arranged in a hydraulic cylinder; a valve rod connected to the piston; and a valve body connected to the valve rod and configured to block a steam passage. The main stop valve further includes: a pilot cylinder having a communication port in fluid communication with the hydraulic cylinder; a rod connected in parallel with the valve rod and configured to be inserted from one end of the pilot cylinder; a sliding ring provided on the rod; and a pilot sleeve configured to be slidably fitted into an inner surface of the pilot cylinder and slidably fitted into an outer peripheral surface of the sliding ring in a section between the one end of the pilot cylinder and the communication port.

A main stop valve installed at an inlet of a steam turbine or the like is capable of being closed quickly to block steam and being opened gradually during startup to adjust the supply amount of steam. A trip and throttle (T&T) valve is generally used as such a main stop valve. For example, in the case of a hydraulic-actuation type T&T valve, hydraulic oil is supplied to a cylinder during operation, and the valve is kept open by applying a hydraulic pressure exceeding the pressing force of a spring to a piston. In an emergency, a path configured to rapidly drain the hydraulic oil from the cylinder is opened, and the piston to which the hydraulic pressure is not applied is pushed down by the pressing force of the spring, thereby closing the valve quickly.
In the meantime, when a hydraulic-actuation type T&T valve is started, the valve is gradually opened by a predetermined procedure. For example, in the case of the T&T valve in the related art described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, a valve rod is rotated by a handle operation before the supply of the hydraulic oil in a state where the valve is closed, and the action of a screw installed in the valve rod lifts (resets) the piston to a topmost portion of a cylinder. Subsequently, the hydraulic oil is supplied into the cylinder. At this time point, since the piston is already at the topmost portion of the cylinder, the piston is not raised by the hydraulic pressure, and thus, the valve remains closed. Thereafter, when the valve rod is rotated in the reverse direction by the handle operation, the valve rod is released from the piston held at the topmost portion of the cylinder by the hydraulic pressure by the action of the screw, and the valve is gradually opened.
As a problem in the above-described T&T valve, Patent Documents 1 and 2 point out that, unlike a predetermined procedure, when the hydraulic oil is supplied into the cylinder before the piston is reset, the valve is opened against the operator's will. In Patent Document 1, it has been proposed to provide a bypass flow path and a spring support sleeve engaged with a piston with respect to this problem. Meanwhile, in Patent Document 2, it has been proposed to provide a pilot relay valve configured to selectively supply hydraulic oil to a cylinder, and to move a plunger provided in a main body of the relay valve to a valve rod or displace the plunger manually.

ELLIOTT EBARA TURBOMACHINERY CORPORATION


Power distribution apparatus include a rack mountable housing, an electrical power input assembly and an electrical power output assembly including a plurality of external circuits adapted for hardwired to remote equipment and a plurality of internal circuits each adapted to receive a plug of electrical equipment and to provide power thereto. The plurality of internal circuits may include differently configured receptacles adapted to receive differently configured plugs.

The present invention generally relates to electrical power distribution apparatus, and more particularly relates to low cost, multi-function, rack mountable electrical power distribution apparatus and systems.
Research and development of computer technology has continually produced smaller and more compact systems. However, electrical power distribution units and systems for supplying power to electrical devices, such as computers and other critical equipment, in a building or other facility have remained bulky and sometimes difficult to work with.
Conventionally, electrical power coming into a facility passes into a free-standing power distribution unit (PDU) that includes a substantial plurality of output circuits. Each of these circuits is hard-wired to cables which are passed through conduits for distances of up to about 200 feet or more, to individual components of critical equipment. A total conduit run of up to about 3000 feet per PDU can occur. This wiring is often run through floors and walls of the facility during the electrical wiring phase of building construction. Electrical outputs initiating from such free-standing PDUs are typically provided as cables that are accessible through walls and floors of the facility.
Electrical needs in a building frequently change, typically by an increase in demand for more output circuits to accommodate more pieces of equipment. Power strips including a number of plug receptacles and having a single circuit breaker may be connected to a wall receptacle. However, in many cases, a power strip is not appropriate or sufficient for large scale changes in electrical needs, or for accommodating additional pieces of critical equipment which requires hard-wired connections to the power source.
The process of re-cabling electrical output circuits from the PDU, for example, to more strategic locations within the facility, is a costly, labor intensive task, which typically requires the work of outside contractors who specialize in electrical cabling and rewiring. Because of the inherent difficulty of accessing a specific wire or cable from the numerous, and sometimes tangled masses of cables and wires concealed within walls or floors of the facility, obsolete and unusable cables are often left in place adding to the confusion and difficulty of maintaining or controlling such wiring.
Clearly, there is a need for a power distribution units and systems that address the concerns presented by conventional systems.

