One method for allowing and controlling access to an open WLAN network is through the use of a secure website such as a Hotspot or Captive Portal landing page that the device must “log in” to in order to have access to the network. Credentials for a Captive Portal or Hotspot landing page (or other websites) are conventionally managed by a browser application and stored in a browser data storage space. According to some aspects of the disclosure, an electronic device obtains credentials for a website, such as a Captive Portal or Hotspot landing page. The credentials are stored in a network settings space on the electronic device. The credentials may be stored in a WLAN profile. The device may automatically log in to a webpage using the credentials, which may facilitate seamless connectivity.

An electronic device capable of wireless communications may establish a connection with a one or more wireless access networks, such as wireless local area networks (WLAN networks) or wireless cellular networks. Example cellular networks include: GSM EDGE Radio Access Network (GERAN); Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) Terrestrial Radio Access Network (UTRAN); Evolved UTRAN (E-UTRAN). WLAN network based access networks include Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 networks (commonly referred to as Wi-Fi networks). An "open" WLAN network is an unsecured and/or unencrypted WLAN network. For example, an open WLAN network will typically not include Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) or Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) security. Typically, an open WLAN network may be provided in a public location, such as an airport or library. An open WLAN network may also be provided by a private business, such as a coffee shop, restaurant, fitness center, etc. One method for allowing and controlling access to an open network is through the use of a secured website such as a Hotspot or Captive Portal landing page that the device must "log in" to in order to have access to the network. Upon connection to the open WLAN network by the device, the landing page is presented to the user of the electronic device (via a browser application). Credentials such as a user name or password may be required to log in to the landing page in order to authenticate the device. Upon completion of this authentication process, conditional access to the open WLAN network may be granted. Such access techniques may be referred to may be referred to as a Universal Access Method (UAM).
Conventionally, an Application Program Interface (API) that manages Captive Portal authentication does not automatically log in into the WLAN network infrastructure. Rather, the Captive Portal API checks whether the WLAN network connection is a part of a Captive Portal infrastructure, and then hands the login task over to the device's browser application. Existing browser applications may typically store and/or pre-fill the credentials in the Captive Portal landing page. A similar procedure may typically be followed for a Hotspot network.
The authentication of a device for accessing an open WLAN network may be temporary and expire after a predetermined amount of time, thereby requiring re-log in to the Captive Portal or Hotspot webpage in order to re-authenticate the device. Re-authentication may also be required if the electronic device disconnects and reconnects to the open WLAN network (e.g. due to roaming in and out of the coverage area of the open WLAN network). Conventional browser applications do not automatically perform a re-log in. Thus, a user may be periodically required to re-enter and/or resubmit credentials to re-authenticate the electronic device with the Captive Portal or Hotspot landing page. From the perspective of the user, the WLAN network access chain is broken in two places and includes two distinct connectivity stages: (1) the lower network layer, which includes a WLAN profile for Access Point (AP) wireless connectivity; and (2) the higher application layer within the browser for internet/intranet connectivity.
Conventionally, the browser application manages the secured website authentication process and stores credentials for the secured website in a browser data storage space. Such credentials may be vulnerable to being spoofed by third party applications. Captive Portal credentials may, for example, be particularly vulnerable if stored using a third party browser instead of native browser for the device. Furthermore, browser-managed credentials are not conventionally pushed to the device.
Another disadvantage of existing systems is that a device browser may not conventionally associate website credentials with a particular/specific WLAN network or for a specific network access. Existing device browsers are incognizant or act independently of the underlying wireless network access (e.g. Wi-Fi or Cellular), and they are also incognizant or act independently of the lower layer network security (e.g. Wi-Fi encrypted or open connectivity). Conventionally, browsers may store and pre-fill credentials in a webpage regardless of the current network connection.

Method and device for facilitating authentication over a wireless network


A tool containing a solid combustible material is used to provide a pipe-cutting flame and to direct a pipe-cutting flame against a casing or tubular. The nozzles can be configured in any desired array and intensity. In the preferred embodiment, a rectangular window is burned away completely if the nozzles are sufficiently intense or the window is formed in segments if other distributions are used. The device can be anchored by a packer or anchor and can be run in the wellbore on tubing, wireline or electric line. The window can be produced in a single trip. The tool can be removed and a kick-off diverter installed adjacent the window for drilling the lateral.

The field of the invention relates to flame-cutting techniques for making windows in casing for drilling laterals in existing wellbores.
FIG. 1a illustrates a traditional method of window forming wherein a starter mill 10 is directed by whipstock 12 into the wall of the casing 14. The typical shape of a window or opening 16 is shown in FIG. 1b. The window is narrow when initially cut and proceeds to its maximum width when the mill 10 is approximately in the position shown in FIG. 1a as its center is in alignment with the wall of the casing 14. The mill 10 tends to bog down at this point because there is little relative rotation when the center of the mill is in alignment with the wall of the casing 14. As a result, typically mills have been designed to have a build-up of cutting material 18 (shown in FIG. 1c) to prevent coring out the starter mill 10 as it bogs down in the position shown in FIG. 1a. Eventually, the starter mill 10 continues to cut and the remainder of the window (shown in FIG. 1b as the lower half) begins to get progressively narrower until the starter mill 10 exits the window completely.
The traditional technique of using one or more mills, even if done in a one-trip technique involving orientation tools coupled with an anchor or packer, is still fairly time-consuming. Accordingly, one of the objectives of the present invention is to dramatically decrease the time required for formation of the window. Additionally, another objective of the invention is to be able to cut any desired window shape in a minimum amount of time, with the result that minimum debris or residue is left after employing the technique. Another objective is to eliminate the typical window profile illustrated in FIG. 1b so that shorter kickoff diverters can be used when drilling the lateral through the window that is produced.
In the past, casing to be cut in two in a wellbore has been cut using techniques involving ignited combustible materials which are directed to a radial nozzle or nozzles to cut cleanly through the casing or tubular. These types of devices using a cutting flame radially to cut through a pipe are illustrated in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,598,769 and 5,435,394. These devices are limited-purpose tools for cutting radially through a casing.
Explosive techniques for making a window in casing, using a shaped charge attached to a starter mill which is, in turn, attached to a whipstock, is illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 5,636,692.
Another objective of the present invention is to use flame-cutting techniques to produce a window of desired shape rapidly to facilitate further downhole operations.
These aspects of the method will be more readily understood by those skilled in the art from a review of the details of the preferred embodiment described below.
A tool containing a solid combustible material is used to provide a pipe-cutting flame and to direct a pipe-cutting flame against a casing or tubular. The nozzles can be configured in any desired array and intensity. In the preferred embodiment, a rectangular window is burned away completely if the nozzles are sufficiently intense or the window is formed in segments if other distributions are used. The device can be anchored by a packer or anchor and can be run in the wellbore on tubing, wireline or electric line. The window can be produced in a single trip. The tool can be removed and a kick-off diverter installed adjacent the window for drilling the lateral.


In one aspect, the provided is an authentication control device including: receiving means for receiving an input associated with at least one position among a plurality of positions that are included in an authentication image causing a viewer to perceive depth and are at different apparent depths; and determination means for determining, based on the input, whether or not the input is made by a human.

There are various techniques for so-called user authentication (for example, see PTL 1 to PTL 3). Authentication techniques include a technique for determining whether or not a request for access is made by a human, as described in PTL 2 and PTL 3. An example of such a technique is a Completely Automated Public Turing test to tell Computers and Humans Apart (CAPTCHA).

Authentication control device, authentication control method, and authentication method


A method for positioning sensors about a sensor ring includes the steps of assigning each sensor in a plurality of sensors a sensor number selected from a set of sensor numbers, where the set of sensor numbers is a whole number in the range of 0 to N, and where N is the total number of sensors in said plurality of sensors minus one, disposing a first sensor at a circumferential angular position zero on the sensor ring, and disposing each sensor in the plurality of sensors at a circumferential angular position about the sensor ring, wherein the circumferential angular position is defined by an offset from a circumferential angular position zero and the offset is equal to a base arc length between sensors multiplied by the sensor number of the sensor plus a base offset arc length multiplied by the sensor number of the sensor.

Gas turbine engines, such as those used in commercial aircraft, utilize a compressor, combustor and turbine section arranged sequentially in an engine core to generate thrust and propel the aircraft forward. During operation of the gas turbine engine multiple variables are measured and detected via sensors disposed circumferentially about the turbine engine. This sensor arrangement is referred to as a sensor ring. The sensed variables can include turbine exhaust temperatures, exhaust pressures, or any other necessary variable. While the instant disclosure discusses turbine exhaust variables specifically, it is understood that the same method can be applied to any similar system including augmenter inlets and exhausts.
One metric measured during operation of the gas turbine engine is the turbine exhaust temperature and/or the power turbine inlet temperature. These temperature measurements are utilized to ensure that the gas turbine engine operates within the allowable safe average temperature limits of the engine. When the turbine engine exceeds the allowable safe average temperature for longer than a pre-defined period of time, the turbine engine must be removed from the wing and undergo maintenance or be replaced. As described above, these temperature measurements are typically made using multiple temperature sensors that are disposed evenly circumferentially about a sensor ring at the turbine exhaust or at the power turbine inlet. This measurement scheme provides an "average" temperature of the gasses passing through the turbine exhaust or the power turbine inlet.
In practice, turbine engine designs utilize multiple fuel nozzles disposed circumferentially about a combustor to inject fuel into the combustor. As a result of the fuel nozzle placement, the temperature profile at the turbine exhaust or at the power turbine inlet is not even circumferentially. As the sensors are disposed evenly circumferentially, and the temperature profile is not even circumferentially, the determined average is skewed, and can be off by as much as 150-200 degrees Fahrenheit.

