An artificial turf remover and infill separator comprising an artificial turf removing station, an infill separating station and an artificial turf collection station. The infill separating station comprises rotatable spinning devices comprises corners, wherein each corner comprises chain links. The artificial turf remover and infill separator is utilized by positioning a strip of artificial turf on an angular ramp, conveying the artificial turf over a first pair of rotatable rollers, conveying the artificial turf between a second pair of rotatable rollers, separating infill from the artificial turf via fin-shaped picks, square-shaped rotatable diggers and the rotatable spinning devices, wherein the chain links jostle the infill material from the artificial turf onto a first and second infill collection conveyor belt. The artificial turf is then conveyed over a first and second base roller, between a rear pair of counter-rotating rollers and then wound around a final artificial turf collection roller.

1. Technical Field of the Invention
The preferred embodiment relates generally to an artificial turf remover and infill separator, and method of use thereof, and more specifically to an artificial turf remover and infill separator comprising an artificial turf removing station, an infill separating station and an artificial turf collecting station. The infill separating station comprises fin-shaped picks and rotatable diggers that remove infill from the face of the artificial turf as it is turned upside down. Additionally, the infill separating station comprises rotatable spinning devices having chain links secured thereto, that whip against collected artificial turf to jostle loose the infill material.
2. Description of Related Art
Artificial turf is commonly utilized on football fields, baseball fields, golf courses and the like. Unlike natural grass, one benefit of artificial turf is that it does not require watering in the summer months, nor does it freeze in the winter months. Additionally, artificial turf is advantageous because it does not require mowing, fertilizing and/or airing.
Typically, artificial turf comprises a mat of polymeric filaments and an infill material. The infill material may comprise, for exemplary purposes only, combinations of sand, crushed rubber and/or plastic granules. To install the artificial turf, several mats are rolled out onto a field and glued or sewed together, and subsequently the infill material is evenly distributed on top of the mat, penetrating down between the filaments.
While artificial turf is advantageous in many respects, it needs to be replaced with new artificial turf approximately every eight to ten years. The reasons for replacing artificial turf may be because the artificial turf is worn out, or because the artificial turf has been installed inappropriately, for example, base drainage is poor.
Currently there exist several devices and methods for removing and/or replacing artificial turf. One device teaches lifting a strip of turf from a ground base and directing the turf through a separating and winding section by means of powered guide rollers. The separating section separates infill material from the turf, and the winding station rolls the turf around a central shaft into a compact, transportable form. The device comprises at least one rotatable grinder structure. In one embodiment, the grinder structure consists of a square section with a round bar welded to each corner. During the separating process, the square-shaped grinder rotates via drive means as the artificial turf is directed past it, with the grinder being arranged in such a position that the rounded bars on each corner contact the turf in a cyclic manner. However, while such a device utilizes grinder structures with rounded bars to remove infill material, it does not invert the turf to remove infill material, and thus does not efficiently remove all the infill material.
Another previous device teaches a method for loosening artificial turf infill. The device comprises a rotating drum with multiple fin-shaped prongs extending therefrom. The machine is either pushed or pulled along artificial turf, such that the elongated prongs extend into the artificial turf to dislodge any infill material within. While such a device is useful in removing infill from artificial turf, it utilizes only fin-shaped prongs to dislodge the infill material and does not turn the turf upside down to remove the infill material, and thus does not efficiently remove all the infill material.
Yet another machine teaches a process of turf removal by which artificial turf is withdrawn along a path from a floor surface having artificial turf onto a driven take-up roll. Before being rolled, the artificial turf is directed through a separating section which dislodges dirt from the turf. The dislodging mechanism involves a rotating drum provided with extended beater bars that engage the turf to comb dirt therefrom and forcing it to fall onto a collection area. However, while such a device utilizes beater bars to remove infill material, it does not invert the turf to comb infill from the artificial turf, and thus does not efficiently remove all the infill material.
Therefore, it is readily apparent that there is a need for an artificial turf remover and infill separator that utilizes a variety of methods that penetrate the face and flail the back side of collected artificial turf, thereby efficiently removing infill from the collected artificial turf.

Artificial turf remover and infill separator, and method of use thereof


Computing assemblies, such as blade servers, can comprise a plurality of modular computing elements coupled onto an associated circuit board assembly. Assemblies and systems having enhanced individual computing module placement and arrangement are discussed herein, as well as example systems and operations to manufacture such assemblies. In one example, a method includes executing a performance test on a plurality of computing modules to determine at least variability in power consumption across the plurality of computing modules, and binning the plurality of computing modules according to graduated levels of the variability in power consumption. The method also includes selecting from among the graduated levels for placement in an assembly of ones of the computing modules in a progressively lower power consumption arrangement with relation to an airflow of the assembly.

Networked storage and computing systems have been introduced which store and process large amounts of data in enterprise-class storage environments. Networked storage systems typically provide access to bulk data storage, while networked computing systems provide remote access to shared computing resources. These networked storage systems and remote computing systems can be included in high-density installations, such as rack-mounted environments. Various computing and storage solutions have been offered using large installations of high-density rack-mount equipment. In some instances, collections of integrated circuits, such as processor devices and peripheral circuitry employed in computing systems, can be integrated into modular equipment, referred to as blade servers. These blade servers are compact modular computing equipment that include a chassis and enclosure, as well as various cooling or airflow equipment. A large collection of the modular blade servers can be included in each rack of a rack-mount environment, to provide for multiple instances of similar hardware with a low physical footprint. However, power consumption in these high-density configurations can create waste heat and other undesired effects for integrated components. When these components rise in temperature, associated efficiencies and reliability can be reduced, and failures can result. Many times, oversized cooling components, such as large active cooling systems and heatsinks, are included to attempt to reduce the effects of temperature rise, which can lead to increased cost, size, weight, and complexity, as well as lower equipment densities within racks.

Thermal arrangement of modules in server assemblies


A PDP having a new discharge cell structure that improves light emission efficiency and light transmission by reducing reactive power that does not contribute to a discharge by reducing a displacement current between discharge electrodes includes: a transparent front substrate; a rear substrate arranged parallel to the front substrate; a plurality of front barrier ribs arranged between the front substrate and the rear substrate to define discharge cells together with the front substrate and the rear substrate, wherein each of the barrier ribs includes a front unit of a dielectric material, a rear unit of a dielectric material, and a central unit of a dielectric material having a lower dielectric constant than that of the front unit and the rear unit, the central unit being interposed between the front unit and the rear unit; a front discharge electrode and a rear discharge electrode disposed in the front barrier ribs surrounding the discharge cells, and separated from each other leaving the central unit therebetween; a plurality of rear barrier ribs arranged between the front barrier ribs and the rear substrate; fluorescent layers arranged in spaces defined by the rear barrier ribs; and a discharge gas filling the discharge cells.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a high efficiency Plasma Display Panel (PDP).
2. Related Art
A front panel of an alternate type three electrode surface discharge PDP comprises a front substrate, sustaining electrode pairs including Y electrodes and X electrodes formed on the rear surface of the front substrate, a front dielectric layer covering the sustaining electrode pairs, and a protection film covering the front dielectric layer. Each of the Y electrodes and X electrodes includes transparent electrodes and bus electrodes. The bus electrodes are connected to connecting cables on the left and right sides of the PDP.
A rear panel of an alternate type three electrode surface discharge PDP comprises a rear substrate, address electrodes crossing the sustaining electrode pairs on the front surface of the rear substrate, a rear dielectric layer covering the address electrodes, barrier ribs formed on the rear dielectric layer to define discharge cells, and fluorescent layers in the discharge cells. The address electrodes are connected to connecting cables on the upper and lower surfaces of the PDP.
The above-noted PDP has the problem of reduced transmission of visible light from the fluorescent layers in the discharge cells, since the sustaining electrode pairs causing a discharge, the front dielectric layer, and the protection film are formed on the rear surface of the front substrate, thereby reducing the brightness of the PDP.
Also, all of the sustaining electrode pairs except the bus electrodes are formed of ITO electrodes, which have a high resistance, since the sustaining electrode pairs causing a discharge are formed on the rear surface of the front substrate. This increases the operating voltage. Also, when the PDP is large, the high resistance of the ITO electrodes causes a voltage drop in the sustaining electrode pairs. This results in non-uniform images of the PDP.
Also, in the PDP, the discharge occurs at the rear of the protection film in the discharge cells, since the sustaining electrode pairs causing a discharge are formed on the rear surface of the front substrate through which the visible light passes. The occurrence of discharge on one surface among inner surfaces of the discharge cell reduces light emitting efficiency. Also, when the PDP is operated for a long time, charged particles accelerated by the electric field can cause an ion sputtering problem on the fluorescent layers by colliding with the fluorescent layers 125, thereby causing a permanent latent image.
In the PDP, a pulse voltage is applied to the address electrodes and the X electrodes. This results in a potential difference between the address electrodes and the X electrodes to generate a discharge. The discharge generates a wall charge on the rear surface of the protection film of a particular discharge cell. When an electric potential difference lower than the electric potential difference between the address electrodes and the X electrodes is generated alternately in the sustaining electrode pair, an electric potential difference greater than a predetermined firing voltage is generated on the rear surface of the protection film with the aid of the wall charge, causing a sustaining discharge. The wall charge is accumulated on the rear surface of the protection film by the pulse voltage applied to the sustaining electrode pair. From this result, a displacement current Iad flows between the X electrodes and the protection film and between the Y electrodes and the protection film. On the other hand, a pulse voltage is alternately generated between the sustaining electrode pair in the front dielectric layer, and a displacement current Iam flows since the pulse voltage changes according to time. The displacement current Iam does not contribute to forming the wall charge but is consumed as reactive power. The consumption of reactive power includes reactive power formed by the displacement current caused by the potential difference which changes according to time and flows in the dielectric, and power consumption caused by heat generated by a non-ideal dielectric. The consumption of the reactive power eventually increases the operating voltage of the PDP and reduces efficiency.