Rack mountable power distribution apparatus


It is an object of the present invention to provide a titanium electrode material which is low in cost and is excellent in electric conductivity, corrosion resistance and hydrogen absorption resistance, and a surface treatment method of a titanium electrode material. A titanium electrode material includes: on the surface of a titanium material including pure titanium or a titanium alloy, a titanium oxide layer having a thickness of 3 nm or more and 75 nm or less, and having an atomic concentration ratio of oxygen and titanium (O/Ti) at a site having the maximum oxygen concentration in the layer of 0.3 or more and 1.7 or less; and an alloy layer including at least one noble metal selected from Au, Pt, and Pd, and at least one non-noble metal selected from Zr, Nb, Ta, and Hf, having a content ratio of the noble metal and the non-noble metal of 35:65 to 95:5 by atomic ratio, and having a thickness of 2 nm or more, on the titanium oxide layer. The surface treatment method of a titanium electrode material includes a titanium oxide layer formation step, an alloy layer formation step, and a heat treatment step.

As distinct from a primary cell such as a dry battery, and a secondary battery such as a lead storage battery, a fuel cell is capable of continuously producing electric power by being continuously supplied with a fuel such as hydrogen and an oxidant such as oxygen. Such a fuel cell is high in electric power generation efficiency, is not largely affected by the size of the system, and causes less noises and vibrations. For these reasons, the fuel cell is expected as an energy source covering various applications and scales. Thus, fuel cells have been under development specifically as polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFC's), alkaline fuel cells (AFC's), phosphoric acid fuel cells (PAFC's), molten carbonate fuel cells (MCFC's), solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC's), biofuel cells, and the like.
A description will be given by taking a polymer electrolyte fuel cell as one example of fuel cells. Such a polymer electrolyte fuel cell includes a plurality of single cells stacked one on another each with an electrode referred to as a separator (or a bipolar plate) therebetween. Each single cell includes a solid polymer electrolyte membrane, and an anode electrode and a cathode electrode interposing the membrane therebetween.
The material for the separator for a fuel cell is required to have a characteristic of low contact resistance (meaning that a voltage drop occurs due to the interface phenomenon between the electrode and the separator surface), to be kept for a long period during use as a separator. From the viewpoints of this point and the processability and the strength in combination, a study has been conventionally made on applications of a metal material such as an aluminum alloy, stainless steel, a nickel alloy, or a titanium alloy.
For example, JP-A No. 10-228914 has a description on a separator for a fuel cell to the effect that stainless steel is used as a base material, and a gold plating is applied to the surface for manufacturing thereof. Whereas, for example, JP-A No. 2001-6713 describes as follows: stainless steel or a titanium material is used as a base material, and a noble metal or a noble metal alloy is deposited on the surface thereof; alternatively, after removing an oxide film on the base material surface, a noble metal or a noble metal alloy is deposited thereon. Whereas, for example, JP-A No. 2006-97088 describes as follows: a titanium material is used as a base material, and an oxide film on the surface is removed, and then, 1- to 100-nm island-like gold plating portions are interspersed thereon.
Each separator described in JP-A No. 10-228914, JP-A No. 2001-6713, and JP-A No. 2006-97088 uses a corrosion resistant metal such as stainless steel or titanium as a base material. For this reason, in a polymer electrolyte fuel cell using a hydrogen gas as a fuel, the separator is less susceptible to corrosion, and can keep a low contact resistance to a certain degree. However, in a direct methanol type fuel cell using a methanol aqueous solution as a fuel, which has been under development from the viewpoint that the fuel cell can be reduced in size, when methanol reacts with water on an electrode catalyst to form hydrogen, highly corrosive formic acid is also formed. Stainless steel or titanium is excellent in corrosion resistance because is forms a passive film on the surface. However, formic acid is a reducing acid, and hence it reduces and dissolves the passive film, thereby to corrode stainless steel or titanium. Therefore, when a gold-plated layer or the like includes pinholes, corrosion of the base material proceeds therefrom. Particularly, when the proportion of pinholes is large, corrosion proceeds from the pinhole areas at the interface between the base material immediately under the gold-plated layer or the like and the gold-plated layer or the like. As a result, much peeling of the gold-plated layer or the like occurs, resulting in an increase in contact resistance. This may lead to reduction of the performances of the fuel cell. Further, peeling of the gold-plated layer or the like causes corrosion to further proceed. As a result, the solid polymer electrolyte membrane may be deteriorated by metal ions dissolved from the base material. In contrast, it can be considered that the gold-plated layer or the like is increased in thickness to minimize pinholes. However, noble metals such as gold are expensive. Further, the plating time increases, resulting in reduction of productivity. This unfavorably incurs a higher cost of the separator.
For the separators described in JP-A No. 2001-6713 and JP-A No. 2006-97088, in order to enhance the electric conductivity, the oxide film on the surface of the base material made of titanium is removed. Then, in order to prevent the formation of an oxide film again, an electric conductive layer of a noble metal, an electrically conductive resin, or the like is provided under a prescribed conditions such as a vacuum atmosphere or a reducing atmosphere. This is for the following reason. Removal of the oxide film can enhance the electric conductivity. On the other hand, hydrogen becomes more likely to penetrate into the base material, which causes a concern about embrittlement of the base material due to penetration of hydrogen in the long view.
Herein, the separator for a fuel cell is required to have both high electric conductivity and high corrosion resistance. However, the separator for use on the methanol electrode side is further required to have a hydrogen absorption resistance: the separator is further required to be resistant to mechanical embrittlement due to absorption of hydrogen formed due to decomposition of methanol. However, a pure titanium material or a titanium alloy material tends to absorb hydrogen to be embrittled as the characteristic of the material. A common method for inhibiting the hydrogen absorption includes a method in which a titanium oxide layer is formed on the surface. However, the titanium oxide layer is an insulation layer. Therefore, with this method, the electric conductivity is reduced.

