An image sensor package includes an image sensor chip and crystalline handler. The image sensor chip includes a substrate, and a plurality of photo detectors and contact pads at the front surface of the substrate. The crystalline handler includes opposing first and second surfaces, and a cavity formed into the first surface. A compliant dielectric material is disposed in the cavity. The image sensor front surface is attached to the crystalline substrate handler second surface. A plurality of electrical interconnects each include a hole aligned with one of the contact pads, with a first portion extending from the second surface to the cavity and a second portion extending through the compliant dielectric material, a layer of insulation material formed along a sidewall of the first portion of the hole, and conductive material extending through the first and second portions of the hole and electrically coupled to the one contact pad.

The trend for semiconductor devices is smaller integrated circuit (IC) devices (also referred to as chips), packaged in smaller packages (which protect the chip while providing off chip signaling connectivity). One example are image sensors, which are IC devices that include photo-detectors which transform incident light into electrical signals (that accurately reflect the intensity and color information of the incident light with good spatial resolution).
One image sensor type is the front side illuminated (FSI) image sensor, which has photo-detectors formed on the silicon chip, over which circuitry is built up. Color filters and micro-lens are added on top of the circuitry. With FSI image sensors, the light passes through the layer(s) of circuitry before reaching the photo-detectors. One limitation of FSI image sensors is that the circuitry layer(s) limit the aperture of each pixel. As the pixel size shrinks due to demands for higher number of pixels and smaller chip sizes, the ratio of pixel area to the overall sensor area decreases, which reduces the quantum efficiency (QE) of the sensor.
Another type of image sensor is the back side illuminated (BSI) image sensor. The BSI image sensor is configured so that the light enters through the back (substrate side) of the chip. The light passes through the silicon substrate and to the photo-detectors, without having to pass through any circuitry layers. The advantage of BSI image sensors is that the circuitry layers are avoided and thus need not be formed with gaps sufficient to allow light to pass to each photo detector. However, as optical paths become shorter with the use of BSI sensors, the micro-lenses become thicker (i.e. to achieve shorter focal lengths for focusing in shorter distances.
Presently, chip-on-board (COB) and Shellcase Wafer Level CSP processes are the most dominant packaging and assembly processes for FSI image sensor architecture. However, as the market moves from FSI to BSI sensors, where the contact pads and imaging areas now disposed on the opposite sides of the chip/wafer, the COB and Shellcase WLCSP technologies will face substantial challenges in packaging and assembling such BSI sensors.

Low stress cavity package for back side illuminated image sensor, and method of making same


A soft case for instrumental drums which has a three layer, elongated, rectangular, flat casing made of flexible materials. The front layer is made heavy weight fabric and the back layer is made a lighter weight fabric. The middle layer is laminated between the outer and inner layers and is made of foam padding. When in use, the casing is wrapped around the shell of a drum. The ends of the casing overlap and are removably secured to one another with hook and loop fastening material. The sides of the casing are drawn taut around the rims of the drum with drawstrings. When not in use, the soft case may be rolled up and stored in a minimum of volume.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to protective cases, in particular to a protective case for a musician""s drums.
2. Description of Related Art
Many musicians travel from venue to venue to play their instruments. The great majority of these musicians must carry their own instruments to and from each show. One of the more difficult and time consuming instruments to carry is a drum set. In order to protect a set of drums during travel most musicians place their drums in some type of protective device.
There are currently two types of protective devices for drums available: road cases and soft bags. Road cases are heavy hard-shelled drum-shaped containers with lids and a thick foam lining. Soft bags are essentially a padded, enclosed cloth cylinder with a zipper extending around its circumference. Both of these devices function to adequately pad and protect drums in transit, but they also take up a large volume of space when they are not in use.
U.S. Pat. No. 501,318 discloses a typical related art drum case. The case consists of a two part hard shell which encloses a drum. These cases, unlike the present invention, are difficult to transport due to their size and weight and cannot be conveniently stored in a small area.
U.S. Pat. No. 1,084,719 shows a drum bag with a modified hard top and bottom. It is often difficult to place a drum in a drum bag due to the bags lack of structure. Also, drum bags cannot be rolled and conveniently stored.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,025,549 discloses an inclement weather drum cover which functions to enclose and protect a drum while not significantly reducing the playability of the drum. This drum cover, unlike the present invention, covers the entire drum, thus adding additional weight, and it cannot be rolled and conveniently stored.
None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed.
The soft drum case is a flexible rectangular cover for transport and storage of a drum, the cover having a front, back, top, bottom and two opposing sides. The cover has front, back and middle layers. The front layer is made of a heavyweight, durable fabric, the middle layer is made of lightweight foam or padding, and the back layer is made of a durable fabric of lighter weight than the outer front layer.
When in use, the soft drum case is wrapped securely around the shell of a drum, with the back layer of the case coming into contact with the shell. The ends of the case overlap and are removably attached to one another with hook and loop fastening material. Drawstrings are sewn into sheathes along the top and bottom of the case. When the drawstrings are pulled, the portions of the top and bottom of the case that extend past the rims of the drum are drawn toward the center of each drum head, completing the formation of a protective case around the drum shell and rim. The shell and rim of a drum are the areas most likely to be scratched or damaged in transit.
When the soft drum case is not in use, one case, or several cases stacked one on top of the other, may be rolled starting at one end and rolling toward the other end. The rolled cases are then secured with hook and loop fasteners sewn onto the inner and outer layer of the case.
Accordingly, it is a principal object of the invention to adequately protect drums from the hazards of travel when in use and to occupy a minimum volume of space when not in use.
It is another object of this invention to provide a drum protection device that is lightweight and easy to transport.
Still another object of the invention is to provide a drum protection device that is adjustable to fit a variety of drum sizes.
It is an object of the invention to provide improved elements and arrangements thereof in an apparatus for the purposes described which is inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing its intended purposes.
These and other objects of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings.


An apparatus of the type for the supply of webs to a processing station is described, in which by means of a controllable drive mechanism, each of several webs is advanced to the processing station in superimposed guide channels. The front portion of the web, following processing, is cut from the web and the front end of the web, following separation, is retracted out of the processing station. For this purpose, the controllable drive mechanism can be selectively engaged with one web in the vicinity of the guide channel of the web for the complete forward and return transport of the web before and after a processing operation. The drive mechanism preferably has reversibly drivable rollers. For producing an engagement between a web and a drive roller the guide channels are preferably pivotable with respect to the rollers. The processing station is generally a printing means, in which, for example tickets of differing color are to be printed.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to an apparatus for the supply of webs, or web-like material, to a processing station. More specifically, the invention relates to an apparatus for selectively supplying one of several webs to a processing station.
2. Description of the Related Art
EP No. 0 048 329 B1 discloses a printing press with a roller pair for conveying a printing material web to be zonally printed, a springing means and a cutting off means for the printed web portion. This printing press is constructed to permit printing on a selected web of several available printing material webs, said webs being e.g., of varying widths, different colors or having different base tints. For this purpose, several flat guide channels are arranged in a fan-like manner for each one of the several printing material webs. The webs are directed to a side of the roller pair remote from the printing means. A single, drivable feed means is associated with each guide channel. The feed means is designed in such a way that, prior to the printing press, it pushes the printing material webs, which each project into one of the channels, along the channel. After the free web end enters the rotating roller pair, the feed means releases the web and the roller pair moves the web on into the printing position; then moves the web back following the severing of the web end. Before the web end formed by the severing leaves the roller pair, the web is again taken up by the feed means and pushed back by a distance, which is the same as the advance distance of the feed means along the channel.
This known printing press is relatively complicated. This press requires two conveying or transport means having matched controls, i.e., one each for the feed means and the pair of rollers.
The problem addressed by the present invention is the provision of an apparatus for the supply of web-like material to a processing station which has a simpler construction than the known printing press and which is therefore more advantageous both with regards to production and operation, including maintenance and reliability.

Apparatus for supplying web-like material to a processing system


Multiple shafts are aligned along a frame and configured to rotate in a direction causing paper products to move along a separation screen. The shafts are configured with a shape and spacing so that substantially rigid pieces of the paper products move along the screen while non-rigid pieces of the paper products slide down between adjacent shafts. In one embodiment, the screen includes at least one vacuum shaft that has a first set of air input holes configured to suck air and retain the non-rigid paper products. A second set of air output holes are configured to blow out air to dislodge the paper products retained by the input holes.

