A hybrid type vehicle drive control apparatus having a generator; a generator inverter for driving the generator; a drive motor; a drive motor inverter for driving the drive motor; a battery connected to the generator inverter and the drive motor inverter; a first voltage detection device that detects a voltage applied to the generator inverter; a second voltage detection device that detects a voltage applied to the drive motor inverter; a third voltage detection device that detects a battery voltage; and a system voltage determination processing means for determining a system voltage based on detection results provided by the first to third voltage detection devices.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a hybrid type vehicle drive control apparatus, a hybrid type vehicle drive control method, and a program thereof.
2. Description of the Related Art
In a conventional hybrid type vehicle drive apparatus installed in a hybrid type vehicle in which a torque of an engine, that is, a portion of the engine torque, is transferred to an electric generator (generator-motor), and the remainder of the engine torque is transferred to driving wheels, a planetary gear unit is provided that includes a sun gear, a ring gear and a carrier. The carrier is connected to the engine, the ring gear is connected to the drive wheels, and the sun gear is connected to the generator. In such drive apparatus, rotation output from the ring gear and a drive motor is transferred to the drive wheels so as to produce a drive force.
In the aforementioned hybrid type vehicle drive apparatus, a generator rotation speed control is performed so as to adjust the rotation speed of the engine while a torque control is being performed so that a predetermined engine torque is produced, for example, after the engine has been started. In the generator rotation speed control, the torque of the generator, that is, the generator torque, is controlled based on the rotation speed of the generator, that is, a difference between a target generator rotation speed that represents a target value of the generator rotation speed and an actual generator rotation speed, that is, the difference rotation speed.
However, in the hybrid type vehicle drive apparatus, a battery voltage sensor is disposed for detecting the voltage of a battery, that is, the battery voltage, as voltage information, and various drive controls, including a torque control of the generator, a rotation speed control of the generator, a torque control of the drive motor, etc., are performed based on the battery voltage. For example, if the battery voltage becomes high in a case where a hybrid type vehicle is run on a long continuous downhill or the like, the load on an inverter for driving the generator becomes great. Therefore, if the battery voltage is high, the generator torque is restricted.
However, if a detection abnormality occurs in the battery voltage sensor in the aforementioned conventional hybrid type vehicle drive apparatus, it becomes very difficult or even impossible to accurately detect the battery voltage, so that the drive control cannot be smoothly performed.
A hybrid type vehicle drive control apparatus in accordance with the invention includes an electric generator that generates an electric power by driving an engine; an electric generator inverter for driving the electric generator; a drive motor that drives a hybrid type vehicle; a drive motor inverter for driving the drive motor; a battery connected to the electric generator inverter and the drive motor inverter; first voltage detection means for detecting a voltage applied to the electric generator inverter; second voltage detection means for detecting a voltage applied to the drive motor inverter; third voltage detection means for detecting a battery voltage; and system voltage determination processing means for determining a system voltage based on detection results provided by the first to third voltage detection means.
Another hybrid type vehicle drive control apparatus in accordance with the invention includes a system voltage determination processing means that determines the system voltage based on a difference between two detection results of the detection results provided by the first to third voltage detection means.
Another hybrid type vehicle drive control apparatus in accordance with the invention includes a system voltage determination processing means that determines the system voltage based on the detection result provided by each of the first to third voltage detection means.
A further hybrid type vehicle drive control apparatus in accordance with the invention includes a system voltage determination processing means that determines the system voltage based on detection results provided by two of the first to third voltage detection means, and a detection result provided by another one of the first to third voltage detection means.
A still further hybrid type vehicle drive control apparatus in accordance with the invention further includes a planetary gear unit having at least first to third gear elements, the first gear element is mechanically connected to the electric generator, and the second gear element is mechanically connected to the drive motor, and the third gear element is mechanically connected to the engine.
A hybrid type vehicle drive control method in accordance with the invention is applicable to a hybrid type vehicle drive apparatus that includes an electric generator that generates an electric power by driving an engine; an electric generator inverter for driving the electric generator; a drive motor that drives a hybrid type vehicle; and a drive motor inverter for driving the drive motor; and a battery connected to the electric generator inverter and the drive motor inverter.
In this method, a voltage applied to the electric generator inverter is detected by first voltage detection means, a voltage applied to the drive motor inverter is detected by second voltage detection means, and a battery voltage is detected by third voltage detection means. A system voltage is determined based on detection results provided by the first to third voltage detection means.
A program of a hybrid type vehicle drive control method in accordance with the invention causes a computer to function as first voltage detection means for detecting a voltage applied to an electric generator inverter; second voltage detection means for detecting a voltage applied to a drive motor inverter; third voltage detection means for detecting a battery voltage; and system voltage determination processing means for determining a system voltage based on detection results provided by the first to third voltage detection means.

Hybrid type vehicle drive control apparatus, hybrid type vehicle drive control method, and program thereof


A flippable mattress includes a first memory foam layer, a second memory foam layer, a core layer disposed therebetween and a transition layer between each foam layer and the core. The first memory foam layer has a thickness, and the second memory foam layer has a thickness that is greater than the thickness of the first memory foam layer. The first transition layer has an IFD less than that of the second transition layer. The mattress is flippable between a first orientation in which the first memory foam layer is above the core layer and the second memory foam layer, and a second orientation in which the second memory foam layer is above the core layer and the first memory foam layer.

A foam mattress typically includes at least a core layer and a memory foam layer (sometime referred to as a comfort layer). The core layer is made of a high-density foam and is designed to provide a supportive base for the mattress. The memory foam layer is made of a lower density foam and is designed to provide a comfortable sleeping surface. The core layer typically has a thickness that is substantially greater (e.g., at least 100% greater) than that of the memory foam layer.
Foam mattresses are typically designed for use in only one orientation in which the memory foam layer is above the core layer. Although a user would be free to flip the foam mattress to provide the core layer above the memory layer, virtually no user would do so. This is because the density of the core layer is typically so high that it would be prohibitively uncomfortable for use as a sleeping surface. For these reasons, foam mattresses are typically described as being "non-flippable" or "one-sided."
The popularity of foam mattress has increased recently due to advances in foam materials. The polyurethane memory foam that was traditionally used in mattresses has been replaced or supplemented with open cell (e.g., plant-based) memory foams and/or gel-infused memory foams. The main advantage of open cell and gel-infused memory foams is that they are more breathable than polyurethane memory foam, and thus they avoid the problem of overheating that users commonly experienced with polyurethane memory foam mattresses.
For example, US Publication No. 2010/0058541 discloses a reversible mattress comprising multiple layers of foam adhered together to form a unitary construction. The mattress comprises five foam layers including a single core. The outer layers and intermediate layers help prevent unwanted mattress sag, while the core layer provides adequate support. However, while "being able to retain much body heat" is implied to be a good thing in the '541 publication, most sleepers actually prefer cooling mattresses. The polyurethane foam is also a haven for bacteria and other microbials to collect and expand.
GB Patent No. 2,224,000 discloses a reversible multilayer foam mattress having different degrees of firmness on its opposite horizontal sides. The '000 patent discloses a mattress comprising three layers of plastic foam laminated together to form a rectangular block. The second, intermediate layer being made of an open cell plastics foam of density lying in the range of 33-40 kg/m3 and hardness in the range 100-150 N. The outer layers are made from an open cell plastics foam having lower density and hardness.
US Publication No. 2010/170042 discloses a reversible laminated foam mattress having a center core of relatively high resilience sandwiched between two layers of lower resilience foam encased in a fabric shell. The two layers of foam encasing the core allows the mattress to be reversible. The multi-layered foam mattress is comprised of visco-elastic polyurethane foam, "memory foam", or foam rubber. The benefits of memory foam are that it closely conforms to the shape of the human body and can efficiently distribute pressure over the whole surface. It also has the ability to dampen vibration as well as to absorb shock.
Another reason that foam mattresses have become increasingly popular is that manufacturers developed techniques for compressing and packaging foam mattresses into relatively small cardboard boxes that are easily handled and cheaply delivered by major delivery services (e.g., UPS or FedEx). This has enabled a new online-only business model by which a manufacturer sells foam mattresses direct to consumers via a website. The manufacturer uses a delivery service (e.g., UPS, FedEx, etc.) to ship the compactly-packaged foam mattress directly to consumers' doorsteps. One problem with this online-only business model is that consumers are usually left with no opportunity to test a foam mattress before purchasing. To compete with companies that sell traditional spring mattresses from showrooms, foam mattress manufactures are forced to offer lengthy trial periods and free returns, the latter of which can be very expensive due to the fact that a technician must be dispatched to the consumers' location to assist with repackaging of a foam mattress for return shipping. Shipping is a huge cost associated with selling a mattress, and customers would be deterred from entering the free trial if they were still on the hook for shipping such a large item.
Consumer returns of foam mattresses are most often due to dissatisfaction with firmness. Therefore, free shipping both ways has become a staple of online mattress purchases. To reduce the number of consumer returns (and the high costs associated therewith), it would be advantageous to provide a flippable or two-sided foam mattress having a first side that is relatively firm, and an opposing second side that is relatively soft. However, such flippable or two-sided foam mattresses were thought to be impracticable due to the fact that memory foam layers would be needed both above and below the supportive core layer to allow for user comfort in both orientations of the mattress. It was thought that providing memory foam layers on both sides of the core layer would prohibitively reduce support and stability of the mattress, and/or increase the total thickness of the mattress beyond a maximum (e.g., approximately 20 inches or 50 cm) considered acceptable for use with typical bedframes.
Flippable mattresses often have handles to aid in transporting and flipping the mattress. Covers with soft stretchable material having an attached solid handle can often cause ripping at the seam of the handle. This is because the force exerted on the handle will often only be placed in a single direction against the stretchable fabric. This may happen while the mattress is being transported or flipped.
Aspects of the present invention are directed to these and other problems.


