A writing device for marking on a capacitive touch screen and a paper substrate is disclosed. The device features a writing tip deployable through a hole in a conductive rubber stylus tip. The stylus tip connects to a distal end of a shaft. The stylus tip may be held in place by a ring. Electric connection is formed from a human user, through the shaft, and to the stylus tip onto the touch screen when a sufficient contact patch if formed through pressing lightly on the stylus tip. The stylus tip may be coated with a protective material that adjusts the coefficient of friction and prevents carbon from depositing on the touch screen. The writing tip (e.g., pen or pencil) moves from a working position where it extends through a hole in the stylus tip to a position where it is disposed within a hollow cavity formed by the stylus tip.

Historically, a stylus is an elongated, sharp, pointed instrument used for writing, marking, and engraving. More recently styli are being modified for use with inputting data to computer devices.
In the context of touch screen computer interfaces, a stylus provides many benefits to users. For example, a user can more accurately use a stylus for computer touch screen input than they can their own finger. The accuracy is due to the fact that a computer stylus has a smaller tip than do most human fingers, and so can achieve an accordingly higher degree of accuracy on a touch screen. This increase in accuracy, in turn, allows for smaller user interface elements, and provides increased ease of use for many users. Additionally, some users prefer to use a stylus simply to avoid depositing the natural oils from their hands on the screen.
One disadvantage to stylus use is that it necessitates carrying an additional personal item. This is especially problematic given the already large number of personal items commonly carried by individuals such as: keys, pens, glasses, wallet, and a smart phone. One solution to this problem is the combination pen and stylus.
A touch screen is, generally speaking, a combination touchpad and computer display that can detect the presence and location of a touch within the display area. Although this patent application will refer generally to touch screens, much of the technology disclosed herein will work with other similar human machine interfaces, such as a touchpad. There are many touch screen technologies including resistive, capacitive, surface acoustic wave, infrared, strain gauge, optical imaging, dispersive signal technology, inductive sensor systems that may be placed under an LCD, and acoustic pulse recognition. Of these, the first two (resistive and capacitive) are the most common.
Resistive touch screens have been used on smart phones and tablet computers. An example of a resistive touch screen is the PALM PILOT®. Resistive touch screens comprise two very slightly separated optically transparent sheets, at least one flexible, and both coated with a transparent electrically conductive material. Normally, there is no contact between the two sheets, however, when the surface of the touch screen is touched at a point by a stylus or other object, the two sheets contact each other at that point, registering to the related computer system the precise location of the touch. This type of touch screen can sense contact from nearly any solid object pressed against it. Accordingly, nearly any pointed object can serve as a stylus. Combination pen/stylus devices already exist for resistive touch screens. For example, the Dr. Grip 1+1 Stylus Pen Combo manufactured by PILOT® is a combination ballpoint pen and stylus for use with resistive touch screens. The tips of such devices are typically plastic or a similar polymer, so as not to damage or scratch the screen.
Capacitive touch screens are quickly replacing resistive touch screens, and are used with many modern small digital devices. For example, the newer iPhones® and iPads® from APPLE® are all equipped with capacitive touch screens. Capacitive touch screens generally comprise a flat insulative transparent sheet such as glass having an inside portion coated with a transparent conductor such as indium tin oxide (ITO), films made from graphene (carbon nanotubes), or other suitable material. Conductive materials that touch or are in very close proximity to this type of touch screen alter the electrostatic field of the screen, thereby creating a registerable change in capacitance. At the physical level a changing electrical potential difference causes a flow of electrons as an alternating current (AC) through a capacitor and it is this current flowing to a sink or source of electrons that is detected by the touch screen device. For some conductive materials such as biological tissue, these charged carriers could be predominantly ions—cations and/or anions. This sink or source of electrons, sometimes called a "ground" is necessary to complete the flow of electrons in most types of capacitive touch screens that can be activated by human touch. The effectiveness of a body as a ground is directly proportional to the product of its volume and conductivity. For alternating current and complex materials such as biological tissue it is also dependent on the frequency of the alternating current.
The most common input device used with capacitive touch screens is the human finger. Although the conductivity of the human body is not particularly high, its relatively high volume nevertheless allows it to act as an effective ground. At low frequencies typical biological tissues have conductivities on the order of 1 to 10 S/m (Siemens per meter) compared to metals like copper and aluminum which are 58 and 35 MS/m (million Siemens per meter) respectively. Traditional plastic or polymer-based styli are not effective in marking on capacitive touch screens because they are not sufficiently conductive. The problem is exacerbated if the user of the stylus is wearing gloves or has extremely dry skin. This is common in colder environments, where people may often need to mark on handheld devices while outside. These situations are problematic because the user is further insulated from the stylus which prevents the flow of alternating current to the human body ground. Though other materials providing better conductivity could be used, such as aluminum or other metals, they would likely scratch or otherwise damage the touch screen. Furthermore, many capacitive touch screens are tuned to detect inputs from human fingers and thus may not register a hard pointed input, simply due to the goal of minimizing false inputs.
One solution that enables a stylus to be used with a capacitive touch screen is the use of conductive rubber or a similar conductive elastomeric material. Conductive rubber is a rarer and more expensive form of rubber that contains suspended graphite carbon, carbon nanotubes, nickel or silver particles. Its electrical impedance decreases when it is compressed, and the capacitance increase as a result of the larger surface area in contact with the touch screen, thereby making it useful for capacitive touch screen applications. In addition, the rubber durometer can be set so as to deform at its tip in a manner similar to the deformation exhibited by a human finger as it presses down on a flat surface.
What is missing in the present art is a writing device that can seamlessly transition between marking on paper and marking on a capacitive screen. Such combinations for resistive-screen styli like the PILOT® pen proved easy because a rigid, non-conductive end of a pen could be used. For capacitive screens, no such device exists in the prior art because of the challenges with mounting a writing pen within a sufficiently flexible, sufficiently conductive material.

Writing device having writing tip and stylus tip


Disclosed herein is a system that implements a model for automatic discovery and identification of a person who is most relevant to handle a notification generated for a resource based on a triggered event. The model accesses an activity log for the resource to identify operations that are relevant to a type of the event. The operations are performed by different users (e.g., owners of the shared resource). The model then calculates an operation relevance score for each of the operations and a user relevance score for each of the different users. The user relevance scores are used to identify a most relevant person from the different users. Contact information for the most relevant person (e.g., name, email address, phone number) is added to the notification so that a person that first views the notification can efficiently forward the notification to the person best positioned to deal with the event.

Security is an important aspect for platforms that offer network services. As cloud computing gains popularity, more and more sensitive data and/or services are stored and provided online. Consequently, computer security has become more crucial than ever before. Network providers are especially interested in keeping resources safe to help protect their clients' assets and to avoid legal liability.
In many scenarios, an entity that operates a cloud-based platform uses a security center to review potential security issues, or threats, associated with resources. Accordingly, these security centers are configured to implement threat detection systems for resources used by clients. A resource may be one that the entity controls (e.g., a cloud-based server, datacenter network components, etc.) and/or one that the entity has the responsibility to monitor (e.g., an on-premises server, a registered user device, etc.). The security center is configured to notify, via the use of an alert, security officers of threats that may need to be investigated in order to identify mitigation actions.
Typically, an alert includes information that helps a security officer understand the threat and take the necessary steps to resolve the threat. For example, this information can include a type of the threat, potential consequences of the threat if not properly handled, etc. In many cases, it is important to identify who, in a client organization, should handle the alert to determine whether mitigation actions are needed or whether the alert can be dismissed as insignificant. For instance, an alert is typically first sent to a security officer who is tasked with forwarding the alert to an administrator of a resource on which the threat was detected. The administrator is most likely the person with the required privileges and/or knowledge to investigate the alert and to take action to mitigate the threat.
However, identifying an administrator of a resource for the purposes of forwarding an alert can be a cumbersome and time-consuming task. This is because multiple different users often share the use of a resource in larger client organizations (e.g., over fifty people). Stated alternatively, multiple different administrators often qualify as "owners" of a shared resource in accordance with a defined policy that provides privileges and authorization for the different administrators to configure the shared resource. To put this into perspective based on actual feedback received from clients of cloud-based platforms, up to eighty percent of the total amount of time used to investigate and mitigate an alert is often spent attempting to identify and contact the person in a client organization who is best positioned to investigate and mitigate the alert. The other twenty percent of the total amount of time used is actually directed to the more important steps involved in investigating and mitigating the alert itself.
In a more extreme example where the alert warns of a more serious threat that can result in severe consequences if not addressed immediately, a group of administrators around the world need to be hurriedly interrupted from their professional and/or social lives (e.g., woken up from sleep, removed from a social event, taken out of a meeting, etc.) so the group can collectively deduce who the best person to investigate and mitigate the alert is and so this person can be contacted. The clear downside of this type of situation is the delayed investigation and mitigation of the threat, which can prove to be vital in certain alert situations such as a sensitive data breach.
One known solution to this problem relies upon the maintenance of documentation, by a security officer team, that defines which administrators that own a resource are responsible for handling different types of alerts and threats. Consequently, a security officer can manually reference this documentation to identify the person best positioned to handle an alert. However, this solution is largely ineffective because the documentation is not typically updated in a timely manner (e.g., real-time), if updated at all. Moreover, it still may take a security officer a significant amount of time (e.g., tens of minutes) to access the documentation and to identify the person best positioned to handle an alert.
It is with respect to these and other considerations that the disclosure made herein is presented.