Method for determining circumferential sensor positioning


A parallel wiring according to the present invention includes a plurality of differential lines juxtaposed in a reference direction, wherein each differential line includes two wiring lines which are substantially parallel to each other, and the two wiring lines oppose each other obliquely with respect to the reference direction.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a parallel wiring and integrated circuit which use differential lines.
2. Description of the Related Art
LSIs which implement powerful multi-function devices by microfabrication and integration based on the scaling law as a leading principle are supporting signal processing of hardware in the current IT network-oriented society. A powerful processor has a clock frequency more than 1 GHz and a chip size on cm order. In one chip, a hundred million MOS transistors are integrated. The performance of an integrated circuit is determined not only by the characteristics of individual MOS transistors. The circuit performance is determined rather by the wiring technique for connecting individual transistors.
In a conventional LSI wiring design, a metal wiring line is expressed by an RC lumped constant circuit including resistors and capacitors. In recent years, however, the inductance components of wiring lines cannot be neglected as the LSI frequency becomes high. For this reason, it is becoming difficult in principle to design a long-distance wiring line as an RC lumped constant circuit.
Indeed, long-distance wiring lines determine the performance of a whole circuit. To reduce the wiring delay, introduction of a low-resistance metal Cu and a low-k interlayer dielectric film has been examined increasingly. In this idea, a long-distance wiring line is divided, and repeaters are inserted such that the wiring line can be handled as an RC lumped constant circuit. However, when the number of repeaters increases, the circuit area and power consumption also increase.
When the signal frequency is on GHz order, and the line length is on cm order, the inductance component of a wiring line cannot be neglected, and it cannot be handled as an RC lumped constant circuit. It is essential to regard signal transmission as electro-magnetic transmission and design a wiring line as a transmission line.
Generally, transmission lines can be classified into two types: an unbalanced transmission line including a signal line and ground, and a differential transmission line including two signal lines (there are also structures including ground). A differential transmission line has excellent crosstalk robustness because common mode noise can be canceled, unlike an unbalanced transmission line. Differential transmission line structures can be classified as follows on the basis of the difference in wiring structure.
(i) Stacked-Pair Line, (ii) Co-Planar Line, (iii) Microstrip Line, and (iv) Strip Line
Since a parallel wiring in an LSI includes a number of long-distance wiring lines in close vicinity, problems of wiring delay and crosstalk are posed. When a differential transmission line is used as a parallel wiring in an LSI, the problems of wiring delay and crosstalk can be solved. Presently, a parallel wiring on a board is implemented by arraying differential transmission lines in the horizontal direction. However, when a parallel wiring is to be designed in an LSI, many points must be taken into consideration in terms of wiring design, as compared to a board. For this reason, a parallel wiring design method unique to an LSI is necessary. For example, since the wiring size in an LSI is small, the ohmic loss component of wiring lines cannot be neglected. In addition, since the degree of freedom in wiring design is low, the limitation on the structure itself is large. If the inter-wire distance is shortened to increase the degree of integration, differential mode noise causes crosstalk between differential wiring lines in the parallel wiring. In a parallel wiring using differential transmission lines (i) to (iv), crosstalk by differential mode noise and the distance between differential wiring lines have a tradeoff relationship.
When a parallel wiring using differential transmission lines having the above-described wiring structure is designed in an LSI, the following problems are posed.    a) Crosstalk and the wiring area have a tradeoff relationship: (i) to (iv)    b) The characteristic impedance and the wiring resistance have a tradeoff relationship: (i), (iii), (iv)    c) When a pair of wiring lines are bent in the horizontal direction so as to prevent contact between them, they have different wiring lengths. Accordingly, mode conversion occurs (the differential component changes to an in-phase component): (ii) to (iv)    d) Since one layer is necessary as a ground plane, the wiring area and cost increase: (iii) and (iv)
As described above, when a parallel wiring is to be formed by using the conventional differential transmission lines, the problems of crosstalk, wiring area, characteristic impedance, loss, bending, and cost cannot be solved.

Semiconductor Technology Academic Research Center


An ampoule storage container 1 stores a plurality of ampoules 2 in a laterally orientated state with respect to a discharge direction. A belt conveyor 5 is disposed at the bottom of the ampoule storage container 1 so that the ampoule 2 can be conveyed in the laterally orientated state. An ampoule regulating member 10 is disposed above the belt 6 of the belt conveyor 5 to form a gap through which only one of the ampoule 2 can pass. A stopper 13 which comes into contact with the one end of the ampoule 2 passing through the gap is provided so that the ampoule 2 can be changed to a longitudinally orientated state. According to the present invention, the direction of the ampoule 2 can be changed and a desired number of ampoules 2 can be discharged one by one in spite of simple construction.

The present invention relates to an ampoule storage container in which a plurality of ampoules are stored and a desired number of ampoules can be automatically discharged if necessary.
Conventionally, as an ampoule storage container used for automatically feeding a desired number of ampoules, there is known an apparatus in which a plurality of ampoules are stored in a overlying state on each other and discharged one by one by moving a movable bottom plate (Japanese Laid-open patent publication 10-192369).
However, in the aforementioned ampoule storage container, a function of changing the direction of the ampoule is not provided and a countermeasure against the jam or the like of the ampoule is not enough. In the unlikely event of the ampoule being broken, the liquid medicine is scattered and the cleaning thereafter becomes difficult. Therefore, it is necessary to reliably prevent increase of forced load on the ampoule caused by the jam of the ampoule or the like.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an ampoule storage container in which the direction of the ampoule can be changed and a desired number of ampoules can be discharged one by one in spite of simple construction.
In order to accomplish the above object, according to the present invention, there is provided an ampoule storage container for storing a plurality of ampoules in a laterally orientated state with respect to a discharge direction and discharging the ampoule one by one, the ampoule storage container comprising:
a belt conveyor for conveying the ampoule in the laterally orientated state;
an ampoule regulating member disposed above a belt of the belt conveyor, the ampoule regulating member forming a gap through which only one of the ampoule can pass; and
a stopper which comes into contact with the one end of the ampoule passing through the gap so that the ampoule can be changed to a longitudinally orientated state.
According to the above construction, when the belt conveyor is driven, the ampoules put on the belt conveyor are conveyed to the ampoule regulating member. Due to the ampoule regulating member, the ampoules are regulated to enter the gap between the belt and the ampoule regulating member, whereby the ampoule is moved to the stopper reliably one by one. When the ampoule is discharged, one end of the ampoule comes into contact with the stopper, whereby the ampoule can be smoothly changed to a longitudinally orientated state.
Preferably, the ampoule storage container may further comprises a press contact member which comes into contact with the upper surface of the ampoule which is discharged passing through the gap. Thus, the press contact member can properly prevent the ampoules more than needs from being discharged when the belt conveyor is stopped.
Preferably, the belt of the belt conveyor may be formed with a plurality of protrusions in a predetermined distance so that the protrusion can engage with the ampoule to convey the ampoule to the discharge direction, whereby the protrusion passes under the ampoule when the ampoule become impossible to be conveyed. Thus, even if jam of the ampoule is caused, the protrusions can pass under the ampoule, whereby the ampoule is never damaged. Alternatively, the belt of the belt conveyor may be formed with a plurality of recesses in a predetermined distance so that the recess can engage with the ampoule to convey the ampoule to the discharge direction, whereby a belt portion between the adjacent recesses passes under the ampoule when the ampoule become impossible to be conveyed.
Preferably, the press contact member may be provided with a friction generating member for coming into contact with the ampoule to generate a friction. Thus, the ampoule can be discharged without forming above protrusions. It is also possible to prevent the ampoule from being unexpectedly discharged through the gap.
The press contact member may comprise an elastic member. Alternatively, the press contact member may be urged by an elastic member in a direction that the press contact member comes into contact with the ampoule.
Preferably, the ampoule storage container may further comprise a projection plate that comes into contact with the ampoule of the second layer positioned at a lead position in the ampoule discharge direction. The projection plate allows the lead ampoule of the second layer to be push into the first layer, whereby the ampoules can be reliably discharged without jam. It is preferable that the lower edge of the projection plate is positioned between a center line that is obtained by connecting the centers of the plurality of ampoules of the second layer and a tangential line that is obtained by connecting the outer top surfaces of the plurality of ampoules of the second layer. It is more preferable that the lower edge of the projection plate is positioned just above the center line.
Preferably, the belt conveyor may be inclined downward to the discharge direction of the ampoule. Thus, it is possible to more reliably conduct discharge of the ampoule.


A method and apparatus for identifying ownership by a computer of a storage device connected to a computer network is described. A first ownership information is written into a selected sector of the storage device by a computer having ownership of the device as a first indicia of ownership. A second ownership information is written into a storage device label of the storage device by the computer having ownership as a second indicia of ownership, the storage device label visible to a plurality of computers connected to the computer network. In the event that at a future time the first indicia of ownership does not match the second indicia of ownership, the first indicia of ownership is taken as definitive of ownership of the storage device.