An encoder-type measurement system is configured to measure a position dependent signal of a movable object. The measurement system includes a light source and a sensor. The light source and the sensor are mounted on one of the movable object or a substantially stationary frame. The measurement system also includes a reference object that includes a grating or grid mounted on the other of the movable object or the substantially stationary frame. The light source is configured to emit a light beam towards the reference object. The sensor is configured to detect light of the light source reflected by the reference object. The measurement system also includes an error detector capable of detecting errors in or on the grating or grid of the sensor target object during a continuous production process.

A lithographic apparatus is a machine that applies a desired pattern onto a substrate, usually onto a target portion of the substrate. A lithographic apparatus can be used, for example, in the manufacture of integrated circuits (ICs). In such a case, a patterning device, which is alternatively referred to as a mask or a reticle, may be used to generate a circuit pattern to be formed on an individual layer of the IC. This pattern can be transferred onto a target portion (e.g. including part of, one, or several dies) on a substrate (e.g. a silicon wafer). Transfer of the pattern is typically via imaging onto a layer of radiation-sensitive material (resist) provided on the substrate. In general, a single substrate will contain a network of adjacent target portions that are successively patterned. Conventional lithographic apparatus include so-called steppers, in which each target portion is irradiated by exposing an entire pattern onto the target portion at once, and so-called scanners, in which each target portion is irradiated by scanning the pattern through a radiation beam in a given direction (the "scanning"-direction) while synchronously scanning the substrate parallel or anti-parallel to this direction. It is also possible to transfer the pattern from the patterning device to the substrate by imprinting the pattern onto the substrate.
In the known lithographic apparatus, a measurement system is used for determining the position of a substrate stage with high accuracy (e.g. nanometer accuracy). Due to a continuing demand for higher throughput and increased accuracy, it is desirable to improve the accuracy of measurement systems used in the lithographic apparatus, in particular for the measurement systems with which the position of the substrate stage and reticle stage are measured, and typically in six degrees of freedom.
In an embodiment of the measurement system, an encoder type measurement system is used. Such encoder-type measurement system may comprise one or more sensors mounted on the movable object and at least one sensor target object, for instance a sensor target plate comprising a grating or grid, the sensor target object mounted on a substantially stationary frame, in particular a so-called metrology frame (metro-frame). The sensor target object may comprise a one-dimensional or multi dimensional grating. In an embodiment, the sensor target object will be typically in the form of a plate on which a two dimensional orthogonal grid is arranged. Such sensor target object is often referred to as grid, grating or grid plate.
In alternative embodiments, the one or more sensors may be mounted on the substantially stationary frame and the sensor target object may be mounted on the movable object. The grid sensor target object, for instance grating or grid plate comprises grid lines or other grid markings which are used to determine a change in position of the grid plate with respect to the one or more sensors.
Position control is carried out by measuring the position of the sensor with respect to the sensor target object in one or more degrees of freedom. The grid plate may comprise irregularities such as manufacture errors, local pollution or damage which may cause errors in the position measurement. Also, droplets of the liquid of an immersion type lithographic apparatus on the grid or grating may cause errors in the grid or grating. In the context of the present application local pollution, damage and droplets or particles which cause an error in the grid or grating are regarded to be errors.
The presence of an error on a grid or grating may lead to incorrect positioning of the patterning device support or substrate table with respect to the optical axis of the lithographic apparatus. As a result, the image of a patterned beam of radiation which is projected on a target portion of the substrate is not correctly positioned on the substrate. Such imaging errors such as overlay and/or focus errors, may lead to inferior product quality, or even complete rejection of the substrates. In this respect it is remarked that the quality of the wafers may only be determined after complete production of the wafers. Therefore, the presence of grid or grating errors may result in a large impact on the production of the lithographic apparatus. Thus it is desirable to take grid or grating errors into account.
In lithographic apparatus, it is known to calibrate the grid or grating. In such calibration method, the complete grid or grating is scanned on irregularities. A map of the grid or grating is made of any irregularities such as errors. This calibration map is used during actual position measurement to correct incorrect measurements due to the presence of errors.
The calibration of the grid or grating may improve the position measurement of the position measurement system since the known errors are taken into account. However, errors which come into existence after the calibration step, such as pollution, damage, droplets or particles, will not be known in the correction map. The presence of such errors may still lead to the imaging errors in a large number of substrates. To avoid the risks on bad product quality of the substrates, the calibration step may be repeated regularly to map new errors in the calibration map. However, increasing the number of calibrations may have a negative influence on the overall throughput of the lithographic apparatus.

Encoder-type measurement system, lithographic apparatus and method to detect an error on or in a grid or grating of an encoder-type measurement system


Methods, systems, and devices are described for warless communications. An apparatus may identifying a living person by recording a heat image of a person's facial area and detecting a local heat inhomogeneity in a predetermined detection range of the heat image in order to identify the living person. Identifying the living person may include detecting a heat pattern in a predetermined detection range and comparing the detected heat pattern to a heat reference sample. The predetermined detection range may be detected based on a heat image geometry, using pattern matching, by comparing the heat image to a white light image of a living person, or by masking the heat image.

The following relates generally to the identifying of a living person.
Biometric face recognition techniques can be used to distinguish and/or identify individuals by, for example, analyzing an interocular distance and/or other features of captured images of a person in order to identify the person.
Disadvantageous with known biometric face recognition techniques, however, is that they usually cannot differentiate a living person from a dummy subject having the biometric features of a person or from an image of the person. Such differentiation is however essential when, for example, conducting so-called Presentation Attack Detection (PAD) at electronic access control gates such as e-gates or ABC gates. Dummy and liveness detection is thereby automatically performed in order to differentiate a living person from a dummy subject or from a person's image. To this end, a skin detector can for example be used as is described in printed publication DE 102007017713, its transmission diodes emitting infrared radiation at different transmission wavelengths toward the human skin. The reflected infrared radiation is detected by a reception diode of the skin detector and evaluated as to liveness detection. However, in addition to active illumination, this identification concept requires interaction with the person so that they will, for example, guide their thumb to the skin detector. Such interaction is however not always possible or practical.