Model for identifying the most relevant person(s) for an event associated with a resource


An example embodiment includes a patterning method comprising: forming a layer stack comprising a target layer, a lower memorization layer and an upper memorization layer, forming above the upper memorization layer a first mask layer, patterning a set of upper trenches in the upper memorization layer, forming a first block pattern, the first block pattern comprising a set of first blocks, patterning a first set of lower trenches in the lower memorization layer, patterning the patterned upper memorization layer to form a second block pattern comprising a set of second blocks, forming above the patterned lower memorization layer and the second block pattern a second mask layer, patterning a second set of lower trenches in the patterned lower memorization layer, the patterning comprising using the second mask layer, the spacer layer and the second block pattern as an etch mask.

Semiconductor device fabrication of today frequently involves forming of various patterns, such as lines or trenches in a layer, for instance in a hard mask layer, a dielectric layer, a metal layer or a semiconductor layer.
In lithographically based patterning techniques (i.e. "litho-etch"), a photoresist layer may be formed above the layer which is to be patterned. The photoresist layer may be lithographically patterned (i.e. exposed and developed) and the pattern in the photoresist layer may then be transferred into the underlying layer by etching while using the patterned photoresist layer as an etch mask. Lithographically based patterning techniques may also involve transferring the pattern in the photoresist layer into a mask layer (typically a hard mask layer) in one or more etching steps, and thereafter using the mask layer in a final pattern transfer step into an underlying layer.
In spacer-assisted multiple patterning techniques (also known as self-aligned multiple patterning techniques) such as SADP or SAQP, grating-like patterning layers of mandrel lines and spacer lines may be used to form tight pitch line patterns in an underlying layer. Multiple patterning may be combined with block techniques to enable forming of interrupted or discontinuous lines.
The minimum critical dimensions (CDs) of litho-etch based patterning is limited by among others the wavelength of the light used for exposing photoresist. Although extreme ultraviolet lithography (EUVL) enables forming patterns with reduced CDs compared to current technologies based on for instance 193i, edge placement errors (EPE) still imposes a limit on the minimum attainable CD. Meanwhile, SADP and SAQP enables forming of comparably tighter pitch patterns. However, while lithographically based patterning techniques allows forming of patterns of various shapes, self-aligned multiple patterning techniques are typically limited to forming regular and repeating line-based patterns.


A system and method are disclosed for restricting driver access to mobile devices while driving. The system includes an interface which facilities communicating with the vehicle and communicates with mobile devices present in the vehicle. The system determines the location of each mobile device in the vehicle in order to identify the mobile device belonging to the driver. If the vehicle is currently moving, functions of the driver's mobile device can be restricted or limited, while allowing passengers full access to their mobile devices.

Consumer adoption of mobile devices, such as cellular telephones, laptop computers, pagers, personal digital assistants, and the like, has increased dramatically over recent years. These devices can be used for a diversity of purposes ranging from basic communications, to conducting business transactions, to managing entertainment media, as well as a host of other tasks. Additional enhancements, such as location-awareness features, e.g., global positioning system (GPS) tracking, also enable mobile device users to monitor their position and present their location via a local display. Distracted driving has also emerged as a growing problem among drivers who actively use communication apps such as, for example, e-mail, SMS (text) messaging, social media, etc. In fact, distracted driving is considered to be one of the leading causes of car accidents. The availability of mobile devices, such as mobile phones, tablets, personal digital assistants (PDA's), etc., contributes greatly to this problem.

System and method for preventing driver use of a mobile device


The present invention relates to compositions and methods relating to an interleukin18-inducible cytokine termed tumor necrosis factor-alpha inducing factor (TAIF) or interleukin-32 (IL-32). In particular, the present invention provides compositions and methods for treating autoimmune diseases and cancer, in part by regulation of tumor necrosis factor-alpha expression.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a common chronic inflammatory arthritis that affects about 1% of adults worldwide, with a female predominance and a peak onset in the fourth decade of life (See, Firestein, "Rheumatoid Arthritis," in Scientific American Medicine, 2000; and Cohen, "Systemic Autoimmunity," in Paul (ed.) Fundamental Immunology, Lippincott-Raven Publishers: Philadelphia, pp. 1067-1088, 1999). Intense inflammation occurs in synovial joints, with infiltration of the synovial membrane by mononuclear phagocytes, lymphocytes and neutrophils, causing significant joint pain. In addition, RA patients generally develop loss of cartilage and bone around joints, which leads to a loss of mobility.
Although the cause of RA has not been precisely defined, various characteristics of the disease are indicative of an autoimmune component to RA etiology. In particular, macrophage and fibroblast-derived cytokines are abundantly expressed in rheumatoid joints (Firestein et al., J Immunol, 144:3347, 1994). Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) and interleukin-1 (IL-1) appear to be the major pathogenic factors, in that both can induce synoviocyte proliferation, collagenase production, and prostaglandin release, while overexpression can induce arthritis in animal models (Firestein, supra, 2000). IL-18 is also present in RA joints and can directly activate macrophages to produce proinflammatory cytokines (Gracie et al., J Clin Invest, 104:1393, 1999).
Current RA therapies are directed to analgesia, control of inflammation, and alteration of the disease course. More aggressive treatment approaches are now frequently adopted, with RA patients rapidly requiring a switch from non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to a second line reagent such as methotrexate. Unfortunately, methotrexate alone does not adequately control RA in most patients, causing physicians to select either add-on therapy or a series of single agents (Firestein, supra, 2000), for example leflunomide, sulfasalazine, or a TNF inhibitor. TNF-inhibitors that have been used with some success to treat RA include TNF-reactive monoclonal antibodies (infliximab/REMICADE and adalimumab/HUMIRA) and a soluble TNF-receptor/immunoglobulin fusion protein (etanercept/ENBREL). However, it is desirable to provide clinicians with additional therapies to use alone or as cocktails to halt the progression of this debilitating disease.

Methods for treating cancer by regulation of tumor necrosis factor-alpha

The Regents of the University of Colorado, a body corporate


An injector for a fluid, particularly for fuel, is provided having a valve housing, a fluid intake, a valve chamber having a spray-discharge orifice, a piezoelectric or magnetostrictive actuator situated in the valve housing and a fluid-guiding pipe connecting a fluid intake and a valve chamber, which is situated in the valve housing running along the actuator. In order to create structural space in the valve housing for guiding through the fluid-guiding pipe which has a sufficiently large diameter for reducing pressure drops in the intake region, a hollow cylinder surrounding the actuator and developed as a prestressed spring is provided with a cylinder wall opening that extends axially through the entire length, and the positioning of the fluid-guiding pipe in the valve housing is undertaken so that it extends radially into the cylinder wall opening.

In a conventional fuel injector for internal combustion engines, described in, e.g., German Patent No. DE 102 57 895 A1, the pipe guiding the fluid, which connects the fluid supply to a valve chamber that is arranged in front of a valve seat in an inflowing nozzle body, is integrated into the valve housing and runs offset in a parallel manner to the housing axis. The valve housing encloses a circular-cylindrical cavity in which a piezoelectric or magnetostrictive actuator is disposed for actuating the valve. The housing wall, which has a circular ring-shaped cross-section, is radially thickened on one side throughout its whole length and is provided with an axial bore in the thickened region, in which the pipe is guided. At the lower end, the pipe is bent at approximately 90°, inserted in a radial opening in the nozzle body that opens out into the valve chamber and is welded or soldered to the nozzle body. At the end facing away from the nozzle body, the pipe is affixed to the intake nipple that forms the fluid supply and permanently connected to the intake nipple.
One conventional piezoelectric actuator for controlling a fuel injector, described in, e.g., German Patent No. DE 103 19 599 A1, is situated in a hollow cylinder developed as a bourdon tube and, with its end faces, lies against an upper and a lower cover plate. The two cover plates are each connected permanently to the hollow cylinder in a form-locking or force-locking manner, for instance, by welding, the hollow cylinder being axially prestressed before the welding. To achieve the spring property of the hollow cylinder, a plurality of equally developed, bone-shaped recesses are stamped into the cylinder wall of the hollow cylinder, which are positioned in a uniformly distributed manner and have the same internal cross sectional area. The actuator is supported with force locking on the two cover plates, and is loaded with pressure by these.


A device for mounting an electrical energy source in portable electronic equipment is provided, including a cavity and a cover configured to close the cavity, the cover including a housing configured to receive the energy source, the cover and the portable electronic equipment having complementary fixing means in order to retain the cover on the portable electronic equipment and to seal the cavity, and the cover including means for retaining the energy source in the housing of the cover.

A device for mounting a battery in an electronic watch comprising a housing for receiving the battery and a cover for closing the housing is known from document EP 1 432 052. The housing comprises, near the periphery thereof, elastic retaining means for retaining the battery in the housing, and the cover has means for clipping on the housing in order to allow retention of the cover on the housing.
Such a device has the disadvantage of using a housing for the battery which does not make it possible to lock the latter in rotation in the housing, which can cause corrosion of said electrode. Another disadvantage of this device is that the battery must firstly be pushed with force in order to be introduced into the housing, then the cover must be put in place.
Document FR 2 508 667 describes a cover which is intended to seal a battery opening. Locking of the cover is achieved by a bayonet system, the male part of which is formed by lugs of the cover and the female part of which is formed by radial housings.
Such a device likewise has the disadvantage of not providing good retention of the battery in the housing thereof, which entails a rotation risk of the battery and therefore of corrosion. In fact, the battery is simply deposited in the housing thereof, which does not prevent it turning and wearing when in contact with the electrodes present in the housing thereof. Furthermore, this device does not allow simple and rapid mounting of the cover on the bottom of the watch casing.
Documents JP S52 82470 and EP 0 762 242 likewise disclose a device for mounting an energy source and have the disadvantage of not providing reliable retention of the energy source in the housing thereof.

