A method is provided for changing a property of a sample. A sample, comprising particles suspended within a sample fluid, is introduced into a channel which comprises two walls that are permeable to a flow of fluid. A cross-flow is introduced at a predetermined temperature and of a predetermined chemical composition into the channel through a wall. This cross-flow flows at a first velocity and exits in a first direction through the other wall. An imposed field is applied on the particles in a second direction counter to the first direction of the cross-flow. The imposed field causes the particles to migrate at a second velocity opposite and/or equal to the first velocity of the cross-flow. Particles that are approximately balanced by the first and second velocities travel through the channel and are discharged in a fluid of predetermined chemical composition and at the predetermined temperature of the cross-flow.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to methods, apparatuses, and articles of manufacture for changing a property of a sample, and in particular, for changing a temperature, particle size, and/or chemical composition of a fluidic sample with an opposed migration aerosol classifier (OMAC).
2. Description of the Related Art
(Note: This application references a number of different publications as indicated throughout the specification by reference numbers enclosed in brackets, e.g., [x]. A list of these different publications ordered according to these reference numbers can be found below in the section entitled "References." Each of these publications is incorporated by reference herein.)
A number of different systems and techniques have been developed for separating and measuring particles contained in fluids such as gases (e.g. aerosols or atmospheric ultrafine particles) and liquids (e.g. colloids or suspensions). Common systems and techniques in the art include the usage of condensation particle counters (CPC) and differential electrical mobility classifiers (DEMC) such as differential mobility analyzers (DMA) and inclined grid mobility analyzers (IGMA). Such systems separate and measure particles according to specific particle properties/characteristics, for example a size, mass or charge of the particle. The systems may also separate and measure particles based on a change in a specific property/characteristic of the particles (e.g. size, mass, charge) when the particles are subjected to certain conditions and environments.
One exemplary application for DMAs in tandem measurements (i.e. tandem differential mobility analysis) is to probe for particle properties such as hygroscopicity and volatility [1, 2]. A typical tandem DMA setup comprises a fixed-voltage DMA that supplies a substantially monodisperse aerosol sample. The temperature and/or vapor composition is then changed, typically by flowing the sample through a denuder or a heated tube. The particles respond to this changed environment, and the extent to which they grow or shrink is determined by using a second DMA operating in scanning mode.
Independent of the system used, oftentimes the greatest difficulty in separating and measuring particles with changing environments is the different time histories of the particles as they traverse the intermediate step where a sample property, such as the temperature or composition, is changed. For example, temperature and vapor changes respectively rely on diffusion from and to the walls of the system, which is often a comparatively slow process relative to the sample flow through the system. Furthermore, particles that are near the walls may experience a substantially different environment as compared to those further away from the walls of the system. Thus, a final measured signal is often an amalgamation of particles subject to inconsistent conditions and environments under a wide range of time histories. Therefore, the effect of changing a property of a sample is difficult to measure and quantify with great certainty and the separation or measurement of specific particles is equally frustrated.
In view of the above, there is a need for a method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for rapidly changing sample properties, such as the fluid temperature, particle size, and/or fluid chemical composition. Furthermore, there is a need for a method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for performing tandem mobility analysis that subjects particles in a sample to uniform conditions and environments under more consistent time histories, which will allow for more easily quantifiable separations and measurements.

Opposed migration aerosol classifier gas and heat exchanger


An improved spindle arrangement for a suspension system for supporting skis of a snowmobile induces a steering bias in each of the respective skis. A spindle is attached to respective upper and lower linkages of unequal dimensions by ball joints. The ball joints attached at each respective spindle are offset from the longitudinal axis of the spindle in a manner such that a bias is induced in each respective ski causing it to toe-out. Accordingly, the bias induced in the skis creates a situation wherein the snowmobile will give the rider much more confidence and a more comfortable ride when operating the snowmobile at high speed by eliminating the disconcerting feeling that can be generated when the skis tend to toe-in.

The present invention relates generally to an improved spindle arrangement for inclusion in a snowmobile front suspension, and more specifically to a spindle arrangement which is designed to induce a steering bias in attached skis to toe-out.
Snowmobiles typically are used over a wide variety of terrains and historically many different approaches to attaching the front skis have been used. One of the older forms of attachment of a ski includes an L-shaped spindle and is generally of the type shown by U.S. Pat. No. 3,623,563. Another prior art attachment arrangement, depicted in U.S. Pat. No. 3,912,030, shows angled spindles, offset relative to the ski such that the rotary axis of the spindle intersects the bottom of the ski at the centerline of the longitudinal tracking of the ski. Another suspension arrangement, depicted in U.S. Pat. No. 3,884,314, shows a linkage type arrangement for attachment of an angled spindle 36. This arrangement is concerned with the rapid adjustment of the camber and caster of the skis. Yet another prior art arrangement for attachment of the skis to a snowmobile chassis is shown by U.S. Pat. No. 3,920,091, wherein a leaf spring and spindle are utilized. Finally, an arrangement is found in U.S. Pat. No. 4,489,954 wherein a shock absorber, which has some similarity to a MacPherson-strut type of suspension system utilized in the automotive arts, is employed to attach the skis to a snowmobile chassis. None of these typical prior art arrangements are concerned with or teach the concept of an improved spindle as taught by the instant invention, i.e., the inducement of a steering bias in the skis to toe-out.


A heater panel of a radiant heater includes a heating spiral provided on a panel element and mechanically connected to the panel element with a portion of a spiral turn. With the object of providing a heater panel with a stable arrangement of the heating spiral on the panel element by which a high power density is achievable, each spiral turn is detachably connected to the panel element by three spaced-apart contact spots. Two of said contact spots are located on the outer circumference of the spiral turn in such a distance to each other that the radii originating at them define an angle of less than 180°, and the third contact spot is located on the inner circumference of the spiral turn within the portion of the spiral turn facing the panel element and confined by the two outer contacts.

The invention relates to the technical sector of the winding of a textile yarn on a holder, generally in the form of a cylindrical mandrel capable of being driven in rotation. The cylindrical mandrel, or holder, can be driven in rotation either via its axis or via one of its generatrices. This winding can be used for spinning, drafting, texturing, torsion, assembling and reeling operations, etc.
The invention relates to the heater panel of a radiant heater comprising a heating spiral mechanically connected to a panel element with a portion of the spiral turn facing the panel element of the heater panel.
Radiant heaters are used in various fields. They are designed to radiate thermal energy to heat a body without being in direct contact with it, i.e. to transmit thermal energy by radiation. To radiate the heat two-dimensionally and to thereby heat largely dimensioned bodies or numerous bodies arranged on a plane radiant heaters are frequently realised as heater panels.
Such panel heating elements are particularly known for a wide variety of furnaces, for example for annealing furnaces as well as for baking oven muffles and also for cooking plates. In vacuum plants as well panel heating elements are used, for example for heating substrates to be coated. They substantially comprise a panel element on which heating means such as a heating resistor or a heating conductor are disposed. To obtain the highest possible power density, i.e. the highest possible heating power per surface area, the heating means are arranged on the panel element in a meander or spiral shape. In this case, however, the two-dimensional arrangement of the heating means and the minimum distance between the heating conductors resulting from the electric operational parameters limit the power density. A higher power density can be achieved by arranging a heating helix the heating means of which is spiral-shaped and usually has a uniform ascending gradient on the panel element.
According to DE 37 35 179 A1 a spiral-shaped heating helix is arranged on the complete surface of a circular panel element. To fix the heating helix to the panel element a part of each turn of a segment of the helix is embedded in a material applied to the panel element whereby it is fixed thereon. In this case it is, however, problematic that high stresses build up in the heating means and the panel element due to the different thermal expansion of the heating means and the panel element as well as due to the fixation which may lead to damage up to a failure of the heater.
Furthermore the non-embedded portions of the turns and the unfixed segments of the heating helix are movable so that, particularly in case of a thermal expansion, they deform such that the turns which are disposed nearly orthogonally on the panel element will tilt and therefore come closer so that a flashover will occur. This problem can be alleviated by an increased ascending gradient of the spiral and thus by a larger distance between the individual turns which is, however, accompanied by a substantial loss of power density. A denser embedding of the heating helix or an increased embedding of the individual turns will also result in a decrease of the power density since only the exposed portions of the heating means contribute to the heating power.