An idler gear having a part worked by cutting is formed such that a chamfer part is formed at least on a portion between a tooth shape and chamfers are formed on the tooth shape by a forging process on an outer peripheral surface and an end part thereof in an axial direction by cutting.

A gear formed by a forging process has pads projecting at least to a pressurized side surface. A cutting process is applied to the side surface in order to cut off the projecting part of the pads.
A weld flash occurs on an elongation of cut surface of tooth surfaces on the gear owing to the cutting process. Generally chamfering is carried out to a corner part in order to finish the corner part having the weld flash and this chamfering has been carried out by cutting.
A cutting process inherently has problems such as the attrition of tools, occurrence of chips, difficulty of forming optional forms and requiring long machining time. Particularly, chamfering must be carried out one tooth at a time by turns. Therefore, chamfering is inefficient and needs an appreciable amount of time.
Furthermore, when chamfering is carried out by cutting process in order to remove a weld flash generated by cutting side surface, a new weld flash can occur due to the chamfering.
A process yield is influenced on a large scale by the occurrence of weld flash and a step of screening defective products having weld flash was required.

Gear, and method and apparatus for manufacturing the same


A fault detection method of semiconductor manufacturing processes is disclosed. The method includes the steps of providing a storage device, collecting a fault detection and classification(FDC) parameter by the storage device, setting up a measurement site for measuring an online measurement parameter, collecting a wafer acceptance test(WAT) in correspondence to the FDC parameter, establishing a first relationship equation between the FDC parameter and the online measurement parameter, establishing a second relationship equation of the online measurement parameter and the WAT by using the first relationship equation, establishing a third relationship equation between the FDC parameter and the WAT, establishing a waning region of the manufacturing processes by using the first, second, and third relationship equations, and determining the situation of generating wafer defects according to the warning region. The present invention discloses a system architecture for the method.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a fault detection method; in particular, to a fault detection method adaptable in semiconductor manufacturing processes and system architecture of implementing the same.
2. Description of Related Art
Conventional semiconductor manufacturing equipment is configured to carry out various complicated tasks, including wafer transportation and other manufacturing processes. To ensure proper functioning of the equipment, every step of a manufacturing process, each of which generates a great amount of parameter data (such as temperatures and pressures, etc.), needs to be carefully and constantly monitored.
However, real time monitoring of the operating parameters of modern complex manufacturing equipment requires the recordation and analysis of a great volume of data. Therefore, the engineers of a semiconductor plant may consume time and energy in monitoring and analyzing the aforementioned data for determining whether problems occurred during the manufacturing processes that would in turn cause wafer defects, resulting in reduction of yield/ production rates.
In order to increase the yield rate of manufacturing processes, it is an inevitable trend to adapt a monitoring system in a semiconductor manufacturing process to process the great amount of monitoring data. However, conventional monitoring systems often employ complicated mathematical calculating models that lack practicability.

Fault detection method of semiconductor manufacturing processes and system architecture thereof


A method for determining wear of a drill bit is disclosed. The method includes drilling a first hole in a worksite based on a hole pattern having a plurality of planned holes and determining an energy required to drill the first hole. The method also includes drilling a second hole in the worksite and determining an energy required to drill the second hole. The method further includes determining a wear of the drill bit using the determined energy required to drill the first hole and the determined energy required to drill the second hole.

Blast hole drilling operations often use mobile machines to drill multiple blast holes in a worksite. During the drilling operation, a drill bit on the end of the drill may become worn and require replacement. The bit may also experience a catastrophic failure, leading to partial or complete inoperability of the bit. If the operator is unaware of the state of the drill bit, the operator may continue using the bit for current or future drill holes, thus resulting in suboptimal performance for the drilling operation. Additionally, if the operator is unable to plan for a needed bit change, the operator may be required to remove the drill string from the hole in the middle of a drilling process, which may be costly and inefficient.
This disclosure is directed at overcoming one or more of the problems described above.

Method and apparatus for detection of drill bit wear


An optical system that includes an analog laser transmitter having a burst operative mode is disclosed. The system further includes a power controller that is configured to place the analog laser transmitter in the burst operative mode when a digital enable signal is provided to the power controller. The power controller comprises a reference voltage source, a ground node, and an input selector switch that is configured to select the reference voltage source when the digital enable signal is asserted, and alternatively, to select the ground node when the digital enable signal is de-asserted.

Optical transmission systems incorporating laser transmitters can be generally classified under two broad categories: analog systems and digital systems. In analog systems, the laser transmitter operates in an analog mode that can be described using the prior art optical system shown in FIG. 1. Laser transmitter 120 accepts an analog input signal via electrical line 110 and produces an output optical signal on optical link 140. In certain applications, the analog input signal may be a baseband analog signal such as a sine wave of a particular frequency, or a complex analog signal containing several frequency components. In other applications the analog input signal may be a modulated signal containing carrier frequency components. Typically, laser transmitter 120 is a broadband device that can accommodate the range of frequencies present in the input signal, and carries out an electrical-to-optical conversion process by converting the electrical-domain analog input signal into an optical-domain output optical signal.
Power controller 130 operates together with laser transmitter 120 to produce the output optical signal at a desired power level while simultaneously ensuring that laser transmitter 120 operates in a linear operative mode that produces certain desirable characteristics. Such desirable characteristics include output power accuracy, stability over time and environmental conditions, flat frequency response, and low harmonic distortion. Consequently, power controller 130 typically incorporates several temperature-stable components as well as feedback circuitry. The bandwidth and response time of the feedback circuitry is typically chosen to filter out unwanted high-frequency perturbations and to provide the desired characteristics mentioned above. As a consequence, the turn-on/turn-off times of the laser transmitter 120 is fairly long. While this may be acceptable for the analog system of FIG. 1, such lengthy turn-on/turn-off times prove unsuitable for digital mode operations wherein the laser transmitter has to be turned on and off more rapidly.
FIG. 2 illustrates a prior art optical system operating in a digital mode. Laser transmitter 220 accepts a digital input signal via electrical line 210 and produces an output optical signal on optical link 240. The digital input signal is typically a baseband signal that uses two or more logic levels. When two levels are used, the system is termed a binary system, and the laser transmitter operates in two distinct modes—either on or off. The on state corresponds to a first logic level, while the off state corresponds to a second logic level. The speed at which the laser transmitter 220 can change from one state to the other (e.g. from on to off) determines the maximum digital signal rate that can be accommodated. The degree of illumination or lack thereof in the output of the laser transmitter 220, often referred to as the extinction ratio, determines the error rate encountered in decoding the optical digital signal at a receiver located at the other end of optical link 240. For example, if the laser transmitter 220 did not turn off completely, an optical receiver at a distant end may erroneously interpret the digital logic present in optical link 240 at that instant as a logic "one" rather than a logic "zero." Consequently, laser transmitter 220 operates in a saturated mode of operation wherein a laser inside laser transmitter 220 is completely on or completely off. This is in contrast to the analog system of FIG. 1 where a laser inside laser transmitter 120 operates in a linear manner and produces various non-discrete levels of intensities.
Power controller 230 is designed to place laser transmitter 220 in the digital mode of operation where characteristics such as extinction ratio, rise and fall times, and bit rate are the primary criteria in contrast to characteristics such as flat frequency response and low harmonic distortion that are desirable in the system of FIG. 1. It can therefore, be appreciated that the two prior art systems illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, prove to have certain handicaps when a mixed mode of operation (digital and analog) is desired. Thus, a heretofore unaddressed need exists in the industry to address the aforementioned and/or other deficiencies and inadequacies.

