Apparatuses and methods for improving the reliability of pinpoint stimulation operations is disclosed. A pinpoint stimulation improvement apparatus is disclosed which includes a hold down device, at least one flow reducer coupled to the hold down device, and a jetting tool coupled to the flow reducer. The flow reducer is positioned downstream from the jetting tool. A fluid flowing through the jetting tool passes through the flow reducer and forms a sand plug downstream from the pinpoint stimulation improvement apparatus.

The present invention relates to subterranean stimulation operations and, more particularly, to apparatuses and methods for improving the reliability of pinpoint stimulation operations.
To produce hydrocarbons (e.g., oil, gas, etc.) from a subterranean formation, well bores may be drilled that penetrate hydrocarbon-containing portions of the subterranean formation. The portion of the subterranean formation from which hydrocarbons may be produced is commonly referred to as a "production zone." In some instances, a subterranean formation penetrated by the well bore may have multiple production zones at various locations along the well bore.
Generally, after a well bore has been drilled to a desired depth, completion operations are performed. Such completion operations may include inserting a liner or casing into the well bore and, at times, cementing a casing or liner into place. Once the well bore is completed as desired (lined, cased, open hole, or any other known completion) a stimulation operation may be performed to enhance hydrocarbon production into the well bore. Where methods of the present invention reference "stimulation," that term refers to any stimulation technique known in the art for increasing production of desirable fluids from a subterranean formation adjacent to a portion of a well bore. Examples of some common stimulation operations involve hydraulic fracturing, acidizing, fracture acidizing, and hydrajetting. Stimulation operations are intended to increase the flow of hydrocarbons from the subterranean formation surrounding the well bore into the well bore itself so that the hydrocarbons may then be produced up to the wellhead.
One suitable hydrajet stimulation method, introduced by Halliburton Energy Services, Inc., is known as the SURGIFRAC and is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,765,642. The SURGIFRAC process may be particularly well suited for use along highly deviated portions of a well bore, where casing the well bore may be difficult and/or expensive. The SURGIFRAC hydrajetting technique makes possible the generation of one or more independent, single plane hydraulic fractures. Furthermore, even when highly deviated or horizontal wells are cased, hydrajetting the perforations and fractures in such wells generally results in a more effective fracturing method than using traditional perforation and fracturing techniques.
Another suitable hydrajet stimulation method, introduced by Halliburton Energy Services, Inc., is known as the COBRAMAX-H and is described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,225,869, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. The COBRAMAX-H process may be particularly well suited for use along highly deviated portions of a well bore. The COBRAMAX-H technique makes possible the generation of one or more independent hydraulic fractures without the necessity of using mechanical tools to achieve zone isolation, can be used to perforate and fracture in a single down hole trip, and may eliminate the need to set mechanical plugs through the use of a proppant slug or wellbore fill.
Current pinpoint stimulation techniques suffer from a number of disadvantages. For instance, during hydrajetting operations, the movements of the hydrajetting tool generally reduces the tool performance. The movements of the hydrajetting tool may be caused by the elongation or shrinkage of the pipe or the tremendous turbulence around the tool. The reduction in tool performance is generally compensated by longer jetting times so that a hole is eventually created. However, the increase in jetting times leads to an inefficient and time consuming hydrajetting process.
The COBRAMAX-H process also suffers from some drawbacks. Specifically, the COBRAMAX-H process involves isolating the hydrajet stimulated zones from subsequent well operations. The primary sealing of the previous regions in the COBRAMAX-H process is achieved by placing sand plugs in the zones to be isolated. The placement of sand plugs, particularly in horizontal well bores, requires a very low flow rate which is difficult to achieve when using surface pumping equipment designed for high rate pumping operations. Moreover, when the operating pressures are high, the orifices of the tool must be very small to create a low flow rate. The small size of the orifices makes them susceptible to plugging.
Additionally, the placement of sand plugs in horizontal or substantially horizontal well bores may be difficult. Specifically, current methods of placement of sand dunes in horizontal well bores entail slowly pumping the sand down the well bore as shown in FIG. 1. An artificially low flow rate 2 is used to allow dropping of sand to the bottom side of the casing 4 to form a sand dune 6. To that end, the terminal velocity of the sand dropping down has to be faster than the flow velocity reaching the fracture point. However, this approach may prove ineffective. As shown in FIG. 1, as a sand dune 6 is created, the area above the dune becomes smaller, thereby increasing the flow velocity over the sand dune 6. The increased flow velocity destroys the top of the sand dune 6. As a result, the flow that passes on top of the sand dune 6 may enter the fracture 8 and further open it.
Finally, the SURGIFRAC process which uses the Bernoulli principle to achieve sealing between fractures poses certain challenges. During the SURGIFRAC process, the primary flow goes to the fracture while the secondary, leakoff flow, is supplied by the annulus. In some instances, such as in long horizontal well bores, a large number of fractures may be desired. The formation of each fracture results in some additional leakoff (i.e., seepage). Consequently, with the increase in the number of fractures, the amount of the secondary leakoff flow increases and eventually can significantly reduce the amount of the primary flow to the new fracture. The increased fluid losses reduce the efficiency of the operations and increases the cost. Accordingly, a flow limiter device is desirable to reduce annulus flow requirements while maintaining pore-pressure and limited flow influx to previous fractures below the new fracture, and after pumping has ceased, to let the new fracture slowly close without producing proppant.

Methods and equipment to improve reliability of pinpoint stimulation operations


A substrate processing apparatus includes liquid tanks, a conveyor mechanism that dips multiple semiconductor substrates, arranged with provision of spaces, collectively into liquids in the liquid tanks, and water vapor spray nozzles disposed in gaps between the multiple semiconductor substrates so as to face rear surfaces of the semiconductor substrates. Heated water vapor is sprayed out of the water vapor spray nozzles onto the respective rear surfaces of the multiple semiconductor substrates prior to dipping the semiconductor substrates into the liquid in the liquid tanks.

1. Field
The embodiments discussed herein are directed to a substrate processing apparatus and a substrate processing method.
2. Description of the Related Art
In a manufacturing process of a semiconductor device such as a large-scale integrated circuit (LSI), a semiconductor substrate undergoes a cleaning process in order to remove a native oxide film formed on a surface of the semiconductor substrate, or to remove photoresist residues. A substrate processing apparatus used in the cleaning process is roughly categorized into a batch-type apparatus and a sheet-type apparatus. From a viewpoint of obtaining higher throughput, the batch-type apparatus capable of cleaning multiple semiconductor substrates in one cleaning session is more advantageous than the sheet-type apparatus configured to process the semiconductor substrates individually.
Nevertheless, since the multiple semiconductor substrates are dipped in a single liquid tank in the case of the batch-type apparatus, there is a problem that particles formerly attached to a rear surface of a certain semiconductor substrate get attached to a front surface (a circuit formation surface) of another semiconductor. Such a problem is called backside transfer of particles, which is responsible for a reduction in the yield of semiconductor devices. Particularly, along with miniaturization of semiconductor devices in recent years, the allowable size of particles is becoming smaller every year. Today, the allowable value of particles, which may float in a liquid tank, is equal to or below 0.1 μm.
To prevent such backside transfer of particles as much as possible, the batch-type substrate processing apparatus includes a foreign substance removal mechanism called a CRS (chemical recovery system). The CRS is integrally formed by a filter for filtering particles and a circulation pump. This mechanism can circulate a liquid in the liquid tank and, at the same time, can filter the particles in the liquid. Thus, it is possible to reduce the number of particles that are peeled off from the rear surfaces of the semiconductor substrates and are floating in the liquid.
However, even though the CRS is provided therein, a long period of time is required for reducing the number of particles in the liquid tank to an allowable level, if a lot of particles are brought into the liquid tank at a time. In this case, the throughput of the substrate processing apparatus is considerably decreased.
To deal with this case, for each of the liquid tanks, limits are currently set as to how many times the processing can be performed, or how much time it can take. In a case where the processing exceeds the limits, the liquid is replaced so as to prevent the decrease in the throughput. However, when the liquid is frequently replaced in this manner, there arises another problem of an increase in usage of the liquid, which leads to an increase in the cleaning cost in the batch-type substrate processing apparatus.
Meanwhile, there is also a case where a spin-scrubber process is performed prior to processing the substrate with the substrate processing apparatus, so that the number of particles which are brought into the liquid tank is reduced. However, this process causes another problem of an increase in the manufacturing cost of the semiconductor device which is relevant to the spin-scrubber process.
Some techniques related to the present invention are disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 56 (1981)-60021, Japanese Patent Application Laid-open Publication No. Hei 8 (1996)-197418 and Japanese Patent Application Laid-open Publication No. 2005-175053.

Substrate processing apparatus and substrate processing method


A carbon-based material according to the present invention contains dopant atoms of metal and non-metal such as nitrogen. In a radial distribution function obtained by Fourier transform of a K-edge EXAFS of the metal, a ratio of “A” to “B” is equal to or more than 4.0, wherein “A” denotes an intensity of the highest one of peaks around a distance equal to a coordinate bond length between atoms of the metal and the non-metal and “B” denotes an intensity of the highest one of peaks around a distance equal to a metallic bond length between atoms of the metal. Note that when the metal is platinum, in a radial distribution function obtained by Fourier transform of an LIII-edge EXAFS of the platinum, a ratio of “A” to “B” is equal to or more than 4.0.