Titanium electrode material and surface treatment method of titanium electrode material


An optical reflecting device includes a mirror, a frame connected to the mirror, and a driver beam configured to vibrate to rotate the mirror about a rotation axis. Rigidity of the frame is higher than rigidity of the mirror. The rotation axis is perpendicular to a line that connects a first connecting part to a second connecting part. This optical reflecting device can suppress a dynamic warp of the mirror.

An on-vehicle radar and a projection-type display device scanning a light flux emitted from a light source, such as a laser, are in practical use. A conventional optical reflecting device includes an outer frame, an inner frame separated from the outer frame across a groove, an outer spindle that is disposed in this groove and supports the inner frame inside the outer frame, a mirror separated from the inner frame via a groove, an inner spindle that is disposed in this groove and supports the mirror inside the inner frame, an outer piezoelectric diaphragm that has one end connected to the outer frame and the other end connected to the outer spindle, and an inner piezoelectric diaphragm that has one end connected to the inner frame and the other end connected to the inner spindle. The mirror vibrating about the outer spindle and the inner spindle causes the reflected light of the light entering the mirror two-to dimensionally scan a screen to display an image on the screen.
An optical reflecting device similar to this optical reflecting device is disclosed in, e.g. Patent Literature 1.
A high-definition image using this scanning optical reflecting device requires a large-size and high-speed mirror. However, the increase in size and speed provides the mirror with a dynamic warp during driving. This dynamic warp causes the mirror to be a concave mirror or a convex mirror. Thus, the laser beam reflected on the mirror spreads and prevents an image from being displayed accurately, hence displaying a defocused image.
The dynamic warp is caused by an inertial force applied to the mirror. Therefore, as the distance from the rotation axis increases, the inertial force increases, accordingly increasing the dynamic warp. The mirror has an axis about which the mirror vibrates. The distribution of the dynamic warp depends on a mechanism for supporting the mirror. In other words, the distribution of the dynamic warp depends on a balance between the inertial force and the supporting mechanism.
Patent Literature 2 discloses a structure in which an aperture is provided between the center and the outer periphery of the mirror for preventing the dynamic warp from transferring from the outer periphery to the center. In the outer periphery of the mirror, a larger dynamic warp occurs due to a stress concentrating at a connecting position between the outer peripheries to a torsion bar, which transmits a drive force for vibration, than in the periphery. In Patent Literature 2, the dynamic warp caused by the stress concentration is prevented from transferring to the center.
However, when a connection part between the outer periphery and the center becomes small in order to inhibit the dynamic warp of the outer periphery from transferring to the center, the torque for drive concentrates in the periphery of the connection part and causes the dynamic warp at the center.