System and method for optical transmission


This invention provides a method for prolonging the preservation of human blood platelets at reduced temperatures. The method uses an inhibitor system that enables blood platelets to retain their functional integrity during storage. In addition, the inhibitor system prevents the generation of cytokines in the platelet preparation during storage at both 22.degree. C. and 4.degree. C. This is accomplished by interrupting normal platelet function during storage, so as to help keep platelets from activating and losing their shape. Before using the platelets in a transfusion, they are returned to their normal functional level by washing the inhibitor system away from the platelets.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a method for extending the shelf-life of human blood platelets. The invention relates particularly to a reversible inhibitor system and method that inhibits platelets from biologically activating during storage at refrigeration temperatures (4.degree. C.) but leaves platelets with the ability to resume normal reactions once the inhibitor system is removed.
2. Description of Related Art
Platelet transfusions are frequently used to treat patients. Not only are platelet transfusions given to casualty victims suffering from massive blood loss, but also to patients undergoing chemotherapy. Chemotherapy reduces the number of a patient's platelets, and also causes the platelets that are present to function defectively. For example, with thrombocytopenia, a patient has a decreased number of platelets caused by bone marrow suppression, whereas a patient with hemorrhagic myocarditis may have platelets that have been rendered functionally defective by chemotherapy. Platelet transfusions are used to increase the number of platelets to treat conditions such as thrombocytopenia, and to replace functionally defective platelets in treating hemorrhagic myocarditis.
Blood platelets should be stored at the lowest temperature possible to reduce metabolic function, contaminant growth and the generation of cytokines. Currently, platelets are stored for up to 5 days at 22.degree. C. This storage time is limited by a decrease in pH due to increased lactate associated with anaerobic metabolic activity. Storage at 22.degree. C. is also limited by the potential for bacterial growth. Refrigeration offers advantages over 22.degree. C. storage with respect to metabolic function, contamination, and pH stability. However refrigerated storage results in multiple inherent problems. First, platelets undergo a change from discoid shape to a spherical configuration after about 24 hours of refrigerated storage. Second, spontaneous aggregation is increased after 24-48 hours of refrigerated storage. Third, platelets stored at 4.degree. C. fail to recover functional activity following the storage period. Finally, platelets which undergo a storage lesion at 4.degree. C. are cleared from the circulation by the spleen following transfusion.
Goals for refrigerated platelet storage are to preserve a high number of platelets, lengthen the time that platelets may be preserved, maintain the functional integrity of platelets, inhibit the production of cytokines in the platelet preparation, and ensure that their in vivo circulatory life span approaches normal limits. This may be accomplished by using the inhibitor system of this invention, because it blocks pathways that are essential to activation, thus rendering the platelet unsusceptible to 4.degree. C. induced damage.
Since fresh platelets have a shelf-life of only 3 to 5 days at 22.degree. C. (room temperature), methods for extending platelet shelf-life would be beneficial. Unfortunately, despite a number of attempts to optimize platelet storage, progressive changes in cell shape (resulting in biological disfunction) and permanent deterioration in subsequent aggregation potential continue to limit platelet storage. Cytokines generated during the storage of platelet concentrates can cause febrile reactions in recipient patients. In addition, platelets develop a lesion with storage that causes them to be removed from the circulation, predominantly by the spleen during the first passage following transfusion. In addition, For instance, the typical life span of a normal platelet in the human body is approximately eight days. Prior art attempts to store platelets for extended periods of time result in the creation of lesion-modified platelets. Approximately 80%-90% of the prior art storage platelets can be numerically recovered after storage, but only 20%-35% remain active after the first circulatory flow through the spleen. This is because the spleen filters out the lesion-modified platelets. Use of the compositions and methods of this invention result in the same 80%-90% numerically recovered as the prior art, but since lesion-modified platelets are not produced, 65% to 80% of the reactivated platelets should function biologically for the typical time in the human body.
Several approaches such as reduced storage temperature, cryopreservation techniques, additives and artificial storage media yield an increased number of platelets following storage. However, the functional capacity and persistence in circulation of the platelets recovered by these methods is limited. Blood banks and hospitals very much need a platelet storage system that provides an increased number of platelets after storage, but also prevents platelets from aggregating during storage and enables them to continue to retain the ability to react normally once they are transfused into a patient including the ability of platelets to persist in the circulation and not be cleared.
Blood banks and hospitals very much need a platelet storage system that will provide an increased number of platelets after storage. This may be accomplished by a platelet storage system that: prevents platelets from aggregating during storage; prevents the production of a febrile reaction in patients produced by cytokines; enables platelets to regain the ability to react normally after removal from storage; and allows platelets to persist in circulation and avoid being cleared by the spleen.
Previous attempts to use platelet activation inhibitors have met with very limited success. This is primarily because the prior art teaching is limited to the use of a single inhibitor in an attempt to preserve platelet function. The single inhibitor system results in improved results over no inhibitor at all but does not approach the unexpected results achieved using the compositions and methods of the subject invention. Prior methods for the use of single inhibitor systems are explained in Valeri, Feingold, and Marchionni, A Simple Method for Freezing Human Platelets Using Dimethylsulfoxide and Storage at -80.degree. C., Blood, Vol. 43, No. 1 (January), 1974 and Bode, Holme, Heaton, and Swanson, Extended Storage of Platelets in an Artificial Medium with the Platelet Activation Inhibitors Prostaglandin E, and Theophylline, Vox Sang 1991:60;105-112.
The instant invention represents a quantum leap in beneficial result and technical sophistication over the prior methods. The platelet storage, reactivation, and long term functional effectiveness of blood platelets treated with the compositions and methods of this invention have previously been considered impossible.

Prolonged preservation of blood platelets


A solid state imaging device with an electron multiplying function includes an imaging region VR formed of a plurality of vertical shift registers, a horizontal shift register HR that transfers electrons from the imaging region VR, a multiplication register EM that multiplies the electrons from the horizontal shift register HR, and an electron injecting electrode 11A provided at an end portion of a starting side of the imaging region VR in an electron transfer direction. A specific vertical shift register (channel CH1) into which the electrons are injected by the electron injecting electrode 11A is disposed in a thick part of a semiconductor substrate, and is set in such a way as to be blocked from incident light.

Solid state imaging devices that use multiplication registers are known in the art (for example, those disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2). In such solid state imaging devices, an electric charge read out from an imaging region is transferred to a multiplication register via a horizontal shift register. The multiplication register typically includes an insulation layer formed on a semiconductor layer, and a transfer electrode formed on the insulation layer. In the multiplication register, in a state that a certain electrode (DC electrode) is fixed by applying a direct current to it, when an electric potential of a next-stage transfer electrode (multiplication electrode) is greatly increased, electron multiplication takes place when an electric charge is transferred between these electrodes. In such a solid state imaging device with an electron multiplying function, a method of injecting a certain amount of electric charge at a position just before the multiplication register and monitoring an output has been proposed with an object to monitor a multiplication factor (Patent Documents 1 and 2).

Solid-state image sensing device containing electron multiplication function


A flat display panel is disclosed. In one embodiment, the flat display panel includes i) a first substrate on which a display unit is formed, ii) a second substrate formed to face the first substrate, iii) a resin layer formed on the second substrate; a window formed on the resin layer, iv) a flexible printed circuit (FPC) and a spacer formed between the window and the first end of the FPC. A first end of the FPC is combined with the second substrate, and a second end of the FPC is combined with the first substrate, so that the first substrate and the second substrate are electrically connected to each other.