The following oxygen reduction reaction is a cathode reaction in a H2/O2 fuel battery, brine electrolysis, and the like, and plays an important role in an electrochemical energy conversion device and the like.O2+4H++4e−→2H2O
The following oxygen evolution reaction which is a reverse reaction of the oxygen reduction reaction is an anode reaction in water electrolysis and the like, and also plays an important role therein.2H2O→O2+4H++4e−
To promote the oxygen reduction reaction or the oxygen evolution reaction in various devices, noble metal such as platinum, ruthenium oxide, and iridium oxide has been widely and normally used as a catalyst.
However, these kinds of noble metal are rare and expensive, and the costs thereof are unstable. Therefore, using noble metal poses problems in view of saving natural resources, ensuring availability, lowering the cost, and the like.
In this regard, recently, as an oxygen reduction reaction catalyst, a carbon-based member doped with metal and nitrogen has been developed and has attracted attention as a promising catalyst altetive to noble metal. For example, non Patent Literature 1 discloses that a carbon-based crystal containing iron and nitrogen is prepared by heating a mixture of iron phthalocyanine and a phenolic resin at a heating temperature ranging from 700° C. to 900° C. for a heating time ranging from two to three hours under inert atmosphere, and that the carbon-based crystal functions as a catalyst promoting oxygen reduction. Besides, non Patent Literature 1 discloses that in a catalyst formation process, iron has also a catalytic function of promoting crystallization of the carbon-based crystal.
Non Patent Literature 2 discloses that a carbon-based crystal containing iron and nitrogen is obtained by preparing a mixture of graphene oxide, iron chloride, and graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3H4), chemically-reducing the graphene oxide of the mixture to graphene using a reducing agent, and then heating the resultant mixture at a heating temperature of 800° C. for a heating time of two hours under argon atmosphere. Besides, non Patent Literature 2 discloses that the carbon-based crystal functions as a catalyst for promoting oxygen reduction.
In order that such a catalyst shows sufficient catalytic activity, it is required to sufficiently increase the number of reaction active centers by sufficiently widening an area per sheet of graphene sheets, or to dope one graphene sheet with more amounts of iron and nitrogen, the graphene sheets composing of the carbon-based crystal. To achieve this, in the past, attempted have been methods of increasing the heating temperature under inert atmosphere for preparing the carbon-based crystal and of increasing the heating time.

Carbon-based material, electrode catalyst, electrode, gas diffusion electrode, electrochemical device, fuel battery, and process for producing carbon-based material

Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.


A fixing device is provided that can limit a temperature rise in paper non-contact edge portions with a relatively simple configuration and can make uniform a temperature distribution across a paper feed region. A heating roller includes lamps that respectively heat a center region and a large edge region and a small edge region, a temperature sensor for a heat generating region of the center lamp, a temperature sensor for a heat generating region of the edge-side lamps, and a temperature sensor for a paper non-contact edge portion. The heating roller selects any one of the edge-side lamps based on a detection result from the temperature sensor for the paper non-contact edge portion.

Conventionally, electrophotographic image forming apparatus (e.g., copiers and laser beam printers) are configured to rotate the photoconductor drum for evenly charging the entire surface of the photoconductor drum. An electrostatic latent image is then formed on the photoconductor drum by sweeping a laser beam over the photoconductor's surface. A toner image, an image developed by a toner deposited on the electrostatic latent image, is transferred onto a sheet and is fixed to the sheet by a fixing device.
Fixing devices used for this purpose include heating roller fixing devices. The heating roller fixing include: directly heating a target sheet by a heating roller; heating a fixing belt by a heating roller followed by heating the target sheet by the heated fixing belt; and so forth.
A heat generating lamp, a heat generating source, is incorporated inside the heating roller.
In recent years, it has been required in the art for fixing devices to be capable of accommodating multiple sheet sizes while consuming as little electric power as possible and of obtaining high image quality through a uniform fixing temperature distribution.
Heretofore, configurations in which a plurality of heat generating lamps are provided in the heating roller in order to accommodate a plurality of sheet sizes are disclosed in, for example, Patent Literatures 1 and 2.
Patent Literature 1 discloses a fixing device that includes a plurality of heating lamps for different sheet sizes.
Patent Literature 2 discloses a fixing device that includes a first heat generating lamp having a heat generating region at a position corresponding to the center and its vicinity of a sheet in order to heat the central region of the sheet, and a second heat generating lamp having a heat generating region at positions corresponding to the edges and their vicinity of the sheet in order to heat the edge regions of the sheet. The fixing device turns on only the first heat generating lamp when a small-sized sheet is fed, and turns on both the first and second heat generating lamps when a large-sized sheet is fed. Consequently, the fixing device can accommodate a plurality of sheet sizes.

Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.


Methods and apparatuses for pumping blood within a blood vessel are described. The methods and apparatuses can be used for renal decongestion by pumping blood through the kidney(s), thereby increasing a pressure gradient across the kidney(s). The apparatuses can include one or more inflatable elements that can be repeatedly inflated and deflated to cause a pumping action within the blood vessel. In some embodiments, the one or more inflatable elements are positioned within one or more stents.

Patients who suffer heart failure frequently also experience renal failure, as renal failure can be caused by increased systemic venous congestion as a result of low cardiac output and low blood pressure. Such failure is called cardiorenal syndrome (CRS). Currently, heart failure patients are often treated pharmaceutically with diuretics in an attempt to decrease fluid overload (systemic venous congestion). However, during systemic venous congestion, there is lower-than-normal pressures on the arterial side and higher-than-normal pressures on the venous side of the kidneys. As a result, the kidneys are not able to clear the fluid overload using diuretics because there is not sufficient pressure differential across the kidneys. Accordingly, an alternative treatment for renal congestion is desired.


An impact tool comprised of a light weight housing having a forward anvil and hammer compartment, a hollow handle, and a rear cradle to receive a 12 volt motor, its housing and wiring therefor, with the motor removably accessible by the removal of only two threaded bolts. A trigger operated on-off switch is mounted in the handle.

The only known present day commercially available electrically operated impact wrenches are A.C. (alternating current) powered. Such devices are characterized by inherent disadvantages due to their motors and necessarily associated parts.
First, the number of moving parts is excessive which results in wear and tear and frequent failure.
Second, gears are interposed in the drive, resulting in lower torque than direct drive and in gear wear and stripping.
Third, electrical shock from A. C. is more dangerous to humans.
Fourth, the complex drive and design limits the A. C. wrenches to 3/4 inch and smaller impact wrenches.
Fifth, A. C. impact wrenches are very expensive to purchase.
Sixth, A. C. wrenches do not admit of portability because their operation depends upon generators of A.C. current which can provide the proper amperage or current level. Generator size and weight is determined by this amperage requirement.
Seventh, A.C. wrenches are not readily disassemblable and serviceable by the owner.
These disadvantages are eliminated by the present invention.
Problems which are solved by the present invention are also associated with pneumatic wrenches.
All such wrenches suffer from moisture present due to compressing air. The powering vanes absorb this moisture, and become swollen, preventing them from sliding into proper position to attain optimum power. Also, pipe scalings and rust are pushed through the air lines. The air gun's exhaust contains residues that pollute the air in the vicinity of the operator. Air compressors are very heavy, expensive to purchase and operate. The use of highly compressed, bottled oxygen is expensive and very dangerous if the bottle is ruptured.
Neither the A.C. nor pneumatic wrench is suited to field military useage because they require an A.C. source or compressed air. Generators produce noise and require gasoline or alternate fuels. Without A.C. power to run a compressor, a gasoline engine would be needed to create compressed air.


A system and method for searching physical objects is described and claimed. The system may include one or more tags, each tag being disposed on one associated object; one or more substations, each substation arranged for communication with tags located within a range around each substation; and one or more base stations, each base station arranged for communication with substations located within a range around each base station. An interrogation engine may reside in each base station for interrogating, in response to a search query, the substations within the range around each base station, to determine whether a search object of the search query is within the range around the respective substations.

With the advancement in information and communication technology, search engines have become so efficient at generating information to a search query that it is not necessary to download and save data locally anymore. Thus, it is now an effortless task to look up information on the internet.
Further, less time and effort in planning and organization is required without compromising on efficiency. For example, Google's Gmail allows emails to be labelled and searched efficiently. People can now do away with organizing and filing their emails.
However, searching for physical objects remains a tedious and difficult task. A lot of time and effort may be spent in looking for a particular object or in organizing the physical objects for easy retrieval in the future.
Therefore, a need exists to provide a system and method for searching physical objects to address the above-mentioned problem.

System and method for searching physical objects


The disclosure relates to a dual-criterion diagram for designing and assessing the life and strength of high-temperature rotating components and its establishment. In addition, the disclosure relates to a method for designing and assessing the life and strength of high-temperature rotating components based on the dual-criterion diagram for designing and assessing the life and strength of high-temperature rotating components. The advantages of the disclosure include a simple design and assessment process, high operability, and reliable assessment results. The invention is expected to be applied finally to assessment and evaluation of high-cycle fatigue life of rotating components at high temperatures.