Heater panel of a radiant heater compromising a heating spiral


A miniaturized transistor with less variation and highly stable electrical characteristics is provided. Further, high performance and high reliability of a semiconductor device including the transistor are achieved. A semiconductor and a conductor are formed over a substrate, a sacrificial layer is formed over the conductor, and an insulator is formed to cover the sacrificial layer. After that, a top surface of the insulator is removed to expose a top surface of the sacrificial layer. The sacrificial layer and a region of the conductor overlapping with the sacrificial layer are removed, whereby a source region, a drain region, and an opening are formed. Next, a gate insulator and a gate electrode are formed in the opening.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to, for example, a transistor, a semiconductor device, and manufacturing methods thereof. The present invention relates to, for example, a display device, a light-emitting device, a lighting device, a power storage device, a memory device, a processor, an imaging device, and an electronic device. The present invention relates to methods for manufacturing an oxide, a display device, a liquid crystal display device, a light-emitting device, a memory device, a processor, an imaging device, and an electronic device. The present invention relates to methods for driving a semiconductor device, a display device, a liquid crystal display device, a light-emitting device, a memory device, a processor, an imaging device, and an electronic device.
Note that one embodiment of the present invention is not limited to the above technical field. The technical field of one embodiment of the invention disclosed in this specification and the like relates to an object, a method, or a manufacturing method. One embodiment of the present invention relates to a process, a machine, manufacture, or a composition of matter.
In this specification and the like, a semiconductor device refers to any device that can function by utilizing semiconductor characteristics. A display device, a light-emitting device, a lighting device, an electro-optical device, a semiconductor circuit, and an electronic device include a semiconductor device in some cases.
2. Description of the Related Art
A technique for forming a transistor by using a semiconductor over a substrate having an insulating surface has attracted attention. The transistor is applied to a wide range of semiconductor devices such as an integrated circuit and a display device. Silicon is known as a semiconductor applicable to a transistor.
As silicon which is used as a semiconductor of a transistor, either amorphous silicon or polycrystalline silicon is used depending on the purpose. For example, in the case of a transistor included in a large display device, it is preferable to use amorphous silicon, which can be used to form a film on a large substrate with the established technique. In the case of a transistor included in a high-performance display device where driver circuits are formed over the same substrate, it is preferable to use polycrystalline silicon, which can be used to form a transistor having high field-effect mobility. As a method for forming polycrystalline silicon, high-temperature heat treatment or laser light treatment which is performed on amorphous silicon has been known.
In recent years, transistors including oxide semiconductors (typically, In—Ga—Zn oxide) have been actively developed.
Oxide semiconductors have been researched since early times. In 1988, there was a disclosure of a crystal In—Ga—Zn oxide that can be used for a semiconductor element (see Patent Document 1). In 1995, a transistor including an oxide semiconductor was invented, and its electrical characteristics were disclosed (see Patent Document 2).
In addition, a transistor including an amorphous oxide semiconductor is disclosed (see Patent Document 3). An oxide semiconductor can be formed by a sputtering method or the like, and thus can be used for a semiconductor of a transistor in a large display device. A transistor including an oxide semiconductor has high field-effect mobility; therefore, a high-performance display device where driver circuits are formed over the same substrate can be obtained. Moreover, there is an advantage that capital investment can be reduced because part of production equipment for a transistor including amorphous silicon can be retrofitted and utilized.
Recent research and development results show that using a crystalline oxide semiconductor increases the reliability of a transistor as compared to the case of using an amorphous oxide semiconductor (Non-Patent Document 1).
It is also disclosed that a transistor having a high field-effect mobility can be obtained by a well potential formed using an active layer including an oxide semiconductor (see Patent Document 4). It is known that a transistor including an oxide semiconductor has an extremely low leakage current in an off state. For example, a low power consumption CPU and the like utilizing a characteristic of a low leakage current of the transistor including an oxide semiconductor are disclosed (see Patent Document 5).

Manufacturing method of semiconductor device

Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.


Methods and apparatus may operate to position a sample within a processing chamber and operate on a surface of the sample. Further activities may include creating a layer of reactive material in proximity with the surface, and exciting a portion of the layer of reactive material in proximity with the surface to form chemical radicals. Additional activities may include removing a portion of the material in proximity to the excited portion of the surface to a predetermined level, and continuing the creating, exciting and removing actions until at least one of a plurality of stop criteria occurs.

Solid-state imagers typically comprise an array of pixel cells. Each pixel cell may contain one or more photosensors, which may comprise phototransistors, photoconductors, and/or photodiodes having stored charge in a diffusion region with a magnitude relative to the intensity of light received by the photosensor.
Each pixel cell may receive light focused through one or more microlenses. As the pixel cells decrease in size, the radius of each microlens may decrease. Manufacturing defects in the microlens can result in non-uniform or even blocked photosensors. Considering that the size of the microlenses are currently on the order of 3 μm or smaller, it is therefore increasingly important to reduce the number of lens defects as part of the manufacturing process. Reducing defects may increase fabrication yields, resulting in reduced pricing and improved market share.


For automatic problem diagnosis, a data collector module collects log data comprising code sets from a plurality of components in a data processing system. An analysis module translates the log data into at least one predefined symptom. Each symptom is associated with at least one code set of the log data. The analysis module selects from a knowledge base at least one problem that includes each symptom. The analysis module further calculates an influence factor for each problem, and ranks each problem from most likely to least likely based on the influence factor of the problem.

1. Field
The subject matter disclosed herein relates to problem diagnosis and more particularly relates to automatic problem diagnosis.
2. Description of the Related Art
Many enterprise data processing systems such as storage area networks (SAN) are complex, with many components from multiple vendors. In addition, configurations and components are modified regularly.

International Business Machines Corporation


Intelligent connection systems disclosed herein perform autonomous connection mechanisms and provide secure connectors. A mobile device exemplifies one of the embodiments of the autonomous connection mechanism.

As physical elements come together to form a connected system, there have been numerous innovations in connector technologies, from mechanically connecting any two inanimate objects together all the way to connecting sophisticated and costly technology-rich devices of today. Yet, the methodology and the act of making physical connections have remained fundamentally the same. Traditionally users of such physical elements attach them together by locating them individually and connecting them together manually through connectors or extension wires and forcing the connectors together to form a physically secure connection.
As connectors of the future require more pins, finer granularity and higher performance, such actions of humans pushing connectors together while misaligned using misappropriate amount of force distribution are the leading cause of an increasing amount of damage to high performance connectors, rendering their attached high-priced physical component damaged or useless.
Additionally, theft of information using standardized or proprietary connectors is facilitated by the connectors' lack of intelligence and inability to assess threats and protect residing information on any device accessible via a physical connector. Furthermore, security risks to any and all systems further accessible by that given device is enhanced by the physical connectors' inability to distinguish among allowed and disallowed connectors, devices, connections or connection times.


A robotic device can provide power management and other functionality for various electronic devices. An electronic device and the robotic device can communicate information such as device charge level, relative position and rate of power consumption and can determine an appropriate time at which the robotic device should cause the electronic device to be charged, either by charging the device directly or transporting the device to an appropriate charger. The robotic device can also cause other functions to be performed as well, such as to enable high-bandwidth data transfer or perform resource-intensive activities when in communication with the electronic device. The robotic device can transport the electronic device to specific locations or to specific users, or as otherwise appropriate.

People are utilizing portable electronic devices for an increasing number and variety of tasks. It is not uncommon for a user to have a personal media player, notebook computer, cell phone, and electronic book reader, among other such devices. Further, the demands on these devices increase as the devices offer enhanced functionality. For example, a tablet computer or portable gaming platform might perform most, if not all, of the tasks performed by the devices listed above. Thus, the amount of resource and power consumption required by these devices tends to increase, along with the need for the devices to have sufficient power for a user to utilize the devices as necessary.
In many instances, a user will forget to charge a device overnight, which ends up with the device losing power the next day. For tasks that rely upon these devices, not being able to utilize the device when needed can be at least inconvenient to the user. Even in cases where devices provide some indication of low battery power, the devices typically only provide a notification when the device is very low on power, which may be of little use if the user is not near a location where the device can be charged. Further, even when users do remember to charge the device every evening, for example, the consistent amount of "trickle" charging can shorten battery life, which can be particularly problematic for devices that do not utilize replaceable batteries.

Charging an electronic device including traversing at least a portion of a path with an apparatus


Providing shared access to data storage resources in a cluster computing environment, including detecting when a computer node requests access to a data storage device in a manner that excludes a computing device from accessing the data storage device, where the computer node is configured to communicate with the data storage device along a first communications channel, and where the computing device is configured to communicate with the data storage device along a second communications channel that is exclusive of the first communications channel, and responsive to the detecting, causing the data storage device to allow the computer node and the computing device to share access to the data storage device.

In a cluster computing environment multiple computer nodes typically share data storage devices. In order to prevent conflicts that may arise when multiple nodes in a cluster attempt to access the same data storage device at the same time, techniques have been developed to provide access to data storage devices in a controlled manner, such as where a node is given exclusive ownership over part or all of a data storage device for a period of time. For example, in a SCSI-based Storage Area Network (SAN), a node may issue a "SCSI reserve" command to obtain exclusive ownership of a SCSI device. Once a SCSI device is reserved in this manner, it refuses all commands from all other nodes until exclusive ownership of the SCSI device is revoked, such as after an "SCSI reset" command is received by the SCSI device.
Back-up copies of data stored on data storage devices, such as for disaster-recovery purposes, are often made without taking the data storage devices off-line, thus ensuring that primary data providers/consumers, such as computer users and other processes and applications, have continuous access to data. Such back-ups are often made by dedicated back-up servers that access data storage devices by making data requests of the nodes in a cluster that are connected to the data storage devices. Unfortunately, this results in additional processing overhead for such participating nodes. Alternatively, dedicated back-up servers access data storage devices via data communications channels that are separate from those that are normally used to provide data to primary data providers/consumers. This is done to minimize the impact that the data back-up service has on the performance and responsiveness of the overall system. Unfortunately, in a cluster computing environment where the nodes themselves control access to data storage devices, a dedicated back-up server may be denied access to a data storage device, thus hindering the data back-up service.