A file server is a computer that provides file service relating to the organization of information on storage devices, such as disks. The file server or filer includes a storage operating system that implements a file system to logically organize the information as a hierarchical structure of directories and files on the disks. Each "on-disk" file may be implemented as a set of data structures, e.g., disk blocks, configured to store information. A directory, conversely, may be implemented as a specially formatted file in which information by other files and directories is stored.
A filer may be further configured to operate according to a client/server model of information delivery to thereby allow many clients to access files stored on a server. In this model, the client may comprise an application, such as a database application, executing on a computer that connects to the filer over a computer network. This computer network could be a point to point link, a shared local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN) or a virtual private network (VPN) implemented over a public network such as the Internet. Each client may request the services of the file system on the filer by issuing file system protocol messages (typically in the form of packets) to the filer over the network.
The disk storage typically implemented has one or more storage "volumes" comprised of a collection of physical storage disks, defining an overall logical arrangement of is storage space. Currently available filer implementations can serve a large number of discrete volumes (150 or more, for example). Each volume is generally associated with its own file system. The disks within a volume/file system are typically organized as one or more groups of Redundant Array of Independent (or Inexpensive) Disks (RAID). RAID implementations enhance the reliability and integrity of data storage through the redundant writing of data stripes across a given number of physical disks in the RAID group, and the appropriate caching of parity information with respect to the striped data. In the example of a WAFL based file system and process, a RAID 4 implementation is advantageously employed. This implementation specifically entails the striping of data across a group of disks, and separate parity caching within a selected disk of the RAID 4 group.
Each filer is deemed to "own" the disks that comprise the volumes serviced by that filer. This ownership means that the filer is responsible for servicing the data contained on those disks. Only the filer that owns a particular disk should be able to write data to that disk. This solo ownership helps to ensure data integrity and coherency. In prior storage system implementations, it is common for a filer to be connected to a local area network and a fibre channel loop. The fibre channel loop would have a plurality of disks attached thereto. As the filer would be the only device directly connected to the disks via the fibre channel loop, the filer owned the disks on that loop. However, a noted disadvantage of the prior art is the lack of scalability, as there is a limit to a number of disks that may be added to a single fibre channel loop. This limitation prevents a system administrator from having backup filers connected to the disks in the event of failure.
In another prior storage system implementation, two filers, which are utilized as a cluster, could be connected to a single disk drive through the use of the disk's A/B connector. The first filer would be connected to the A connection, while the second filer would be connected to the disk's B connection. In this implementation, the filer connected to a disk's A connection is deemed to own that disk. If the disks are arrayed in a disk shelf, all of the disks contained within that disk shelf share a common connection to the A and B connections. Thus, a filer connected to the A connection of a disk shelf is deemed to own all of the disks in that disk shelf. This lack of granularity (i.e. all disks on is a shelf are owned by a single filer) is a known disadvantage with this type of implementation.
FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of an exemplary network environment 100. The network 100 is based around a local area network (LAN) 102 interconnection. However, a wide area network (WAN), virtual private network (VPN), or a combination of LAN, WAN and VPM implementations can be established. For the purposes of this description the term LAN should be taken broadly to include any acceptable networking architecture. The LAN interconnects various clients based upon personal computers 104, servers 106 and a network cache 108. Also interconnected to the LAN may be a switch/router 110 that provides a gateway to the well-known Internet 112, thereby enabling various network devices to transmit and receive Internet based information, including e-mail, web content, and the like.
In this implementation, an exemplary filer 114 is connected to the LAN 102. This filer, described further below is a file server configured to control storage of, and access to, data in a set of interconnected storage volumes. The filer is connected to a fibre channel loop 118. A plurality of disks are also connected to this fibre channel loop. These disks comprise the volumes served by the filer. As described further below, each volume is typically organized to include one or more RAID groups of physical storage disks for increased data storage integrity and reliability. As noted above, in one implementation, each disk has an A/B connection. The disk's A connection could be connected to one fibre channel loop while the B connection is connected to a separate loop. This capability can be utilized to generate redundant data pathways to a disk.
Each of the devices attached to the LAN include an appropriate conventional network interface arrangement (not shown) for communicating over the LAN using desired communication protocol such as the well-known Transport Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), User Datagram Protocol (UDP), Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP), or Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP).
One prior implementation of a storage system involves the use of switch zoning. Instead of the filer being directly connected to the fibre channel loop, the filer would be is connected to a fibre channel switch, which would then be connected to a plurality of fibre channel loops. Switch zoning is accomplished within the fibre channel switches by manually associating ports of the switch. This association with, and among, the ports would allow a filer connected to a port associated with a port connected to a fibre channel loop containing disks to "see" the disks within that loop. That is, the disks are visible to that port. However, a disadvantage of the switch zoning methodology was that a filer could only see what was within its zone. A zone is defined as all devices that are connected to ports associated with the port to which the filer was connected. Another noted disadvantage of this switch zoning method is that if zoning needs to be modified, an interruption of service occurs as the switches must be taken off-line to modify zoning. Any device attached to one particular zone can only be owned by another device within that zone. It is possible to have multiple filers within a single zone; however, ownership issues then arise as to the disks within that zone.
The need, thus, arises for a technique for a filer to determine which disks it owns other than through a hardware mechanism and zoning contained within a switch. This disk ownership in a networked storage methodology would permit easier scalability of networked storage solutions.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a system and method for implementing disk ownership in a networked storage arrangement.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

System and method of implementing disk ownership in networked storage


A device includes a portable chest, a radiator in the chest, a liquid pump in the chest that moves liquid through the radiator, and a fan for providing an airflow across the radiator. The portable chest stores a quantity of chilled water that is pumped through the radiator by the liquid pump to chill the airflow provided by the fan.

Outdoor activities are enjoyed by many already but hot weather can often reduce this enjoyment. Further, genuine dangers may exist to some who become too hot. Unfortunately, many outdoor activities are only available in the summer. Parents, grandparents, and other family members may wish to watch outdoor summer sports or attend the beach with family, for example, but are limited in their ability to do so because of the heat. However, having a way to stay cool outdoors in the heat would be advantageous for comfort and endurance, even if one is otherwise able to safely endure the heat.
What is needed is a system and method for dealing with the above, and related, problems.