In compliance with the principles of energy saving, consumption reduction, high efficiency and environmental protection, higher temperature, higher pressure and longer service represent a new trend of equipment in electric power, refining and chemicals, metallurgy, aviation industries. For example, a single ultra-supercritical generator unit in a power plant has a power of 1000 MW or more, operating at 600-650° C./32-35 MPa, and a designed life up to 30 years. The turbine of an advanced aeroengine has a front inlet temperature of 1980-2080° C., a thrust to weight ratio of 15-20 or more, and a maximum service life of more than 40,000 hours. Nowadays, the development of 700° C. thermal power and 4th generation nuclear power technologies is also aiming for high temperature and pressure parameters and a long designed life. Due to a high rotating speed of a high-temperature rotating components, the mean stress caused by the centrifugal force is high. Moreover, the dead-weight of the component generates alternating stress in the course of rotation. The alternating stress is smaller than the mean stress. Hence, high-cycle fatigue with high mean stress at high temperature poses a challenge to the rotating structures. In addition, the equipment also faces a creep problem at such high temperatures.
The existing method for high-cycle fatigue design of high-temperature rotating components is mainly based on the Goodman Theory, including acquiring working conditions and material parameters to conduct stress analysis for high-temperature rotating components, calculating high-cycle fatigue damage and life by Goodman Equation, and finally assessing the high-cycle fatigue strength. However, the cutoff point of a Goodman curve on the abscissa corresponds to the tensile strength of a material, which makes the applicability of Goodman Theory at high temperatures open to question as the material will creep at high temperatures. Additionally, it is known that the Goodman curve method is conservative to treat the influence of mean stress on fatigue behavior, such that the potential of a material cannot be utilized fully. Thus, it's necessary to develop a new design method that better balances safety and economy.
Chinese Patent Applications Nos. CN201510586289.4 (A Method for Predicting Creep-fatigue Life of Materials), CN201410140477.X (A Method for Evaluating Low-cycle Creep-fatigue Life at High Temperature under Multi-axial Spectrum Loads), CN201310738774.X (A Lifetime-based Method for Designing Creep-fatigue Strength of High Temperature Pressure Vessels), and CN201310272042.6 (A Method for Predicting Creep-fatigue Life of Aluminum Alloy Pistons of High-power Diesels); Japanese Patent Nos. JP2006044364 (Damage Evaluation Method by Metal Texture as to Creep Fatigue Damage), JP05171031 (Method for Estimating Superposed Damage of Creep and Fatigue of High-Temperature Structure Material); European Patent Application Nos. CN20151586289 (filing date: Sep. 15, 2015; Forecasting Method for Creep-Fatigue Life of Material) and CN20141140477 (filing date: Apr. 9, 2014; Low-Cycle Creep and Fatigue Life Evaluation Method under Conditions of High Temperature and Multiaxial Spectrum Load), either placed emphasis on methods for life prediction under creep-fatigue interactions, or focused on methods for evaluating damage of structural materials under creep-fatigue conditions. These methods have complex processes, while do not involve structural strength design and safety evaluation under creep and fatigue loadings. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop a simple method of life and strength analysis that is readily operable and inclusive of both creep and fatigue failure mechanism.

Dual-criterion diagram methods for designing and assessing the life and strength of high-temperature rotating components

East China University of Science and Technology


An image forming device capable of detecting the presence/absence of ink as well as whether an ink tank is mounted. A detachable ink tank 32 on a carriage 31 includes a prism 32C, and a reflective optical sensor 33 detects the presence/absence of ink depending on the difference in refractive index between the two states, that is, filled with ink and empty. A reflector lever 35, movable in response to the ink tank 32 being mounted or not, is provided on the bottom of an ink tank holder 34. The reflector lever 35 has one end fixed on a lower part of the ink tank and the other end that is a free end consisting of a triangular reflector 35D. The reflector lever 35 is normally urged upward by a resilient member 35A, and it will not direct the reflection toward the sensor 33 in the absence of the ink tank whereas it is deformed in the presence/absence of the ink tank to direct the reflection toward the sensor 33. As a result, the presence/absence of the ink tank is detected.

The present invention relates to a method for detecting, in an ink-jet image forming device, the presence/absence of ink in a detachable ink tank that has paths through which ink is supplied to ink-jet nozzles and for detecting the presence/absence of the ink tank.
In accordance with a conventional ink-jet print method, an image may be formed by ejecting ink on an on-demand basis. Print images have changed from monochromatic images to color images and, as color printing becomes more popular, a lot of image forming devices have detachably structured ink tanks, each for cyan, magenta, yellow, light cyan, light magenta, light yellow and black. Ink in those colors is stored in separate ink tanks. In general, an ink container that may be detachably mounted on an ink-jet head with ink jet nozzles provided thereon is called an ink tank, while a unit integrally composed of a head with an ink container is called an ink cartridge. In this specification, they are both called ink tanks.
Ink in those ink tanks is consumed differently and, the user must individually exchange exhausted ink tanks or replenish an exhausted ink tank through a path.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. Hei 8-108543 and Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. Hei 9-226149 disclose a technique wherein an optical reflector prism located at the bottom of an ink tank is combined with a reflective optical sensor to sense the ink.
With reference to FIGS. 1(a)-1(d), the principle of an ink sensing operation performed by the combination of the reflector prism and the reflective optical sensor will be described.
When a prism-structured ink sensor window is observed with a reflective optical sensor 33 composed of an emitter 21 and a receiver 22 of an infrared ray, the light from the emitter 21 does not reach the receiver 22 as shown in FIG. 1(a) if no object is present. Also, when a non-prism-structured object 23 is in the sensing position of the optical reflective sensor as shown in FIG. 1(b), the light from the emitter 21 does not reach the receiver 22 either. In addition, when liquid (ink) is present in the prism-structured part as shown in FIG. 1(c), the incident ray is refracted at the interface because of a refractive index between the prism-structured member (glass, polypropylene, etc.) and the liquid. At this time, the refractive index is represented by n (xcex1xe2x86x92xcex2)=sin xcex1/sin xcex2( greater than 1), where xcex1 is the incident angle and xcex2 is the refractive angle. As disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. Hei 7-164626, the refractive index (n) of air with respect to ideal gas is represented as n=about 1.0, the refractive index (n) of ink as n=about 1.4, and the refractive index (n) of polypropylene as n=about 1.5. Therefore, the polypropylene to ink refractive index n (polyxe2x86x92ink)=1.4/1.5≈0.93≈sin 68xc2x0/sin 90xc2x0, and polypropylene to air refractive index n (polyxe2x86x92air)=1.0/1.5≈0.67≈sin 42xc2x0/sin 90xc2x0.
This means that, when the polypropylene-to-ink incident angle is 68xc2x0, the refractive angle is 90xc2x0, that is, the incident ray is refracted in the direction of the interface vector at the interface between two objects (this incident angle is called the critical angle) and that, when the incident angle xcex1 greater than 68xc2x0, the incident ray makes a total internal reflection.
This also means that, when the polypropylene-to-air incident angle is 42xc2x0, the refractive angle is 90xc2x0, that is, the incident ray is refracted in the direction of the interface vector at the interface between two objects and that, when the incident angle xcex1 greater than 42xc2x0 (critical angle), the incident ray makes a total internal reflection.
Based on this principle, creating a prism-structured polypropylene ink tank container, whose incident angle of the infrared ray from the emitter 21 is 42xc2x0 less than xcex1 less than 68xc2x0, and installing the container as described above causes the light to refract when ink is present, and causes the light to make a total internal reflection when no ink is present. Therefore, when no ink is present in the prism-structured part as shown in FIG. 1(d), that is, when air is present there, a total internal reflection occurs and light from the emitter 21 reaches the receiver 22 to indicate that no ink is present.
However, when no ink tank is present on the holder (FIG. 1(a)), the same result is obtained as when an ink tank fully filled with ink is installed (FIG. 1(c)). Therefore, if no measure is taken, there is a possibility that, when no ink tank is present, the sensor senses that ink is present and, as a result, printing is done with no ink supplied to the print head (nozzles). This could damage the nozzles of the recording head of an ink-jet image forming device because of overheating, causing problems such as a head damage.
In view of the foregoing, it is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming device capable of detecting the presence/absence of ink, as well as whether an ink tank is mounted.
An image forming device according to the present invention for forming an image with an ink jet method comprises an ink tank detachable on a carriage; a prism disposed in the ink tank, the prism being covered with ink when the tank is filled with ink and being exposed when the tank is empty; an optical ink sensor that has a light emitter for projecting light onto the prism and a light receiver for receiving a reflected light of the projected light to detect a presence/absence of ink in the ink tank; and a reflector movable between a first position and a second position according to whether or not the ink tank is installed on the carriage, wherein the reflector, in the second position with the ink tank installed, reflects the light from the optical ink sensor back to the optical ink sensor and wherein the reflector, in the first position with no ink tank installed, does not return the light from the optical ink sensor back to the light receiver.
This allows an image forming device to detect the presence/absence of ink reliably, as well as a state regarding whether an ink tank is mounted.
The reflector comprises, with respect to the optical ink sensor, a reflective surface similar in function to the prism, and the optical ink sensor is used both to detect the presence/absence of ink and to detect the presence/absence of the ink tank. This configuration reduces the number of required parts.
The image forming device may further comprise an optical ink tank sensor for detecting a presence/absence of the ink tank such that separate sensors are used to detect the presence/absence of the ink and the presence/absence of the ink tank, the optical ink tank sensor including a light emitter for projecting light onto the reflector and a light receiver for receiving a reflected light of the projected light.
The configuration eliminates the need for the relative movement of the sensor with respect to the ink tank, allowing both ink and the ink tank to be detected at the same time. Providing separate sensors, one for each detection, increases freedom in the reflector configuration.
More specifically, the carriage may include an ink tank holder for holding the ink tank and a resilient member normally urging the movable reflector in one direction for placing the reflector in the first position, one end of the reflector being supported on the ink tank holder such that when the ink tank is installed in the ink tank holder, the reflector is pressed down against a resilient power of the resilient member to place the reflector in the second position.
The use of the resilient member enables the reflector position to be changed and, at the same time, allows the ink tank in the ink tank holder more securely.
The reflector may have a part with the same material and the same structure as those of the prism installed on an inside bottom of the ink tank.
The resilient member may be a plate spring formed by using a part of the reflector. Of course, a spring separate from the reflector may also be used.
The prism may be constructed and placed such that, a ridge line of the prism is parallel with a scanning direction of the carriage and when the ink in the ink tank reaches at least near an empty state, an interface between the ink and air moves on the ridge as the ink decreases. This allows the amount of ink to be detected.
Another image forming device according to the present invention for forming an image with an ink jet method comprises an ink tank detachable on a carriage; a prism disposed in the ink tank, the prism being covered with ink when the tank is filled with ink and being exposed when the tank is empty; an optical ink sensor that has a light emitter for projecting light onto the prism and a light receiver for receiving a reflected light of the projected light to detect a presence/absence of ink in the ink tank; a reflector provided on an outer surface of the ink tank; and an optical ink tank sensor that has a light emitter for projecting light onto the reflector and a light receiver for receiving a reflected light of the projected light to detect a presence/absence of the ink tank, wherein the reflector, with the ink tank installed, reflects the light from the optical ink tank sensor back to the optical ink tank sensor and wherein the reflector, with no ink tank installed, does not return the light from the optical ink tank sensor back to the light receiver.
This is a case wherein the reflector is provided on the ink tank itself. This reflector may record thereon information of individual ink tanks that are readable by the optical ink tank sensor.


