A nonlinear-optic waveguide device has a thin-wire optical waveguide including a core having a cross-sectional area of at most 1 μm2 and a cladding, the core and the cladding having a refractive index difference of at least 1. A light pulse introduced into the core has a peak power of at least several hundreds W and a pulse duration of at most 10 ps. The thin-wire optical waveguide has a length of about 1 cm. The nonlinear optical device, a mode-locked semiconductor laser, and tunable optical filter are combined into a white pulse light source.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the generation of white light pulses and the wavelength conversion of light pulses using a nonlinear optical device.
2. Description of the Related Art
Heretofore, it has been known to generate white light pulses by introducing light pulses into an optical fiber such as a highly nonlinear optical fiber or a photonic crystal optical fiber (also called a holey fiber) to generate supercontinuum light (While an applied light pulse is propagating through a medium, it is subjected to self-phase modulation due to a nonlinear optical effect, and its spectrum is continuously spread in a very wide wavelength range. The light pulse with the spread spectrum is called supercontinuum light). The wavelength conversion of light pulses is realized by extracting light pulses having a desired wavelength from supercontinuum light with a tunable optical filter. Details of such a process are disclosed in William J. Wadsworth, Arturo Ortigosa—Blanch, Jonathan C. Knight, Tim A. Birks, T. P. Martin Man, and Phillip St. J. Russell, Journal of Optical Society of America B, Vol. 19, No. 9. pp. 2148-2155 (2002) (first document).
FIG. 1 of the accompanying drawings shows a cross-sectional SEM (Scanning Electron Microscope) photographic representation of a typical holey fiber. As shown in FIG. 1, the holey fiber has a central core having a diameter of about 2 μm, and includes many holes in a cladding around the core. The core is made of silica (SiO2) and has a refractive index of about 1.5. The cladding is also made of SiO2 and has a refractive index of about. 1.0 because of the holes formed therein. The difference between the refractive indexes of the core and the cladding is about 0.5. In the holey fiber, because light pulses are confined in and propagated through the small core having the diameter of about 2 μm, the light pulses strongly interact with the silica that the core is made of, developing a large nonlinear optical effect. Supercontinuum light is generated based on such a large nonlinear optical effect. By designing the holey fiber such that dispersion of light is essentially reduced to zero at the wavelength of the light pulses, the light pulses are prevented from being spread while being propagated through the optical fiber, making it possible to generate supercontinuum light efficiently.
The conventional process of generating supercontinuum light with an optical fiber such as a holey fiber requires the optical fiber to have a length of at least several centimeters in order to provide a sufficient interaction length. Since the generation of supercontinuum light needs light pulses having a peak power in kW to MW ranges and a pulse duration of several hundred fs, a large-size solid-state laser such as a titanium-sapphire laser has to be used as a pulse light source. Optical fibers such as holey fibers have no or very little dependency of propagation characteristics on propagated light having perpendicular planes of polarization. Therefore, if the optical fiber is bent or twisted, the planes of polarization are rotated while the light is being propagated through the optical fiber. If the optical fiber is long, such a phenomenon manifests itself, posing a problem on the stability for generating supercontinuum light.
As described above, the conventional process of generating supercontinuum light with an optical fiber such as a holey fiber is problematic in that a pulse light source and a wavelength-variable pulse light source comprising a holey fiber are large in size, and the generated supercontinuum light lacks stability. Furthermore, large-size solid-state lasers are highly expensive, and holey fibers are also highly expensive at present (several ten thousands yen per meter).
It has been studied to ascertain whether other nonlinear optical devices than highly nonlinear optical fibers and holey fibers may be used to generate supercontinuum light or not. One candidate for such other nonlinear optical devices is a thin-wire optical waveguide.
FIG. 2 of the accompanying drawings shows an example of a thin-wire optical waveguide. As shown in FIG. 2, the thin optical waveguide has substrate 20 such as of a semiconductor, lower cladding 21 of silica (SiO2) disposed on substrate 20, and core 22 in the form of a thin silicon (Si) wire disposed on lower cladding 21. Core 22 has entrance end facet 220 and exit end facet 221 on its respective opposite ends. Prototype thin-wire optical waveguides having cores 22 whose heights range from 0.2 to 0.25 μm and whose widths range from 1.0 to 0.5 μm have already been fabricated. Since core 22 is made of Si, the refractive index thereof is about 3.5. Lower cladding 21 is made of SiO2 and has a refractive index of about 1.5. An upper cladding is provided by air and has a refractive index of 1. Therefore, the difference between the refractive indexes of the core and the claddings is at least about 2. The thin-wire optical waveguide thus has a large refractive index difference between the core and the claddings.
FIG. 3 of the accompanying drawings shows an example of another thin-wire optical waveguide (see Japanese laid-open patent publication No. 2003-322737). As shown in FIG. 3, the thin-wire optical waveguide has substrate 30 such as of a semiconductor, lower cladding 31 of SiO2 disposed on substrate 30, and core 32 in the form of a thin Si wire disposed on lower cladding 31. Unlike the thin-wire optical waveguide shown in FIG. 2, the above assembly is embedded in upper cladding 33 made of a polymer or SiO2. Core 32 has entrance end facet 320 and exit end facet 321 on its respective opposite ends. Core 32 has a cross-sectional size represented by a height in the range from about 0.2 to 0.3 μm and a width in the range from about 0.27 to 0.33 μm. Since core 32 is made of Si, the refractive index thereof is about 3.5. Lower cladding 31 and upper cladding 33 are made of SiO2 or a polymer and have a refractive index of about 1.5. Therefore, the difference between the refractive indexes of the core and the claddings is at least about 2. The thin-wire optical waveguide shown in FIG. 3 thus has a large refractive index difference between the core and the claddings.
Since the core of each of the thin-wire optical waveguides shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 is constructed as a thin wire, a large coupling loss is caused when light is introduced into the thin-wire optical waveguide. For increasing the efficiency with which to introduce light into the thin-wire optical waveguide, a process of forming a beam spot size converter by covering a tip end of the thin-wire optical waveguide with a polymer optical waveguide is disclosed in T. Shoji, T. Tsuchizawa, T. Watanabe, K. Yamada, and H. Morita, Electronics Letter, Vol. 38, No. 25. pp. 1669-1670 (2002) (second document).
The thin-wire optical waveguides described above is capable of realizing stronger light confinement than holey fibers. However, thin-wire optical waveguides have not widely been used as a nonlinear optical device. It has not been proposed to design the structure of a thin-wire optical waveguide which is suitable for generating white light pulses in order to achieve a light confining structure which is efficient to guide light pulses through a thin-wire optical waveguide and generate white light pulses, to design the structure of a thin-wire optical waveguide for controlling the dispersion of light, and to design the structure of a thin-wire optical waveguide for controlling planes of polarization for stabilizing white light pulses.
As described above, a thin-wire optical waveguide causes a large coupling loss when light is introduced into the thin-wire optical waveguide because the core is thin. It has not been studied to find a way to solve this problem in the generation of white light pulses.
Another nonlinear optical device which can possibly be used to generate supercontinuum light is a photonic crystal optical waveguide as shown in FIG. 4 of the accompanying drawings. However, it has not been proposed to design the structure of a photonic crystal optical waveguide for efficiently generating white light pulses and to design the structure of a photonic crystal optical waveguide for controlling the dispersion of light.

White light pulse generating method using nonlinear optical device


A metal cutting tool having a metal cutting tip such as a replaceable insert, having top and bottom faces and a plurality of peripheral faces and a rake face forming part of the top face. A cutting edge is formed at the intersection of the top face and one of the peripheral faces. Chip forming means is formed on the top face and comprises, in lateral sectional view, successive portions of which at least one is relatively recessed with respect to a preceding or succeeding portion. A through-going bore is formed in the insert and extends from one of the bottom and peripheral faces to the relatively recessed portion in a direction towards the cutting edge.

With such metal cutting tools, the tip cutting edge becomes rapidly worn and must be frequently reset or, where the tip is a replaceable insert, the latter must therefore be frequently replaced. The degree of wear of the cutting edge is directly related to the degree of heating of the cutting edge during the cutting operation, and it is therefore known to provide means for cooling the cutting tip during the cutting operation. Such known means involve spraying the cutting tip or the cutting insert and/or the insert holder with a suitable cooling liquid and/or arranging for the generated heat to be thermally dissipated. (See, e.g. DE 3004166 and DE 3429842.)
Another well-known problem in the use of metal cutting tools for metal cutting operations of the kind indicated above resides in the effective and safe removal of the metal cutting chips formed during the cutting operation. Various means are employed so as to ensure the effective and safe removal of these chips, such means generally involving the provision of the metal cutting tip with suitable chip forming means which ensure that the chips are effectively compacted and break away in relatively short lengths. Furthermore, when the cutting tool is used in cut-off or grooving operations, it must be ensured that the chip does not become lodged within the cut-off slot and so the chip forming means are usually so designed as to ensure that the chip is narrowed in its lateral extent, thereby preventing the chip from becoming lodged in the slot.