A method of manufacturing a thin film solar cell includes steps of preparing a substrate on which unit cells are defined, forming transparent conducive layers on the substrate and corresponding to the unit cells, respectively, the transparent conductive layers spaced apart from each other with a first separation line therebetween, forming light-absorbing layers on the transparent conductive layers and corresponding to the unit cells, respectively, the light-absorbing layers spaced apart from each other with a second separation line therebetween, forming a third separation line in each of the light-absorbing layers, the third separation line spaced apart from the second separation line, forming a reflection material layer by disposing a silk screen over the third separation line and applying a conductive paste, and forming reflection electrodes corresponding to the unit cells, respectively, by sintering the reflection material layer.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a thin film solar cell, and more particularly, to a method of manufacturing a thin film solar cell that prevents electrical short problems occurring in a patterning process using a laser.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
In general, solar cells are classified into various types according to a material of a light-absorbing layer. Solar cells may be categorized into silicon solar cells having silicon as a light-absorbing layer, compound thin film solar cells using CIS(CuInSe2) or CdTe, III-V group solar cells, dye-sensitized solar cells, and organic solar cells.
Among the solar cells, silicon solar cells include crystalline solar cells and amorphous thin film solar cells. Bulk-type crystalline solar cells are widely used. However, the crystalline solar cells have increasing production costs due to expensive silicon substances and complicated manufacturing processes.
Recently, by forming a solar cell of a thin film type on a relatively low cost substrate, such as glass, metal or plastic, instead of a silicon wafer, researches for reducing the production costs have been made.
A thin film solar cell according to the related art will be explained hereinafter with reference to accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a thin film solar cell according to the related art. In FIG. 1, the related art thin film solar cell 5 includes a substrate 10 of glass or plastic. A transparent conductive layer 30 is formed on the substrate 10 at each of unit cells C. A light-absorbing layer 40, which sequentially includes a p-type amorphous silicon layer 40a, an i-type amorphous silicon layer 40b and an n-type amorphous silicon layer 40c, is formed on the transparent conductive layer 30. A reflection electrode 50 is formed on the light-absorbing layer 40 at each of the unit cells C.
Although not shown in the figure, the substrate 10 including the transparent conductive layer 30, the light-absorbing layer 40 and the reflection electrode 50 thereon may face and be attached with a counter substrate, on which a polymeric material layer and an adhesive layer are sequentially formed.
Here, the reflection electrode 50 is formed of one selected from a conductive material group including a material that has relatively high reflectance, such as aluminum (Al) and silver (Ag). The reflection electrode 50 maximizes scattering properties of light passing through the light-absorbing layer 40.
In the thin film solar cell 5, light incident on the first substrate 10 passes through the first substrate 10 and the p-type silicon layer 40a and is absorbed by the i-type silicon layer 40b. Electrons and holes are generated in the i-type silicon layer 40b due to the light having a larger energy than a band gap energy of silicon. The electrons and the holes in the i-type silicon layer 40b are diffused to the p-type silicon layer 40a and the n-type silicon layer 40c, respectively, due to an internal electric field and are provided to an external circuit through the transparent conductive electrode 30 and the reflection electrode 50, respectively. According to this, solar energy can be converted into electrical energy.
A method of manufacturing a thin film solar cell will be explained hereinafter in more detail with reference to accompanying drawings.
FIGS. 2A to 2E are cross-sectional views of illustrating a thin film solar cell in steps of a method of manufacturing the same according to the related art.
In FIG. 2A, unit cells C are defined on a substrate 10 of glass or plastic. A first transparent conductive material layer 32 is formed on the substrate 10 by depositing one selected from a transparent conductive material group including oxide. The transparent conductive material group may include indium tin oxide (ITO), tin oxide (SnOx) and zinc oxide (ZnOx). The first transparent conductive material layer 32, beneficially, has a thickness larger than 5,000 Å. The first transparent conductive material layer 32 may be formed by a sputtering method. The first transparent conductive material layer 32 may be formed by a spraying method. Namely, the first transparent conductive material layer 32 may be applied or printed on the substrate 10 by spraying or injecting a sol-gel solution including a transparent conductive oxide material.
In FIG. 2B, a first laser processing apparatus (not shown) is disposed over the substrate 10 including the transparent conductive material layer 32 of FIG. 2A. The transparent conductive material layer 32 of FIG. 2A is patterned by a first laser cutting process using the first laser processing apparatus, and transparent conductive layers 30 are formed in the unit cells C, respectively. The transparent conductive layers 30 are spaced apart from each other with a constant distance therebetween due to a first separation line SL1 having a first width w1. A laser beam of the first laser processing apparatus, beneficially, has a wavelength of 1064 nm. After the first laser cutting process, the substrate 10 is exposed to correspond to a space between adjacent transparent conductive layers 30, that is, the first separation line SL1.
In FIG. 2C, a light-absorbing material layer (not shown) having a p-i-n structure is formed on the substrate 10 including the transparent conductive layers 30 by sequentially depositing a p-type silicon layer 40a, an i-type silicon layer 40b and an n-type silicon layer 40c.
Next, a second laser processing apparatus (not show) is disposed over the substrate 10 including the light-absorbing material layer. The light-absorbing material layer is patterned by a second laser cutting process using the second laser processing apparatus, and light-absorbing layers 40 are formed in the unit cells C, respectively. The light-absorbing layers 40 are spaced apart from each other due to a second separation line SL2 having a second width w2. The second separation line SL2 is dislocated with the first separation line SL1. It is desirable that a laser beam of the second laser processing apparatus has a wavelength of 532 nm.
In FIG. 2D, a reflection material layer 52 is formed on the substrate 10 including the light-absorbing layers 40 by depositing one selected from a conductive material group including aluminum (Al) and silver (Ag) that have a relatively high reflectance. The reflection material layer 52 may be deposited by a sputtering method.
In FIG. 2E, a third laser processing apparatus (not snow) is disposed over the substrate 10 including the reflection material layer 52 of FIG. 2D. The reflection material layer 52 of FIG. 2D is patterned by a third laser cutting process using the third laser processing apparatus, and reflection electrodes 50 are formed to correspond to the unit cells C, respectively. The reflection electrodes 50 are spaced apart from each other with a constant distance therebetween due to a third separation line SL3 having a third width w3. The third separation line SL3 is dislocated with the first and second separation lines SL1 and SL2. A laser beam of the third laser processing apparatus, desirably, has a wavelength of 532 nm. At this time, the light-absorbing layers 40 under the reflection material layer 52 of FIG. 2D are also patterned by the third laser cutting process. The transparent conductive layer 30 is exposed to correspond to the third separation line SL3.
Although not shown in the figure, when the third laser cutting process is performed, the cutting between adjacent unit cells C is not perfectly made in a periphery of the substrate 10 because the laser is unfocused. To solve the problem, a fourth laser cutting process may be carried out along a direction perpendicularly crossing a direction of the third laser cutting process. The reflection material layer 50, the light-absorbing layer 40 and the transparent conductive layer 30 are cut through the fourth laser cutting process, and a portion in the periphery of the substrate 10 can be isolated. Here, a laser beam of the fourth laser cutting process may have a wavelength of 532 nm or 1064 nm.
Accordingly, the related art thin film solar cell can be manufactured.
In the thin film solar cell 5, since the light-absorbing layer 40 is formed of a silicon material having a melting point of more than 1000 degrees of Celsius, the reflection electrode 50 is formed of one selected from a conductive material group including aluminum and silver that have a relatively low melting point, for example, 660 degrees of Celsius.
The third laser cutting process is to cut the light-absorbing layers 40 and the reflection material layer 52 at a time. When the laser beam is irradiated, instant heats can be produced. The heats are carried to the reflection material layer 52, and the reflection material layer 52 may be melted. Accordingly, the reflection electrodes 50 and the transparent conductive layers 30 may be electrically connected to each other, and energy conversion efficiency may be lowered due to electrical short.
FIG. 3A is a view of enlarging the area A of FIG. 2E, and FIG. 3B is a picture of showing the area B of FIG. 3A.
In FIGS. 3A and 3B, the transparent conductive layer 30 and the light-absorbing layer 40 are formed in each unit cell C of FIG. 2E. The reflection electrodes 50 are formed on the transparent conductive layer 30 and the light-absorbing layer 40 and are spaced apart from each other by the third separation line SL3.
When the reflection material layer 52 of FIG. 2D and the light-absorbing layers 40 are cut together using the laser, the reflection material layer 52 of FIG. 2D is melted by heats due to irradiation of the laser beam, and there occurs electrical short between the reflection electrodes 50 and the transparent conductive layer 30 in the third separation line SL3. The electrical short rapidly decreases the energy conversion efficiency of the thin film solar cell.
More particularly, in the thin film solar cell including the light-absorbing layers 40 that are divided by the respective unit cells, the unit cells may be connected not in series but in parallel due to the electrical short, or the electrons and holes generated in the light-absorbing layers 40 may be reunited to decrease the concentration of carriers. Accordingly, the energy conversion efficiency is sharply impeded.

Method of manufacturing a thin film solar cell


Titanium magnetic disk substrates are manufactured by preparing a base by stripping not less than 5 .mu.m from the surface layer of a titanium cold-rolled plate, and then forming a film of not less than 5 .mu.m consisting of 1 or more non-magnetic transition metal elements belonging to Groups IVA, VA, VIA, VIIA and VIIIA of the Periodic Table, on the surface of this base.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention concerns a method of manufacturing a titanium magnetic disk substrate with excellent surface properties.
2. Description of the Related Art
Magnetic disk, used as a recording medium for a computer comprises a substrate and a magnetic film formed on the substrate. The substrate is required to have the following properties:
(a) Its surface properties after precision machining or precision grinding or precision polishing must be satisfactory so that magnetic heads can run smoothly over the disk, and such that stable magnetic properties are obtained with few magnetic errors.
(b) There must be no pertuberants or holes in its surface which could lead to defects in the magnetic film formed on the substrate.
(c) It should have sufficient strength and rigidity to withstand high speed rotation when the disk is used, and precision machining during manufacture.
(d) It must be able to withstand the heat applied when forming the magnetic film.
(e) It must be lightweight and non-magnetic.
(f) It must have some degree of corrosion resistance.
Conventionally, Al-Mg or other aluminium alloys are used as substrate materials satisfying these conditions.
Recently, there has been a trend in magnetic disks toward higher recording densities and greater compactness, so the following conditions must also be met:
(A) A magnetic film which permits high recording densities is formed by sputtering, so the substrate must have sufficient heat resistance to withstand the temperature rise produced in this process.
(B) To keep spacing losses to the absolute minimum and achieve high recording densities, the fling height of the magnetic heads is reduced, so the substrate surface must be very flat and smooth in order that the magnetic heads can move smoothly over it.
Aluminium alloys such as Al-Mg alloy which were conventionally used as substrate materials however had insufficient heat resistance, and they cannot be expected to achieve higher performance.
Various magnetic disk substrates using titanium have therefore been proposed in place of the conventional aluminium alloys.
Published Unexamined Japanese Patent Application No. 52-105804, for example, discloses a magnetic disk substrate of titanium or titanium alloy with an oxide or nitride film formed by oxidizing or nitriding of the surface; Published Unexamined Japanese Patent application No. 63-142521 discloses a magnetic disk substrate comprising a core layer of titanium or titanium alloy, an insert layer, a layer of nickel, titanium, nickel alloy or titanium alloy, and a layer of glass or ceramics superimposed in that order; and Published Unexamined Japanese Patent Application No. 59-178625 discloses a disk wherein the surface of the recording medium substrate is coated with a hard valve metal or its nitride, and a layer of the oxide of said valve metal is then formed on the resulting surface. Further, Published Unexamined Japanese Patent Application No. 61-199232 discloses a magnetic medium comprising a non-magnetic substrate, a hardened non-magnetic layer covering its surface, a non-magnetic base layer of Si, Ti, Mo, W or Zr covering this hardened non-magnetic layer, and a layer of a magnetic medium covering this non-magnetic base layer; and Published Unexamined Japanese Patent Application No. 61-199224 discloses a magnetic medium comprising a non-magnetic substrate, a hardened non-magnetic layer covering the substrate, a non-magnetic base layer of TiO.sub.2, TiC or TiN covering this hardened non-magnetic layer, and a layer of a magnetic medium covering this non-magnetic base layer.
However, as the average grain size of titanium is normally about 50 .mu.m which is relatively large, discrepancies due to crystals arise during precision polishing or precision grinding when titanium is used as a magnetic disk substrate, and it is difficult to obtain satisfactory surface properties. In order to overcome this problem,
(1) the grain size could be made finer by controlling forming and heat treatment, or
(2) a structure could be adopted wherein a film of fine crystalline material is formed on a titanium base surface.
In the case of (1), however, a limit to grain size is reached at about 10 .mu.m, and even with a grain size of this order, fully satisfactory surface properties cannot be obtained due to difference of crystal orientation. Further, in the case of (2), various problems arise as follows.
The above-mentioned Japanese Patent No. 52-105804 is an example of (2). In this case, there are crystals with various orientations on the titanium base surface. As the rate of oxidizing or nitriding is different depending on the orientation, it is difficult to obtain a uniform oxide or nitride film which leads to poorer yields and higher manufacturing costs. It is reported that if an oxide film is formed by oxidizing on the titanium base surface to such a thickness as to obtain high level surface properties after polishing, it is necessary to form a white oxide film of thickness not less than 1500 .ANG. ("Nihon Setchaku Kyokaishi" (Journal of Japanese Adhesives Association), Vol. 21, No. 1, 1985, page 32). If however a white oxide film is formed on titanium, it peels off easily ("Titanium-Zirconium", Vol. 32, No. 1, Jan. 1984, page 19), hence yields decline and manufacturing costs increase. If on the other hand a nitride film is formed by nitriding on the titanium base surface to a thickness required to obtain high level surface properties after polishing, cracks appear easily in the nitride film on the surface ("Nihon Kinzoku Gakkaishi" (see Materials Transactions Japan Institute Metals), 1966, Vol. 30, photo on page 28), yields still decline and manufacturing costs increase.
The technique disclosed in the above-mentioned Published Patent Application No. 63-142521 involves a large number of manufacturing processes, so that manufacturing costs are high and manufacturing time is long. If ceramics are used for the outermost layer, adequate surface properties cannot be obtained as ceramics contain a large number of pores. In the case of glass, very high level surface properties with Ra (explained later)=approx. 0.005 .mu.m are obtained, but the heads stick to the disk surface which is undesirable. Further, in the case of a glass surface, impurities in the glass such as Na and Ca diffuse into the magnetic film with rise of temperature when the magnetic film is formed, and these have an adverse effect on the magnetic properties of the magnetic recording medium.
Further, in the techniques disclosed in above-mentioned Published Unexamined Japanese Patent Applications Nos. 59-178625, 61-199232 and 61-199224, the base is merely coated with a layer of metal or its oxide, nitride or carbide, and surface properties after polishing cannot be said to be satisfactory.
Even with magnetic disk substrates having titanium as their principal constituent, therefore, substrates with satisfactory properties have still not been obtained.