An assembly 2 comprises a rigid, self-supporting AM component 4 which is in the form of a T-shaped pipe having an elongate section 6 which is open at its ends 8, 10 and a section 12 which extends transversely to elongate section 6 and opens at its end 13. The component 4 forms internal walls of a capsule which is subjected to Hot Isostatic Pressing (HIP). External walls of the capsule are defined by sheet metal sections (referenced 14 in FIG. 1 and described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 3 to 5) and are arranged to define the outer shape of at least a portion of a final component made by HIP. Between its inner and outer walls a void is defined into which powdered metal 16 is introduced so the capsule encases the powdered metal 16. In use, the assembly is subjected to HIP and, thereafter, the sheet metal sections of the capsule are removed to define a final component comprising both the AM component 4 and HIPed powder 16.

The invention relates to components and particularly, although not exclusively, relates to a method of making metallic components and components made in the method per se. Preferred embodiments involve the use of Hot Isostatic Pressing (HIP).
Due to the ever increasing demands to produce complex-shaped components with enhanced properties on selected surfaces (e.g. to increase resistance to corrosion, wear or abrasion) in pumps, pipes, valves, manifolds and general components, in, amongst others, oil and gas, chemical, petrochemical, nuclear and general industrial application, the need to produce multi-metallic components which are suited to meet stringent requirements is increasing. Conventional manufacturing methods including weld overlay, surface coating, mechanical fixings and other cladding techniques are all limited to a line of sight coating or applicable only to a simple internal geometry to allow access for the cladding, weld or mechanical overlay techniques. The problems associated with access to apply these overlay techniques give rise to a high risk of failure of the weld, coating or mechanical bond and result in expensive quality testing, re-machining and re-application of the coating, cladding or mechanical overlay which significantly increases manufacturing costs.
Production of relatively complex shaped components using a mild steel sheet capsule which encapsulates powdered metal, which is then subjected to HIP is an established manufacturing method. In such a method, post HIP removal of the steel capsule is standard practice, resulting in a single homogeneous component to a near net shape configuration. The material properties of the component are uniform throughout. In a number of applications, it may be desirable to include materials of differing characteristics located in defined areas of the component that would benefit from those material characteristics. However, for consistency of manufacture and control of placement of the differing materials, it is difficult to accurately contain different powder materials within the same steel capsule.
It is an object of the present invention to address the above described problems.


A system for supporting a quilt to lay quilting lines is provided. A frame is configured to support a sewing machine. First and second are rollers mounted on said frame, and configured to hold quilting layers on a substantially horizontal path between said first and second rollers. A platform is mounted on said frame, the platform having tracks, a top of the platform being below said substantially horizontal path. A moveable support table is mounted on the tracks. A top of the moveable support table is less than approximately one inch below said substantially horizontal path. The moveable support table supports a quilt during the application of quilting lines thereto.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the manufacture of quilts. More specifically, the present invention relates to a moveable platform mounted on a quilting frame to support the quilt during pouncing.
2. Discussion of Background Information
A quilt is typically made of three layers. The top layer is a piecework or applique, typically of an artistic design. The middle layer is layer of stuffing known as "batting", and is used for warmth. Batting is most commonly cotton, but can be polyester, wool or silk. The bottom layer is one large layer of fabric. Quilting adds depth and a secondary design to the quilt top.
Over the years, a market developed for hand-made quilts, but stitching together the three layers by hand requires inordinate amounts of time. The increase in popularity of the quilting industry created a demand for quicker options for finishing quilts. The longarm quilting machine, long a staple of the industrial workshop, began to appear in homes.
A longarm quilting machine, such as manufactured by Al, is a large throated rolling sewing machine that sits on a large quilting frame that accommodates a full quilt. The frame has a roller system for loading the three layers of a quilt. Manufacturers of longarm quilting machines and quilting frames include GAMMILL, APQS (American Professional Quilting Systems), NOLTING and PRODIGY.
FIGS. 1 and 2 show a typical quilting frame 100. The various layers of material are fed from beneath a support surface 102 to a roller 104, typically called a "belly bar," which is a stationary pole. Tension from torquing the individual materials around roller 104 brings the various layers together. The multi-layer quilt 120 is then fed to another roller 106, which typically has a crank to wind up the multi-layer quilt 120 and keep it taught between rollers 104 and 106. Referring now also to FIG. 3, several grooves 108 extend laterally along support platform 102. The grooves may be embedded in platform 102, or defined by rails lying on top of platform 102. A long arm sewing machine 300 is mounted on a carriage 304 with wheels 302 spaced apart the same distance as grooves 108, and are shaped to engage whatever shape groove 108 is. This allows longarm sewing machine 300 to be mounted on the platform 102 with a limited range of movement along the defined path of the grooves 108. Additional wheels at the base of long arm sewing machine allow lateral movement (left to right in FIG. 3) on carriage 304.
Roller 106 is moveable between a lower position (FIG. 1) and an upper position (FIG. 5). When in the lower position, the quilt lies is substantially horizontal plane (subject to some potential mechanical offset and/or deformation in the quilt under its own weight near the center of rollers 104 and 106). The quilt thus hangs like a taught hammock above the support surface 102. When horizontal, the quilt lies several inches—typically 6-8 inches—above support platform 102 to provide clearance for the base of longarm quilting machine 300. In a typical GAMMILL frame, the quilt is approximately 7 inches above the table, although the exact height varies from manufacturer to manufacturer. The gap is necessary to allow the base of long arm sewing machine 300 with carriage 304 to reach under quilt 120.
Before the pattern can be stitched into quilt 120 with long arm sewing machine 300, the pattern must be laid out with quilting lines. A common method for marking quilting lines is called "pouncing." Three items are used for this technique; a stencil, pounce pad, and chalk. Stencils are MYLAR sheets with small dashed lines cut out to form intricate designs. A pounce pad is a container that allows the chalk to flow out through the weave of fabric. While the quilt 120 is suspended between rollers 104 and 106, the stencil is placed on the quilt top, and the chalk loaded pounce pad is rubbed over the stencil to form quilting lines. The lines define a quilting motif to follow with the sewing machine.
It is difficult to make distinct lines with chalk using the pouncing method. The resulting chalk lines need to stay in place long enough to stitch the desired design. Yet the chalk will bounce when long arm sewing machine 300 is used on the quilt 120, causing the quilting lines to become progressively unclear. If the chalk lines fade before the quilting motif is finished, the quilter will have to "eyeball" the pattern. Any imprecision in the eyeballing will skew the overall design of the final product, reducing its quality and value.

System and method for supporting a quilt for use with a long arm quilting machine


Provided is a method for manufacturing an SOI wafer, which is capable of: efficiently removing an ion-implanted defect layer existing in an ion implanted layer in the vicinity of a peeled surface peeled by an ion implantation peeling method; ensuring the in-plane uniformity of a substrate; and also achieving cost reduction and higher throughput. The method for manufacturing an SOI wafer includes at least the steps of: bonding a silicon wafer with or without an oxide film onto a handle wafer to prepare a bonded substrate, wherein the silicon wafer has an ion implanted layer formed by implanting hydrogen ions and/or rare gas ions into the silicon wafer; peeling the silicon wafer along the ion implanted layer, thereby transferring the silicon wafer onto the handle wafer to produce a post-peeling SOI wafer; immersing the post-peeling SOI wafer in an aqueous ammonia-hydrogen peroxide solution; and performing a heat treatment at a temperature of 900° C. or higher on the immersed post-peeling SOI wafer, and/or polishing a silicon film layer of the immersed post-peeling SOI wafer, through CMP polishing by 10 to 50 nm.

