Removal of rough edges in punctured or ruptured pores on the walls of an opening, such as a via and/or trench opening, in a layer of porous dielectric material, in an integrated circuit structure, is carried out to permit satisfactory lining of all exposed surfaces of the porous dielectric material with a barrier layer which prevents contact between a copper filler and the porous dielectric material, and facilitates filling of the completely lined punctured/ruptured pore with such copper filler to eliminate void formation. The rough edges of the punctured/ruptured pores are removed by an isotropic etch of the exposed walls of the opening. Preferably, the dielectric material in the porous dielectric material is a low k dielectric material.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to integrated circuit structures having copper-filled trenches and/or vias formed in porous low-k dielectric material. More particularly, the invention relates to an improvement in the process of forming such structures wherein rough edges in the pore wall, caused by trench/via etching, are smoothed to provide a superior barrier liner below copper filled-in trench/via.
2. Description of the Related Art
The shrinking of integrated circuits has resulted in levels of electrically conductive interconnects being placed closer together vertically, as well as reduction of the horizontal spacing between the electrically conductive interconnects, such as metal lines, on any particular level of such interconnects. As a result, capacitance has increased between such conductive portions, resulting in loss of speed and increased cross-talk. One proposed approach to solving this problem of high capacitance is to replace the conventional silicon oxide (SiO2) dielectric material, having a dielectric constant (k) of about 4.0, with another insulation material having a lower dielectric constant to thereby lower the capacitance.
In an article by L. Peters, entitled. xe2x80x9cPursuing the Perfect Low-K Dielectricxe2x80x9d, published in Semiconductor International, Volume 21, No. 10, September 1998, at pages 64-74, a number of alternate dielectric materials are disclosed and discussed. Included in these dielectric materials is a description of a low k dielectric material having a dielectric constant of about 3.0 formed using a Flowfill chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process developed by Trikon Technologies of Newport, Gwent, U.K. The process is said to react methyl silane (CH3xe2x80x94SiH3) with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) to form monosilicic acid which condenses on a cool wafer and is converted into an amorphous methyl-doped silicon oxide which is annealed at 400xc2x0 C. to remove moisture.
An article by S. McClatchie et al. entitled xe2x80x9cLow Dielectric Constant Oxide Films Deposited Using CVD Techniquesxe2x80x9d, published in the 1998 Proceedings of the Fourth International Dielectrics For ULSI Multilevel Interconnection Conference (Dumic) held on Feb. 16-17, 1998 at Santa Clara, Calif., at pages 311-318, also describes the formation of methyl-doped silicon oxide by the low-k Flowfill process of reacting methyl silane with H2O2 to achieve a dielectric constant of xcx9c2.9.
Another approach to the reduction of capacitance in integrated circuit structures is to lower the dielectric constant (k) by introducing porosity into the dielectric layer. Porous dielectric materials, and methods of making same, are described in Rostoker, Pasch and Kapoor U.S. Pat. No. 5,393,712; Kapoor and Pasch U.S. Pat. No. 5,470,801; Kapoor and Pasch U.S. Pat. No. 5,598,172 (a division of U.S. Pat. No. 5,470,801); and Kapoor and Pasch U.S. Pat. No. 5,864,172 (a continuation of U.S. Pat. No. 5,598,172); all assigned to the assignee of this invention and the subject matter of all of which is hereby incorporated by reference. In these patents, a composite layer is formed on an integrated circuit structure comprising a dielectric material and an extractable material. The extractable material is removed from the composite layer, leaving a porous structure of dielectric material.
The above-mentioned shrinking of integrated circuits and the concurrent ever increasing demands for faster speeds, has also resulted in renewed interest in the use of copper as a filler material for vias and contact openings instead of tungsten, as well as for use in metal lines instead of aluminum because of the well known low electrical resistance of copper, compared to either aluminum or tungsten.
But there are negative aspects to the choice of copper for via filling or in the formation of metal lines. The usual patterning of a blanket-deposited metal layer through a mask to form a pattern of metal lines or interconnects cannot easily be carried out using copper, resulting in the need to first deposit a dielectric layer such as silicon oxide, and then form a series of trenches in the dielectric layer corresponding to the desired pattern of metal lines or interconnects. The trench surfaces are then lined with a diffusion barrier layer or liner (to prevent migration of copper into the dielectric material, as well as to promote adhesion of the filler metal to the trench surfaces), and then filled with copper metal by first forming a copper seed layer over the barrier layer, e.g., by a CVD process, and then filling the remainder of the trench with a blanket deposition of copper, e.g., by a copper plating process.
While the combined use of a porous low-k dielectric material and a copper filler in the trenches and vias etched in such materials can result in the desired reduction in capacitance and enhanced speed, other problems have arisen due apparently to the combined use of a porous dielectric material and a copper filler for the trenches and/or vias etched in such porous dielectric material.
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 1A, an integrated circuit structure, denoted as 2, is shown having a composite layer porous dielectric structure generally indicated at 4 formed thereon comprising a non-porous lower barrier layer 10 of one or more dielectric materials, a porous dielectric layer 20, and an upper non-porous barrier layer 30 of one or more dielectric materials. An opening 40 is shown formed through dielectric layers 10, 20 and 30 to form a trench or via opening in composite layer structure 4.
Formation of such an opening 40 through layers 10, 20, and 30 often results in the opening of one or more pores, such as illustrated pore 22, in porous layer 20, resulting in the formation of pointed edges 24 remaining on the punctured or ruptured pore 22, as best seen in FIG. 1A. When a subsequent barrier liner layer 50, of e.g. tantalum metal, is then formed as a liner over the etched surfaces of the trench/via opening 40 (as required when using copper filler material), the coverage of barrier liner 50 over the damaged pore 22 is inadequate, resulting in either subsequent non-filling of pore 22 with copper filler 60, creating a void 62 as shown in prior art FIG. 2, or a filling of pore 22 with copper filler, as shown in prior art FIG. 3, resulting in direct contact at 66 between copper filler 60 and the porous dielectric material of porous dielectric layer 20, or a combination of FIGS. 2 and 3, as shown in prior art FIG. 4.
The formation of voids resulting from inadequate filling of pore 22, as shown in FIG. 2, can result in a high resistance or disconnection (open) of copper line 60 at this point. The direct contact between copper filler 60 and porous dielectric layer 20 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 can result in diffusion of copper atoms into porous dielectric layer 20, resulting in degradation of the dielectric properties of porous dielectric layer 20.
It would, therefore, be desirable to provide a structure and process wherein both a porous dielectric material and a copper filler could be used in the same integrated circuit structure without encountering the deleterious effects just discussed above.
The invention comprises removal of rough edges in punctured or ruptured pores on the walls of an opening, such as a via and/or trench opening, in a layer of porous dielectric material, in an integrated circuit structure, to permit satisfactory lining of all exposed surfaces of the porous dielectric material with a barrier layer which prevents contact between the copper filler and the porous dielectric material, and facilitates filling of the completely lined punctured/ruptured pore with copper filler to eliminate void formation. The rough edges of the punctured/ruptured pores are removed by an isotropic etch of the exposed walls of the opening. This can be accomplished by adding some isotropicity to the etch used to form the trench/via opening. Preferably, however, the isotropic etch is carried out in a separate step to permit more control of the isotropic etch. The resulting structure with smoothed edges on the opened pore permits the formation of a barrier liner layer of adequate thickness over all of the exposed surfaces of the via and/or trench opening before filling of the opening with copper filler material.