An inkjet nozzle arrangement includes a nozzle chamber having an fluid ejection nozzle in one surface of the chamber; a paddle vane located within the chamber, the paddle vane being adapted to be actuated by an actuator device for the ejection of fluid out of the chamber via the fluid ejection nozzle; and a thermal actuator device located externally of the nozzle chamber and attached to the paddle vane the thermal actuator device including a plurality of separate spaced apart elongated thermal actuator units. The thermal actuator units are constructed from multiple layers utilizing a single mask to etch the multiple layers.

The following Australian provisional patent applications are hereby incorporated by cross-reference. For the purposes of location and identification, U.S. patent applications identified by their U.S. patent application serial numbers (USSN) are listed alongside the Australian applications from which the U.S. patent applications claim the right of priority.
Not applicable.
The present invention relates to the field of inkjet printers and, discloses an inkjet printing system which includes a bend actuator interconnected into a paddle for the ejection of ink through an ink ejection port. The present invention further discloses a thermally actuated ink jet printer having a series of thermal actuator units.
Many different types of printing have been invented, a large number of which are presently in use. The known forms of print have a variety of methods for marking the print media with a relevant marking media. Commonly used forms of printing include offset printing, laser printing and copying devices, dot matrix type impact printers, thermal paper printers, film recorders, thermal wax printers, dye sublimation printers and ink jet printers both of the drop on demand and continuous flow type. Each type of printer has its own advantages and problems when considering cost, speed, quality, reliability, simplicity of construction and operation etc.
In recent years, the field of ink jet printing, wherein each individual pixel of ink is derived from one or more ink nozzles has become increasingly popular primarily due to its inexpensive and versatile nature.
Many different techniques on ink jet printing have been invented. For a survey of the field, reference is made to an article by J Moore, xe2x80x9cNon-Impact Printing: Introduction and Historical Perspectivexe2x80x9d, Output Hard Copy Devices, Editors R Dubeck and S Sherr, pages 207-220 (1988).
Ink Jet printers themselves come in many different types. The utilization of a continuous stream of ink in ink jet printing appears to date back to at least 1929 wherein U.S. Pat. No. 1,941,001 by Hansell discloses a simple form of continuous stream electro-static ink jet printing.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,596,275 by Sweet also discloses a process of a continuous ink jet printing including the step wherein the ink jet stream is modulated by a high frequency electro-static field so as to cause drop separation. This technique is still utilized by several manufacturers including Elmjet and Scitex (see also U.S. Pat. No. 3,373,437 by Sweet et al)
Piezoelectric ink jet printers are also one form of commonly utilized ink jet printing device. Piezoelectric systems are disclosed by Kyser et. al. in U.S. Pat. No. 3,946,398 (1970) which utilizes a diaphragm mode of operation, by Zolten in U.S. Pat. No. 3,683,212 (1970) which discloses a squeeze mode of operation of a piezoelectric crystal, Stemme in U.S. Pat. No. 3,747,120 (1972) discloses a bend mode of piezoelectric operation, Howkins in U.S. Pat. No. 4,459,601 discloses a piezoelectric push mode actuation of the ink jet stream and Fischbeck in U.S. Pat. No. 4,584,590 which discloses a shear mode type of piezoelectric transducer element.
Recently, thermal ink jet printing has become an extremely popular form of ink jet printing. The ink jet printing techniques include those disclosed by Endo et al in GB 2007162 (1979) and Vaught et al in U.S. Pat. No. 4,490,728. Both the aforementioned references disclosed ink jet printing techniques that rely upon the activation of an electrothermal actuator which results in the creation of a bubble in a constricted space, such as a nozzle, which thereby causes the ejection of ink from an aperture connected to the confined space onto a relevant print media. Printing devices utilizing the electro-thermal actuator are manufactured by manufacturers such as Canon and Hewlett Packard.
As can be seen from the foregoing, many different types of printing technologies are available. Ideally, a printing technology should have a number of desirable attributes. These include inexpensive construction and operation, high speed operation, safe and continuous long term operation etc. Each technology may have its own advantages and disadvantages in the areas of cost, speed, quality, reliability, power usage, simplicity of construction operation, durability and consumables.
In the construction of any inkjet printing system, there are a considerable number of important factors which must be traded off against one another especially as large scale printheads are constructed, especially those of a pagewidth type. A number of these factors are outlined in the following paragraphs.
Firstly, inkjet printheads are normally constructed utilizing micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) techniques. As such, they tend to rely upon standard integrated circuit construction/fabrication techniques of depositing planar layers on a silicon wafer and etching certain portions of the planar layers. Within silicon circuit fabrication technology, certain techniques are more well known than others. For example, the techniques associated with the creation of CMOS circuits are likely to be more readily used than those associated with the creation of exotic circuits including ferroelectrics, galium arsenide etc. Hence, it is desirable, in any MEMS constructions, to utilize well proven semi-conductor fabrication techniques which do not require any xe2x80x9cexoticxe2x80x9d processes or materials. Of course, a certain degree of trade off will be undertaken in that if the advantages of using the exotic material far out weighs its disadvantages then it may become desirable to utilize the material anyway.
With a large ray of ink ejection nozzles, it is desirable to provide for a highly automated form of manufacturing which results in an inexpensive production of multiple printhead devices.
Preferably, the device constructed utilizes a low amount of energy in the ejection of ink. The utilization of a low amount of energy is particularly important when a large pagewidth full color printhead is constructed having a large array of individual print ejection mechanism with each ejection mechanisms, in the worst case, being fired in a rapid sequence.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an ink ejection nozzle arrangement suitable for incorporation into an inkjet printhead arrangement for the ejection of ink on demand from a nozzle chamber in an efficient manner.
In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an inkjet nozzle arrangement comprising a nozzle chamber having an fluid ejection port in one surface of the chamber; a paddle vane located within the chamber, the paddle vane being adapted to be actuated by an actuator for the ejection of fluid out of the chamber via the fluid ejection port; and a thermal device located externally of the nozzle chamber and attached to the paddle vane, via an arm, the thermal actuator device including a plurality of separate spaced apart elongate thermal actuator units.
Preferably, the thermal actuator units are interconnected at a first end to a substrate and at a second end to a rigid strut member. The rigid strut member can, in turn, be interconnected to the arm having one end attached to the paddle vane. The thermal actuator units can operate upon conductive heating along a conductive trace and the conductive heating can include the generation of a substantial portion of the heat in the area adjacent the first end. The conductive heating trace can include a thinned cross-section adjacent the first end. The heating layers of the thermal actuator units can comprise substantially either a copper nickel alloy or titanium nitride. The paddle can be constructed from a similar conductive material to portions of the thermal actuator units however it is conductively insulated therefrom.
Preferably, the thermal actuator units are constructed from multiple layers utilizing a single mask to etch the multiple layers.
The nozzle chamber can include an actuator access port in a second surface of the chamber. The access port can comprise a slot in a corner of the chamber and the actuator is able to move in an arc through the slot. The actuator can include an end portion which mates substantially with a wall of the chamber at substantially right angles to the paddle vane. The paddle vane can include a depressed portion substantially opposite the fluid ejection port.
In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a thermal actuator including a series of lever arms attached at one end to a substrate, the thermal actuator being operational as a result of conductive heating of a conductive trace, the conductive trace including a thinned cross-section substantially adjacent the attachment to the substrate.

Thermally actuated ink jet printing mechanism having a series of thermal actuator units


A seat with a trim cover assembly having plural stitches thereon, wherein the stitches are arranged in a non-parallel relation with one another on one unitary sheet of the trim cover assembly which is affixed over a cushion body. Those patterns of stitches are formed at one time by means of a multiple-needle sewing machine.

1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to a seat such as an automotive seat, and in particular to the seat having a trim cover assembly on which plural decorative stitches are formed.
2. Description of Prior Art
All the hitherto known automotive seats include such a seat that comprises a foam cushion body molded in a foaming process using a polyurethane material, and a trim cover assembly covering the foam cushion body. Recent years witness that forming plural decorative stitched seams on the trim cover assembly has been practiced increasingly. It is thought advisable to use a multiple-needle sewing machine to create such plural stitches in a parallel fashion at one time so as to meat a required mass-production of this kind of seat. (See, for example, the Japanese Laid-Open Pat. Pub. No. 64-34394.)
However, this parallel stitching has been found difficult for application to such new mode of seat cushion with a protruded portion which is sloped or inclined in its longitudinal direction, because, if a unitary sheet of trim cover assembly is affixed over the uneven upper surface of seat cushion, the plural stitched seams on the trim cover assembly are twisted or deformed into an objectionable non-rectilinear or non-parallel pattern.
Possible solution may be to prepare a plurality of separate sections having parallel stitches thereon by use of multiple-needle sewing machine and then sew them together to form a suitable trim cover assembly that lies along the upper surfaces and the protruded portion on the cushion body. According to this technique, plural decorative stitched seams (41, 42, 43 . . . ) are formed in parallel with one another upon the respective three separate sheets of trim cover assembly (1) and sewn together at the joint lines (101) as shown on FIG. 1(A). With further reference to FIGS. 1(A) and 1(B), each of the three sheets should be prepared as best shown in FIG. 1(B): A central section (11-1), a left-side lateral section (11-2) and a right-side lateral section (11-3). Then, they are each formed with their own parallel stitch patterns (41, 42, 43) by means of multiple-needle sewing machine (see at (M) in FIG. 4). Thereafter, considering the fact that the parallel stitches in the two lateral sections (11-2) (11-3) must be inclined in conformity with the inclination angle of the sloped, protruded portion of the cushion body, some hand operation steps are carried on to cut the respective lateral ends of lateral sections (11-2) (11-3) at such inclination angle as indicated by (100) in FIG. 1(B), conforming to that particular inclination angle, and then sew them with the central section (11-1) to obtain such representation of a whole trim cover assembly (1), or strictly stated a representation of a seating surface section of a trim cover assembly (1). As shown in FIG. 1(C), the trim cover assembly (1) is of a three-layer lamination structure including a top surface layer (111), wadding (112) and wadding cover (11 3). Consequently, the trim cover assembly (1) thus formed is affixed over the cushion body, whereupon the two lateral sections (11-2) (11-2) thereof are displaced towards the protruded portion (H). Hence, there is obtained such a trim cover assembly (1).
Nonetheless, this approach involves quite troublesome and intricate steps on the worker's part to put together those separate trim cover sections, and the joint lines (101) poses an objectionable point on the seat, not contributing to improvement on the aesthetic appearance of seat. What is worse, it is impossible to subject a whole unitary sheet of trim cover assembly to stitching at one time by means of ordinary rectilinear-sewing-type multiple-needle sewing machine.