Disc or roll screens are used in the materials handling industry for screening flows of materials to remove certain items of desired dimensions. Disc screens are particularly suitable for classifying what is normally considered debris or residual materials. This debris may consist of soil, aggregate, asphalt, concrete, wood, biomass, ferrous and nonferrous metal, plastic, ceramic, paper, cardboard, paper products or other materials recognized as debris throughout consumer, commercial and industrial markets. The function of the disc screen is to separate the materials fed into it by size or type of material. The size classification may be adjusted to meet virtually any application.
Disc screens have a problem effectively separating Office Sized Waste Paper (OWP) since much of the OWP may have similar shapes. For example, it is difficult to effectively separate notebook paper from Old Corrugated Cardboard (OCC) since each is long and relatively flat.
Accordingly, a need remains for a system that more effectively classifies material.
Multiple shafts are aligned along a frame and configured to rotate in a direction causing paper products to move along a separation screen. The shafts are configured with a shape and spacing so that substantially rigid or semi-rigid paper products move along the screen while non-rigid or malleable paper products slide down between adjacent shafts.
In one embodiment, the screen includes at least one vacuum shaft that has a first set of air input holes configured to suck air and retain the non-rigid paper products. A second set of air output holes are configured to blow out air to dislodge the paper products retained by the input holes.


Polyimide oligomers include (1) linear, monofunctional crosslinking oligomers prepared by condensing a monoanhydride end cap with a diamine that includes alternating ether and "sulfone" (--SO.sub.2 --, --S--, --CO--, --(CF.sub.3).sub.2 C--, or --(CH.sub.3).sub.2 C--) linkages connecting alternating aromatic radicals and with a dianhydride (or dianhydride mixture), particularly the unsaturated, aliphatic dianhydride commonly known as MCTC; (2) linear, mono- or difunctional crosslinking oligomers prepared by condensing an amine end cap with a diamine and a dianhydride; and (3) multidimensional, crosslinking oligomers having an aromatic hub and at least three radiating arms connected to the hub, each arm including a crosslinking end cap at its distal end and at least one imide linkage.. Blends, prepregs, and composites can be prepared from the oligomers.. Multidimensional oligomers can be prepared using etheranhydride intermediates or etheramine intermediates formed by reacting a suitable hub with nitrophthalic anhydride or aminophenol.

Thermosetting resins that are commonly used in fiber-reinforced composites cannot be reshaped after thermoforming. Errors in forming cannot be corrected, so these thermosetting resins are undesirable in many applications.
Although thermoplastic resins are well known, the use of fiber-reinforced thermoplastic resins is a relatively new art. Fiber toughens and stiffens the thermoplastic resin to produce high-performance composite products. A sheet of fiber-reinforced resin can be heated and then stamped into a desired shape with appropriate dies. The shape can be altered thereafter, if desired.
Thermoplastic resins commonly have a tendency to be weakened by organic solvents. Accordingly, circuit boards formed from conventional, fiber-reinforced thermoplastic resin composites usually cannot be cleaned with solvents that are commonly used in the aerospace industry. In structural aircraft applications, care must also be taken to eliminate contact between the composites and hydraulic or cleaning fluids. At moderate or high temperatures, many fiber-reinforced thermoplastic composites lose their abilities to carry load due to softening of the resin. Thus, improved thermal stability and solvent-resistance are desirable to fulfill the existing needs for advanced composites. The oligomers of the present invention provide such polyimide composites when they are cured.
Recently, chemists have sought to synthesize oligomers for high performance advanced composites suitable for aerospace applications. These composites should exhibit solvent resistance, toughness, impact resistance, processibility, and strength, and should be thermoplastic. Oligomers and composites that have thermo-oxidative stability and, accordingly, can be used at elevated temperatures are particularly desirable.
While epoxy-based composites are suitable for many applications, their brittle nature and susceptibility to degradation make them inadequate for many aerospace applications, especially those applications which require thermally stable, tough composites. Accordingly, research has recently focused on polyimide composites to achieve an acceptable balance between thermal stability, solvent resistance, and toughness. Still the maximum temperatures for use of the polyimide composites, such as PMR-15, are about 600.degree.-625.degree. F., since they have glass transition temperatures of about 690.degree. F.
There has been a progression of polyimide sulfone compounds synthesized to provide unique properties or combinations of properties. For example, Kwiatkowski and Brode synthesized maleic capped linear polyarylimides as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,839,287. Holub and Evans synthesized maleic or nadic capped imido-substituted polyester compositions as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,729,446. We synthesized thermally stable polysulfone oligomers as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,476,184 or U.S. Pat. No. 4,536,559, and have continued to make advances with polyetherimidesulfones, polybenzoxazolesulfones, polybutadienesulfones, and "star" or "star-burst" multidimensional oligomers. We have shown surprisingly high glass transition temperatures yet reasonable processibility and desirable physical properties in many of these oligomers and their composites.
Polybenzoxazoles, such as those disclosed in our copending applications U.S. Ser. No. 816,490 (to Lubowitz & Sheppard) and 893,124 (to Lubowitz, Sheppard, and Stephenson), may be used at temperatures up to about 750.degree.-775.degree. F., since these composites have glass transition temperatures of about 840.degree. F. Some aerospace applications need composites which have even higher use temperatures while maintaining toughness, solvent resistance, processibility, formability, strength, and impact resistance.
Multidimensional oligomers, such as disclosed in our copending applications U.S. Ser. No. 810,817 and 000,605, have superior processibility over some advanced composite oligomers since they can be handled at lower temperatures. Upon curing, however, the phenylimide end caps crosslink so that the thermal resistance of the resulting composite is markedly increased with only a minor loss of stiffness, matrix stress transfer (impact resistance), toughness, elasticity, and other mechanical properties. Glass transition temperatures above 950.degree. F. are achievable.
Commercial polyesters, when combined with well-known diluents, such as styrene, do not exhibit satisfactory thermal and oxidative resistance to be useful for aircraft or aerospace applications. Polyarylesters are often unsatisfactory, also, since the resins often are semicrystalline which may makes them insoluble in laminating solvents, intractable in fusion, and subject to shrinking or warping during composite fabrication. Those polyarylesters that are soluble in conventional laminating solvents remain so in composite form, thereby limiting their usefulness in structural composites. The high concentration of ester groups contributes to resin strength and tenacity, but also makes the resin susceptible to the damaging effects of water absorption. High moisture absorption by commercial polyesters can lead to distortion of the composite when it is loaded at elevated temperature.
High performance, aerospace, polyester advanced composites, however, can be prepared using crosslinkable, end capped polyester imide ether sulfone oligomers that have an acceptable combination of solvent resistance, toughness, impact resistance, strength, processibility, formability, and thermal resistance. By including Schiff base (--CH.dbd.N--), imidazole, thiazole, or oxazole linkages in the oligomer chain, the linear, advanced composites formed with polyester oligomers of our copending application U.S. Ser. No. 726,259 can have semiconductive or conductive properties when appropriately doped.
Conductive and semiconductive plastics have been extensively studied (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,375,427; 4,338,222; 3,966,987; 4,344,869; and 4,344,870), but these polymers do not possess the blend of properties which are essential for aerospace applications. That is, the conductive polymers do not possess the blend of (1) toughness, (2) stiffness, (3) elasticity, (4) processibility, (5) impact resistance (and other matrix stress transfer capabilities), (6) retention of properties over a broad range of temperatures, and (7) high temperature resistance that is desirable on aerospace advanced composites. The prior art composites are often too brittle.
Thermally stable multidimensional oligomers having semiconductive or conductive properties when doped with suitable dopants are also known and are described in our copending applications (including U.S. Ser. No. 773,381 to Lubowitz, Sheppard and Torre). The linear arms of the oligomers contain conductive linkages, such as Schiff base (--N.dbd.CH--) linkages, between aromatic groups. Sulfone and ether linkages are interspersed in the arms. Each arm is terminated with a mono- or difunctional end cap to allow controlled crosslinking upon heat-induced or chemical-induced curing.


A power plug receptacle having a safety cover comprises a plurality of sockets each provided with a rotary safety cover. A socket and a safety cover are coupled through inserting a pivot post into a pivot hole and engaging a guiding pin into a guiding slot. A torsional spring provided within the socket resiliently ejects the safety cover into a position where the socket holes and the safety cover holes are misaligned. Therefore, the socket is automatically sealed, achieving the protective functions against foreign intrusion.

(a) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to power plug receptacles having safety features, and more particularly to a power plug receptacle having a safety cover, wherein a socket is coupled with a rotary safety cover that is resiliently ejected by a spring to cover the holes of the socket when not being used. The safety cover thus can prevent the socket from foreign object intrusion.
(b) Description of the Prior Art
The power plug receptacles of the prior art, installed on a wall or being a part of a power cord, have a number of sockets each having two or three holes for receiving a power plug. The sockets of a conventional power plug receptacle are usually uncovered, which are susceptible to foreign object insertion by inadvertent children and may thereby cause electric shock hazard. It is a further disadvantage that dust and liquid drops would get into the sockets to cause erosion problem.
A commonly seen safety feature for power plug receptacles is a cover plate having a plurality of upright posts that could be coupled with the holes of a socket. By attaching the plate to a socket, the protective functions against foreign intrusion and dust collection are indeed achieved. It is however disadvantageous in that the cover plate can be easily taken off children, and in that the cover plate has to be removed from the receptacle when the associated socket is in use. People need to take extra effort to keep the removed cover plates.
Accordingly, the primary objective of the present invention is to provide a power plug receptacle having a safety cover, wherein at least a pivot hole, a guiding slot, a locking post and a torsional spring are provided within a socket and are coupled with corresponding members on the safety cover, by which the safety cover is resiliently ejected by the spring into a position where the holes of the socket and the holes of the safety cover are misaligned. Therefore, the socket is automatically sealed. To use the socket, the safety cover is rotated about an axis to have the socket holes and the cover holes suitably aligned for receiving a power plug. This mechanism achieves the protective functions against foreign intrusion and dust collection, and further solves the problem of removed safety cover keeping.
The various objects and advantages of the present invention will be more readily understood from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the appended drawings.