Device for mounting an electrical source


The object of the invention is to reduce the number of parts which are required for supporting a photosensitive drum in a photosensitive drum cartridge. Engaging bodies of supporting members are inserted through mounting holes of a cartridge main body. Supporting shafts are inserted into supporting shaft insertion holes formed on the sides of a photosensitive drum. When the supporting members are rotated, the side walls of the cartridge main body are fitted into gaps between flat plates and engaging pieces. The supporting members are positioned with respect to and fixed to the cartridge main body, whereby the photosensitive drum is supported in the cartridge main body.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a laser beam printer which is provided with a detachable photosensitive drum cartridge.
2. Description of the Related Art
In a related art image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a laser beam printer, as shown in FIGS. 18 to 20, a photosensitive drum cartridge 2 is mounted detachably in the main body 1 of the apparatus, and a photosensitive drum is detachably supported by the main body 3 of the cartridge.
An assembling member 4 for fixing to the apparatus main body 1 is mounted to the cartridge main body 3. As shown in FIG. 18, the assembling member 4 comprises a flexible handle portion 5, and an assembling portion 6 which supports the handle portion 5 and is screwed to the cartridge main body 3.
The handle portion 5 has a substantially V-like shape consisting of a fixed handle piece 7 fixed to the assembling portion 6, and a movable handle piece 9 which is swingably connected to the fixed handle piece 7 through a resilient U-like rib 8.
As shown in FIG. 19, at the center of the outer side wall of the movable handle piece 9, formed is an engaging claw 12 which is to engage with an engaging hole 11. The engaging hole 11 is formed at the upper portion of a guide groove 10 formed in the apparatus main body 1. Therefore, when the handle portion 5 of the assembling member 4 is pressed into the guide groove 10 as shown in FIG. 20, the engaging claw 12 engages with the engaging hole 11, thereby positioning the photosensitive drum cartridge 2 in the vertical direction.
When the photosensitive drum cartridge 2 is removed from the apparatus main body 1, the movable handle piece 9 is pressed toward the fixed handle piece 7 so that the engaging claw 12 is disengaged from the engaging hole 11, thereby performing the removal of the cartridge.
The assembling member 4 further comprises a finger insertion hole 13 and a screw insertion hole 14, and the cartridge main body 3 comprises a boss 15 which is to be guided through the guide groove 10 so that the photosensitive drum cartridge 2 is correctly positioned with respect to the apparatus main body 1.
In the photosensitive drum cartridge 2 in the prior art, the cartridge main body 3 requires members such as shafts and bearings for rotatably supporting the photosensitive drum, and fastening parts such as screws for fixing these members to the cartridge main body 3, resulting in the increased number of parts. This causes the step of assembling the photosensitive drum cartridge 2 to be cumbersome, thereby increasing the cost.
The positioning of the photosensitive drum cartridge 2 in the vertical direction with respect to the apparatus main body 1 is effected by the engagement of the engaging claw 12 of the assembling member 4 and the engaging hole 11 of the apparatus main body 1. However, the constitution for positioning the photosensitive drum cartridge 2 in the horizontal direction is not sufficiently considered, with the result that the photosensitive drum cartridge 2 is liable to be dislocated in the horizontal direction.

Photosensitive drum cartridge and an image forming apparatus using the same


A high-energy pulse protection device (10) protects an integrated circuit (28 and 30). The integrated circuit (28 and 30) is associated with an integrated circuit substrate region (64). The high-energy pulse protection device (10), has a protection circuit substrate region (74) that is disassociated from the integrated circuit substrate region (64). A primary protection circuit (40 and 42) is associated with the protection circuit substrate region (74) and has at least one connection (22) with the integrated circuit (28 and 30) for receiving and dissipating, through the at least one connection (22), a high-energy pulse. This protects the integrated circuit (28 and 30) from the high-energy pulse.

Integrated circuits are used in a variety of environments including harsh ones that can seriously deter the integrated circuit's proper operation. In general, the phenomena known as electrostatic discharge (ESD) and electrical overstress (EOS) can affect and, in some cases, prohibit the functioning of integrated circuits. ESD may be thought of as high-energy pulse that occurs whenever someone or something carrying an electrical charge touches the integrated circuit. In EOS, a voltage spike of a longer duration exists. An example of EOS occurs when a system is improperly tested or during improper operation of an electrical system that causes a large voltage spike to enter the integrated circuit. In some even harsher environments, such as that of an automobile, a phenomenon known as "load dump" may occur. An example of the load dump electrical transient happens when a battery cable disconnects from the battery terminal as a result of the car hitting a bump or experiencing some other jolt. The disconnected battery cable, if connected to the alternator, may contact a component such as an engine control circuit that has an embedded integrated circuit. This battery cable contact dumps the energy from the alternator into the integrated circuit and can destroy its proper operation.
Integrated circuits that protect against ESD often use on-chip protection at the input and output pins. Protection devices that protect against ESD may protect against high-energy pulses of up to 15 killivolts. On-chip protection device designs for pulses having magnitudes beyond this level are not possible due to practical limits of size on the integrated circuit chip. Circuits that address the EOS and load dump situations may use a metal oxide veristor (MOV) device to absorb the high-energy pulse. MOV devices, however, are bulky and expensive to implement for all integrated circuits that may require protection. The heat that the known protection devices produces also impairs performance of integrate circuits as the temperature rises in the associated silicon substrate region.

Method and system for protecting integrated circuits against a variety of transients


A window defogging system that comprises a power supply and an optically clear overlay includes a sheet of heat-stabilized polyester (13) having a hard coat layer (15) on one surface and an indium tin oxide (ITO) layer (17) on the other surface. The ITO layer (17) is scored around its periphery (19) to create a groove that electrically isolates the edge of the ITO layer from an interior heating zone (23). Additional grooves create electrically isolated regions (26a, 26b, 28a and 28b). Multiple layers of silver are printed atop the ITO layer (17), along opposing edges of the interior (heater) zone (23), to create bus bars (25a, 25b). The bus bars end at terminal regions (29a, 29b) that are connected directly to the power supply. The housing (61) of the power supply is supported by connectors mounted in the optically clear overlay. In some versions of the invention, a dielectric layer (33a, 33b) is located along a portion of the bus bars, between the multiple layers of silver. The power supply includes a temperature-sensing device, e.g., a thermistor, that senses the temperature of the interior zone and uses this information to control the application of power to the ITO layer via the bus bars.

It is well known that windows can be defogged by applying heat to the windows. Most modern automobiles include a rear window defogger that removes fog, frost and ice from the rear window of the automobile by applying heat to the window. Heat is normally produced by applying an electric voltage to a pair of bus bars located on opposite sides of the window. The bus bars are joined by a plurality of thin wires that extend across the window. While wire-type rear window defoggers have found widespread use in automobiles, they have not proved to be entirely satisfactory in other environments, particularly rugged environments. One such environment is boats, particularly commercial boats used in cold climates, such as Alaska.
One of the major disadvantages of wire-type window defoggers is their fragile nature. Wire-type window defoggers are supported by a thin sheet applied to the window to be defogged. As a result, the wires of such defoggers are easily broken when an object is slid across the surface of the window on which the defogger is located. Such fragility is acceptable in connection with the rear window of an automobile since objects are seldom slid across the surface of such windows. It is not acceptable in rough environments, such as on board a commercial fishing vessel.
In the past, heaters formed of a layer of indium tin oxide (ITO) on a substrate have been proposed. In addition to being proposed for use as incubator heaters (see U.S. Pat. No. 5,119,467), they have also been proposed for use as display heaters (see U.S. Pat. No. 4,952,783). Further, thin film heaters have been proposed for use in motor cycle helmet defoggers (see U.S. Pat. No. 4,584,721).
In the past, ITO heaters have not been entirely satisfactory when proposed for use in defogging relatively large surfaces, such as the windows of a fishing vessel. One of the major difficulties with ITO heaters has been the difficulty of applying power to a large area of ITO in a manner that creates uniform heating. In the past, the heat generated at different locations of an ITO layer has varied dramatically. The heat generated near the power input end of bus bars applying power to the ITO layer has been significantly greater than the heat generated at the other end of the bus bars. The temperature differential has required either increasing the power applied to the bus bars or accepting the fact that while a portion of a window may be defrosted or defogged, other portions may not be defrosted or defogged. Obviously, defrosting or defogging only a portion of a window is an unsatisfactory solution. Increasing the power to bus bars has, in the past, resulted in the overheating and destruction of the bus bars. Shorts have also created problems. Further, because, in the past, power control circuitry has been remote from the location of the ITO heat generating layer, temperature sensing and response time have also been unsatisfactory. Also, problems have been encountered in applying a substrate supporting an ITO layer to a window, particularly as an after market product.
The present invention is directed to providing a window defogging system that overcomes the foregoing disadvantages.