Process for reducing defects in copper-filled vias and/or trenches formed in porous low-k dielectric material


The invention relates to a method of estimating motion between two video frames. According to the invention, the motion estimation is done by using first one motion estimation in the horizontal direction and then one motion estimation in the vertical direction. Preferably, a plurality of motion estimations in the horizontal direction are used alternately with motion estimations in the vertical direction. It allows reducing the complexity of the estimation.

Motion compensation is a hot topic today since it is used in various display devices like Liquid Crystal Displays or Plasma Display Panels to improve the motion rendition. It is typically used to convert the 50/60 Hz source to 100/120 Hz. Motion compensation requires motion estimation.
The known motion estimation methods are quite expensive since they are based on 2-dimensions search. For example, to estimate motions up to +/−n pixels per frame in horizontal axis and +/−p pixels per frame in vertical axis, the standard methods have a n×p complexity.

Method of estimating motion between two video frames


Dye-donor element for use according to thermal dye transfer methods, said element comprising a support having thereon a dye/binder layer comprising a 2-N-alkyl-substituted carbamoyl-4-[N-(p-substituted aminoaryl)-imino]-1,4-naphthoquinone cyan dye carried by a polymeric binder resin, said dye being a 2-N-alkyl-substituted carbamoyl-4-[N-(p-substituted aminoaryl)-imino]-1,4-naphthoquinone cyan dye, the N-alkyl group of which is methyl that is substituted with a branched-chain non-cyclic C.sub.3 -C.sub.18 alkyl group or the N-alkyl group of which is a C.sub.2 -C.sub.4 straight chain alkyl group that on its omega-carbon atom is substituted with a branched chain C.sub.3 -C.sub.18 alkyl group, an aryl group, or a cycloalkyl group.

1. Field of the Invention:
The present invention relates to dye-donor elements for use according to thermal dye transfer methods, in particular to dye-donor elements comprising cyan dyes that have a good solubility in ecologically acceptable solvents and at the same time give high transfer densities and a good hue.
2. Description of the Prior art:
Thermal transfer methods have been developed to make prints from electronic pattern information signals e.g. from pictures that have been generated electronically by means of a colour video camera. To make such prints the electronic picture can be subjected to colour separation with the aid of colour filters. The different colour selections thus obtained can then be converted into electric signals, which can be processed to form cyan, magenta, and yellow electrical signals. The resulting electrical colour signals can then be transmitted to a thermal printer. To make the print a dye-donor element having repeated separate blocks of cyan, magenta, and yellow dye is placed in face-to-face contact with a receiving sheet and the resulting sandwich is inserted between a thermal printing head and a platen roller. The thermal printing head, which is provided with a plurality of juxtaposed heat-generating resistors, can selectively supply heat to the back of the dye-donor element. For that purpose it is heated up sequentially in correspondence with the cyan, magenta, and yellow electrical signals, so that dye from the selectively heated regions of the dye-donor element is transferred to the receiver sheet and forms a pattern thereon, the shape and density of which are in accordance with the pattern and intensity of the heat supplied to the dye-donor element.
The dye-donor element usually comprises a very thin support e.g. a polyester support, which is coated on both sides with an adhesive or subbing layer, one adhesive or subbing layer being covered with a slipping layer that provides a lubricated surface against which the thermal printing head can pass without suffering abrasion, the other adhesive layer at the opposite side of the support being covered with a dye/binder layer, which contains the printing dyes in a form that can be released in varying amounts depending on, as mentioned above, how much heat is applied to the dye-donor element.
The dye/binder layer comprising said repeated separate blocks of cyan, magenta, and yellow dye can be coated from a solution in appropriate solvents on the subbed support, but the known coating techniques are not quite adapted to the discontinuous repeated coating of three differently coloured dye/binder areas on said very thin support. It is therefore customary, especially in large-scale manufacturing conditions, to print said dye/binder layer on said support by printing techniques such as a gravure process.
In order to make possible an easy printing of the dye/binder composition on the support, this composition should comprise a good solvent to give it a printable ink-like nature.
The 2-carbamoyl-4-[N-(p-substituted aminoaryl)-imino]-1,4-naphthoquinone cyan dyes described in EP-A No. 227,096 have a favourable stability to light and a good hue, but they have the important drawback of having a solubility in common solvents like acetone, ethyl methyl ketone, and ethyl acetate that is too poor for being usable in the large-scale production of dye-donor elements according to the customary gravure printing techniques. The dyes should have a better solubility i.e. a solubility of at least 6% by weight, which means that one or more chlorinated hydrocarbon solvents such as methylene chloride, ethylene dichloride, and 1,1,2-trichloroethane have to be used as solvent or solvent mixture to render these cyan dyes printable.
However, from an ecological standpoint these chlorinated hydrocarbon solvents are being rejected nowadays and their recovery from a hot airstream used for drying the printed dye-donor element requires difficult and expensive techniques.
The similar 2-carbamoyl-4-[N-(p-substituted aminoaryl)-imino]-1,4-naphthoquinone dyes described in EP-A No. 270,677, EP-A No. 279,330, EP-A 285,665, JP-A 61-268,493, and JP-A 60-239,289 also have a poor solubility in common solvents and can thus hardly be printed according to customary gravure printing techniques.