Power plug receptacle having safety cover

No. 209, Sec. 3, County Boulevard, Pan Chiao City


An online system, such as an online content distribution system, receives information describing presentations of a content item. The online system identifies online system users included among individuals presented with the content item, retrieves information describing a household of each user, and de-biases this information to adjust for differences between the population of online system users and the individuals to whom the content item was presented. The online system then trains a set of machine-learning models to infer a reach of the content item for each of multiple households using the de-biased information. Using the machine-learning models, the online system infers a reach of the content item for each of the households.

This disclosure relates generally to online systems, and more specifically to inferring a reach of a content item presented to individuals by one or more content publishers for a set of households.
An online system allows its users to connect and communicate with other online system users. Users create profiles in the online system that are tied to their identities and include information about the users, such as interests and demographic information. The users may be individuals or entities such as corporations or charities. Because of the popularity of online systems and the significant amount of user-specific information maintained in online systems (e.g., information describing the users' households), an online system provides an ideal forum for allowing users to share content by creating content items for presentation to additional online system users. For example, users may share photos or videos they have uploaded by creating content items that include the photos or videos that are presented to additional users to whom they are connected in the online system. An online system also provides advertisers with abundant opportunities to increase awareness about their products or services by presenting advertisements to online system users. For example, advertisements presented to users allow an advertiser to gain public attention for products or services and to persuade online system users to take an action regarding the advertiser's products, services, opinions, or causes.
To encourage online system users (e.g., advertisers) to provide content items (e.g., advertisements) for presentation to other online system users, online systems often provide such content-providing users with analytics describing the performance of their content items that would allow them to better tailor their content items to target audiences within the online system. For example, an online system may track presentations of a content item to online system users during a specific time period and purchases made by the users at a website to which the content item is linked and generate analytics for the content item. In this example, the analytics may describe a number of the users who were presented with the content item (i.e., a "reach" of the content item) and a percentage of those users who made a purchase at the website to which the content item is linked. Furthermore, in this example, the analytics may break down the reach by household, such that the analytics may describe the number or the percentage of users in each household who were presented with the content item and the percentage of those users who made a purchase at the website. Household-specific analytics may be useful to content-providing users of the online system who provide content items that are relevant to an entire household (e.g., content items associated with a subscription to a service that is used by all individuals in a household, content items associated with a product that all adults of a household must agree upon before purchasing, etc.).
To further encourage content-providing users to provide content items for presentation to other online system users, online systems may offer to provide the content items to content publishers. For example, an online system may offer to provide a content item received from a content-providing user to multiple content publishers that each may present the content item to various individuals. By offering this service, online systems may attract and therefore receive content items from advertisers and other content-providing users who have an interest in having content items presented by multiple content publishers, but who may find it complicated and time-consuming to provide the content items to each content publisher.
However, it may be difficult or impossible for online systems to generate analytics for content items presented by multiple content publishers. The reason for this is that if a content item is presented by multiple content publishers, while some of the content publishers may track various events associated with the content item, other content publishers may not. Therefore, even though content publishers that track events associated with the content item may communicate information describing the events to an online system so that the online system may compile this information and use it to generate analytics for the content item, since some content publishers may not track these events, analytics generated from the compiled information may be inaccurate. Furthermore, some content publishers may not maintain the same amount of household-specific information as the online system, making it difficult for the online system to identify individuals belonging to the same household who may have been presented with the content item across multiple content publishers and to generate analytics based on household. Thus, content-providing users of an online system may find analytics describing the performance of content items presented by multiple content publishers to be limited in their ability to convey information that would allow the content-providing users to better tailor their content items to target audiences belonging to various households across different content publishers.

Inferring a reach of a content item presented to individuals by one or more content publishers for a set of households


The invention introduces a method for programming data of page groups into flash units to include steps for: obtaining, by a host interface (I/F) controller, user data of a page group from a host side, wherein the page group comprises multiple pages; storing, by the host I/F controller, the user data on the pages in a random access memory (RAM) through a bus architecture, outputting the user data on the pages to an engine via an I/F, and enabling the engine to calculate a parity of the page group according to the user data on the pages; obtaining, by a direct memory access (DMA) controller, the parity of the page group from the engine and storing the parity of the page group in the RAM through the bus architecture; and obtaining, by a flash I/F controller, the user data on the pages and the parity of the page group from the RAM through the bus architecture, and programming the user data on the pages and the parity of the page group into a flash module.

The disclosure generally relates to storage devices and, more particularly, to apparatuses and methods for programming data of page groups into flash units.
Flash memory devices typically include NOR flash devices and NAND flash devices. NOR flash devices are random access—a host accessing a NOR flash device can provide the device any address on its address pins and immediately retrieve data stored in that address on the device's data pins. NAND flash devices, on the other hand, are not random access but serial access. It is not possible for NAND to access any random address in the way described above. Instead, the host has to write into the device a sequence of bytes which identifies both the type of command requested (e.g. read, write, erase, etc.) and the address to be used for that command. The address identifies a page (the smallest chunk of flash memory that can be written in a single operation) or a block (the smallest chunk of flash memory that can be erased in a single operation).
A flash controller typically employs error correcting code (ECC) to correct error bits in user data over channels or in memory cells. The flash controller encodes the user data with redundant information in the form an ECC in data writes. The redundancy allows the flash controller to correct a limited number of error bits that may occur anywhere in the user data in data reads. To prevent a critical error of user data pages including too many error bits that cannot be recovered, the flash controller sets a predetermined number of pages to form a page group, and generates parities according to the user data pages of the page group. However, it spends lots of time and computation resources to calculates parities across data pages of a page group. Thus, it is desirable to have apparatuses and methods for programming data of page groups into flash units to reduce time and computation resources for calculating parities of page groups.

Apparatus and method for programming user data on the pages and the parity of the page group into flash modules


A voltage regulator may include an auxiliary power device having a first terminal coupled to a control line, a second terminal coupled to an input voltage and a third terminal coupled to an output voltage pad. The voltage regulator may also include a main power device electrically coupled in parallel with the auxiliary power device. A second terminal of the main power device may be coupled to the input voltage, and a third terminal of the main power device may be coupled to the output voltage pad. The voltage regulator may further include a switching system selectively coupling the main power device into and out of the voltage regulator.

Many modern electronic systems rely on one or more batteries for power. The batteries are typically recharged, for example, by connecting the electronic system to a power source (e.g., an alternating current (AC) power outlet) via a power adapter and cable.
A voltage regulator may provide a power supply rail from a battery. A low dropout (LDO) regulator is one type of linear voltage regulator that is popular in battery powered devices. A low dropout voltage regulator is generally designed to provide a stable regulated output voltage rail in situations where the dropout of the voltage regular is less than or equal to a predetermined minimum value. That is, a low dropout voltage regulator supports stable output voltage rail regulation when the difference between the input voltage VIN and a regulated output voltage VOUT is larger than or equal to the predetermined minimum value.
A low dropout regulator may include a power field effect transistor (FET). Power FETs are generally designed to handle significant power levels. In particular, power FETs support a high voltage range, while providing good efficiency. A power FET, therefore, handles a wide range of operating conditions. So, traditionally, power FETs are fabricated using higher voltage rated devices that consume a large area.

Power device area saving by pairing different voltage rated power devices


An object of the present invention is to provide an imaging apparatus that can comfortably be focused while an influence on a wide angle image is minimized. The imaging apparatus includes: a display unit for displaying an image being photographed; an enlarged image display function for displaying an image obtained by enlarging a part of an area being photographed in the display unit; an edge component detection function for detecting an edge component amount of an enlarged image area; and a focal point position detection function for detecting movement of a focal point operated by a photographer. Duration time of the enlarged image display displayed by the enlarged image display function is changed in conjunction with the edge component detected by the edge component detection function and the movement of the focal point detected by the focal point position detection function.

In recent years, photographers have been required to more exactly focus imaging apparatuses on photographic subjects as the resolutions of imaging apparatuses have become higher (for example, HD, 4K, 8K). However, there is a problem in that, if the screen size of the viewfinder of an imaging apparatus used for checking an image that a photographer himself/herself takes is too small, or if it is difficult to check whether or not the imaging apparatus is focused on a photographic subject owing to the low resolution of the screen of the imaging apparatus, it becomes difficult to exactly focus the imaging apparatus on the photographic subject.
Therefore, various auxiliary display functions that make a photographer more easily grasp the focusing degree (focused state) have been devised. For example, there are some auxiliary display functions such as highlighting (peaking) of focused edge portions of a photographed image, a partial enlargement display for checking the focused state of the photographed image, and the like. PLT 1 discloses an imaging apparatus having not only a function of enlarging the display of a partial area of a photographic subject but also a function of displaying the wide angle image of the entirety of a screen being photographed, or a function of graphically representing the edge component of the enlarged area on the same screen when a manual focusing operation is executed.