Silicon on insulator (SOI) substrates have been widely employed for devices so as to reduce parasitic capacitance, thereby achieving higher speed performance and improved power consumption.
In these years, there has been an increasing demand for a thin SOI wafer with an SOI layer (silicon layer) of 100 nm or thinner so as to fabricate a fully-depleted SOI device. This is because thinning an SOI layer expectedly leads to higher-speed performance of a device.
Along with the thinning of SOI layers, the in-plane thickness uniformity is demanded more strictly.
Generally, a thin film-SOI wafer is manufactured by the SOITEC process or the SiGen process. In such a process, hydrogen ions are implanted into a donor wafer in advance, the donor wafer is subsequently bonded onto a handle wafer, and a film is transferred from the donor side to the handle side along the hydrogen ion-implanted interface. In this event, however, approximately around 0.1 μm of an ion-implanted defect layer (amorphous layer) is left in the silicon thin film thus transferred, and an RMS surface roughness of approximately several nanometers or higher is introduced onto the surface of the thin film (see, for example, B. Asper "Basic Mechanisms involved in the Smart-Cut(R) process," Microelectronics Engineering, 36, p233 (1997)).
In this respect, the SOITEC process is carried out as follows. Specifically, both donor and handle wafers are bonded together at room temperature. Then, the wafers are heated to around 500° C. to form air holes, called microcavities, in the hydrogen-implanted interface, thereby causing thermal peeling. Thus, a film is transferred.
Meanwhile, the SiGen process is carried out as follows. Specifically, as a pretreatment of bonding both donor and handle wafers, the donor and handle wafers are subjected to a plasma-surface activation treatment, and the two are bonded (laminated) at room temperature. At this point, they achieve a strong bonding strength. A low-temperature (around 300° C.) heat treatment is performed if necessary. Then, a mechanical impact is applied to a hydrogen ion-implanted interface for peeling, so that a film is transferred. Since the SiGen process can be a low temperature process compared to the SOITEC process, the SiGen process is a method suitable for manufacturing a laminate (for example, silicon on quartz: SOQ) by bonding wafers having different thermal expansion coefficients.
Here, as described above, in the SOITEC process and the SiGen process, an ion-implanted defect layer which is introduced by the ion implantation exists on a surface portion of the peeled surface. Several methods for removing such a defect layer and smoothing the surface have been proposed.
One method is to polish a surface portion by approximately 0.1 μm that is approximately the same thickness as the thickness of an ion-implanted defect layer, thereby removing the ion-implanted defect layer. However, this method has a problem that in-plane uniformity in the thickness of the remaining film is hard to achieve due to unevenness in polishing.
As the other method, a method is conceived in which the crystallinity of a damaged layer is recovered by a high temperature heat treatment, then the surface is subjected to polishing by several tens of nm, called "touch polishing", to eliminate the asperity of the surface. It is also reported that the surface can be smoothed, in this event, using hydrogen or the like as an atmosphere gas without being subjected to the touch polishing step (see, for example, Nobuhiko Sato and Takao Yonehara "Hydrogen annealed silicon-on-insulator," Appl Phys Lett Vol 65, pp. 1924 (1994)).
However, as including the high temperature hydrogen heat treatment step, the above different method involves new problems such as metal contamination, warpage of the resulting substrate, increase in the manufacturing cost, reduction in the throughput, and so forth. Furthermore, this method has a disadvantage that uniformity in thickness between substrates, or uniformity in in-plane thickness of a substrate is hard to achieve, because the hydrogen gas etches silicon.
Moreover, if the handle wafer is an SOI wafer made of a low melting point material (such as quartz and glass) other than silicon, the handle wafer can not be subjected to such an additional high temperature heat treatment. Thus, the problem thereof is further serious.
Meanwhile, it is reported that according to observation by an AFM, a surface roughness of approximately 8 nm in RMS and asperity of approximately 64.5 nm in Peak to Valley (P-V) generally exist in a 1×1-μm area of a surface of an SOI wafer manufactured by a hydrogen ion-implantation method (the SOITEC process, the SiGen process, or the like), wherein the surface observed by an AFM is one immediately after transfer of the film (see, for example, "Science of SOI" Chapter 2, Realize Science & Engineering Center Co., Ltd.). Considering that the asperity of 64.5 mm exists even in such a small area of 1×1 μm, presumably a greater asperity (100 nm or more) would exist in the entire surface of the wafer. For this reason, the in-plane roughness of the surface needs to be reduced.


The present invention provides cervical implant (30) comprising an upper surface (38), a lower surface (40), a posterior portion (34) and an anterior portion (36) and including a perimeter (42) and one or more apertures (44,46) within said anterior portion for receiving securing means, said apertures having respective longitudinal axes M1, M2, characterised in that said axes extend in a direction substantially through said anterior portion (36) and converge at a point in a plane outside of said perimeter (42).

Bones and related structural body parts, for example spine and/or vertebral bodies and/or inter-vertebral discs, may become crushed or damaged as a result of trauma/injury, or damaged by disease (e.g. by tumour, auto-immune disease), or damaged as a result of degeneration through an aging process. In many such cases the structure can be repaired by replacing the damaged parts (e.g. vertebra and/or discs) with a prosthesis or implant. A method of repair is to remove the damaged part(s) (e.g. vertebra and/or partial vertebra and/or disc and/or partial disc) and replace it with an implant or prosthesis such that the implant or prosthesis is free standing or fastened in position between adjacent undamaged parts (e.g. adjacent vertebral bodies).
Associated with this method of repair, is fusion of the bone structure where the implant or prosthesis is placed. Typically an implant or prosthesis may consist of a central space surrounded by a continuous wall that is open at each end (e.g. superior and inferior). This form of implant or prosthesis is thought to allow bone to develop within the central space, developing from each extremity of the implant or prosthesis towards the centre. Typically an implant or prosthesis is secured directly to a bone structure by mechanical or biological means.
Many current implants and prostheses are hollow to allow bone growth within the hollow space. One problem, when replacing large structural sections, is that the relationship of length (or height) to cross sectional area of the central space is large. The larger this relationship, the more problems arise in providing an adequate blood and nutrient supply to allow fusion and or bone growth into the hollow centre, either in a timely manner, or at all. One solution to this problem is to make the central space with as large a cross section as possible. However, this is limited by the wall thickness and the material used for the implant or prosthesis, which determines its mechanical strength. For this reason, orthopaedic surgeons often pack the space within the implant or prosthesis with an injectable or mouldable bone growth encouraging material or with fragments of bone taken from other parts of the patients body i.e. autograft or bone from biocompatible sources, for example allograft or synthetic bone. Even then there may not be complete fusion of the implant or prosthesis into the bone structure.
The implant or prosthesis is attached to the adjacent vertebral body using a fixing e.g. a screw. A problem generally with such fixing or fixing systems is that, after insertion into the vertebral body, the fixing can work itself loose and/or back-out i.e. withdraw from the vertebral body. The consequence of back-out or loosening of the implant or prosthesis includes loss of stability, potential risk to the patient and a separate costly and often painful operation.
One of the applicant's own well known product is protected under U.S. Pat. No. 4,904,261 and provides a generally horse shoe shaped implant for use between vertebrae in the lower spine area. The arrangement includes a plurality of screws extending therethrough and into the adjacent vertebra so as to ensure the implant is securely located once positioned by a surgeon. The screw arrangement in this design is such as to cause the screws to converge at a point within the boundary of the implant when viewed form above.
Cervical implants are particularly problematic to design as their positioning dictates a very small size and requires good security of location once implanted and a low profile so as to reduce any portions thereof that may otherwise extend beyond the boundary of the implant. The small dimensions of such implants make achieving these goals somewhat difficult and the market demand does not appear to have been adequately met.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved cervical implant that may address one or more of the above-mentioned issues.


Methods that can manage power for memory subsystems are provided. One method includes providing power to a set of memory devices via a set of power modules, determining a first amount of power being consumed by the set of memory devices, and in response to a predetermined event, modifying a second amount of power provided to the set of memory devices via a set of spare power modules. Systems and apparatuses that can include, perform, and/or implement the method are also provided.

Increasing memory capacity and other advancements in technology continues to push the power requirements for memory subsystems. Specifically, growing memory density, especially with shrinking technology nodes and three-dimensional technology integration, present significant power and/or thermal challenges for various memory subsystems. For example, issues often arise with regards to how power is budgeted and/or distributed in a memory subsystem.
Some power budget and/or distribution issues can include the bulk power limit of a server node as it relates to the power budget limits of each of its subsystems (e.g., processor, memory, input/output (I/O) operations, cooling, etc.). That is, each subsystem is typically designed to operate with maximum performance within a designated power budget and the addition of greater quantities of memory devices and/or upgrading one or more existing memory devices with newer and/or more powerful memory devices can negatively impact memory performance since these additional and/or newer memory device(s) typically consume more power than the subsystem was designed to operate with and the subsystem is unable to meet the new power demand.

International Business Machines Corporation


This light-diffusing member includes a light-transmissive substrate, a plurality of wavelength-controlling layers formed on one surface of the light-transmissive substrate, and a light-diffusing portion formed on the one surface of the light-transmissive substrate in a region other than a region where the wavelength-controlling layers are formed. The light-diffusing portion includes a light-emitting end-surface that makes contact with the light-transmissive substrate and a light-incident end-surface that is opposite to the light-emitting end-surface and that has an area greater than an area of the light-emitting end-surface, and is made of a photosensitive resin; a height of the light-diffusing portion from the light-incident end-surface to the light-emitting end-surface is greater than a thickness of the wavelength-controlling layers; and the wavelength-controlling layers have characteristics that an optical absorptance at a first wavelength in a ultraviolet wavelength band is higher than an optical absorptance at a second wavelength in a visible-light wavelength band.