Window defogging system with optically clear overlay having multi-layer silver bus bars and electrically isolating peripheral grooves


A medical electronic apparatus for treating human pain by the application of an electrical stimulus with the proper current density and a special magnetic flux generator stimulus to the body surface of animals which includes an electrode complex of the treatment device which includes an adhesive means for holding the 4 electrodes of the device in contact with the human body. The electrode complex is preferably comprised of 4 electrodes which are 2 positive and 2 negative electrode defining opposite diagonal vertices of the quadrilateral shape. The electrodes are supplied by power means to activate and generate an electrical stimulus. Each electrode pad contains a Magna Bloc(trademark) which snaps into position by an aluminum snap.

Field of the Invention
This invention relates to the field of medical electronics and more particularly to apparatus for treating human pain by application of an electrical stimulus with the proper current density to the body surface and the response modulated by a magnetic field to allow manipulation of the firing rate of peripheral neurons of the A-fiber and C-fiber nociceptors such that chronic and acute pain may be consistently controlled without discomfort from the stimulation.
Maurer, et., al., 1994 (U.S. Pat. No. 4,431,002) indicates that it is well known that pain can be alleviated by electrical pulses applied to the surface of the body or to electrodes implanted within the body. His invention revealed a transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation apparatus in which the stimulus pulses are modulated in both time and intensity in a prescribed manner, the pulse amplitude and width decreasing, while the pulse repetition rate increases and vice versa. The advantage of this arrangement is said to produce a comfortable and pleasant sensation at levels sufficient to produce muscle contraction and stimulation of deep afferent nerves to cause the release of endogenous opiates, such as endorphins, which are thought to suppress pain.
Deyo, et., al., (NEJM) concluded that Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) in patients with chronic low back pain is no more effective than treatment with placebo, and TENS adds no apparent benefit to that of exercise alone. It is apparent that such studies are done without the proper application and use of the technology. It is further apparent that technology is needed that is easier to understand and use by the operator.
The reduction of efficacy of a C-fiber input by coactivation of mechanoceptive A-fibers is the principle underlying transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS). The mechanism involved is referred to as the xe2x80x9cGate Control Theory of Pain Perceptionxe2x80x9d (See FIG. 5). TENS involves electrical activation of mechanoceptive fibers. Mechanoceptive A-fibers are activated at lower electrical stimulation intensities than C-fibers, that is, A-fibers have a low threshold. Thus, the mechanoceptive A-fibers can be selectively activated by low intensity electrical stimulation without increasing the firing rate of C-fibers, that is, A-fibers can be selectively activated by low intensity electrical stimulation without increasing the firing rate of C-fibers. As the intensity of stimulation is increased, it is possible to activate both mechanoceptive and nociceptive fibers. Thus, there is a limit to how much stimulation can be applied in order for the current TENS to work. Patients who use TENS devices are fully aware that if they continue to increase the stimulus intensity, they have more pain, rather than less pain. The increasing pain with stimulation is because of C-fiber activation. In some cases, the intensity of stimulation required to achieve pain relief can be reduced simply by repositioning electrodes and reducing the current flux through tissues while still reaching A-fiber threshold. In other cases, it is not possible to achieve pain relief at sufficiently low intensities to selectively activate A-fibers. In these cases, pain may be increased and TENS is said to have failed. In these cases of failure, the information available suggests that TENS failure is largely due to inappropriate electrode placement and insufficient current flow or density at the point of desired stimulation.
Evidence from the literature, clinical observations and isolated neuronal cell preparation data suggest that efficacy of this device is best obtained by high frequency, continuous stimulation with high current density in the area of stimulation. Pacing of A-fibers along with simultaneous suppression of C-fiber firing provides reliable control of pain syndromes. For the efficacy of the invention to be realized, a quadripolar array of positive and negative electrodes are arranged in quadrilateral array such that the positive and negative electrodes are in the proper close proximity to one another such that high current density can be obtained in the area of the nerve fiber to be paced. It is a further object of this invention to suppress the firing rates of C-fibers while increasing the rate of A-fibers. This object is accomplished by placing a Magna Bloc(trademark) device within the stimulating electrode. This device, as will be demonstrated later, dramatically controls and reduces C-fiber firing. This effect on C-fiber firing is dramatically illustrated in FIG. 6. Volunteer subjects perceived the pain threshold at two (2) times the voltage (which translates to current flow) when the Magna Bloc(trademark) device was placed over the stimulating electrodes. Through this methodology, normal firing patterns can be sent to the central nervous system, frequency coded, for a sensation of comfort rather than pain.
The device of this invention consists of 4 electrodes per unit. The electrodes consist of 4 electrodes of alternating polarity and consist of 2 positive poles and 2 negative poles. The positive and negative poles of the electrode head are aligned in substantially a single plane and are oriented in a quadrilateral configuration with positive poles oriented diagonally opposite one another and negative poles oriented diagonally opposite one another. Built into each electrode is a Magna Bloc(trademark) device U.S. Pat. No. 5,312,321 (incorporated herein by reference). This device allows maximal A-fiber stimulation without the discomfort of C-fiber pain and muscle contraction. The Magna Bloc(trademark) controls the excitability of neuromuscular units and blocks C-fiber firing.
Another object of the invention is to maintain current density sufficient to send A-fiber impulses into the dorsal horn in the area of the innervation of the C-fibers involved in the pain syndrome, in sufficient density to block C-fiber input into the central nervous system. This is accomplished by placing electrodes in the correct proximity to each other using the Magna Bloc(trademark) to control C-fiber firing when the intensity is turned up to above usual C-fiber threshold and by placing a current sensor in the midpoint between the 4 electrodes. This sensor will balance the current density by rotating monitoring of the 4 electrodes and compensating by changing the input such that current density or current flow in the skin remains constant. This circuit will have a range monitor and alarm system. Current flow will alternate every 2 seconds in electrodes in FIG. 1B to A and C to D, C to A and B to D.
It is a further purpose of this invention to have two or more such 4 electrode arrays per TENS unit.
Except as noted above, the unit uses standard TENS electronics with the following parameters: 1) the parameters are intensity of output is 0 to 100 mA, frequency 0 to 200 Hzt, pulse width 400 microseconds. The device is effective either over the dorsal columns or on afferent nerve bundle as well as over the area of pain sensation. The containment means to hold the 4 electrodes, 4 Magna Bloc(trademark) devices and current density sensor and electrode pads provides a method of therapeutically placing an alternating electrode DC frequency modulated device on the human body to relieve pain, which has well controlled current density in which C-fiber firing is controlled by a Magna Bloc(trademark) field which generates a flux field gradient in the xe2x80x9c2xe2x80x9d axis of 60xc2x0 to 70xc2x0.
This aspect may further provide repetition of these steps for additional containment bodies for attachment to the human body at additional placement positions.

Electronic apparatus and method for treating human pain through application of an electrical stimulus in combination with application of a magnetic field


A cutting insert for a slot milling tool is provided with recesses in the cutting corners behind each second cutting edge in the flank wear direction of the cutting insert. A shank of the recess and the second cutting edge form a narrow flange which limits the surface exposed to flank wear.

This invention relates to a cutting insert for a slot milling tool, whose basic form is a parallelpiped, comprising two opposed side surfaces and four end surfaces extending therebetween, a first cutting edge provided at or near the line of juncture between adjacent end surfaces, second cutting edges defined by the lines of juncture between the side surfaces and an end surface provided with a chip surface.
Conventional cutting inserts of the above identified type are afflicted with disadvantages. Conventional slot milling tools either have a wide cutter body to receive an insert, inserted with a large relief angle giving a wide slot and little flank wear or a narrow cutter body able to receive an insert, inserted with only a small relief angle giving a narrow slot and much flank wear. Milling of a narrow slot in a work piece demands a narrow cutter body and a small relief angle for the inserts held in the cutter body. The small relief angle will accelerate the flank wear on the surfaces surround the cutting edges during milling with conventional inserts. Besides an unavoidable wear of the main cutting edge, the side surfaces of the insert will also be worn as they increasingly rub against the walls of the slot, causing large axial cutting forces on the cutting insert and the cutter body due to increased friction. The friction develope heat on the insert and in the slot and this results in a premature insert breakdown due to fragmentation, plastic deformation, etc.