Seat with a trim cover assembly having plural stitches thereon


A mesh network adapter is designed to communicate with a camera, and is configured to form a mesh node in a wireless mesh network. The network adapter includes housing, a microprocessor, a transceiver, a non-volatile onboard data storage medium, and an elongate flexible extension cable. The flexible cable is operatively connected to the microprocessor at the camera end, and interfaces with the onboard data storage medium and a removable memory card. The microprocessor functions to control the transfer of image data from the camera through the flexible cable to the removable memory card, and from the removable memory card to the onboard data storage medium for subsequent wireless transmission to a gateway within the mesh network.

The present disclosure relates broadly and generally to a mesh network adapter applicable for use in a wireless mesh network, and a method for transmitting image data from a camera to a remote computer. For digital cameras, all images are recorded onto a memory card, such as a commonly available SD card. In one embodiment of the disclosure, images stored on the memory card may be transmitted from the camera via a wireless mesh network to a gateway device, and ultimately routed to the remote computer.

Mesh network adapter, method for transmitting image data from a camera to a remote computer


A multilayer ceramic capacitor includes a body including a dielectric layer and first and second internal electrodes having different sizes to each other, and having first and second surfaces of the first and second internal electrodes, opposing each other in a stacking direction, third and fourth surfaces connected to the first and second surfaces and opposing each other, and fifth and sixth surfaces connected to the first and second surfaces and connected to the third and fourth surfaces, and opposing each other; and first and second external electrodes. When a margin of the first internal electrode in a longitudinal direction is b, and a margin of the first internal electrode in a width direction is d, a margin of the second internal electrode in a longitudinal direction is a, and a margin of the second internal electrode in a width direction is c, a ratio (a/b) of the margin (a) of the second internal electrode in the longitudinal direction to the margin (b) of the first internal electrode in the longitudinal direction is 0.33 or more (where, a>0 and b>0) or a ratio (c/d) of the margin (c) of the second internal electrode in the width direction to the margin (d) of the first internal electrode in the width direction is 0.33 or more (where, c>0 and d>0).

A multilayer ceramic capacitor MLCC is one type of passive component, which controls an electrical signal on a circuit. Amain role of such a multilayer ceramic capacitor is to accumulate charges in electrodes, to block direct current (DC) signals, and to pass alternating current (AC) signals. That is, such a multilayer ceramic capacitor can be seen to play a role in stabilizing an operation of an IC by bypassing and removing AC noise from a power line.
The MLCC device may have characteristic deterioration due to a cross talk phenomenon as an electromagnetic distance of each layer is reduced.
In particular, there is a problem in that the electric field characteristics are more likely to be weakened when a single integrated chip is used, as compared with a case of simply connecting the individual single components in parallel.


An automobile includes a body side panel including: a first pillar disposed rearward of a door of the automobile; a second pillar disposed rearward of the first pillar; an interior panel connecting the first pillar and the second pillar; a rear quarter panel attached to the exterior of the body side panel and forming a cavity between the rear quarter panel and the interior panel; and a retractable window disposed between the first pillar and the second pillar; wherein the retractable window is configured to move between a first position and a second position, the first position being defined by a roof of the automobile, the first pillar, and the second pillar, and the second position being inside the cavity.

Early car designs required car manufacturers to assemble many small parts to create a vehicle body. While these small parts were easily manufactured, this method led to long bills of materials for vehicle assembly, complex supply chains to manage the many fasteners and individual pieces required to make up a vehicle body. In addition, variations through each stage of the manufacturing and assembly processes often led to inconsistent and poor quality in finished vehicles, such as wide or non-parallel gaps between body panels or water incursion into passenger areas. Further, intricate assembly instructions and procedures for the multiple parts increased manufacturing flaws and reduced manufacturing efficiency, increasing overall vehicle cost.
Car manufacturers, therefore, transitioned to monobody and unibody designs, wherein large portions of the vehicle body are stamped from a single piece of metal. These techniques require large presses capable of forming the complex bends required to give sufficient strength to the vehicle to protect passengers. Manufacturers made substantial investments in molds and presses to manufacture monobody designs, simplify manufacture of vehicle bodies, reduce the number of required parts, and reduce manufacturing cost. Stamped or cast monobodies typically provided greater consistency than bodies assembled from many individual parts.
In addition, the trend toward monobody or unibody designs allowed manufacturers greater flexibility in vehicle design. For example, prior to monobodies and unibodies, vehicle designers had to include support structures and provide sufficient space within the panels to allow a welder and tools sufficient space and flexibility to create strong welds. Monobodies and unibodies, however, allowed complex stamped or cast convolutes, curves, and other shapes that sufficient strength without requiring hidden or complex welds. By removing these manufacturing constraints, designers gained flexibility to craft the more complex, more aerodynamic, and stronger vehicles that are common today. Further, due to the reduction in parts, monobodies reduced vehicle weight, improving performance. Monobody and unibody designs also reduced the number of steps required for painting, as the entire body could be painted in a single step rather than painting individual components. This further reduced or eliminated potential damage to parts and finish during handling and assembly. Further, the repeatability of monobody stamping streamlined quality checking, quality assurance, and trim fitting processes, while also reducing part rejection rates.
Traditional monobodies are necessarily designed to keep water on the outside surfaces and eliminate inboard wet areas in order to prevent corrosion. Thus, to stop damage from standing water that may enter the cavities, cavities between layers of monobodies are designed to remain dry, thereby. This is accomplished by establishing a wet/dry line that follows the outer surface of the body. This wet/dry line delineates areas exposed to water from areas not exposed to water. Vehicle designers may also maintain these areas dry to provide a buffer region which reduces road noise.
Monobody designs, however, result in unutilized and inaccessible spaces in cavities between panels of the monobody. The boundaries of the cavities are sealed to keep the wet/dry line on the outer surface or designed to enable complex stamping or casting methods. This wasted space precludes the addition of useful features, such as wiring, motors, speakers, lights, or window recesses.
Thus, there is a need for novel automobile designs and manufacturing methods that provide at least some of the benefits of monobody design without the detrimental underutilization of space inherent in traditional monobody designs. This enables use of these unutilized spaces to improve passenger comfort, enjoyment, and vehicle aesthetics, all while reducing vehicle manufacturing costs.

Automobile having retractable rear quarter windows


Integrated circuit dies, while still in wafer form, are prepared for stacking without requiring packaging. Holes are made through a wafer having a plurality of integrated circuit dies and are placed between the dies and adjacent the die pads. A layer of insulating material is placed on the wafer and in the outer periphery of the holes. An electrically conductive connection is made between the top of each pad and the inside of the insulating material in an adjacent hole. The insulating layer and the electrically conductive layer can be further extended to the backside of the dies if desired. The dies are separated from each other and can be assembled in a stack and/or surface mounted to a substrate.

It is known to place an integrated circuit die in a leadless ceramic package having serrated edges on the edges of the package and then solder the package to a substrate.
However, the manufacturing of packaging integrated circuits increases the complexity and expense. The present invention is directed to a method for preparing integrated circuit dies, while still in wafer form, for stacking as well as surface mounting to a substrate without requiring packaging of the dies, while still fabricating the dies in a manner to be corrosion resistant.

Method of assembling stacks of integrated circuit dies

Microelectronics and Computer Technology Corporation


Disclosed are spirocyclic compounds of Formula I, methods of using the compounds for inhibiting KRAS activity and treating cancer, and pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds. The compounds are useful in treating, preventing or ameliorating diseases or disorders associated with KRAS activity such as cancer.