1. Field
The described technology generally relates to a flat display panel, and more particularly, to a flat display panel in which resin is prevented from being loosened by improving a hardening rate of the resin by securing sufficient incidence of ultraviolet (UV) light for hardening the resin.
2. Description of the Related Technology
Generally, flat display panels may be categorized into light emission type and non-emission type display panels. Examples of light emission type flat display panels include flat cathode ray tubes, plasma display panels, electroluminescent devices, light-emitting diode display panels, etc. Examples of non-emission type flat display panels include liquid crystal displays, etc. Here, the electroluminescent devices feature wide viewing angles, excellent contrasts, and fast response times, and thus the electroluminescent devices are focused as next-generation display devices. The electroluminescent devices are categorized into inorganic electroluminescent devices and organic electroluminescent devices according to materials constituting light-emitting layers.
Here, the organic electroluminescent devices are self-emission type display devices which emit light by electrically exciting fluorescent organic compounds. The organic electroluminescent devices may be driven at a relatively low voltage, easily manufactured slim, and exhibit wide viewing angles and fast response times to resolve problems of LCD devices.
An organic electroluminescent device includes a light-emitting layer, which is formed of an organic material and between an anode electrode and a cathode electrode. In the organic electroluminescent device, as a positive voltage and a negative voltage are respectively applied to the anode electrode and the cathode electrode, holes injected from the anode electrode move to the light-emitting layer via a hole transport layer, whereas electrons move from the cathode electrode to the light-emitting layer via an electron transport layer. At the light-emitting layer, the electrons and the holes are re-combined and excitons are generated. As the state of the excitations is switched from an excited state to a ground state, fluorescent molecules in the light-emitting layer emit light, and thus an image is formed. The full color type organic electroluminescent device includes pixels for emitting red light, green light, and blue light to embody full colors.
Generally, an organic light-emitting display device includes a panel assembly having an organic electroluminescent device, a housing in which the panel assembly is housed, and a printed circuit board (PCB) which is electrically connected to the panel assembly via a flexible circuit board.


A signal amplification device includes: a signal generator which divides an input signal so as to generate a plurality of division signals having a specified amplitude and different phases; a plurality of amplifiers which amplify the plurality of division signals by using a field effect transistor, respectively; transmission lines through which the division signals pass, the division signals being amplified with individual amplifiers of the plurality of amplifiers, the transmission lines have different lengths and no isolation is provided between ends of the transmission lines; and a detector which performs a comparison between gate currents input to the individual amplifiers to detect whether an input of the division signal to any of the plurality of the amplifiers exceeds a saturation level.

The signal amplification device provided in a base station of a radio communication system may use a high-efficiency linear amplification circuit configured to amplify high frequency power to a high level. An example of a high-efficiency liner amplification circuit includes saturation amplifiers that are realized under the linear amplification with a nonlinear component (LINC) system and combined by a Chirex combiner or the like.

Signal amplification device and signal amplification method


The embodiments of the invention relate to a method and a transmitter apparatus for generating and transmitting channel feedback. The method contains the steps of determining at least one first quality value averaged over a long term time interval for a first transmission channel (TC1) from a first antenna system (AS1) of a radio communication system (RCS) to an antenna system (AS) of a network node (MS) containing the transmitter apparatus and at least one second quality value averaged over the long term time interval for at least one second transmission channel (TC2, TC3) from at least one second antenna system (AS2, AS3) of the radio communication system (RCS) to the antenna system (AS) of the network node (MS), determining a distribution of radio resource units of a predefined feedback radio resource based on the at least first quality value and the at least second quality value, transmitting to a receiver apparatus (BS1) a long term feedback containing the at least one first quality value and the at least one second quality value, and transmitting with a short term time interval smaller than or equal to the long term time interval to the receiver apparatus (BS1) a short term feedback containing first short term information for the first transmission channel (TC1) and at least second short term information for the at least second transmission channel (TC2, TC3) using the distribution of radio resource units. The embodiments of the invention further relate to a method and a receiver apparatus for receiving and retrieving channel feedback at a receiver apparatus. The method contains the steps of receiving from a transmitter apparatus a long term feedback containing the at least one first quality value and the at least one second quality value, receiving from the transmitter apparatus with the short term time interval the short term feedback using the distribution of radio resource units, and determining the first short term information and the at least second short term information from the short term feedback based on the distribution of radio resource units.

Modern cellular radio communication systems, like the 3GPP LTE system (3GPP=Third Generation Partnership Project, LTE=Long-Term Evolution), rely on MIMO antenna techniques (MIMO=Multiple Input Multiple Output) in order to achieve high spectral efficiency.
Downlink CoMP also known as network MIMO is an effective transmission scheme for improving an overall performance of the radio communication systems. Thereby, the overall data rate can be increased without requiring additional frequency spectrum or without requiring an increase of transmit power. Especially users that are located at the border between two radio cells or two radio sectors can benefit from downlink CoMP transmissions.
Downlink CoMP is a transmission of downlink data from a so-called multipoint transmitter of a radio access network to one or several so-called single point receivers such as one or several mobile stations. The multipoint transmitter is provided by two or more antenna systems of the radio access network, which are arranged at different locations. The two antenna systems may be for example two base stations or two RRHs (RRH=Remote Radio Head). The single point receiver is connected only to a single antenna system, which may contain one antenna element or multiple antenna elements.
The downlink CoMP transmission scheme and a corresponding interference alignment require accurate channel state information at the multipoint transmitter for being able to determine suitable downlink CoMP transmission parameters in such a way, that inter-cell interference via spatial processing (e.g. precoding) is suppressed and useful signal contributions coherently add-up at the single point receiver.
In case of downlink CoMP transmission in a so-called TDD transmission mode (TDD=Time Division Duplex), a reception of uplink sounding signals at receivers co-located with the multipoint transmitter may be applied and reused for getting knowledge of channel states of the downlink channels from the multipoint transmitter to the single point receiver. But in case of downlink CoMP transmission in a so-called FDD transmission mode (FDD=Frequency Division Duplex), a full channel reciprocity is not available at the multipoint transmitter due to a so-called duplex distance between a downlink frequency range used for the downlink CoMP transmission and an uplink frequency range used for an uplink transmission from the mobile station to a single antenna system or to several antenna systems (also called uplink CoMP transmission) of the radio access network. In such a case channel characteristics or conditions such as noise or fast fading of an uplink channel are quite different to channel characteristics or conditions of a downlink channel and therefore cannot be reused for a determination of suitable transmission parameters for the downlink CoMP transmission. Therefore, channel conditions of the downlink CoMP transmission have to be measured at the mobile station and have to be fed back to the radio access network via uplink signaling.
The uplink signaling is performed individual by each mobile station, which means that each mobile station may report channel conditions for a so-called reporting cluster of radio cells, which may be predefined by a network node such as a master base station for the downlink CoMP transmission. The master base station uses the uplink signaling from multiple mobile stations for calculating optimum downlink CoMP transmission parameters for downlink transmissions to the multiple mobile stations.

Method and transmitter apparatus for generating and transmitting channel feedback and method and receiver apparatus for receiving and retrieving channel feedback


An anti-reflective structural body is constituted of an integrally molded article and includes an anti-reflective structure formed on a base surface that constitutes an outer surface of the molded article, and the anti-reflective structure includes a plurality of recesses, each being formed to be recessed from the base surface independently of mutually adjacent recesses and having an inclined surface, which is inclined with respect to the base surface and forms at least one punctiform or linear apex portion at a bottom portion.

As conventional examples of an anti-reflective structural body that suppresses reflection of light, the structural bodies described in Patent Literatures 1 and 2 have been proposed.
Patent Literature 1 discloses an anti-reflective structure portion that includes a base structure portion, arranged by an alignment of a plurality of structural units, each disposed on a reference surface and having a first side surface, with which an angle α formed with the reference surface is a predetermined angle, and a plurality of finely uneven portions, formed on a surface of the basic structure portion and arrayed regularly at a period of not more than a predetermined wavelength.
Patent Literature 2 discloses an anti-reflective film constituted of a substrate layer, constituted, at least at one surface side, of an optically transparent material exhibiting an anti-reflective characteristic in relation to a wavelength of radiation that is incident on the surface.