Liquid-crystal display devices are widely used as displays for mobile electronic apparatuses including mobile phones and the like or for television sets, personal computers, and so on. In general, it is conventionally known that liquid-crystal display devices excel in viewability from the front but have a narrow viewing angle, and various contrivances are thus being made to increase the viewing angle. In one of such contrivances, a configuration in which a member for diffusing light emitted from a display unit, such as a liquid-crystal panel, (hereinafter, referred to as a light-diffusing member) is provided to the viewing side of the display unit can be considered.
For example, PTL 1 indicated below discloses a light-diffusing member that includes a light-transmissive substrate, a light-diffusing portion having a tapered reflective surface and formed on one surface of the light-transmissive substrate, and a light-shielding portion formed on the one surface of the light-transmissive substrate in a region other than a region where the light-diffusing member is formed. The light-diffusing portion is formed by patterning a transparent negative resist while being irradiated with ultraviolet radiation from the side of the light-transmissive substrate with the light-shielding portion serving as a mask.

Light-diffusing member, method for manufacturing light-diffusing member, and display device


A multiple drive system of a food processor/mixer, comprising first, second and third drive outlets, each operable at different speeds. This system is incorporated with a planetary gear system. A motor with shaft, coupled to the first drive outlet, drives it at a selected speed. The shaft coupled with a first sun gear meshed in a ring gear drives a first set of planet gears. The second drive outlet, mounted on the arm of the first set of planet gears, drives at a different speed, and is coupled with a second sun gear meshed in the ring gear and drives a second set of planet gears. The third drive outlet, mounted on the arm of the second set of planet gears, drives at another different speed. The second and third drive outlets are driven at different speeds according to gear-ratio of the planetary gear system, without changing the input voltage.

1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to a food processor and mixer. In particular, the invention relates to a multiple drive system for a food processor and/or mixer which improves reliable processing for various types and hardness of foods.
2. Background
Different types of foods are best processed at different speeds. Many food processors have a speed control device, where the motor is driven at a different speed by changing voltage or by other electronic means. However, these systems can be less reliable and susceptible to speed and torque fluctuations. Therefore, such processors can often only process softer foods and thereby the overall performance and versatility for processing other types of foods such as harder, textured and raw foods are compromised.
Accordingly, there is a need for a multiple drive system for a food processor/mixer which can maintain an adequate speed and torque to improve the processing of various types of foods.

Multiple drive system for food processor and mixer

Huiyang Allan Plastic & Electric Industries Co., Limited


An archery bow, of the type having a central riser portion, and a pair of limbs extending therefrom with the bow string connected between the ends of each of the limbs respectively, across the length of the bow, further including an eccentric wheel at each end of the limbs respectively, for creating the mechanical ability to pull and shoot a bow of heavy draw weight without the effort of holding the draw weight. The invention would further comprise an offset, substantially centrally located handle portion secured to a rearwardly extending riser portion, so that the handle is offset in a "V" configuration, so that gripping of the handle along the horizontal plane of the riser allows one to position the bow in the horizontal positions, with the grip below the flight path of the arrow and string.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to archery. More particularly, the present invention relates to a compound bow providing a centrally situated offset handle for enabling the archer to cast the bow from a horizontal position rather than the vertical.
2. General Background
The bow is one of the oldest of hunting tools known to man, whose development of casting a projectile from a stringed stick occurred in many prehistoric cultures at least 30 millenniums ago, and has changed very little over that time. This instrument of both war and game gathering is depicted in various cave and rock dwellings of Europe, Asia, Africa, and the New World. With the exception of firearms, and gunpowder, the bow and arrow has had the greatest impact on the outcome of the wars and conquest of the great civilizations of Europe and Asia. The bow and arrow as an instrument of war reached its greatest development after the Norman invasions of England in the Battle of Hastings, and figured heavily in England's victory over the French in the Battle of Crecy. The longbow, the principal bow which more than any other displayed the remarkable feats of the English yeoman after the conquest, displaced the much shorter Norman bow. Their superb marksmanship with the longbow is legion, deciding many a battle.
Many British monarchs practiced archery, and were responsible for its promotion and regulation of exacting standards of skill, equipment specification, practice and distribution among its subjects. As a weapon of war, the bow and arrow was replaced by firearms, and became a tool of leisure, managing to intrigue enough followers to carry on its popularity.
The bow and arrow figured significantly in the taming of the American West by explorers and settlers, as it was a formidable weapon in the hands of the American Indians, and again it was gunpowder that eventually prevailed and caused the defeat of the Indians by the settlers and the military in conquest of western lands. With the exception of primitive Indians of South America, and native tribes of Oceania, such as the Solomon Islands, New Hebrides, and New Guinea, whose culture and customs remain relatively unchanged, the bow today is recreational.
The basic bow was a self-bow, or a stave cut from a single piece of wood, which was braced or strung with sinew, and later waxed string. English yew longbows later were backed with skin, and the Asian cultures made use of a shorter composite bow, made from wood, sinew and bone. This strong, compact bow served the Nomadic horseman well under the leadership of Genghis Khan, Attila The Hun, and Alexander the Great, who all conquered on horseback.
American bow development which gained impetus after Saxton Pope and Arthur Young befriended the Yana Indian, Ishi, in 1911 saw first skin-backed yew bows and later lamination of wood, and fiberglass in the recurve bows and longbows. The latest development in bows came during the late 60's with the compound bow, with its use of cables, eccentric wheels and let off, which allowed one to mechanically pull and shoot a bow of a heavy draw weight without the effort of holding the draw weight. This has been the single most improvement in the history of archery, and has opened up a pasttime to archers who otherwise may not have taken up archery, as the compound allows one to become an efficient archer in a short period of time, and has reached a new height in technology with state of the art high energy cams, fiberglass limbs, magnesium risers, quick-change modules for adjusting the draw length, multiple draw-weights on the same bow, with take-down possibility for portability. This invention has opened up a whole new industry whose sole purpose is to come up with as many new-fangled accessories to make the compound as pleasant and pleasurable to shoot as an archer could wish.
In all this time however, the bow and arrow has remained unchanged in technique. It still requires an arrow (shaft) nocked on a string, pulled with sufficient force against the bow arm holding the central riser and limbs, until released to the target, only the material and the way that material is used has changed.
The following patents have been issued which may be considered pertinent art:
U.S. Pat. No. 4,124,014 issued to Darlington, entitled "Grip Mount For A Compound Bow", relates to an adjustable bow assembly, for allowing an attachment of a grip that is adjustable for permitting the stated variation of the draw distance. The grip is so attached for allowing it to slide either forward or rearward of the vertical handle. This feature is found in compound archery by the multi-draw wheel, and replaceable modules that permit changing of the draw length from the standard 28" cloth yard to inches below and above that. The invention is attached to a vertical portion of the bow (the riser), and in purpose does not mention horizontal casting capabilities. For it to have these capabilities, it must have a sight window and a riser designed for this express purpose, as a standard vertical riser negates stable arrow flight when turned on its side to be cast cross-wise. Even after the sight window and riser is considered, another crucial problem is the attachment of the handle to the riser area. A grip as shown in the diagram numbered 50 joined 90 degrees or right angles to the main riser section will not allow the string when nocked with an arrow to clear the armpit, preventing correct arrow full draw and release in straight arrow flight, not to mention a tremendous slapping of the biceps and upper forearm with the string when released.
U.S Pat. No. 4,603,676 issued to Louma, entitled "Bow Drawback Mechanism", is a mechanism which can be used only with the crossbow. This device as invented can only be used with a crossbow, as stated in item 20 of the summary of the invention "to provide a cocking mechanism adapted for crossbows". This said device serves the same purpose as the standard crossbow gun stock, it simply replaced the fore-end and butt-section with a forward (vertical) grip and a rearward grip trigger mechanism, joined by a connecting rod 14 that holds the fore 28 and aft 40 grips in a stationary position. All of which allows cocking of the bolt along the connecting rod, held at the aft grip 40, storing of the energy in the limbs along this connecting rod 14, until the the trigger mechanism 42 is disengaged at the rearward grip thus releasing this energy. The crossbow is described in the description of the prior art, and has its own manner of cocking and shooting procedures, and in no way shares any procedural art with conventional longbow, recurve, and compound archery.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,344,799 issued to Brown, entitled "Archery Bow", relates to a bow having an offset handle portion that allows the arrow to be cast through the center of the handle, (plane of the bow) or where the handle normally would be. It claims improved bow construction, enabling greater shooting accuracy and increased shooting power with the application of the same or less force needed in shooting a bow under normal circumstances. This claim from 1941 is no longer valid, as the compound bow that came into development in the late 60's, laid all these assertions to rest. Anyone familiar with modern archery is aware of the current ease, power, and accuracy of the compound bow with its cables, eccentrics, multi-draw length modules, and 50 percent let off, making the compound the most powerful, accurate, and efficient bow in use today.
The features of the "Archery Bow" were intended for a vertical bow, and does not address horizontal casting, as from the drawings it would have been impossible to perform, as there would be no sight window or arrow rest provided for horizontal casting of an arrow, not to mention the impossibility of clearing the armpits with the string attached to limbs with an offset handle left in its present position, along the riser path, since most of the riser section is cut away.
The remainder of the patents, i.e., U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,343,286; 4,457,287; and 4,203,412 were included in the search since they teach handles for compound bows that allow the archer to grip the bow off center.