Method of manufacturing a titanium magnetic disk substrate


A display device including a plurality of pixels includes a first display part including a first electrode, a second electrode and a light emitting layer provided between the first electrode and the second electrode, and a second display part including the second electrode, a third electrode and a light function layer provided between the second electrode and the third electrode, the light function layer controlling the diffusion state or transparency state of light and being provided on the same side the light emitting layer with respect to the second electrode.

In recent years, the demand for high definition and low power consumption in a light emitting display device for use in mobile devices has increased. Display devices which use liquid crystal display devices (LCD) or self-light emitting elements such as organic EL elements (organic light-emitting diode: OLED) or quantum dots in a display part or electronic paper and the like are being adopted as display devices for use in mobile devices.
A display device using a self-light emitting element such as that described above does not require a backlight light source or polarization plate that are require in liquid crystal display devices and since the drive voltage of a light emitting element which is a light source is low, such devices are attracting attention as low power consumption and thin light emitting display devices. In addition, because it is possible to form a display device with only a thin film, it is possible to realize a flexible display device. Furthermore, since a glass substrate is not used, such devices are attracting attention for being light and difficult to break.
In particular, in an organic EL display device, light is output by flowing a current to a light emitting element. Although the light which is output from a light emitting element proceeds to the side of an observer via other layers, a part of the light is reflected at a boundary where different layers contact, the light is wave-guided through the layers, does not reach an observer and cannot be used effectively. In addition, the wave-guided light is transmitted to a pixel adjacent to a pixel which attempts to emit light and is output to the exterior from the adjacent pixel which is the cause of what is called leaking light. In particular, in high definition display devices which exceed 300 ppi, around 80 percent of the light which is produced by a light emitting element is lost by being wave-guided through each layer as described above.
Thus, light extraction technology is being developed in order to efficiently extract light output from a light emitting element to the exterior. For example, in Japanese Laid Open Patent Application No. 2012-226931, an extraction structure is proposed in which a high refractive index transparent layer having a higher refractive index than an organic compound which forms a light emitting element is provided on the light extraction side of the light emitting element and a fine concave/convex structure is provided on the light extraction side of the high refractive index transparent layer. According to the Japanese Laid Open Patent Application No. 2012-226931, since a part of the light which is trapped within the light emitting element can not be used effectively and is transmitted to a high refractive index layer and is extracted to the exterior by the light extraction structure, it is possible to realize a brighter display device.
However, in the display device disclosed in Japanese Laid Open Patent 2012-226931, it is necessary to provide the structure described above a light emitting element which leads to a longer processing, accompanying increase in costs and a drop in yield. In addition, in the display device shown in the Japanese Laid Open Patent Application No. 2012-226931, because the light wave-guided in a planar direction of a substrate from a light emitting element is absorbed by a visible light absorbing material, the display device does not contribute to an improvement in a light extraction ratio.


A semiconductor device (2) includes gates (20, 22, 24, 26), source/drain regions (40, 42, 44, 46), and self-aligned contacts (80, 82, 84, 86). Each self-aligned contact (80, 82, 84, 86) includes a polysilicon layer (50) overlying the associated source/drain region (40, 42, 44, 46). The polysilicon layer (50) may include different doped regions (52, 58) in accordance with the design and function of the device (2).

Semiconductor device fabrication involves the forming of different components on a substrate using a variety of techniques, such as deposition, patterning, and etching. One component in semiconductor devices is a contact for coupling a layer of material to the underlying substrate or another layer. Depending on the particular application and the desired function, contacts may be holes, vias, channels or other geometric structures.
Efforts to miniaturize the components in a semiconductor device have begun to challenge the tolerance levels of the fabrication equipment. Several efforts attempt to further reduce the layout area of a semiconductor device using the same critical dimension dictated by the tolerances of the fabrication equipment. Existing techniques may offer some space savings by using traditional self-alignment techniques, but fail to accommodate a variety of different semiconductor devices and processes.

Self-aligned contact structure and method


A light emitting element array in an electronic photographing apparatus, in which a photoconductor drum is exposed to a light from a light emitting array having a plurality of light emitting diodes to form a latent image on the drum, and a high quality, stable light image can be deposited on the photoconductor drum from a light emitting array, even after extended use. The constitution is such that a fixed bracket 31 is fixedly mounted on the electronic photographing apparatus, a rotatable bracket 33 is rotatably mounted on the fixed bracket and fixedly secured to the light emitting element array 2, a bias means 37 urges the light emitting element array 2 against the outer surface of the photoconductor drum 1, a space keeping means 38 is pushed by the bias means against the outer surface of the photoconductor drum so as to maintain a constant distance between the light emitting element array and the outer surface of the photoconductor drum 1.

FIG. 5 shows a mount structure of a light emitting element array in an electronic photographing apparatus known in the prior art (FIG. 5(A) being a front view and FIG. 5(B) being a side view). A plurality of light emitting diodes (LED) are arranged on a LED array 91 that is rigidly mounted on leaf springs 92. The bearings (spacing means) 94 rotatably mounted on the LED array 91 are urged to the photoconductor drum 95, so that the distance between the LED array 91 and outer periphery of the photoconductor drum (information recording media) 95 remains constant.
However, due to the rotating photoconductor drum 95, the leaf springs 92 vibrate in the direction A, so that the bearings 94 do not stably contact the surface of the photoconductor drum 95. Therefore, the leaf springs 92 are pushed from the back thereof by means of rubber dampers 97 mounted on the fixed bracket 96 so as to restrict the vibration of the leaf springs 92 and prevent a rough printing.
In the mount structure of a light emitting element array in an electronic photographing apparatus known in the prior art as mentioned above, the bearings 94 are strongly urged to the surface of the photoconductor drum 95 by a damping force of the rubber dampers in addition to a spring force of the leaf springs 92 and, therefore, the surface of the photoconductor drum 95 becomes worn after extended use, so that the distance between the LED array 91 and the periphery of the photoconductor drum 95 is reduced. Thus, focusing on the photoconductor drum 95 for one dot will be out of order and image quality will deteriorate.
Also, the leaf spring 92, particularly, the central portion 92a thereof which is not pushed by the rubber damper 97 vibrates or is twisted, so that the image deposited on the photoconductor drum 95 will deteriorate or will produce jitters (disorder of dots) and image quality is reduced.