Anti-reflective body, camera unit, mobile device, and method for manufacturing anti-reflective body


A communication apparatus is connected to another communication apparatus via a power source line, a signal line, and a shared line. The communication apparatus includes a detector and a communicator. The detector detects the phase of an alternating-current voltage applied between a first terminal for connecting to the power source line and a second terminal for connecting to the shared line. The communicator communicates with the other communication apparatus by executing at least one of transmission or reception of an electric current signal generated by opening and closing a circuit including the signal line and the shared line except when the phase detected by the detector is within a specific range. The specific range is defined as a range in which an induced electric current flowing through the signal line due to the alternating-current voltage is greater than a reference value.

Communication apparatuses that operate in communication with other devices have been widespread. For example, some techniques have been proposed that enable indoor units and an outdoor unit, which are air conditioners constituting an air conditioning system, to communicate with each other and thus operate in cooperation with each other (for example, refer to Patent Literature 1).
Patent Literature 1 discloses a system involving the indoor units and the outdoor unit that are connected to each other with a three-core cable including a power source line, a communication line, and a shared line. In this system, the air conditioners are supplied with electric power through the power source line and the shared line and communicate with each other through the communication line and the shared line.

Communication device, communication method and program


The present invention relates to liquid acidic compositions suitable for removing limescale-containing stains from a hard-surface, comprising an acid, from 0.001% to 20% by weight of the total composition of a polysaccharide polymer and from 0.001% to 20% by weight of the total composition of a vinylpyrrolidone homopolymer or copolymer, said composition being packaged in a spray type-dispenser. Such a composition provides improved shine to the surface treated while exhibiting effective limescale removal performance. The use of a polysaccharide polymer and a vinylpyrrolidone homopolymer or copolymer, in a liquid acidic composition being packaged in a spray-type dispenser, to treat a hard-surface, reduces or even prevents the formation of watermarks and even limescale deposits on said hard-surface after said hard-surface has first been treated with said composition and subsequently comes in contact with water. Also the use of a polysaccharide polymer and a vinylpyrrolidone homopolymer or copolymer, in a liquid acidic composition being packaged in a spray-type dispenser, to treat a hard-surface delivers shine/long lasting shine to the surface.

Tap water contains a certain amount of solubilized ions which upon water evaporation eventually deposit as salts such as calcium carbonate on hard-surfaces which are often in contact with water, resulting in an anaesthetic aspect of the surfaces. This limescale formation and deposition phenomenon is even more acute in places where water is particularly hard.
It is well-known in the art that limescale deposits can be chemically removed with acidic solutions, and a great variety of acidic limescale removal compositions have been described for this purpose.
It is also desirable that such liquid acidic compositions should have, in addition to the ability to effectively remove limescale deposits present on a surface, the ability to provide good shine to the surfaces treated. However, surface shine is often compromised because, when water comes in contact with hard-surfaces it has the tendency to form droplets on the surface rather than forming a thin film uniformly spread over the surface or to run off the surface. This results, as water evaporates, in precipitation of poorly water soluble inorganic salts such as calcium/magnesium carbonate and/or phosphate salts with consequent formation of watermarks on the surface and, eventually limescale deposits, resulting in an anaesthetic aspect of the surface.
It is thus an object of the present invention to reduce the formation of watermarks and/or limescale deposits on a hard-surface that has been treated with a liquid acidic composition and hence to provide improved shine to this surface. More particularly, it is an object of the present invention to provide liquid acidic compositions delivering improved shine to the surface treated while exhibiting excellent limescale removing performance. It is yet another object of the present invention to provide such liquid acid compositions in a convenient way so as to facilitate any hard-surface descaling operation therewith by the consumer.
The present invention overcomes these problems by formulating liquid acidic compositions comprising an acid, a polysaccharide polymer (0.001%-20%) and a vinylpyrrolidone homopolymer or copolymer (0.001%-20%), said compositions being packaged in a spray type-dispenser. Indeed, it has been found that the addition of a polysaccharide polymer, preferably xanthan gum, together with a vinylpyrrolidone homopolymer or copolymer, in a liquid acidic composition, reduces or even prevents the formation of limescale deposits on a surface having first been treated with such a composition. Also less formation of watermarks are observed on a surface having been first treated with the compositions as described herein and then contacted with water, for example, during a rinse operation, thereby providing improved shine to said surface.
Another advantage of the present invention is that the shine benefit delivered to a hard-surface treated with the compositions of the present invention persists even after several cycles of rinsing, thus providing long lasting protection against formation of watermarks and/or even limescale deposits on the surface, and hence long lasting shiny surfaces. In other words, the house wife will have the advantage to delay the next descaling operation. Advantageously, the shine benefits herein are obtained at very low total levels of both a polysaccharide polymer and a vinylpyrrolidone homopolymer or copolymer, in the acidic compositions of the present invention.
Another advantage of the liquid acidic compositions of the present invention is that the surfaces treated become smoother (this can be perceived by touching said surfaces). This may also contribute to convey to consumer perception of surface perfectly descaled.
Also it has surprisingly been found that the compositions according to the present invention deliver the benefits mentioned herein (e.g., reduction or prevention of the formation of watermarks and/or even limescale deposits, resulting in good shine benefit and even long lasting shine benefit), when used to treat a variety of surfaces including metal surfaces such as aluminium, chromed steel, stainless steel, synthetic materials like vinyl, linoleum, glazed or non-glazed ceramic tiles, and/or enamel surfaces.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the compositions herein comprise maleic acid together with a second acid typically sulfamic acid. These compositions have been found to be particularly safe to various types of hard-surfaces treated therewith as well as milder to the skin.
Another benefit of the present invention is that the compositions herein are easily applied to the surface to treat while using a minimum amount of said composition, as compared to applying a liquid composition by directly pouring it onto the surface to treat, instead of spraying it according to the present invention. Also spraying the composition on the surface to treat allows to treat a larger area with a give amount of product versus pouring the liquid composition on the surface to treat. Furthermore, the risk of spillage as well as the tendency of the liquid compositions to be messy when applied onto the surface is reduced when said application is made by using a spray-type dispenser.
Advantageously, the liquid acidic compositions of the present invention are applied to the surfaces to treat by the means of a spray-type dispenser while being safe both to the user and to the surfaces treated therewith. Indeed, the acidic compositions herein may be sprayed onto the surfaces to treat with minimal inhalation by the user of said acidic compositions and thus by avoiding any potential health issue due to the presence of an acid in said compositions.

Liquid acidic limescale removal composition packaged in a spray-type dispenser


A high frequency line-waveguide converter is provided which includes a first substrate including a first dielectric layer, a first conductive layer formed on a surface of the first dielectric layer, and a conductive pattern formed on the surface of the first dielectric layer that surrounds the second conductive layer. An antenna formed on a bottom surface of the first dielectric layer at a fixed interval from the second conductive layer. The high frequency line-waveguide converter also includes a second substrate including a third conductive layer and a fourth conductive layer separated by a second dielectric layer. An adhesion layer formed between the first substrate and second substrate, a shield conductive part formed by multiple vias between the conductive pattern and the fourth conductive layer, and a conductive waveguide in contact with the fourth conductive layer.