PANASONIC INTELLCTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.


A light emitting diode comprises light-emitting elements inside a cup structure and a lens part that condenses the light from these elements. Light-emitting element placed at the center along the optical axis of the lens emits an outgoing beam of light with a narrow directional angle along this optical axis, and light-emitting element placed away from the optical axis emits an outgoing beam of light in an oblique direction. The light-emitting elements are individually turned on and off in accordance with the distance of the subject to be photographed.

The current digital still-shot cameras, and the like have an auxiliary light source for radiating auxiliary light and this is mounted on the autofocus mechanism for measuring distance or focusing. The contrast of a photographic subject can be improved and the autofocus operation can be appropriately performed, even in relatively dark places, by radiating auxiliary light onto the photographic subject with auxiliary light from the auxiliary light source.
A light emitting diode is a typical auxiliary light source (see, for example, JP (Kokai) [Unexamined Japanese Patent Publication] 2003-259,196; JP (Kokai) [Unexamined Japanese Patent Publication] 2003-319,405; and JP (Kokai) [Unexamined Japanese Patent Publication] 2003-258,307). A light emitting diode is small but capable of providing sufficient light without a flash. Consequently, it is effective as an auxiliary light source for digital cameras that must be small or other cameras mounted on a portable terminal.
By means of conventional light emitting diodes used as auxiliary light sources, the degree to which light is condensed is increased and center luminosity is also increased by providing the lens part, which is positioned overlapping the light emitting diode element, with predetermined dimensions and shape. As a result, the zoom ratio is increased and auxiliary light reaches the subject to be photographed even when photographing a subject that is relatively far away; therefore, the user can effectively use the autofocus function.
Nevertheless, when photographing a subject that is relatively close using a wide-angle lens, auxiliary light of a small directional angle does not hit near the center of the photographic range on the subject, and as a result, the distance of the subject cannot be known measured and effective autofocusing is not possible.
On the other hand, when the LED radiation range with a wide-angle lens is enlarged in order to cause some of the light to impinge near the center, it is not possible to effectively autofocus when photographing a subject that is relatively far away, as previously mentioned.
Therefore, the first object of the present invention is to provide a light emitting diode as an auxiliary light source capable of radiating auxiliary light near the center of a subject to be photographed, even with wide-angle photography of a subject that is relatively close, as well as a system for controlling the light emission of auxiliary light that is ideal for cameras that use this light emitting diode.
A second object of the present invention is therefore to provide a small auxiliary light source and a light emitting control system with which it is possible to keep energy consumptions constant and electrically turn on and off the radiation of auxiliary light onto a subject to be photographed.

Light emitting diode and light emitting control system using same

Avago Technologies ECBU IP (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.


A method and structure are provided for simultaneously fabricating polysilicon cones for a field emitter and a porous insulating oxide layer for supporting a gate material. The porous insulating oxide is fabricated by first making the polysilicon porous in the field regions by an anodic etch and then oxidation. This is a fully self-aligned process and only one masking is used. Shaping of the gate material in close proximity to the top of the cone is achieved by a lift-off technique and requires no special deposition techniques like depositions at a grazing incidence to improve the emitter.