Cyan dyes in dye-donor elements for use in thermal dye transfer methods


A rough-surfaced substrate, such as a fiberboard, is provided with a smoother surface by applying a coating comprising calcium sulfate hemihydrate which has been prevented from hydrating to gypsum by set preventer, and which sets when brought into contact with a set initiator, e.g. aluminum sulfate, preferably present on the surface of the substrate.

Certain properties of gypsum make it very popular for use in making industrial and building plasters and other building products, especially gypsum wallboard. It is a plentiful and generally inexpensive raw material which, through a process of dehydration and rehydration, can be cast, molded or otherwise formed to useful shapes. It is also noncombustible and relatively dimensionally stable when exposed to moisture. However, because it is a brittle, crystalline material, which has relatively low tensile and flexural strength, its uses are typically limited to non-structural, non-load-bearing and non-impact-absorbing applications.
Gypsum wallboard, also known as drywall, consists of a rehydrated gypsum core sandwiched between multi-ply paper cover sheets and is used largely for interior wall and ceiling applications, as well as other specialty uses. The paper cover sheets contribute significantly to the strength of wallboard; without the paper up to 80% of the flexural strength is lost. Furthermore, because of the brittleness and low nail and screw holding properties of its gypsum core, conventional wallboard by itself cannot support heavy appended loads or absorb significant impact.
A material which may be used to make a wallboard having numerous properties superior to those of paper-covered gypsum wallboard is taught in a patent assigned to United States Gypsum Company, U.S. Pat. No. 5,320,677 (the ""677 patent). The ""677 patent teaches a gypsum composite material which is strong enough so as not to require a paper covering. The gypsum composite material is made from a combination of gypsum and a xe2x80x9chost particlexe2x80x9d such as a lignocellulosic material. This combination produces a composite material useful for making strong cast products, plasters, building products and for other applications. The composite material may be used to make a paperless gypsum wallboard also known as xe2x80x9cfiberboardxe2x80x9d. This fiberboard is fire resistant, has non-directional strength, including resistance to nail and screw pull-out throughout its expanse, and a harder finish than paper-covered wallboard. It also has better dimensional stability than paper-covered wallboard and has the ability to maintain its strength even in a humid environment. In addition, fiberboard has fewer defects related to the use of paper, e.g., problems such as the tearing of the paper covering or bubble formation under the paper are eliminated. Finally, fiberboard can be produced at a competitive cost.
A disadvantage of the fiberboard of the ""677 patent is that the surface is not as smooth as would be desirable, because of the inclusion of the fibrous lignocellulosic material. A smooth, flat and level surface is preferred for applications such as ceilings and wall assemblies. Current methods used to smooth the rough surface of fiberboard and to minimize the surface imperfections may involve many laborious steps and add significant expense to fiberboard production. Rough-surfaced materials may be covered with conventional paints or coatings to help hide the imperfections, but because these coatings tend to shrink as they dry, the finished surface follows the contours of the rough surface and a flat, level, and smooth surface does not result. Rough-surfaced materials may also be sanded or polished after coating to yield a smooth surface and multiple coating/sanding operations may be needed to produce a smooth surface. Multi-step coating and sanding (or polishing) operations have been used to prepare the surface of fiberboard substrates such as medium density fiberboard. At each coating step, the wet coating must be driedxe2x80x94a process that involves energy and requires physical space on a production line. Multi-step surface preparation procedures require much longer production lines and increase energy costs, as well as adding expense for sanding or polishing materials, and for disposal of waste materials.
If the fiberboard could be coated with a material that does not shrink as it dries, then the rough surface could be covered, leaving a flat, level and smooth surface. It would be possible to make a smooth, flat-surfaced fiberboard in fewer surface preparation steps, e.g., in only one or two steps without sanding or polishing.
In principle, the fiberboard could be coated with calcium sulfate hemihydrate (plaster of Paris), which will convert to calcium sulfate dihydrate (gypsum) when mixed with water, resulting in hardening or setting of the plaster. The reaction inexorably proceeds to completion in a period of time as adjusted by various accelerators and retarders, usually 5-300 minutes after mixing with water. A typical calcium sulfate hemihydrate coating would thus need to be kept in a dry form, then mixed with water just before being used to coat the fiberboard. But, the machinery used to coat the fiberboard would have to be frequently cleaned to remove accumulation of calcium sulfate dihydrate. Thus, using a coating based on calcium sulfate hemihydrate using conventional set control additives is not amenable to a continuous in-line production process. But, if the gypsum composition did not set when mixed with water, constant cleaning of the machine would not be needed. Then, if the gypsum composition only set after being coated on the fiberboard panel, then the desired smooth finish on the rough panel could be achieved.
The present inventors have discovered how to produce a smooth, flat gypsum-coated fiberboard. Their invention includes a paperless fiberboard with a surface acceptable for wall and ceiling applications and a process for making such fiberboard.
The present invention is a process for preparing a smooth-surfaced gypsum-coated substrate from a rough-surfaced substrate, especially from fiberboard that previously could not be smoothed in an economical manner and the resulting smooth-surfaced substrate.
In one embodiment of the present invention, a rough-surfaced fiberboard substrate is made smooth by the application of a calcium sulfate hemihydrate-containing coating composition with a reverse roll coater. As the fiberboard is fed through a reverse roll coater, a layer of the coating composition is deposited onto the surface of the board where hydration occurs to set the coating. The surface of the finished substrate is smooth, flat and level at the time the fiberboard emerges from the reverse roll coater. Since the coating composition contains a set preventer, it does not set until after deposited on the surface of the fiberboard where an activator initiates the setting reaction only on the panel and not in the coating contained within the reverse roll coater, thus permitting the use of a reverse roll coater for continuous operation. A continuous operation would not be possible using conventional set controlled calcium sulfate hemihydrate coatings, as the setting reaction would proceed inexorably to completion once mixed with water, necessitating shut down of the equipment to clean out the set gypsum in and on the roll coater.
In a preferred embodiment, the set preventers are the non-calcium-bearing phosphate compounds of U.S. Pat. No. 5,746,822. After coating the fiberboard substrate with the coating composition, and the coating composition sets, i.e., the calcium sulfate hemihydrate in the coating composition hydrates to form calcium sulfate dihydrate (gypsum). In order for this setting process to occur, a set initiator must be present, either in or on the surface of the fiberboard, or alternatively introduced into the coating as it is applied. Set initiators include the accelerators of the ""822 patent. While it was suggested in the ""822 patent that aluminum sulfate and ferrous ion-containing compounds could be used, they were not recommended. However, aluminum sulfate is a preferred set initiator in the present invention. The amount of the set initiator will depend on the amount required to overcome the set preventing effect of the non-calcium-bearing phosphates. Generally, about 0.01 to 0.03 wt % of the set initiator, based on the weight of the coating composition, will be sufficient. Using a very active set initiator such as aluminum sulfate has the advantage of rapidly hydrating the calcium sulfate hemihydrate so that it does not need to be mixed with the coating composition, but may be merely on the surface of the fiberboard.
Where the rough-surfaced substrate to be coated is a gypsum-containing fiberboard material, smoothing the substrate will produce a product having the beneficial properties of the rough-surfaced fiberboard material (uniformly good strength, including resistance to nail and screw pull-out throughout its expanse, dimensional stability, maintenance of strength even in a humid environment, fire resistance, and low cost) and a smooth surface which is amenable to decorative finishes. The surface should be similar to a troweled plaster in its hardness and durability.
Description of Illustrative Embodiments Coating Compositions
The coating composition contains calcium sulfate hemihydrate, but it does not set to form gypsum, even though mixed with water. Thus, continuous production of coated fiberboard is possible. A calcium sulfate hemihydrate-containing coating composition that can be premixed with water off-site and brought to a production line ready for use. Unlike conventional calcium sulfate hemihydrate compositions, the inventive coating composition will not inexorably proceed to set when mixed with water, but the calcium sulfate hemihydrate remains unset indefinitely, even though mixed with water. When desired, the coating composition can be caused to completely set and harden (thereby converting the hemihydrate to calcium sulfate dihydrate) upon contact with a set initiator. In this manner, a gypsum-coated substrate may be created in a continuous production line environment without the need for on-site mixing of a coating composition with water and without the need for using the coating composition immediately after mixing the calcium sulfate hemihydrate with water. Furthermore, because the coating composition will not set unless a set initiator is present, it will not set on the production equipment and thus the equipment does not require removal of set gypsum and may be readily cleaned after use. The wet-mixed coating composition of the present invention can be added into a reverse roll coater and maintained in the unset (calcium sulfate hemihydrate) state until it is desired to initiate the setting reaction. The coating composition of the present invention starts setting only after it had been applied to the substrate. This permits a smooth, flat and level substrate surface to be formed with a minimum of processing steps.