Providing shared access to data storage resources across cluster computing environment boundaries


A processing apparatus comprises a plurality of processors 12, each arranged to perform an instruction, and a bus 20 arranged to carry data and control tokens between the processors. Each processor 12 is arranged, if it receives a control token via the bus, to carry out the instruction, and on carrying out the instruction, to perform an operation on the data, to identify any of the processors 12 which are to be data target processors, and to transmit output data to any identified data target processors, to identify any of the processors which are to be control target processors, and to transmit a control token to any identified control target processors.

The present invention relates to processors.
Typically a processor chip includes a large number of individual processors each arranged to carry out an instruction. There are normally a large number of different instructions performed by the different processors each of which communicates with a host memory. The requirement to encode many instructions in a processor makes the processor large, thereby limiting the number of processors that can be fabricated on a chip and the requirement to communicate with the host memory slows each processor down.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


The present invention provides a system and method that allow sellers to offer goods and services at prices that vary depending on what transpires during the event or service. The final price is determined after the event or service based on the occurrence of certain pre-selected attributes. Candidate attributes are potentially associated with the event or service but the outcome or occurrence of the attribute is not knowable by the buyer and seller with certainty at the time of the original purchase. Using the outcome-based pricing (OBP) and settlement system the seller can set prices to minimize significant deviation from a pre-determined revenue plan, or alternatively build-in an increase or even decrease in gross revenues. The present invention allows for the order, payment and final settlement of the purchase transaction, automatically. The preferred embodiment for the OBP pricing and settlement system is via a computer network that includes the Internet.

It is common business practice for event promoters and ticket distributors, as well as airlines and other service for providers, to offer tickets for sale in person at ticket offices, over the phone or via the Internet. When buying tickets online, a purchaser reviews the available inventory and prices of tickets offered for sale, and after deciding what tickets to purchase, places an order via the Internet using well established, online purchasing procedures.
Ticket prices for events are typically established by the promoter or distributor and available seats for specific events are offered for sale at specified prices. Basic supply and demand forces determine what ticket prices the market will bear, with purchasers willing to pay more for tickets that are generally considered to be more desirable based on a variety of attributes. For example, for entertainment events such as sporting events, typically ticket prices of seats for a given event vary based on the physical proximity of the seats to the location of the performers within the venue such that seats close to the field or the stage and offering the best viewing vantage point cost more than seats further away from the field or stage and offering a less desirable viewing vantage point. Certain other variables might also determine the pricing of the seats, such as whether the seats come with in-seat service, parking and other perquisites and amenities. For certain types of events, the price of tickets also often vary depending on the date and time of the showing, with tickets for high demand times priced higher than tickets for low demand times. The provision of certain services, such as airline flights, are also priced based on a combination of attributes associated with the selected seat.
Inherent in the standard ticket pricing model is the fact that ticket prices for a given seat at a specific event, and the price for certain services, once set by the seller, are static, and will not vary regardless of their utility, or actual value that a particular purchaser derives from the event. The static setup of ticket pricing does not allow for a person who gets more use and enjoyment out of attendance at an event based on what happens during the event to pay more than the standard price. Neither does it allow a person who gets less use or enjoyment out of attendance at an event based on what happens during the event to pay less than the standard price. Similarly, as it relates to the provision of certain services such as airline transportation, the buyer pays an agreed upon price regardless of the quality of the service. Alternatively stated, the current pricing method does not allow a seller of tickets, or the provider of services, to charge more for an event or service that delivers a high level of value to a purchaser, nor does it allow a seller to charge less for an event or service that is disappointing to the buyer.

Computer method and apparatus for outcome-based pricing of goods and services


A system for determining the median of a plurality of data values comprises a plurality of field programmable gate arrays (FPGA), a plurality of inter FPGA links, an input router, a plurality of median modules, and a plurality of output transfer modules. Each FPGA includes a plurality of configurable logic elements and configurable storage elements from which the other components are formed. The inter FPGA link allows communication from one FPGA to another. The input router receives the plurality of data values and creates a plurality of data streams. The median module receives at least one data stream, increments a plurality of counters corresponding to a single data value within the range of data values, and determines the median by accumulating the contents of each counter. The output transfer module transfers the median to an external destination along with performance statistics of the determination of the median.

1. Field of the Invention
Embodiments of the present invention relate to data processing. More particularly, embodiments of the present invention relate to determining the median value of a frame of video data utilizing a field programmable gate array system.
2. Description of the Related Art
A digital video image generally comprises a plurality of picture elements, commonly known as pixels, that are arranged in an array. For common video applications, such as television or digital photography, the array of pixels is rectangular and may be expressed as X×Y, although square arrays are also possible. The entire array of pixels may be known as a frame. Each pixel in the frame may possess one or more video characteristic values, such as a brightness value or a color value. In order to further process the video image data for one or more objects of interest within the frame, it is usually necessary to isolate the objects. The median of the characteristic value of all the pixels within the frame may be used to isolate the objects.
Traditional approaches to determining the median have required that the characteristic values of all the pixels in the frame be sorted in either ascending or descending order. In this case, the sort creates an array of X×Y elements, each with a characteristic value. If X×Y=N, then the array includes N elements, each with a characteristic value. As is commonly known in statistics, the median is the value of the N/2 sorted element; or the higher, the lower, or the average of two potential median values if the array contains an even number of elements. This type of sort may take a time on the order of N·log(N). Using traditional computer processing techniques, wherein tasks may be performed in software executed in a serial fashion, the sort may take longer than it takes to capture one frame of video data, particularly as N gets large. Furthermore, moving image video requires that many successive frames of video data are captured every second (standard rates include 24 frames per second (fps), 30 fps, and 120 fps). A problem may occur if a first frame of video data is not sorted by the time a second frame of data is captured and ready for sort. Data may be lost and errors may occur, with the result that performance may be sacrificed. Therefore, in order to avoid or reduce errors, fewer frames of data may be sorted, such as every second or third frame of data.

System for determining median values of video data

L3 Communications Integrated Systems, L.P.


A method for processing envelopes including the steps of providing a plurality of generally aligned envelopes and compressing the plurality of envelopes together. The method further includes the step of placing a band around the compressed envelopes such that the band retains the plurality of envelopes in a state of compression.

Existing envelope manufacturing machinery can create large numbers of envelopes at a rapid rate. Such machinery creates stacks of envelopes for subsequent packaging, shipping and processing. The envelopes are then shipped to a customer or end user which may stuff inserts into the envelopes, affix postage, and enter the envelopes into a mail or package delivery system. The envelope inserting and processing is typically carried out by automated envelope inserting machinery.
In order to ensure proper operation of the envelope inserting machinery, the envelopes processed by the machinery should be uniform and meet sufficient quality control standards. In particular, after their formation envelopes may be prone to absorbing moisture from the ambient air, which causes warping of the envelopes. The absorption of moisture and warping of the envelope over time is known as "propellering." Propellering of the envelopes can cause the opposing corners of the envelopes to twist away from each other in the fashion of a propeller, which can cause the envelopes to be improperly fed into and/or improperly processed by the envelope inserting machinery. This can lead to jamming or malfunction of the envelope inserting machinery, which increases down time and lowers efficiency.
Most of the moisture absorbed by the envelopes takes place after formation and packaging of the envelopes, while the envelopes are in storage, being shipped, or awaiting insertion. Accordingly, there is a need for an improved method for packaging envelopes to reduce moisture, reduce warpage and ensure consistently flat envelopes.
High-speed envelope manufacturing equipment and inserting equipment requires operators to manually handle or lift considerable amounts of material over the course of a shift. This labor can occur in either manufacturing an envelope or in inserting contents into an envelope. Reducing or eliminating the physical labor in these processes can reduce fatigue and thereby allow workers to maintain higher levels of production for longer periods of time. Thus, minimizing or eliminating repetitive physical activity during these operations will reduce operator fatigue and repetitive motion injuries. Accordingly, there is a need for an improved method for packing envelopes which increases automation and reduces manual labor.

Banded envelopes and method for assembling a package of banded envelopes


An alloy having high strength at high temperature is provided. The alloy has the following approximate composition in atom percent:. ______________________________________ niobium balance titanium 40-48% aluminum 12-22% hafnium 0.5-6% ______________________________________