Mount structure of a light emitting element array in electronic photographic apparatus


Housing insert for a spacer of a ceramic link for a bracelet, including a housing for receiving a spacer having one end. It includes an external machined portion arranged to cooperate with this housing and an internal machined portion including a substantially cylindrical bearing area, arranged to closely receive this end and having a smaller diameter than that of this end. An equipped link includes such a link and such an insert of this type fixed in this housing. A bracelet including includes a plurality of equipped lateral links into which removably mounted spacers are driven. This bracelet includes intermediate links assembled to pivot freely relative to these spacers or relative to pins pivotably mounted in these equipped links.

The problem to be overcome is that of fixing connection and/or articulation spacer pieces in ceramic links, and in particular in a blind arrangement.
In order to make a bracelet, particularly a watch bracelet, with ceramic links, with invisible coupling, spacer and/or articulation means must be set in place, in the latter case to guide pivoting, resting on one surface of certain links, which is turned towards a median plane of the bracelet.
These pivoting guiding means are made in a known and economical manner in the form of spacer pieces or pins.
It is not possible to drive spacer pieces or pins into ceramic material without causing damage, and the usual technique consists in directly mounting each spacer piece or pin in a blind bore or pierced hole, by bonding or by an irreversible method such as welding, with the drawback of limited resistance in the first case, or the impossibility of removal in the second case. Any stress applied by the user, for example when the bracelet is twisted, is passed on to the ceramic material by the spacer piece or pin, and the ceramic material may consequently be damaged, not only during assembly, but also during use.
Various documents are known concerning the invisible assembly of watch bracelets with articulated links, with pins mounted blind in lateral links:                Patek Philippe Patent No. EP 1 136 012, which is specific to a lightened bracelet, discloses central links with a tubular metal casing, which houses at least one plastic insert provided with two passages, each receiving a pin or screw in a friction tight fit. The technical problem overcome is the removal of wear and soiling of the links, by reducing friction. The assembly of the pins in lateral links is not characteristic.        Chatelain SA Patent No. FR 2 918 852 B1 claims a transparent weld of pins in their blind recesses in lateral links, by electron beam bombardment. This assembly of the pins is irreversible, and impossible to dismantle.        Tag Heuer Patent No. EP 1 173 074 discloses a bracelet where the links are assembled by pins, to which access can only be obtained by removing a link from the row following the pin concerned, in a strict order of assembly. The assembly of pins in the lateral links is not characteristic.        Rolex Patent No. EP 1 428 451 B1 discloses pins driven directly onto the lateral links, which is simply not possible with ceramic material.        Rolex Patent No. EP 2 057 914 discloses a bracelet with bearings assembled at the end of the pins, these bearings are not inserted in the lateral links, but in the intermediate links. This Patent claims the forming of articulations, with friction surfaces selected in a particular manner: all of the friction surfaces of each articulation are formed by a pair of materials consisting of a first material of greater hardness than 800 HV and a second material selected from a list, which includes in particular ceramic material and nickel free stainless steel. The assembly of the pins in lateral links is not characteristic.


An automatic extension device for releasing a downspout extension from a raised position to a lowered position including a control board, a power source, a latch with the ability to connect to a downspout extension, and a release kickoff. The latch is controlled by the control board wherein the control board receives inputs from a data source, a moisture sensor, a calendar database, or other relevant source. The latch is connected to the downspout extension such that when the latch releases, the downspout and downspout extension become disconnected and the downspout extension can move to the lowered position. The release kickoff includes a device such as a spring to assist in initiating the downspout extension moving to the lowered position.

Building gutter systems typically collect water from a roof on a building, move it, and direct it away from the building. A gutter system typically routes water to the ground through a system of gutters, downspouts, and downspout extensions. Directing water away from the building is an important function of a gutter system. Downspout extensions commonly can be raised or lowered as required. Downspout extensions should be lowered to allow rainfall to be collected and directed away from a building. Downspout extensions may be raised when one desires to mow a lawn, landscape around a house, or during select environmental seasons.
Directing water away from a building is important for several reasons. Reasons include the fact that water routed to the ground near the building may cause foundation damage, water falling from a gutter system may affect surrounding landscaping, and rainwater can be slowly deposited on the ground such not to cause divots or holes.

Wireless automatic downspout actuation device


A thermoplastic elastomer composition which is excellent in balance of properties such as mechanical properties and thermal properties and in appearance is prepared by melt-kneading (A) 20-58 parts by weight of a saturated polyester resin and (B) 42-80 parts by weight of an epoxy group-containing ethylene copolymer and then melt-kneading 100 parts by weight of the resulting composition with (C) 0.01-20 parts by weight of a polyfunctional compound containing in one molecule at least two functional groups selected from an amino group, a carboxylic acid anhydride group, a hydroxyl group and a ##STR1## group wherein both X and Y are oxygen atoms or sulfur atoms, or either X or Y is an oxygen atom and another is a sulfur atom, or (D) 0.01-9 parts by weight of a polyfunctional compound having in one molecule at least two carboxyl groups or both at least one carboxyl group and at least one functional group selected from an amino group, a carboxylic acid anhydride group, a hydroxyl group and the ##STR2## group wherein X and Y are defined above.

The present invention relates to a method for producing a novel thermoplastic elastomer composition which is flexible and tough in a wide range of temperature and is excellent in balance of properties such as mechanical properties and thermal properties and in appearance and can be used for automobile bumpers, sound deadening gears, sports shoes soles, tubes, hoses, and the like.
Hitherto, flexible vinyl chloride resins, ethylene-vinyl acetate resins, thermoplastic urethane resins, nylon 12, polyester elastomers and the like have been generally used as materials which provide hard rubbers or leather-like molded articles. However, flexible vinyl chloride resins halve a problem in cold resistance, ethylene-vinyl acetate resins in wear resistance, thermoplastic urethane resins in processability, nylon 12 in cold resistance and polyester elastomers in hydrolysis resistance and thermal aging resistance and these must be improved.
Japanese Patent Kokai No. 61-40355 discloses a method for improving hydrolysis resistance and thermal aging resistance of polyester elastomers by blending block copolymer type polyester elastomers with carboxyl group and/or epoxy group-containing olefin polymers. However, this composition is poor in balance of properties such as stiffness, heat resistance, impact resistance, oil resistance and electric characteristics because the polyester component is block copolymer type elastomers.
Furthermore, Japanese Patent Kokai No. 55-137154 proposes to blend polyalkylene terephthalates, ethylene-glycidyl methacrylate copolymers and a polyfunctional compound selected from epoxy compounds, isocyanate compounds and carboxylic acid anhydrides.
Moreover, Japanese Patent Kokai No. 61-221260 teaches to blend thermoplastic polyesters with maleic anhydride grafted ethylene-propylene random copolymers and ethylene-glycidyl methacrylate copolymers. However, the above compositions are not satisfactory yet in balance of stiffness, heat resistance, impact resistance and oil resistance as elastomers because the blending materials, blending ratio and blending method are not proper.
Further, Japanese Patent Kokai No. 63-113056 discloses that a composition improved in compatibility, excellent in impact resistance at low temperature and good in balance with stiffness cain be obtained by melt kneading a saturated polyester resin with a copolymer of an unsaturated epoxy compound and ethylene. The composition is considerably improved in these respects, but a further improvement in balance of low-temperature impact resistance, heat resistance, oil resistance and stiffness is required for industrial use thereof.

Method for producing thermoplastic elastomer compositions


Embodiments of the present invention disclose a process for the co-production of bis(para-aminocyclohexyl) methane (PACM). Also disclosed are articles of manufacture made using PACM produced by methods of this invention. The methods of the present invention generally include a first mixture having methylene di-aniline (MDA) and a second aromatic amine. The first mixture has less than 15% polymeric MDA by weight and the second aromatic amine is present in an amount to render the first mixture a liquid. The first mixture is hydrogenated to produce a product mixture comprising PACM and at least one second non-aromatic amine.

PACM is traditionally made from MDA via hydrogenation. Methods of making PACM typically include using a MDA feed that includes mixtures of MDA and co-products such as polymeric MDA. This MDA feed with polymeric MDA impurities comes from isocyanate plants that react aniline with formaldehyde to produce the MDA and polymeric MDA. Typically these co-products are then phosogenated to produce methyl diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI) and polymeric MDI. However, if these co-products are recovered before the phosogenation stage they may be used as a MDA feed that is hydrogenated to produce PACM. This feed is typically 60% to 85% MDA and 15% to 40% polymeric MDA. High polymeric MDA is undesirable in the feed when producing PACM because the polymeric MDA results in more unwanted products and the polymeric MDA will typically deactivate the catalyst used in the hydrogenation reaction. In order to decrease the polymeric MDA content of the feed, an operator may remove the polymeric MDA by such methods as distillation. The operator may also add pure MDA to dilute the polymeric MDA content of the feed. However, these techniques to increase the MDA content also increase production time and costs. Therefore, one disadvantage of current PACM processes is that the MDA feeds have relatively high levels of polymeric MDA.
In addition to the disadvantages listed above, traditional processes to produce PACM also typically require the use of solvents. Adding and removing additional solvents increases the cost, time and operational resources needed for the reaction. Lastly, processes that produce PACM typically have chemicals in multiple phases (e.g. a solid MDA and a liquid solvent). This creates inefficiencies in the process by increasing handling problems.
PACM has been used widely in many industries. When PACM is produced it has three positional isomers: trans-trans, cis-trans, and cis-cis. For certain industrial applications, it is important to limit the amount of certain isomers present. For example, to have an easily handling product with better performance in epoxy end-use applications, it is important to limit the amount of trans-trans isomer present. Many known processes produce PACM with isomer contents that are not useful for these applications and many processes have the drawback of only producing PACM with fixed isomer contents.