Conventional non-calcium sulfate hemihydrate coatings tend to shrink after application to a substrate as they dry. On shrinking, they follow the contour of the surface and, if the surface is rough, many coats and sanding steps may be needed to yield a smooth, flat substrate. With the present coating composition, there is substantially no shrinkage of the coating as it dries. The coating is thick enough, preferably about {fraction (1/32)} to {fraction (1/16)} inches (0.79 to 1.59 mm) to conform to the flat level surface of the reverse roll coater and to cover the rough surface of the fiberboard, thus generating the desired smooth, flat, level substrate.
Non-Calcium Bearing Phosphate Set Retarders
As discussed in the ""822 patent, certain non-calcium bearing phosphates have been found to have a long term set preventing effect. The present inventors believe that set prevention better describes the performance of these phosphates, rather than merely xe2x80x9cset retarders.xe2x80x9d Examples of such phosphates include zinc hexametaphosphate, potassium tripolyphosphate, tetra sodium pyrophosphate, sodium tripolyphosphate, monoammonium phosphate, and monobasic potassium phosphate. Tetra sodium pyrophosphate is a preferred set preventer. The amount required may vary from about 0.1 to about 10 wt. % based on the total solids content of the coating, preferably from about 0.2 to about 0.5 wt. %.
Other Additives
The non-calcium bearing phosphate compounds are needed to prevent the calcium sulfate hemihydrate from prematurely setting when in the presence of water. Stiffness is provided by the addition of insoluble particulates, such as clays e.g. sepiolite, bentonite, or attapulgus clays, and mica. The term xe2x80x9cstiffnessxe2x80x9d implies a degree of thixotropic performance useful in the coating compositions. That is, the coating composition is relatively immobile until applied and worked with tools. In addition, the stiffeners add to the workability, and provide a suspending property that maintains a homogeneous mixture and keeps components from settling and prematurely forming an unusable and unworkable mass. Other additives may be included in order to provide other desired properties.
Conventional cellulosic thickeners may be added to adjust the viscosity of the coating composition. They generally do not provide the stiffening property available from clays and mica. Examples include ethylhydroxy ethylcellulose, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, methylhydroxypropyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, and the like. The amount used may vary up to about 1 wt. % of the solids content of the coating as required to meet the desired consistency. Preferably, about 0.35 to about 0.6 wt. %, based on the solids content of the coating composition, will be used.
Latex emulsion binders may be included in coating composition, of the invention. Examples include polyvinyl acetate and ethylene vinyl acetate emulsions. The amount used may range from about 1.5 to about 7 wt. % of the solids content of the joint compound, preferably about 2 to about 5.5 wt. %.
Reduced weight may be provided by addition of lightweight spheres, such as an expanded perlite or resin microspheres. Fibers may also be added, if desired.
Other additives which may have use in joint compounds of the invention include talc, citric acid, fungicides, and bactericides. Wetting agents, defoamers, and plasticizers may also be included.
Set Initiators
Set initiators, also called accelerators in the ""822 patent, contain at least one compound which has a log K value greater than calcium. Log K is the logarithm of the equilibrium constant K of the chelating reaction of diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid with a given metal cation. Table I in the ""822 patent provides a list of metal ions and their log K values. Zinc sulfate was considered to be a superior set initiator, although the numerical difference between zinc and calcium in Table I was not the largest shown. While it was suggested in the ""822 patent that aluminum sulfate and ferrous ion-containing compounds were not recommended since they have detrimental effects, aluminum sulfate is a preferred set initiator in the present application. The amount of the set initiator will depend on the amount required to overcome the set preventing effect of the non-calcium bearing phosphates. Generally, about 0.01 to 0.03 wt. % of the set initiator, based on the weight of the premixed first part of the coating compound, will be used. It has been found that a very active set initiator, such as aluminum sulfate, does not have to be mixed with the coating compound, but by merely being on the surface of the substrate, causes the setting reaction to occur throughout the coating.
Although the reasons for the effectiveness of the set preventers described above are not fully known, it is believed that they function by sequestering calcium ions and/or calcium compounds, inhibiting crystal growth. It is believed that the set initiators function by preferentially binding to the set preventer, freeing the calcium ions and/or calcium compounds to initiate the setting reaction and crystal growth.
When set initiators are used with ready-mixed setting-type joint compounds, it is typical that they are mixed thoroughly with the ready-mixed joint setting-type compound just prior to use. A colorant may be included to help assure complete mixing. In the present use, the ready-mixed coating composition could be mixed with a set initiator as it is applied, but preferably, the set initiator is included in the gypsum formulation used in making the fiberboard or is applied to the top of the fiberboard as it is curing. It has been found that aluminum sulfate is sufficiently active so that its presence on the surface of the fiberboard is sufficient to begin the setting process, which then proceeds throughout the coating layer.
Typical coating compositions of the present invention are represented by the formulations listed in Table 1.
Fiberboard
A rough-surfaced fiber-containing substrate may be made smooth by the application of the calcium sulfate hemihydrate-containing coating composition described above. Such a fiber-containing substrate may be prepared by the method taught in U.S. Pat. No. 5,320,677 (Baig) assigned to United States Gypsum Company. In the ""677 method, host particles are used to strengthen gypsum in the preparation of the fiber-containing substrate. The host particles that may be used are any macroscopic particle such as a fiber, chip or flake of a substance other than gypsum. The particle is generally insoluble in the gypsum-containing slurry and may also have accessible voids on the surfaces such as pits, cracks, fissures, hollow cores or other surface imperfections which are penetrable by the slurry and within which calcium sulfate crystals can form. A lignocellulosic fiber, particularly a wood fiber, is an example of a host particle especially well-suited for the composite material and process of this invention. Another readily available and affordable material that is also widely used in building products is lignocellulosic material, particularly wood and paper fibers. Particle board, fiberboard, waferboard, plywood and hardboard (i.e., high density fiberboard) are some of the forms of processed lignocellulosic material products used in the building industry.
To prepare the fiber-containing substrate, uncalcined ground gypsum and the host particles are mixed together with sufficient liquid to form a dilute slurry consisting of at least about 70% by weight liquid. The mixture is then heated under pressure to calcine the gypsum, converting it to acicular calcium sulfate alpha hemihydrate crystals. The material can be dried immediately before it cools to provide a stable, but rehydratable hemihydrate composite for later use. Alternatively, if it is to be directly converted into a usable product form right away, such as fiberboard, the composite can be further separated from substantially all the liquid except that needed for rehydration, combined with other like composite particles into a desired shape, and then rehydrated to a set and stabilized gypsum composite mass. An optional step in the process is the continuous agitation of the slurry while the gypsum is being calcined and the hemihydrate crystals are forming.
As described in the ""677 patent, after the conversion of gypsum to the hemihydrate has been completed, the slurry of hemihydrate and fibers may be discharged onto a dewatering conveyor and cooled and pressed to form a fiberboard while rehydration to gypsum is occurring. Various additives may have been added to the slurry, including aluminum sulfate, which serves as an accelerator and also serves as a set initiator for the coating composition when it is applied to the fiberboard surface.
Application of the Coating
While in principle any method could be used to apply the coating to the surface of the fiberboard, for commercial applications coating equipment designed for that purpose will be needed. One such is the reverse roll coater, which deposits the coating and uses a roller to spread the coating as the roller turns in a direction opposite to the movement of the fiberboard conveyer.
One example of a reverse roll coater is made by Black Bros: Model 222 Reverse Roll Filler. The equipment is designed to apply various types of coatings to sheet materials. The sheet material is transported by feed rolls below, while the coating is applied by a coating roll to the upper surface. The coating roll receives the coating material from a doctor roll which meters the coating. While the coating roll rotates in the same direction as the sheet material is moving, the excess coating is removed by a wiping roll rotating in the opposite direction (i.e. a reverse roll). Lower rolls support and feed the sheet material at a constant speed while a wiping blade removes and recycles the excess coating.