The present invention relates generally to semiconductor integrated circuits. More particularly, it pertains to a structure and method for improved field emitter arrays.
Recent years have seen an increased interest in field emitter displays. This is attributable to the fact that such displays can fulfill the goal of consumer affordable hang-on-the-wall flat panel television displays with diagonals in the range of 20 to 60 inches. Certain field emitter displays, or flat panel displays, operate on the same physical principle as fluorescent lamps. A gas discharge generates ultraviolet light which excites a phosphor layer that fluoresces visible light. Other field emitter displays operate on the same physical principals as cathode ray tube (CRT) based displays. Excited electrons are guided to a phosphor target to create a display. Silicon based field emitter arrays are one source for creating similar displays.
Single crystalline structures have been under investigation for some time. However, large area, TV size, displays are likely to be expensive and difficult to manufacture from single crystal silicon wafers. Polycrystalline silicon, on the other hand, provides a viable substitute to single crystal silicon since it can be deposited over large areas on glass or other substrates.
Polysilicon field emitter devices have been previously described for flat panel field emission displays. But such field emitters have only been produced according to lengthy, conventional, integrated circuit technology, e.g., by masking polysilicon and then either etching or oxidation to produce cones of polysilicon with points for field emitters. The cones of polysilicon can then be utilized directly or undergo further processing to cover the points with some inert metal or low work function material.
Thus, it is desirable to develop a method and structure for large population density arrays of field emitters without compromising the responsiveness and reliability of the emitter. Likewise, it is desirable to obtain this result through an improved and streamlined manufacturing technique.
The above mentioned problems with field emitter arrays and other problems are addressed by the present invention and will be understood by reading and studying the following specification. A structure and method are described which accord these benefits.
In particular, an illustrative embodiment of the present invention includes a field emitter device on a substrate. The field emitter device includes a cathode formed in a cathode region of the substrate. A gate insulator is formed in an insulator region of the substrate. The gate insulator and the cathode are formed from a single layer of polysilicon by using a self-aligned technique. A gate is formed on the gate insulator. Further, an anode opposes the cathode.
In another embodiment, a field emitter device on a substrate is provided. The device includes a cathode formed in a cathode region of the substrate. The cathode consists of a polysilicon cone. A porous oxide layer is formed in an insulator region of the substrate. The porous oxide layer and the polysilicon cone are formed from a single layer of polysilicon by using a self-aligned technique. A gate is formed on the porous oxide layer. Further, the gate and the polysilicon cone are formed using the self-aligned technique. An anode opposes the cathode.
In another embodiment of the present invention, a field emitter array is provided. The array includes a number of cathodes which are formed in rows along a substrate. A gate insulator is formed along the substrate and surrounds the cathodes. The gate insulator material and the cathodes are formed from a single layer of polysilicon by using a self-aligned technique. A number of gate lines are formed on the gate insulator. Further, a number of anodes are formed in columns orthogonal to and opposing the rows of cathodes.
In another embodiment of the present invention, a flat panel display is provided. The flat panel display includes a field emitter array formed on a glass substrate. The field emitter array includes a number of cathodes formed in rows along the substrate. The number of cathodes are formed of polysilicon cones. A gate insulator is formed along the substrate and surrounds the cathodes. The gate insulator material and the cathodes are formed from a single layer of polysilicon by using a self-aligned technique. A number of gate lines formed on the gate insulator. Further the array has a number of anodes formed in columns orthogonal to, and opposing, the rows of cathodes. The anodes include multiple phosphors, and the intersection of the rows and columns form pixels. Further, the display includes a row decoder and a column decoder each coupled to the field emitter array in order to selectively access the pixels. A processor is included which is adapted to receiving input signals and providing the input signals to the row and column decoders in order to access the pixels.
In another embodiment, a method for forming a field emitter device on a substrate is provided. The method includes forming a polysilicon cone on the substrate. A porous oxide layer is formed on the substrate. The method includes forming the porous oxide layer and the polysilicon cone from a single layer of polysilicon using a self-aligned technique. A gate layer is formed on the porous oxide layer. Further, the polysilicon cone is isolated from the gate. And, an anode is formed opposite the cathode.
Thus, an improved method and structure are provided for simultaneously fabricating polysilicon cones for a field emitter and a porous insulating oxide layer for supporting a gate material. The porous insulating oxide is fabricated by first making the polysilicon porous in the field regions by an anodic etch and then oxidation. This is a fully self-aligned process and only one masking is used. Shaping of the gate material in close proximity to the top of the cone is achieved by a lift-off technique and requires no special deposition techniques like depositions at a grazing incidence to improve the emitter shape.

Structure and method for improved field emitter arrays


An ion source can have: a multiplicity of electrodes, which are mounted electrically separated from one another and have: a first electrode, which has a depression; a second electrode, which is arranged in the depression; a third electrode, which partially covers the depression and through which a slit passes which exposes the second electrode; one or more than one magnet, which is designed to provide a magnetic field in the slit.