Ras proteins are part of the family of small GTPases that are activated by growth factors and various extracellular stimuli. The Ras family regulates intracellular signaling pathways responsible for growth, migration, survival and differentiation of cells. Activation of RAS proteins at the cell membrane results in the binding of key effectors and initiation of a cascade of intracellular signaling pathways within the cell, including the RAF and PI3K kinase pathways. Somatic mutations in RAS may result in uncontrolled cell growth and malignant transformation while the activation of RAS proteins is tightly regulated in normal cells (Simanshu, D. et al. Cell 170.1 (2017):17-33).
The Ras family is comprised of three members: KRAS, NRAS and HRAS. RAS mutant cancers account for about 25% of human cancers. KRAS is the most frequently mutated isoform accounting for 85% of all RAS mutations whereas NRAS and HRAS are found mutated in 12% and 3% of all Ras mutant cancers respectively (Simanshu, D. et al. Cell 170.1 (2017):17-33). KRAS mutations are prevalent amongst the top three most deadly cancer types: pancreatic (97%), colorectal (44%), and lung (30%) (Cox, A. D. et al. Nat Rev Drug Discov (2014) 13:828-51). The majority of RAS mutations occur at amino acid residue 12, 13, and 61. The frequency of specific mutations varies between RAS gene isoforms and while G12 and Q61 mutations are predominant in KRAS and NRAS respectively, G12, G13 and Q61 mutations are most frequent in HRAS. Furthermore, the spectrum of mutations in a RAS isoform differs between cancer types. For example, KRAS G12D mutations predominate in pancreatic cancers (51%), followed by colorectal adenocarcinomas (45%) and lung cancers (17%) while KRAS G12 V mutations are associated with pancreatic cancers (30%), followed by colorectal adenocarcinomas (27%) and lung adenocarcinomas (23%) (Cox, A. D. et al. Nat Rev Drug Discov (2014) 13:828-51). In contrast, KRAS G12C mutations predominate in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) comprising 11-16% of lung adenocarcinomas, and 2-5% of pancreatic and colorectal adenocarcinomas (Cox, A. D. et al. Nat. Rev. Drug Discov. (2014) 13:828-51). Genomic studies across hundreds of cancer cell lines have demonstrated that cancer cells harboring KRAS mutations are highly dependent on KRAS function for cell growth and survival (McDonald, R. et al. Cell 170 (2017): 577-592). The role of mutant KRAS as an oncogenic driver is further supported by extensive in vivo experimental evidence showing mutant KRAS is required for early tumour onset and maintenance in animal models (Cox, A. D. et al. Nat Rev Drug Discov (2014) 13:828-51).
Taken together, these findings suggest that KRAS mutations play a critical role in human cancers; development of inhibitors targeting mutant KRAS may therefore be useful in the clinical treatment of diseases that are characterized by a KRAS mutation.


Methods for fluorinating organic compounds utilizing a novel organic reagent are described herein. The invention further discloses the utility of this reagent for incorporation of the 18 F isotope into hydroxyl group-containing organic molecules for PET imaging studies. Preparation of the reagents is described along with isolable intermediate structures from reaction of the reagent with a hydroxyl group-containing organic molecule.

Functionalized aryl fluorides are used as pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals, in part due to their favorable pharmacological properties such as increased metabolic stability (see, for example, Müller et al., Science 2007, 317, 1881-1886; Kirk et al., Org. Process Res. Dev. 2001, 41, 443-470; and Jeschke, P. ChemBioChem 2004, 5, 570-589). Aryl fluorides also find applications as tracers in positron emission tomography using the [18F]isotope (Lasne et al., In Contrast Agents II, 2002; Vol. 222, pp 201-258). Fluorine has the highest electronegativity, the highest oxidation potential, and the smallest anionic radius of all elements, each of which complicates carbon-fluorine bond formation when compared to other carbon-heteroatom bond formations (see, for example, Chambers, R. D., Fluorine in organic chemistry. Oxford: New York, 2004; and Furuya et al., Curr. Opin. Drug Discov. Devel. 2008, 11, 803-819).

President and Fellows of Harvard College


A liquid level detection apparatus includes a rotation member axially supported by a fixed member. The rotation member includes the following. A contact portion press contacts an end surface making connection between both side surfaces of a magnet member. A pair of elastic deformation portions are protruded from the contact portion; each elastic deformation portion engages with a side surface of the magnet member in an elastically deformed state resulting from press to the magnet. A pair of pawl portions are protruded respectively from the elastic deformation portions while enabling the magnet member to be sandwiched between the contact portion and the pawl portions. A pair of plastic deformation portions are protruded from the elastic deformation portions, respectively; each of the plastic deformation portions engages with the side surface of the magnet member in a plastically deformed state resulting from the press to the magnet.

[Patent document 1] JP 2006-284459 A
There is conventionally known a liquid level detection apparatus which detects a level of a liquid. In this apparatus, an arm member connects (i) a rotation member whose axis is axially supported by a fixed member fixed to a tank and (ii) a float which floats on the liquid in the tank and moves up-and-down to follow the level of the liquid; such an up-and-down movement is converted into a rotational movement of the rotation member, thereby enabling the detection of the level of the liquid.
Patent document 1 describes one example of such a liquid level detection apparatus in which a magnet, which is fixed to a rotation member, rotates according to an up-and-down movement of a float, thereby generating a magnetic field; the generated magnetic field is detected by a magnetoelectric transducer held at a fixed member. The magnetoelectric transducer thereby outputs an electrical signal indicating the level of the liquid. That is, the apparatus disclosed in Patent document 1 achieves a conversion from the rotational movement to the electrical signal in a non-contact manner between the rotation element and the electrical conversion element: thus, a high durability is obtained. Further, in the apparatus of Patent document 1, the magnet is embedded into the rotation member, thereby stabilizing a holding position of the magnet; the level of the liquid is thus detected based on the detection result of the magnetic field generated by the magnet. This improves the detection accuracy.
In the apparatus of Patent document 1, the magnet is embedded in a rotation member using an insert molding which needs a complicated molding operation; thereby, the productivity may not be improved.


A carbon monoxide reducing device supplies oxygen to a reformate gas obtained through a reforming reaction so as to oxidize carbon monoxide contained in the reformate gas by means of the oxygen and thereby reduces a concentration of carbon monoxide contained in the reformate gas. This carbon monoxide reducing device is equipped with an oxygen supply amount controller designed to oxidize CO. The oxygen supply amount controller controls an amount of oxygen supplied to oxidize carbon monoxide contained in the reformate gas based on an amount of supply of fuel contributing to the reforming reaction. Thereby, the amount of oxygen for oxidizing carbon monoxide contained in the reformate gas is adjusted appropriately, and a high-quality reformate gas can be obtained.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a device for reducing a concentration of carbon monoxide contained in reformate gas that has been obtained through reformation of a hydrocarbon such as methyl alcohol and a fuel such as water vapor. The present invention also related to a carbon monoxide reducing method.
2. Description of Related Art
As a system using this type of reformate gas, there is known a system that employs a fuel cell. For example, a typical fuel cell employing an electrolyte film permeable to protons is designed to electrochemically oxidize fuel, such as hydrogen gas, and to take out an electromotive power generated during the process.
A reformer that is used in such a system equipped with this fuel cell is designed, for example, to supply a reforming catalyst with methanol and water vapor and to obtain a reformate gas therefrom composed mainly of hydrogen, through a reforming reaction under a predetermined temperature. Basically, the reforming reaction is an endothermic reaction in which 1 mole of methanol reacts with 1 mole of water to produce 3 moles of hydrogen and 1 mole of carbon dioxide. However, a small amount of carbon monoxide is inevitably generated. The reaction is expressed by the formula (i) shown below. EQU CH.sub.3 OH+H.sub.2 O.fwdarw.3H.sub.2 +CO.sub.2 +.alpha.CO-49.5(kJ/mol) (i)
In the case where reformate gas is used as a fuel gas for a fuel cell, platinum is employed as a catalyst for electrodes of the fuel cell. Therefore, if the fuel gas or reformate gas contains carbon monoxide, the carbon monoxide poisons and deteriorates the platinum. For this reason, it is preferable to gradually remove carbon monoxide from the reformate gas. Various methods for removing carbon monoxide from the reformate gas are known in the art. For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. HEI 8-329969 discloses a device wherein an oxidation portion for oxidizing carbon monoxide contained in the reformate gas is disposed between a reforming portion for causing a reforming reaction and a fuel cell. In this device, the concentration of carbon monoxide is detected in a reformate gas feed path extending from the reformer to the fuel cell. If the concentration has become equal to or greater than a predetermined level, the amount of air supplied to the oxidation portion is increased.
In the aforementioned device of the related art, the carbon monoxide contained in the reformate gas reacts with oxygen contained in the air at an oxidation catalyst of the oxidation portion and is converted to carbon dioxide, which is not harmful to the platinum. In this manner, carbon monoxide is removed from the reformate gas. However, according to the aforementioned device of the related art, although the amount of air blown into the oxidation portion is increased with increases in concentration of carbon monoxide contained in the reformate gas, that amount of air may not always be suited for an actual amount of carbon monoxide.
That is, in principle, 1 mole of carbon monoxide reacts with 1/2 mole of oxygen to produce 1 mole of carbon dioxide. Therefore, if the amount of air supplied to the oxidation portion is insufficient with respect to an amount of carbon monoxide contained in the reformate gas, not all of the carbon monoxide is converted to carbon dioxide, and unreacted carbon monoxide is supplied to the fuel cell and poisons the platinum catalyst. Conversely, if an excessive amount of air is supplied to the oxidation portion, surplus oxygen is supplied to the fuel cell together with the reformate gas. As a result, the fuel gas for the fuel cell may burn instead of being used to generate electric power. However, in the device of the related art wherein the amount of air blown into the oxidation portion is increased simply based on a detected concentration of carbon monoxide, no effective measures may be taken to address or eliminate these problems.