Co-production of cyclohexylamine and bis(para-aminocyclohexyl) methane


A battery includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and an electrolyte solution, in which the electrolyte solution contains a predetermined compound.

Since lithium ion secondary batteries are lightweight and have a high energy density, lithium ion secondary batteries are widely used as power sources for mobile phones, laptop computers, electric tools, electric automobiles, and the like. Since characteristics of the lithium ion secondary battery largely depend on a non-aqueous electrolyte solution used, various additives added to the non-aqueous electrolyte solution have been proposed.
For example, Patent Literature 1 describes a technology for suppressing an increase in battery resistance due to repetition of charging and discharging by adding a cyclic disulfonic acid anhydride to an electrolyte solution.

Electrolyte solution, battery pack, electronic apparatus, electric vehicle, power storage apparatus, and power system


The invention relates to a crystalline zeolite-like gallosilicate having an atomic ratio of Si/Ga in the outer crystalline surface that is not larger than the average Si/Ga ratio for the whole of the crystal. The invention also relates to a method of making such a gallosilicate comprising the hydrothermal crystallization of a strictly inorganic reaction mixture having the following molar ratios: SiO.sub.2 /Ga.sub.2 O.sub.3 .gtoreq.5; OH.sup.- /SiO.sub.2 =0.05-1.0; and H.sub.2 O/SiO.sub.2 =10-1,000. The invention further relates to the above-described method wherein said reaction mixture is prepared by adding an aged gel to a first mixture, the first mixture preferably having a composition with the following molar ratios: SiO.sub.2 /Ga.sub.2 O.sub.3 .gtoreq.5; OH.sup.- /SiO.sub.2 =0.05 to 1.0; and H.sub.2 O/SiO.sub.2 =20 to 100.

Zeolite-like gallosilicates ("ZAGs") crystallographically are tectosilicates and have a structure which is built up from TO.sub.4 tetrahedra that are connected via the oxygens. In the case of the ZAGs, the T atoms represent either quadrivalent silicon or trivalent gallium. These TO.sub.4 tetrahedra form chains and layers and these, in turn, build up defined cavity systems including ducts and pores with opening widths of molecular dimensions. The opening widths of the ducts and pores determine the accessibility to the internal cavity structure or materials in accordance with their shape and form. As a result, the porous structures have molecular sieve properties. Due to the incorporation of trivalent gallium, the crystalline lattice of the zeolite-like gallosilicates (ZAGs) has an excess negative charge, which is compensated for during synthesis by the presence of cations (usually alkali or alkaline earth ions).
If the alkali or alkaline earth ions are exchanged after the synthesis for protons, effective acidic catalysts which are useful for heterogeneous catalysis are obtained. Because of their molecular sieve properties, the gallosilicate catalysts of this invention have shape-selective properties.
However, the selectivity and, particularly, the activity of the ZAGs are determined not only by their crystalline features or their pore structure, but also by the size of the crystals and the accessibility of the active centers. "Active centers" are strong Broenstedt-sites (bridged hydroxyl groups) which are connected to gallium tetrahedral atoms inside the lattice or weak Lewis-sites connected either to "extra-framework" gallium species or to silanol groups. To achieve the best possible action of the active centers that are present in the crystal, these centers should be distributed as uniformly as possible throughout the crystal.
The presently known ZAGs are synthesized by a hydrothermal process using organic compounds, generally ammonium compounds, which have structure-directing and structure stabilizing functions (as discussed, for example, in European patent application EP 0 327 189 A2). These compounds are often referred to as "templates."
The synthesis methods heretofore used for synthesizing ZAGs have a number of serious disadvantages which preclude their operation on a large industrial scale without contaminating the environment. The templates used (generally tetraalkylammonium compounds) are toxic, easily inflammable and highly corrosive. Since the synthesis is a hydrothermal reaction that is carried out under high pressure, the escape of these template materials cannot be prevented completely. There is therefore a high potential for endangering the employees and the environment both near and far from the production site. The effluent resulting from the synthesis also contains these template materials and must therefore be treated and disposed of at high cost to prevent environmental contamination. A further disadvantage is the need to burn out (i.e., calcine) the organic components in the lattice at high temperatures. As a result, the templates or their decomposition or breakdown products reach the waste air and must be removed by expensive filtering methods. Calcining can also damage the lattice structure of the ZAGs, adversely affecting their catalytic and adsorptive properties. Moreover, calcining can lead to mechanical damage to the ZAGs.
In addition to the cost and environmental danger resulting from the use of templates, the broad distribution of particle sizes resulting from known synthesis methods is also disadvantageous. This broad distribution of particle sizes decreases the stability and useful life of the ZAGs, as measured by their catalytic properties. Moreover, known ZAGs have an unsatisfactorily inhomogeneous distribution of active centers, which unfavorably affects the selectivity and conversion rate for catalytic reactions.

Crystalline zeolite-like gallosilicate, and method for its synthesis


Systems and methods for illuminating a platen are provided. A hybrid illumination system uses both diffusion and collimation to efficiently provide a flat, uniform illumination at a platen. One or more diffusers are disposed between the illumination source array and a collimating lens. An illumination system is provided which uses diffused light to illuminate a platen in a print scanner. The illumination system has an illumination source array and a light wedge. The light wedge reflects light internally which makes the illumination even more diffuse. Sources are divided into at least a center region and a perimeter region. The density of sources provided in the perimeter region is greater than in the center region to correct for natural light falloff in the illumination system. Intensity control can be performed individually or in groups.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention pertains to biometric imaging technology, and in particular, to live scanning of fingerprints and/or palm prints.
2. Background Art
Biometric imaging systems may include, but are not limited to, fingerprint imaging systems and palm print imaging systems. Such print imaging systems are also referred to as scanners or live scanners. Conventional live scanners use light to detect an image of a fingerprint and/or palm print. One or more fingers or palms are placed on a platen. An illumination source illuminates the underside of the platen. An image representative of valleys, ridges, or other characteristics of a fingerprint or a palm print is then detected by an image sensor, such as, a solid-state camera.
The illumination source must have sufficient power so that a high quality image representative of a print is detected by the image sensor. Often the optical system employed in a print scanner is telecentric which further increases the power required at the illumination source. In a telecentric system an aperture is used to limit light passing through the optical system. In this way, only light rays traveling within a range of angles at or near a direction along an optical axis are detected. Such telecentricity improves the image quality and reduces blurring, but has a drawback in that increased power is required at the illumination source to ensure that sufficient light passes through the aperture of the optical system to the image sensor.
Collimated light has been used in an illumination source for a print scanner to reduce the power required. A collimated lens collimates incoming light rays so that collimated light rays exit which travel parallel to one another. Because the rays are made parallel they travel efficiently through a telecentric optical system. FIG. 1A shows an example of a collimated light source lighting technique. A single discrete light source 110 emits light over an area as indicated by example rays 112. The actual emission area depends upon the type of emitter and other factors such as whether a lens, light guide or other optical element is provided to focus or guide the emitted light. A subset 115 of rays 112 are collimated by collimating lens 120 and emerge as parallel rays 125. The subset rays 115 are those rays within an angular range A at the focal point of collimating lens 120 as shown in FIG. 1A.
Collimated illumination source lighting techniques provide a relatively efficient, low power source especially in a telecentric optical system, but lack sufficient good grey scale shading for uses in high-quality fingerprint and/or palm print scanners. FIG. 1B shows an example conventional fingerprint or palm print scanner using collimated illumination in a telecentric optical system. A single discrete light source 110 emits red light which is collimated by collimating lens 120 before illuminating a prism 130. In this case, a top surface of prism 130 serves as a platen. The collimated light illuminates the underside of prism 130. When one or more fingers or palms are placed on prism 130, an image representative of valleys, ridges, and other characteristics of a fingerprint or a palm print is then focused by imaging lens 140 to aperture 150, and then further focused by imaging lens 160 to a focal plane/sensor plane 170. One or more image sensors, such as, solid-state cameras (CCD or CMOS cameras) detect the image. The use of collimated light improves the efficiency in which light travels through the telecentric optical system from the collimating lens 120 to the prism 130 and eventually through aperture 150 to an image sensor at focal plane/sensor plane 170.
While the collimated light is efficient, such illumination can produce print images having limited or no grey scale shading because the light rays incident on a platen are generally parallel. Such parallel rays are then either reflected or absorbed by a biometric object, such as, a finger or palm ridge. This tends to create a high contrast print having essentially black and white values only and no grey shade values. Such high contrast prints (also called binary prints) do not provide the full spectrum of grey shades required for many applications such as, forensics, law enforcement, security, and anti-terrorism. This can result in unacceptable images being captured especially in cases where significant pressure is placed on a finger or palm during the live scan.
As an alternative to collimated lighting techniques, print scanners have used diffuse source lighting. Diffuse light includes rays traveling in many different directions which tends to provide a flat, uniform illumination with good fill. In a print scanner, such diffuse light allows good grey scale shades to be detected since light traveling in a number of different directions is incident on a platen. One disadvantage is the illumination power required is high, especially in a print scanner having a telecentric optical system. The high power required means more light sources need to be used which, among other things, increases cost and the amount of heat generated.
FIG. 2 shows an example print scanner using a diffuse light source 205 that illuminates prism 130. Diffuse light source 205 includes a discrete emitter array 210 and a diffuser 220. Discrete emitter array 210 is made up of a number of evenly spaced light emitting diodes that emit red light. As shown schematically in FIG. 2, diffuse light source 205 is an inefficient light source for generating an image and passing the image to an image sensor in a telecentric system. Diffuse light travels randomly or in different directions and is not transmitted through an entire telecentric system. For instance, much of the light is blocked by aperture 150. Such inefficiency in illumination of a print scanner is undesirable as it increases the number of emitters needed in array 210 and the power requirements of array 210. This problem is even more acute for telecentric print scanners where flat, uniform illumination is needed across a relatively large platen, such as, a platen big enough to allow capture of images for a roll print or slap print of one or more fingers, or a palm print.
In sum, the above drawbacks of using either collimation or diffuse illumination approaches in a print scanner need to be overcome. Other needs also exist in print scanner illumination. These needs include: a need for improved diffuse illumination of a print scanner, a need for providing a greater dynamic range of grey shading output from a camera, and a need for providing more uniform illumination from an illumination source array with flexible control.