The present invention relates generally to alloys and to shaped articles formed for structural use at high temperatures. More particularly, it relates to an alloy having a niobium, titanium, aluminum base and which contains a hafnium additive. By a niobium, titanium, aluminum base is meant that the principal ingredients of the alloy are niobium, titanium, and aluminum.
There are a number of uses for metals which have high strength at high temperature. One particular attribute of the present invention is that it has, in addition to high strength at high temperature, a relatively low density of the order of 6-6.5 grams per cubic centimeter (g/cc).
In the field of high temperature alloys and particularly alloys displaying high strength at high temperature, there are a number of concerns which determine the field applications which can be made of the alloys. One such concern is the compatibility of an alloy in relation to the environment in which it must be used. Where the environment is the atmosphere, this concern amounts to a concern with the oxidation or resistance to oxidation of the alloy.
Another such concern is the density of the alloy. One of the groups of alloys which is in common use in high temperature applications is the group of iron-base, nickel-base, and cobalt-base superalloys. The term "base", as used herein, indicates the primary ingredient of the alloy is iron, nickel, or cobalt, respectively. These superalloys have relatively high densities of the order of 8 to 9 g/cc. Efforts have been made to provide alloys having high strength at high temperature but having significantly lower density.
It has been observed that the mature metal candidates for use in this field can be grouped and such a grouping is graphically illustrated in FIG. 1. Referring now to FIG. 1, the ordinate of the plot shown there is the density of the alloy and the abscissa is the maximum temperature at which the alloy provides useful structural properties for aircraft engine applications. The prior art alloys in this plot are discussed in descending order of density and use temperatures.
With reference to FIG. 1, the materials of highest density and highest use temperatures are those enclosed within an envelope marked as Nb-base and appearing in the upper right hand corner of the figure. Densities range from about 8.7 to about 9.7 grams per cubic centimeter and use temperatures range from less than 2200.degree. F. to about 2600.degree. F.
Referring again to FIG. 1, the group of prior art iron, nickel, and cobalt based superalloys are seen to have the next highest density and also a range of temperatures at which they can be used extending from about 500.degree. F. to about 2200.degree. C.
A still lower density group of prior art alloys are the titanium-base alloys. As is evident from the figure, these alloys have a significantly lower density than the superalloys but also have a significantly lower set of use temperatures ranging from about 200.degree. F. to about 900.degree. F.
The last and lowest density group of prior art alloys are the aluminum-base alloys. As is evident from the graph these alloys generally have significantly lower density. They also have relatively lower temperature range in which they can be used, because of their low melting points.
The usefulness of the titanium-base alloys extends over a temperature range which is generally higher than that of the aluminum-base alloys but lower than that of the superalloys.
A novel additional set of alloys is illustrated in the figure as falling within an envelope of alloy compositions having higher densities than those of the titanium-base alloys, but much lower densities than those of the superalloys. The useful temperature ranges of some of these alloys potentially extend beyond the superalloy temperature range. The range of density and useful temperature for the alloys of the present invention fall within the larger envelope illustrated in the FIG. 1 and particularly within the smaller shaded zone in the left-half of that larger envelope. These novel alloys are formed with a niobium-titanium-aluminum base.

Hafnium containing niobium, titanium, aluminum high temperature alloy


A method of producing a patterned shaped article includes the steps of constituting a patterning form by disposing at a prescribed position within a main form for molding the shaped article an auxiliary form of a configuration appropriate for a pattern to be formed, charging a dry material for pattern formation into the patterning form at a prescribed form cavity portion thereof, charging a base-course material for forming the base course of the shaped article into the remaining space of the patterning form not filled with the pattern material, removing the auxiliary form, causing the pattern material and base-course material charged into the patterning form to set into a shaped article, removing the shaped article from the main form and, optionally, sintering the shaped article.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a method of producing patterned shaped articles including shaped concrete articles and shaped artificial stone articles such as paving blocks and the like used for surfacing sidewalks and roads, and wall, ceiling and floor slabs used for building purposes, and shaped ceramic articles such as paving tiles, wall tiles, porcelain wares, sintered rock, glass, flameproof materials and other structural materials.
2. Prior Art Statement
The conventional method of providing a paved surface constituted of paving blocks with a pattern indicating, for example, a crosswalk, a stop intersection or other such traffic control mark has been either to apply paint to the surface in the desired pattern or to inlay the surface with another material in the desired pattern. On the other hand, the patterning of ceramic material surfaces has conventionally been carried out exclusively by pattern transfer, printing or inlaying.
Since the patterns painted on the surface of paving blocks are exposed to abrasion from pedestrians' shoes and/or vehicle tires and the like, they quickly wear off and have to be redone at frequent intervals, at a considerable cost in terms of labor and materials. Where the pattern is formed by inlaying, the work itself is troublesome and very costly.
The object of the present invention is to provide a method for easily producing patterned shaped articles capable of maintaining their patterns in excellent condition even when exposed to surface abrasion.

Method of producing patterned shaped article


A microstrip slot dipole antenna of the inverted F type, includes a coplanar feed, and is suitable for easy peel-and-stick adhesive mounting. The antenna includes a ground plane, a dielectric layer, a horizontal element and a pair of spaced apart vertical elements depending therefrom defining an inverted F antenna above the ground plane with the dielectric layer therebetween. The pair of vertical elements may be conductive vias. A first antenna feed point is on an upper surface of the horizontal element, and a second antenna feed point is on an upper surface of a second vertical element of the spaced apart vertical elements. The second feed point may be a conductive pad on the dielectric layer spaced apart from a first vertical element and insulated from the horizontal element.

Inverted-F antennas are used in wireless communications systems including mobile telephones, pagers, Global Positioning System (GPS), wireless LAN, WiFi, aircraft, locomotives, vehicles, radiolocation devices etc. Inverted-F antennas typically include a linear (i.e., straight) conductive element, e.g. a wire, that is maintained in spaced apart relationship with respect to a ground plane. They are especially useful where a low profile antenna is needed, one that does not stand tall above communications device, or mobile platform.
The inverted-F antenna is essentially a shunt fed inverted-L antenna, excited by a feed tap. That is, the antenna is tapped at a distance from the base to provide a desired driving point resistance. Thus, any resistance level may be obtained by adjusting the tap position. The inverted-F antenna may be preferred to the inverted-L antenna because it may not need an external matching network and may allow independent adjustment of the resonant frequency of the antenna and resistance level. In general, the overall length of the inverted-F antenna (height plus length) is approximately one-quarter wavelength at the resonant frequency.
The planar inverted-F antenna (PIFA) is a derivative of the inverted-F antenna in which the top wire is coplanar with a plate. This has been shown to lower the radiation Q and thus broaden the frequency response of the antenna while still retaining the desirable characteristics of the wire inverted-F antenna. PIFAs are typically used within wireless communication devices where externally mounted antennas are less desirable.
Conventional inverted-F antennas, by design, resonate within a narrow frequency band, as compared with other types of antennas, such as helices, monopoles and dipoles. Examples of inverted-F antennas are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,684,492 and 5,434,579, for example.
The feed structure is typically a coaxial cable, and for inverted-F antennas that are mountable on a surface, such as on a vehicle, the feed must penetrate the surface to be connected to the antenna. This may make mounting difficult on some surfaces.

Surface mountable inverted-F antenna and associated methods


A split type connecting rod has a simple structure that is capable of suppressing rotation of a metal bearing, and avoiding problems such as burning. The split type connecting rod 200 holds a crank-pin through a metal bearing 213 which has locking lugs 213c, 213d. A bearing locking groove 201h locks at least one of the locking lugs 213d when the metal bearing 213 rotates forward in the circumferential direction of a crank-pin hole 101d. A bearing locking groove 201i locks at least one of the locking lugs 213c when the metal bearing 213 rotates backward. The bearing locking grooves 201h, 201i are deviated from each other in the circumferential direction.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a split type connecting rod, and more particularly, to a split type connecting rod with a bearing located inside of a crank-pin hole.
2. Description of the Related Art
A split type connecting rod is formed such that a large end portion is fractured and divided into a rod portion and a cap portion a long a splitting plane including the shaft center of a crank-pin hole, and the rod portion and the cap portion are coupled by coupling bolts, and a metal bearing is generally located on the inner circumferential surface of the crank-pin hole.
In general, this metal bearing has been split into a rod-side portion and a cap-side portion along the splitting plane and when such a split type metal bearing is disposed within the inner circumferential surface of the crank-pin hole, a bearing locking groove is formed in the inner circumferential surface so to extend in the circumferential direction so that a locking lug protruding from the rear surface (outer circumferential surface) of the metal bearing is locked by the bearing locking groove in order to determine a position of the metal bearing (e.g., see the Unexamined Japanese Patent Publication No.HEI 6-74237).
However, the conventional split type connecting rod has a problem in that the metal bearing is easily rotated in the circumferential direction by an external force, and in order to prevent burning caused by this problem, a reliable lubrication structure is required. In particular, a motorcycle engine which tends to be used at high speed revolutions has a problem in that a large amount of deformation occurs at the large end portion and the amount of rotation of the metal bearing is likely to increase accordingly.


An electronic device having a multi-environment operating system (OS) is disclosed. The electronic device creates a web session and/or updates a browser configuration in a first OS environment based on a web session and/or a browser configuration in a second OS environment. The web session is created and/or the browser configuration is updated when a primary OS environment transitions from the second OS environment to the first OS environment. The transition may occur when the device transitions from a docked mode to a mobile mode, or from a mobile mode to a docked mode.