Carbon monoxide reducing device for reducing carbon monoxide in a reformate gas


A light emitting diode driving system with precise timing switched dimming control used for driving light emitting diode elements is provided, which comprises a power detection unit, a timer control logic, a light emitting diode dimming driver, and a power supply unit being able to overcome different conditions of power source, switch leakage, and system elements to design the timer dimming with steady and precise working status, and solve problems of each of the independent systems which are not synchronized due to imprecisely timed under power-off condition, while providing various dimming mode for users, and a dimming method using aforementioned LED driving system.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a light emitting diode driving system, in particular with respect to a light emitting diode (LED) driving system with precise timing control dimming control used for driving light emitting diode elements and dimming method using the same.
2. Description of the Related Art
Because the energy crisis becomes more and more severe, LED, which is regarded as a high efficiency light source, has caused high attention. For example, white light LED has not only been commonly applied to backlight sources of consumer electronics, such as cell phone, PDA, LCD TV and so on, but also widely-used in public signal marks, industrial communication lighting system, car lamps, and fields of enormous normal industrial and civil lighting systems.
In addition, comparing with fluorescent lamp, energy saving lamp, high-pressure sodium lamp, dimming can be carried out easily in terms of LED light source; consequently, dimming function shall be added to various LED lamps. From smaller lighting equipment, such as light bulb to large one, LED's power source has to drive widespread diverse applications; additionally, the power source thereof still needs to support the Triac dimming which the traditional illumination lamps use, PWM dimming used by LED lighting and linear dimming by turning knob's variable resistance and so on and so forth.
Generally, the current LED switched dimming utilizes natural electrical discharge of capacitor to maintain the dimming status, and power source switcher is in off condition, it needs to use capacitor to supply power to flip-flop so as to maintain brightness count value; even though different voltage thresholds may be added to indicate the power source's condition, according to diverse situations of power source, switch leakage and elements of system, it may cause unstable operating status and imprecise timing dimming. As a result, it is a desire to accomplish a LED driving system with precise switched step dimming.

LED driving system for switched dimming control and dimming method using the same


An information processing apparatus which allows a user to select programs that are interesting to the user and are current topics of conversation.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, method, and program. More, particularly, the present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, method, and program capable of selecting programs which are interesting to a user and are current topics of conversation.
2. Description of the Related Art
To date, there have been techniques which analyze matters considered to be current topics on the basis of the number of keywords, etc., included in program information provided as an EPG (Electronic Program Guide), and introduce to users the recorded programs and the programs to be broadcast that match the current topics.
Thus, a user can be provided with, for example the introductions of soccer programs among the recorded programs and the programs to be broadcast during the tournament in which soccer programs are frequently broadcast.
Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 8-166961 has disclosed a technique for enabling a user to easily get information on a particular subject by extracting keywords from a plurality of character string data and by selecting information on the basis of the extracted keywords.
However, there is a problem in that subject matters determined only by program information are not necessarily popular topics among general users, because the contents addressed in the program are not selected by the reflection on subjective judgment of an individual, for example "I am interested in certain topics, or certain topics are popular around me".
In recent years, bulletin boards on which users write their opinions, Weblogs (so-called Blogs) which attract people's attention as a tool for dispatching personal information, etc., have become widespread. Although some topics are not addressed in programs, those topics are often very popular among a certain bulletin board or Blog.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Information processing apparatus, method and program

Abstract: The information processing apparatus includes: a first setting section for extracting a keyword from article information described in an RSS format and being delivered to the user, and giving a ranking to the extracted keyword; and a second setting section for acquiring at least one of program information on a program being received and program information on a recorded program, and giving a ranking to the program including, in the program information, the same keyword as a keyword having as far as a predetermined ranking among the keywords having rankings given by the first setting section.


One or more techniques and/or systems described herein implement, among other things, a parabolic curve for a ramp signal in a data acquisition component, where the curve can be effectively calibrated and used to provide a settling period to mitigate noise. That is, a ramp generator can generate a ramp signal that has a parabolic voltage curve with two substantially mirroring halves. A comparator can compare a first portion of the parabolic voltage curve with a voltage signal indicative of a number of photons detected by a detection array. A second portion of the parabolic voltage curve is used as a temporal delay so that circuitry, such as the ramp generator, can settle.

The present application relates to the field of imaging, such as particle detection, radiographic imaging, photography, etc. It finds particular application with medical, security, and/or other applications where measuring discrete events to obtain an image of an object may be useful, but it is not intended to be limited to merely the same.
Imaging systems, such as computed tomography (CT) systems, line scanners, etc., provide information, or images, of an object under examination (e.g., interior aspects an object under examination). For example, in radiographic imaging systems, the object is exposed to radiation, and one or more images are formed based upon the radiation absorbed by the object, or rather an amount of radiation that is able to pass through the object. Typically, highly dense objects absorb (e.g., attenuate) more radiation than less dense objects, and thus an object having a higher density, such as a bone or gun, for example, will be apparent when surrounded by less dense objects, such as fatty tissue or clothing, for example. A detector array, generally positioned opposite a radiation source from which radiation is emitted relative the object under examination, is configured to detect radiation that traverses the object under examination and convert such radiation into signals and/or data that may be processed to produce the image(s). Such an image(s) may be viewed by security personnel to detect threat items (e.g., weapons, etc.) and/or viewed by medical personnel to detect medical conditions (e.g., cancerous tissue), for example.
In some scanners, such as three-dimensional radiographic imaging scanners (e.g., CT scanners), for example, the detector array and radiation source are mounted on opposing sides of a rotating gantry that forms a ring, or toroid, around the object under examination. In such a scanner, the rotating gantry (including the radiation source and/or detector array) is rotated in a circle situated within an x, y plane about a z-axis substantially perpendicular to the x, y plane (e.g., an "isocenter") during an examination. The object is generally supported by a support article (e.g., a bed, conveyor belt, etc.) that runs in the z direction substantially parallel to the mechanical center of rotation (e.g., the isocenter). As the rotating gantry is rotated, radiation is substantially continuously emitted from a focal spot of the radiation source toward the object under examination.
Radiation photons that impinge the detector array can be converted into a current or voltage, and a corresponding analog signal, that is representative of, or directly proportional to, the number of photons detected can be produced. For example, a higher voltage signal may correspond to more detected photons and a lower voltage signal may correspond to fewer detected photons.
Analog to digital converters (A/D) are often used in imaging systems to convert an analog signal, such as a voltage signal proportional to a number of detected photons, to a digital signal, where a digital signal may be more easily used for image reconstruction, for example. One type of ADC is the ramp ADC. An unknown input (e.g., indicative of a number of detected photons) is compared against a known input (e.g., a ramp signal), and a time it takes for the two signals to meet (e.g., have equal voltage levels) can be used as the digital output (e.g., number of timed sampling units). One of the more common types of ramp signals is a linear ramp signal, which is characterized by a voltage that increases at a constant rate. While this type of ramp has proven useful, it has several disadvantages. For example, identifying the voltage of an unknown signal from a linear ramp signal is time consuming because the sampling units (e.g., codes) are evenly distributed even though a non-uniform distribution of fewer units may provide the same or similar accuracy. For example, where a relatively large number of photons are detected (e.g., hundreds of thousands), fewer sampling units are necessary because the effect of missing a few photons (e.g., due to a lack of samplings) may be relatively insignificant given the large noise inherent to the signal and the large number of photons detected (e.g., as indicated by higher voltage signals). On the other hand, where a relatively small number of photons are detected (e.g., less than one hundred), more sampling units are necessary because the effect of missing a few photons (e.g., due to a lack of samplings) may be relatively significant given the relatively small photon noise and the small number of photons detected (e.g., as indicated by lower voltage signals). Thus, because the number of sampling units used for higher voltage signals (e.g., indicative of more photons) is generally the same as the number of sampling units used for lower voltage signals (e.g., indicative of fewer photons), more time is taken than is needed in conventional systems because fewer sampling units are needed for the higher voltage signals. Moreover, because of the high number of sampling units, the amount of data that is produced is large and may need to be compressed before transmission from a rotating gantry portion of a scanner to a stationary portion, for example, requiring additional resources and/or overhead.
More recently, non-linear ramp signals, such as logarithmic or square ramp signals, have been utilized because these ramp signals typically overcome at least some of the disadvantages of linear ramp signals. For example, non-linear ramp signals have been used because such signals generally require fewer sampling units, and thus take less time. Stated differently, at levels indicative of more photons (e.g., higher voltage signals) the number of sampling units used is less than the number of sampling units used at levels indicative of fewer photons (e.g., lower voltage signals), thus reducing overall time. Moreover, because the number of sampling units is fewer, the amount of data generated from a scan is less than the amount of data generated if a linear ramp where used. Thus, little to no data compression may be required to transfer the data from a rotating gantry portion of the scanner to a stationary portion of the scanner, for example.
While non-linear ramp signals overcome many of the disadvantages of linear ramp signals, non-linear ramp signals also have some disadvantages. For example, these ramps require high bandwidth circuits to generate the ramps quickly and accurately. Such circuits are costly to manufacturer and may introduce electronic and/or other types of noise into the system.