In general, workpieces or substrates can be processed, for example treated, coated, heated, etched and/or structurally changed. A method for treating a substrate is, for example, ion irradiation. Using ion irradiation, for example, the substrate can be irradiated with ions, with the result that these ions are built into the substrate or remove material from the substrate. For this purpose, a plasma-forming gas can be ionized between two electrodes, wherein the ions for the irradiation are extracted from the plasma formed in the process. The extracted ions can be accelerated towards the substrate with which they ultimately interact.
The plasma formation can be assisted by using a magnetic field in order to increase or concentrate the ionization rate of the plasma-forming gas locally. In order to generate the magnetic field, a system of magnets can have been or can be arranged relative to the electrode in such a way that a plasma channel, a so-called racetrack, in which plasma can form, can be formed close to the electrode.
For the magnetic-field-assisted plasma generation for the ion irradiation, use is conventionally made of a so-called anode layer ion source or closed drift ion source (ALS).
During operation of the ion source, however, material can be deposited on the electrode operating as an anode (referred to as anode for short). Conventionally, in addition generators, changeover switches and/or a further ion source (in the bipolar operating mode) are used to counteract this parasitic coating. Likewise, oxygen is used to clean the anode. However, oxygen also inhibits the sputtering rate on the substrate.
In accordance with various embodiments, it has been identified that these concepts are based on acting externally on the ion source and therefore require additional complexity and additional costs.