An accessory that is readily around a tennis player's waist holds enough tennis balls to effectively play a game, but not too many so as to crowd the player's stroke. A bag made of nylon has an interior volume which holds the tennis balls, accessible through an opening with a piece of elastic biasing the bag closed at the opening. A nylon cord attached to a key ring is sewn to the bag so that the key ring extends into the interior volume adjacent the opening. The front and back panels making up the bag are preferably folded at their side edges, and first stitching is provided at a first fold and second stitching at a spaced location from the first fold, for maximum strength and durability. A nylon pouch large enough to hold a cell phone or eyeglasses may be attached to the back panel of the bag so that the pouch is hidden when the bag is worn on a belt around a human's waist with the front panel of the bag facing outwardly.

The average tennis player wants to be able to spend most of his/her time on the court in actually playing, rather than collecting balls, trying to find his or her keys or cell phone, or worrying about them being stolen, etc. According to the present invention an accessory for tennis players is provided which holds tennis balls in association with the user while the user is playing tennis in an optimum manner, and provides additional functionality. The accessory according to the invention comfortably holds enough balls (typically at least four, preferably exactly six regulation tennis balls) to play a typical game without having to stop to search for or collect balls, so that the game keeps moving; but not so many balls as to crowd the user's stroke. The accessory according to the invention can be worn on the front, side, or wherever it feels most comfortable.
The accessory according to the present invention is constructed of rugged material, and in an effective manner, so that it will have the maximum life, washability, and resistance to tearing or wear, while being as light as possible. Also, a key ring can be mounted in the interior volume of the accessory so that one can readily keep his/her keys (such as a key to a locker, house, or car) on the court, and doesn't have to worry about them being lost or stolen. Similarly, a hidden pouch may be provided on the back of the accessory which fits a cell phone, eyeglasses, pager, credit cards, ID or the like. This enhances the versatility and functionality of the accessory even more.
According to one aspect of the present invention an accessory for holding tennis balls in association with a tennis player (user) while the user is playing tennis is provided. The accessory comprises the following components: a bag formed of nylon and comprising: A back panel with a top and a bottom and first and second sides, and a first length from the top to the bottom thereof; a front panel having a top and a bottom and first and second sides and a second length from the top to the bottom thereof, the second length less than the first length so that the top and bottom of the front and rear panels are spaced from each other; and attachment means for holding the front panel to the back panel along or adjacent the first and second side edges of the front panel. The front and back panels are integral at the bottoms thereof. An interior volume of the bag defined between the front and rear panels, and an opening being provided at the top of the front panel large enough for passage of a regulation tennis ball therethrough, and the interior volume being large enough to hold at least four regulation tennis balls therein with ready access through the opening. Elastic at the opening associated with the front panel for biasing the front panel to partially close the opening. And a belt attachment at the top of the back panel.
For example, the volume may be large enough to hold exactly six regulation tennis balls. Preferably, there also is provided a nylon cord (which may be elastic) attached to at least one of the front and back panels, and to a key ring, so that the key ring extends into the interior volume adjacent the opening. Keys on the key ring do not interfere with access to the balls or play, but can be retained in association with the player. The nylon cord typically may be sewn to both the front and back panels adjacent the side edges thereof.
Typically, the attachment means comprises stitching, and in order to provide maximum strength and durability, the front and back panels are folded to define a first fold at said side edges thereof, and wherein said stitching comprises first stitching not visible from the exterior of said bag at said first fold, and second stitching spaced from said first fold and visible from the exterior of said bag.
Typically, the belt attachment comprises an elongated belt loop formed in the back panel; and further comprises a belt extending through the elongated belt loop and having a plastic male fastener at or adjacent a first end thereof, and a cooperating plastic female fastener at or adjacent a second end thereof. Also, preferably the accessory further comprises a nylon pouch large enough to hold a cell phone or eyeglasses attached to the back panel opposite the front panel so that the pouch is hidden when the bag is worn on a belt around a human's waist with the front panel facing outwardly from the human.
The accessory is preferably dimensioned so that the bag interior volume is, at the bottoms of said front and back panels, about 9 inches wide, and has a height of about 7 inches, and the bag is preferably made from a single piece of nylon fabric having dimensions of about 10 by 20 inches, and the attachment means comprises stitching.
According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided an accessory for holding tennis balls comprising: a bag formed of nylon and comprising: A back panel with a top and a bottom and first and second sides, and a first length from the top to the bottom thereof; a front panel having a top and a bottom and first and second sides and a second length from the top to the bottom thereof, the second length less than the first length so that the top and bottom of the front and rear panels are spaced from each other; and attachment means for holding the front panel to the back panel along or adjacent the first and second side edges of the front panel. The front and back panels are integral at the bottoms thereof. An interior volume of the bag defined between the front and rear panels, and an opening being provided at the top of the front panel large enough for passage of a regulation tennis ball therethrough, and the interior volume being large enough to hold at least one regulation tennis ball therein with ready access through the opening. Elastic at the opening associated with the front panel for biasing the front panel to partially close the opening. A nylon cord attached to at least one of the front and back panels, and to a key ring, so that the key ring extends into the interior volume adjacent the opening. And a belt attachment at the top of the back panel. The details of the accessory are preferably as described above.
According to yet another aspect of the present invention there is provided an accessory for holding tennis balls comprising: A bag formed of nylon and comprising: a back panel with a top and a bottom and first and second sides, and a first length from the top to the bottom thereof; a front panel having a top and a bottom and first and second sides and a second length from the top to the bottom thereof, the second length less than the first length so that the top and bottom of the front and rear panels are spaced from each other; and attachment means for holding the front panel to the back panel along or adjacent the first and second side edges of the front panel. The front and back panels are integral at the bottoms thereof. An interior volume of the bag defined between the front and rear panels, and an opening being provided at the top of the front panel large enough for passage of a regulation tennis ball therethrough, and the interior volume being large enough to hold at least one regulation tennis ball therein with ready access through the opening. Elastic at the opening associated with the front panel for biasing the front panel to partially close the opening wherein the front and back panels are folded to define a first fold at the side edges thereof, and wherein the stitching comprises first stitching not visible from the exterior of the bag at the first fold, and second stitching spaced from the first fold and visible from the exterior of the bag. And a belt attachment at the top of the back panel. The details of the accessory may be as described above.
The present invention provides a more durable and/or functional construction than in the prior art, allowing a tennis match to proceed more smoothly, without interruption, while still not interfering with the player's stroke, and providing additional functionality of holding important other items directly on the player's body without significant interference with his or her ability to play a match. In this regard the invention has advantages compared to conventional constructions for similar purposes, such as shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,259,541, 5,289,960, and 4,079,871 (the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein).
It is a primary object of the present invention to provide an advantageous accessory for holding tennis balls while a user is playing tennis. This and other objects of the invention will become clear from an inspection of the detailed description of the invention and from the appended claims.


Integrated circuit devices having improved interlayer dielectric (ILD) layer topography and methods of fabrication thereof are disclosed herein. An exemplary integrated circuit device includes a first gate structure having a first height disposed over a substrate in a first region and a second gate structure having a second height disposed over the substrate in a second region. The second height is less than the first height. A first contact etch stop layer is disposed over the first gate structure. A second contact etch stop layer disposed over the second gate structure. The first contact etch stop layer has a first thickness, the second contact etch stop layer has a second thickness, and the second thickness is greater than the first thickness. An interlayer dielectric layer is disposed over the first contact etch stop layer and the second contact etch stop layer. A difference between a first sum of the first height and the first thickness and a second sum of the second height and the second thickness is less than or equal to about 10%.

The integrated circuit (IC) industry has experienced exponential growth. Technological advances in IC materials and design have produced generations of ICs, where each generation has smaller and more complex circuits than the previous generation. In the course of IC evolution, functional density (i.e., the number of interconnected devices per chip area) has generally increased while geometry size (i.e., the smallest component (or line) that can be created using a fabrication process) has decreased. This scaling down process generally provides benefits by increasing production efficiency and lowering associated costs. However, these advances have also increased complexity of manufacturing ICs and, for these advances to be realized, similar developments in IC processing and manufacturing are needed.
For example, IC fabrication typically involves forming a device layer that includes various IC devices on a wafer (substrate) and then forming a multilayer interconnect (MLI) feature over the device layer that facilitates operation of the various IC devices. In some implementations, the MLI feature includes an interlayer dielectric (ILD) layer disposed over the device layer and intermetal dielectric (IMD) layers disposed over the ILD layer. The IMD layers include electrically conductive interconnect structures (for example, metal interconnect structures) that are configured to route and/or distribute signals between the IC devices and/or components of the IC devices. Since topography of the ILD layer conforms to topography of underlying layer(s), such as the device layer, any topography variation in the underlying layer(s) is often transferred to the ILD layer. For example, height variation among the IC devices that cause topography variation in the device layer (in other words, some regions of the device layer are "taller" or "shorter" than other regions) lead to the ILD layer exhibiting topography variation even after performing a planarization process (for example, a chemical mechanical polishing process). Such topography variation can lead to degraded IC device performance or even IC device failure. Accordingly, although existing IC fabrication methods have been generally adequate for their intended purposes, they have not been entirely satisfactory in all respects (for example, in adequately controlling ILD topography).

Methods for improving interlayer dielectric layer topography

TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.


An integrated circuit with a high precision MIM capacitor and a high precision resistor with via etch stop landing pads on the resistor heads that are formed with the capacitor bottom plate material. A process of forming an integrated circuit with a high precision MIM capacitor and a high precision resistor where via etch stop landing pads over the resistor heads are formed using the same layer that is used to form the capacitor bottom plate.

Metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitors are well known. They are typically formed within the interconnect layers of an integrated circuit by depositing a metallic bottom plate, depositing a capacitor dielectric and then depositing, patterning and etching a metallic top plate. Typically to save cost and processing steps the top or bottom plate of the MIM capacitor may be formed using one of the layers of interconnect. For high precision MIM capacitors, however, the top and bottom plates are typically formed using separate metallic layers such as TaN and are not formed using interconnect material.
Metal resistors also may be formed within the interconnect layers of an integrated circuit. In some instances when both a MIM capacitor and a metal resistor are required, one of the plates of the MIM capacitor may be formed using an interconnect layer and the the other MIM capacitor plate material may also be used to form a metal resistor. While a process such as this may be used for many metal resistors, high precision metal resistors typically are formed of a very thin layer of a metallic material such as nichrome (NiCr), sichrome (SiCr), or TaSiN. These very thin metallic layers typically are too resistive to be used as a MIM capacitor plate.
In contrast to resistors located in the silicon substrate which suffer from relatively large parasitic capacitance to the substrate, metallic resistors have much less parasitic capacitance, since they are formed in the interconnect layers which are farther removed from the substrate. Hence, metallic resistors are preferred for high frequency RF applications.
A typical process flow for integrating a precision thin film metallic resistor into an integrated circuit manufacturing flow containing a high precision MIM capacitor may add three or four additional patterning steps and several thin film deposition and etch steps. One masking and etching step may be used to define the resistor which may be formed of a very thin film on the order of 1 nm to 10 nm to achieve high values of resistance. Since the resistor material is so thin, a special resistor contact pattern and etch may be required to form good electrical contact without damage to the thin resistor material. An alternative method that is used forms conductive etch stop landing pads over the heads of the thin film resistor which adds additional deposition, patterning, and etching steps. The addition of a high precision metal resistor to an integrated circuit manufacturing flow that also contains a high precision MIM capacitor typically adds significant additional cycletime and cost.

Integration of precision MIM capacitor and precision thin film resistor


(1) A tissue-covering medical material which comprises a soluble cellulose derivative having been made hardly soluble in water, which is used with a purpose of being embedded in the body or applied to the tissue, and (2) a method for producing the tissue-covering medical material as defined in (1), which comprises, as a method to make a soluble cellulose derivative hardly soluble in water, freezing and thawing an acidic solution of the soluble cellulose derivative, are provided.

As a soluble cellulose derivative, methyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose, carboxymethylethyl cellulose and the like are known. Among them, carboxymethyl cellulose having a carboxymethyl group introduced thereinto (hereinafter, carboxymethyl cellulose means sodium carboxymethyl cellulose in accordance with general appellation) is a representative one, and is widely used in a food field or as e.g. a water-absorptive material utilizing its viscoelasticity, and its application extends to a medical field.
With respect to application of carboxymethyl cellulose to a medical field, a report has been made such that an effect of a carboxymethyl cellulose aqueous solution or one obtained by drying and molding it, as an adhesion preventive, has been confirmed, however, no adequate effect has been obtained (American Journal of Surgery, Vol. 169, 154-159 (1995)). JP-A-1-301624 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,906,997 disclose an adhesion preventive comprising a carboxymethyl cellulose composition using a chemical cross-linking agent or a chemical modifying agent, and an adhesion preventive in a film-form, which is a composition obtained by modifying hyaluronic acid and carboxymethyl cellulose with a carbodiimide, developed based on JP-A-5-508161 and JP-A-6-508169, "Seprafilm" (manufactured by Genzyme Corporation) is commercially available.
However, no example has been found wherein a carboxymethyl cellulose having been made hardly soluble in water, which is substantially unmodified, is used for an adhesion preventive.
With respect to a wound dressing, JP-A-11-322615 discloses a wound-curing agent comprising carboxymethyl cellulose and fibrin, JP-A-7-109220 discloses a wound-curing agent comprising carboxymethyl cellulose and a disinfectant, and German Patent No. 1397893 discloses a wound-curing agent comprising carboxymethyl cellulose and an anti-inflammatory agent. Further, JP-A-8-505258 and European Patent No. 47647 disclose a wound dressing comprising a crosslinked carboxymethyl cellulose. All of them comprise a soluble carboxymethyl cellulose or carboxymethyl cellulose crosslinked by means of e.g. a chemical cross-linking agent, and a use of carboxymethyl cellulose having been made hardly soluble in water, which is unmodified, as a wound dressing, is not disclosed similar to the case of an adhesion preventive.
On the other hand, as an implant in a form of a block to be used with a purpose of bone repair, for example, JP-A-62-39506 discloses a porous sponge having chitin crosslinked therewith by means of a chemical, JP-A-3-23864 discloses a composite material in a form of a block comprising a collagen sponge and polylactic acid, and JP-A-7-505643 discloses an excellent bone-substituting agent having biocompatibility and bioabsorptivity, comprising a hyaluronate. However, a porous sponge is non-absorptive in the body, whereby it is not completely substituted by the bone, and there are a risk of infection and a risk of the material itself being separated, and further, in a case where collagen is used, there is such a defect that atelocollagen has a slight antigenicity.
Further, a chemical carrier (Pharm. Develop. Tech., Vol. 4, 55-63 (1999)), a cell culture medium (J. M. S.—Pure Appl. Chem., Vol. A33, 1875-1884 (1996)), a polypeptide growth factor-containing gel composition (U.S. Pat. No. 5,705,485) and the like are reported or disclosed, but in all cases, carboxymethyl cellulose to be used is different from that in the present invention.
Conventionally, for example, to improve material characteristics such as viscoelasticity of carboxymethyl cellulose for example, a chemically crosslinked carboxymethyl cellulose by means of glyoxal as disclosed in JP-A-10-251447, a carboxymethyl cellulose gel mixed with multivalent metal ions as disclosed in JP-A-63-37143, a carboxymethyl cellulose gel by means of a bivalent or trivalent metal salt as disclosed in JP-A-7-090121, and a carboxymethyl cellulose gel by addition of a basic aluminum acetate as disclosed in JP-A-11-106561, has been considered. However, to such a modified carboxymethyl cellulose, a chemical cross-linking agent is used or metal ions are added, and a material containing no such material has been desired in view of safety when used as medical products.
As the method to obtain a carboxymethyl cellulose having been made hardly soluble in water, a method of leaving an acidic solution of carboxymethyl cellulose to stand (Encyclopedia of Polymer Science & Technology, Vol. 3, 520-539 (1965)), a method of adding a strong acid to a granular carboxymethyl cellulose in the presence of methyl alcohol or ethyl alcohol (Colloid Polym. Sci., Vol. 267, 226-236 (1989)) and a method of using a strong ionic cation exchange resin (U.S. Pat. No. 2,617,800) may, for example, be mentioned. Further, a method of concentrating an acidic solution of carboxymethyl cellulose by means of ultracentrifugation may also be used. However, in these methods, there are problems in handling properties and time until a carboxymethyl cellulose having been made hardly soluble in water is obtained, yield, and such a problem that it tends to be difficult to form the obtained carboxymethyl cellulose having been made hardly soluble in water into a sheet, film, sponge or tube.
In order to achieve the above objects, the present inventors have conducted extensive studies on physicochemical characteristics of the soluble cellulose derivative itself and its effect on the body. As a result, they have found that a soluble cellulose derivative having been made hardly soluble in water, obtained by an acid treatment, which has conventionally been reported, has a high effect as a tissue-covering medical material such as an adhesion preventive or a wound dressing. Further, they have found that a material produced by a means of freezing and thawing a soluble cellulose derivative aqueous solution under an acidic condition, which has not conventionally been studied, has a fibrous or fill-like fine structure due to an effect of ice crystals formed during freezing. It was clarified that the soluble cellulose derivative having been made hardly soluble in water obtained by freezing and thawing is not only easily formed into a sheet, a film, a sponge or the like, but also easily formed into a sheet, a film, a tube or the like in a uniform form after it is crushed by means of a mixer or supersonic wave, and it has excellent material characteristics as a medical material, as compared with a soluble cellulose derivative having been made hardly soluble in water prepared by an acid treatment which has conventionally been known.
Further, with respect to adaptability in application to the body, candidates which have a controlled solubility which is an important physical property, and which has an extremely high adhesion preventive effect and high adaptability could be found, and the present invention has been accomplished.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Use of soluble cellulose derivative having been made hardly soluble in water and process for producing the same


Methods and apparatuses for determining the wearing status of body worn devices are disclosed. In one example, RSSI values are processed to identify the wearing status of a body worn device.

The ability to determine whether a body wearable device such as a headset is currently being worn or carried (herein referred to as "donned") by the user is useful in a variety of contexts. For example, whether a user's headset is donned as opposed to placed on a stationary surface (herein referred to as "ditched") indicates the user's ability or willingness to communicate, often referred to as user "presence". User presence is increasingly important as the methods, devices, and networks by which people may communicate, at any given time or location, proliferate. Presence information is gathered and reported in network communication systems by unified communications (UC) applications and services.
As applied to the field of headsets, presence information may include, for example, whether the headset is being worn by the user, whether the headset is being carried by the user, the proximity of the user to the base station, other usage information related to the headset, and whether the user desires to be called. The determination of whether a user's headset is donned is also useful in a variety of other contexts in addition to presence.
As a result, improved methods and apparatuses for determining the wearing status of a body-wearable device are needed.

Device wearing status determination using RSSI