A digital circuit directs operation of a pulse width modulation or pulse frequency modulation controller varying its control between closed loop and open loop topology. An exemplary control plant could embody a step-down switch mode power supply providing a precise sequence of voltages or currents to any of a variety of loads such as the core voltage of a semiconductor unique compared to its input/output ring voltage. A state machine monitors pulse width or pulse frequency from the pulse width modulation or pulse frequency modulation controller, respectively, while either type of controller operates in its closed loop topology, to determine if the present power state of the system matches the predicted load as characterized from a predetermined model used in conjunction with design automation tools. The state machine averages pulse widths or pulse frequencies monitored in the closed loop topology. If the average deviates from the predicted pulse width or pulse frequency for the present power state, the state machine updates a corresponding value in a table of pulse width or pulse frequency values from which an open loop controller applying pulse width modulation or pulse frequency modulation, respectively, generates a near critical damped step response during system power state transitions or maintains a maximally flat voltage during system current transients.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is generally in the field of switch mode power supply control systems. More specifically, the present invention is in the field of combining open loop and closed loop pulse width modulation or pulse frequency modulation control operating within a digital control system for a power supply.
2. Background Art
Many years of research in switch mode power supply controller design have lead to a multitude of schemes that exist within the topology of closed loop control systems. The inventor of the present invention has recently invented power supply control systems that comprise both open loop and optionally, closed loop topology. For instance, the invention of U.S. Pat. No. 6,940,189 teaches open loop control based on pulse width modulation or pulse frequency modulation derived from comparing a frequency dividing clock counter value to a table of values corresponding to the present power state of the system under control based on predetermined characterization data of the system. Having predetermined characterization data affords the designer the opportunity to implement an open loop topology of precise control that also saves component cost and reduce circuit cost and complexity. Additionally, the specification of U.S. Pat. No. 6,940,189 also describes binary input pads into the controller availing means of offsetting the entries in the table and thus providing closed loop control based on empirical data. Furthermore, the inventions described in World Intellectual Property Organization Publications numbered WO 2008/048865 A2 and WO 2008/060850 A2 teach structures and methods of implementing pulse width modulation control systems generating pulse sequences that provide a near critical damped step response and maintain a maximally flat voltage during current transients in such systems respectively. The specification in the World Intellectual Property Organization Publication numbered WO 2008/048865 A2 explicitly illustrates such a system fixed in both open loop and closed loop topologies.
There exists a multitude of switch mode power supply control systems comprising closed loop topology, each offering unique advantages such as proprietary or public domain design concepts reducing cost of design implementation, design reuse, and design sustaining, thus reducing cost of market entry and time-to-market to each purveyor of such proprietary or public domain designs. Most of these designs likely satisfactorily meet the requirements of precise steady state voltage regulation in environments subject to stochastic variation such as temperature drift necessitating closed loop topology control systems. However, these proprietary or public domain closed loop control system designs could achieve higher energy efficiency or lower component cost if, during most of the steady state operation, the components comprising the feedback and/or feed forward loops could be powered-down, or shared amongst other controllers powering other voltage domains. Furthermore, these proprietary or public domain closed loop control system designs would benefit from the assurance of attaining a critical damped step response during a power state transition of the system under control. Attaining a critical damped step response assures the fastest possible response time when providing power to loads typically requiring precise voltage regulation such as semiconductor cores, typically tolerating voltage excursions of five percent or less beyond their given set-point. For instance, a practical benefit of meeting the fastest possible response time thus allows such devices to go into sleep mode quicker and more often, and of course, come out of sleep mode faster, an optimal means to reduce costs and enhance power efficiency of the total system-on-chip solution.
Therefore, there exists a need for a structure which combines the benefits of proprietary or public domain closed loop topology power supply control systems for steady state operation while attaining the high power efficiency of an open loop structure generating a near critical damped step response during system power state transitions and/or maintaining a maximally flat voltage during current transients.

Control multiplexor for a switch mode power supply


A zoom lens including at least two lens units of which the front one is of positive refractive power and the rear one is of negative refractive power, the units being axially movable to decrease their separation in zooming from the wide angle to the telephoto end. At least one of the lens units is provided with at least one refractive index distribution type lens arranged on a common optical axis of the other lenses in order to achieve a great advance in compactness.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to zoom lenses, and more particularly to zoom lenses having general configuration of the telephoto type.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The recent trend of reducing the size of cameras is accompanied with increasing demands for small-sized zoom lenses of short total length. Even in the field of lens shutter cameras whose lenses are not interchangeable, the desire that such lenses are also of the zoom type is becoming stronger. What is more popular with the recent public than, for example, the single lens reflex camera which, though its lens being interchangeable, is bulky and incovenient to carry about, is one whose size is compact enough to be put into a pocket of the user's clothing without hurting the user when he carries it about.
To meet such a requirement, there has been proposed a zoom lens whose every lens element is made of homogeneous material or glass, and which comprises a first lens unit by positive power followed rearwardly of a second lens unit of negative power, these two units being moved axially in differential relation to effect zooming, as, for example, disclosed in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. SHO 57-201213.
However, in the case of the aforesaid configuration, in order to shorten the zoom lens in the longitudinal and lateral directions, one method is to strengthen the power of each lens unit. If so, variation of aberrations with zooming is caused to intensify. To minimize the range of variation of aberrations, the total number of lens elements may be increased to suppress the production of aberrations. But this calls for a large increase in the physical length of the zoom lens. Conversely when the power is weakened to maintain the aberrations stable throughout the zooming range, an alternative problem arises that the total zooming movement of each unit must be increased in contradistinction to the minimization of the size of the entire system.
Another problem of the 2-unit zoom lens is that, as compared with the orthodox zoom lens having four lens units or the focusing unit, variator, compensator and relay lens arranged in this order from front, the degree of convergence of light rays emerging from the positive first lens unit tends to be far higher. For this reason, the focal length of the first lens unit must be made equal to or shorter than the shortest focal length of the entire system. Or otherwise it would be very difficult to realize the desired compact zoom lens. Such increase in the refractive power of the first lens unit causes the Petzval sum to take a large positive value. For the focal lengths of the entire system to have desired values, the refractive power of the rear lens unit has to be increased in the negative sense. Therefore, it becomes more difficult to achieve good stability of aberration correction throughout the entire zooming range.


An intake and plucking arrangement comprises a rotatable intake device that grasps a standing plant and directs it to a plucking gap. The plucking gap is located above parallel first and second stalk rolls that pull the stalk of the plant downwardly so that the plucking gap can separate the useful parts of the plant from the stalk. The upstream end of the first stalk roll is provided with a lower screw conveyor. A conveyor element is drivingly connected to the screw conveyor. The conveying element comprises an upper screw conveyor that is located above the lower screw conveyor. Both screw conveyors are located upstream from and above the inlet end of the plucking slot. The conveying element working in conjunction with the rotatable intake device direct standing plants into the plucking slot.

DE 197 34 747 A describes a corn harvesting implement for attachment to a self-propelled harvesting machine that mows plants standing on a field independent of rows and plucks the ears of corn from the plants. For grasping and mowing of the plants independent of rows, the implement is equipped with a mower head with a rotating drum provided on its outer circumference with recesses and a knife rotating below it, as is known practice from corn heads. The plants are conducted to conventional plucking assemblies attached downstream of the mower head. Clean-up disks or points of the plucking rolls penetrating into the operating area of the mower head are provided, in order to remove the plants that are to be processed from the mower head and to conduct them to the plucking assembly. The ears of corn that have been removed from the plants are transported away by two chain conveyors arranged above the plucking slot. The disadvantage here is seen in the fact that the transition of overripe and soft stalks into the plucking assembly may prove to be problematic.


Word lines of a NAND flash memory array are formed by concentric, rectangular shaped, closed loops that have a width of approximately half the minimum feature size of the patterning process used. The resulting circuits have word lines linked together so that peripheral circuits are shared. Separate erase blocks are established by shield plates.