General-purpose operating systems such as Linux™ and Windows™ have an extensive set of features, such as file systems, device drivers, applications, libraries, etc. Although general-purpose operating systems may be suitable operating systems for generally stationary computing devices, such as a desktop computer, the general-purpose operating systems may not be suitable operating systems for mobile devices, such as mobile phones, smart phones, and tablet computers. Operating systems that have the features of an embedded or real time operating system, including real time performance, may be more suitable for mobile devices. As the computing power of the mobile devices increases, the mobile devices may be used as standalone devices in mobile environments as well as used with peripheral devices, such as computers, monitors, and projectors, in relatively stationary environments. When mobile devices transition from the mobile environments to the stationary environments or vice versa, the operating systems of the mobile devices may transition from a mobile operating system environment to a general-purpose operating system environment, or vice versa.
In both the mobile environment and the stationary environment, the mobile device may have network connectivity, such as the ability to connect to the Internet or to a private intranet, using a wired or wireless connection. While connected to the internet, a user of the mobile device may create a web session that consists of open websites, webpages, web applications, or other information that was accessed over a network using a uniform resource locator (URL). The user of the mobile device may wish to have the web session stay open, or easily recreate the web session, when changing environments. As an example, a user may be viewing a webpage on the mobile device at home over a wireless home network. While connected to the wireless home network, the mobile device is operating in the general purpose environment. If the user has to leave the home, such as to go to work or run an errand, the user may want to keep the webpage open, or easily reopen the webpage.
When leaving the home, the mobile device may transition from the general-purpose operating environment to the mobile operating environment. In order to reopen the webpage, the user must copy the URL associated with the webpage in the address bar while still in the general-purpose environment. After the mobile device transitions from the general-purpose environment to the mobile environment, the user opens a browser in the mobile environment and pastes the URL in an address bar in the browser in the mobile environment. Copying and pasting functions may be difficult and time consuming using mobile devices. The copying and pasting functions become even more problematic if multiple websites or webpages are open in multiple tabs or multiple browser windows. Further, if the user is running a web-based application, such as an email account, the user does not have an easy way to re-access the email that he or she was viewing. Instead, the user has to login again and reopen the email that he or she was viewing.
Additionally, while the user is navigating through websites and/or entering information in the webpages using a web browser, the configuration of the web browser may change. For example, the user's browser history may change or the user may have entered a new password. When transitioning from one environment to another environment, the web browser that is opened in the other environment does not know any of the configuration changes that were made in the first environment. The user may have to enter the configuration information into the browser in the other environment.

Transferring web data between operating system environments


Battery of fuel cells comprises at least one stack of interconnected flat two-sided fuel cells arranged inside the thermally insulated chamber. Each two-sided cell is made in a form of a ceramic plate with individual connections for the supply and drainage of fluids and electric power output, and is equipped with the central ceramic anode structure with high electrical conductivity which, on both sides, has channels formed for distribution of fuel and operating channels covered with operating anode layers, which are then covered with solid electrolyte layers, cathode layers and cathode conductive layers. Each two-sided cell (DFC) makes mechanical contact with the neighboring two-sided cells (DFC) with flexible separators which enable transfer of the fuel and catalytic combustion products. Furthermore, inside the thermally insulated chamber, temperature-controlling elements are located, such as heaters, heat absorbers and devices forcing air circulation.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a medium-power battery of fuel cells, which can be used as autonomous electricity generator or complementary power supply system for an individual household.
2. Description of the Related Art
High-temperature fuel cells achieve high efficiency in the process of converting chemical energy into electricity. One advantage of the converters is their quiet operation without mechanical vibrations and a favorable relationship of the unit weight and the dimensions to the electric power generated. It is expected that electrochemical converters will become supplementary parts of electricity generators which draw energy from renewable energy sources which are unable to provide continuous power output over a full 24-hour cycle, such as solar cells or wind turbines.
A typical high-temperature fuel cell contains solid electrolyte, which is usually based on yttrium-stabilized zirconia. On the opposite sides of the thin electrolyte layer are located the anode and the cathode. The electrodes are transparent to gases.
At high temperature, zirconia ceramics have strong ionic conductivity. Due to the difference in partial pressure of oxygen on both sides of the electrolyte, the electrolyte becomes polarized. The partial pressure difference is due to the fact that zirconia ceramics is permeable to oxygen ions only that are produced in the cathode layer during the decomposition of molecular oxygen and taking up free electrons from the cathode. Thus, the cathode is positively polarized, whereas on the anode side free electrons are liberated due to the reaction of the oxygen ions with fuel—hydrogen or carbon oxide—which, in turn, leads to negative polarization. Connecting an external electrical circuit to the electrodes will cause electric current to flow and balance the internal ionic current.
From Polish Pat. No. 213349, a fuel cell is known with a flat laminar ceramic substrate, the core of which is made of a central ceramic plate with high density and rigidity. The ceramic plate is permanently joined with porous cermet layers with distribution channels formed therein. The ceramic substrate so prepared has, on both sides on a part of the surface, layers of solid electrolyte applied and durably bonded to the substrate, which in turn, on a part of their surface, are covered with electrode layers. Such layers of solid electrolyte have their surfaces covered with contact layers. The description presents also applications of the cell in a converter for converting electrochemical to electrical energy, in which the battery of fuel cells is covered with foamed ceramic thermal insulation.
From U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,276,355 and 7,531,053, plate chemical to electrical energy converters are known, which contain multiple electrically connected fuel cells. The fuel cells are configured in a stack, whereby each ceramic structure of the cell is located between two plates. Each of the plates constitutes a separator between the adjacent ceramic structures and has, on both sides, open longitudinal channels for the passage of fuel and air. The fuel channels are arranged orthogonally in relation to the air flow channels. The separators referred to in U.S. Pat. No. 7,531,053 are made of stainless steel with linear thermal expansion coefficient close to that of the electrolyte.
One advantage of the plate converters is the relatively high value of electric power generated per volume of the unit of up to 5 kW/L. This enables the use of an insulated chamber having compact dimensions, which translates into relatively low heat loss, since the amount of distributed heat is proportional to the chamber area. However, the compact design of the batteries also makes it impossible for the batteries to be warmed up and cooled down. This parameter is particularly important in medium and high-power equipment because it may take up to 24 hours for a safe warm-up. With such a long start up time, the batteries of cells cannot serve as emergency or supplementary equipment during peak power consumption. Clearly much opportunity of improvement remains in this technological area.

Akademia Gorniczo-Hutnicza Im. Stanislawa Staszica


A diaphragm valve having a first chamber and a second chamber, which is separated from the first chamber by means of a valve member which cooperates with a valve seat. A first connecting conduit situated in the vicinity of the valve seat feeds into the first chamber. To enable the diaphragm valve to be used as a pressure control valve, the valve member has a through conduit that connects the first connecting conduit to the second chamber of the pressure control valve when the pressure control valve is closed.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is directed to an improved fuel delivery device for delivering fuel from a reservoir to an internal combustion engine.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A device for delivering fuel is already known from DE 195 27 134 A1, in which a check valve and a pressure outlet valve are situated parallel to each other in a valve housing; the flow travels through the pressure outlet valve in the opposite direction from that of the check valve. When a fuel-supply pump is operating, it delivers fuel via the check valve into a fuel rail; once the fuel-supply pump has been switched off, the check valve maintains the pressure in the fuel rail. If a pressure increase in the fuel rail occurs due to a heating of the device after the engine is switched off, then the pressure outlet valve opens, permitting fuel to flow back into the tank. The disadvantage to this is the insufficient control precision, particularly at low volumetric flows.
DE 197 05 405 A1 has disclosed a diaphragm valve with a high degree of control precision. The diaphragm valve has a first chamber and a second chamber, which is separated from the first chamber by means of a valve member; the valve member cooperates with a valve seat; and a first connecting conduit in the vicinity of the valve seat feeds into the first chamber. The disadvantage here is that the diaphragm valve cannot be used as a pressure outlet valve without being modified because it opens toward the fuel rail in the same was as the check valve during operation of the fuel-supply pump.

Device for conveying fuel out of a tank and to a combustion engine


A hologram color filter diffraction-separates an incident lightwave using a hologram to project thus separated lightwaves having different-wavelengths at intended positions with a specified spatial period. The hologram color filter comprises a light-transmitting substrate (21) and a light-transmitting diamond-like-carbon (DLC) film (22) formed on the substrate. In the DLC film, a relatively-low-refractive-index belt-shaped region (n1, 22a) and a relatively-high-refractive-index belt-shaped region (n2, 22b) are placed alternately.