Method and apparatus for friction welding termination elements at first and second ends (21, 23) of a cylindrical shaft (15) in alaignment with an axis. A shaft receiver (17) receives the cylindrical shaft (15), and a first chuck (70) grips and rotates the cylindrical shaft (15) in alignment with the axis. A second chuck (75) grips the cylindrical shaft (15) and translates the second chuck (75) between first and second axial positions. A first termination receiver (155) receives the first termination (30) and axially translates same to a first installation position. An installation drive (90) urges the first termination (30) axially toward the cylindrical shaft (15) as it is rotated. A second termination receiver axially translates second termination (32) to a second installation position in allignment with the axis. A second installation drive (91) urges the second termination element (32) axially toward the cylindrical shaft as it is rotated. The first chuck (70) is rotated at approximately between 500 to 6000 rmp. The first installation drive arrangement (90) applies between 250 to 3000 pounds of axial force for between 1 and 15 seconds during a heating phase, and between 1500 to 12000 pounds of axial force for between 0.5 and 10 seconds during a forging phase.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to arrangements for welding tubular products, and more particularly, to a welding arrangement that will weld tubular products that require low cycle time, minimal misalignment, and near perfect radial alignment of the welded ends.
2. Description of the Related Art
To date many tubular products have been manufactured with the appropriate ends attached by conventional welding techniques. In the automotive industry, for example, particularly drive shaft manufacturing, the weld yokes, (or ends) often are pressed onto or into a tube end. After the press operation, the ends typically are welded by wire feed or other conventional welding techniques. The required press fit renders this method of manufacturing to be plagued with significant cost. It is of greater significance that only one end of the drive shaft is completed at a time. That is, after the completion of the first weld, the tube is turned over and reinserted into the known welding machine. Almost always the radial alignment and concentricity between the two ends is lost before the second weld yoke is attached. This form of manufacture, therefore, has significant inherent problems that are common in the industry. In addition, conventional wire feed welding imposes limits on the minimum wall thickness that can reliably be joined in production, and the quality of the weld cannot readily be ascertained.
In another known system, known magna pulse and magna arc methods are used in the construction of drive shafts and other tubular products. Again, typically one side of the tubular product is completed at a time. This causes set up problems that limit the ability to maintain radial alignment and verification of the quality of the weld is difficult to accomplish. Double ended magna arc or pulse welders are complex, difficult to repair and maintain, and expensive. In addition, They also require that extremely close tolerances be in squareness, cleanliness, and flatness of the components prior to and during the weld process to maintain a proper arc gap. This is difficult to accomplish and maintain in a production environment.
It is, therefore, an object of this invention to provide a system wherein the weld ends of a tubular assembly can be welded simultaneously in a simple, cost-effective and production robust manner.
It is also another object of this invention to provide a system wherein the weld ends of a tubular assembly can be maintained in a predetermined axial relationship as the ends are welded simultaneously.
It is another object of this invention to provide a welding arrangement that obviates the need for the press fit process and the associated close tolerance machining required for a press fit, as well as the additional material required on the yokes for the internal press fit.
It is also an object of this invention to provide a process that is cost effective, requires a short cycle time, holds near perfect concentricity of the tubular elements, and maintains near perfect radial alignment.
It is a further object of this invention to provide a welding system wherein a plurality of parameters that affect product quality can be recorded during the process to verify consistent weld quality.
It is additionally an object of this invention to provide an arrangement that can be applied in the welding of flat plate(s) to tubes or other forms of cylindrical stock.
It is yet a further object of this invention to provide a high level of precision and low cycle time in the manufacture of drive shafts, to preclude drive shafts that suffer from linear or radial misalignment in their welded ends, whereby high levels of noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) would result.

Synchronized tubular friction welding arrangement


An improved aeroprediction code (APC) allows aerodynamics to be predicted for Mach numbers up to 20 for configurations with flares. Moreover, the improved APC advantageously extends the static aerodynamic predictions for Mach numbers less than 1.2, improves the body alone pitch damping for Mach numbers above 2.0, and develops a new capability for pitch damping of flared configurations at Mach numbers up to 20. The improved APC also permits determination of aerodynamic effects associated with power-on events and trailing edge flaps. Corresponding methods are also described.

The present invention relates generally to aerodynamic prediction methods. More specifically, the present invention relates to improved aerodynamic prediction techniques and corresponding methods employing semiemperical code.
The instant application is based on Provisional Patent Application No. 60/259,689, which was filed on Jan. 5, 2001. That Provisional Patent Application is incorporated by reference in its entirety.
The 1998 version of the NSWCDD Aeroprediction Code (AP98) described in the report by Moore, F. G., McInville, R. M., and Hymer, T. entitled xe2x80x9cThe 1998 Version of the NSWC Aeroprediction Code: Part Ixe2x80x94Summary of New Theoretical Methodologyxe2x80x9d (NSWCDD/TR-98/1, April 1998) (Ref. 1) is the most complete and comprehensive semiempirical code produced to date. It includes the capability to predict planar aerodynamics in the roll positions of "PHgr"=0 deg (fins in xe2x80x9c+xe2x80x9d or plus orientation as viewed from the rear of the missile) and "PHgr"=45 deg (fins in xe2x80x9cxc3x97xe2x80x9d or cross roll orientation as viewed from the rear of the missile) over a broad range of flight conditions and configuration geometries with good average accuracy, computational times and ease of use. Flight conditions include angles of attack (AOA) up to 90 deg, control deflections of up to xc2x130 deg, and Mach numbers up to 20. Configuration geometries include axisymmetric and nonaxisymmetric body shapes with sharp, blunt, or truncated nose tips, with or without a boattail or flare. Up to two sets of planar or cruciform fins are allowed.
New technology has recently been developed to allow both six- and eight-fin options in the fin considerations as well. See Ref. 2, i.e., a report by Moore, F. G., McInville, R. M., and Robinson, D. I. entitled xe2x80x9cA Simplified Method for Predicting Aerodynamics of Multi-Fin Weapons,xe2x80x9d (NSWCDD/TR-99/19, March 1999). Moreover, many of the constants used in the aeroprediction code have been refined, as reported by Moore, F. G. and McInville, R. M. in Ref. 3, which is a document entitled xe2x80x9cRefinements in the Aeroprediction Code Based on Recent Wind Tunnel Dataxe2x80x9d (NSWCDD/TR-99/116, December 1999), based on a more recent wind tunnel data base (See also Ref. 4, e.g., Allen, J. M., Hemsch, M. J., Burns, K. A., and Oeters, K. J., xe2x80x9cParametric Fin-Body and Fin-Alone Database on a Series of 12 Missile Fins,xe2x80x9d NASA LRC TM in publication, May 1996.), allowing more accurate aerodynamic estimates at all AOAs. Average accuracies are xc2x110 percent for normal and axial force and xc2x14 percent of body length for center of pressure. Average accuracy signifies that enough AOAs or Mach numbers are considered to get a good statistical sample. It will be noted that, on occasion, a single data point can exceed these average accuracy values.
Ease of use has been significantly enhanced over older versions of the Aeroprediction Code (APC) through a personal-computer-based pre- and post-processor package. See Ref. 5, which is a report by Hymer, T. C., Downs, C., and Moore, F. G. entitled xe2x80x9cUsers Guide for an Interactive Personal Computer Interface for the 1998 Aeroprediction Code (AP98)xe2x80x9d (NSWCDD/TR-98/7, June 1998). This package has allowed inputs for configuration geometries to be simplified significantly by many automated nose shape options.
While the AP98 is a very powerful tool, several limitations and areas of improvement still remain. Most of these needs are driven by the desire of future weapon designers to perform tradeoff studies on new and innovative concepts that may fall outside of the current capability of the AP98. An example of this type of requirement is the multi-fin requirement that has just been completed.
What is needed is an improved APC that includes the capability to model the deflection of the rear segment of a fin (sometimes referred to as flaperon or aileron) for control, as opposed to the entire fin. It would be desirable if the improved APC included the capability of predicting the drag accurately for all power on conditions. It would also be advantageous if the improved APC included the capability to predict the aerodynamics of projectiles that use a flare for stability (as opposed to fins).
Based on the above and foregoing, it can be appreciated that there presently exists a need in the art for improved semiemperical methods for predicting aerodynamic performance which overcome the above-described deficiencies. The present invention was motivated by a desire to overcome the drawbacks and shortcomings of the presently available technology, and thereby fulfill this need in the art.
According to one aspect, the present invention provides an improved aeroprediction code (APC) that allows aerodynamics to be predicted for Mach numbers up to 20 for configurations with flares. Moreover, the improved APC advantageously extends the static aerodynamic predictions for Mach numbers less than 1.2, improves the body alone pitch damping for Mach numbers above 2.0, and develops a new capability for pitch damping of flared configurations at Mach numbers up to 20.
It will be noted that this additional capability for treating flared configurations has been validated for several different configurations in the Mach number range of 2 to 8.8. In general, pitch damping predictions of the improved capability was within 20 percent of either experimental data or computational fluid dynamics calculations. It will be appreciated that this accuracy level is quite adequate for dynamic derivatives generated during the preliminary design stage. It will also be appreciated that these new additions to the aeroprediction code will be transitioned to users as part of the 2002 version of the code (AP02).
According to another aspect, the present invention provides improved methods for base pressure prediction under base bleed and rocket motor-on conditions. More specifically, the base bleed method makes several refinements to the method developed by Danberg at the Army Research Laboratory in Aberdeen, Md. The improved rocket motor-on, base pressure prediction improves upon the method developed at the Army Missile Command in Huntsville, Ala. by Brazzel and some of his colleagues. The major refinement to the base bleed method of Danburg was to estimate the power-off value of base pressure empirically based on an extensive data base, as opposed to using computational fluid dynamics codes to predict this term. The major modifications to the power-on base pressure prediction method of Brazzel was to extend its range of applicability to high values of thrust coefficient, to Mach numbers less than 1.5, and to different afterbody shapes. In comparing the improved methods for power-on base drag prediction to experiment, it was seen that both methods gave reasonable agreement to most experimental data bases. However, more validation is needed, particularly for the combined effects of angle of attack, fins, and power-on conditions.
According to a further aspect, the present invention provides an Improved Semiempirical Method for estimating the static aerodynamics of configurations that use a trailing edge flap for control. The method is based on deflecting the full aft-located lifting surface an amount that allows the normal force coefficient to be equal to that generated by the deflected flap. A transfer in pitching moments and a modified axial force coefficient is derived to complete the set of static aerodynamics. The method is derived using theoretical methods that are a part of the 1998 version of the Naval Surface Warfare Center aeroprediction code and two sets of experimental data. Comparison of the improved method to available data shows the method to give satisfactory results over the practical range that trailing edge flaps are contemplated for use. Additional wind tunnel data advantageously can be employed to further refine and expand the applicability of the disclosed method. This is particularly true for transonic Mach numbers and for supersonic Mach numbers where the angle of attack and control deflection are of the same sign.