This invention relates to flash memory arrays and in particular to the structures of flash memory arrays and methods of forming them.
All patents, patent applications, publications and other references cited in the present application are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.
There are many commercially successful nonvolatile memory products being used today, particularly in the form of small form factor cards, which use an array of flash EEPROM (Electrically Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory) cells. Such cards may be interfaced with a host, for example, by removably inserting a card into a card slot in a host. Some of the commercially available cards are CompactFlash™ (CF) cards, MultiMedia cards (MMC), Secure Digital (SD) cards, Smart Media cards, personnel tags (P-Tag) and Memory Stick cards. Hosts include personal computers, notebook computers, personal digital assistants (PDAs), various data communication devices, digital cameras, cellular telephones, portable audio players, automobile sound systems, and similar types of equipment. In an alternative arrangement to the separate card and host described above, in some examples a memory system is permanently connected to a host providing an embedded memory that is dedicated to the host.
An example of a prior art memory system 100 is generally illustrated in the block diagram of FIG. 1. A large number of individually addressable memory cells are arranged in a regular array 110 of rows and columns, although other physical arrangements of cells are certainly possible. Bit lines, designated herein to extend along columns of the array 110, are electrically connected with a bit line decoder and driver circuit 130 through lines 150. Word lines, which are designated in this description to extend along rows of the array 110, are electrically connected through lines 170 to a word line decoder and driver circuit 190. Each of the decoders 130 and 190 receives memory cell addresses over a bus 160 from a memory controller 180. The decoder and driving circuits are also connected to the controller 180 over respective control and status signal lines 135 and 195.
The controller 180 is connectable through lines 140 to a host device (not shown). The host may be a personal computer, notebook computer, digital camera, audio player, various other hand held electronic devices, and the like. The memory system 100 of FIG. 1 will commonly be implemented in a card according to one of several existing physical and electrical standards, such as one from the PCMCIA, the CompactFlash™ Association, the MMC™ Association, and others. When in a card format, the lines 140 terminate in a connector on the card that interfaces with a complementary connector of the host device. The electrical interface of many cards follows the ATA standard, wherein the memory system appears to the host as if it was a magnetic disk drive. Other memory card interface standards also exist. In some systems, a memory card may not have a controller and the functions of the controller may be carried out by the host. As an alternative to the card format, a memory system of the type shown in FIG. 1 may be permanently embedded in the host device.
The decoder and driver circuits 130 and 190 generate appropriate voltages in their respective lines of the array 110, as addressed over the bus 160, according to control signals in respective control and status lines 135 and 195, to execute programming, reading and erasing functions. Any status signals, including voltage levels and other array parameters, are provided by the array 110 to the controller 180 over the same control and status lines 135 and 195. A plurality of sense amplifiers within the circuit 130 receive current or voltage levels that are indicative of the states of addressed memory cells within the array 110, and provides the controller 180 with information about those states over lines 145 during a read operation. A large number of sense amplifiers are usually used in order to be able to read the states of a large number of memory cells in parallel. During reading and program operations, one row of cells is typically addressed at a time through the circuits 190 for accessing a number of cells in the addressed row that are selected by the circuit 130. During an erase operation, all cells in each of many rows are typically addressed together as a block for simultaneous erasure.
Two general memory cell array architectures have found commercial application, NOR and NAND. In a typical NOR array, memory cells are connected between adjacent bit line source and drain diffusions that extend in a column direction with control gates connected to word lines extending along rows of cells. A memory cell includes at least one storage element positioned over at least a portion of the cell channel region between the source and drain. A programmed level of charge on the storage elements thus controls an operating characteristic of the cells, which can then be read by applying appropriate voltages to the addressed memory cells. Examples of such cells, their uses in memory systems and methods of manufacturing them are given in the following U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,070,032; 5,095,344; 5,313,421; 5,315,541; 5,343,063; 5,661,053 and 6,222,762. These patents, along with all other patents, patent applications and other publications referred to in this application are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety for all purposes.
In a NAND array series strings of more than two memory cells, such as 16 or 32, are connected along with one or more select transistors between individual bit lines and a reference potential to form columns of cells. Word lines extend across cells within a large number of these columns. An individual cell within a column is read and verified during programming by causing the remaining cells in the string to be turned on hard so that the current flowing through a string is dependent upon the level of charge stored in the addressed cell. An example of a NAND architecture array and its operation as part of a memory system is found in the following U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,570,315; 5,774,397; 6,046,935 and 6,522,580. NAND memory devices have been found to be particularly suitable for mass storage applications such as those using removable memory cards.
FIG. 2A shows a portion of EEPROM cell array 110 of FIG. 1 having a NAND structure. Only a small portion of the repetitive structure is shown. NAND strings of memory cells are formed extending in the Y-direction. NAND strings include implanted source/drain regions that connect individual memory cells. A memory cell includes a floating gate overlying a channel region in the substrate. A series of word lines, WL0-WL3 extend across the memory array in the X-direction and overlie floating gates of memory cells of different strings. In addition, select gate lines (SSL, DSL) extend in the X-direction at either end of the NAND strings and overlie portions of the substrate to form select gates of select transistors that control the connection of NAND strings to memory control circuits. At one end of the NAND strings, a common source line (not shown) connects to each of the NAND strings. At the other end of the NAND strings, connections are made to bit lines (not shown). In a typical NAND memory array, NAND strings that share word lines and select lines form a block in the memory array that is erased as a unit. A typical string may include many memory cells, with 8, 16, 32 or more memory cells in a string being common. Thus, a typical block may have 32 or more word lines extending across the NAND strings of the block. A block may have thousands of strings that are spaced apart in the X-direction. FIG. 2B shows a circuit diagram for the physical structure of FIG. 2A. FIG. 2B includes the common source line connecting the NAND strings at one end. NAND strings are shown extending between bit line connections and common source connections with select transistors controlling these connections.
FIG. 2C shows a cross sectional view of a NAND string of FIG. 2A (indicated by A-A in FIG. 2A). FIG. 2C more clearly shows the structure of individual memory cells having a floating gate (FG) formed from a first polysilicon layer (P1) and a control gate (CG) formed from a second polysilicon layer (P2). The control gate is formed by a portion of a word line that overlies a floating gate. In between a floating gate and a control gate is a dielectric layer 19. In addition, FIG. 2C shows implanted source/drain regions connecting adjacent cells in the NAND string. A gate dielectric layer is shown insulating floating gates from the substrate. Metal bit line contact and source contact are shown at either end of the NAND string. A source select transistor and a drain select transistor are shown having portions of both first polysilicon layer P1 and second polysilicon layer P2. For select transistors, these two layers are connected together so that no floating gate is formed. Alternatively, a single polysilicon layer may be used to form select gates.
The charge storage elements of current flash EEPROM arrays, as discussed in the foregoing referenced patents, are most commonly electrically conductive floating gates, typically formed from conductively doped polysilicon material. An alternate type of memory cell useful in flash EEPROM systems utilizes a non-conductive dielectric material in place of the conductive floating gate to store charge in a non-volatile manner. A triple layer dielectric formed of silicon dioxide, silicon nitride and silicon oxide (ONO) is sandwiched between a conductive control gate and a surface of a semi-conductive substrate above the memory cell channel. The cell is programmed by injecting electrons from the cell channel into the nitride, where they are trapped and stored in a limited region, and erased by injecting hot holes into the nitride. Several specific cell structures and arrays employing dielectric storage elements and are described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,925,007. Thus, while examples given in the present application may refer to floating gates, other charge storage structures may also be used. The present application is not limited to a particular charge storage structure.
As in most integrated circuit applications, the pressure to shrink the silicon substrate area required to implement some integrated circuit function also exists with flash EEPROM systems. It is continually desired to increase the amount of digital data that can be stored in a given area of a silicon substrate, in order to increase the storage capacity of a given size memory card and other types of packages, or to both increase capacity and decrease size. One way to increase the storage density of data is to store more than one bit of data per memory cell. This is accomplished by dividing a window of a floating gate charge level voltage range into more than two states. The use of four such states allows each cell to store two bits of data, eight states stores three bits of data per cell, and so on. A multiple state flash EEPROM structure and operation is described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,043,940 and 5,172,338, which patents are incorporated herein by this reference.
Increased data density can also be achieved by reducing the physical size of the memory cells and/or the overall array. Shrinking the size of integrated circuits is commonly performed for all types of circuits as processing techniques improve over time to permit implementing smaller feature sizes. But there are usually limits of how far a given circuit layout can be shrunk in this manner, since there is often at least one feature that is limited as to how much it can be shrunk. When this happens, designers will turn to a new or different layout or architecture of the circuit being implemented in order to reduce the amount of silicon area required to perform its functions. The shrinking of the above-described flash EEPROM integrated circuit systems can reach such limits.
One way to form small cells is to use a self-aligned Shallow Trench Isolation (STI) technique. This uses STI structures to isolate adjacent strings of floating gate cells such as those of NAND type memory arrays. According to this technique, a gate dielectric (tunnel dielectric) layer and floating gate polysilicon layer are formed first. Next, STI structures are formed by etching the gate dielectric and floating gate polysilicon layers and the underlying substrate to form trenches. These trenches are then filled with a suitable material (such as oxide) to form STI structures. The portions of the gate dielectric and floating gate polysilicon layers between STI structures are defined by the STI structures and are therefore considered to be self-aligned to the STI structures. Typically, the STI structures have a width that is equal to the minimum feature size that can be produced with the processing technology used. STI structures are also generally spaced apart by the minimum feature size. Thus, the portions of the gate dielectric and floating gate polysilicon layers between STI regions may also have a width that is equal to the minimum feature size. The strips of floating gate polysilicon are further formed into individual floating gates in later steps.
Another way to form small cells is to reduce the size of the features. However, lithographic processes used to establish the dimensions of devices are generally limited by some minimum feature size. Memory cells are generally designed to have dimensions that are equal to this minimum feature size (F). Thus, in FIG. 2A, the width of NAND strings and the separation between adjacent NAND strings is approximately F. Also, the width of the word lines and separation between adjacent word lines is approximately F. In one technique, sidewall spacers are grown that are narrower than F and used to form word lines that are narrower than F. An example of such a technique is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,888,755.
While memory cells within a memory array may be scaled down in size using various techniques (including providing features that are smaller than the minimum feature size), peripheral circuits may not always be so easily scaled. Peripheral circuits include various circuits that are on the same substrate as a memory array and are used to manage the memory array. Examples of peripheral devices include word line decoder and driver circuits and bit line decoder and driver circuits. Peripheral circuits may have to withstand relatively large voltages so that they require relatively thick dielectric layers and relatively large device sizes. Because such peripheral circuits are not generally scaled down in size in proportion to the memory array, these peripheral circuits come to occupy an undesirably large area on a substrate.


A method and system for monitoring at least one reciprocating machine having a crankshaft and at least one cylinder, comprising providing at least one sensor for monitoring the at least one cylinder, the sensor being in communication with at least one processor configured to measure at least one signal from the at least one sensor and to thereby determine an angular position of the crankshaft; selecting at least one subset of potential crankshaft angular positions; calculating at least one statistic associated with the at least one subset of possible crankshaft angular positions based at least partially on data from the at least one sensor; and automatically providing a user with at least one warning or automatically shutting down the machine if the at least one statistic exceeds at least one predetermined threshold; wherein, the at least one sensor comprises at least one acoustic emission sensor.

Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to diagnostic systems for reciprocating machinery. More specifically, the present invention relates to monitoring systems for reciprocating compressors used in the transportation of gasses and/or liquids.
Description of Related Art
Large internal combustion engines are frequently used to drive multi-cylinder compressors and other reciprocating machines used in the transportation of fluids such as natural gas, oil, various other fossil fuels, or industrial chemicals. Particularly in the natural gas industry, large fleets of such multi-cylinder engine compressor sets may be spread out among a substantial number of wells.
Many such industries do not employ maintenance engineers full-time, as this can be costly, and the downside of this is that when a compressor failure occurs, an unscheduled shutdown is required until a maintenance engineer resolves the issue. This can lead to long downtimes, as appointments need to be scheduled and parts may need to be ordered, and in many cases this disturbs the flow of production. Unscheduled shut-downs can be drastically reduced if reciprocating machine faults are identified before a failure occurs.
Additionally, identifying and warning operators of reciprocating machinery anomalies can be a valuable tool to increase machine life. Particularly, warning operators of such problems can help to maintain high availability, reduce operating costs, and optimize capital expenditure with regard to reciprocating machinery. However, especially in fields that utilize large fleets of reciprocating machinery, plant managers and engineers responsible for compressors operating at their facilities often receive large amounts of data that is difficult to manage.
While there are a number of monitoring systems available to the compressor industry, they are generally costly to install and maintain or require specialist manpower to collect, process, and analyze data. Further, many of these monitoring systems do not include specific enough data analysis such that an experienced engineer is able to understand the nature of the fault that is likely to occur in addition to the possible future presence of a fault in general.

Reciprocating machinery monitoring system and method


The present embodiments provide apparatus and methods suitable for removing lymph nodes or providing a tissue anchor during a translumenal procedure. In one embodiment, an apparatus suitable for facilitating removal of a lymph node comprises an expandable device including at least one deployable member having contracted and expanded states. The deployable member may be delivered in the contacted state to a location distal to the lymph node using an insertion tool adapted to be disposed beyond the lymph node. In the expanded state, the deployable member comprises a configuration sized to at least partially circumferentially surround and engage the lymph node. In an alternative embodiment, the deployable member may anchor into an outer portion of a visceral wall to promote stabilization of a system during a medical procedure.

The present embodiments relate generally to medical devices, and more particularly, apparatus and methods suitable for removing lymph nodes or providing a tissue anchor during a translumenal medical procedure.
Translumenal procedures generally encompass the formation of perforations in visceral walls to gain access to adjacent structures of the body. For example, culdoscopy was developed over 70 years ago, and involves transvaginally accessing the peritoneal cavity by forming a perforation in the cul de sac. This access to the peritoneal cavity allows medical professionals to visually inspect numerous anatomical structures, as well as perform various procedures such as biopsies or other operations. Many translumenal procedures for gaining access to different body cavities using other bodily lumens have also been developed. Generally, each of the translumenal procedures require the use of several different medical instruments, such as a cutting instrument to form the perforation, an endoscope or other visualizing device to inspect the area or otherwise perform some procedure, and then a closure instrument to close the perforation.
Relatively recent attempts have focused on the translumenal removal of lymph nodes. See Fritscher-Ravens, et al., "Endoscopic Transgastric Lymphadenectomy Using Endoscopic Ultrasound For Selection and Guidance," Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, Vol. 63, Issue 2, pp. 302-306 (2006). In this article, selected lymph nodes were punctured with a 19-gauge Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS) needle. A metal anchor with thread, loaded onto the needle, was placed across the lymph node to pull the node toward the stomach. After gastric-wall dissection with a needle knife at the point of emergence of the thread, the nodes were removed by pulling on the thread and the anchor. The gastric incision then was closed with an endoscopic suturing system.
While the above-referenced article provides a foundation for translumenal removal of lymph nodes, it is an emerging approach and merits the development of new and improved techniques.

Apparatus and methods for removing lymph nodes or anchoring into tissue during a translumenal procedure


Embodiments relate to a semiconductor device and a manufacturing method thereof. In embodiments, the semiconductor device may include a semiconductor substrate formed thereon with a first metal line, a PMD (pre metal dielectric) layer formed on the semiconductor substrate and having first and second contact holes, a first metal layer formed in the first contact hole; a second metal layer formed in the second contact hole, and a second metal line formed on the PMD layer and connected to the first and second metal layers, respectively.

In semiconductor devices, a metal interconnection may be connected to an upper portion of a metal line formed on a semiconductor substrate, and may apply an electric signal to a semiconductor device. Such connection may be achieved through a contact hole.
In a multi-layered interconnection structure, metal interconnection layers and insulating layers may alternately be formed on the semiconductor substrate. Metal interconnection layers, which may be isolated from each other by the insulating layers, may be electrically connected to each other, for example through via holes so that circuits can be operated.
A related art method of forming a metal interconnection of a semiconductor device will be described with reference to accompanying drawings.
FIGS. 1A to 1F are example sectional diagrams illustrating a related art procedure for forming the metal interconnection of a semiconductor device.
Referring to FIG. 1A, first metal line 4 may be formed on semiconductor substrate 2 including a structure (not shown) formed through a known semiconductor manufacturing process. Pre-metal dielectric (PMD) layer 6 may be formed on a surface, for example the entire top surface, of semiconductor substrate 2 including first metal line 4. PMD layer 6 may be planarized, for example through a chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) process.
Referring to FIG. 1B, a photoresist film may be coated on PMD layer 6, and then subjected to an exposure and development process. Photoresist film pattern 8 that may expose a prescribed portion of PMD layer 6 may thereby be formed.
Referring to FIG. 1C, exposed PMD layer 6 may be dry-etched by, for example using photoresist film pattern 8 as a mask. Contact hole 10 may thereby be formed, which may expose a part of metal line 4. Photoresist layer pattern 8 may then be removed.
Referring to FIG. 1D, barrier metal layer 12 may be shallowly deposited on an entire surface of a PMD layer 6a including an inner wall of contact hole 10. Metal layer 14 may be formed on barrier metal layer 12 in such a manner that contact hole 10 may be filled with metal layer 14.
Referring to FIG. 1E, barrier metal layer 12 and metal layer 14 may be planarized through the CMP process until a surface of PMD layer 6a is exposed.
Referring to FIG. 1F, second metal line pattern 16 may be formed on PMD layer 6a, barrier metal layer 12a, and metal layer 14a. The metal interconnection of a semiconductor device may thereby be formed.
A related art semiconductor and related methods may have various problems. For example, when forming a metal interconnection of the semiconductor device according to the related art, since the metal interconnection of the semiconductor device may be formed according to a predetermined design, a number of metal interconnections may need to be increased to operate the semiconductor device under a high voltage level as may be required by a user. Such an increase of the metal interconnections may raise a failure rate of a semiconductor device.
In addition, since the metal interconnections of a related art semiconductor device may be formed according to a predetermined design, it may be difficult to manufacture semiconductor devices that may be required by each individual user.

Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing same


A safety needle device includes a barrel having an inside surface defining a chamber and an open proximal end. A distal end includes a needle cannula attached thereto. The needle cannula includes a distal tip and a lumen therethrough in fluid communication with the chamber. A needle guard is mounted on the barrel for movement relative to the barrel from a retracted position in which the needle guard does not materially obstruct access to the distal tip of the needle cannula and an extended position in which the needle guard obstructs access to the distal tip. The safety needle device includes structure for releasably retaining the needle guard in the retracted position and for locking the needle guard in the extended position. A safety indicator is provided on the distal end of the barrel for visually indicating that the needle guard is not in the locked extended position and an obscurement means is provided on the needle guard for obscuring or changing the appearance of the safety indicator when the needle guard is in the locked extended position.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to medical devices containing a needle cannula such as syringes, evacuated tube holders and the like. More particularly, the present invention relates to safety needle devices having self-contained safety shields which can be positioned to help prevent accidental contact with the needle point.
2. Description of Related Information
Generally speaking, a hypodermic syringe includes a cylindrical barrel, commonly made of thermoplastic material or glass, having a distal end connected to a sharpened needle cannula and a proximal end adapted to receive a stopper and plunger assembly.
In recent years there has developed an increased concern regarding the transfer of disease, infection or the like to syringe users and health-care professionals who accidentally stick themselves with hypodermic needles while disposing of used hypodermic syringe products. In many areas in a hospital, where needle cannula products are used, disposal bins are provided so that a syringe or other needle cannula product may be immediately discarded in a safe rigid container. However, there are areas of medical practice such as in emergency rooms, or other areas where disposal containers are not readily available or practical, where products having self-contained shielding devices are desirable. In theory, after the syringe is used to inject medication or for another purpose, a shield which surrounds the syringe barrel is advanced to an extended position and locked to prevent further contact with the sharp needle tip. The syringe, in this condition, can be safely transported to a disposal system.
Such a syringe is taught in U.S. Pat. No. 4,631,057 to Mitchell. This syringe contains a needle guard which is releasably retained in a retracted position, for allowing the syringe to be used for injection, and lockably retained in the extended position. To lock the needle guard in the extended position the user moves the needle guard axially distally along the syringe barrel until it snaps in the locked position. No further manipulation of the needle guard, such as rotation, is required.
A similar syringe is taught in U.S. Pat. No. 4,747,837 to Hauck. This patent teaches a syringe having a cylindrical sheath sleeve which can be advanced axially to a locked irreversible position which prevents further access to the needle cannula tip.
Other shielded syringe designs such as the syringe as taught in U.S. Pat. No. 4,998,920 to Johnson, U.S. Pat. No. 4,801,295 to Spencer and U.S. Pat. No. 5,053,018 to Talonn et al. allow the needle guard to be moved to a substantially fully extended position, through axial movement, without locking the needle guard. In this position, the syringe assembly appears to be safe, however, the needle guard can still be moved in a proximal direction to expose the sharp needle tip. These designs require an additional rotation of the needle guard, while the needle guard is fully extended, to place it in a locked position where it will not move proximally to expose the needle.
It can be seen, especially with designs requiring additional rotational movement of the needle guard to lock the needle guard in the extended position, that the syringe and needle guard assembly may appear to be safe to the user but the user can not be sure of its locked condition without carefully experimenting with the syringe assembly to determine its status.
Other safety needle devices such as evacuated blood collection tube holders are being designed to overcome the same problems that syringes face with respect to shielding and disposal. U.S. Pat. No. 4,871,355 to Kikkawa teaches an injury resistant needle and blood collection tube holder having an outer protective tube which is movable axially between the position where the needle protrudes for venipuncture to a position wherein the needle is housed entirely within the new protective tube.
A similar blood sampling device with shield is taught in U.S. Pat. No. 4,840,185 to Hernandez wherein a protective shield moves over helical grooves to permit longitudinal movement of the shield into positions which expose the needle for venipuncture or to enclose the needle and protect the user from accidental needle sticks.
Although the prior art teaches products which enhance the safety of needle device users by allowing the needle to be safely covered by a needle guard after use, there still exists a need for a simple, straight forward, reliable, easily fabricated safety needle device which provides the user with clear visual indication that the needle guard is in a locked safe position or that, even though the needle is covered by the needle guard, the needle guard is not in a locked safe position.