In recent years, various types of color liquid-crystal-display units have been put in practical use. As one of these color liquid-crystal-display units, a color liquid crystal projector is used. The color liquid crystal projector has many types, and each of them incorporates three liquid crystal panels. More specifically, a red-color.(R) optical image, a green-color (G) optical blue-color (B) optical image are separately displayed by the three liquid crystal panels. The three optical images having different colors are combined with a optical system to project on a screen as a full-color image.
Such a three-panel-type color liquid crystal projector requires not only three expensive liquid crystal panels but also a large number of optical components to separate a lightwave or combine three lightwaves having different colors. In other words, the three-panel-type color liquid crystal projector is not only high-cost but also difficult to be miniaturized.
On the other hand, a single-panel-type color liquid crystal projector enables cost reduction and miniaturization. An example of a single-panel-type color liquid crystal projector put into a practical use is a rear-projection television (HV-D50LA1) produced by Victor Company of Japan, Limited.
FIG. 9 is a schematic cross section showing the basic optical principle employed in the single-panel-type color liquid crystal projector incorporated into HV-D50LA1 of Victor Company of Japan, Limited. The color liquid crystal projector has a hologram color filter, which is shown as a hologram film 2 formed on the upper surface of a glass substrate 1. A liquid crystal layer 3 is provided on the back face of the glass substrate 1. A reflection-type electrode layer 4 is provided on the back face of the liquid crystal layer 3. The reflection-type electrode layer 4 has reflection-type pixel electrodes each for reflecting an R, G, or B lightwave. A combination of R, G, and B reflection-type electrodes composes a single pixel. In FIG. 9, a plurality of R electrodes are arranged in a direction orthogonal to the drawing. Similarly, a plurality of G electrodes and a plurality of B electrodes are both arranged in a direction orthogonal to the drawing. In addition, a transparent electrode (not shown) is provided between the glass substrate 1 and the liquid crystal layer 3 as a counter electrode to the R, G, and B electrodes.
In the color liquid crystal projector shown in FIG. 9, a white lightwave, W, emitted from a light source (not shown) enters the hologram film 2 at a specified incident angle. The hologram film 2 by its diffraction function separates the white lightwave, W, into a red-color (R) lightwave, green-color (G) lightwave, and blue-color (B) lightwave according to their wavelengths (separation of a lightwave into its spectral components). The hologram film 2 also has a function as a microlens array for gathering the three types of lightwaves onto the corresponding R, G, and B electrodes. In this case, the red-color (R), green-color (G), and blue-color (B) lightwaves reflected from the R, G, and B electrodes, respectively, are displaced from one another according to the diffraction condition of the hologram film 2. The displaced three types of lightwaves pass through the hologram film 2 to be projected onto a screen by a projection lens (not shown).
FIG. 10 is a schematic plan view showing an example of a hologram (diffraction grating) having both a light-separating function and a microlens array function. The diffraction grating has a grating pattern formed on a glass substrate 11. The grating pattern has a plurality of belt-shaped regions 12 parallel to one another. The belt-shaped regions 12 may be formed with metallic chromium (Cr) films, for example. Of course, the Cr films 12 do not transmit a lightwave, and a lightwave passes only through the spacing between the multiple belt-shaped Cr films 12.
In other words, the multiple parallel belt-shaped Cr-film regions 12 act as a diffraction grating, and the lightwave is diffracted in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the belt-shaped Cr-films 12. At this moment, as is well known, because the diffraction angle has wavelength dependence, the R, G, and B lightwaves are diffracted with diffraction angles different with one another. Thus, the white-color lightwave, W, can be color-separated.
Furthermore, the diffraction grating shown in FIG. 10 has a special feature in that the width and spacing of the belt-shaped Cr-film regions 12 are periodically varied. This arrangement is performed to give the diffraction grating a microlens array function. More specifically, when the wavelength is the same, as is well known, as the spacing of the diffraction grating decreases, the diffraction angle increases. Therefore, by gradually varying the spacing of the diffraction grating, the lens function can be produced.
In addition, in the diffraction grating shown in FIG. 10, as described above, the lightwave is diffracted only in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the belt-shaped Cr-films 12. Therefore, the lens function is produced only in that direction. As a result, the diffraction grating acts as a columnar lens having a linear focus. However, if required, by utilizing a diffraction grating similar to the well-known Fresnel's zone plate, it is possible to produce a function of a circular or square lens having a point focus, as a matter of course.
The diffraction grating shown in FIG. 10 acts as if it has a plurality of columnar microlenses parallel to one another. The region indicated by an arrow 13 acts as a single columnar microlens. In the columnar microlens region 13, as the position moves from the right to the left, the width and spacing of the belt-shaped Cr films 12 are decreased. In other words, in the diffraction grating shown in FIG. 10, the width and spacing of the belt-shaped Cr films 12 are periodically varied for every columnar microlens region 13.
When the diffraction grating as shown in FIG. 10 is used without modification in place of the hologram film 2 in the color liquid crystal projector shown in FIG. 9, because the belt-shaped Cr-films 12 do not transmit a lightwave, the utilization efficiency of the white-color lightwave, W, from the light source is decreased. In addition, in the diffraction grating shown in FIG. 10, the pitch of the belt-shaped Cr-film regions 12 is remarkably small. For example, at the center portion of the region 13, the pitch is at most 0.5 μm or so. Consequently, the diffraction grating as shown in FIG. 10 must be formed by using the electron-beam drawing, which is unsuitable for the industrial mass production.
To solve this problem, in the color liquid crystal projector shown in FIG. 9, light is applied to a photopolymer film on the glass substrate through a master diffraction grating. Then, the light-irradiated photopolymer film is heat-treated to produce the hologram film 2. At this moment, as the intensity of the light applied to a region is increased, the refractive index "n" of the region is increased. In other words, the hologram film 2 made of a photopolymer has a modulated refractive index, "n," and acts as a refractive-index-modulated-type diffraction grating.
FIG. 11 is a schematic cross section illustrating a color liquid-crystal-display unit disclosed in the patent literature 1, which is the published Japanese patent application Tokukaihei 10-96807. The color liquid-crystal-display unit has a well-known light-transmitting-type liquid crystal panel 40. The liquid crystal panel 40 has a liquid crystal displaying layer 41 and a black matrix 42. The liquid crystal displaying layer 41 has a plurality of pixels, and each pixel has a single combination of a red-color-displaying region R, a green-color-displaying region G, and a blue-color-displaying region B. The boundaries between the individual color-displaying regions are covered with the black matrix 42.
A hologram color filter 50 is placed at the rear-face side of the liquid crystal panel 40. The hologram color filter 50 has a hologram plate 51 and an array of a plurality of microlenses 52. The individual microlenses 52 are arranged in an array with a period corresponding to that of the pixels in the liquid crystal panel 40. The hologram plate 51 is formed with a silica-glass plate that has parallel and uniform grooves and that functions as a diffraction grating.
In the color liquid-crystal-display unit shown in FIG. 11, when a back lightwave 60 is introduced into the hologram color filter 50, the lightwave 60 is diffracted at different angles according to the wavelengths to perform wavelength separation. Then, a red-color lightwave 61, a green-color lightwave 62, and a blue-color lightwave 63 emerge from the exit side of the hologram plate 51. The microlens 52 placed next to the hologram plate 51 gathers these wavelength-separated lightwaves on their focal planes by separating the lightwaves according to their wavelengths. More specifically, the color filter 50 is arranged such that the red-color lightwave 61 is diffracted to gather at the red-color-displaying region, R, in the pixel, the green-color lightwave 62 at the green-color-displaying region, G, and the blue-color lightwave 63 at the blue-color-displaying region, B. This arrangement enables the individual lightwaves each having a specific color component to pass through the liquid crystal cells almost without being attenuated at the black matrix 42. Thus, the color display of the individual liquid crystal cells can be performed.
In such a color liquid-crystal-display unit, as the hologram plate 51, a light-transmitting-type hologram plate is used that has no light-gathering property and has less wavelength dependence of the diffraction efficiency. Consequently, it is not necessary to align the hologram plate 51 with the arranging period of the microlenses 52. Furthermore, unlike the case where a single microlens is placed corresponding to each of the color-displaying regions, a single microlens 52 is placed corresponding to each pixel, increasing the arranging period threefold. As a result, the microlens array becomes easy to produce and arrange.
FIG. 12 is a schematic cross section illustrating a hologram color filter disclosed in the non-patent literature 1, which is ITE Technical Report Vol. 20, 1996, pp. 69-72. The hologram color filter has two hologram films 71 and 72 in order to improve the intensity balance between the red-color, green-color, and blue-color lightwaves.
In general, in a hologram film, there exists a wavelength of a lightwave that is most easily diffracted by the hologram film. More specifically, a hologram film has the highest diffraction efficiency for a lightwave having a specific wavelength. As the wavelength difference from the specific wavelength increases, the diffraction efficiency tends to decrease. In particular, in the case where the refractive-index difference, Δn, is small in a refractive-index-modulated-type hologram film, this wavelength dependence of the diffraction efficiency tends to be remarkable. For example, as in a photopolymer hologram film, when the refractive-index difference, Δn, is as small as at most 0.04, it is difficult to obtain a hologram film that has a small wavelength dependence of the diffraction efficiency.
Consequently, in the case where a hologram film wavelength-separates a white-color lightwave into a red-color lightwave, green-color lightwave, and blue-color lightwave, the hologram film is designed such that the highest diffraction efficiency can be achieved for the green-color lightwave, which lies in an intermediate wavelength range among the red-color, green-color, and blue-color lightwaves. A hologram film designed by the above-described principle has a lower diffraction efficiency for the red-color and blue-color lightwaves than for the green-color lightwave. Consequently, the red-color and blue-color lightwaves that are wavelength-separated by the hologram film have a lower intensity than that of the green-color lightwave. As a result, even when the wavelength-separated red-color, green-color, and blue-color lightwaves are recombined with the intention of achieving a white-color lightwave, the recombined lightwave tends to be a greenish white-color lightwave.
In addition, a halide lamp and a superhigh-pressure mercury lamp to be used as a back light for a color liquid-crystal-display unit include an intense emission line in a wavelength range of the green-color lightwave. Therefore, when the lightwave from a halide lamp or a superhigh-pressure mercury lamp is wavelength-separated by a hologram film designed to have the highest diffraction efficiency for the green-color lightwave, the intensity of the green-color lightwave tends to be most remarkable among the wavelength-separated red-color, green-color, and blue-color lightwaves.
The hologram color filter shown in FIG. 12 has two hologram films 71 and 72 in order to decrease the non-uniformity in the above-described wavelength-dependent diffraction efficiency so that the color balance of the color liquid-crystal-display unit can be improved. The first hologram film 71 has a diffraction efficiency of η1 for the lightwave having a specific wavelength of λ, and the second hologram film 72 has a diffraction efficiency of η2 or the lightwave having the same specific wavelength of λ. Here, the diffraction efficiency is assumed to take a value of 1 when the entire incident lightwave is diffracted and a value of 0 when the entire incident lightwave is transmitted without being diffracted.
When the incident lightwave of the intensity 1 having a specific wavelength of λ passes through the first hologram film 71, the intensity ratio of the transmitted lightwave to the diffracted lightwave is (1−η1):η1. When the transmitted lightwave having passed through the first hologram film 71 passes through the second hologram film 72, the intensity ratio of the transmitted lightwave (parallel to the direction of the original incident lightwave) to the diffracted lightwave (parallel to the direction of the diffraction by the first hologram film 71) is (1−η1)(1−η2):η2(1−η1). When the diffracted lightwave having passed through the first hologram film 71 passes through the second hologram film 72, the intensity ratio of the diffracted lightwave (parallel to the direction of the original incident lightwave) to the transmitted lightwave (parallel to the direction of the diffraction by the first hologram film 71) is η1η2:η1(1−η2). Consequently, the lightwave having passed through the two hologram films 71 and 72 and being in the direction of the diffraction has an intensity of η2(1−η1)+η1(1−η2)=η1+η2−2η1η2.
FIG. 13 shows an example of the result of a computer simulation on the hologram color filter having two hologram films as shown in FIG. 12. In the graph in FIG. 13, the horizontal axis represents the wavelength (nm) of the lightwave, and the vertical axis the diffraction efficiency of the hologram film.
A curve "a" shows an example of the diffraction efficiency of a hologram color filter made of a single hologram film. The single hologram film "a" is designed such that the highest diffraction efficiency can be achieved for the green-color lightwave, which has an intermediate wavelength between the red-color and blue-color lightwaves. Consequently, after a white-color lightwave is wavelength-separated by the hologram film "a," the red-color and blue-color lightwaves tend to have a lower intensity than that of the green-color lightwave.
On the other hand, the hologram film "b" is designed such that the highest diffraction efficiency can be achieved for the red-color lightwave, and the hologram film "c" is designed such that the highest diffraction efficiency can be achieved for the blue-color lightwave. As a result, the hologram color filter having the two hologram films "b" and "c" has a combined diffraction efficiency as shown by a curve "d." In other words, the hologram color filter "d" has a higher diffraction efficiency for the red-color and blue-color lightwaves than for the green-color lightwave. Because it has two peaks of diffraction efficiency, it is sometimes called a two-peak hologram color filter.
FIG. 14 is a schematic cross section illustrating a color liquid crystal projector disclosed in the patent literature 2, which is the published Japanese patent application Tokukai 2000-235179. This color liquid-crystal-display unit comprises a white-color light source 81, three dichroic mirrors 82, a glass substrate 83, a hologram lens layer 84 made of a photopolymer, a thin-plate glass layer 85, a transparent electrode 86, a liquid crystal layer 87, a pixel electrode 88, an active-matrix-driving circuit 89, and a projecting lens 90.
In the color liquid crystal projector shown in FIG. 14, a white-color lightwave emitted from the white-color light source 81 is wavelength-separated into three primary color lightwaves (R, G, and B) by the three dichroic mirrors 82. The wavelength-separated R, G, and B lightwaves are projected onto the hologram lens layer 84 with incident angles different from one another such that each of them can be gathered at the highest diffraction efficiency.
Patent literature 1: the published Japanese patent application Tokukaihei 10-96807.
Patent literature 2: the published Japanese patent application Tokukai 2000-235179.
Non-patent literature 1: ITE Technical Report Vol. 20, 1996, pp. 69-72.