A liquid ejection apparatus includes: a liquid ejection head; a long wiping member configured to come in contact with and wipe a liquid ejection face of the head; a wiping member conveyance device configured to drive the wiping member to be conveyed in a lengthwise direction of the wiping member; a pressing member configured to cause the wiping member to come in contact and pressed against the liquid ejection face when the pressing member is placed at a first position; and a slack elimination mechanism configured to push down the pressing member to a second position lower than the first position before the wiping member is brought into contact with the liquid ejection face, and to stop pushing the pressing member so as to move the pressing member along with the wiping member to the first position to bring the wiping member into contact with the liquid ejection face.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a liquid ejection apparatus, a cleaning apparatus for a liquid ejection head, and an inkjet recording apparatus, and more particularly to head cleaning technology for wiping a liquid ejection face of a liquid ejection head by means of a long wiping member, and to a liquid ejection apparatus and an inkjet recording apparatus using this technology.
2. Description of the Related Art
In an inkjet recording apparatus, with use, foreign material such as ink residue or paper dust adheres to a liquid ejection face (a nozzle face formed with nozzles) of a liquid ejection head. When the foreign material adheres to the nozzles and/or the periphery thereof, the adhering material affects ink droplets ejected from the nozzles and causes deviation in the ejection direction of the ink droplets, and it is then difficult to deposit the ink droplets at prescribed positions on the recording medium. As a result of this, the output image quality declines. Therefore, in an inkjet recording apparatus, a maintenance operation is carried out to remove foreign material adhering to the nozzle face, periodically or at a suitable timing (see, for example, Japanese Patent Application Publication Nos. 2005-022251 and 2007-030482).
Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2005-022251 discloses a wiping unit including: a cleaning liquid supply device, which supplies cleaning liquid to a long wiping sheet (wiping member) wound in the form of a roll; and a pressing device, which presses the wiping sheet against the nozzle face of the liquid ejection head. The wiping sheet is paid out from a pay-out reel of a sheet supply unit, and is taken up onto a take-up reel through a pressing roller. By moving the pressing roller over the nozzle face while thus conveying the wiping sheet in a prescribed direction, the wiping sheet is pressed against the nozzle face and caused to rub the nozzle face, thereby wiping the nozzle face. Moreover, Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2005-022251 proposes to provide the wiping unit with a controller configured to cause a first wiping operation of pressing the wiping sheet impregnated with the cleaning liquid against the nozzle face, and to then cause a second wiping operation of pressing a wiping sheet in a dry state against the nozzle face.
Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2007-030482 discloses a cleaning apparatus for an inkjet head including: a supporting device, which supports a flexible cleaning device in the form of a sheet, such as a cloth or film, at a position under a lower face of a head; and a pressing device, which presses the cleaning device supported by the supporting device to the lower face of the head from below.
In Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2005-022251, the pressing roller for pressing the wiping sheet against the nozzle face is constituted of an elastic roller formed by attaching an elastic body of rubber, or the like, to the outer circumference of a shaft (paragraph 0056 in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2005-022251). When the elastic roller (pressing roller) moves transversely in the region under the nozzle face, the wiping sheet and the pressing roller are compressed in the downward direction, in such a manner that the wiping sheet is pressed against the nozzle face due to an elastic restoring force of the pressing roller. However, the apparatus according to Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2005-022251 does not include any device to manage the pressing force.
On the other hand, in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2007-030482, the pressing force applied to the head is adjusted by deformation of the pressing device, which deforms elastically upon the pressing action.
However, due to the deformation of the elastic member, the sheet-formed flexible cleaning device (the wiping member such as cloth or film) is distorted, and it becomes impossible to convey the cleaning device. When it becomes impossible to convey the cleaning device due to the occurrence of distortion, the wiping surface of the sheet-shaped cleaning device is not renewed, then the wiping surface having been soiled is used to wipe the head, and hence there is a problem in that the soiling becomes attached again to the nozzle face.
This issue in the related art is described here by a concrete example shown in FIGS. 13 and 14. FIGS. 13 and 14 show a liquid ejection head (hereinafter referred to as the "head") 520 and a wiping unit 630, which wipes a nozzle face 522 of the head 520. The wiping unit 630 includes: a pay-out side web core 634, which supplies a long wiping web 632; a take-up side web core 636, which takes up the wiping web 632 that has been paid out; a pressing roller 640, which presses the wiping web 632 against the nozzle face 522 of the head 520; an impelling spring 642, which impels the pressing roller 640 and the wiping web 632 wrapped thereon in the upward direction in FIGS. 13 and 14; and a pair of web driving rollers 650, which drives the wiping web 632 to be conveyed.
The wiping web 632 that has been paid out from the pay-out side web core 634 is wound up onto the take-up side web core 636 through a first guide roller 672, a second guide roller 676 and the pressing roller 640. A cleaning liquid deposition roller 662 is disposed between the first guide roller 672 and the second guide roller 676, and is configured to deposit the cleaning liquid on the wiping web 632.
In the composition shown in FIG. 13, a relative movement of the head 520 and the wiping unit 630 is carried out. Here, an example is described where the head 520 is horizontally moved from the left-hand side toward the right-hand side in the direction indicated with an arrow A in FIG. 13, but it is also possible to adopt a composition where the head 520 is stationary and the wiping unit 630 is moved from the right-hand side toward the left-hand side in the drawing.
As shown in FIG. 13, in a state before the wiping web 632 comes in contact with the nozzle face 522 of the head 520, the wiping unit 630 is arranged in such a manner that the uppermost position 638 of the wiping web 632 wrapped around the pressing roller 640 is slightly (for example, by approximately 1.5 mm) higher than the position of the nozzle face 522. When wiping the nozzle face 522, the impelling spring 642 is compressed in accordance with the height differential (the amount of overlap) between the nozzle face 522 and the uppermost position 638 of the wiping web 632, and the wiping web 632 is pressed against the nozzle face 522.
When the wiping web 612 thereby comes in contact with the nozzle face 522 while the impelling spring 622 is compressed, then as shown in FIG. 14, slacks 702 of the wiping web 632 occur on both of the upstream side and the downstream side of the pressing roller 640. For example, if there is the overlap of approximately 1.5 mm, then when the wiping web 632 comes in contact and pressed against the nozzle face 522, the slack 702 of 1.5 mm occurs in the wiping web 632 on each side of the pressing roller 640, i.e., the slacks 702 in total of approximately 3 mm occur on both the sides. In this case, when the web drive roller 650 drives the wiping web 632 at the conveyance speed of 3.2 mm/s, then a state arises in which the wiping web 632 cannot be conveyed for approximately one second between the occurrence and disappearance of the slacks 702. During this time, the nozzle face 522 is wiped with a soiled surface of the wiping web 632.
An issue of this kind is not limited to the inkjet printer, but rather is also a common problem in liquid ejection apparatuses of various kinds which use liquid ejection heads.

Liquid ejection apparatus, cleaning apparatus for liquid ejection head, and inkjet recording apparatus