Embodiments relate to an organic light-emitting display device, comprising a first substrate defined by a plurality of pixels each including a pixel area and a transmittance area adjacent to the pixel area, the pixel area emitting light in a first direction and the transmittance area transmitting external light, and the first substrate including a pair of optical pattern units for transmitting or blocking the external light for each transmittance area according to coded patterns corresponding to the plurality of pixels, a second substrate facing the first substrate and encapsulating the plurality of pixels on the first substrate, and a pair of sensor units corresponding to the pair of optical pattern units, the pair of sensor units being arranged in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction in which the light is emitted, the pair of sensor units receiving the external light passing through the pair of optical pattern units.

1. Field
Embodiments relate to an organic light emitting display apparatus. More particularly, embodiments relate to an organic light emitting display apparatus for implementing interactive media.
2. Description of the Related Art
Interactive media is media in which a user and a mechanical device interact with each other. In interactive media, the user and the mechanical device interact with each other according to specific roles. For example, the display device in a display mode may provide an image to a user, and when the user makes a gesture in capture mode, the display device captures and recognizes the gesture. Then, the display device realizes a function corresponding to the gesture.

Organic light emitting display apparatus


The invention relates to a method of maintaining the pressure difference in a heat treatment plant such as, for example, a pasteurizer for liquid foods. In a temporary production disruption, the insufficiently treated product is caused to recycle by a return stroke. The pressure difference is maintained in that the already heat-treated product is enclosed in a conduit on the downstream side (14) of the plant, and that the space for the product in the conduit is restricted. The space for the product is restricted either in that a food gas is led into the conduit, or alternatively that the product conduit (29) is provided with an expansive portion (27). The expansive portion (27) consists of a pipe length (28) with an inner elastic wall (30) which expands by means of a gas or a liquid.

The present invention relates to a method of maintaining the pressure difference in a heat treatment plant for liquid food products, of the type in which, in a production disruption, the insufficiently treated product is caused to recycle by a return stroke.
The method is intended to be used in a plant for heat treatment of the type which is described in Swedish Patent Specification SE 9203213-5. Such a heat treatment plant is intended for pasteurising liquid food products, such as milk. The plant essentially comprises a plate heat exchanger, divided into a cooler section, one or more regenerative sections and a heater section. The plant also includes a retainer cell, normally placed outside the heat exchanger, pumps, balance tank and a number of pressure and temperature meters. Further components which may also belong to the plant are a separator, standardisation equipment and a homogeniser. The various part included in the plant are interconnected to form a unit by means of conduits. The unit is a plant for heat treatment of liquid food products, a pasteuriser.
The heat treatment plant is intended to heat the product to a certain, preselected temperature and keep the product at this temperature for a given time. The temperature in pasteurisation is normally 72-75xc2x0 C. and the time interval is 15-20 seconds.
In the heat treatment plant which is intended, use is made of regenerative sections, i.e. use is made of the heated, ready-pasteurised product which is on its way out of the plant to heat up the cold product which is entering the plant. As a result of this procedure, a high thermal degree of efficiency will be attained in the plant. At the same time, care must be taken to ensure that the pasteurised product is at a higher pressure than the unpasturised product so that, in the event of untightness between the plates in the heat exchanger, there is no risk that unpasteurised product leak out into the pasteurised product. The problem may be wholly obviated by simply using water as the thermal transfer mediums, which, however, radically reduces the degree of efficiency of the plant. Use may also be made f a heat exchanger with double plates, having a space for drainage of leaking product but this renders the plant considerably more expensive.
Thus, the striving is to maintain an excess pressure on the pasteused product, which may constitute a problem since, in the event of production disruption, there may be a temporary pressure drop. The authorities in different countries will probably in future issue stricter regulations relating to pasteurisation safety and, as a result, the demands of being able to maintain the pressure difference so as not to run the risk that unpasteurised product infects the already pasteurinsed product.
In production disruptions such as varying temperature of the incoming product into the pasteuriser, brief disruptions in steam supply or variations in the fat content of the product, a product which has not reached the correct temperature may leave the heater section. Such incompletely heated product is recycled to the balance tank, or is alternatively recycled over a larger or smaller part of the plate heat exchanger. During this time, operational security must be sustained by a maintained excess pressure on the already pasteurised product. The longer the operational downtime, the more difficult it will be to maintain the excess pressure.
One object of the present invention is, in a simple and reliable manner, to ensure that the excess pressure is maintained on the pasteurised product when a temporary pressure drop occurs in connection with a production disruptions.
SOLUTION
This and other objects have been attained according to the present invention in that the method of the type described by way of introduction has been given the characterizing feature that the pressure difference after a return stroke is maintained in that the treated product is enclosed in a conduit on the downstream side of the plant, and that the space for the product there is restricted.
Preferred embodiments of the method according to the present invention have further been given the characterizing features as set forth in the appended subclaims.

Method of maintaining the pressure difference in a heat treatment plant


A semiconductor device includes: a p-type semiconductor layer mainly made of GaN; an n-type semiconductor layer mainly made of GaN and joined with the p-type semiconductor layer; a protective film arranged to coat the p-type semiconductor layer and the n-type semiconductor layer; a gate insulating film arranged to coat the p-type semiconductor layer and the n-type semiconductor layer; and a gate electrode joined with the gate insulating film. The protective film includes: a first layer made of Al2O3 and arranged adjacent to the p-type semiconductor layer and the n-type semiconductor layer to coat an edge of a p-n junction surface; a second layer made of an electrical insulation material different from Al2O3 and formed on the first layer; and an opening structure formed to pass through the first layer and the second layer. The gate insulating film is placed inside of the opening structure.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a semiconductor device.
2. Related Art
GaN-based semiconductor devices having one or more semiconductor layers mainly made of gallium nitride (GaN) have been known as one type of semiconductor devices (semiconductor elements). Some of the GaN-based semiconductor devices may serve as a MOSFET (Metal-Oxide Semiconductor Field-Effect Transistor). In order to reduce the leak current on the interface of the semiconductor layer, relieve the potential crowding on the semiconductor layer and protect a junction surface between two semiconductor layers, a protective film is formed to coat the semiconductor layer in the GaN-based semiconductor device. The protective film is made of an electrical insulation material. In terms of reducing the potential damage of the semiconductor layer, wet etching is more preferable than dry etching for the etching process of the protective film.
JP 2008-198787A describes a protective film made of one type of electrical insulation material selected out of, for example, silicon dioxide (SiO2) and aluminum oxide (Al2O3). JP 2011-77123A describes separately forming two layers of a protective film made of silicon nitride (SiN), in order to form an opening structure below the working limit by photolithography. JP 2010-166040A describes forming a protective film made of, for example, silicon dioxide (SiO2) or silicon oxynitride (SiON) on a gate insulating film made of aluminum oxide (Al2O3), in order to suppress erosion of the gate insulating film during manufacture.