Hologram color filter, method for fabricating the same, and color liquid crystal display comprising it


A slider for a slide fastener includes a slider main body, a pull tab, a stopper hook having one end configured to be engaged with fastener elements to obstruct the slider main body from moving, a spring portion, a cam portion configured to urge the pull tab in a direction in which the pull tab returns to a lay-down state where the pull tab is laid down toward one side of the slider main body using an elastic force of the spring portion when the pull tab pivots from the lay-down state to an erected state, and regulating portions configured to obstruct the pull tab from pivoting further from the erected state so that the pull tab is obstructed from pivoting to the other side of the slider main body.

A slider for a slide fastener in which a pull tab stays in a lay-down state with respect to a slider main body is known in the related art (see e.g. Patent Document 1). The slider for a slide fastener disclosed in Patent Document 1 constantly maintains a pull tab in a lay-down state using the elastic force of a hinge spring by inserting a pin through the pull tab such that the pin is fitted into a bearing which protrudes from an upper blade of a slider body and disposing the hinge spring on the pin. In addition, the slider includes the slider body, a stopper hook which has the spring, the pull tab on which a cam surface is provided, a leaf spring which applies an elastic force to the cam surface, and a cover body which is fitted into the slider body and houses the leaf spring. The slider constantly maintains the pull tab in the lay-down state using the elastic force of the leaf spring that acts on the cam surface.


An Orthogonal Parabolic Reflector is generated by rotating a parabolic curve 90.degree. to the axis of symmetry passing through the focal point of the parabola. The Orthogonal Parabolic Reflector can concentrate a section of the linear source or sink on the axis of rotation to the focal point, resulting in integrating the intensity as a point source or sink at the focal point with almost no physical dimension effects.

1. Field of Invention
A new optical concept for parabolic reflector design, which converts a line source or sink into a point source and sink, and its related applications.
2. Description of Prior Art
Parabolic reflectors have been used up to this date as an efficient means of converting a parallel beam of radiation to a point known as the focal point of the reflector. This is the way the radar antenna, microwave dish, long range telescopes and search lights are designed. To produce a high quality beam, a point source theoretically with no physical dimension should be placed at the focal point of the parabolic reflector. To enlarge an image or to shrink the image down, the smallness of the point source and the intensity of the source trades off with power input capability, and flux density with materials due primarily to heat. With the search light, the limitation is the electric arc spot size and current density. For other light sources, tungsten filament lamps are limited by the melting temperature of tungsten and the filament length. Spark sources can be better than most point sources but cannot be a continuous source; besides, the source still has a finite dimension. For optical calibration and other high resolution projection and detection, a point source is being filtered by spatial filters such as a pin hole. This cuts down the intensity of the source and still has the resolution limited by the dimension of the pin hole. From the detection point of view, the dimension of the linear array of detectors operating in-phase will be better than a single detector collecting signals at a point source, which will make it very difficult to single out signal from white noises. All this is due to the limitations of the traditional parabolic geometry. The perfect parabolic reflector can be described by the parametric equation y.sup.2 =4px, then rotated about the X-axis. Here p is the distance from the focal point to the bottom of the dish, and 2p will be radius from the focal point perpendicular to the X-axis. This geometry is what many optical devices are based on, with variations and perturbations, depending on applications. With this limitation, the future progress has been limited in many areas. For example: 1) the optical resolution of the light sources limits the line width of lithography when used to shrink printed circuit to a micro chip; 2) the optical resolution limits the resolution of shadowgraph when used to photograph aerodynamic flows; 3) the optical resolution limits the distance of search light and radar range; 4) in a movie projector, the arc spot intensity limits the screen size of a given negative size to still retain resolution and visibility; 5) the slide projector has an intense halogen lamp located at the focal point of a deep parabolic reflector, etc.
It is possible to make a source in a linear form such that the intensity locally can still be limited by material properties; however, the total intensity will be integrated along the linear source. This is not possible with the traditional parabolic reflectors. When such a need appears, a bank of parabolic reflectors each with its own point source or detectors are seen either as radar antenna farms or search light banks, each one still limited by their own resolution and intensity problems.
The following description of the newly invented Cheng Orthogonal Parabolic Reflector will overcome those problems and opens new applications hitherto unthinkable by designers.


A method for use in an intravenous tube assembly comprises the steps of automatically monitoring liquid flow along a fluid flow path extending through an intravenous catheter to detect at least a partial cessation of flow along the fluid flow path and, upon detecting a diminution of liquid flow along the fluid flow path, automatically feeding an anticlotting agent to the fluid flow path. An assembly for implementing the method takes the form of a systolic actuator for dividing the fluid flow into successive aliquots which can be timed. The systolic actuator extracts energy from the fluid stream and monitors the stream via the extracted energy. Alternatively, a pressure device is operatively connected to the catheter for automatically detecting at least a partial cessation of liquid flow along a fluid flow path extending through the catheter. The assembly also includes a feeder mechanism operatively connected to the catheter and the sensing device for automatically feeding an anticlotting agent to the fluid flow path through the catheter upon a detection by the sensing device of a diminution of liquid flow along the fluid flow path and, more particularly, of intravenous liquid flow in a distal direction into a patient's circulatory system.