High efficiency plasma display panel (PDP) provided with electrodes within laminated dielectric barrier ribs


An exemplary video processing method includes: receiving an omnidirectional content corresponding to a sphere; obtaining a plurality of projection faces from the omnidirectional content of the sphere according to a pyramid projection; creating at least one padding region; and generating a projection-based frame by packing the projection faces and the at least one padding region in a pyramid projection layout. The projection faces packed in the pyramid projection layout include a first projection face. The at least one padding region packed in the pyramid projection layout includes a first padding region. The first padding region connects with at least the first projection face, and forms at least a portion of one boundary of the pyramid projection layout.

The present invention relates to processing an omnidirectional image/video content, and more particularly, to a method and an apparatus for reducing artifacts in a projection-based frame.
Virtual reality (VR) with head-mounted displays (HMDs) is associated with a variety of applications. The ability to show wide field of view content to a user can be used to provide immersive visual experiences. A real-world environment has to be captured in all directions resulting in an omnidirectional image/video content corresponding to a sphere. With advances in camera rigs and HMDs, the delivery of VR content may soon become the bottleneck due to the high bitrate required for representing such a 360-degree image/video content. When the resolution of the omnidirectional video is 4K or higher, data compression/encoding is critical to bitrate reduction.
In general, the omnidirectional image/video content corresponding to the sphere is transformed into a sequence of images, each of which is a projection-based frame with a 360-degree image/video content represented by one or more projection faces arranged in a 360-degree Virtual Reality (360 VR) projection layout, and then the sequence of the projection-based frames is encoded into a bitstream for transmission. If the employed 360 VR projection layout is not properly designed, it is possible that artifacts are introduced by encoding of the projection-based frame and/or projection layout conversion of the projection-based frame, thus leading to image quality degradation.

Method and apparatus for reducing artifacts in projection-based frame


A method for opening a sealingly closed, balanced-torque butterfly valve, and apparatus adapted for use with the method. The butterfly valve (40) comprises a valve plate (42) having a peripherally disposed seal (162) seated in an annular recess (160). A flow passage (164, 166) is formed in the valve plate (42) and fluidically connects the recess (160) to the downstream-facing surface of the valve plate. A check valve (168) is disposed in the flow passage (164, 166) to alternately block or permit flow therethrough. Outwardly directed pressure exerted by high-pressure fluid on the seal (162) is relieved by opening the check valve (168) in reponse to a slight translational movement of the valve plate (42) relative to a rotatable shaft (72) which pivotally connects the valve plate to the duct (146).

In butterfly valves, translational movement of the valve plate relative to the pivot mechanism can be used to effect dynamic torque balancing, and to facilitate actuation by using the torque exerted by fluid on the plate to rotate the latter. To applicant's knowledge, these principles were first set forth in the above-referenced patent application, Ser. No. 374,897, filed on Jun. 30, 1989. They are schematically illustrated in FIGS. 12A-12C of the present application wherein numerals 20, 22, 24, 26, and 28 indicate a valve plate, a pivot shaft, a duct, a bracket intersecuring the shaft and plate, and the direction of flow respectively. Arrow 30 and numeral 32 indicate the center of pressure associated with the forces exerted by fluid on the plate 20, and the pivot line about which the plate is rotatable.
In FIG. 12A, the shaft 22 is centered in relation to the longitudinal dimension of the plate 20 and the plate is in a closed position. The center of pressure 30 is aligned with the pivot line 32, so the net torque exerted by the fluid on the plate 20 is zero. If the plate 20 is rotated to an open position as illustrated in FIG. 12B, and translated relative to the shaft 22 so that the center of pressure 30 is aligned with the pivot line 32 as illustrated in FIG. 12C, then the plate is effectively torque-balanced and the flow rate associated with the rotational angle 34 can be maintained with minimal input force required from the actuator 36. If the translational movement is too limited in range to achieve torque balancing at all rotational positions of the plate 20, it can still be used to advantage in minimizing the net torque exerted by the fluid, thus still minimizing the input force required from the actuator 36.
If it is desired to change the rotational angle 34, then the plate 20 can be translated relative to the shaft 22 in the appropriate direction to effect a misalignment of the center of pressure 30 with the pivot line 32, thus increasing the net fluid dynamic torque, and the force required to effect the change is exerted in whole or in part by the fluid conveyed in the duct 24.
Butterfly valves that are designed to provide for translational movement of the plate 20 relative to the shaft 22, for either or both of the above-described purposes, are referred to herein as "balanced-torque" butterfly valves.
Upon reflection, it will be understood that the use of balanced-torque butterfly valves in applications which demand a rotational angle 34 corresponding to a closed position presents the problem of providing for translational movement while also providing for initial opening of the valve plate 20. The problem may be particularly pronounced when the application requires sealing engagement of the valve plate 20 with the inner surface of the duct 24 at the closed position. If a rim seal is employed, the frictional force between the seal and the duct increases the torque required to rotate the valve plate away from the closed position. The problem is further exacerbated if the upstream fluid pressure is considerably high. In that case, the fluid may exert radially outward pressure on the rim seal and further increase the torque required to open the valve. A key advantage associated with balanced-torque butterfly valves is that smaller actuators can be used to control the rotational position of the valve plate. However, if a single actuator is used for both initial opening and subsequent movement of the valve plate, then the forementioned advantage is unrealized to the degree that power requirements from the actuator are dictated by the torque required for initial opening.


Liquid waste generated aboard a maritime vessel is separated into oily and non-oily components for separate treatment to obtain flow streams having different waste contents. Those of the flow streams having waste content reduced by the treatment are discharged overboard while the other flow streams having concentrated waste content are subject to incineration.

The present invention relates to the processing of waste material, more particularly processing waste material generated aboard marine vessels.
Environmental regulations have increasingly restricted the discharge of ship-generated wastewaters overboard. It is anticipated that future discharges of untreated blackwater (e.g., urinal and water closet wastes), graywater (e.g., shower, sink, galley, and laundry wastes) and oily wastewater will be prohibited in many areas of the world.
Shipboard liquid wastewater has been generally classified as either non-oily waste or oily waste. The non-oily fractions include blackwater and graywater. Bilgewater and waste oil make up the shipboard oily waste. Blackwater (or sewage) is the waste that is generated by water closets and urinals. Typically, blackwater consists of feces, urine, wipes, and flushing water. Graywater is wastewater generated by sinks, showers, laundry equipment and galley and scullery equipment. Typically, graywater consists of water, dirt, detergents, food particles, hair, lint, and numerous other contaminants.
Bilgewater originates as seal and equipment leaks, condensation, evaporator dumps, and fuel strippings. Typically, bilgewater consists primarily of water (usually greater than 99 percent) with small amounts of fuel oil, lubricating oil, detergents, particulate matter, corrosion products, and other contaminants. Waste oil is a mixture of oil and water separated from the bilgewater. The fraction of water contained in the waste oil can vary by as much as 10 to 90 percent. The fraction of waste oil contains predominantly fuel and lubricating oils (greater than 90 percent of the bulk oil), with smaller amounts of detergent and emulsified water. The bulk oil can have associated therewith a recoverable heating value.
On large ships, current practice involves storing the liquid wastes onboard when the ship is in transit or is moored in restricted waters, until such time as when the liquid wastes can be off-loaded to shore facilities or to a barge. Certain ships are designed to have sufficient storage capacity to retain liquid wastes for a maximum of 6 hours. If suitable off loading facilities are not available, such ship must alter its schedule in order to discharge at sea beyond coastal waters. Other concerns involve the high disposal costs when off-loading liquid wastes to barges, operational security concerns when off-loading to shore facilities in hostile ports, and safety and accidental discharge concerns associated with barging.
As a result of increasingly stringent water quality standards being imposed under state, national, and international regulations, wastewater offload and disposal costs in domestic and foreign ports and harbors continue to increase.
In view of the foregoing, it is an object of the present invention to provide a system for treating liquid wastes aboard ship, thereby obviating the need for discharging ship-generated wastewaters overboard.

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


Improved methods of modifying target surfaces through ablation are disclosed resulting in a reduction of debris redeposition on the target surface.