In recent years, microwaves of 1-30 GHz and millimeter waves of 30-300 GHz have been used for information transfer, and systems utilizing high frequency signals, for instance, high-capacity communication systems at 60 GHz, or vehicle-mounted radar systems at the 76 GHz band, have been widely used. It is important, in these high frequency circuits, that are used in high frequency systems, to provide reduced-loss connections between high frequency IC's and an antenna. Particularly in systems using millimeter wave signals, the waveguide very often becomes the interface of the antenna, and broad-band high frequency line-waveguide converters with low loss are needed.
A conventional, high-frequency, line-waveguide converter typically includes a structure sandwiching a dielectric substrate, with a high frequency line, between a waveguide formed in a rectangular metallic block and a metallic short-circuit block. In the structure utilizing the short-circuit block, external leakage of electromagnetic waves in the mode conversion circuit connecting the high frequency line to the waveguide, is prevented by the short-circuit block.
In the case of installing the short-circuit block, however, there are two problems. First, the short-circuit block needs to separate parts that may cause the short-circuit. Second, the line-waveguide converter requires ample mounting space for mounting the short-circuit block.
Due to these disadvantages, a high frequency line-waveguide converter which does not use short-circuit block has been developed. However, electromagnetic waves may easily escape to the outside, and the conversion loss may be large since the short-circuit structure is constituted in a substrate having large loss and high permittivity as compared with air. Moreover, the matching range band is undesirably narrowed.

High frequency line to waveguide converter comprising first and second dielectric layers sandwiching an antenna with an adhesion layer


An adjustable, adaptable, hands-free harmonica holder for suspending a harmonica from an existing stand, providing a new method for a performer to play the harmonica while simultaneously playing other instruments. The holder comprising an attachment mechanism for securing the subject apparatus to a stand, adjustable arm or arms extending from said attachment mechanism to support the harmonica, a platform to which the harmonica is mounted, and a sound baffle, said sound baffle being adaptable to both deflect and isolate voice and harmonica sounds.

Some musicians play the harmonica simultaneously with other instruments like guitar, piano, accordion, drums, etc. This can be done with a hands-free harmonica holder and the most prevalent harmonica holder is of the harness, or "neck-brace" design, commonly made of wire and designed with a clamping mechanism to hold the harmonica. When used by a performer on stage with amplified instruments and sound systems this neck-brace holder presents certain problems in that: (1) The harmonica is in constant motion in relation to the microphone thereby presenting an inconsistent sound level and tone. (2) A brace can be awkward to wear and the performer's movement near the microphone is hindered by the bulk of the brace itself. (3) A neck-brace holder requires an aggressive damping device to insure the harmonica is held firmly while the performer moves about. These damps make it difficult to change harmonicas quickly and easily. (4) These problems on the stage can also create problems for the audio engineer responsible for adjusting the volume and tone levels of all the other various band instruments on stage. With a performer utilizing a neck-brace harmonica holder, the audio engineer may need to make quick adjustments between the sound of the performer's singing voice and that of the performer's harmonica playing.
A less common harmonica holder but one with great potential is of the harmonica stand variety. Attempts at this approach have to date produced physically and visually awkward holders that are impractical in use. Some previous harmonica stands involve an entire stand built to hold a harmonica with a large dedicated microphone for the harmonica as well as a duplicate large vocal microphone for the performer to sing into. Other designs feature lame bulky shrouds or horns intended to envelop the harmonica and confine the sound, again to a secondary large dedicated microphone. These stands and holders require the performer to move significantly back and forth in position between the harmonica and the vocal microphone.


A system and method of regulating data communications between a vehicle electronics system and a computing device includes: communicatively linking a first data port of an isolation device with the vehicle electronics system; communicatively linking a second data port of the isolation device with the computing device; receiving data at the isolation device sent between the computing device and the vehicle electronics system; and permitting the data to pass through the isolation device based on the identity of the computing device, the rate at which the data passes through the isolation device, or the content of the data.

Modern vehicles include an array of vehicle electronics that facilitate vehicle functions. For example, the vehicles can include electronic control units (ECUs), vehicle sensors, vehicle telematics units, infotainment head units, and memory devices, to name a few examples. These elements generally exchange data over a vehicle bus as part of collectively executing different vehicle functions. In addition, the vehicle electronics may include an outward-facing data port that permits connection with an external computing device. On one hand, the data port can helpfully grant a service technician the ability to upload software updates to the vehicle electronics or download information, such as diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs), that can be used to improve vehicle operation. On the other hand, the data port may also permit unauthorized users to access the vehicle electronics as well.
Vehicle electronics may include a number of defensive mechanisms to deter unauthorized access to vehicle busses. But improvements to those defensive mechanisms may be developed after the design of vehicle electronics has been determined and/or a significant number of vehicle electronics components have already been assembled. In that event, it can sometimes be difficult if not impossible to retrofit the vehicle electronics components with updated defensive mechanisms. Thus, it would be helpful to implement a dynamic device that can regulate data communications between the vehicle electronics and an external computing device and be physically located in the data port path between them.


A motor vehicle intake muffler duct is formed by integrally bonding an upper duct, a lower duct and a separator interposed between them. Three airways are formed between the upper duct and the separator, seven muffler chambers are formed between the lower duct and the separator, and the airways and the muffler chambers are communicated with each other through vent holes which are formed in the separator. An intake muffler duct in which multiple muffler chambers are integrated with the airways, can be formed from only three components, which are an upper duct, a lower duct and a separator, and moreover although it has a compact structure, it is possible to reduce the intake noise effectively.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an intake muffler duct for motor vehicles which guide air to the motor vehicle engine as well as reduce the intake noise.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The intake duct which supplies air to the engine of a motor vehicle is equipped with an intake muffler in order to reduce the intake noise, and with regard to such intake mufflers there are expansion type mufflers, Helmholtz type mufflers, side branch type mufflers, etc. Since it is difficult to reduce the intake noise in all frequency regions using a single intake muffler, multiple intake mufflers each of which reduces the intake noise in a specific frequency range are combined so as to reduce the intake noise over a wide frequency range (see for example Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 4-318269).
However, since an engine and a large number of accessories are placed in the motor vehicle engine compartment, it is difficult to ensure that there is space to install multiple intake mufflers. In addition, if multiple intake mufflers are installed independently, the number of components, the number of processing steps and the number of assembly steps increase, resulting in an increase in cost.


The present invention provides for a slow release composition, preferably as a tablet, for industrial water systems, under an alkaline pH or high water hardness, using as an active ingredient a multifunctional amine of Formula (I) and a hydrophilic polymer, and other components such as a compression agent, in one composition as a biocide, biostat, biodispersant, deposit penetrant aid, organic deposit remover, detergent, surfactant, antifoam, scale inhibitor, scale remover, and a corrosion inhibitor. The composition is used in multiple water cycles, can remove, disperse or inhibit fouling. The active ingredient(s) of the composition is released over a long time, up to 6 months.