Needle device having safety indication features


A benzo-fused-heterocyclic elongated dye having a superior molecular hyperpolarizability and yet having an acceptably-low optical absorbance of light near 1550 nm in wavelength, which is an important optical communication band for telecommunication applications.

Over the last twenty years, notable advancements to the science and technology of organic second-order nonlinear optical (NLO) materials have been made [see for example: L. R. Dalton, P. A. Sullivan, D. H. Bale, Chem. Rev. 2010, 110, 23-55]. Organic NLO materials are especially useful in electro-optic (EO) modulators as the active optical waveguide component [see for example: "Hybrid cross-linkable polymer/sol-gel waveguide modulators with 0.65 V half wave voltage at 1550 nm," Y. Enami, D. Mathine, C. T. DeRose, and R. A. Norwood, J. Luo, A. K.-Y. Jen, N. Peyghambarian, Optical Materials 2011, 33, 1307-1315]. EO modulators are used, for example, to transduce information from an electrical signal to an optical signal that can travel, for example, on optical fibers. EO modulators change (modulate) the phase and amplitude of an optical carrier signal by means of changing (modulating) the index of refraction of the optical waveguide material. The transduction of information is accomplished by applying the voltage of an electrical signal (carrying the data to be transduced to the optical signal) across the active optical waveguide. The index of refraction of the NLO material (also called the EO material) is changed in proportion to the intensity of the applied electric field, thereby changing the phase of the optical signal and also making possible the construction of an optical amplitude modulator based on interferometry. The index of refraction change of the EO material is based on the second-order nonlinear optical response (also called a three-wave mixing response), and involves only electronic motions in the dye. Thus, a distinguishing property of the organic three-wave mixing NLO materials is that the frequency of modulating (or speed of changing) its index of refraction may exceed 100 gigahertz (or be less than 0.1 nanosecond).
The electro-optic (EO) coefficient (r33) is a well-known and useful figure-of-merit for comparing various NLO materials for use in EO modulators. The nomenclature "dye" and "chromophore" are used herein interchangeably. The dye is the key active component of the EO material. The dye has a long π-electron-conjugated backbone (also called the electronic conduit, and also called the charge-transfer conduit) that normally runs along the longest geometric axis of the dye. Dyes used in second-order NLO materials must be asymmetric, and they typically have an electron donor group on one end of the dye and an electron acceptor group on the other end of the dye. The magnitude of r33 for films of these of high-bandwidth organic-dye-based EO materials is largely determined by the product of three molecular parameters (see Equation 1):r33∝βNd<cos3(θ)>  Eq. (1)where β is the first molecular hyperpolarizability of the dye; Nd is the molar concentration of dyes (the number density), and <cos3(θ)> is the polar order parameter (polar alignment) of the ensemble of dyes.
One common method to increase the polar order of the dyes in a film is to apply a large voltage across a film that has been heated near or above its glass transition temperature (Tg). Under those conditions, the ground-state dipole moments of the dyes align with the applied poling field, then the film is cooled to ambient (well below Tg) before the poling field is removed, which freezes in the polar order. The film can also be crosslinked during poling to freeze in the polar order.
The method of Density Functional Theory (DFT) is a practical desk-top computational tool for predicting the relative changes in β as a function of specific changes in the chemical structure of the dye molecule. DFT calculations (theoretical calculations) of β can be performed using the Gaussian03 program as described in reference [Optical Materials 2011, 33, 1307-1315]. DFT calculations also predict the dipole moment of the dye (μ). The dipole moment of the dye (μ) is also a useful quantity for comparing dyes, because very large dipole moments can be detrimental if the dipole-dipole repulsion between neighboring dyes lowers the overall polar alignment. This normally occurs when the dyes are packed closely together at high concentrations, for example, at Nd>1019 dye molecules per cubic centimeter.
A distinguishing chemical structure of the here-to-for best-performing type of dye used in EO modulators is the phenylene-tetraenic π-electron-conjugated backbone. Each "ene" group in the polyene backbone of the dye includes two methine atoms linked by a double bond (the methine atoms are sp2 hybridized). An ene unit is also called a vinylene unit. One type of here-to-for best-performing dye includes the 4-aminophenyl-tetraene-tricyanofuran molecular framework, in which an isophorone unit is used to rigidify (or ring-lock) the tetraenic backbone. This type of dye is called the "phenylene-tetraenic" dye or "phenyl-tetraenic" dye herein. Examples of early publication are: U.S. Pat. No. 6,348,992 and Cheng Zhang and Larry R. Dalton, Min-Cheol Oh, Hua Zhang, and William H. Steier, Chem. Mater. 2001, 13, 3043-3050.
Another type of phenyl-tetraenic dye includes the 4-aminophenyl-(2,5-divinylene-heterocyclodiene)-tricyanofuran molecular framework. For example, see: X. Ma, F. Ma, Z. Zhao, N. Song, J. Zhang, J. Mater. Chem. 2010, 20, 2369-2380. These dyes are also considered here-to-fore among the best performing dyes for use in electro-optic modulators. Examples of heterocyclodienes are thiophene, pyrrole, thiazole and similar heterocyclic rings that include two ene groups. Thus, the 2,5-divinylene-thiophene is a tetraenic backbone unit.
A known strategy for increasing the β of organic dyes is to increase the length of the π-electron conjugated backbone (the electronic conduit) of the dye by adding another ene unit, for example, making the dye a pentaenic dye. However, increasing the length of the π-electron conjugated conduit of the well-known phenylene-tetraenic dyes has invariably resulted in dyes that exhibit increased and unacceptable optical absorption in the ˜1550 nm device operating window. This is because adding one more ene group extends the low-energy side of the electronic absorption envelop (the red tail). The problem arises when the red-tail wavelengths extends into and overlap with the 1550 nm optical carrier signal, which leads to unacceptable optical absorption loss. For the Mach-Zehnder modulator, the typical upper limit for acceptable optical propagation loss is ˜0.25 dB/mm, which also sets the upper limit on concentration of the dye in the film (and thus the upper limit on r33), which is a well-known trade-off. Furthermore, red-shifting of the tail of the electronic absorption spectrum to wavelengths greater than 1550 nm increases the rate of detrimental photo-chemical reactions. The near-infrared (NIR) attenuation caused by the dyes in an optical waveguide (at least for relative comparisons) can be estimated by measuring the optical absorption of a solution of known concentration of dye as a function of optical wavelength using a conventional ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectrometer.
Another known strategy for increasing the β of organic dyes is the incorporation of strong (relative to hydrogen) electron-withdrawing and strong (relative to hydrogen) electron-donating groups on the internal methines of large dyes. Methines are the sp2 carbons, and other hetero sp2 atoms, that make up the π-conjugated conduit of the dye. DFT computations have shown that β is usually enhanced when electron-withdrawing groups (W) are attached to even-numbered (e) internal methine carbons and electron-donating groups (D) are attached to odd-numbered (o) internal methines, the so-called eW/oD pattern. The methine numbering system for the dyes used herein is the same numbering system used in this reference: A. P. Chafin, G. A. Lindsay, J. Phys. Chem. C 2008, 112, 7829-7835.
Bulky, steric-hindering groups attached to the dye are needed to prevent aggregation and crystallization of large dyes at high loadings (at high concentrations). Attachment of large groups, such as t-butyldiphenylsiloxy, diphenylmethylsiloxy and similar-sized groups, to the ends and mid-section of the dye is a well-known method for improving solubility of the dyes. Attaching to the dye several linear or branched alkyl groups that include two to eight carbon atoms is also a well-known method for improving solubility of dyes. Such large groups are considered to be one type of "functionalized group," a terminology used herein.
It is to be understood that the foregoing is exemplary and explanatory only and are not to be viewed as being restrictive of the invention, as claimed. Further advantages of this invention will be apparent after a review of the following detailed description of the disclosed embodiments, which are illustrated schematically in the accompanying drawings and in the appended claims.
It is to be understood that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not to be viewed as being restrictive of the invention, as claimed. Further advantages of this invention will be apparent after a review of the following detailed description of the disclosed embodiments, which are illustrated schematically in the accompanying drawings and in the appended claims.

Benzo-fused heterocyclic chromophores for nonlinear optical devices

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