Substrate smoothed by coating with gypsum-containing composition and method of making


A water resistant alarm system for providing an effective audible alarm in a water resistant housing. The water resistant alarm system generally includes a housing comprised of a base panel and a cover connected to the base panel, a speaker within an interior of the housing, and a sound vent within the housing that allows sound generated from the speaker to pass outwardly from the housing while preventing the entry of water into the interior of the housing. The cover is removably connected to the base panel to allow for increased access to the interior of the housing. The cover is further removably connected to the base panel in a waterproof manner without utilizing seals.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to an audible alarm and more specifically it relates to a water resistant alarm system for providing an effective audible alarm in a water resistant housing that provides effective access to the interior of the housing.
2. Description of the Related Art
Any discussion of the related art throughout the specification should in no way be considered as an admission that such related art is widely known or forms part of common general knowledge in the field.
Indoor and outdoor alarm systems have been in use for years. Examples of well-known alarm systems include devices that monitor liquid levels in lift pump chambers, sump pump basins, holding tanks, sewage, agricultural and other water applications. The alarm systems are in communication with a water level sensor such as a float. The alarm systems may sound an audible and/or visual alarm when a water level is low and/or high. Conventional alarm systems have a housing that protects the electronic circuitry and components within from water. However, to prevent the entry of water into the housing they are sealed with gasket materials that increase the cost of the end product, that wear out over time and that reduce the amount of sound allowed to be emitted from the housing. Furthermore, conventional housings have covers that are pivotally connected and typically are not removable thereby restricting access space for installing wires to the interior circuitry of the alarm system or making repairs to the same. For conventional housings that have removable covers, the sidewalls of the base panel extend outwardly the same distance as the floor making it difficult to work on.
Because of the inherent problems with the related art, there is a need for a new and improved water resistant alarm system for providing an effective audible alarm in a water resistant housing.


A method for providing a leadframeless package structure is provided. The method includes providing a temporary carrier. The temporary carrier is coupled to a metal foil layer with a temporary adhesive layer. An integrated circuit chip is coupled to the metal foil layer. The temporary adhesive layer and the temporary carrier are removed to form the leadframeless package structure after molding.