The use of laser beams to modify surfaces is known. In the early 1980's, it was discovered that pulsed lasers emitting in the ultraviolet frequency range could affect a target surface through ablative photodecomposition (APD). Later it was found that by using APD, layers of target material could be removed on the order of about one micron of target material per pulse.
It was further noted that APD did not significantly alter the characteristics of the newly exposed material immediately below the ablated material. This phenomenon has been explained as being due to the UV lasher providing enough energy in a short enough period of time to actually break the covalent bonds of the polymeric target materials without heating the substrate. (See U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,417,948 and 4,568,632). Further scanning techniques using APD are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,061,342.
Upon further investigation, it was found that certain materials, when ablated, created varying amounts of ablation debris, some of which was redeposited upon the surface of the target material. It was: believed that this redeposited debris could frustrate efforts to predictably alter the ablated target surface.
Further, it was found that certain materials could not be as cleanly etched as others. A method for ablating a target surface while also removing the deposited and adhered debris from the target surface while avoiding further debris accumulation is not known.


An expandable aqueous coating composition includes a polymeric binder including latex particles wherein the latex particles include a copolymer having a glass transition temperature of about -20.degree. C. to about +60.degree. C. and a weight average molecular weight of about 20,000 to about 500,000 and including expandable particles having a liquid blowing agent contained within a thermoplastic shell.

Japanese Patent Disclosure No. 53-59728 discloses a heat-expansible covering composition produced by dispersing 5 weight percent to 50 weight percent, or, more preferably, 10 weight percent to 30 weight percent, heat-expansible microspheres in a crosslinking type synthetic resin emulsion. The crosslinking type synthetic resin emulsion is a an epoxy emulsion, a urethane emulsion, self-crosslinking type acrylic emulsion or a reaction type acrylic emulsion that may be crosslinked using a crosslinking agent. The covering is printed or coated onto a substrate and heated to expand and crosslink the coating and thereby form an ornamental material having an irregularly patterned layer on the surface of the substrate.


A wiring board includes an insulation layer containing a resin and a silica-type filler and having a roughened surface, and a conductive layer formed on the roughened surface of the insulation layer and having a first conductive portion and a second conductive portion positioned adjacent to the first conductive portion. The roughened surface of the insulation layer has a roughness under the first conductive portion, a roughness under the second conductive portion, and a roughness between the first conductive portion and the second conductive portion, and the roughness between the first conductive portion and the second conductive portion is set less than at least one of the roughness under the first conductive portion and the roughness under the second conductive portion.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a wiring board that is useful when mounted, for example, in a cell phone, a personal computer or the like, and to a method for manufacturing such a wiring board.
2. Discussion of the Background
In Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication H11-214828, a wiring board is described in which conductive circuits are formed on an insulation layer that has a roughened surface. The conductive circuits are made up of electroless plated film and electrolytic plated film. As for the method for forming such conductive circuits, a semi-additive method is employed. Namely, a surface of an insulation layer is roughened and electroless plated film is formed on the roughened surface. Next, plating resist is formed on the electroless plated film and electrolytic plated film is formed on portions where the plating resist is not formed. Then, the plating resist is removed and the electroless plated film under the plating resist is etched away. Conductive circuits are formed on the insulation layer that has a roughened surface.
The contents of Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. H11-214828 are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety in the present application.

Wiring board and method for manufacturing the same


A sensor semiconductor device comprises a transducer which comprises a capacitor with at least two electrodes. The transducer further comprises a polymer which is arranged between at least two electrodes of the capacitor, and a top surface of the transducer. The polymer is able to absorb water and the top surface is arranged such that it is exposed to the environment of the sensor semiconductor device. Furthermore, at least a part of the top surface is superhydrophobic and the sensor semiconductor device is capable of measuring the humidity of the environment of the sensor semiconductor device.

The present application relates to a sensor semiconductor device and to a method of producing a sensor semiconductor device.
Sensor semiconductor devices can be employed to measure different parameters as for example the relative humidity or the temperature. For measuring the relative humidity a polymer which can absorb moisture out of the air can be employed. Under high humidity conditions water can condense on the top surface of the polymer or on the top of the sensor semiconductor device. In this case the polymer requires time for recovering from the high humidity conditions. This means, the water needs to diffuse out of the polymer and the condensed water droplets need to evaporate from the sensor semiconductor device. This process can require a certain time in which the sensor semiconductor device does not correctly measure the relative humidity of the environment. Furthermore, the surface of the polymer or of the sensor semiconductor device can get contaminated with dirt or dust particles which can be dissolved in or collected by water droplets. Also in this way the accuracy of the sensor semiconductor device can be negatively influenced.


A precoding method and apparatus are provided. Each transmission node receives feedback on first information as information regarding a transmission node that transmits an interference signal causing an interference-to-noise ratio (INR) greater than a first reference value from reception nodes, determines a group to which each transmission node belongs on the basis of the first feedback information, and allocates resources to each group. In a detailed manner, each transmission node determines comparison values of INRs, as two or more values, determines a group by using feedback information corresponding thereto, and allocates resources. Each transmission node receives feedback on channel information or precoder information from reception nodes of each group to which each transmission node belongs, and determines a precoder by using the feedback channel information or precoder information.

(a) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a precoding method and apparatus.
(b) Description of the Related Art
When a plurality of transmission/reception nodes perform communication using the same resource, each transmission node precodes a transmission signal in order to reduce an influence of an interference signal or increase strength thereof, relative to an interference signal. Here, precoding refers to applying a precoder to a transmission signal, and a precoder may be called a precoding matrix, a precoding vector, a beamforming matrix, or a beamforming vector.
In a Gaussian interference channel including a plurality of transmission/reception nodes, it is known that, when each node causes interference or is interfered with, if a ratio of an interference signal strength to noise strength is smaller than a certain value, interference is assumed to be noise in processing signals to achieve the sum of the overall capacity.
In a case that strength of an interference signal is too strong to be disregarded, an algorithm for iteratively calculating a transmission filter and a reception filter and determining a transmission filter having a predetermined amount of calculation lower than a predetermined reference value, as a precoder, has been known.
Such an algorithm iteratively calculates a transmission filter and a reception filter in the process of calculating a precoder, and here, since the number of repetitions is great, an amount of calculation is increased, and since feedback channel information is instantaneous information, an amount of feedback is increased.

ELECTRONICS AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS RESEARCH INSTITUTE


Structure, methodology and performance involving and utilizing body armor strand material which includes an elongate strand body possessing elongate brittle ceramic surface structure, elongate ductile core structure disposed within that surface structure, and elongate brittle/ductile transition structure operatively interposed and joining the surface and core structures. Methodology includes the steps of preparing a defined mass of elongate ceramic-surfaced, ductile-cored strand elements, each including, along the outside of its length, elongate, sharp-angular edges, and placing that mass in the impact path of such a projectile in a manner whereby edges in the strands face the projectile impact path. Response performance of the invented strand material includes using fragmentation of a surface-hardened ceramic therein to dissipate energy, cutting an impacting projectile into fragments and deflecting those fragments, and telegraphing fragmentation of the ceramic material through a brittle/ductile region in the strand material to a ductile core-region wherein resulting deformation of this core region further dissipates projectile energy.

This invention pertains to strand-style body armor (body armor strand material, or structure), to the methods for it making, and to the armoring performance offered by the proposed structure.
There is a pronounced effort currently underway to develop extremely light-weight body armor which can defeat dangerous projectiles, such as bullets. The present invention addresses this issue in a quite effective and non-intuitive manner by proposing that body armor be formed by extremely light-weight elongate strand structure, formed by elongate, slender strands which, effectively, are made of a unique "ductile ceramic" material, preferably based upon titanium. These strands include brittle ceramic outside surface structure which joins through a continuous, internal, brittle/ductile transition region to a central, ductile core region. Various transverse cross-sectional configurations may be employed, each of which preferably defines plural elongate, sharp-angle edges that run the length of each strand. Several of these configurations are illustrated and described herein.
As will be seen, the proposed armor strands may be assembled for "presentation" to the path of an oncoming projectile in various ways. Two such ways are shown and described herein, one of which involves a weave of strands, and the other of which involves a fabric-contained random and chaotic jumble of short, freely mixed "strandlets".
The strands of this invention respond to an impacting projectile: (a) by first cutting the projectile into pieces as a consequence of projectile engagement with the sharp ceramic edges extending along the outside lengths of the strands; (b) by then undergoing ceramic fragmentation to dissipate projectile energy; and (c) by telegraphing such ceramic fragmentation through the above-mentioned brittle/ductile transition regions to the ductile cores of the strands which then deform elastically to produce further energy dissipation.
Various other features and advantages of the invention will become more fully apparent as the detailed description below is read in conjunction with the drawings.

Body armor strand structure, method and performance


Disclosed is a dual-transition polymeric hydrogel. Also, provided is the use of the dual-transition polymeric hydrogel as a carrier for drug delivery and disease diagnosis, or in the preparation of a polymeric hydrogel-type pharmaceutical composition comprising the physiologically active agent loadable into the block copolymer. Being sensitive to pH as well as temperature, the block copolymer can form a more stable hydrogel at suitable temperatures and pH values. In addition, the block copolymer exhibits a dual transition behavior with pH values so that it can carry ionic drugs, proteins, DNA, and markers, whether positively or negatively charged, simultaneously. Therefore, it can be applied to a sustained drug delivery system for sparingly soluble, hydrophobic drugs, and hydrophilic drugs. Further, it is safe to and stable within the body, and is expected to find various applications in the medical field.