Systems and methods for illuminating a platen in a print scanner


An unitary plastic training collar for animals is presented which includes end members which are slotted for forming a noose which can be used to restrain an animal, for example during training exercises. By pulling a leash attached to the collar the collar will slip tighter around the neck of the animal and when the leash is slack, the collar springs open due to the inherent memory of the polymeric material from which it is formed.

1. Field Of The Invention
The present invention pertains to collars for training animals, and specifically to collars which are of the choke type as are use in training domestic dogs.
2. Description Of The Prior Art And Objectives Of The Invention
Dog trainers in recent years have increasingly used collars of the slip or "noose" type which are attached to a trainer's leash and which will close and increasingly tighten around the dog's neck as the leash is pulled, or conversely as the dog pulls thereagainst. Conventional choke collars are formed from leather, nylon ropes or straps, and metal chains. While such prior art collars are effective in tightening, once pressure is released therefrom they oftentimes become jammed in the closed configuration due to manufactured irregularities in the collar (chain links), or by the links or surface irregularities becoming embedded with hair, or in some cases with skin. Thus, the inability of the conventional slide mechanisms to quickly release allowing the collar to loosen can be both physically harmful to the animal and can be confusing thereto, causing the animal to misinterpret the commands received. Also, conventional choke collars can cause irritation, hair loss and bleeding to the neck of the animal, which harmful effects can long endure long after the collar is removed to the dismay of the animal and owner.
Thus with the problems and disadvantages associated with prior art choke collars, the present invention was conceived and one of its objectives is to provide a safe, quick releasing collar of the choke type which can be easily fitted around the animal's neck and which will have a smooth outer surface to help prevent entanglement with the animal's hair.
It is still another objective of the present invention to provide an animal training collar which is formed from a polymeric material which has an inherent memory to return the collar to an open configuration once the leash force has slackened.
It is still another objective of the present invention to provide a smooth unitary collar having slotted end members which can be economically manufactured and which is both durable and safe for the animal.
Various other advantages and objectives of the invention will be realized as a more detailed representation of the invention is presented below.


Systems and methods are provided for navigating within the heart and attaching to the wall of the heart for performing injection of one or more agents into tissue. The system includes an outer catheter, a mid catheter slidably disposed within a lumen of the outer catheter, and a needle catheter slidably disposed within a lumen of the mid catheter. The mid catheter includes a vacuum hood attached to a mid catheter distal end such that a radiopaque distal tip of the mid catheter extends into the vacuum hood. The vacuum hood includes at least two radiopaque features, the spatial relationship of which visibly changes under fluoroscopy when the vacuum hood is under sealed vacuum.

Minimally invasive devices are frequently used to perform procedures within body lumens and chambers, including the heart. Such procedures include making injections of cells, agents, filler materials, and/or other substances into the myocardium by minimally invasive, e.g., catheter-based, approaches. During such procedures, it is important to identify the correct anatomical position for each injection, navigate to that position, and maintain the selected position while a needle or other injection device is introduced into the tissue, the injection is performed, and the injection device is subsequently removed. For example, heart motion may make precise needle positioning difficult. Further, unexpected or excessive movement of an exposed needle may cause trauma, such as laceration or perforation. Further, inadvertent or premature movement of the needle out of tissue may risk loss of injected material and/or embolic complications.
Thus, devices and methods that enhance stability of a catheter or other device and/or isolate the location of treatment during such procedures would be beneficial.

Isolation and attachment catheters and methods for using them


A plurality of tapered sample strips are secured at one end to a border strip to faciliate the performance of perfumery by a relative novice in the field. The tapered sample strips include the fragrance of a note, which is an essential oil, used in the perfume industry to manufacture perfumes. The series of tapered sample strips secured to the border strip are prepared for sampling by first separating two sets of border strips with their associated tapered sample strips from a die-cut sample sheet of heavy paper. The identifying indicia and color for each fragrance is clearly indicated. A tiered sample rack or case, including a plurality of capped bottles, corresponding to the number of tapered sample strips on each border strip, contains different notes or essential oils which correspond in order to the marked indicia on the tapered sample strips. Each tier of bottles corresponds to a separate border strip and its associated tapered sample strips.

Prior to the creation of the present invention, the science of perfumery was a lengthy and involved process for selecting a desired fragrance for a perfume. Typically, unlabelled scented sticks were sampled and a judgment made as to how to vary the scents to achieve a desired scent. The involvement of the process made the selection of a perfume unavailable to the average person.

Apparatus for designing personalized perfume


An imbalance estimator for quadrature modulators comprising two mixers to which are applied two carrier signals and to each of which is applied a modulating signal, output signals of said mixers being applied to a combiner to constitute a modulated signal, detects the instantaneous power of the modulated signal. The detected instantaneous power is multiplied by the modulating signals, and the resulting signals are rectified. The rectified signals are rectified to supply signals indicative of the imbalance of the modulator.

1. Field of the Invention
The field of the invention is that of transmitters of signals with 2.sup.n phase states obtained by phase shift keying with M states or by amplitude and phase modulation with M states.
The invention is more precisely concerned with a quadrature modulator imbalance estimator for modulators having two mixers to which two carrier signals are applied and to each of which a modulating signal is applied, the output signals of the mixers being applied to a combiner to constitute a modulated signal. The carrier signals are in phase quadrature and are at an intermediate frequency (IF modulation) or at a carrier frequency (direct modulation).
One aim of the invention is to provide an estimator that can be used in a control loop to modify the amplitude difference of the output signals of the mixers (balance estimator adapted to estimate the relative amplitude of two channels). The invention is of particular benefit in controlling a modulator stage operating in a wide band of frequencies.
2. Description of the Prior Art
European patent application No 0 503 588 describes a phase quadrature signal modulator imbalance estimator. The disadvantage of this estimator is that it requires the use of a learning sequence for estimating the imbalance and that the correction of the modulator is not adaptive.
French patent application No 2 729 261 also describes a quadrature modulator imbalance estimator.
In the above application, the quadrature modulator includes two mixers to which two carrier signals are applied and to each of which a modulating signal is applied, the output signals of the mixers being applied to a combiner to constitute a modulated signal.
The estimator includes:
means for detecting the instantaneous power of the modulated signal; PA1 means for multiplying the detected instantaneous power by at least one of the modulating signals; and PA1 means for integrating the result of the above multiplication, the integrator means supplying a signal indicative of the modulator malfunction. PA1 means for detecting the instantaneous power of said modulated signal; PA1 means for multiplying said detected instantaneous power by said modulating signals, said multiplier means supplying produced signals; PA1 means for rectifying said produced signals; and PA1 means for integrating said rectified produced signals supplying signals indicative of said imbalance of said modulator.
The defect estimated is either a quadrature defect or carrier residuals in the modulated signal.
When the malfunction of the modulator is a defect in respect of the phase quadrature relationship of the signals from the mixers, the multiplier means multiply the detected instantaneous power by the modulating signals to supply, after integration, a signal representative of the phase difference between the signals from the mixers.
When the malfunction of the modulator is carrier signal residuals in the modulated signal, the multiplier means multiply the instantaneous power by each of the modulating signals to supply, after integration, two signals representative of the carrier signal residuals in the modulated signal.
However, the above document does not propose any solution to the problem of correcting imbalance.
FIG. 1 shows a constellation of a four-state phase shift keyed signal from a modulator having an imbalance.
In the case of modulation with 2.sup.n phase states, to obtain a Cartesian coordinate type representation in a signal space, the 2.sup.n phase states can be uniformly distributed relative to axes corresponding to orthogonal carrier signals X and Y. There is then obtained a constellation that corresponds to the vector representation of the carrier signal states whose projections onto the X and Y axes give the coordinates of the end of the vector represented.
If the modulator has an imbalance, the constellation is as shown in FIG. 1 because of the amplitude difference between the X and Y channels. This degrades transmitter performance.
One object of the present invention is to overcome the above drawbacks.
To be more precise, one object of the invention is to provide a quadrature modulator imbalance estimator that can be used to correct the imbalance in an adaptive way. In particular, it must be possible to use the estimator in a quadrature modulator operating in a wide band of frequencies.

Quadrature modulator imbalance estimator and modulator stage using it