The present invention is directed in general to integrated circuits and, more specifically, to a leadframeless package structure and method.
A conventional integrated circuit package generally comprises a leadframe made from 0.005-inch thick metal, an integrated circuit made of silicon, and a protective material to protect the electrical connections between the integrated circuit and the leadframe. The leadframe acts as an electrical and mechanical interface between the integrated circuit and the printed circuit board (PCB) on which the integrated circuit package is soldered. These packages are generally known as Dual-In-Line Package (DIP), Small Outline package (SO), or Quad Flat Package (QFP). In the manufacturing of these packages with leadframes, heavy industrial tools such as stamping and forming are required. These tools are expansive and dedicated to one package size and pin count. A leadframeless package is highly desirable because it requires a minimum of dedicated tooling such as, for example, one photomask and one solder ball fixture.
Recent development of higher pin count packages has substituted the leadframe with a fiberglass material. These packages are generally known as Ball Grid Array (BGA). The fiberglass material has metal foils (0.0015-inch thick) on the top and bottom sides and conductor patterns are etched on both sides to connect the die to the PCB.
Conventional packaging options for high performance integrated circuit dice include the use of a substrate or leadframe as a carrier. These are normally incorporated permanently in the final package structure. Disadvantages associated with these package structures include a limited ability to re-use the leadframe or substrate for another die. The leadframe or substrate becomes a fixed material cost for every package manufactured. The tooling for stamping the leadframe and the artwork for etching new substrates are quite substantial when there is a change in die size as the feature size of the integrated circuit is shrunk. In addition, the substrate or leadframe contributes to the thickness of the package structure, which is generally desired to be minimized. Also, when solder balls are used with the integrated circuit die, as in BGA packages, the width and depth of the package structure may be greater than desired due to the inclusion of the connections to the solder balls that are exterior to the area encompassed by the die.
In accordance with the present invention, a leadframeless package structure and method are provided that substantially eliminate or reduce disadvantages and problems associated with conventional systems and methods. In particular, a temporary carrier that is coupled to the structure during formation is removed after formation is complete, resulting in a structure without a leadframe.
According to one embodiment of the present invention, a leadframeless package structure is provided that includes a temporary carrier, a metal foil layer, an integrated circuit chip, a plurality of bonding wires, and a molding compound. After attaching the metal foil layer to the temporary adhesive/carrier system, the metal foil is patterned and etched (using conventional techniques commonly known in the PCB industry) to produce a set of planar electrical traces, die attach pads and bonding pads. The die is then attached (using conventional semiconductor assembly techniques) to the special die attach pad formed in the metal foil. Subsequently, conventional wirebond techniques are used to form electrical interconnects between the die and the electrical traces in the metal foil. Special pads are also provided in the metal foil for this purpose. Following a molding step, which encases the delicate wirebonds and die with a plastic which provides rigidity and protection, the temporary carrier portion is removed.
Technical advantages of one or more embodiments of the present invention include providing an improved leadframeless package structure. In a particular embodiment, a temporary carrier is coupled to the structure with a suitable adhesive layer during formation. The adhesive and carrier system are removed after molding. As a result, the chips attached to the structure have no leadframes or substrates. Accordingly, the leadframeless package structure has a reduced fixed cost of materials, is capable of accommodating large and small dice at minimum tooling cost, has a reduced thickness due to the absence of a carrier, and can provide a chip-scale package when second level interconnects (e.g., solder pads) are located within the approximate footprint of the die.
Other technical advantages will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art from the following figures, description, and claims.
Before undertaking the DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION, it may be advantageous to set forth definitions of certain words and phrases used throughout this patent document: the terms xe2x80x9cincludexe2x80x9d and xe2x80x9ccomprise,xe2x80x9d as well as derivatives thereof, mean inclusion without limitation; the term xe2x80x9cor,xe2x80x9d is inclusive, meaning and/or; the phrases xe2x80x9cassociated withxe2x80x9d and xe2x80x9cassociated therewith,xe2x80x9d as well as derivatives thereof, may mean to include, be included within, interconnect with, contain, be contained within, connect to or with, couple to or with, be communicable with, cooperate with, interleave, juxtapose, be proximate to, be bound to or with, have, have a property of, or the like; and the term xe2x80x9ccontrollerxe2x80x9d means any device, system or part thereof that controls at least one operation, such a device may be implemented in hardware, firmware or software, or some combination of at least two of the same. It should be noted that the functionality associated with any particular controller may be centralized or distributed, whether locally or remotely. Definitions for certain words and phrases are provided throughout this patent document, those of ordinary skill in the art should understand that in many, if not most instances, such definitions apply to prior, as well as future uses of such defined words and phrases.

Leadframeless package structure and method


A cutting equipment which trims strips of webs in movement includes a stationary trimming blade and a rotating cylinder with a mobile trimming blade; the rotating cylinder includes a sector with suction openings connected to a vacuum source, which retains the strips by suction and drags the strips up to a strip collector; the cutting equipment cuts and separates transversal strips of two webs overlapped in adherence jointly to the cutting of basic sheets; a perforating device perforates a row of holes on the first web adjacent to an edge of the sheets; and a first web is positioned with the row of holes in front of the suction openings, while the strip of the second web is retained and dragged by suction through the holes of the first web up to the strip collector.

With the cutting of the web, various sheets with single or multiple images are thereby separated for following processing. However, the thus cut sheets generally have defects dependent on the printer or on the printing processes and/or cutting. These defects, aesthetically unacceptable, may be constituted by torn out parts, parts with prints or service codes of the printer and, in the case of ink jet printers, bleed areas for the bleeding of the heads. The cutting or separation of the sheets from the web does not eliminate the defects, making it necessary a trimming cut for removing a small strip of web constituted by the torn out or bleed area or of a width sufficient to cover the area to be removed.
In this framework, the equipments of transverse cutting and removal for trimming strips of webs have an important role. According to a typical structure, these equipments comprise a fixed trimming blade, a blade carrying cylinder mounted for rotation about an axis of rotation and supporting a movable blade, a source of vacuum, and a collector for the trimmed strips. With the rotation of the blade carrying cylinder, the movable blade cooperates with the fixed blade for separating the strips, while a retaining sector of the cylinder adjacent to the blade retains the strips by suction, by means of suction openings connected to the vacuum source, and drags the strips from the area of the cut up to the collector for the trimmed strips.
The structure for retaining the trimming strips by suction is associated with complex and costly devices if the strips should be cut and removed from continuous paper forms that are overlapping. Such webs are derived from webs of width double with respect to the width of the sheet to be produced and are cut longitudinally and overlapped in suitable apparatuses, for optimizing printing costs and productivity.