Aerodynamic prediction using semiempirical prediction techniques and methods therefor

The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy


Implant-associated bacterial infections are one of the most serious complications in orthopedic surgery. Treatment of these infections often requires multiple operations, device removal, long-term systemic antibiotics, and extended rehabilitation, and is frequently ineffective, leading to worse clinical outcomes and increased financial costs. Silver nanoparticle/poly(DL-lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA)-coated stainless steel alloy (SNPSA) was evaluated as a potential antimicrobial implant material. It was found that SNPSA exhibited strong antibacterial activity in vitro and ex vivo, and promoted MC3T3-E1 pre-osteoblasts proliferation and maturation in vitro. Furthermore, SNPSA implants induced osteogenesis while suppressing bacterial survival in contaminated rat femoral canals. The results indicate that SNPSA has simultaneous antimicrobial and osteoinductive properties that make it a promising therapeutic material in orthopedic surgery.

Implant-associated microbial infections are one of the most serious complications in orthopedic surgery because they are extremely difficult to treat and result in increased morbidity and substantially worse outcomes. Despite a recent focus on aseptic surgical and procedural techniques, catheter- and surgical implant-associated infections account for nearly half of the 2 million cases of nosocomial infections in the United States per year, representing a significant healthcare and economic burden. Devices and methods for imaging sub-millimeter-sized tumors that are embedded in tissues (e.g., at depths greater than 1-2 mm) are not available. Consequently, methods for treating such tumors are also lacking due to the inability in combining high specific and sensitive imaging with highly conformal radiation.'
Management of an implant-associated infection typically requires device removal, multiple debridement surgeries, and long-term systemic antibiotic therapy, despite the associated side effects and additional complications. However, these additional surgical procedures and medical therapies not only increase the healthcare costs, but also result in an increased rate of recurrence, particularly because it is difficult to clear the infection from devascularized bone and other necrotic tissues. Soon after introduction of an implant, a conditioning layer composed of host-derived adhesins (including fibrinogen, fibronectin, collagen, etc.) covers the surface of the implant. This layer promotes adherence of free-floating (planktonic) bacteria, which subsequently form an extracellular anionic polysaccharide 3 dimensional (3D) biofilm. Once a biofilm forms, it is extremely difficult to treat these infections because the biofilm blocks the penetration of both host immune cells (such as macrophages) and systemic antibiotics, promoting further bacterial survival. Given the difficulties in treating implant-associated infections, strategies aimed at preventing the infection and biofilm formation during surgery and in the immediate postoperative period may serve as more effective alternative that can prevent these infections altogether.
Prior studies have coated or covalently-linked antibiotics onto prosthetic materials to prevent bacterial infection during surgical implantation. Although this local antibiotic therapy may be effective, they are limited to certain bacterial species and these infections can be caused by a spectrum of bacteria, including Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis and Streptococci species, and Gram-negative Pseudomonas and Enterobacter species. Moreover, antibiotics used in this manner can contribute to the development of antibiotic resistance, which is especially relevant as there is an increasing number of infections caused by methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) and methicillin-resistant S. epidermidis (MRSE) strains.
What is needed in the art are implant materials or coatings that can resist infection while simultaneously promoting bone growth. Such materials and/or devices made therefrom would be particularly advantageous for orthopedic surgery applications.

Nanoparticle-based scaffolds and implants, methods for making the same, and applications thereof

The Regents of the University of California


Method and apparatus for reduction of latency between the time when packets arrive at Layer 1 and the time when resource is selected for transmission are disclosed. One method of the apparatus for latency reduction includes excluding resource from a resource set for packets transmission on SL based on at least one of parameters which are determined according to a latency requirement for the packets, wherein, the parameters comprise a required percentage of the candidate resource in the resource set, maximum power threshold of interference signal, and maximum number of times for increasing power threshold of interference signal.

The following abbreviations and acronyms are herewith defined, at least some of which are referred to within the following description.
Third Generation Partnership Project ("3GPP"), Channel Busy Ratio ("CBR"), Device-to-Device ("D2D"), further enhancement Device-to-Device ("feD2D"), Downlink Control Information ("DCI"), Downlink ("DL"), Evolved Node B ("eNB"), Frequency Division Duplex ("FDD"), Frequency-Division Multiplexing ("FDM"), Frequency Division Multiple Access ("FDMA"), Long Term Evolution ("LTE"), LTE Advanced ("LTE-A"), Modulation and Coding Scheme ("MCS"), Machine Type Communication ("MTC"), Physical Downlink Control Channel ("PDCCH"), Physical Downlink Shared Channel ("PDSCH"), ProSe Per Packet Priority ("PPPP"), Physical Sidelink Control Channel ("PSCCH"), Physical Sidelink Shared Channel ("PSSCH"), Physical Uplink Control Channel ("PUCCH"), Physical Uplink Shared Channel ("PUSCH"), Radio Network Temporary Identity ("RNTI"), Radio Resource Control ("RRC"), Reference Signal Receiving Power ("RSRP"), Receive Signal Strength Indicator ("RSSI"), Receive ("RX"), Scheduling Assignment ("SA"), Sidelink Control Information ("SCI"), Signal to Interference plus Noise Ratio ("SINR"), Sidelink ("SL"), Semi-Persistent Scheduling ("SPS"), Time Division Duplex ("TDD"), Time-Division Multiplexing ("TDM"), Transmission Time Interval ("TTI"), Transmit ("TX"), User Entity/Equipment (Mobile Terminal) ("UE"), Uplink ("UL"), Universal Mobile Telecommunications System ("UMTS"), Vehicle-to-Vehicle ("V2V") and Vehicle-to-Everything ("V2X"), Vehicle-to-Infrastructure/Network ("V2I/N"), Vehicle-to-Pedestrian ("V2P").
In Release 15 (Rel-15), it is expected to enhance the Cellular-based V2X services (V2V, V2I/N, and V2P) as identified in the 3GPP meetings.
One of the objectives for this study is the reduction of latency between the time when packets arrive at Layer 1, which is also referred as physical layer herein, and the time when resource is selected for transmission, as regarding to UE using mode 4. The requirements for the latency vary from 3 ms to 100 ms as defined in the 3GPP meetings. UEs using mode 3 and mode 4 are also referred as mode 3 UE(s) and mode 4 UE(s) respectively herein. Particularly, Radio resource for Mode 3 UE is scheduled by eNB, while radio resource for Mode 4 UE, which is out of an coverage of eNB or configured out of there, is autonomously selected from a resource set by itself, as defined in Release 14 (Rel-14).
In another aspect, The goal of reducing the latency not only need a support for latency requirements, but also a consideration for an enough percentage of the candidate resource in the resource set as well as good channel condition of the candidate resource for collision avoidance.

Method and apparatus for latency reduction in eV2X


A magnetic sensor is constituted using magnetic sensor chips mounted on stages supported by interconnecting members and a frame having leads in a lead frame. Herein, the stages are inclined upon plastic deformation of the interconnecting members. When the frame is held in a metal mold and the stages are pressed, the interconnecting members are elastically deformed, so that the magnetic sensor chips are bonded onto the stages placed substantially in the same plane and are then wired with the leads. Thereafter, the stages are released from pressure, so that the interconnecting members are restored from the elastically deformed states thereof. When the magnetic sensor chips are combined together to realize three sensing directions, it is possible to accurately measure three-dimensional bearings of magnetism, and the magnetic sensor can be reduced in dimensions and manufactured with a reduced cost therefor.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to methods for manufacturing magnetic sensors for measuring bearings (or azimuths). This invention also relates to lead frames for use in magnetic sensors.
2. Description of the Related Art
In general, magnetic sensors are used to detect magnetism for the purpose of measurement of bearings with regard to external magnetic fields applied thereto.
FIG. 83 shows a conventionally-known magnetic sensor unit 64 in which magnetic sensors 51 and 61 are arranged on a surface 63a of a board (or substrate) 63. This magnetic sensor unit 64 is capable of measuring bearings of an external magnetic field in a three-dimensional manner.
Specifically, the magnetic sensor 51 includes a magnetic sensor chip 52 sensitive to components of an external magnetic field in two directions, wherein there are provided two sensing directions (namely, an X-axis direction and a Y-axis direction), which are orthogonal to each other on the surface 63a of the board 63. The magnetic sensor 61 includes a magnetic sensor chip 62 sensitive to components of an external magnetic field in a single direction only, wherein a sensing direction lies in a vertical direction (namely, a Z-axis direction) orthogonal to the surface 63a of the board 63.
Bearings of an external magnetic field are determined as vectors in a three-dimensional space upon detection of three-directional components of magnetism measured by the magnetic sensor chips 52 and 62.
As described above, the conventionally-known magnetic sensor unit 64 provides the magnetic sensor chips 52 and 62 for the magnetic sensors 51 and 61 respectively. Therefore, in the manufacture of the magnetic sensor unit 64, it is necessary to produce the magnetic sensors 51 and 61 respectively and to arrange them on the surface 63a of the board 63 at respective positions. This increases the number of steps in the manufacture of the magnetic sensor unit, thus increasing the manufacturing cost therefor.
In addition, the conventional magnetic sensor unit 64 has difficulties in accurately arranging the magnetic sensor 61 in the surface 63a of the board 63 so that the sensing direction of the magnetic sensor chip 62 becomes orthogonal to the sensing direction of the magnetic sensor chip 52.

Manufacturing method for magnetic sensor and lead frame therefor


Plating apparatus and plating method that can plate more uniformly on a processing surface of a workpiece are provided. The plating apparatus is comprised of a plating solution bathe which is provided with a first electrode held in a state soaked in a plating solution; a workpiece holding mechanism which holds a workpiece to contact its processing surface to the plating solution; and a contact member, disposed in the workpiece holding mechanism, that electrically contacts with the circumferential edge of the workpiece so to form a conductive layer on the workpiece surface as a second electrode. The contact member is divided along the circumferential direction of the workpiece with which they are electrically contacted. Thus, even if the contact resistance between each section of the contact member with the workpiece is variable, it is possible to adjust the plating electric current for each section of the contact member.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a plating apparatus which performs an operation of plating on a processing surface of a workpiece such as a wafer as a device fabrication step and a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device by such a plating apparatus, and more particularly to a plating apparatus suitable for more uniformly plating on a processing surface and a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device.
2. Description of the Related Art
In recent years, a plating step in a semiconductor manufacturing process or a liquid crystal device manufacturing process has come to be used more often than a reaction process which is performed in a vapor phase state as the microfabrication required in manufacturing semiconductor devices or liquid crystal devices is advancing.
In such a plating step, it is significant to ensure the quality of a plated coating and the uniformity of a plated coating thickness on a surface of the workpiece in order to control the quality of semiconductors or the like to be manufactured.
For example, a step of copper plating on a surface of a processing wafer will be described. To plate copper on the processing wafer surface, a conductive seed layer, which makes a cathode for electrolytic plating and also a seed for plating, is previously formed on the pertinent surface.
The processing wafer surface on which the seed layer is formed is soaked in a plating solution bathe so to come into contact with, for example, a copper sulfate based plating solution. And, electrical conductors (cathode contacts which will be simply called contacts) are contacted to the seed layer via an outer periphery of the wafer to supply an electric current for the electrolytic plating. In the plating solution bathe, an anode made of, for example, phosphorus-containing copper is disposed in a state soaked in the plating solution.
Employing the above configuration, an electric current is supplied between the cathode and the anode to make reduction deposition of copper on the cathode which was initially the seed layer, thereby plating copper on the seed layer. When plating, the wafer is mostly spun about its axis in order to form a more uniform plating on the processing surface. Thus, even if a flow of the plating solution in the plating solution bathe is not uniform, it is made averaged, and plating is uniformly made on the surface.
However, this improvement of the plating process for the uniform plating on the surface is helpless against nonuniform plating which results from a contact resistance between the contacts and the wafer. It is a natural consequence because the contact between the circumferential edge of the wafer and the contacts is fixed at certain points and the wafer is spun together with the contacts in the contacted state. Thus, among the contacts which are in contact with the peripheral edge of the wafer, those having a smaller contact resistance have better conductivity with the wafer, but those having a high contact resistance have poor conductivity with the wafer.
Plating is actively carried out and a thick coated layer is formed on portions of the wafer ranging from the contacts contacted with good conductivity to the center of the wafer as compared with portions of the wafer ranging from the contacts contacted with poor conductivity to the center of the wafer. In other words, the processing surface of the wafer is not plated uniformly because of variations in the contact resistance between the contacts and the wafer.
A cause of variations in the contact resistance may be degradation in the contacts themselves. Generally, a wafer holding member structure for sealing with a sealing material is adopted at the contact portions between the circumferential edge of the wafer and the contacts in order to prevent the entry of the plating solution. It is because the plating solution is acid and corrosive.
However, even if sealing is complete, the entry of the plating solution in the form of steam or mist into the contact portions cannot be prevented. Thus, the contacts may be corroded to some extent or the plating material may be defectively deposited on the contacts, resulting is a change in their surfaces. Thereby, variations may be caused in the contact resistance of the contacts.
With the increase in diameter of the wafer in these years, a contact member itself is also becoming large in size, and the number of its contact points is many. It is becoming difficult to provide a constant contact resistance to each of the contact points by uniformly pushing the wafer to such a single contact member.
As described above, the plating apparatus being used now tends to have variations in the contact resistance between the contacts and the wafer and has limitations in uniform plating on the processing surface.
The present invention has been achieved in view of the circumstances described above, and it is an object of the invention to provide a plating apparatus and plating method which can plate more uniformly on a surface of a workpiece.
To achieve the aforementioned object, the plating apparatus according to the present invention has a plating solution bathe which can hold a plating solution and is provided with a first electrode held in a state soaked in the held plating solution; a workpiece holding mechanism which holds a workpiece to contact its processing surface to the plating solution; and a contact member which is disposed in the workpiece holding mechanism and electrically contacted to the circumferential edge of the workpiece so to form a conductive layer on the workpiece surface, which is in contact with the plating solution, as a second electrode; the contact member being divided along the circumferential direction of the workpiece to be electrically contacted.
As the contact member is divided along the circumferential direction of the workpiece, it is possible to adjust an electric current for the plating operation for each section of the contact member even if a contact resistance of the respective sections of the contact member with the workpiece is variable.
Specifically, when the contact member has a relatively high contact resistance, it suffers a voltage drop because of its contact resistance, and the plating electric current lowers accordingly. In such a case, the electric current is increased by raising a voltage applied during the plating operation via the contact member or the electric current for the plating operation via the contact member is directly increased.
Thus, the electric current for the plating operation can be made constant to each contact member, and as a result, the plating is uniformly made on the processing surface.
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device according to the present invention employs a plating apparatus comprising a plating solution bathe which can hold a plating solution and is provided with a first electrode held in a state soaked in the held plating solution; a workpiece holding mechanism which holds a workpiece to contact its processing surface to the plating solution; and a contact member which is disposed in the workpiece holding mechanism and electrically contacted to the circumferential edge of the workpiece so to form a conductive layer on the workpiece surface, which is in contact with the plating solution, as a second electrode; the contact member being divided along the circumferential direction of the workpiece to be electrically contacted. This method comprises; holding the workpiece by the workpiece holding mechanism, bringing the processing surface of the held workpiece into contact with the plating solution, and plating on the processing surface while controlling the plating electric current passing through each divided section of the contact: member.
According to this method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, it is possible to uniformly plate on the processing surface by the same operation as the aforementioned plating apparatus.

Plating apparatus and method of manufacturing semiconductor device


A rotation state of each rotating element of a four-wheel drive vehicle and an operating state of each engagement element of a disconnect mechanism, corresponding to an operating state of the disconnect mechanism, are displayed on or near a vehicle model image on a vehicle display. Thus, it is possible to inform a driver of the operating state of the disconnect mechanism at any time. Thus, the driver is able to recognize the operating state of the disconnect mechanism at any time, so the driver is able to carry out driving based on the operating state.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a four-wheel drive vehicle including a disconnect mechanism that is selectively operated to interrupt transmission of power to a predetermined rotating element. More particularly, the invention relates to a device that indicates an operating state of the disconnect mechanism.
2. Description of Related Art
There is known a technique for displaying the distribution of driving force (the distribution of torque), which is transmitted to front and rear drive wheels of a four-wheel drive vehicle, on a vehicle model image of an in-vehicle display provided at an in-vehicle driver seat. This is a torque distribution display device for a four-wheel drive vehicle, described in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 61-244627 (JP 61-244627 A). In the torque distribution display device described in JP 61-244627 A, the distribution of driving force during traveling is displayed at any time so as to be visually recognized by a driver. For example, the distribution of driving force is displayed at any time by partially changing the colors of the front and rear drive wheels, or providing scales in proximity to the vehicle model image and using the scales in combination with indicators each indicating the amount of torque distributed.

Control system for four-wheel drive vehicle


A loyalty program management system associated with an enterprise location is provided. The loyalty program management system is programmed to: a) receive a plurality of input data associated with a plurality of patrons, wherein the plurality of input data represents actions of the plurality of patrons; b) determine a current location of a patron of the plurality of patrons, wherein the current location of the patron is not at the enterprise location; and c) transmit a message to a computer device associated with the patron including a prize to be awarded if the patron visits the enterprise location.

Electronic gaming machines ("EGMs") or gaming devices provide a variety of wagering games such as slot games, video poker games, video blackjack games, roulette games, video bingo games, keno games and other types of games that are frequently offered at casinos and other locations. Play on EGMs typically involves a player establishing a credit balance by inputting money, or another form of monetary credit, and placing a monetary wager (from the credit balance) on one or more outcomes of an instance (or single play) of a primary or base game. In many games, a player may qualify for secondary games or bonus rounds by attaining a certain winning combination or triggering event in the base game. Secondary games provide an opportunity to win additional game instances, credits, awards, jackpots, progressives, etc. Awards from any winning outcomes are typically added back to the credit balance and can be provided to the player upon completion of a gaming session or when the player wants to "cash out."
"Slot" type games are often displayed to the player in the form of various symbols arrayed in a row-by-column grid or matrix. Specific matching combinations of symbols along predetermined paths (or paylines) through the matrix indicate the outcome of the game. The display typically highlights winning combinations/outcomes for ready identification by the player. Matching combinations and their corresponding awards are usually shown in a "pay-table" which is available to the player for reference. Often, the player may vary his/her wager to include differing numbers of paylines and/or the amount bet on each line. By varying the wager, the player may sometimes alter the frequency or number of winning combinations, frequency or number of secondary games, and/or the amount awarded.
Typical games use a random number generator (RNG) to randomly determine the outcome of each game. The game is designed to return a certain percentage of the amount wagered back to the player over the course of many plays or instances of the game, which is generally referred to as return to player (RTP). The RTP and randomness of the RNG ensure the fairness of the games and are highly regulated. Upon initiation of play, the RNG randomly determines a game outcome and symbols are then selected which correspond to that outcome. Notably, some games may include an element of skill on the part of the player and are therefore not entirely random.
In today's competitive landscape, a casino not only has to contend with other casinos in the area, but also other entertainment venues, both brick and mortar as well as online options, for their share of a customer's discretionary spend. Accordingly, systems and methods for improving customer rewards and thereby customer loyalty are desirable.

Systems and methods for providing dynamic rewards


An interface component (10) for a universal in-/output module with connection points (X0, M) for field devices includes an analog-to-digital converter (ADC), a digital-to-analog converter (DCA), a power source (25) and a combinational circuit, through which, as required, the analog-to-digital converter (ADC), the digital-to-analog converter (DAC) or the power source (25) are each able to be automatically connected to connection points of the interface component (10). The interface component (10) is able to be connected via a microcomputer to a digital data bus of a control and/or regulation device. A connection point (X0, M) for a field device includes a terminal (X0) able to be configured via the interface component (10) for the field device as an input and/or as an output for bidirectional signals. The terminal (X0) is connected via a first ohmic resistor (Ri) to a first connection point (IOX01) of the interface component (10) and via a second ohmic resistor (Ro) to a second connection point (IOX00) of the interface component (10), the first connection point (IOX01) being able to be connected via the combinational circuit to the input of the analog-to-digital converter (ADC) and the second connection point (IOX00) via the combinational circuit to the power source (25). The two ohmic resistors (Ro, Ri) are not implemented in the interface component (10). Through the two resistors, the interface component that is able to be used for sensors and/or servo elements is able, independently of the current configuration of the terminal (X0), to be largely protected against instances of incorrect wiring without a signal recording or signal generation at the universally usable terminal (X0) being impermissibly changed.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to an arrangement with an interface component and with connection points for field devices.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Such arrangements are suitable for example for the inputting of signals from field devices in an apparatus for the monitoring, control and regulation of an administration and maintenance unit of a building and for the issuing of signals to field devices of the said apparatus.
The administration and maintenance unit is for example a heating, ventilation and air-conditioning unit, with access and fire-monitoring equipment or generally a building automation unit or a building management system. In particular, room-climate variables such as room temperature, air humidity and air quality are also influenced by the administration and maintenance unit. In the administration and maintenance unit, a large number of so-called field devices such as sensors and servo elements are to be operated by electric signals, during which process—depending on the nature of a field device—electric signals are outputted to the field device and/or electric signals are inputted from the field device.
An interface component of an arrangement is known from U.S. Pat. No. 4,872,213. When using the known interface component in a unit the interface component can possibly be destroyed if connection terminals are incorrectly wired.

Arrangement for the operation of field devices of an administration and maintenance unit of a building


A sorting system having a vertical sorter for conveying and sorting parcel goods, including a plurality of sorting units provided at specified distances from one another extending over a closed conveyor belt along a traveling path and being connected with the conveyor belt and movable along the traveling path. Two reversing drums with horizontal rotational axes are provided, at least one of the reversing drums serving as the drive drum to reverse and drive the conveyor belt and the sorting units provided thereat around the horizontally oriented rotational axes. The conveyor belt is configured as a traction carrier. To this end the conveyor belt is reinforced by reinforcing apparatus for driving the sorting units. A sorting unit includes a moving device with wheels and is attached to the conveyor belt, the sorting unit including at least one parcel goods receiver which allows controlled discharge of a parcel.

The present invention relates to a sorting system having a vertical sorter in particular for conveying and sorting parcel goods such as is employed for example for conveying and sorting parcels or for sorting baggage in airports.
These vertical sorters are line sorters with a vertical reversal at the ends of the conveying line. Such vertical reversing takes place about an approximately horizontal axis. Vertical sorters are as a rule equipped with a plurality of carriages provided in succession to which one tilt tray or cross conveyor each is associated to sort out and redirect or transfer the conveyed parcel goods at predetermined or selectable points along the transport route.
Vertical sorters offer the advantage over sorting systems traveling through horizontal curves of providing a closed or very nearly closed conveying plane which facilitates conveying large-size parcel goods which extend over more than one sorting unit.
In the case of horizontal sorters including horizontal curves, parts, straps or loops sticking out from the parcel goods may get caught and jam between conveying units which may result in damage to the parcel goods or even in failure of the sorting system.
Vertical sorters offer the advantage of one continuous conveying surface in which jamming of protruding parcel goods parts is largely avoided.
Different sorting systems having vertical sorters have become known in the prior art. The sorting units of the sorting systems tend to be linked together at their front and rear ends so as to achieve on the whole a closed conveying train forming a conveying chain wherein each sorting unit comprises wheels supported on supporting rails of the sorting system. Thus each supporting unit with its associated wheels forms one chain link of the conveying chain.
The drawback of these sorting systems is the so-called polygonal effect resulting at the vertical end reversing points as the conveying chain is reversed. The reversing pulley has a circular diameter while the train of the sorting units can only pass through a polygon. The influence of the polygonal effect decreases with each sorting unit being shorter in length. This in turn increases the complexity since the quantity of the sorting units must be increased.
Furthermore, DE 697 19 044 T2 has disclosed a belt-carried tilt tray sorter with the tilting trays being spaced apart from one another in the longitudinal direction. The tilt trays are supported on an elastic conveyor belt supported by a slider bed for taking up and diverting the supporting forces.
For sorting out the parcel goods this known system uses movable trip members which can be positioned in the traveling path of an actuator to cause one side of the tray to lift, discharging the parcel goods.
The drawback of this known system is the mechanically controlled parcel goods discharge since the tilt tray control speed depends on the moving speed of the vertical sorter. Furthermore considerable acoustic pollution is involved due to the movable trip member hitting on the actuator of the tilt tray.
Another drawback of the known prior art is the flexibility of the endless conveyor belt which only allows limited prestressing since its elasticity causes elongation in the conveyor belt which will further increase with continuing operation.


A latex composition for hair care containing a spray-dried hybrid-graft copolymer of a sulfopolyester and an acid-functional polymer segment. The acid-functional polymer segment is formed from at least one acid-functional monomer, at least one ethylenically unsaturated monomer, and at least one amide-containing monomer. Such compositions exhibit superior curl retention even at high humidity.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a hybrid-graft copolymer having a sulfopolyester grafted with an acid-functional polymer. The hybrid-graft copolymer is well-suited for use in hair care formulations. The hybrid-graft copolymer has excellent curl retention, even at high humidity, and may be formulated over a wide range of volatile organic component (VOC) content.
2. Description of the Related Art
A hair care product must meet a variety of requirements. Performance requirements include, for example, exhibiting fine spray pattern, good film formation, good holding power, prolonged curl retention, low stickiness and lack of powdering or flaking, being clear, transparent and glossy and easy to remove upon washing the hair with soap or shampoo. In addition, recent environmental legislation in some states requires hair care products to be formulated with a low content of volatile organic compounds (VOC). Polymer systems addressing at least some of these requirements are disclosed in the following patents:
U.S. Pat. No. 5,441,728 describes a blend of a water-soluble polymer, having a particular viscosity in water, with a latex of water-insoluble polymeric particles dispersed in water of a particular glass transition temperature. The latex and the water-soluble polymer interact with one another to provide a hair setting composition.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,985,239 describes a hair cosmetic composition containing a particulate polymer having an average particle diameter of from 0.005 to 0.2xcexc. The particulate polymer is preferably in the form of a polymer latex. The particulate polymer can be blended in hair cosmetic compositions for shampoos, rinses, treatments, hair sprays, set lotions and the like. A conventional emulsion polymerization process cannot be used to prepare the particulate polymer.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,300,580 describes a hair grooming composition containing a linear polyester derived from a dicarboxylic acid, a diol and a difunctional monomer containing a xe2x80x94SO3M group attached to an aromatic nucleus which is dissipatable in water and water-alcohol mixtures. The diol component of the polyester contains at least 20 mol % of a poly(ethylene glycol). Such formulations are fast drying and have good hair holding properties, but possess the disadvantage of being very difficult to remove from the hair.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,266,303 describes aerosol hair spray formulations based on a sulfonate-containing, water-dispersible or water-dissipatable linear polyester having a glass transition temperature of about 36xc2x0 C. to about 40xc2x0 C., a water-soluble polyvinyl lactam polymer, and water.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,158,762 describes a water-based hair spray composition capable of providing a fine finishing mist which provides a stiff resin film having excellent hair holding power, with superior shine, and feel, and within a relatively low drying time, approaching that of alcohol-based systems. The composition attains its attributes by including a predetermined blend of at least two hair spray resins, one being a water-soluble resin, and the other resin being a water-dispersible polyester or polyester amide.
EP Application No. 2 719 995 describes an aqueous cosmetic composition for hair setting based on the combination in an aqueous or low alcohol medium of a sulfonated polycondensation water dispersible group and a water-soluble copolymer containing one neutralized carboxylic acid group and by patterns including a cyclic ester group. The composition has excellent setting power and can be satisfactorily washed away with shampoo.
EP Application No. 0 687 459 A1 describes capillary compositions containing an aqueous dispersion of polymers, such as polyesters, polyamides or alkyds, as film forming agents. The polymers are prepared by radical polymerization of a radical monomer inside and/or partially on the surface of the preexisting particles of the polymer.
EP Application No. 0 705 595 A2 describes aqueous low VOC hair styling compositions containing at least one acrylic hair fixative resin and one or more plasticizing compounds selected from polycarboxylic acid esters and dimethiconecopolyols. Also described are low beading, low VOC hair styling compositions containing at least one surface tension reducing compound, at least one acrylic hair fixative resin, and at least one simethicone. Aqueous hair resin compositions containing at least one acrylic hair fixative resin and iodopropynyl-butylcarbamate are also described. An acrylic hair fixative resin contains an alkyl (meth)acrylate monomer, a hydroxyalkyl (meth)acrylate monomer, and a monoethylenically unsaturated monocarboxylic acid monomer.
Despite such efforts, there still exists a need for a hair care polymer composition which is compatible with a wide range of VOC and able to form suitable formulations at a broad range of solvent concentrations. In addition, there is a need for a hair fixing composition which exhibits superior curl retention, even at high humidity levels.
The invention fulfills these needs by providing latex compositions for hair care containing a hybrid-graft copolymer of a sulfopolyester and an acid-functional polymer. Such a hybrid-graft copolymer demonstrates excellent curl retention, even at high humidity.
The invention also provides hair care formulations containing a hybrid-graft copolymer of a sulfopolyester and an acid-functional polymer. Such formulations are compatible with volatile organic compounds and may be prepared over a wide range of volatile organic compound (VOC) concentrations.
The invention further provides methods for the preparation of a hybrid-graft copolymer of a sulfopolyester and an acid-functional polymer.


A computer implemented method of operating a base station of a wireless communication network, wherein the method comprises: comparing a number of missing context release messages (108) with a first criterion; —comparing the error rate of connection reestablishment messages (112) with a second criterion; executing a cell global identity search algorithm (110) if at least one of the first and the second criterion is fulfilled, wherein the cell global identity of at least one cell with the physical cell identity of the cell where the criterion was fulfilled is requested via an automatic neighbor relation measurement, and wherein a conflict of physical cell identities is detected and reported to an information algorithm (116) when for the physical cell identity at least two cell global identities are found; —an information algorithm for informing a central network element (118) and/or at least one base station (120) of the mobile communication network about a conflict of physical cell identities when a conflict of physical cell identities is reported to the information algorithm; and —initiating a reassignment of at least one physical cell identity.

In wireless communication networks, e.g. 3GPP Long Term Evolution networks, every communication cell has a physical cell identity (PCI) and a cell global identity (CGI). While each CGI is dedicated to one single cell the number of PCIs being assigned to wireless communication network cells is limited to 504. So it cannot be excluded that two identical PCIs are selected for two different cells belonging to base stations of the wireless communication network being direct neighbors or being located in a short distance.
When one PCI is assigned to two different cells of the wireless communication network that are direct neighbors or located in a short distance, the communication of mobile devices with the wireless communication network in the proximity of the two cells with the same PCI can be disturbed.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a method for avoiding conflicts of physical cell identities of different mobile communication cells.


A video mixing apparatus mixes a graphics video image and a playback video image at a plurality of mixture ratios in one image plane. Fade data indicative of the mixing ratio of at least one line of the playback video signal and the graphics video signal is sequentially generated in accordance with a predetermined order. The fade data is held into holding means and is outputted from the holding means synchronously with a horizontal sync signal. The levels of the playback video signal and the graphics video signal are individually adjusted in accordance with the fade data outputted from the holding means and the adjusted signals are added. The playback video signal and the graphics video signal are mixed at the mixing ratio set every line of one image plane. In a video apparatus using the graphics video image and playback video image, various kinds of effective video images can be formed by mixing the graphics video image of every video image such as background, person, characters, or the like and the playback video image.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a video mixing apparatus for mixing a playback video signal obtained by playing a recording medium and a graphics video signal obtained based on a data processing.
2. Description of Background Information
An apparatus for mixing a playback video signal indicative of a moving image or a still image, obtained by playing a recording medium such as a video disk or the like, and a graphics video signal indicative of a graphics video image based on graphics data obtained as a subcode signal. Such apparatus are disclosed, for example, in Japanese Patent Application Kokai No. 1-256071. In the video mixing apparatus disclosed in this document, the playback video signal and the graphics video signal are adjusted individually through a variable resistor and added together. Resistance values of the variable resistors are manually changed so that a mixing ratio of the playback video signal and the graphics video signal is arbitrarily determined.
In such a conventional video mixing apparatus, however, a graphics video image and a playback video image are mixed at the same mixing ratio on one screen. That is, the above apparatus is not designed so that a part of one image plane of a graphics video image and the other portion thereof can be mixed at different mixing ratios into a playback video image or so that a part of one image plane of a playback video image and the other portion thereof can be mixed at different mixing ratios into a graphics video image. This means that in a television game apparatus using a graphics video image, it is impossible to form several video images by mixing a graphics video image of every video image such as background, person, characters, or the like, and a playback video image.

Video mixing apparatus capable of combining two input signals and varying the mixing ratio line by line