A system for providing vehicle location information or confirmation of remote entry system operation to a user. In one embodiment, a vehicle transceiver receives a wireless vehicle device function signal, and a vehicle controller generates a vehicle device control signal for use in operating a vehicle device in response. The vehicle controller also confirms operation of the vehicle device, and the vehicle transceiver transmits a wireless vehicle device function confirmation signal. A remote unit includes a transceiver for operation by the user for transmitting the vehicle device function signal and for receiving the vehicle device function confirmation signal. The remote unit also includes an indicator for providing an indication to the user confirming operation of the vehicle device, and a storage device for storing retrievable data representing the indication confirming operation of the vehicle device.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a system for remotely providing vehicle location or vehicle device information to a user.
2. Background
Remote keyless entry systems for use with motor vehicles are well known in the art. Such systems typically include at least one remote control device, which typically takes the form of a key fob. The key fob includes a wireless transmitter for use by the vehicle owner or user to transmit wireless, usually radio frequency (RF), vehicle device function signals, and includes a number of vehicle function buttons for use in transmitting such signals. A receiver and controller are typically provided in the vehicle for receiving the vehicle device function signals and controlling one or more vehicle devices in order to effect the desired vehicle function.
Vehicle devices which may be remotely controlled in such a fashion may include door lock mechanisms, automatic doors, a vehicle trunk, interior and/or exterior vehicle lights, a vehicle horn, or a vehicle alarm. In that regard, transmission of vehicle device function signals may effect locking or unlocking of a vehicle door, closing or opening a vehicle door, opening a vehicle trunk, activating interior and/or exterior vehicle lights, or activating a vehicle horn or alarm.
In such remote keyless entry systems, it is known to use a vehicle horn and/or exterior lights, such as headlamps, to aid in locating the vehicle. In that regard, for example, a key fob may be provided with a vehicle locator button specifically for use in locating the vehicle. Activation by the vehicle owner or user of the vehicle locator button on the key fob causes transmission of a signal that, when received at the vehicle, may cause the vehicle horn to sound or the vehicle headlamps to flash a number of times to help the vehicle owner or user locate the vehicle, such as in a crowded parking lot or garage.
It is also known to use a vehicle horn and/or exterior lights in such remote keyless entry systems to provide feedback to the vehicle owner or user concerning the success of a requested vehicle function, or to provide an alarm for use in the event of an emergency. In that regard, a first activation by a user of a vehicle door lock button on a key fob may, for example, cause transmission of a vehicle device function signal for use in locking the vehicle doors. Within a short time after that first activation, a second activation by the user of the vehicle door look button may cause transmission of a signal that in turn causes the vehicle horn to sound or the vehicle headlamps to flash in order to immediately confirm for the user that the vehicle doors have been successfully locked. A key fob may also include an alarm button, activation of which by the vehicle owner or user causes transmission of a signal that in turn causes the vehicle horn and/or a separate vehicle alarm to sound repeatedly, and may also cause the vehicle headlamps to flash repeatedly. While not necessarily intended by manufacturers to help locate a vehicle, such confirmation and/or alarm functions of a key fob may also be used for vehicle location by a vehicle owner or user.
However, using remote keyless entry systems to locate a vehicle as described above may be ineffective and/or undesirable. More specifically, flashing exterior vehicle lights may not be noticeable during daylight hours, and a horn may not be perceptible in high noise areas. Still further, flashing lights and/or a sounding horn or alarm may also compromise the security of a vehicle owner or user, as the location of the vehicle may also be provided to others.
Moreover, after leaving the vicinity of a vehicle, the vehicle owner or user may become uncertain as to whether, for example, the vehicle doors were locked. In that event, if the user is no longer within the range of the key fob transmitter, the user is unable to confirm that a vehicle function, such a door locking operation, was successfully undertaken.
Thus, there exists a need for an improved system for providing vehicle location information to a vehicle owner or user. Such a system would overcome the above-described problems associated with prior art remote entry system vehicle location functions. Such a system would preferably use a remote unit, such as a key fob, to provide a vehicle user with an indication of a directional location of the vehicle relative to the remote unit, preferably based on the signal strength of a wireless vehicle locator signal transmitted from the remote unit.
There also exists a need for an improved system for providing vehicle device information to a vehicle owner or user. Such a system would overcome the above-described problems associated with confirmation of vehicle device operations in prior art remote keyless entry systems. Such a system would preferably use a remote unit, such as a key fob, to provide a vehicle user with confirmation of the operation of a vehicle device, preferably using an indicator, such as a display, on the remote unit.
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a system for remotely providing vehicle location or vehicle device information to a user.
According to the present invention, then, in a remote entry system for a vehicle, a system is provided for providing confirmation of remote entry system operation to a user. The system comprises a first transceiver to be located in the vehicle for receiving a wireless vehicle device function signal, a first controller to be located in the vehicle and to be provided in communication with the first transceiver, the first controller for generating a vehicle device control signal for use in operating a vehicle device in response to the vehicle device function signal and for confirming operation of the vehicle device, wherein the first transceiver transmits a wireless vehicle device function confirmation signal, and a remote unit. The remote unit comprises a second transceiver having a transceiver activation button for operation by the user, the second transceiver for transmitting the vehicle device function signal in response to operation of the transceiver activation button by the user, and for receiving the vehicle device function confirmation signal, and a second controller in communication with the second transceiver for generating an indicator control signal in response to the vehicle device function confirmation signal. The remote unit further comprises an indicator in communication with the second controller for receiving the indicator control signal and providing an indication to the user in response thereto, the indication confirming operation of the vehicle device, and a storage device in communication with the second controller, the storage device for storing data representing the indication confirming operation of the vehicle device, the data being retrievable by the user.
According to the present invention, a system is also provided for providing vehicle location information to a user. The system comprises a first transceiver to be located in the vehicle for receiving a wireless vehicle locator signal, and a first controller to be located in the vehicle and to be provided in communication with the first transceiver, the first controller for determining a signal strength of the vehicle locator signal, wherein the first transceiver transmits a wireless vehicle directional signal when a maximum signal strength of the vehicle locator signal is determined, and a remote unit. The remote unit comprises a second transceiver for transmitting the vehicle locator signal, and for receiving the vehicle directional signal, a second controller in communication with the second transceiver for generating an indicator control signal in response to the vehicle directional signal, and an indicator in communication with the second controller for receiving the indicator control signal and providing an indication to the user in response thereto of a directional location of the vehicle relative to the remote unit.
The preferred embodiments of the present invention are set forth in the following detailed descriptions thereof, including the accompanying drawings.

Remote system for providing vehicle information to a user


A new and distinct cultivar of Cornus plant named ‘Cato’, characterized by its low mounded plant habit; freely branching habit; dense and bushy appearance; leaves becoming rich yellow in color during the autumn; and yellow to red-colored stems.

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Cornus, grown as an ornamental shrub, botanically known as Cornus sanguinea and hereinafter referred to by the name 'Cato'.
The new Cornus is a product of a planned breeding program conducted by the Inventor in Zundert, The Netherlands. The objective of the breeding program was to develop new Cornus cultivars with improved growth habit and coloration.
The new Cornus originated from an open-pollination made during 1997 of the Cornus sanguinea cultivar Winter Flame, not patented, as the female, or seed, parent with an unknown selection of Cornus sanguinea. The new Cornus was discovered and selected by the Inventor from within the progeny of the stated open-pollination in a controlled environment in Zundert, The Netherlands in 1998.
Asexual reproduction of the new Cornus by softwood cuttings in a controlled environment in Zundert, The Netherlands since 1999, has shown that the unique features of this new Cornus are stable and reproduced true to type in successive generations.


The present invention relates generally to methods and materials for treating conditions associated with IgE activation in humans and animals, and to agents capable of modulating the activation. The agents of the invention comprise or are related to IGBPMA polypeptides from ticks.

IgE is a class of antibody involved in allergic reactions. These reactions occur when an individual who has produced IgE antibody in response to an innocuous antigen (allergen sensitisation) subsequently encounters the same allergen. The allergen triggers the activation of IgE-binding mast cells in the exposed tissue leading to a series of responses that are characteristic of allergy.
IgE is the immunoglobulin associated with Type I hypersensitivity reactions, which include asthma, allergic rhinitis ('hay fever'), allergic conjunctivitis, urticaria and other allergies. Over-expression of this antibody is responsible for a substantial amount of human disease ranging from mild hay fever to life-threatening conditions such as severe asthma, peanut allergy and anaphylactic reactions to drugs such as penicillin. Activation of IgE triggers the response of cells such as mast cells in the skin, eyes, nose and bronchial tree.
Current approaches aimed at counteracting the unwanted effects of IgE activation include anti-IgE vaccines and anti-IgE monoclonal antibodies. The former are largely experimental. The anti-IgE monoclonal antibody approach has been more successful, although at present there is only a single example on the market (omalizumab, brand name Xolair®).
Thus it can be seen that a novel source of IgE modulators would provide a contribution to the art.

Methods of administering IGBPMA to treat type 1 hypersensitivity


Embodiments provide resource scheduling method, user equipment, and an access network device. The method includes: receiving, by user equipment over a first control channel, first indication information corresponding to a transport block, where time-frequency resources occupied by a data channel in which the transport block is located include a first resource set and a second resource set, and the first indication information is used to indicate the first resource set and a time-frequency resource of a second control channel; receiving, by the user equipment, second indication information over the second control channel, where the second indication information is used to indicate the second resource set; and determining, by the user equipment, the transport block based on the first resource set and the second resource set. This can reduce control signaling overheads and improve flexibility of control channel resource scheduling.

An access network device usually indicates, to user equipment, a time-frequency resource of a data channel by sending control information. The time-frequency resource of the data channel carries data information sent to the user equipment.
In a next generation communications system (5G), an access bandwidth changes dynamically, and a format of control information for resource allocation varies with the access bandwidth. For example, when the access bandwidth is 5 MHz, a size of indication information for indicating a data channel resource is 13 bits; and when the access bandwidth is 10 MHz, the size of the indication information for indicating the data channel resource is 17 bits. The sizes of the indication information are different for different access bandwidths. In addition, as a system bandwidth increases, a length of indication information bits in control signaling increases. Consequently, more control channel resources are occupied and higher overheads are caused.

Resource scheduling method, user equipment, and access network device


A new and distinct cultivar of Hedychium plant characterized by striking, strongly variegated leaves, showy fragrant flowers, repeat blooming, and excellent vigor.