Transversal cutting equipment for trimming strips


A machine for wrapping generally cylindrical articles, includes a supply reel rotatably mounted in the machine for unreeling a web of sheet material, a conveyor for transporting the articles along a predetermined path, an inclined infeed table for supplying the articles by means of a gravity feed to the conveyor, and an article infeed mechanism disposed adjacent the infeed table for successively feeding the articles to the conveyor. The articles infeed mechanism is movable between a first position in which it stops the feed of the articles fed thereto and a second position in which the articles are allowed to successively move by gravity forward for deposit on the conveyor. A device is provided for successively adhering the leading edge of the sheet material to the articles and a transverse parting wire serves to sever a predetermined portion of the sheet material so that it may be wrapped around the article as it rolls forward toward the conveyor. A method for wrapping cylindrical articles is also disclosed.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a machine and method for overwrapping cylindrical or nearly cylindrical articles for packaging or labeling of those articles. More particularly, the invention relates to a machine and method for wrapping wallpaper, giftwrap and facsimile paper rolls.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Machines are known for wrapping articles and, in particular, cylindrical or nearly cylindrical articles. One such commercial machine is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,659,394. The machine is specifically designed and used for packaging and labeling articles, such as adhesive tape rolls. These adhesive tape rolls vary in size, but they typically are manufactured in widths of between 1/4 inch up to 2 to 3 inches.
In my prior co-pending application (Ser. No. 342,110, filed Apr. 24, 1989 now U.S. Pat. No. 4,945,707), an improved machine and method for overwrapping such cylindrical and nearly cylindrical articles is disclosed, which significantly enhances the speed of operation and the reliability thereof. The improved machine affords a stable support for the relatively narrow and unstable tape rolls.
A problem exists with respect to the overwrapping of generally larger cylindrical objects, such as wallpaper rolls, giftwrap rolls, facsimile paper rolls, and the like, which, unlike tape rolls, have a loose trailing edge. Typically, a piece of tape must be manually applied to the trailing edge on the roll to prevent it from unravelling during processing. As can be appreciated, this is both time consuming and expensive.
Consequently, there is a great need for a wrapping machine which would eliminate the need for manually taping the trailing edge of the paper to the remainder of the roll. However, the aforementioned machines are not generally suitable for this purpose since, in the wrapping operation, they effect rotation of the cylindrical article in two different rotational directions. As a result, the roll will start to unwind if its trailing edge is not secured.

Machine and method for overwrapping cylindrical articles


A crochet jig has a first planar frame secured within a second upright frame. The first frame is capable of full rotation along a horizontal axis. The top surface of the first frame is configured to retain a length of crocheted product on a first end and spooled yam on a second end.

The hobbies of knitting and crocheting have remained popular throughout time. Not only do many people find these hobbies relaxing and enjoyable, but the resulting products or crafts are beautiful, valuable and functional. One project that many undertake is the making of large crocheted blankets. These colorful blankets are not only beautiful to look at but keep one very warm during cold days and nights.
However, one aspect associated with their construction, especially on ones with many colors, is the requirement to have many balls or skeins of yarn active at one time. Additionally, there is a need to flip the blanket over as it is being crocheted to not only keep colors and patterns aligned, but to keep letters and numbers from being reversed as well. Unfortunately, the requirement of many active yarn segments and the requirement to flip it back and forth usually always ends up with the entire project being one knotted mess. This not only adds unnecessary hours to a project, but simply takes the creative enjoyment out of it as well.
Accordingly, there exists a need for a means by which large crochet projects using many active segments of yarn can be easily flipped back and forth without the problems as described above. The development of the crochet jig fulfills this need.


Designated coordinates in a coordinate system are set based on coordinate information outputted from a pointing device, and a drag direction from the designated coordinates having been previously set toward the designated coordinates being currently set is set, and an input direction is updated, based on both an input direction being currently stored and the drag direction, to be stored, and a game is controlled based on the input direction being currently stored.

1. Field of the Technology
The present technology relates to a storage medium having a game program stored thereon, a game apparatus, an input device, and a storage medium having a program stored thereon, and more particularly to a storage medium in which stored is a game program used for a computer game for which a pointing device such as a touch panel is employed, a game apparatus, an input device, and a storage medium having a program stored thereon.
2. Description of the Background Art
Conventionally, various types of games for which a joystick is used as a controller have been developed. The joystick is provided with a lever, and a player tilts the lever forward and backward, and rightward and leftward, thereby making inputs according to the directions. In general, a direction in which the joystick is tilted is handled by a game apparatus as an input direction. In a case where the player tilts the joystick lever in a certain direction to hold the joystick lever at that position, the positional information is continuously outputted and handled by the game apparatus as the input direction. The joystick is also used for a typical personal computer as well as used as a controller for a home game apparatus.
On the other hand, an input device which is operated by a player using a touch panel has been also developed, as disclosed in, for example, Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 11-53115 (Document 1) and Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 7-182092 (Document 2). With the input device disclosed in the Document 1, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3 of the Document 1, a player uses a touch panel to utilize, as a direction in which and a speed at which a cursor moves, a direction and a distance from a predetermined origin on the touch panel to a point at which the player is pointing. On the other hand, in the input device disclosed in the Document 2, as shown in FIG. 6 of the Document 2, a game screen is displayed on a display having a touch panel mounted thereon. According to a movement corresponding to a vector quantity of a movement of a finger with which a player touches the touch panel, an object which is selectively touched is moved on the game screen.
Here, if an operation in which a joystick is emulated can be realized for a game apparatus having a touch panel, it is convenient. In this case, information which is eventually required is a vector value of two axes of X and Y corresponding to a joystick input value. The vector value is represented as a vector value (sx, sy) in a stick coordinate system. A direction indicated by the vector value (sx, sy) is a direction in which the joystick is tilted. Further, the length of the vector value corresponding to the joystick being tilted to the maximum is set as "1". In this case, sx=−1 to +1 and sy=−1 to +1, and the length of "0" indicates that the joystick is in a neutral (upright) position.
Further, the vector value (sx, sy) in the stick coordinate system can be obtained according to the following formula, using an origin (ox, oy) on the touch panel and a point (tx, ty) at which the player is pressing the touch panel, the origin and the point being represented in the touch panel coordinate system.sx=(tx−ox)×ratiosy=(ty−oy)×ratiowhere the ratio is a conversion ratio used for defining a length in the touch panel coordinate system, which corresponds to the length "1" in the stick coordinate system. For example, when a length from an origin is "10" in the touch panel coordinate system, the length is defined as "1" in the stick coordinate system. Consequently, the ratio is set as "ratio=1÷10=0.1".
While the device disclosed in the Document 1 utilizes, for information processing, a difference between an origin and a point at which a touch panel is being pressed, when the input method of the invention disclosed in the Document 1 is applied as it is to the operation in which a joystick is emulated, various problems arise. With reference to FIGS. 7A and 7B, the problems on the input device disclosed in the Document 1 will be described. In FIGS. 7A and 7B, the horizontal direction is the X axis direction (the rightward direction is the positive direction) and the vertical direction is the Y axis direction (the forward direction is the positive direction) in the touch panel coordinate system. O is the origin in the touch panel coordinate system. FIGS. 7A and 7B show an example of an operation in which a player uses the touch panel to shift from a stick input vertically in front of the origin (an input for tilting the joystick vertically in front of the origin; an input by which sx=0 and sy>0 is obtained as the stick coordinate values) to a stick input on the right side of the origin (an input for tilting the joystick directly to the right; an input by which sx>0 and sy=0 is obtained as the stick coordinate values). FIGS. 7A and 7B schematically illustrate a mark representing a hand as a player's hand that presses the touch panel.
In FIG. 7A, in a case where the stick input vertically in front of the origin is performed on the touch panel, the player presses a point T1 (t1x, t1y) which is in front of the origin O (ox, oy) (which is in the direction which is parallel to the Y axis and in which the Y value increases) on the touch panel. Based on the origin O (ox, oy) and the point T1 (t1x, t1y), a vector value V1 oriented vertically in front of the origin can be obtained.
On the other hand, in FIG. 7B, in a case where the stick input on the right side of the origin is performed on the touch panel, the player must press a point T2 (t2x, t2y) which is to the right of the origin O (ox, oy) (which is the direction which is parallel to the X axis and in which the X value increases) on the touch panel. Based on the origin O (ox, oy) and the point T2 (t2x, t2y), a vector value V2 oriented to the right can be obtained. Accordingly, when the stick input vertically in front of the origin is shifted to the stick input on the right side of the origin on the touch panel, the player must press the touch panel aiming at the touch point which is in the right backward direction as seen from the point T1, as shown by the dotted lines in FIG. 7B. That is, in the case of the stick input on the right side of the origin being desired, the player attempts to move the pressing point in the rightward direction (the direction which is parallel to the X axis and in which the X value increases) of the point at which the player is currently pointing (it is also convenient for the player to do so), whereas when the point at which the player is currently pointing deviates vertically from the origin, it is not sufficient to move the pressing point in the rightward direction. For example, in a case where the point at which the player is currently pointing is in front of the origin, it is necessary to move the pressing point in the right backward direction in order to make the stick input on the right side of the origin, and thereby the difference between controllability of a joystick and controllability of a touch panel confuses the player operating the touch panel and it is necessary to constantly confirm the position of the origin. Since a frame for guiding a lever is provided for the joystick in practice, for example, in a case where a rightward tilting force is applied to the lever being tilted in the maximum forward direction, the lever is naturally moved in the right backward direction along the guide, and the lever is eventually tilted in the maximum rightward direction. However, in a case where an operation in which a joystick is emulated using a touch panel is realized, since there is no guide as described above, the player must intentionally move the pressing point in the right backward direction. Further, in the case of an actual joystick, since the player can perceive how the lever is being tilted with his finger or hand, it is not necessary to visually confirm the origin of the joystick. However, in a case where an operation in which a joystick is emulated using a touch panel is realized, since it is impossible to perceive the origin with a finger, it is necessary to visually confirm the position of the origin.
A method for relatively moving a cursor according to a movement trace of a player's finger is also disclosed in the Document 1. Further, a method for moving an object which is selectively touched on a game screen according to a movement corresponding to a vector of a movement of a finger with which a player touches a touch panel is disclosed in the Document 2. In these methods, however, since the input is not made until the players' finger moves, the input for which a joystick is emulated cannot be realized. This is because an actual joystick continuously supplies a constant output when a lever is held at a predetermined position. More specifically, in a case where a game object is moved according to a movement corresponding to a vector of a movement of a finger which touches the touch panel, the finger must be continuously moved in order to move the game object.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Storage medium having game program stored thereon, game apparatus, input device, and storage medium having program stored thereon


A pixel may include: an OLED; a first transistor having a first electrode connected to a power line receiving a first power, the first power changes to an initial voltage, a reference voltage, and a high voltage, the first transistor controlling the amount of current supplied to the OLED; a second transistor connected between a data line and a second node and turned on when a scan signal is supplied to a scan line; a third transistor connected between a gate electrode and a second electrode of the first transistor and having a turn-on time partially overlapping the turn-on time of the second transistor; a fourth transistor, connected between the second node and the power line, and having a turn-on time not overlapping the turn-on time of the second transistor; and a storage capacitor connected between the gate electrode of the first transistor and the second node.

1. Field
Embodiments relate to a pixel and an organic light emitting display device using the pixel. More particularly, the present embodiments relate to a pixel that can display an image having uniform luminance, regardless of the threshold voltage of a driving transistor.
2. Description of the Related Art
Recently, a variety of flat panel displays have been developed that make it possible to reduce the weight and volume of cathode ray tubes. Typical flat panel displays may be a liquid crystal display, a field emission display, a plasma display panel, an organic light emitting display device, etc.
The organic light emitting display device displays an image using an organic light emitting diode. The organic light emitting diode produces light by recombining an electrode and a hole. The organic light emitting display device has the advantage of high response speed and low power.

Pixel and organic light emitting display device using the pixel