1. Field
The following description relates to a pH-sensitive polymer hydrogel with dual ionic transition and the use thereof.
2. Description of Related Art
In the medical field of drug delivery systems, intensive research has recently been focused on sustained drug delivery of physiologically active agent using the sol-gel transition of a hydrogel made of an amphoteric polymer with both hydrophobic and hydrophilic groups.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,942,035 discloses a copolymer consisting of a hydrophilic polymer, e.g., polyethylene glycol, and a biodegradable polyester, e.g., polylactide, polyglycolide, or polycaprolactone, which surmounts the problem that the block copolymer composed of polyethylene glycol and a polyethyleneoxide-polypropyleneoxide-polyethyleneoxide block copolymer, called Pluronic, is not biodegradable.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,476,909 describes a biodegradable triblock copolymer of an A-B-A type which essentially consists of polylactic acid (PLA), polyglycolic acid (PGA), or PLA/PGA as the hydrophobic block (A), and polyethylene glycol (PEG) or derivatives thereof as the hydrophilic block (B).
Korean Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2000-0012970 teaches a pH-sensitive polymer comprising a sulfonamide group, and a preparation method thereof, focusing on the solubility of linear polymers prepared by random copolymerization of sulfonamide monomers, and dimethyl acrylamide or isopropyl acrylamide, and on the degree of swelling of the crosslinked polymers.
These conventional techniques concern block copolymers consisting of biodegradable hydrophobic polymers and hydrophilic polymers which exhibit sol-gel transition according to temperature so that after being introduced in a liquid form of sol into the body, the block copolymers experiences phase transition into a gel due to the body temperature, thus acting as a sustained drug delivery system which is stably impregnated with a drug and releases the drug in a sustained manner. However, block copolymers that exhibit sol-gel transition according to temperature suffer from the drawback of clogging the syringe needle before completion of the introduction because they gel in the course of injection as the syringe needle reaches thermal equilibrium with the body temperature. Although reported to be pH-sensitive, the hydrophobic moiety consisting of polylactic acid (PLA), polylactic acid-co-polyglycolic acid (PLGA), polycaprolactone (PCL), or polycaprolactone-co-polylactic acid (PCLA) is not sufficiently sensitive to pH in vivo so that it cannot be applied to drug delivery in practice.

PH-sensitive polymer hydrogel with dual ionic transition and use thereof

Research & Business Foundation Sungkyunkwan University


One example provides a time-of-flight depth imaging system configured to modulate light emitted from a light source to illuminate an environment with modulated light, and for each of one or more modulation frequencies, integrate an image at each phase step of a plurality of phase steps, and sense a temperature of the light source and/or image sensor via one or more temperature sensors to acquire a measured temperature. The instructions are further executable to, and for each pixel of one or more pixels of the image sensor, determine a complex phasor based upon the measured temperature using a linear inverse function for each modulation frequency, determine a phase shift between the light emitted from the light source and light from the light source reflected back by the environment based on the complex phasor, and output a depth value for the pixel based upon the phase shift.

Time-of-flight depth sensors may utilize a phase shift method to measure distances. In such examples, a periodically modulated laser beam is emitted toward a target object, reflected light is received at an image sensor, and, for each pixel of the image sensor, the phase of the received light is compared with that of the emitted light. A depth (distance) from each pixel of the time-of-flight sensor to the target object can then be determined based on the phase shift.

Time-of-flight measurements using linear inverse function


The method is for controlling a measurement process of blood glucose of a patient. At least one repeatedly occurring even is selected within a period of time. A blood glucose measurement difference data is obtained that is associable to the event. Trend data is calculated from the difference data. The measurement process is controlled by using the trend data. Also an arrangement, computer program product and a device are disclosed.

Blood glucose measurement of a diabetes patient is a frequently occurring task. Each measurement requires both manual work and suitably also some computerized analysis work.
Blood glucose monitoring and adjustment of the treatment regimen is important in the management of diabetes. This requires measurement of glucose values (typically with a portable monitor, from a blood sample), recording the results and later analyzing the results. The results can be used to better the treatment regimen and balance. Typically, wireless or wired data transfer methods can be used to transport results from the meter to a local or server-based database for the analysis.
Finding the optimal balance between food intake, insulin dosage, exercise and other factors affecting the blood glucose level is a difficult task, especially to a person who has just been diagnosed with diabetes and who needs to change his/her habits, and most importantly, who needs to learn a way to monitor the blood glucose level in an efficient way. One method of learning is to divide the problem into multiple components, guide person's attention to a small number of issues (e.g. one) at a time and to solve thus the issues one-by-one.
The measurement processes of the prior art require an unnecessarily large number of measurements yet providing measurement data of insufficient quality and understandability especially for a new diabetes patient. The measurement processes of the art also lack adaptability according to the current needs of the patient and/or medical personnel.
Typical solutions include graphs and tables of values. The graphs and average values, however, are not suitable to make decisions on the improvement of measurement process or a treatment related to the measurement process. The results of these existing software typically require a trained user and further analysis of the results, which is time consuming.
Patent application WO2007093482 describes a device and method for managing data relating to blood glucose level for a person. In the method, blood glucose level is measured before and after an event to obtain data pairs, and the data pairs are processed, and based on the processed data pairs, graphics and/or text is displayed on a display means. The publication fails to teach a method where the measurement data is utilized for controlling the measurement process. Further, the solution described displays the results on a 2D-table in a manner that makes it difficult to make any concrete adjustments to the treatment. The table may be difficult to understand, requiring further analysis. Further, the publication fails to teach a method to analyze the treatment balance and its development over different periods of time. Furthermore, the publication fails to teach a method to target the measurements, and interpret the results in a form providing instant basis for assessing and improving the treatment balance.
Patent application US20080234943 discloses a diabetes management information providing program for use in a diabetes management system. The program has an object module, where messages have patterns from patient data indicative of variability by time of day, day in week or time intervals
Patent application WO2008071218 discloses a monitoring device, e.g a personal battery-powered diagnostic handheld device. The device relates to stored measurement values of an analyte test element port to a medical useful compliance range.
Patent application WO2005093629 discloses a display device for diabetic patients. The device displays a graph showing time relative to habitual meals and blood glucose level, in which glucose level at point of time of meal, mean or median value of pre and post meal glucose values are indicated.
Patent application US20080119705 discloses a diabetes managing system for managing diabetes using a medical device and a consumer electronic device.
The system has a connector that is removably coupled to a consumer electronic device to facilitate communication between the medical device and the consumer electronic device.
Patent application US20000177147 discloses an insulin therapy managing apparatus for treating diabetic persons. The apparatus has an insulin timing module initiating delivery of insulin in time relation to when a meal is to be consumed by user, and adjusting the delivery of insulin based on this information.
Patent application US20050272040 discloses a computer-implemented control method for insulin dosing for diabetics. The method involves estimating preprandial dosage of insulin based on observed postprandial glucose response to meal, insulin sensitivity and preprandial insulin dose of current day.
A method and arrangement that gradually guides the patient towards an efficient blood glucose measurement and controlling process by improving gradually the quality and usefulness of data obtainable from the measurements is desired. Such method advantageously guides patient's attention at each point of time to a small number of issues that require improvement. Eventually, after the issues are under control, the number of measurements needed and amount of guidance provided to the patient should be minimized.

Measuring control method and arrangement


A static random access memory (SRAM) cell includes 1st and 2nd fins disposed on a substrate. A 1st pass gate transistor (1st PG) is embedded in the 1st fin. The 1st PG has a source region and a drain region disposed over the 1st and 2nd fins. A 1st gate structure (1st PG-G) is disposed over the 1st fin and between the source and drain regions. The 1st PG-G is electrically connected to a 1st word line. A 2nd pass gate transistor (2nd PG) is embedded in the 2nd fin. The 2nd PG has the same source and drain regions. A 2nd gate structure (2nd PG-G) is disposed over the 2nd fin and between the source and drain regions. The 2nd PG-G is electrically connected to a 2nd word line. A 1st CT pillar is disposed between the 1st PG-G and 2nd PG-G.

SRAM cells in general are random access memory cells that retain data bits in their memory as long as power is being supplied. SRAM is typically used in personal computers, workstations, routers, peripheral equipment and the like.
SRAM cells are composed of a pair of cross coupled inverters (a 1st IN and a 2nd IN) connected together to form dual (a first and a second) storage node outputs with opposing logic states. Therefore SRAM cells have two stable logic states. The first logic state includes a logic 1 and a logic 0 (1, 0) at the first and second storage node outputs respectively. The second state includes a logic 0 and a logic 1 (0, 1) at the same first and second storage node outputs respectively.
The storage nodes will be connected to a pair of pass gate transistors (a 1st PG and a 2nd PG), which are typically n-type transistors. Typically each inverter includes a p-type pull up transistor (PU) and an n-type pull down transistor (PD). One of the pass gate transistors is connected to a bit line (BL) and the other to a bit line bar (BLB) (herein collectively "the bit lines"). A word line (WL) enables the pass gate transistors to control data flow between the inverters and the bit lines during read and write operations.
Generally in a semiconductor SRAM cell, the four n-type transistors (i.e., the two PG and two PD) are Fin Field Effect Transistors (FinFETs) imbedded in n-type fins. Additionally, the two p-type transistors (the two PU) of the SRAM cell are FinFETs imbedded in p-type fins. Accordingly, these types of SRAM cells are often known as FinFET SRAM cells.
During a read operation, it is imperative that the data stored in the SRAM cells remain stable and should not be affected by the read operation itself. Additionally, during a write operation, the data stored in the SRAM cells must be accurately and stably overwritten by the data on the bit lines. Data errors due to instability during a read or write operation are known as soft errors.
Several parameters can affect SRAM stability. However, two of the most important parameters that affect SRAM stability are the well-known Beta and Gamma ratios. Basically, the two ratios can be expressed as:Beta ratio=(Ion_PD)/(Ion_PG); andGamma ratio=(Ion_PG)/(Ion_PU);wherein:                Ion_PD is the mean drive current flow through the pull-down transistor;        Ion_PG is the mean drive current flow through the pass gate transistor; and        Ion_PU is the mean drive current flow through the pull-up transistor.
To achieve good stability during a read operation the pull-down transistor must have a larger mean drive current than the pass gate transistor. Therefore, the Beta ratio must be greater than 1, and should be substantially greater than 1 if possible. To achieve good stability during a write operation, the pass gate transistor must have a larger mean drive current than the pull-up transistor. Therefore, the Gamma ratio must also be greater than 1, and should be substantially greater than 1 if possible.
However, it is also a well-known that the pull-up transistor should have as large a mean drive current as possible in order to achieve good stability during read and write operations. Therefore, in conventional prior art SRAM cells, the mean drive currents of the pull-down, pass gate and pull-down transistors will not be far apart.
Problematically, to achieve good stability in conventional prior art SRAM cells, the requirements of a high Beta ratio, a high Gamma ratio and a large mean drive current pull-up transistor are closely related. As such, it is difficult to achieve all three without tradeoffs in performance.
Also problematically, unavoidable manufacturing variations (such as variations in critical dimensions of the fins, spacers, channel widths and more) will affect the Beta ratio, Gamma ratio and transistor drive currents of large batch produced SRAM cells. This can lead to an increased probability of soft errors due to these manufacturing variations.
Accordingly, there is a need for an SRAM cell structure, and method of making the same, that can achieve a high Beta ratio during a read operation and a high Gamma ratio during a write operation for increased stability during both operations. Also, there is a need for an SRAM cell structure, and method of making the same, that has a stability that is less susceptible to manufacturing tolerances and variations.

SRAM cell having dual pass gate transistors and method of making the same


A segmented vacuum roll comprising an inner assembly on which a plurality of cylindrical sleeve tubes (2a, 2b, 2c) having apertures over their circumference are rotatably and coaxially mounted side by side, each of said sleeve tubes being individually rotatable and one or several first chambers (9a, 9b, 9c) formed in said inner assembly and partly defined by a first portion of circumference of said sleeve tubes, said inner assembly comprising linking channels (6a, 6b, 6c) for linking a vacuum source to said chambers so that said first portion of circumference of said sleeve tubes may be submitted to vacuum. Said inner assembly comprises an inner tube (3), at least one outer tube (5a, 5b, 5c) surrounding said inner tube and a plurality of longitudinal walls extending between said inner tube and said outer tube so as to form longitudinal channels (6a, 6b, 6c).

The invention relates to a vacuum roll for conveying webs and, more particularly, to a vacuum roll having several segments each of which being able to convey a separate web resulting, for instance, from a main web split into several webs of smaller wide.
Webs such as polymeric foils (like polyester foils) or other sheet materials are manufactured in a continuous process and the final products are wound up on rolls for storage and transportation. On such production lines or on converting rewinding machines, vacuum rolls may be used to transport, pull, guide (or even dry) the web.
Those vacuum rolls are known in the art for a long time.
However, on the production line or on a converting equipment, the web may be split into several lanes and each lane may have to be transported, pulled or guided individually, at a speed different from the speed of the other lanes.
The object of the present invention is to provide a segmented vacuum roll each segment of which is rotatable independently from the other segments so that each segment drives a respective web at an own speed according to the need of the process.


A photomultiplier tube has a side tube with a stem plate fixed on one end and a faceplate fixed on the other. The side tube is formed of metal, and at least the portion of the stem plate contacting the metal side tube is formed of metal. The side tube and stem plate are fused together by laser welding or electron beam welding to form an airtight vessel, such that the outer edge of the stem plate does not protrude further externally than the outer surface of the side tube.

The present invention relates to a photomultiplier tube designed to detect through multiplication weak light radiated onto a faceplate, and a manufacturing method thereof. The present invention also relates to a radiation detector using this type of photomultiplier tube.
Photomultiplier tubes are produced at various sizes to suit different uses. Conventional photomultiplier tubes are generally configured of a hermetically sealed vessel constructed entirely of glass. This type of photomultiplier tube has a substantially cylindrical glass side tube with a planar and substantially circular stem fitted on the bottom open end. A gas burner is applied to the area in which the periphery of the stem contacts the inner surface of the side tube, and the two are fused together by heat to form an airtight seal. A planar and substantially circular transparent faceplate is fused in the same manner to the top opening of the side tube, forming an airtight seal. A glass exhaust tube is provided in the stem, forming a fluid connection with the inside of the hermetically sealed vessel. After evacuating the vessel through the exhaust tube, an alkaline metal vapor is introduced into the vessel to form a photocathode on the inner surface of the faceplate and also to activate the secondary electron emitting surface of the electron multiplying section disposed inside the vessel.
As described above, the side tube and stem are fused together with heat from a gas burner in order to construct a photomultiplier tube having an airtight glass vessel. Further, after introducing the alkaline metal vapor, the exhaust tube is pinched off and sealed with the gas burner. Accordingly, it is necessary to prevent heat from damaging the electron multiplying section. Therefore, it has been necessary to maintain a distance of about 20-30 mm from the airtight fused junctions to the bottom of the electron multiplying section. Unfortunately, this inhibits downsizing of the photomultiplier tube.
While it depends on the application, the advantages of downsizing a photomultiplier tube are generally great. One example is a sanitation monitor that is used for detecting bacteria in restaurants and the like. The sanitation monitor employs a photomultiplier tube to detect light that is emitted from reactions between drugs and bacteria. Since this type of monitoring device should be portable and easy to use, the photomultiplier tubes used in the monitor must be small. A small enough photomultiplier tube can be mounted directly on a circuit board and treated in the same way as a resistor or capacitor, thereby making the tubes more convenient for device construction.
In light of these demands, small photomultiplier tubes having metal side tubes have been developed for practical uses in recent years. An example of this type of photomultiplier tube described in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication Nos. HEI-5-290793 and HEI-9-306416 has a metal side tube having a polygonal cross-section with a flange portion protruding laterally from the bottom of the tube. Similarly, the metal stem plate is provided with a flange portion that protrudes laterally. The flange portions of the side tube and stem plate overlap and are fused through resistance welding to form a hermetically sealed vessel. Resistance welding is performed in such a way that current is applied to the joining parts, which are heated through the heat generated from resistance. When the parts reach an appropriate temperature, pressure is applied to weld them together. Hence, it is possible to avoid the thermal affects that resistance welding has on the electron multiplying section. As a result, the distance between the stem plate and electron multiplying section can be reduced, thereby achieving a smaller photomultiplier tube that is shorter in the axial direction.
With a photomultiplier tube of this construction, however, the flange portions required for resistance welding interfere with the use of the tube. For example, when photomultiplier tubes are used in gamma cameras and the like, in particular, it is necessary to arrange a plurality of photomultiplier tubes closely together and form a large area for receiving light. With this configuration, the flange portions contact other flange portions, forming dead spaces. Dead spaces are a hindrance to achieving a high-performance detecting device.
The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and accordingly it is an object of the present invention to provide a photomultiplier tube and a method for manufacturing a smaller multiplier tube. It is another object of the present invention to provide a radiation detector with improved performance.
These objects will be attained by a method of manufacturing a photomultiplier tube having a faceplate, a photocathode for emitting electrons in response to light incident on the faceplate, an electron multiplying section for multiplying the electrons emitted from the photocathode, an anode for outputting an output signal based on the electrons multiplied by the electron multiplying section, a stem plate for fixedly supporting the electron multiplying section and the anode with stem pins, and a side tube with the stem plate fixed on one open end and the faceplate fixed on the other open end and enclosing the electron multiplying section and the anode, the method characterized by the steps of: providing a metal side tube formed of metal and a stem plate such that at least a portion contacting the metal side tube is formed of metal; aligning the metal side tube with the stem plate so that an outer edge of the stem plate does not protrude further externally than an outer surface of the metal side tube; and fusing the metal side tube to the stem plate at a point of contact between the metal side tube and the stem plate by laser welding or electron beam welding to form an airtight vessel.
The side tube is engaged with the stem plate such that only the outer side surface of the side tube or both the outer surface of the side tube and at least a portion of the outermost side edge of the stem plate are exposed on the outer surface of the airtight vessel, the parts being reshaped as necessary.
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a photomultiplier tube including a faceplate, a photocathode for emitting electrons in response to light incident on the faceplate, an electron multiplying section, disposed inside an airtight vessel, for multiplying the electrons emitted from the photocathode, and an anode for outputting an output signal based on the electrons multiplied by the electron multiplying section, characterized in that the airtight vessel comprises:
a stem plate for fixedly supporting the electron multiplying section and the anode with stem pins;
a metal side tube with the stem plate fixed on one open end, and enclosing the electron multiplying section and the anode; and
a faceplate fixed on the other open end of the metal side tube,
wherein the stem plate is welded on the one open end of the metal side tube, a top surface of the stem plate contacting a bottom end of the metal side tube such that an outer surface of the metal side tube is flush with an edge surface of the stem plate, at least a portion of the top surface of the stem plate in contact with the metal side tube being formed of metal.
Welding the side tube to the stem plate such that the outer surface of the side tube is flush with the edge surface of the stem plate eliminates the flange-like protrusions on the bottom of the photomultiplier tube. While posing difficulties for resistance welding, this construction allows the external dimensions of the photomultiplier tube to be reduced and enables the side tubes to be positioned adjacent one another when justaposing a plurality of photomultiplier tubes. Accordingly, employing a welding method to join the metal stem plate and side tube enables the photomultiplier tubes to be more densely packed together.
A cutout portion may be provided in the top surface on the edge of the stem plate for supporting the bottom end of the side tube. Hence, the side tube can be placed stably on the stem plate and easily position the side tube in relation to the stem plate before welding the two together. Moreover, the reinforced construction can oppose a force toward the inside of the vessel 5A attempting to bend the side tube 2.
It is preferable that the side tube be fusion welded to the stem plate. In contrast to resistance welding, a fusion welding method does not require that pressure be added to the portions of the side tube and stem plate that are being joined. Accordingly, residual stress that can lead to cracking during operations is not generated at this junction, thereby greatly improving durability of the apparatus.
As the fusion welding, laser welding or electron beam welding is preferable. The methods of laser welding and electron beam welding generate little heat at the junction. Therefore, the glass tablets fixing the stem pins to the stem plate are not apt to crack from the effects of the heat when the stem pins are near the side tube. Accordingly, it is possible to move these stem pins closer to the side tube and expand the electron multiplying section laterally, creating a greater electron receiving surface area in the electron multiplying section.
The entire stem plate can be formed of metal, or a metal stem support member in contact with the lower end of the side tube extending substantially in the axial direction of the same, and a glass stem plate.
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a radiation detector including a scintillator for emitting fluorescent light in response to radiation generated from an object of analysis, a plurality of photomultiplier tubes, each having a faceplate disposed in opposition to the scintillator, for outputting electric charges based on fluorescent light emitted from the scintillator, and a position calculating section for performing calculations on the electric charges output from the plurality of photomultiplier tubes and outputting positioning signals of radiation issued in the object of analysis. The photomultiplier tube used in this radiation detector includes a photocathode for emitting electrons in response to light incident on the faceplate; an electron multiplying section, disposed inside an airtight vessel, for multiplying the electrons emitted from the photocathode; and an anode for outputting an output signal based on the electrons multiplied by the electron multiplying section. The airtight vessel comprises:
a metal stem plate for fixedly supporting the electron multiplying section and the anode with stem pins;
a metal side tube with the metal stem plate fixed on one open end, and enclosing the electron multiplying section and the anode, wherein the metal stem plate is fixed by welding to the metal side tube such that an outermost edge of the metal stem plate does not protrude outward from an outer surface of the metal side tube: and
the faceplate fixed on the other open end of the metal side tube.
Joining the side tube and stem plate through a welding process in the photomultiplier tubes used in this type of radiation detector, such that the outer surface of the metal side tube is flush with the edge surface of the stem plate, eliminates the flange-like protrusion from the bottom of the photomultiplier tube. Accordingly, although resistance welding is not appropriate for this construction, the dimensions of the photomultiplier tube can be reduced and the side tubes can be arranged in close contact with one another when employing a plurality of juxtaposed photomultiplier tubes. Accordingly, when the photomultiplier tubes are arranged in order that the faceplates confront the scintillator, the tubes can be densely packed, thereby easily securing a light receiving area with an extremely small amount of dead space, which forms non-sensitive areas. This configuration contributes to further improved performance of the radiation detector.

Photomultiplier tube and radiation detector


An image reading apparatus according to the present invention includes a image reading device including a color image sensor in which three CCD arrays arranged parallel with each other for reading different color components included in an image of the original, respectively, are formed integrally on one chip, wherein each of the CCD arrays reads the image of the original by a predetermined number of pixels to provide image data, a scanning device for moving the color image sensor and the image of the original relatively in a direction vertical to the CCD arrays, a color discriminating device for discriminating the color of the image of the original for every pixel on the basis of the image data from at least two of the CCD arrays included in the image reading device, and an output device for outputting the image data from particular one of the CCD arrays included in the image reading device and a discrimination result from the color discrimination device in synchronism with each other.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to image reading apparatuses and, more particularly, to an image reading apparatus used as image input means in a digital copying machine or a filing system.
2. Description of the Related Art
A digital copying machine includes an image reading apparatus for reading an image of the original and a page printer for printing the read image.
Conventionally, there is a digital copying machine capable of performing multicolor printing in black and red, for example, and having a function of copying an image of the original of two colors of black and red with the colors being reproduced and a function of editing and copying an image whereby a blue part of an image of the original of two colors of black and blue is printed in red, for example.
In such a copying machine, color discrimination is performed on an image of the original for every pixel in an image reading apparatus, and color discrimination data is provided to a page printer in synchronism with monochromatic image data read from the image of the original.
Generally, discrimination of colors of an image is carried out by performing color separation on scanning light from an image of the original with spectroscopic means such as a filter, a prism, or the like and comparing the light intensity of respective separated colors.
As described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 62-26634 (1987), in a conventional image reading apparatus, a plurality of photoelectric transfer means separated from each other are arranged in predetermined positions, scanning light of respective separated colors separated into two colors is made to be incident upon the photoelectric transfer means, respectively, and color discrimination for discriminating whether the color of each pixel is a specified color or not is performed on the basis of the ratio between the levels of output signals of respective photoelectric transfer means.
Image data is generated by quantizing outputs of respective photoelectric transfer means used in color discrimination, i.e. photoelectric transfer signals corresponding to respective separated colors and then synthesizing the outputs by signal processing. Specifically, image data obtained by scanning is optically separated and then electrically resynthesized.
In the conventional image reading apparatus, there is the possibility that image data provided to the outside of the image reading apparatus is deteriorated by discrepancy between spectral characteristics and signal processing characteristics of an optical system.

Image reading apparatus having color image sensor in which a plurality of CCD arrays are formed integrally on one chip


A vibrational alarm device for use in combination with an alarm clock, includes a receiver for receiving a RF alarm signal transmitted by the alarm clock, an operating circuit for providing an operating signal in response to the receiver receiving the alarm signal, and an electro-mechanical vibrator for vibration in response to the operating signal provided by the operating circuit. A casing houses the receiver, the operating circuit, and the vibrator for vibration by the vibrator to provide a vibrational alarm signal.

Alarm signals of many timer alarms are audible. The sound of such signals can be disturbing to others and especially to one's partner in the case of a wake-up alarm.
The invention seeks to obviate or at least alleviate such a shortcoming by providing a new or improved time alarm device.


A method for creating a MEMS structure (100) is provided. In accordance with the method, an article is provided comprising a substrate (101), a sacrificial layer (103) and a semiconductor layer (105), wherein the sacrificial layer comprises a first material such as silicon oxide. A MEMS structure is then formed in the semiconductor layer. The structure has first (107) and second (109) elements which have an exposed portion of the sacrificial layer (103) disposed between them. The first element is then released from the substrate (101) by contacting the exposed portion of the sacrificial layer (103) with a first etchant, typically by way of one or more trenches (119), after which the first element is reattached to the substrate (101) with a second material (131). The first element is then released from the substrate (101) by contacting the second material (131) with a second etchant.

The present invention relates generally to microfabrication techniques, and more particularly to methods for making a MEMS device.
Advancements in micromachining and other microfabrication techniques and processes have enabled the fabrication of a wide variety of MicroElectroMechanical Systems (MEMS) and devices. These devices include moving rotors, gears, switches, accelerometers, miniaturized sensors, actuator systems, and other such structures.
One popular approach for forming MEMS devices makes use of a modified wafer known as a Silicon-On-Insulator (SOI) wafer. An SOI wafer is essentially a silicon wafer having a sacrificial layer of silicon dioxide disposed thereon, and having a thin film of active single-crystalline silicon disposed on the sacrificial layer.
FIGS. 1-3 illustrate a conventional method for creating a MEMS structure on an SOI wafer. As shown in FIG. 1, an SOI wafer is provided which comprises a silicon wafer substrate 15 having a layer of thermally grown sacrificial oxide 13 such as silicon dioxide disposed thereon. A layer of active single crystal silicon 11 is disposed over the sacrificial oxide layer. The layer of active single-crystal silicon is then masked, patterned and selectively etched to define the basic structural features of the MEMS device as shown in FIG. 2. This structure will typically then be further processed to form various features, such as metal interconnects or isolation structures, on it. After the structure is completed, the sacrificial oxide layer is partially removed by selective chemical etching to release the structure. As shown in FIG. 3, the released MEMS structure 12 typically has a cantilevered portion 17 and an anchor portion 19.
The methods currently used for the release of SOI micromachined devices are limited by the maximum undercut distance achievable with commonly used etchants such as aqueous HF. The undercut distance is the distance over which the sacrificial oxide layer can be removed by an etchant, measured as the distance from the trench where the etchant was initially brought into contact with the sacrificial oxide layer. Since the release etch occurs after the device is completed, the undercut distance is limited by the slow etch rate of the sacrificial oxide by the etchant and by the selectivity of the etchant to other materials (such as silicon nitride and metals) that are used in the interconnects, isolation structures, and other features on the completed device. Due to these limitations in the undercut distance, in devices such as SOI sensors, the proof mass is lower for the same device area than would be the case if the undercut distance were not limited. Consequently, the limitations on undercut distance require the device to be larger than would otherwise be necessary.
There is thus a need in the art for a method for producing a MEMS structure on a substrate, and particularly on SOI wafers, such that the undercut distance can be increased without adversely affecting interconnects, isolation structures, and other components on the finished device. There is also a need in the art for a method for reducing the size of SOI sensors and other such MEMS devices by increasing the undercut distance. These and other needs are met by the methodologies and devices disclosed herein and hereinafter described.
In one aspect, a method for creating a MEMS device is provided. In accordance with the method, an article, such as an SOI wafer, is provided which comprises a substrate, a sacrificial layer and a semiconductor layer, wherein the sacrificial layer comprises a first material. A MEMS structure is then formed in the semiconductor layer of the article. The MEMS structure has first and second elements which are separated from each other by a trench that exposes a portion of the sacrificial layer, and in which the first element is attached to the substrate by the sacrificial layer. The first element is then released from the substrate by contacting the sacrificial layer with a first etchant, and is subsequently reattached to the substrate with a second material which is preferably diverse from the first material. Next, metal interconnects, isolation structures, and other such device features are defined on the article, after which the first element is re-released from the substrate by contacting the second material with a second etchant. The etchant used to release the first element from the substrate may also be used to etch the second material, in which case the second material is typically chosen so that it is etched at a faster rate by the etchant than the first material. Thus, for example, if the etchant is an aqueous solution of HF, the first material may be silicon oxide and the second material may be PSG. Since the metal interconnects, isolation structures and other such device features are formed after the first element is initially released from the substrate, and since the re-release of the first element can be accomplished with much shorter etch times, the undercut distance can be increased without adversely affecting these device features, and hence the size of the device can be reduced.
In another aspect, a method for creating a MEMS device is provided. The method utilizes an article, such as an SOI wafer, which comprises a substrate, a sacrificial layer and a semiconductor layer, wherein the sacrificial layer is disposed between the substrate and the semiconductor layer. A MEMS structure is then formed in the semiconductor layer, the MEMS structure having first and second elements which are separated from each other by a trench which exposes a portion of the sacrificial layer. The first element is released from the substrate by contacting the sacrificial layer with a liquid etchant. A backfill material is then deposited in the trench such that the backfill material attaches the first element to the substrate. A metal interconnect is then formed on the article, after which the backfill material is etched.
In still another aspect a method for creating a MEMS device is provided. In accordance with the method, an article is provided which comprises a substrate, a sacrificial layer and a semiconductor layer, wherein the sacrificial layer comprises a first material. A MEMS structure is then formed in the semiconductor layer. The MEMS structure has first and second elements which are separated from each other by a trench. The first element is attached to the substrate by the sacrificial layer, and the trench exposes a portion of the sacrificial layer. The portion of the sacrificial layer which attaches the first element to the substrate is then etched, after which the first element is attached to at least one of the substrate and the second element with a second material. The first element is then released from at least one of, and preferably both of, the substrate and the second element by contacting the second material with an etchant.
These and other aspects are described in further detail below.

Release etch method for micromachined sensors


A plastics bottle for carbonated drinks has a side wall (4) and a base (5) formed with a central area (8) surrounded by circumferentially spaced projecting feet (6) separated by substantially parallel-sided straps (7). The central area (8) and the straps (7) define a continuous smooth domed surface with no re-entrant portions. The ratio of the combined width of the straps (7) to the outside circumference of the base (5) is in the range from 1:5.5 to 1:6.5 and preferably 1:6. Preferably the base (5) has only seven projecting feet (6). This configuration is particularly useful with bottles of small size and enables a saving in plastics material of up to 40% by weight.

The present invention relates to plastics bottles and in particular to bottles for carbonated drinks.
In designing bottles for carbonated drinks care has to be taken to provide a structure capable of withstanding the pressures resulting from several volumes of carbonation. This is made more difficult when the ambient temperature is high; partly as a result of the thermoplastic nature of the plastics material and partly as a result of the solubility of carbon dioxide in the beverage decreasing with increasing temperature. In practice it is found that failure of bottles under pressure tends to occur at the base. Typically the plastics material in the base creeps and so is gradually extended. Accordingly in many widely used designs for plastics bottles the base has a domed, generally hemispherical shape like that of a pressure vessel. Although such a shape is able to withstand high pressures with little creep it is not inherently stable and so the base has to be provided with a flat-bottomed outer base cup so that the bottle can stand upright. The outer base cup also accommodates what creep takes place.
To overcome the disadvantages of such designs requiring the use of a separate outer base cup to provide stability it has been proposed to use bottles with a "Champagne" base or a castellated base including a number of projecting feet. To produce a "Champagne" base the bottle is first blown to have a domed base and then, whilst still hot and mouldable the domed base is pushed upwards into the bottle with a round nosed tool. This form of base is particularly popular with PET bottles of small capacity, for example those having a capacity of half a litre or less, and it is this shape which is most commonly used for such bottles. An example of a PVC bottle which is blown into a mould to form it with a similar base is described in GB-A-1237402. Castellated bases are more usually used on bottles of larger capacity, typically a litre or more. Examples of such bottles are described in GB-A-1360107, U.S. Pat. No. 3,935,955, U.S. Pat. No. 4,318,489, EP-A-0028125, and WO86/054,62. Our earlier European application EP-A-225155 also shows such a bottle having seven feet formed in the base which makes it particularly stable. Although such designs have been found to be generally satisfactory in both withstanding pressure without everting and offering good handling properties, it is difficult to ensure that there is sufficient material in the base of the bottle to form the feet without undue local thinning of the walls and to provide the necessary strength. One way in which this can be achieved is by increasing the wall thickness of the plastics material in the bottle as a whole. However the amount of plastics material used to form the bottle is a major factor in determining the price of the bottle and so it is undesirable to increase the amount of plastics material used.
GB-A-1360107 describes a plastics bottle for carbonated drinks which has a side wall and a base formed with a central area surrounded by circumferentially spaced projecting feet separated by substantially parallel-sided straps lying on a domed surface. The central area of the base includes an annular re-entrant ring having a substantial extent in the axial direction of the bottle to buttress the base of the bottle. This re-entrant ring is described as acting as a structural arch to resist the internal pressure within the bottle and it is typically formed by pushing an annular tool upwards against the base of the bottle during its blowing step in a similar fashion to the formation of the recessed "Champagne" type base. In some examples the central area of the base is recessed into the annular ring so that any creep of the base does not result in the central area moving downwards farther than the plane defined by the feet. A similar arrangement with a recessed base is also shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,318,489.


Drill bits for cutting bones adjacent to soft tissue are disclosed. According to one example, the drill bit includes a working portion having a top cutting surface including a first top cutting surface and a second top cutting surface. The second stop cutting surface has an angle with respect to a line perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the drill bit that is less than an angle with respect to a line perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the drill bit of the first top cutting surface.

The human skeleton consists of many kinds of bones including, upper and lower jawbones and spine or skull, that can have, for example, various thicknesses and surrounding materials. Depending on the location, thickness, and surrounding materials such as membrane linings and other soft tissues, drilling the bone can present various challenges.
In case of some dental patients, the structure of the oral cavity makes it difficult to perform the implant surgery, so that the dental surgery becomes complicated, or some dentists often decline to give such a patient medical treatment. In particular, the surgeon has difficulty in performing the implant installation in the case where a small amount of bone remains in the posterior area near the maxillary sinus. In this case, the maxillary sinus membrane can be elevated to secure a space, a bone graft is placed in the secured space, and a dental implant can be embedded in this space. This method is classified into a vertical approach and a lateral approach.
Many tools such as drills are used for various drill procedures. Conventional drill bits can be applied to cases in that has sufficient bone depth or in locations where other important anatomy such as membranes, nerves or cells are not present. However, in cases where the bone depth is light, bone thickness is thin, or other important parts such as the membranes, nerves or cells are present, even the most skillful person needs to drill such that no damage is done to these other important parts. While these conventional drill bits may easily penetrate the bone, the tips of the drill blades can damage the membrane by tearing or rolling when the tip of the drill contacts the membrane.


In an electrically powered combination screwdriver/drill opposing halves of a ratchet type torque tranmsitting clutch are normally biased axially apart by a compression spring. The output half of the clutch is fixed on the output spindle of the tool which is free to move axially within limits. For screwdriving operation, operator bias of the tool against the workpiece overcomes the spring, retracting the output spindle and bringing the clutch halves into engagement. An adjustable stop in the nose of the tool limits axially rearward movement of the output spindle and hence depth of engagement of the clutch teeth, thus providing a variable limit on torque transmitted. For the drilling mode, the rearward half of the clutch is cammed forward so that the clutch is firmly engaged for continuous rotation of the output spindle without specific torque limitation. An operator may switch from drilling mode to screwdriving mode and back without disturbing the torque limit adjustment of the screwdriving mode.

The invention concerns power tools with a rotary output and particularly tools having more than one mode of operation and an adjustable means for limiting the output torque in at least one of the modes of operation.
Torque limitation or control is desirable or necessary in several modes of rotary power tool operation. For example, in a powered screwdriver used for setting screws or running nuts, torque control is necessary for achieving the performance specifications of the fastener, or at least avoiding the stripping of threads. In a hammer drill, constant slipping of a ratcheting clutch at a predetermined substantially constant torque may produce the vibration which gives the tool its hammering effect. Typically, clutches used in rotary power tools depend for torque transmission on the biasing together of opposing toothed clutch faces with some axial engagement or overlap of the teeth, although plain friction discs are used in some applications.
In a common form of powered screwdriver, providing only the screwdriver mode of operation, final torque transmission into the output spindle depends upon engagement of a positive drive clutch responsive to partial axial retraction of the output spindle when pressure is applied to the workpiece. Torque limitation is provided by a second clutch in which opposing clutch halves are biased together by a compression spring. Disadvantages of this arrangement are the relative bulk and weight of the torque limiting clutch and inconvenience in adjusting the spring pressure. See, for example, West German Patent DE 2,325,235 Pfab and European Patent EP 0,178,252 Duerr.
An improved screwdriver arrangement (in a single purpose tool) is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,834,252, Abell, also assigned to the assignee of the present invention. Here, driving engagement of the output spindle again depends on axial displacement of the spindle responsive to work piece pressure, but a single clutch is used for both drive engagement and torque limitation. Adjustably precise control of axial depth of tooth engagement in mating clutch halves, combined with a clutch tooth profile of varying pressure angle provides, selectively, a wide range of torque limitation. Advantages of the design are its compactness and relatively lower cost and lighter weight and particularly the convenience and repeatable control of the torque limitation adjustment.
In combination tools, having two modes of operation (output modes), such as screwdriver/drills or hammer/drills, the tool transmission must be readily convertible from a condition providing a first output mode such as drilling (continuous rotation, usually without specific task torque limitation) to a second condition in which output torque is limited to suit the task in hand. Typically the same torque transmitting clutch is used for both modes. The clutch is mechanically maintained in firm engagement for the "live spindle" sustained rotation as in drilling. For a screwdriving or hammering mode the clutch is selectively engaged and torque limitation while in engagement may depend on operator provided bias of the tool against the workpiece. See for example British Patent 1,601,257 also assigned to the assignee of the present invention. With this arrangement, insofar as variable output torque limitation is available in a single tool, torque level and repeatability depends largely on operator skill in controlling his pressure of the tool against the workpiece.
In another form of combination screwdriver/drill, disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,823,885, Okumura, a single spring loaded axial engagement type clutch is in constant engagement in both modes of operation, except when slipping at a predetermined torque in the screwdriver mode. A relatively convenient single adjustment arrangement permits an operator both to adjust clutch spring compression to provide torque limitation at a selected level for the screwdriver mode and to compress the spring fully for firm, non-slipping engagement of the clutch for the drill mode. An indicator in the adjustment system allows the operator to return at will to a previously used torque setting but, even so, it is inconvenient to be required to "lose" the torque limit setting each time the tool is shifted from one mode of operation to the other.
Clearly it would be desirable when using a combination tool for repetitive work that the torque limitation setting of one mode of operation remain undisturbed when the tool is shifted to a second mode of operation and again returned to the first. Obviously, in a simple transmission, the clutch used for a variable torque limitation mode must also be convertible to the "live spindle" (or no specific torque limitation) mode. Shifting from one operating mode to the other becomes essentially a matter of clutch differentiation or clutch control. Although desirable, there is an inherent conflict or difficulty in arranging for a single adjustable torque transmitting clutch, operable selectively in either one of two conditions, to be convertible to the second condition without disturbing the adjustment setting of the first condition. No such desirable arrangement is known.

Dual mode rotary power tool with adjustable output torque


Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a query processing method and an apparatus, a server and a storage medium. The method includes: determining a word vector representation of a query sequence and an entity vector representation of the query sequence respectively based on respective words and respective entities included in the query sequence; determining a word vector representation of a paragraph and an entity vector representation of the paragraph respectively based on respective words and respective entities included in the paragraph; and determining a similarity between the query sequence and the paragraph according to the word vector representation of the query sequence, the entity vector representation of the query sequence, the word vector representation of the paragraph, and the entity vector representation of the paragraph.

With the development of internet technology, users are more and more inclined to obtain desired information through search engines or various question-answer systems. The core technology of the search engines and question-answer systems is sorting. By displaying relevant information ranked in the front of the search results to users first, users' retrieval needs can be satisfied.

Query processing method, apparatus, server and storage medium

BEIJING BAIDU NETCOM SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.


Methods, systems, and apparatus for performing virtual reality simulations using virtual reality systems. In some aspects a method includes the actions of logging user actions in a virtual reality system, wherein the user actions include one or more of (i) a path traveled by user in the virtual reality system, or (ii) user interactions with objects in the virtual reality system; aggregating logged action over a first user and a second user; and deriving modifications to the virtual reality system based at least in part on the aggregated logged actions. The modifications to the VR system can include modifying at least one of (i) appearance of objects shown in the VR system, (ii) floor plan of the VR system, and (iii) location of objects shown in the VR system.

Automotive, aerospace, ground transportation equipment and other industries use virtual reality technologies as part of product engineering and manufacturing engineering. For example, virtual reality technology can be used to enable engineers from different disciplines to view and test current product designs—sometimes prior to the availability of any physical prototypes. Within a virtual reality environment, products can be viewed from multiple angles and properties of products can be tested through computational or physical simulations.

Multi-device virtual reality, augmented reality and mixed reality analytics


Additional information regarding a fingerprint is estimated, with a given level of confidence, on the basis of characteristics of a set of minutiae corresponding to this print. Local descriptors are determined around some at least of the minutiae, so that they comprise, in relation to zones comprising additional information estimated with the given confidence level, values calculated on the basis of said information and, in relation to zones not comprising such information, erasures. The local descriptors determined are quantized according to a given number of integer values, a value being reserved for erasures. The quantized local descriptors are coded with the aid of an error-tolerant coding algorithm associated with a decoding algorithm devised to take account of errors and erasures. And a pseudo-identity is determined on the basis of some at least of the coded quantized local descriptors.

Various techniques are known for obtaining an identifier associated with an individual from elements relating to a fingerprint.
One of these techniques described in the article "Fingerprint matching from minutiae texture maps" by F. Benhammadi, M. N. Amirouche, H. Hentous, K. Bey Beghdad and M. Aissani, Pattern Recognition 40 (2007) 189-197, seems particularly interesting.
It provides for the determination of a fixed identifier on the basis of the image of a fingerprint, by extracting from it the minutiae, i.e. the irregularities on the ridge lines of this print, such as the ridge endings and the bifurcations, then by applying Gabor filters to the texture of the fingerprint locally, around each of the extracted minutiae.
Unlike the techniques of the prior art where the identifier resulted from the application of Gabor filters around a morphological core which was not always present or detectable within the fingerprint image, an identifier according to the above-mentioned article can always be obtained, as it is always possible to identify minutiae within the fingerprint image.
The identifier obtained according to this article moreover offers a greater robustness with regard to geometrical transformations which can impact on the fingerprint image, such as translations and/or rotations, since each of the Gabor filters is chosen taking account of the orientation of the minutia around which it is applied.
The technique described in this article however requires full prior knowledge of the image of a fingerprint. This can pose a problem in practice, as most of the current biometric databases do not store such images, but only characteristics relating to the minutiae, as is furthermore required by standard ISO/IEC 19794-2:2005 "Information technology—Biometric data interchange formats—Part 2: Finger minutiae data".
Moreover, the comparison of identifiers determined according to the above-mentioned article "Fingerprint matching from minutiae texture maps" gives less than optimal results, in that it does not take account of certain local specificities of the corresponding fingerprint images, such as their quality or their relevance.

Method of determining a pseudo-identity on the basis of characteristics of minutiae and associated device