This invention relates to a technique and a related device for preventing the formation of blood clots in intravenous catheters.
In an intravenous feeding assembly, an intravenous catheter is inserted into a person's vein and connected at a proximal end to an intravenous tube extending from a liquid supply. Frequently, intravenous lines are lost because the monitoring personnel forget to change the infusion bag and a clot forms in the catheter. In patients who have accessible veins, the intravenous line has to be restarted by a physician or a nurse specialist. Precious moments can be lost while the physician or nurse specialist is being sought. During that time, the patient does not receive intravenous fluid and does not have an intravenous line.
In addition, there are a large number of cases in which no further veins are accessible. In such cases, another intravenous can be started only with great difficulty, for example, by having a surgeon cut into a vein. In this group of patients, the maintenance of an intravenous line is especially crucial.
Intravenous lines are particularly critical for certain kinds of patients. For example, after a myocardial infarction, a patient's myocardium is irritable and the patient can go into a life-threatening arhythmia such as ventricular fibrillation. During that time, if there is no available intravenous port, intravenous medication cannot be injected and the patient dies. Also, when the patient is in ventricular fibrillation, it is extremely difficult to obtain venous access because blood is not being efficiently pumped. The absence of an intravenous line in the patient at that time can be a direct cause of death.
Patients who are bleeding and are receiving blood represent another critical group. When the intravenous line becomes clotted and the line is lost, it is again difficult to obtain venous access. Such a patient can bleed to death or exanguinate, if there is no readily available intravenous line.
Another critical group is patients who have a severe, life-threatening infection requiring the continuous or continual supply of antibiotics. In such cases, where the intravenous line is clotted and a physician or nurse specialist cannot be found, the patient can die.
In yet another critical group, the patients have a pulmonary embolus and require continuous heparinization. In such a patient, a clot in an intravenous line causing an interruption in the heparin flow of only a few minutes can result in the formation of another pulmonary embolism and instantaneous death.
Other consequences of interruption of intravenous lines include the prodding, bruising and pricking of unfortunate patients. For old people, especially, the restarting of intravenous lines is a constant source of pain and suffering.
Devices are known which generate an alarm, e.g., an audible signal, upon the exhaustion of an intravenous supply or the formation of a blockage in the intravenous flow path. Such devices typically include a photoelectric drip sensor which monitors fluid flow in an intravenous line. Upon a cessation of fluid flow, the photoelectric sensor triggers the alarm. It is to be noted that care-takers are frequently unavailable at the time an intravenous supply runs out and an alarm sounds.
Heparin is an anticlotting compound and is provided in catheters which are inserted intravenously for enabling periodic access to a patient's blood or circulatory system. Inasmuch as such catheters are closed at a proximal end, for example, by a self-sealing polymeric membrane, the heparin remains in the catheter owing to suction forces. Such a device is known as a heparin lock.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,195,967 discloses a method and apparatus for automatically activating or instituting a heparin lock upon an automatic detection of at least a partial cessation of fluid flow along an intravenous flow path. In one mechanically implemented embodiment, the apparatus is responsive to a pressure drop along the intravenous flow path at an intravenous catheter. However, it has been discovered that the pressure sensing approach is not easily adapted to all cases. Specifically, the catheter diameter and the intravenous flow rate, as well as the materials and design of the sensing components, must be delicately matched to ensure heparin lock activation upon a termination of intravenous flow due to exhaustion of an intravenous fluid supply.

Anticlotting device and method for use with IV catheters


An integrated circuit device includes at least one functional module which outputs save data in synchronism with a saving clock signal, a power supply control unit which selects one of the functional modules, and controls stop and resumption of power supply to the selected functional module, a save data storage unit which stores save data output from a functional module selected by the power supply control unit, and an error checking and correction unit which performs error checking and correction for the save data stored in the save data storage unit when the save data is to be restored to the functional module in synchronism with a restoration clock signal.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an integrated circuit device in which power supply is controlled for individual functional modules in order to reduce power consumption, and saving and restoration of data in an internal register or the like is controlled.
2. Description of the Related Art
A conventional method of implementing a low-power system on a chip (SoC) is to stop the operation of a functional module in an idling state in order to reduce power consumption. Stopping the clock is known as a method of stopping the operation of a functional module. However, even when the operation of a functional module is stopped by stopping the clock, power is kept supplied to the functional module itself, so power loss by leakage current cannot be prevented. To reduce this power loss by leak current, a method of stopping power supply to a functional module has been invented. The state in which a functional module is rendered inoperative because power supply has been stopped is called a sleep state.
When the power supply is shut down, all information held in a circuit is lost. To allow a functional module to return from the sleep state and resume the operation from the state immediately before sleep, a circuit arrangement which can hold data required after the return even though the functional module is set in the sleep state and power supply is stopped is indispensable. Methods proposed as a circuit arrangement such as this are a method in which, of circuit elements forming a functional module, power is always supplied to circuit elements for holding necessary data, and only power supply to other circuit elements is stopped, and a method in which necessary data is saved in another memory block or the like.
FIG. 13 is a circuit diagram showing such prior art. Referring to FIG. 13, logic circuits LA, LB, and LC are connected to a power supply VDD via switches SWA, SWB, and SWC, respectively. A flip-flop FF1 is connected between the logic circuits LA and LB, and a flip-flop FF2 is connected between the logic circuits LB and LC. These flip-flops FF1 and FF2 are also connected to the power supply VDD. The logic circuits LA, LB, and LC are equivalent to combinational circuits, and the flip-flops FF1 and FF2 are equivalent to sequential circuits. Power is always supplied to the flip-flops FF1 and FF2 to hold data so that the operation can be resumed after sleep from a state immediately before that. On the other hand, supply of power from the power supply VDD to the logic circuits LA, LB, and LC is shut down by turning off the switches SWA, SWB, and SWC as needed in order to reduce the power consumption. This prior art which thus controls the power supply method has the advantage that data need not be saved because power is always supplied to the flip-flops FF1 and FF2. Therefore, it is of course unnecessary to secure a storage area for data saving. However, as is apparent from FIG. 13, lines from the power supply VDD must be separated to those connected to the switches SWA, SWB, and SWC (logic circuits LA, LB, and LC) and those connected to the flip-flops FF1 and FF2. This makes the circuit layout very complicated. Also, NAND gates or the like must be added before the flip-flops FF1 and FF2 in order to prevent short circuit current. This undesirably increases the number of gates.
Note that prior art similar to that shown in FIG. 13 is described in Stephen V. Kosonocky, Mike Immediato, Peter Cottrell, et al.:
"Enhanced Multi-Threshold (MTCMOS) Circuits Using Variable Well Bias", Proceedings of the 2001 International Symposium on Low Power Electronics and Design pp. 165-169, 2001.
In addition, several techniques for data saving when power supply to a functional module is to be appropriately shut down in order to reduce the power consumption are proposed. In these prior art references, power supply to a functional module is entirely shut down after necessary data in the module is saved, unlike the above prior art in which only power supply to the logic circuits is shut down and power is always supplied to the flip-flops. Another prior art which also performs such data saving saves the contents of a memory in external storage (e.g., a hard disk) (Jpn. Pat. Appln. KOKAI Publication No. 2000-82014). This prior art is highly reliable because the use of a hard disk or the like suppresses errors in the data saving area. However, this method is not preferable because saving data to external storage device takes long time.
Still another prior art which performs data saving saves data of flip-flops in a ferroelectric memory (FRAM: Ferroelectric Random Access Memory) by using a scan chain (Jpn. Pat. Appln. KOKAI Publication No. 10-78836). This prior art can reduce leakage current during a standby operation and hence is suited to reducing the power consumption. However, this prior art is disadvantageous in cost because a process of generally embedding both logic circuit and the FRAM is necessary in fabrication.
When a volatile memory such as a DRAM is to be used as a data saving area instead of a nonvolatile memory such as the FRAM, even if the voltage supplied to the data saving area is set to a minimum voltage necessary to hold data in order to reduce the power consumption, it is preferable to suppress a decrease in reliability of the saved data caused by, e.g., a so-called soft error. A soft error is a phenomenon in which data held in a transistor is changed by electric charge generated by the influence of αrays or neutrons incident from the outside. The maximum electric charge amount generated by a rays or neutrons is about 15 to 150 fC. If the amount of electric charge held by a transistor is so large as not to be influenced by an electric charge of about 15 to 150 fC, no soft error occurs. To this end, however, the applied voltage to the circuit must be raised, and this means power consumption of circuits also increase.
In addition, the supply voltage for a transistor is lowered not only for low power consumption but also by recent process scaling. For example, the critical charge of a logic cell is reportedly about 10 fC in a 1.0-V operation in a 100-nm process (P. Shivakumar, D. Burger, et al.: "Modeling the Effect of Technology Trends on the Soft Error Rate of Combinational Logic", Intl. Conf. On Dependable System and Network, 2002). The critical charge is a charge amount with which data held by a transistor is lost if more electric charge is added. From the foregoing, a voltage 15 times the normal voltage must be applied to make the critical charge larger than the charge amount produced by neutrons. This indicates that it is practically impossible to avoid soft errors by raising the applied voltage since process scaling is presently advancing.
It is desirable to provide an integrated circuit device capable of flexibly controlling power supply for each functional module in order to reduce the power consumption, and capable of controlling saving and restoration of necessary data accordingly. It is more preferable to realize this apparatus at low cost without lowering the reliability of data saving.

Power management for circuits with inactive state data save and restore scan chain

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.


A combination sensor and corresponding method of measuring a plurality of environmental parameters uses a pressure sensor disposed on an integrated circuit die; a humidity sensor disposed on the integrated circuit die; and a circuit coupled to and shared by the pressure sensor and the humidity sensor to facilitate pressure and humidity sensing.

In some applications it can be advantageous if more than one environmental parameter is known or can be estimated. For example in hard disk drives, humidity and pressure within the environment, if known, can be used to better position read/write heads and thereby reliably increase data density for the hard disk drive.
Sensors for various environmental parameters are known. For example, temperature sensors are known as well as environmental humidity and pressure sensors. Additionally various approaches, e.g., cantilever beams, etc., for sensing different parameters are available. Additionally different issues concern different sensors or have differing impacts on one type of sensor versus another. E.g., a temperature measurement may have to account for the present humidity depending on the sensing structure that is used.