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of an herbaceous perennial of the genus, Hedychium, and known by the cultivar name of 'Tahitian Flame'. The genus Hedychium is a member of the family Zingiberaceae. This cultivar occurred as natural branch mutation of Hedychium 'Doctor Moy' (an unpatented plant) in a greenhouse in Canby, Oreg. Hedychium 'Doctor Moy' was bred by retired plant breeder Dr. Moy and is an interspecific hybrid between Hedychium. flavum and Hedychium. coccineum. The new cultivar differs from its parent in having stronger variegation.


There is provided an ultrasonic wave diagnosis instrument. The ultrasonic wave Doppler diagnosis instrument transmits an ultrasonic continuous wave in a range direction and receives a reflective wave of the ultrasonic continuous wave. The ultrasonic wave Doppler diagnosis instrument includes: a modulation unit that subjects the ultrasonic continuous wave to frequency modulation such that a phase is varied in accordance with the distance of the range direction; a demodulation unit that demodulates the reflective wave for each range of the range direction while interlocking with the frequency modulation, and generates a reception signal in the range in a separated state; and a presentation unit that presents information by using a signal of a Doppler component based on the reception signal.

An ultrasonic wave Doppler diagnosis instrument has become an indispensable modality at the time of observing a blood flow in a subject to be examined. In the ultrasonic wave Doppler diagnosis instrument, an X-ray exposure as in an X-ray diagnostic apparatus is not performed. A probe comes into contact with a body surface of the subject to be examined, so that the subject can be diagnosed. Therefore, it can meet a requirement for convenience in a medical field.
As an ultrasonic wave Doppler method which is performed by the ultrasonic wave Doppler diagnosis instrument, there are a pulsed wave Doppler (PWD) method and a continuous wave Doppler method (CWD). Of them, according to the pulsed wave Doppler method, using a pulsed wave as a transmission ultrasonic wave, only information of a blood flow of any specific depth can be detected. The pulsed wave Doppler method is mainly used in the heart or great arteries. However, in the pulsed wave Doppler method, since there is a restriction by a pulse repetition frequency (PRF), a so-called turnback phenomenon is generated. As a result, there is a restriction in a range of measurable blood flow speed.
In the meantime, according to the continuous wave Doppler method, a continuous wave is used as a transmitted ultrasonic wave. However, in processing a reflective ultrasonic wave signal where all Doppler signals in an ultrasonic beam direction overlap, there is a problem in that there is no distance resolution. In addition, since all reflective signals on a beam are collected, a clutter component of large power other than a Doppler component is contained. As a result, in obtaining sufficient Doppler sensitivity by using the continuous wave Doppler method, a large dynamic range or a steep wall filter is necessary. Therefore, the continuous wave Doppler method is mainly used for speed detection of a valve regurgitation jet of the heart or the like.
However, different from the pulsed wave Doppler method, the continuous wave Doppler method has a distinct advantage. That is, according to the advantage of the continuous wave Doppler method, the collection of blood flow information using a continuous wave can be made. Therefore, a Doppler range can be increased (specifically, a sampling frequency of a frequency analyzer is an upper limit), and a spectrum Doppler image can be obtained in which turnback does not occur even in a high-speed blood flow like a jet flow.
In the meantime, in a recent ultrasonic wave Doppler method, the needs have been required 'that want to detect fast blood flow deep within a subject to be examined without turnback'. These needs cannot be satisfied by the above-mentioned pulsed wave Doppler method and continuous wave Doppler method. Accordingly, some attempts have been made so as to meet these needs. One of some attempts is an HPRF (High PRF) method of a pulsed wave Doppler. However, even though the HPRF method is used, it is likely for a second range gate to cause saturation in a short distance, and signals are not necessarily accurately collected from a deep portion of the subject.
In addition, another method for meeting the above-mentioned needs has been disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2. This method is based on a focus technology by a continuous wave Doppler method using an ultrasonic wave probe of a two-dimensional array. Specifically, according to this method, focus locations of transmission and reception are varied by means of not a conventional one-dimensional ultrasonic wave probe but a 1.5 dimensional or two-dimensional array-type ultrasonic wave probe having an array expanded in a lens direction (elevation direction), and a Doppler signal near the focus is selectively collected.
However, in the focus method disclosed in Patent Documents, the sensitivity near the focus is raised slightly, as compared with the sensitivity of a range other than the range near the focus. When a fixed material component/moving material component having large power exist on the same beam, it is not possible to obtain a sufficient distance resolution. In addition, since the detection is made with the sensitivity distribution that is determined by a sound field distribution of transmission and reception near the focus, a signal of a region having a large width may be detected, which results in not obtaining the sufficient distance resolution.    Patent Document 1: U.S. Pat. No. 2,500,937    Patent Document 2: U.S. Pat. No. 3,069,910


Provided are a semiconductor device and a method of manufacturing the same. The method includes the steps of: forming a first silicon layer on a semiconductor substrate; patterning the first silicon layer formed on the semiconductor substrate, and exposing a channel region; forming a second silicon layer on the semiconductor substrate in which the channel region is exposed; removing the first silicon layer, and forming source and drain regions; and forming a third silicon layer in the source and drain regions. According to the manufacturing method, it is possible to minimize defects in a silicon interface by forming the source and drain using only a selective epitaxial growth method without a dry-etching process. Also, since stress is concentrated to a silicon channel region, hole mobility and driving current characteristics are considerably improved.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a semiconductor device and a method of manufacturing the same, and more particularly, to a semiconductor device having a recessed source and drain structure formed by selective epitaxial growth of a compound semiconductor material such as silicon-germanium (SiGe) and a method of manufacturing the same.
2. Discussion of Related Art
Recently, as electrical devices are being made ever smaller, thinner and lighter, semiconductor devices are rapidly being made smaller and thinner. For example, reduction in the size of complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) transistors has led to considerable progress in increasing the operating speed and degree of integration of devices. However, a CMOS transistor having a gate width of 65 nm or less is hard to manufacture because various problems may occur in the manufacturing process. In order to solve the problems, various methods of applying tension and compressive stress to a silicon channel constituting a transistor to enhance electron and hole mobility and increase driving current have been suggested.
According to one of the methods, a SiGe layer in which stress is reduced is grown to have minimum defects under both sides of a silicon channel. It is known that the electron mobility of an outwardly strained silicon channel formed on a SiGe single crystal is higher than that of a bulk silicon layer. In addition, it is known that the hole mobility of a compressively strained SiGe layer having a high germanium content is five or more times faster than that of a bulk silicon layer.
According to another method, after a transistor has been manufactured, a silicon-nitride layer having high stress is grown on the transistor, and thereby stress is applied to a silicon channel. It is known that electron mobility increases by about 20% when the method is applied to an n-type metal-oxide semiconductor field effect transistor (nMOSFET). Most lately, a method that forms a recessed SiGe source and drain in a p-type MOSFET (pMOSFET) and thereby improves hole mobility has been suggested. It is known that hole mobility increases by about 50% and driving current increases by about 25% when the method is applied.
According to the most general method of forming a recessed SiGe source and drain, a gate spacer is formed, a substrate is etched to a desired depth by a plasma dry-etching method, and a SiGe layer is selectively formed in source and drain regions by a chemical vapor deposition method.
Hereinafter, a conventional recessed source and drain structure will be described with reference to appended drawings. FIGS. 1A to 1D are side cross-sectional views illustrating a manufacturing process of a semiconductor device having a conventional recessed source and drain structure.
Referring to FIG. 1A, a gate oxide layer 12 is formed on a semiconductor substrate 11 which constitutes a transistor 10, and a gate electrode 13 is formed on the gate oxide layer 12. Gate spacers 14 are formed on sidewalls of the gate electrode 13, and isolation layers 15 are formed at outer regions surrounding an element in order to isolate the element from adjacent elements, e.g., transistors.
Referring to FIG. 1B, source and drain regions 16 are formed on the semiconductor substrate 11 of FIG. 1A using a plasma dry-etching method. The source and drain regions 16 are etched to a predetermined depth. In general, when the plasma dry-etching method is used, defects may occur on a silicon surface, and thus there are defects 16a on the surface of the source and drain regions 16 due to the etching.
Referring to FIGS. 1C and 1D, after the plasma dry-etching process, SiGe single crystals are selectively grown so that source and drain electrodes 17 are formed on the source and drain regions 16. Subsequently, nickel-silicide layers 18 are formed on the SiGe single crystals and the gate electrode 13.
However, when the plasma dry-etching method is used to form the recessed SiGe source and drain regions through the process described above, defects may occur on the silicon surface and cause related defects on an interface on which the SiGe single crystals are formed. Therefore, in order to minimize the defects of the SiGe single crystals, low ion implantation energy is suggested together with a chemical dry-etching method. However, since the source and drain regions toward a silicon channel may be formed in a bird's beak shape rather than perpendicular to the surface of the silicon, stress cannot be uniformly transferred to the silicon channel.
In addition, according to the method described above, the source and drain regions are formed after the gate spacers are formed. Therefore, the distance between the source and drain becomes larger than the gate width by the distance of both spacers, so that it is hard to transfer stress to the silicon channel. More specifically, the source and drain regions are formed larger than the gate width, and thus a stress value in the silicon channel decreases compared to when the source and drain regions are positioned under both sides of the gate.

Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same

Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute