The system and method allows a vehicle loan organization to generate multiple, customized vehicle loan offers to an applicant for different types of vehicles in an automated fashion. The system and method calculates an acquisition score to better determine the riskiness of offering a vehicle loan to a potential applicant. Additionally, the system and method automates underwriting decisions by automatically approving, denying, or referring vehicle loan applications. For vehicle loan applications that are referred for manual underwriting, the system determines the appropriate credit analyst to use based on the application's complexity, the analyst's expertise, and the analyst's availability. Further, the system uses credit data to calculate a maximum term, amount, and LTV ratio for potential vehicle loans. Also, the system considers the applicant's collateral before approving a vehicle loan. For qualified, approved applicants, the system generates multiple, customized vehicle loan offers for the applicant.

Organizations providing vehicle loans gather and analyze various types of data before offering vehicle loans. The gathered and analyzed data assists the organization in choosing which applicants to offer loans, and what loans to offer the chosen applicants. However, this process can be challenging for an organization because of the numerous tasks and risks associated with offering vehicle loans to applicants. The risk of an applicant defaulting on a credit loan depends on the applicant. Thus, organizations need to avoid risky applicants. Also, the conditions of the loan, such as amount and length, alter the riskiness of the loan for the organization. Further, the conditions of the loan, such as the amount, length, and interest rate, must be desirable to the applicant. As a result, offering desirable loans to applicants who will not default is a challenge for organizations providing vehicle loans.

Vehicle loan generation system: multiple vehicle loan offer generation

STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY


A method for compensating the axial ratio of an antenna for testing radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags and an apparatus using the method are provided. The method includes the following steps. An initial location of the RFID tag (or a tagged product) is set to obtain an initial vector. The RFID tag and the antenna are respectively rotated with a first axis and a second axis to detect characteristics of the RFID tag in all directions, and the first axis and the second axis are perpendicular. A polarization angle of the RFID tag is calculated according to the initial vector of the RFID tag and a location of the RFID tag after rotation. A compensation value is obtained through a look up table according to the polarization angle, so as to compensate for the axial ratio of the antenna.

Generally speaking, most RFID transmitting antennas are circularly polarized while most RFID tags are linearly polarized. However, axial ratios of most commercially available mass-produced RFID antennas are normally between 2 dBm and 4 dBm. This is usually not a problem in general use. However, during the test of an RFID tag or tagged product, errors are caused by influences of the axial ratio of the reader antenna when the linearly polarized RFID tag is at different angles. The axial ratio and the gain of the reader antenna also change with frequency.
Two types of RFID test apparatuses exist, which are laboratory-scale instruments (such as instruments from HP™ and Agilent™) and general commercially available readers. The laboratory-scale instruments are too expensive for many end users, so most end users resort to commercially available readers and reader antennas to perform RFID tests. That is to say, in an existing RFID test, an existing RFID transmitting antenna is placed at an elevation angle of 0°, and an object under test rotates being placed within a distance of 1 to 2 meters in front of transmitting reader antenna. However, this test method only scans the horizontal cross section field pattern. Thus, the problem of antenna polarization is not involved during the test.
Strictly, tests of more cross-sections are required to ensure that the tagged product can be read reliably in an actual application. However, axial ratios of most commercially available RFID transmitting antennas are between about 2 dBm and 4 dBm, which are sufficient for most applications. The axial ratios of some special antennas might be between 1 dBm to 2 dBm. That is, when the object under test goes through the rotated scanning and reading, the axial ratio of the transmitting antenna corresponding to the polarization of the RFID tag may influence the measurement accuracy. Therefore, if a set of equipment may effectively correct the errors, the measurement accuracy may be greatly improved.

Apparatus and method for compensating the axial ratio of an antenna for testing RFID tags

Industrial Technology Research Institute


In a dispersion system comprising seed polymer particles and a monomer, the solubility of the monomer is reduced by such means as addition of water, whereby the monomer is precipitated and absorbed in the seed polymer particles, and in this state, the monomer absorbed in the seed polymer particles is selectively polymerized.. Namely, according to the present invention, the decrease of the solubility of the monomer in the dispersion system is utilized for absorption of the monomer in the seed polymer particles, and polymer particles having an increased particle size can be prepared in a short time at a high efficiency.

(1) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of monodisperse polymer particles having an increased particle size. More particularly, the present invention relates to a process in which the solubility of a monomer present in a dispersion medium of seed polymer particles is reduced to make the monomer absorbed in the seed polymer particles and polymerization is carried out in this state, whereby polymer particles having an increased particle size are prepared.
(2) Description of the Related Art
The emulsion polymerization process, the suspension polymerization process and the dispersion polymerization process are known as the process for the preparation of spherical polymer particles. Each of these processes is characterized by the particle size, particle size distribution and molecular weight of the obtained polymer. In the emulsion polymerization process, monodisperse fine particles of a high polymer can be obtained, but only particles having a particle size smaller than 1.0 .mu.m are obtained. In contrast, in the suspension polymerization process, particles having a particle size larger than 10 .mu.m can be obtained, but a product other than a product having a polydisperse particle size distribution cannot be synthesized. In connection with the dispersion polymerization, the synthesis of monodisperse particles having a particle size of about 7 .mu.m has been reported, but it is impossible to control the molecular weight of the polymer constituting the particles and the particle size, and kinds of monomers that can be used are limited.
As the means for overcoming these defects, there has been proposed the so-called two-staged swelling process in which monodisperse particles synthesized by the emulsion polymerization are swollen by an oligomer or solvent and then swollen by a monomer and then, polymerization is carried out, as disclosed in Journal of Polymer Science, Polymer Symposium, 72, 225-240, (1985).
This known process, however, is defective in that the complicated means, that is, the two-staged swelling, is necessary, a long time is required for the swelling operation, and the productivity is low.
If spherical polymer particles having a particle size of several .mu.m to scores of .mu.m and a monodisperse particle size distribution are obtained, since the particle size distribution is sharp and such an operation as classification is not necessary, it is expected that they will be used as electrophotographic toners, gap-adjusting agents for liquid crystal display panels, standard particles of a Coulter counter, column fillers for the chromatography or the like, carriers for immune diagnosis agents, cosmetic fillers and the like.

Process for preparation of monodisperse polymer particles having increased particle size


An information remote notification device is provided. The information remote notification device includes an orientation sensor configured to detect an oriented direction of the information remote notification device, a communicator configured to acquire sensor information from an external terminal device, and a notifier configured to notify the sensor information corresponding to the oriented direction detected by the orientation sensor. The sensor information is obtained by transmitting and receiving a detection signal and includes at least information obtained from a direction corresponding to the oriented direction detected by the orientation sensor.

Conventionally, display devices which acquire information from a plurality of ship instruments and display the information are known. JP2013-079813A discloses a display device of such a kind.
The display device of JP2013-079813A (a touch panel device) stores nautical chart information and displays a nautical chart in the vicinity of a ship concerned. The display device can also receive detection results from a fish finder and a radar antenna and display the detection results. A user can grasp a situation in the vicinity of the ship concerned by referring to the display device.
Meanwhile, the display device such as the one in JP2013-079813A is fixed to a position in a location where the ship is steered (e.g., the bridge, the command room of the ship). Therefore, the user needs to stay in front of the display device all the time, otherwise he/she cannot constantly grasp the situation in the vicinity of the ship concerned. Since the user may take a break, go fishing, etc., at a different location, it is difficult to make those moves while grasping the situation in the vicinity of the ship concerned.
Moreover, the user generally confirms the situation in the vicinity of the ship concerned visually in addition to by using the ship instrument. Therefore, the user needs to frequently change his/her line of sight between the display device and the vicinity of the ship concerned. Also, in a case of searching, on the display device, for information corresponding to visually-confirmed information so as to know the detail of the information, the correspondence between an actual azimuth and an azimuth on the display device needs to be grasped, and the confirmation of the situation in the vicinity of the ship concerned cannot smoothly be performed. Similarly, also in a case of visually confirming the information which is displayed on the display device, the confirmation cannot smoothly be performed.
Note that these issues not only arise with ships, but commonly arise when a sensor is used to detect information therearound.

Method, system and device for remotely notifying information


There is provided an optical element including first and second substrates that are disposed to face each other; a pair of wall portions that are erected on an inner surface of the first substrate facing the second substrate to be adjacent to each other in a first direction and extend in a second direction different from the first direction; first and second electrodes that are disposed on wall surfaces of the pair of wall portions to be insulated from each other and face each other and are provided to be apart from the first substrate; an insulating film that covers the first and second electrodes; a third electrode that is provided on an inner surface of the second substrate facing the first substrate; and a polar liquid and a non-polar liquid that are sealed between the first substrate and the second substrate and have different refractive indexes.

The present disclosure relates to an optical element and an optical element array using an electro-wetting phenomenon, a display device and an electronic apparatus including the optical element and the optical element array, and a method of forming the optical element.
In the related art, a liquid optical element that shows an optical action by an electro-wetting phenomenon (electrocapillary phenomenon) has been developed. The electro-wetting phenomenon is a phenomenon in which, when a voltage is applied between an electrode and a conductive liquid (polar liquid), interface energy of a surface of the electrode and the liquid changes and a surface shape of the liquid changes.
The present applicant has suggested a stereoscopic image display device that includes a plurality of liquid optical elements using the electro-wetting phenomenon as lenticular lenses (for example, Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2009-247480).

Optical element, method of forming optical element, optical element array, display device, and electronic apparatus


A cast cup provided with a heating element is secured to the bottom plate of a reservoir for a percolator. The cup is inserted into an opening in the bottom plate of the reservoir and has an upper flange and a lower flange. The upper flange is secured to the top surface of the bottom plate by means of swaging. The seal is water-tight. The lower flange has a sealing compound applied to it and is sealed against the underside of the bottom plate when the upper flange is swaged to the top surface of the reservoir's bottom plate.

The device of the present invention relates to securing an otherwise conventional cast heating cup which contains the heating element to a percolator reservoir bottom. However, the invention may be used to secure other structures to different sorts of containers. By means of a unique and simple design, the applicant has invented a single piece structure which will secure a cast cup that contains a heating element to a percolator reservoir bottom.
The applicant's structure eliminates the need for using many parts, like hexagonal nuts, to attach cast cups to percolator reservoir bottoms. Further the applicant's invention allows the base to be of one piece construction.
The applicant knows of no prior art which uses the same or similar structure and functions in the same or similar manner as the applicant's invention. The closest structure to the invention of which the applicant is aware may be found in U.S. Pat. No. 1,974,676 (Hubbard). This patent merely shows a liquid well in which the water is heated having a separate lining tube which can be rolled over a bead at the inner margin of a hole in the bottom wall of the percolator; the tube and bead being formed together as described beginning about line 80 of the second column. Beginning at line 99 and continuing on the next page, the patent refers to a structure in which the interior of the well is cast rather than being a separate sleeve and is then "crimped". It does not disclose the structure of the applicant's invention. The other known reference, U.S. Pat. No. 1,719,473 (Hron), merely discloses the conventional structure which the applicant's invention replaces.

Structure to secure cast cup containing heating element to percolator reservoir bottom


The present invention relates to methods for the treatment or prevention of gastric acid disturbances and for reducing the breakdown of acid sensitive agents in the gastrointestinal tract. The present invention also relates to a method for transfecting parietal cells in vivo. The present invention also relates to synthetic oligonucleotides which may be used in these methods.

Gastric reflux, gastritis, dyspepsia, stomach ulcers, duodenal ulcers and other gastric acid disturbances affect more than one in 600 people. About 10% of the world's population have gastric or duodenal ulcers at some time in their lives. Disturbances such as gastritis, dyspepsia, 70% of stomach ulcers and 90% of duodenal ulcers are thought to be caused by the bacterium Helicobacter pylori. In other cases the causative agent of the ulcers is thought to be nonsteroid anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or conditions leading to hypersecretion of gastric acid. Gastric reflux occurs when the muscular valve at the lower end of the oesophagus (i.e. the lower intraoesophageal sphincter) malfunctions, by transient relaxation, allowing acid from the stomach into the oesophagus. Chronic gastric reflux leads to high level exposure of the oesophagus to acid, and leads to complications known as gastrooesophageal reflux disease (GORD).
The treatment in gastric acid secretion disturbances involves reduction of gastric acid production and/or secretion. In gastric reflux a reduction in acid levels allows the healing of the oesophageal mucosa and then prophylaxis involves maintenance therapy to keep acid levels low and to thereby prevent recurrence. In the case of ulcers a reduction in acid levels allows the healing of the stomach or duodenal mucosa, and then prophylaxis involves maintenance therapy to keep acid levels low to thereby prevent damage recurring. If the causative agent of the ulcer is the bacterium Helicobacter pylori, the treatment involves a reduction of acid levels, which allows acid sensitive broad-spectrum antibiotics to be used to eradicate the bacterium and to cure the disease.
It is understood that gastric acid secretion is regulated by neuronal (acetylcholine), hormonal (gastrin) and paracrine (histamine:somatostatin) mechanisms. All the pathways converge on and modulate the activity of the gastric proton pump enzyme, H+,K(+)-ATPase of the parietal cell. Precise information on the mechanisms of pump activation and identification of specific receptor subtypes in this process has led to the development of drugs capable of inhibiting and modulating acid secretion for treatment and/or prophylaxis. These include competitive antagonists that interfere with acid stimulatory receptors (such as muscarinic M1-receptor antagonists and histamine H2-receptor antagonists e.g. famotidine, cimetidine, and ranitidine) as well as more potent non-competitive inhibitors of the gastric proton pump H+,K(+)-ATPase (e.g. omeprazole, pantoprazole, lansoprazole, and rabeprazole). It also includes prostaglandin E receptor agonists such as misoprastol. Where the causative agent of the ulcer or acid disturbance is the bacterium Helicobacter pylori, the introduction of anti-Helicobacter therapy using antibiotics in admixture with these gastric acid reducing agents has increased the number of options available for the treatment and management of the disease.
There are however, a number of problems with and limitations in using the above-identified antagonists (inhibitors) and agonists in treatment and maintenance therapy. For instance, agonists such as misoprastol and antagonists such as histamine H2 receptor antagonists, are often the first line drugs used in therapy and maintenance. However, such agents are not completely effective because they modulate or interfere with only one of the pathways leading to acid secretion. They are slow in the treatment of the disease and it has been found that the relapse rates in maintenance therapy are high.
Further, because the effectiveness of such agents in some treatments is for a short time they are often taken a number of times per day and thus there is usually a lower compliance rate compared with drugs taken once a day or less often. Furthermore, because these agents cause adverse side-effects, lower doses, which are less effective, are commonly used. Finally, it has been found that these agents interact with cytochrome P450. Thus these agents cannot be taken in conjunction with other drugs such as diazepam, pyrethrin, and/or warfarin in multiple therapies.
Proton pump antagonists, the second line drugs, have become the more preferred agents in treatment and maintenance therapy because they are more effective than misoprastol and histamine H2 receptor antagonists. Proton pump antagonists are generally thought to be effective when taken once a day although recently it has been estimated that up to 40% of gastric reflux patients take them twice a day. Surprisingly, standard dosage, whether it is taken once or twice a day, does not reduce and maintain acid levels at the required therapeutic level throughout an entire day. Recent reports suggest that 15% and speculated up to 40% of gastric reflux patients that take standard doses twice a day still do not have sufficient effect at night. This can cause discomfort, a relapse of gastric reflux and other disturbances. Moreover, when higher doses or multiple standard doses are necessary for the desired effect to be achieved, they may cause inacidity in the stomach over extended periods of time. This inacidity has been found to cause hypergastrinaemia which can lead to G-cell abnormalities, ECL hyperplasia or other abnormalities in humans. Long term use of proton pump antagonists has also been linked with colon cancer. Surprisingly, it has recently being found that some conditions are refractory to treatment with the current proton pump inhibitor drugs. This includes 6-8% of chronic ulcer sufferers and 5-15% of gastric reflux sufferers. Furthermore, like misoprastol and histamine H2 receptor antagonists, proton pump antagonists cannot be taken in conjunction with other drugs such as diazepam, pyrethrin, and/or warfarin in multiple therapies, because these agents interact with cytochrome P450.
The proton pump antagonists are also involved in Helicobacter pylori eradication therapy where complicated drug regimens are commonly employed. For instance, in some regimens the antagonists are taken twice a day together with multiple daily doses of two different antibiotics for one to two weeks. In other regimens the antagonists are taken for a further two weeks making a total of one month. Because of the complicated drug regimens and the adverse side effects, patient compliance has often been found to be a problem. Non-compliance results in ineffective eradication therapy where because the antagonists are not been taken in the correct dosage the gastric acid in the stomach is not reduced either sufficiently or quickly enough and for a long enough time to enable acid sensitive antibiotics to work. In fact various reports suggest that conservatively about 15% or more of patients undergoing Helicobacter pylori eradication therapy are not cured for this very reason.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide acid reducing products and processes for using such products where one or more of the above problems and limitations are ameliorated.

Inhibition of gastric acid production and/or secretion


An optical (disc) driving system including the DLL based multiphase clock generator circuit capable of generating 32 different phases from input clock having a frequency of 800 MHz or greater. The multiphase clock generator includes on a delay locked loop (DLL) having a frequency divider for outputting an N-divided clock to a first set of M voltage-controlled delay cells within a feedback loop, and further including an identical set of M voltage-controlled delay cells outside of the feedback loop for delaying the undivided clock and for outputting M multiphase clocks.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an optical media disc driver circuit and in particular, an optical driver circuit having a multiphase clock generator including a delay locked loop (DLL) circuit.
2. Description of the Related Art
DVD±R discs, which record data once, store data by using changes in the reflectivity of a photosensitive material on the disc. The system shines a tightly focused, relatively high-power, 650-nanometer (nm) red laser beam onto the surface of the DVD. The light causes a permanent change in the reflectivity of the disc's surface. Information can then be recovered by illuminating the disc's surface with a lower-powered laser light. A detector receives the reflected laser light, and the system uses the varying reflectivity to re-create the original data with great integrity. DVD±RW discs utilize temperature-induced phase changes in a very thin metal alloy layer deposited on the surface of the disc. The material is designed to have two stable, solid states. The disc can store data because these states have different reflectivity characteristics. The system recovers data in the same way as for a write-once disc.
Driving circuits for writing to optical storage media such as a Compact Disc Player (CDP), a Digital Video Disc Player (DVDP), a CD-RW (Rewritable Compact Disc), a CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory), a CD-R (Recordable compact disc), a DVD-RAM, or a DVD-ROM etc. generally use a PLL (phase locked loop) circuit or a DLL (delay locked loop) circuit for generating a number of clock signals (hereinafter referred to as "multiphase clocks") for data modulation/demodulation and for synchronizing/serializing data at high speed.
A phase-lock-loop or a delay-locked-loop (PLL) circuit is usually used as a multiphase clock generator for generating multiphase clock signals. A PLL circuit uses a voltage controller and a phase comparator. Similarly, a DLL (delay locked loop) circuit uses delay cells and a phase comparator circuit to generate the multiphase clock signals. Generally, a circuit including a DLL has better jitter characteristics than a circuit including a PLL.
With increasing demand for higher optical disc burning (and reading) speeds, it has been difficult to meet the need for high-speed delay-locked loops (DLLs). For example, it is not easy to increase the frequency of voltage-controlled delays (non-inverting buffers) included in a DLL to a high frequency approaching or above a GHz level (because propagation delay of such delay cells produced is constrained by the manufacturing process).
When serial data are transmitted or received at high speed, multiphase clock signals are needed. The multiphase clock signals generated are synchronized to the input clock (sync) signals. Each of the multiphase clock signals has a phase difference (relative to the input clock (sync) signals) and the same interval (period) as between input clock (sync) signals.
FIG. 1 is a circuit block diagram illustrating a conventional starved-current (voltage controlled) inverter type DLL (delay locked loop) used as a multiphase clock generator. The conventional DLL of FIG. 1 generates and outputs a number M of multiphase clocks (e.g., for sampling a character (M=32 symbol bits) in the receiver circuit) synchronized to a 800 MHz frequency. The receiver requires 32 phase clock signals. Operating from an input clock at 800 MHz, the 32 phase clocks operate at 32×800 MHz or at 25.6 Gbits/sec. Therefore, one "step" delay (between successive multiphase clocks) is 39.06 psec (1/(32×800 [MHz])=39.06 [psec]).
A starved-current (voltage controlled) inverter type DLL uses delay cells which typically have a propagation delay ("Low-to-High" or "High-to-Low") of less than 50 psec. To decrease the delay at each cell, the total power consumption of the delay locked loop circuit is increased and circuit size may be increased. Therefore, the conventional delay locked loop circuit is inappropriate for an optical driving system requiring high frequency operation at 800 MHz or more (e.g., gigahertz frequencies).
The conventional DLL (delay locked loop) circuit of FIG. 1 has a delay chain (11), a phase detector (13), a charge pump (15) and a loop filter (17). The delay chain (11) includes a plurality M of delay cells (111, 112, 113, . . . 11M) that each delays an input clock signal (CLKIN) in response to a control voltage (VCON). Each of the delay cells(111 to 11M) respectively has a delay time(Δ) corresponding to T/M (where T is the period of the input clock signal(CLKIN). For example, if the frequency (f) of an input clock signal (CLKIN) is 800 MHz and the number of delay cells (111-11M) is 32 (i.e., M=32), the delay time (Δ) of each of the delay cells (111-11M) is 39.06 picoseconds (1/(f×M)=1/(800×106×32)=39.06×10−12 sec).
FIG. 2 is a timing diagram illustrating plural clock signals generated from the DLL (delay locked loop) circuit of FIG. 1. The clock signals (CLK<1> to CLK<M>) have M (where M is an integer greater than one) different phases respectively, are output from the plurality M of delay cells (111to 11M) respectively.
Referring to FIG. 1, the phase detector (13) generates an UP signal or a DOWN signal corresponding to a detected phase difference between output clock signals. The charge pump (15) sources or sinks a prescribed current to an output unit. The loop filter (17) generates a control voltage (VCON) by filtering the charge pump (15) output.
Hence, if a current supplied to the delay cells (111 to 11M) is increased, the delay time (Δ) of each of the delay cells is decreased. Conversely, if the current supplied to the delay cells (111 to 11M) is decreased, the delay time (Δ) of each of the delay cells is increased. Accordingly, the DLL (delay locked loop) circuit primarily uses a starved-current inverter type as the delay cells (111-11M). It is difficult to make a delay cell having less than a 50 picosecond delay time because a propagation delay time is about 50 picoseconds with the general semiconductor manufacturing process. The total power consumption in the DLL (delay locked loop) circuit is increased when "inner current" supplied to the delay cells is largely increased.
Therefore, the conventional DLL (delay locked loop) circuit is inappropriate for use as a multiphase clock generator in an optical driving system requiring high frequency operation at of 800 MHz or more.
A laser diode is used for "writing" data to an optical disc (e.g., a CD-R or a DVD-RW) and the laser diode power (LDP) signal (current) is alternated between a low level (space: logic 0) and a high level (mark: logic 1). Laser diode drivers (LDDs) are electrical-based devices that convert voltage into current, which the laser diode then converts into a light pulse to burn information onto an optical disc. The "high" ("write", "full") power level of the laser diode power signal (LDP) creates a "mark", and the "low"("erase") level creates a "space" on the optical disc. Unfortunately, the resolution of a CD player's optics is not sufficient to read directly a sequence of 1s or 0s following each other too closely, i.e. 111111. Another limitation is the maximum length of a given mark or space (pit or land), in order to leave room for the clock (synchronization) data. Therefore, it was agreed to keep at least two 0s between two 1s and, that the maximum length of marks (pits) was limited to 10 bits in a row. Because of how the laser of a CD-player detects ones and zeroes on the CD, there cannot be consecutive ones when storing the digital information. The solution for this problem is called eight-to-fourteen modulation (EFM). In the eight-to-fourteen conversion system each 8 user-bit byte is converted into a 14 channel-bit modulation code (EFM code). Thus, eight bit chunks of information are transformed to fourteen "channel" bits. Also, three merging bits of zeros are tacked on to each fourteen bit chunk.
EFM code marks and spaces are written on an optical media in nine different lengths, from T3 (1001) to T11 (100000000001). T for a "4×DVD" system is 9.56 nsec. The laser diode power (LDP) signal is modulated ON/OFF (e.g., as EFM code) that is to be written to the optical media by the laser diode. The first CD drives played back 75 blocks per second (176400 channel bits per second), which translated into the data transfer rate "1×" equal to about 0.15 MB/s.
FIG. 15 is a timing diagram of laser diode power (LDP) showing widening data grooves in a conventional optical driving system. In the case where the laser diode power (LDP) signal is held "ON" constantly at the fixed high level (e.g., a T11 mark: logic 1), the data groove width written to the optical disc can increase from a proper narrow width to an improper wide width. This is generally due to "thermal creep".
If the LD power (current through the laser diode) is held at a constant (fixed) high level, such as while writing a long "mark" (e.g., T11), a groove width written to the optical disc is increased to a wide width. Accordingly, the mark written in one data groove can become overlapped with data in an adjacent data groove, causing a data read error because adjacent data grooves are overlapping.

Optical driver including a multiphase clock generator having a delay locked loop (DLL), optimized for gigahertz frequencies

Abstract: An optical driver circuit of an optical driving system and a method for implementing a write-strategy for preventing “overlapping” of marks written on adjacent grooves on an optical disc. The circuit and method produce multiple write-strategy waveforms (channels) switching at a high resolution (e.g., T/32) in the Gigahertz frequency range.


An image information control apparatus includes a partial write detector having at least two types of memory units for detecting and storing addresses accessed to a VRAM in units of lines in a scanning direction, thereby repeating the detection and the storage at different cycles, a circuit for performing calculations to recognize partial write information from contents of each of the memory units, memory units for storing the respective calculation results, a circuit for comparing the memory contents to determine a size relationship between partial write areas, a partial write ID signal controller for controlling a partial write ID signal on the basis of the size relationship between partial write areas and externally outputting the signal, and a circuit for, even when partial writing is being executed, forcibly interrupting the partial writing in accordance with a state of an external refresh control signal, starting refresh, and restarting the partial writing in accordance with a partial write state and a change in state of the refresh control signal.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a display system and, more particularly, to an image information control apparatus for use in a display system using a ferroelectric liquid crystal having a memory function.
2. Related Background Art
The screen size and the resolution of a liquid crystal display system required in a personal computer (PC) or a work station (WS) have been increased year by year, and the system is required to have compatibility with a conventional PC or WS.
Especially when a display panel using a ferroelectric liquid crystal (FLCD) imparted with a memory function is adopted in a PC or a WS, it is required to smoothly move, e.g., a mouse or a cursor to perform display. Such a moving display is realized by a partial writing system (in which only scan lines corresponding to an area to be partially rewritten are scanned) as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,655,561. In the PC or the WS, when a mouse is to be moved and displayed while a partial scroll screen is displayed (also in this case, only scan lines corresponding to the scroll screen are scanned), and especially when the mouse is to be displayed beside the scroll screen, the entire scroll screen is sometimes not displayed.

Image information control apparatus and display system


A communication application manages cross-premises resources through an integrated view. The application creates a single view to manage local and remote resources by modeling the single view. The application manages the local and remote resources from the single view. The application transmits and receives input/output from the local and remote resources. Output is displayed in the single view. The application also secures cross-premises messaging and signaling across the local and remote resources. The application secures messaging and signaling by implementing security requirements of the resources. In addition, the application provides a single sign on (SSO) authentication across the local and remote resources.

System management of local server resources and remotely hosted resources can be challenging and necessitate substantial information technology (IT) support. In addition, third-party servers co-located in separate datacenters usually require unique and distinct server configurations. Current multi-platform management solutions rarely meet system management challenges of broad and varied installations. Conventional solutions provide tools that are rarely connected and lack features to support collaboration.
In conventional approaches, deployments, local and remote server resources, are typically managed individually. Deployments cannot share data, resources or communicate automatically without extensive manual intervention by an administrator via separate non-connected system management tools. Varying deployment components do not share common authentication mechanisms or system logon credentials. In essence, components are completely distinct server deployments acting only independently. A physical organization usually requires management of a collective pool of employees or users, often spanning across on-premises and Internet located resources (e.g. cross-premises) especially in the case of highly complex large organizations. In the context of the single physical organization (e.g. company), a pattern of unrelated individual management of separate premise resources creates a high management overhead. The overhead encapsulates manually synchronizing the configuration datasets and users when spanned by the organization in addition to any previous capital expenditures on actual software and hardware.

Managing cross-premises resources through integrated view


Methods, computer systems and computer readable media for receiving data and information from medical devices in a healthcare setting are provided. In embodiments, a graphical indication is provided that indicates an infusion is being administered. Upon an interaction with the user interface being received, a billing link is provided. Once a selection of the billing link is received, encounter specific infusion information is provided. The encounter specific infusion information is provided to a billing service.

Infusion pumps infuse fluids, medications and/or nutrients into the circulatory system of an individual or patient. The infusions may be intravenous, subcutaneous, arterial, epidural and the like. Infusion pumps can administer injections continuously, intermittently, or upon patient request. Infusion pumps are used by clinicians for patients when more accuracy is needed than with manually adjusted gravitational administration of fluids into a patient's circulatory system. Infusions pumps can be used for infusion of a variety of fluids and medications including, but not limited to anesthesia, chemotherapy, IV drugs, blood transfusions and the like. A bolus is the administration of a discrete amount of medication, drug, or other compound in order to raise its concentration in the blood to an effective level and can be given intravenously or by injection.
Typically, medical devices that are used to treat or care for a patient are not adequately or timely linked to that patient in the patient's record, such as an electronic medical record (EMR). In many instances, these errors in linkage or association may lead to inaccuracies and inconsistencies in treating the patient. Even when the devices are properly associated with a patient, the manual process required to disassociate a device from a patient is often overlooked or forgotten. Data that should be attributed to a new patient utilizing the device remains attributed to the previous patient. This lack of properly and timely disassociating the device results in many inaccuracies and inconsistencies in treating both patients.


Novel aircraft for vertical and horizontal flight having powered air acceleration means installed within its structure drawing air thereinto and delivering the resulting airflow upon airfoils installed in opposed pairs on opposite sides of its exterior structure thereby producing lift without forward travel of the aircraft.

Atmospheric flight is currently achieved by different machines which use any of a great variety of flight means. Today airplanes and helicopters carry passengers and cargo in massive volume.
A century of development has taken the Wright Brothers' stroke of genius in aerodynamics to remarkable advances: a wing so light the craft can fly on sunlight; a far-ranging killer drone; the massive industrial transport institution.
Airplanes obtain their support, when airborne, from their wings which traverse relatively stationary true air while being tilted up at their respective angle of attack, such as 15°, and the curved aerodynamic shape of their wings at that slant produces the needed upward lift. The steeper the upward tilt of the wing leading edge, the greater the lift, for a given airspeed; but at less than obligatory airspeed, different for each case, the airplane stalls, falls. With increasing angle of attack, along with increased lift there comes increasing drag, which is undesirable for airplanes, lift-drag is of no effect on stationary airfoils, specifically for Sky Rover; and Sky Rover employs steep angles of attack of 60° to 100° to get high lift, which light airplanes cannot do.
It is a safe, easy-flying, responsive talented new aircraft essentially independent of its surroundings and of atmospheric changes, an aircraft that is airborne and airworthy from the first instant of flight, an aircraft able to soar freely like a bird. Research began with conventional airfoils which gave a mild response to increasingly powerful airflows, which were sometimes combed and retarded with straighteners. Steeper angles of attack, guides, scoops, panels, slotted airfoils were used in different experiments, obtaining encouraging results.
Also developed were propellers with long reverse nose cones and a matching conical shell giving concentrated airflow, which are indeed promising, being lighter and smaller than centrifugal blowers. Effective aerodynamic lift of over 40 lbs. per sq. ft. of airfoil has been reached, an exceptional ratio, believed to be adequate to put to work. Official record of the whole process must be made so it can be of general use, on its merits.
The airplane wing is problematical. Although supported at one end, the unsupported distal end may be of structural concern. In contrast, Sky Rover uses short robust airfoils built above roof level close to the fuselage and swept by a precise airflow. Likewise, Sky Rover needs no preliminary runway dash to get into supporting air; Sky Rover is fully airborne from the first second of lift-off until it touches down at its exact landing place.
Sky Rover is a part of Aviation in general, and more particularly of heavier-than-air craft; specifically Sky Rover relates in the first instance to an air vehicle for one or more persons, and more generally to the expanded performance possibilities it presents. For Sky Rover provides new close-up access to the environment of the air; the contributions include:                a) Sky Rover becomes airborne when vertically lifted by its airfoils, with or without horizontal travel; thus VTOL;        b) Sky Rover when airborne possesses inherent upright stability, independent of movement,        c) Sky Rover, having an efficient oblong shape, and being unencumbered by the traditional transverse airplane wing, possesses a reduced beam dimension which is advantageous for its broad scope of activity.        d) Sky Rover, having self-powered flight, can go where conventional aircraft, captive to an obligatory airspeed and to a restricted horizon, may not; Sky Rover can stop in mid-flight, turn, reconsider, land or not land, depart or arrive vertically; explore; go almost everywhere; serve new functions.

Vertical and horizontal flight aircraft “sky rover”


A hydraulic machine includes a valve plate, with first and second fluid ports in a surface thereof. A cylinder barrel is rotatably coupled to the valve plate. A plurality of cylinders is formed in the cylinder barrel, such that, as the barrel rotates, each cylinder is coupled to the first and second fluid ports, sequentially. First and second pressure relief ports are formed in the surface of the valve plate between the first and second fluid ports at top- and bottom-dead-center, respectively. A cross-port bore is formed in the valve plate, placing the first and second pressure relief ports in fluid communication with each other. As each cylinder rotates to top-dead-center, an opposite cylinder rotates to bottom-dead-center. The respective cylinders are coupled to the first and second pressure relief ports, such that differential pressure in the cylinders is equalized.

1. Field of the Invention
This disclosure is directed in general to hydraulic pumps and motors, and in particular to hydraulic machines having cylinder barrels rotatably coupled to valve plates.
2. Description of the Related Art
There is a class of hydraulic machines that employs a rotating barrel having a plurality of cylinders, and pistons reciprocating within the cylinders. The barrel is configured to rotate over a valve plate having inlet and outlet ports. The barrel rotates over the valve plate, and fluid passes into, and out of, the cylinders of the barrel. In a hydraulic pump, fluid is drawn into each cylinder from a low pressure inlet port and forced out of the cylinder to a high pressure outlet port. In a hydraulic motor, fluid from a high pressure inlet enters each cylinder in turn and vents to a low pressure outlet. Some machines, commonly referred to as pump/motors, are configured to operate as pumps or motors, according to how fluid is applied to the machine.
FIG. 1A shows a sectional view of a portion of a bent-axis pump/motor 100 according to known art. The pump/motor 100 includes a valve plate 102 and a cylinder barrel 104, having a plurality of cylinders 106, within which pistons 108 travel reciprocally. The pistons 108 each have a sliding seal engagement with walls of the respective cylinder 106, at first ends of the pistons. Each of the pistons 108 engages a respective socket formed in a thrust plate 110 at a second end thereof. Typically, bent-axis pump/motors are provided with an odd number of cylinders and pistons, usually seven or nine. In FIGS. 1A-1C cylinders 106 and pistons 108 are shown positioned at both the top and bottom of the barrel 104 simultaneously (which would not be the case in an actual machine employing an odd number of cylinders) for the purpose of illustrating the relative volumes of fluid constrained by the pistons 108 at the top and bottom of rotation.
The cylinder barrel 104 is configured to rotate around a first axis A with a face 114 of the cylinder barrel 104 slideably coupled to a face 116 of the valve plate 102. The thrust plate 110 rotates around an axis B, and is coupled to the rotating cylinder barrel 104 by a constant velocity joint, which is well known in the art, and is not shown in FIG. 1. Accordingly, the cylinder barrel 104 and the thrust plate 110 rotate at a common rate. The axis A is rotatable with reference to the axis B for the purpose of varying the displacement volume of the pump/motor 100. FIG. 1A shows the pump/motor 100 positioned at a moderate stroke angle. FIG. 1B shows the pump/motor 100 at a stroke angle of zero, wherein the axes A and B are coaxial, and wherein energy transfer is virtually zero. FIG. 1C shows the pump/motor 100 at a maximum stroke angle, which provides a maximum displacement of the pump/motor for a high degree of energy transfer.
As the cylinder barrel 104 rotates, each of the cylinders 106 follows a circular path. The uppermost point of that path is referred to as top-dead-center, indicated in FIGS. 1A-1C as TDC, while the lowermost point in the rotation is referred to as bottom-dead-center, indicated in FIGS. 1A-1C as BDC.
Referring to FIGS. 1B and 1C, it may be seen that when the pump/motor is at a minimum stroke angle, as shown in FIG. 1B, the fluid volume within the cylinders 106 at top-dead-center and bottom-dead-center is approximately equal. On the other hand, when the stroke angle is at a maximum, as shown in FIG. 1C, the volume of fluid within the cylinder 106 at bottom-dead-center is at a maximum, while the volume of fluid within the cylinder 106 at top-dead-center is at a minimum.
FIG. 2 shows the cylinder barrel 104 in a view indicated at lines 2-2 of FIG. 1A, the barrel face 114 being shown in plan view. A cylinder port 112 provides fluid communication from each of the cylinders 106 to the barrel face 114. The position of the cylinder 106 corresponding to each of the cylinder ports is shown in hidden lines.
FIG. 3 shows the valve plate 102 as seen from lines 3-3 of FIG. 1A, the surface 116 of the valve plate 102 being shown in plan view. TDC and BDC are also shown in FIG. 3, indicating the highest point of rotation, and lowest point of rotation, respectively.
Kidney ports 118, 119 are arranged respectively to the left and right of top-dead-center and bottom-dead-center of the valve plate 102. The kidney ports 118, 119 are configured to be differentially pressurized by high and low pressure fluid sources. As the cylinder barrel 104 rotates over the valve plate 102, each of the cylinder ports 112, shown in phantom lines in FIG. 3, is placed in fluid communication, alternately, with the kidney ports 118, 119.
The operation of the pump/motor 100, described with reference to FIGS. 1A-3, is well known in the art, and so will not be described in detail here. A more detailed description of the operation of a bent-axis pump/motor is described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/379,992, which is incorporated herein by reference, in its entirety.
A problem common to many hydraulic machines incorporating features similar to those described herein occurs as each cylinder port traverses from contact with a first kidney port pressurized at a first pressure, to a second kidney port pressurized at a second pressure. For example, in a case where the pump/motor 100 is functioning as a motor, and wherein the kidney port 118 is pressurized at a high pressure, while the kidney port 119 is pressurized at a low pressure, the cylinder barrel 104 will rotate over the valve plate 102 in a counterclockwise direction R, as viewed in FIG. 3.
As each cylinder port 112 rotates over the kidney port 118 at the end closest to top-dead-center, pressurized fluid from the kidney port 118 will enter the cylinder 106 via the cylinder port 112. The pressurized fluid will drive the piston 108 outward in the cylinder 106, against the thrust plate 110, causing the barrel 104 and thrust plate 110 to rotate in the counterclockwise direction. As each piston 106 leaves the high pressure kidney port 118 at the end closest to the bottom-dead-center of the device, fluid within the cylinder 106 is maintained at the pressure of the high pressure fluid source coupled to the kidney port 118. At the moment that the cylinder port 112 begins to cross over onto the kidney port 119 at its end closest to the bottom-dead-center, a sudden drop in fluid pressure is realized within the cylinder 106, as the pressure within the cylinder is vented to the kidney port 119, which is pressurized at a low pressure. This sudden venting causes a pressure pulse in the pump/motor 100. A second pressure pulse occurs at the top of the cycle, as each of the cylinders 106, pressurized at the low pressure of the kidney port 119, begins to cross onto the kidney port 118 near top-dead-center, at which point each cylinder 106 is suddenly pressurized at the high pressure of kidney port 118.
Because most hydraulic machines are manufactured with an odd number of cylinders, the pressurizing pulses at the leading edge of the kidney port 118 and the depressurizing pulses at the leading edge of kidney port 119 occur alternately, with one pressurizing pulse and one depressurizing pulse occurring for each cylinder in each cycle of rotation. Accordingly, in a hydraulic machine such as pump/motor 100, having seven cylinders, there will be fourteen high energy pressure pulses per revolution. These pressure pulses are experienced as vibration in the pump/motor 100, as well as noise at a pitch corresponding to the frequency of pressure pulses.
Additionally, in known systems, when a cylinder port crosses into fluid communication with one of the kidney ports, there is an energy cost associated with bringing the corresponding cylinder to the pressure of the respective kidney port. For example, with reference to FIG. 3, as cylinder port 112a crosses the threshold of kidney port 118, the low pressure within the corresponding cylinder is brought up to the high pressure of the kidney port 118, which requires energy. On the other hand, as a cylinder port crosses bottom-dead-center and crosses over the threshold of the kidney port 119, the energy represented by the pressure within the corresponding cylinder is lost as that pressure is vented into the low pressure kidney port 119.
There are many known methods for reducing or smoothing the pressure pulses that occur as each cylinder transitions from one pressure to another. However, in each of these cases the energy losses described above still occur. One such scheme is described with reference to U.S. Pat. No. 6,186,748, issued to Umeda et al., which is incorporated herein by reference, in its entirety.

Hydraulic machine having pressure equalization

The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency


A multi-pair cable having a jacket, including a spacer integrally formed in the jacket. The spacer extends helically about the central axis of the cable. The spacer includes an inner projection that projects radially inward and an outer projection that projects radially outward from the main wall of the jacket. The jacket with the spacer reduces the occurrence of alien crosstalk between adjacent cables.

Twisted pairs cables include at least one pair of insulated conductors twisted about one another to form a two conductor pair. A number of two conductor pairs can be twisted about each other to define a twisted pair core. A plastic jacket is typically extruded over a twisted pair core to maintain the configuration of the core, and to function as a protective layer. Such cables are commonly referred to as multi-pair cables.
The telecommunications industry is continuously striving to increase the speed and/or volume of signal transmissions through multi-pair cables. One problem that concerns the telecommunications industry is the increased occurrence of alien crosstalk associated with high-speed signal transmissions. In some applications, alien crosstalk problems are addressed by providing multi-pair cables having a layer of electrical shielding between the core of twisted pairs and the cable jacket. Such shielding however is expensive to manufacture; accordingly, unshielded twisted pair cables are more often used.
Without electrical shielding, and with the increase in signal frequencies associated with high-speed transmissions, alien crosstalk can be problematic. Undesired crosstalk in a cable is primarily a function of cable capacitance. As a cable produces more capacitance, the amount of crosstalk increases. Capacitance of a cable is dependent on two factors: 1) the center-to-center distance between the twisted pairs of adjacent cables, and 2) the overall dielectric constant of the cables.


In one method of forming a semiconductor device, a first electrode is formed electrically coupled with a semiconductor material. After the first electrode is formed, an insulator is formed over the semiconductor material adjoining the first electrode and extending a selected distance from the first electrode. After the insulator is formed, a second electrode is formed electrically coupled with the semiconductor material adjoining the insulator.

A field effect transistor (FET) typically comprises a drain electrode and a source electrode connected by a channel of semiconductor material, and a gate electrode separated from the channel by an insulating layer. The length of the channel from the source to the drain affects the properties of the transistor and, in particular, affects the speed at which the transistor can be switched on and off.

Semiconductor devices and methods of making

Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.


The present invention relates to circuit board contact elements and compliant sections thereof which are mounted in plated-through holes in printed circuit boards, generally in conjunction with a plastic header or other electrical connectors.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to circuit board contact elements and retention sections thereof which are for mounting in holes in connector housings, specifically header housings.
2. Description of Related Art
Electrical contacts, otherwise referered to as terminals, contact elements or pins, are used in the electronics industry in conjunction with printed circuit (PC) boards and panel boards for making electrical connections between, and among, circuits.
A plurality of the contacts are frequently mounted in an insulative connector housing with one end of contacts extending from the connector housing for making mechanical and electrical contact with a conductive path on the PC board. The other end of the contacts typically extent through holes in the connector housing for mechanical and electrical connection with contacts in a mating connector.
In a high pin count (HPC) header which is a commercially available male connector, contacts or wire pins having a 0.025 inch square cross section are staked in round holes in a plastic housing. Retention of the pins in the housing is achieved by an interference fit between corners of the square pin and the round hole in the housing. The pins are made from phosphor bronze and plated with gold over nickel under plating. The housing is made from polyetheremide resin. During the staking process, slivers of plated coatings are formed due to scraping on the pin corners. These slivers present a potential for electrical short. As such, these slivers are removed by brushing, blowing and/or washing operations at added cost.
It is an object of this invention to provide a retention portion of an electrical contact element that substantilaly does not produce slivers when staked in a hole through a connector housing.
Further, it is an object of this invention to provide a retention portion of an electrical contact element that substantially does not produce slivers when staked in a hole through a header housing.
Further, it is an object of this invention to provide a retention portion of an electrical contact element that substantially does not produce slivers when staked in a hole through a header housing made of a high temperature resin.

Connector, circuit board contact element and retention portion


A method for ensuring a correct sub-system BIOS for a specified system checks whether first identifying information associated with a system BIOS of the specified system is consistent with second identifying information associated with the sub-system BIOS upon initialization of the specified system. While a normal boot-up sequence is performed when the first identifying information is consistent with the second identifying information, a simplified boot-up sequence is performed to inform of incorrect sub-system BIOS when the first identifying information is inconsistent with the second identifying information. Following the second boot-up sequence, a warning message is given and then the specified system is halted.

Various basic input/output systems (BIOSs) may be used in different applications. Even for the same application, there are various BIOS versions in response to the different requirements for different clients. Since there may be several BIOS versions available at the same time for a BIOS supplier, it is important to ensure the BIOS of a sub-system for use with a specified system to be consistent with the BIOS of the specified system. For example, when a video graphics array (VGA) chip is used with a computer system, the VGA BIOS should be consistent with the BIOS of the computer system. Sometimes, a wrong package including specified system and sub-system with inconsistent BIOS versions might be packed together and delivered to the client. Unfortunately, the client would not be conscious of the mistake until the BIOS of the sub-system is executed in the specified system and some specific functions of the sub-system cannot be executed normally. If the wrong package is sold to the end user, a lot of troubles might be rendered.

Method for ensuring correct sub-system bios for specified system


Indenter for fractoemission measurement which is comprised of a nonconductive holder and in which the tip that contacts the specimen surface is formed of a hard, conductive material. The entire surface, except for the tip that contacts the specimen, is covered with electromagnetic shielding.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an indenter for measurement of fractoemissions from specimens being subjected to indentation hardness testing, scratch testing and other such tests by a material tester.
2. Prior Art Statement
Hardness testers are used for measuring material properties such as hardness and toughness. This is done by loading a specimen of the material with an indenter formed of a hard material such as diamond, and measuring the size of the indents and cracks thus produced in the specimen. Scratch hardness is determined by measuring the width of scratches produced on the surface of the specimen by an indenter. Thus, tests such as these are used to examine the mechanical properties of materials.
It is known that deformation and fracturing of solids, especially inorganic materials, induces the emission of charged particles such as electrons and ions. It is also known that the mechano-electrical properties of the materials can be ascertained by examining these emissions. Most of the detectors used for detecting such emission are electrode-based current collectors such as channeltrons, Geiger-Muller tubes and the like, which have to be operated in a vacuum or in a special gaseous environment. Hardness testing under atmospheric conditions has therefore been limited to measuring the above mechanical properties by examining deformation and cracking produced in the surface of the material being tested.
This has given rise to a strong demand for the development of a technique that would enable both charged particle emissions and mechanical properties to be measured at the same time.

Agency of Industrial Science & Technology

Ministry of International Trade and Industry


A system for integrating a marked product housing includes an image capture device configured to capture an image of indicia formed on an exterior surface of the marked product housing, a controller in operative communication with the image capture device configured to process the image of the indicia to retrieve a unique product identifier represented by the indicia, and an indicia forming device in operative communication with the controller configured to form a coded formation onto an interior surface of the marked product housing representing the unique product identifier.

Conventionally, a unique serial number identifying a particular product may be marked or applied on an exterior surface of the particular product. For example, the unique serial number may be a device identifier number generated upon assembly of the particular product, and applied thereafter, at a final product assembly plant or place of manufacture. The applied serial number may be generated through interpretation of the particular product's options or manufacturing date, or may be retrieved from a database storing pre-generated numbers. Therefore, the applied serial number is controlled by the final place of manufacture and is more easily integrated into a device manufacturer's systems.
One appropriate serial number marking process may include a laser-marking process by which a laser etches or causes to etch an exterior surface of the newly serialized product. Other techniques may include application of labels, dyes, inks, or other forms of marking.
However, as product aesthetics become increasingly important to device manufacturers and consumers, processes of marking the products which are more cosmetically appealing may be too complicated and/or impossible to implement in a final assembly scenario. For example, any product markings requiring relatively high heat or exposure to chemicals may require application early in a manufacturing process, rather than after assembly as in the conventional art.
Therefore, what is needed are innovations in product marking and serialization that allow device manufacturers to apply cosmetically appealing product markings including device identifiers while still allowing for relatively easy integration into a manufacturer's serialization and/or control systems.


A multipolar, screened connector having a common earth and comprising a male part (1) and a female part (2), wherein the male part comprises a body (4) which is made from an electrically insulating material and which has parts (6) which are adapted to the female part and surround the female part at least partially, and wherein the body includes rows and columns of connector pins (7) which extend through the base part (5) of the body parallel with the surrounding parts (6), and wherein the female part includes a body (9) which is made from an electrically insulating material and which is intended for insertion between the surrounding parts of the body of the male part and which is provided with hole parts (18) which are adapted to the pins of the male part, and channels intended for contact lines (16) which extend from the hole parts to contact devices (15) connecting the pins. According to the invention, the body (9) of the female part (2) is constructed from a plurality of plates (10, 11) having a pitch which corresponds to the columns of pins (7); in that each of the mutually facing sides of the plates is provided with a recess (12) which forms half of the hole parts (18) corresponding to a column of pins and the channels for the contact lines (15).

Screened, multipolar connectors of this kind are known to the art. The screen is constructed from metal plates which are inserted in slots in the female-part body between the rows of holes and connection-line channels. The plates are also coated with an insulating material, in some cases. The plates are mutually connected electrically and to earthing means, such as to form a screen around the female part. The drawback with constructions of this kind is that they include a relatively large number of separate components which render the task of assembling the connector both complicated and time-consuming. Furthermore, the screen on the female part does not extend fully around said part and is totally lacking on the male part. Consequently, signals that are transmitted via these connectors are liable to be subjected to disturbances, particularly in the case of high frequency signals.
In the case of another earlier known constructions, the female part comprises a plurality of screening metal-plate profiles which are coated with insulating material. Electrical contact devices and contact lines are disposed between the plates and the profiles. This construction is also relatively complicated as is also the task of assembling the connector. This connector also lacks a fully encircling screen, and the male part also lacks the provision of a screen.
Fully screened devices, in the form of coax-devices, however, are known to the art. These devices, however, have only one conductor, i.e. they are unipolar.

Multipolar screened connector having a common earth


A back-end assembly for use with a front-end assembly in acquiring phase-shifted interferograms having a plurality of imaging modules (Ma, Mb, Mc). Each module (Ma, Mb, Mc) has a quarter wave plate (30a, 30b, 30c), a polarizer (32a, 32b, 32c), and an image sensor (34a, 34b, 34c) so that each polarizer has a different rotation orientation thus acquiring phase-shifted interferograms.

Interferometers have been known and used for a long time. Interferometry is a widely used method for measuring surface profiles (often to nano-meter resolutions) and other physical properties of materials, gases and liquids. There are many types of interferometers, characterized by their optical designs and layouts. Some classical types are Twyman-Green, Fizeau, Michaelson, Mach-Zender, and Fabry-Perot. Each of these interferometer types produces interference patterns, called interferograms. These interferograms (see FIG. 6) can be used to analyze characteristics of an object under test.
Interferograms are generated by the interference of a test wavefront and a reference wavefront. The test and reference wavefronts typically originate from a common "source" wavefront; they are obtained by splitting the source wavefront. The test wavefront then obtains its "test" information by interacting with the object under test (typically by reflecting off of, or transmitting through a test object). Similarly, the reference wavefront obtains its "reference" information by interacting with a "known" reference object, such as a super polished flat glass plate. Superimposing or interfering these two wavefronts spatially (i.e. on a flat screen, or on an image sensor such as a CCD) produces an interferogram.
Interferometers require coherent superposition of a "test beam" (of light) with a "reference beam" resulting in the formation of an interferogram in the overlapping region of the two beams. This interferogram data can then be captured using various types of detectors, such as a camera, for analysis.
The spatial distribution of intensity levels within the interference pattern (see FIG. 6) relates to differences in the phase of the test and reference wavefronts. Note that the reference wavefront is acted on by a known "measurement standard," such as an optical "reference" surface, and the test wavefront is acted on by the unknown object under test. Measuring the difference between the two wavefronts allows the test wavefront to be determined. In other words, the process is akin to comparing the "unknown" test wavefront to a "known" standard, the reference wavefront.
A single interferogram is usually insufficient to obtain the accuracy required for many applications. A variety of methods have been developed to acquire multiple phase-shifted interferograms as a means to increase accuracy and resolution of the measurement. Phase-shifting techniques require altering the phase between the two interfering wavefronts by introducing controlled phase delays between the test and reference beams. These added phase-shifts supply additional information that can be used to compute the test wavefront significantly more accurately. Almost all current techniques of phase shifting use sequential or "temporal" methods to introduce phase differences while multiple interferograms are acquired serially in time. However, in practice, these temporal methods cannot be used effectively in the presence of relatively fast changing environmental conditions (such as vibrations, air turbulences, etc), or when the object under test cannot be stabilized (i.e. vibrating), or when the object under test is in motion. For example, problems can arise because the interferometer typically acquires three to twelve frames (images) or phase shifted interferograms, serially in time, (typically spaced 30 ms apart for standard video), and during this acquisition time (for three to twelve frames), any vibration that occurs between the test and reference object often causes measurement errors.
Thus, methods have been developed to acquire multiple phase-shifted interferograms simultaneously. These methods usually require that the reference and test beams ("beams" and "wavefronts" used interchangeably herein, with a "wavefront" being understood as propagating along the optical axis and sweeping out a volume that defines the light beam) be orthogonally polarized, thus allowing independent access to either one of these beams (such as via polarization optics), even when they are spatially overlapped. With this "independent access", multiple phase-shifts can be introduced simultaneously (as opposed to temporally), by retarding or advancing the phase of one beam with respect to the other. Altering the phase of a beam is typically accomplished through the use of wave plates or polarization beam splitters. In practice, this is accomplished by splitting the superimposed test and reference beams into three or more channels with each new channel having orthogonally polarized test and reference beam components. For each new channel, one of the beam components (test or reference) is then phase-shifted relative to the other beam component. This phase shift, or phase delay, is adjusted to be different in each channel. There are multiple methods for splitting the superimposed test and reference beams into multiple channels and multiple methods for phase-shifting within each channel. However, as discussed below in further detail, such known methods have disadvantages, including dissimilar beam paths attributable to different path distances and/or different optical elements.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,583,855 (Bareket) describes a Twyman-Green type interferometer with an arrangement for producing three simultaneous interferograms that are mutually phase shifted by 90° with respect to each other. This system relates to the use of test and reference beams that are mutually orthogonally polarized; however, the system is substantially asymmetric. As such, the system can be difficult to align and a constant magnification in all three beam paths difficult to maintain.
A system similar to Bareket's has been described by Sivakumar, (Optical Engineering, Vol. 42 page 367), which therefore shares most of the characteristics and issues of Baraket's system. This system is also directed to fixed phase shifts between each channel.
In the publication "Simultaneous Phase Shift Interferometer" (Proc. of SPIE, Advanced Optical Manufacturing and Testing II, January 1992) by C. Koliopoulos, a polarization type Twyman-Green interferometer is described. This system is also asymmetric and has different optical path lengths. This system may also suffer from complex geometry and being a relatively large size.
A publication entitled "Real-time fringe pattern processing and its applications" (Proc. of SPIE, Vol. 2544, pp. 74-86, 1995) by S. Nakadate describes a system of linearly cascaded, non-polarizing beamsplitters and a reflector. This system of beamsplitters is substantially asymmetric and non-standard. In a real world application, where imaging optics are present to image the object onto the cameras, the asymmetry of the optical paths in this system can make it difficult to provide in-focus positions of the imaging cameras and/or to maintain constant magnification. Other issues can also be raised due to the number and complexity of optical elements traversed in each of the beam paths.
Another method proposed by J. W. Schwider (German Patent No. DE 196,52,113,A1) uses a diffractive optical element to split a beam composed of mutually orthogonally polarized test and reference beams. Although diffractive elements appear attractive as beam splitters, actual diffractive components can be difficult and expensive to produce. This approach also involves a CCD camera whose resolution can affect the quality of the interferograms. A similar approach has been offered by Millerd, U.S. Pat. No. 6,304,330 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,552,808. Along with camera resolution issues, this method shares other drawbacks of the Schwider method, including sub-pixel alignment issues, and fixed at 90° phase shifts.
In view of the foregoing, major disadvantages of prior simultaneous phase-shifting methods include unequal path-lengths and dissimilar optical elements in each of the phase-shifted beam paths. This causes a variety of problems including different magnifications, unequal optical and polarization aberrations, and non-uniform light distributions in each of the phase-shifted paths.
Thus, there is a desire for an improved interferometer, in particular, a back end assembly adapted for use with an interferometer to render the interferometer less sensitive to vibrations or other disturbances so as to increase and improve performance capabilities. The desire includes greater and better performance capabilities in capturing data from stationary objects and from moving objects.

Simultaneous phase shifting module for use in interferometry


An oral care implement having tooth cleaning elements and an elastomeric soft tissue cleanser. In one aspect, the oral care implement has a handle and a head (110) coupled to the handle, an elastomeric soft tissue cleanser having a plurality of protuberances (152) extending from a rear surface of the head (110), and a plurality of tooth cleaning elements (115) extending from a front surface of the head. The protuberances (152) of the elastomeric soft tissue cleanser collectively define a convex longitudinal side profile and comprise at least one convex transverse top profile. The plurality of tooth cleaning elements (115) collectively define a concave longitudinal side profile and comprise at least one concave transverse top profile.

A toothbrush is used to clean the teeth by removing plaque and debris from the tooth surfaces. Toothbrushes have a handle for gripping and a head which is inserted into a user's mouth for tooth and oral surface cleaning. The head typically has bristles formed of nylon and sometimes also cleaning elements formed from elastomeric materials to perform the cleaning function. Furthermore, some toothbrushes have been developed that include a tongue or soft tissue cleanser formed of an elastomeric material on the opposite surface of the head relative to the bristles. Conventional toothbrushes may also include a handle and/or thumb grip that is formed with elastomeric materials for ease and comfort during handling and use. There are countless different toothbrushes that are available to consumers for purchase, and thus a great deal of innovation goes into the design of each toothbrush in order to capture the attention of consumers while also attempting to improve the effectiveness of the toothbrush at performing its cleaning function. Thus, a need exists for a toothbrush or other oral care implement that has aesthetically pleasing and attractive features while still being effective at removing bacteria from a user's teeth and other oral surfaces.


A method and a system for automatic image caption generation are provided. The automatic image caption generation method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes: extracting a distinctive attribute from example captions of a learning image; training a first neural network for predicting a distinctive attribute from an image, by using a pair of the extracted distinctive attribute and the learning image; inferring a distinctive attribute by inputting the learning image to the trained first neural network; and training a second neural network for generating a caption of an image by using a pair of the inferred distinctive attribute and the learning image. Accordingly, a caption well indicating a feature of a given image is automatically generated, such that an image can be more exactly explained and a difference from other images can be clearly distinguished.

Automatic image caption generation technology automatically generates a sentence explaining a given image. With the rapid enhancement of artificial intelligence technology, it is possible to provide the automatic image caption generation function.
A caption automatically generated by using artificial intelligence technology matches an overall content of the image, but has a limit to well explaining an important feature of each image.
Therefore, there is an inconvenience that artificial corrections should be made to the automatically generated caption. There is a demand for a method for solving this problem.

Method and system for automatic image caption generation


In some examples, a pressure regulating valve comprising a pressure chamber, a compressor configured to establish fluid communication with the pressure chamber, a vent valve configured to establish fluid communication with the pressure chamber, a pressure sensor, and a controller. The controller may determine a pressure based on the signal generated by the pressure sensor, and compare a pressure setpoint and the pressure. The controller may be configured to alter the pressure in the pressure chamber based on the comparison between the pressure setpoint and the pressure. For example, the controller may control the compressor to increase the pressure in the pressure chamber and/or control the vent vale to decrease the pressure in the pressure chamber. The altered pressure of the pressure chamber may generate movement of a restricting element within the pressure regulating valve.

Pressure regulating devices are frequently used in industrial and residential systems designed to deliver fluid flows to one or more gaseous or liquid fluid loads. The pressure regulating devices may be employed to deliver or maintain the delivered fluid within predetermined pressure parameters selected based on, for example, system integrity, process controls, various equipment restrictions, and/or other reasons. Pressure regulating devices may operate by sensing pressure fluctuations and making corrective adjustments around a pressure setpoint. Such pressure regulating devices may be employed within fluid delivery systems to maintain pressures downstream or upstream of the device.


One-part moisture curable sealant compositions and methods of making the same are provided. The compositions include a silyl-functional polythioether and a polyepoxide. Methods of making sealant compositions are also provided.

Sealants useful in aerospace and other applications are often pre-mixed frozen compositions (PMF) or two-part systems. In two-part systems, a first component contains a main polymer, such as a polysulfide polymer and/or a polythioether polymer, together with a number of additional materials. The first component does not contain a curing agent, which is instead in the second component. The two components are manufactured, packaged separately, and mixed together immediately before use.
Unlike two-component systems, which require mixing the curing paste and the base before use, PMFs may be cured by external factors, such as temperature. For this reason, PMFs must be frozen at, for example, −40° F. to −80° F. in order to suppress or slow the curing reaction. When the PMFs are later brought to room temperature, the curing rate increases significantly. PMFs offer the convenience of being ready for use without mixing and therefore can be more cost- and time-effective than certain two-part systems. However, existing PMFs have limited shelf-lives, must be stored at very low temperatures such as −40° F. to −80° F., and require mixing of the base component and activator followed by immediate freezing to slow the curing reaction. The requirement to store PMFs at low temperature prior to use can be inconvenient and/or expensive.

Polythioethers, moisture curable compositions and methods for their manufacture and use


A rocket propulsion system having a liquid fuel tank and a liquid oxidizer tank, where a liquid inert gas tank supplies liquid inert gas to a liquid inert gas pump driven by a turbine of the engine to pressurize the liquid inert gas, which is passed through a heat exchanger around the nozzle to vaporize the inert gas, that is then used to pressurize the liquid oxidizer tank so that a liquid oxidizer pump is not needed, or to pressurize both the liquid oxidizer tank and the liquid fuel tank so that a liquid oxidizer pump and a liquid fuel pump are not needed in the rocket engine.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a rocket engine, and more specifically to a rocket engine without the need for a liquid oxygen pump.
2. Description of the Related Art including information disclosed under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98
Rocket engines produce thrust by the expulsion of a high-speed fluid exhaust. This fluid is nearly always a gas which is created by high pressure (10-200 bar) combustion of solid or liquid propellants, consisting of fuel and oxidizer components, within a combustion chamber. The fluid exhaust is then passed through a propelling nozzle which typically uses the heat energy of the gas to accelerate the exhaust to very high speed, and the reaction to this pushes the engine in the opposite direction.
In rocket engines, high temperatures and pressures are highly desirable for good performance as this permits a longer nozzle to be fitted to the engine, which gives higher exhaust speeds, as well as giving better thermodynamic efficiency. Rocket propellant is mass that is stored, usually in some form of propellant tank, prior to being ejected from a rocket engine in the form of a fluid jet to produce thrust.
Chemical rocket propellants are most commonly used, which undergo exothermic chemical reactions which produce hot gas which is used by a rocket for propulsive purposes. Liquid-fueled rockets typically pump separate fuel and oxidizer components into the combustion chamber, where they mix and burn. Hybrid rocket engines use a combination of solid and liquid or gaseous propellants. Both liquid and hybrid rockets use injectors to introduce the propellant into the combustion chamber.
For a rocket engine to be propellant efficient, it is important that the maximum pressures possible be created on the walls of the chamber and nozzle by a specific amount of propellant; as this is the source of the thrust. This can be achieved by all of: heating the propellant to as high a temperature as possible (using a high energy fuel, containing hydrogen and carbon and sometimes metals such as aluminum, or even using nuclear energy); using a low specific density gas (as hydrogen rich as possible); or using propellants which are, or decompose to, simple molecules with few degrees of freedom to maximize translational velocity.
There are several cycles of rocket engines and these include the gas generator cycle, the expander cycle, the staged combustion cycle, and the pressure fed cycle. FIG. 1 shows the gas generator cycle rocket engine. The gas generator cycle is a power cycle of a bipropellant rocket engine. Some of the propellant is burned in a gas-generator 11 and the resulting hot gas is used to power the engine's pumps by driving a turbine 12, where the turbine 12 drives a fuel pump 13 and an oxidizer pump 14. The gas is then exhausted. Because something is "thrown away" this type of engine is also known as open cycle. There are several advantages to the gas generator cycle over its counterpart, the staged combustion cycle. The gas generator turbine does not need to deal with the counter pressure of injecting the exhaust into the combustion chamber. This allows the turbine to produce more power and increase the pressure of the fuel and combustion chamber, thus increasing specific impulse or efficiency; this also reduces wear on the turbine, increasing its reliability, reducing its production cost and increasing its operational life-span (particularly advantageous for reusable rockets).
The main disadvantage is lost efficiency due to discarded propellant, though this efficiency loss can be outweighed in production engines by the higher chamber pressure's increase in net efficiency. Even so a gas generator cycle tends to have lower specific impulse than a staged combustion cycle.
As in most cryogenic rocket engines, some of the fuel in a gas-generator cycle is used to cool the nozzle 15 and combustion chamber 16. Current construction materials cannot stand extreme temperatures of rocket combustion processes by themselves. Cooling permits the use of rocket engines for relatively longer periods of time with today's material technology. Without rocket combustion chamber and nozzle cooling, the engine would fail catastrophically.
The expander cycle is a power cycle of a bipropellant rocket engine meant to improve the efficiency of fuel delivery. FIG. 2 shows the expander cycle rocket engine. In an expander cycle rocket engine, the fuel is heated before it is combusted, usually with waste heat from the main combustion chamber 16. As the liquid fuel passes through coolant passages in the walls of the combustion chamber 16, it undergoes a phase change into a gaseous state. The fuel in the gaseous state expands through a turbine 12 using the pressure differential from the supply pressure to the ambient exhaust pressure to initiate turbopump rotation. This can provide a bootstrap starting capability as is used on the Pratt & Whitney RL10 engine. This bootstrap power is used to drive turbines that drive the fuel and oxidizer pumps 13 and 14 increasing the propellant pressures and flows to the rocket engine thrust chamber. After leaving the turbine(s), the fuel is then injected with the oxidizer into the combustion chamber 16 and burned to produce thrust for the vehicle.
Because of the necessary phase change, the expander cycle is thrust limited by the square-cube rule. As the size of a bell-shaped nozzle 15 increases with increasing thrust, the nozzle surface area (from which heat can be extracted to expand the fuel) increases as the square of the radius. However, the volume of fuel that must be heated increases as the cube of the radius. Thus, there exists a maximum engine size of approximately 300 kN of thrust beyond which there is no longer enough nozzle area to heat enough fuel to drive the turbines and hence the fuel pumps. Higher thrust levels can be achieved using a bypass expander cycle where a portion of the fuel bypasses the turbine and or thrust chamber cooling passages and goes directly to the main chamber injector. Aerospike engines do not suffer from the same limitations because the linear shape of the engine is not subject to the square-cube law. As the width of the engine increases, both the volume of fuel to be heated and the available thermal energy increase linearly, allowing arbitrarily wide engines to be constructed. All expander cycle engines need to use a cryogenic fuel such as hydrogen, methane, or propane that easily reach their boiling points.
Some expander cycle engine may use a gas generator of some kind to start the turbine and run the engine until the heat input from the thrust chamber and nozzle skirt increases as the chamber pressure builds up.
In an open cycle, or "bleed" expander cycle, only some of the fuel is heated to drive the turbines, which is then vented to atmosphere to increase turbine efficiency. While this increases power output, the dumped fuel leads to a decrease in propellant efficiency (lower engine specific impulse). A closed cycle expander engine sends the turbine exhaust to the combustion chamber.
The staged combustion cycle, also called topping cycle or pre-burner cycle, is a thermodynamic cycle of bipropellant rocket engines. FIG. 3 shows the staged cycle rocket engine. Some of the propellant is burned in a pre-burner 11 and the resulting hot gas is used to power the engine's turbines 12 and pumps 13 and 14. The exhausted gas is then injected into the main combustion chamber 16, along with the rest of the propellant, and combustion is completed.
The advantage of the staged combustion cycle is that all of the engine cycles' gases and heat go through the combustion chamber 16, and overall efficiency essentially suffers no pumping losses at all. Thus this combustion cycle is often called 'closed cycle' since the cycle is closed as all propellant products go through the chamber; as opposed to open cycle which dumps the turbopump driving gases, representing a few percent of loss.
Another very significant advantage that staged combustion gives is an abundance of power which permits very high chamber pressures. Very high chamber pressures mean high expansion ratio nozzles can be used, whilst still giving ambient pressures at takeoff. These nozzles give far better efficiencies at low altitude.
The disadvantages of this cycle are harsh turbine conditions, that more exotic plumbing is required to carry the hot gases, and that a very complicated feedback and control design is necessary. In particular, running the full oxidizer stream through both a pre-combustor and main-combustor chamber ("oxidizer-rich" staged combustion) produces extremely corrosive gases. Thus most staged-combustion engines are fuel-rich. Staged combustion engines are the most difficult types of rocket engines to design. A simplified version is called the gas-generator cycle.
The pressure-fed cycle is a class of rocket engine designs. FIG. 4 shows a pressure fed rocket engine. A separate gas supply 21, usually helium, pressurizes the propellant tanks to force fuel and oxidizer to the combustion chamber 16. To maintain adequate flow, the tank pressures must exceed the combustion chamber pressure.
Pressure fed rocket engines have simple plumbing and lack complex and often unreliable turbo-pumps. A typical startup procedure begins with opening a valve, often a one-shot pyrotechnic device, to allow the pressurizing gas to flow through check valves into the propellant tanks. Then the propellant valves in the engine itself are opened. If the fuel and oxidizer are hypergolic, they burn on contact; non-hypergolic fuels require an igniter. Multiple burns can be conducted by merely opening and closing the propellant valves as needed. They can be operated electrically, or by gas pressure controlled by smaller electrically operated valves.
Care must be taken, especially during long burns, to avoid excessive cooling of the pressurizing gas due to adiabatic expansion. Cold helium won't liquefy, but it could freeze a propellant, decrease tank pressures, or damage components not designed for low temperatures. The Apollo Lunar Module descent propulsion system was unusual in storing its helium in a supercritical but very cold state. It was warmed as it was withdrawn through a heat exchanger from the ambient temperature fuel.
Pressure-fed engines have practical limits on propellant pressure, which in turn limits combustion chamber pressure. High pressure propellant tanks require thicker walls and stronger alloys which make the vehicle tanks heavier. Thereby reducing performance and payload capacity. The lower stages of launch vehicles often use solid fuel and pump-fed liquid fuel engines instead, where high pressure ratio nozzles are considered desirable.


An objective of this invention is to extend the range of choosing organic dye compounds as radiation-absorbing agents in a variety of fields by providing a novel organic dye compound which absorbs short-wavelength visible radiation and exhibits a superior in optical resistance, solubility in solvents, and heat characteristics required in a novel field in which the organic dye compound is applied: The objective is attainable by providing a cyanine dye which has a specific structure and exhibits a major adsorption maximum at a wavelength longer than 400 nm in a solution.

In this age of the growing importance of information, there is a great urgent demand for organic dye compounds which absorb short-wavelength visible radiation. Their application is now extending beyond conventional field, for example, filter material which solely utilize the visible radiation-absorbing and shielding property of such an organic dye compound, towards the field of information storage and solar power generation which utilize energy of visible radiation by such an organic dye compound.
The properties required for organic dye compounds to be subjected to such a use are to be appropriate with respect to optical absorption characteristic at short-wavelength visible region, large with respect to optical resistance, with respect to solubility in solvents and also with respect to heat characteristic according to its use Typical organic dye compounds as proposed heretofore are, for example, anthraquinone, phthalocyanine and cyanine dyes (see, for example, Japanese Patent Kokai Nos. 116611/99, 202592/02 and 167343/03): Among these, anthraquinone dye has been deemed to be disadvantageous with respect to optical absorption characteristic, while phthalocyanine dye, disadvantageous with respect to both optical absorption characteristic and solubility in solvents. Although cyanine dye is advantageous in both optical absorption characteristic and solubility, conventional cyanine dye has the demerit that it is poorer with respect to optical resistance and heat characteristic.
In view of such situation, the objective of this invention is to provide a novel organic dye compound which adsorbs short-wavelength visible radiation, superior in optical resistance and also in solubility in solvents and exhibits heat characteristic required in a novel field using the organic dye compound so as to extend the range of choosing organic dye compounds as radiation-absorbing organic material in the fields as described above.

Kabushiki Kaisha Hayashibara Seibutsu Kagaku Kenkyujo


Mircodevice processing systems. One exemplary embodiment includes a component for removing substrate material to form a feature into a first surface of a substrate, and a component for measuring a thickness of a portion of the substrate defining the feature, wherein the component for measuring is positioned proximate a second surface of the substrate that is different than the first surface.

Microdevices including microchips and microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) devices are ubiquitous in society. Microdevices are incorporated into a broad array of consumer products. The market for microdevices and the consumer products which incorporate them continually demands increased performance at decreased costs. In order to meet these requirements the microdevices may be made more efficiently and to closer tolerances.
Maintaining design parameters during processing can allow higher performing microdevices to be produced. Design parameters can be maintained, at least in part, by accurate measurement of microdevice components during processing. As such a desire exists for enhanced measuring capabilities of microdevice components.

Microdevice processing systems and methods