The ability to control the various fouling issues for industrial water systems has long been sought. Fouling refers to biofilm including its formation, organic deposits including their formation, metal corrosion, surface discoloration or any other adverse consequences in industrial systems that are directly, indirectly or otherwise due to the presence or action of microorganisms that are freely floating in a liquid or are associated with a surface of such industrial water system or inorganic deposits including their formation due to the concentration and precipitation of compounds present in hard water of such industrial water system. Organic deposits include non-viable microbial cells and their associated organic products, such as cellular proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids. In particular, organic deposits include polysaccharides. Compounds which disperse such organic deposits are referred to as biodispersants. To control such fouling refers to prevention, reduction or removal of such fouling.
Various methods to have a slow release formulation for water systems have been attempted that would provide: 1) continuous applications to an industrial water system by non-mechanical means (i.e., without the use of pumps, an eductor or dispersing apparatus); 2) relatively constant concentrations of the active compound in spite of the water turnover in the industrial water system over a long time; and 3) ease of treatment relative to manual introduction of liquids to minimize environmental and personnel exposure issues.
To provide those objectives, slow release tablets of various types have been tried. For example, a tablet using 2,2-dibromo-3-nitrilopropionamide (DBNPA) as an active ingredient biocide, hydrophilic polymer and compression agent has been made (see U.S. Pat. No. 4,800,082). However, there are no other actives in this formulation. Because there are no biodispersants, scale inhibitors or corrosion inhibitors used, those would need to be added separately as required for the specific water conditions. The active ingredient DBNPA, at alkaline pH, such as pH˜9 in industrial water system conditions, is degraded under these end use conditions in a few minutes.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,816,061 discloses a method for biocide use at an alkaline pH (7.5-12) or high water hardness using an n-decylthioethylamine as the active ingredient. There is no solid formulation or slow release method disclosed. There is no presence of other actives in one formulation mentioned. A typical dose of this patented composition is effective for 1-1.5 days in a typical cooling tower system. The active ingredient does not react with other typical water treatment ingredients which may be added.
In recirculating water systems U.S. Pat. No. 5,514,287 discloses a tablet composition containing a boron source material, a halogen source material, and glycoluril. The tablet is used in conjunction with a boron source material and a periodic addition of a chlorine source material, which are added directly to the water. This is a tablet formulation having only active ingredients that are quick dissolving and therefore is used to avoid the addition of liquid chemicals. There is no hydrophilic polymer present to control the release rate of the active ingredients. There are no scale inhibitors or corrosion inhibitors used so those would need to be added as required for the specific water conditions. The use of these patented tablets is for swimming pools. Such pH conditions for swimming pools are usually ˜7, while pH conditions for industrial water systems are more alkaline, such as pH 8 and above.
A multilayer tablet was made in U.S. Pat. No. 6,863,830 where there was a fast dissolving layer and a slow dissolving layer. Hydrophilic polymers are taught as binders but not used as control release agents. The examples show that the rate of dissolution is a property of the individual chemicals used or their mixtures; it is not based on any polymer matrix. Two layers are required to obtain the results. There is no discussion of alkaline pH conditions in the water systems they tested.
When a vehicle cooling system is the water source, a controlled release system was used in U.S. Pat. No. 6,607,694. It contains a core of active ingredients which may contain a hydrophilic polymer as a binder, and an insoluble coating that controls the rate of release. There is no biocide or organic deposit control actives that are needed for industrial water systems present.
At a NACE International Corrosion Conference in 2007, Paper No. 07069 disclosed using controlled release technology for cooling towers. Various diffusion methods were discussed but these tablets required a core of active (such as corrosion inhibitor and scale inhibitor) and a polymer coating which controlled the release rate for about 30 days. There was no biocide or organic deposit control agent present in the tablet, but it was added separately.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,603,941 describes a solid tablet comprising a biocide and biodispersant for industrial, household, and recreational water applications. The rate of dissolution is not described, but presumably is determined by the solubility of its chemical components. It does not have a hydrophilic polymer matrix to effect slow release, and there is no specification of the water that is to be treated, such as pH or hardness.
At the International Water Conference held on Oct. 28, 2008, paper number IWC-08-40 disclosed the use of a solid mixture of scale and corrosion inhibitors in the form of a tablet containing 100% active ingredient and thus had no hydrophilic polymer. The tablets are dissolved in water in a separate vessel and then the resultant solution is fed into the water system with automated pumps as needed. The active ingredients are not slowly released. Different formulations were used for hard and soft water applications.
U.S. Published Application 2006/0165745 discloses a tablet for sustained release in water systems. The tablet has a hydrophilic polymer and an active ingredient and requires a curing step to a specified water level by steaming the tablets or by setting them out at room temperature in humidity. This curing step that requires addition of water is stated to be important so that the tablet does not prematurely disintegrate during use. The release of the active ingredient occurs over 30 days. There is no discussion of the pH being alkaline in the water system or water hardness as found in industrial water systems.
Currently sold are solid forms of biocides with binders. These solids are then put into a closed chamber and water is introduced at a sufficient high pressure to erode the solid into smaller pieces or to dissolve it. Without this ablative action of the water these solids cannot be dissolved into the water system.
Clearly, it would be desirable to have several actives or one multifunctional active in one solid form, such as a tablet composition, which provides a sustained release over a long time, where multiple water cycles in a water circulation system are possible, under alkaline pH or high water hardness, and be effective against fouling in industrial water systems. Additionally, there are no such slow release compositions presently known that are effective to remove, to inhibit, and to control fouling in industrial water systems.

Slow release tablet composition for treating industrial water systems


A method of forming a dielectric stack devoid of an interfacial layer includes subjecting an exposed interfacial layer provided on a semiconductor material to a low pressure thermal anneal process for a predetermined time period at a temperature of about 900° C. to about 1000° C. with an inert gas purge. A semiconductor structure is also disclosed, with a dielectric stack devoid of an interfacial layer.

The scaling of CMOS technology provides denser and faster semiconductor devices. At the nanometer level, though, scaling is becoming ever more complex and difficult. Illustratively, to increase the integration density of semiconductor devices, the thickness of dielectric layers such as traditional SiO2 needs to be reduced. However, the reduction of the thickness of SiO2 layers results in diminishing reliability of the SiO2 layers as gate dielectrics. Therefore, in the continuous scaling of CMOS technology, the low-k dielectric SiO2 layer has been found to limit the capacitance of the semiconductor device.
Processes have thus migrated towards the use of higher-k dielectric materials in the dielectric stack. However, even the use of higher-k dielectric materials in the dielectric stack have its limitations; although, reduction of the thickness of the low-k interfacial layer (e.g., the layer between the high-k dielectric and the substrate, such as SiO2 or SiON) of higher-k dielectrics can further improve the effective k value of the entire dielectric stack. The methods to reduce the thickness of the low-k interfacial layer is the key for the scaling.
By way of illustrative example, a typical starting surface for a dielectric stack is an oxide material. The oxide material can be patterned using any conventional etching techniques such as diluted hydrofluoric acid (HF). After etching, the patterned oxide undergoes standard cleaning processes to remove organic resist and other contamination. For example, in a first standard cleaning process, e.g., SC1, the oxide layer is subject to, for example, NH4OH and deionized water in addition to hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). In another standard cleaning process, e.g., SC2, any additional organic contamination and metal contamination is removed from the oxide. In this standard cleaning process, the oxide layer is subject to HCl (acid), H2O2 and deionized water.
As an alternative, the oxide layer can undergo a piranha clean, which encompasses a mixture of sulfuric acid (H2SO4) and H2O2, which cleans organic residues from a surface of the oxide and substrate. Because the mixture is a strong oxidizer, it will remove most organic matter, and it will also hydroxylate most surfaces (add OH groups), making them extremely hydrophilic (water compatible). In any of these cleaning processes, the SiO2 layer (chemical oxide) will be formed after HF etching to about 5 Å to about 7 Å, which is currently the thinnest possible starting interfacial layer (IL) obtainable for scaling. The cleaning is followed by further oxidation, nitridation and annealing, which all end with a thicker interfacial layer. However, this interfacial layer will substantially decrease the effective k value of the gate dielectric stack.
There are two methods commonly used to eliminate the SiO2 layer to form no interfacial layer high-k dielectric on the substrate. In the first approach, HF etch is used to remove the SiO2 layer. However, there are several drawbacks by using this method. First, the surface, after HF etching, is terminated by hydrogen which is a poor surface for the deposition of a high-k film such as using CVD or ALD methods due to the inactive surface Si—H bonds. Second, the HF will affect other areas on the wafer causing structural damage or degradation. Surface reoxidation is another concern by using HF as a last processing step.
In alternative processes, the dielectric stack can be formed by depositing metal or metal oxide on the interfacial SiO2 and followed by annealing at high temperature to form graded high-k dielectric. By using this method, upon annealing, silicates develop at a significant level of Si (e.g., 10-15 at %), which may reduce the capacitance of the stack. In many cases, the SiO2 interfacial layer still exists after >900° C. anneal and cannot be fully graded. Further, once the metal-oxide layer is deposited, post-growth oxidation may be needed to reduce the leakage current when using metal to scavenge the SiO2 interfacial layer, which will also reduce the capacitance of the stack.
Accordingly, there exists a need in the art to overcome the deficiencies and limitations described hereinabove.

Semiconductor device devoid of an interfacial layer and methods of manufacture

International Business Machines Corporation