There is provided a block (100) comprising a front wall (110); a rear wall (130); first side wall (115); second side wall (120) opposed to said first side wall (115); an upper block planar surface (140); a lower block planar surface (141); wherein said first side wall (115) and said second side wall (120) extend from said front wall (110) to said rear wall (130) to define a central through core (150) extending through the block (100) from said upper block surface (140) to said lower block surface (141), said core (150) having a front upper rim and a first front corner at the plane of said upper block surface, proximate intersection of said first side wall and said front wall; a first lug which extends downwardly from said lower block surface adjacent said first side wall, and has (i) a flat side portion flush with said first side wall and (ii) a front portion which joint said first lug side surface at an angle of 90xc2x0 or less.

This invention relates to mortarless wall constructions and blocks therefor, particularly suitable to act as retaining walls to secure embankments and terraces.
To secure earth embankments against sliding and slumping, the retaining wall industry knows various interlocking and mortarless systems.
Interlock mechanisms which involve pins and sockets, require close supervision by the labourers and the omission of even one pin may compromise the structural integrity of a course of blocks and thereby the entire wall. Also, these pin and sockets mechanisms do not permit significant lateral movement of blocks for working around curves in the embankment.
For large embankments (such as those found near highways), the blocks must be large. Known blocks are solid (i.e. no through core), typically measure in the order of 5xe2x80x2xc3x972xc2xdxe2x80x2xc3x972xc2xdxe2x80x2 and weigh in the order of 5000 lbs. They are interlocked by large right-angled lugs and corresponding sockets, which severely restricts the ability to create non-90xc2x0 concave or convex curve wall portions in response to the embankment profile.
For the purposes of this invention, the following definitions will be employed. xe2x80x9cBatterxe2x80x9d is the apparent inclination, from vertical, of the wall face. A xe2x80x9chalf-bondxe2x80x9d is the relationship or pattern created by stacking units so that the vertical joints are offset one half unit from the course below. For orientation, xe2x80x9cconvexxe2x80x9d, xe2x80x9cconcavexe2x80x9d, xe2x80x9cleftxe2x80x9d, xe2x80x9crightxe2x80x9d are determined from the point of view of a viewer facing the front face of the block or wall portion. xe2x80x9cLateralxe2x80x9d means along the longitudinal axis of the block or course of blocks, parallel to the front face. xe2x80x9cFillerxe2x80x9d is free draining granular material like crushed, angular rock pieces of perhaps xc2xdxe2x80x3 or xc2xexe2x80x3 size.
There is provided a block comprising a front wall; a rear wall; first side wall; second side wall opposed to said first side wall; an upper block planar surface; a lower block planar surface; wherein said first side wall and said second side wall extend from said front wall to said rear wall to define a central through core extending through the block from said upper block surface to said lower block surface, said core having a front upper rim and a first front corner at the plane of said upper block surface, proximate intersection of said first side wall and said front wall; a first lug which extends downwardly from said lower block surface adjacent said first side wall, and has (i) a flat side portion flush with said first side wall and (ii) a front portion which joins said first lug side surface at an angle of 90xc2x0 or less.


A zoom lens includes, in order from its object side, a first lens unit having a negative refracting power, a second lens unit having a positive refracting power, and a third lens unit having a refracting power. During zooming from the wide angle end to the telephoto end, the distance between the first lens unit and the second lens unit decreases, the distance between the second lens unit and the third lens unit changes. The first lens unit includes, in order from the object side, a first lens element, which is a negative lens element, and a second lens element, which is a positive lens element. The negative lens element and the positive lens element satisfy specific conditions.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a zoom lens. The present invention further relates to an image pickup apparatus such as a digital camera equipped with a zoom lens.
2. Description of the Related Art
In recent years, digital cameras have replaced film cameras to become the mainstream in the technical field of the image pickup apparatus. Digital cameras have image pickup areas that are generally smaller in size than those of film cameras, and therefore a reduction in the size of digital cameras can be achieved more easily. Nowadays, since there is the trend that a higher importance is placed on the portability as compared to the past, the sizes of digital cameras have been made smaller.
Furthermore, since users of digital cameras wish to enjoy easy shooting in both indoor and outdoor shooting situations, increases in the angle of view and increases in the zoom ratio of zoom lenses used as the optical systems of digital cameras are needed. Various zoom lens have been developed in the past with a view to achieve a smallness in size, a wide angle of view, and a high zoom ratio.
For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 2008-46529 and 2007-179015 disclose negative-front type zoom lenses that have a lens unit having a negative refracting power disposed closest to the object side. This type of zoom lens is advantageous in achieving a large angle of view at the wide angle end, and advantageous also in reducing the overall size of the zoom lens because the size of the lens unit closest to the object side can be made small.
On the other hand, in order to achieve a further increase in the zoom ratio, a further inventive design is needed. In the cases of the zoom lenses disclosed in the aforementioned Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 2008-46529 and 2007-179015, the refractive index of the positive lens in the first lens unit is low, and it cannot provide a sufficiently high positive refracting power. Otherwise, the positive, lens in the first lens unit may need to have a high refractive index, which requires use of a material, such as diamond, that is low in availability and very hard to process.
Furthermore, since the negative lens in the first lens unit in these zoom lenses has a meniscus shape, if a further increase in the zoom ratio and/or angle of view is to be achieved, one surface of the negative lens in the first lens unit needs to have a strong negative refracting power, which is likely to lead particularly to increases in off-axis aberrations.

Zoom lens and image pickup apparatus equipped with same


The camera support base of the invention is designed to meet the need for a stable, lightweight, compact, economical fixture that can be removably affixed to a photographic camera to safely support the camera when it is set down out-of-hand. A preferred basic design of the camera support base comprises a three legged device that assumes the overall general shape of a “T”, having a flat horizontal top portion or plate bisected by a flat perpendicular vertical portion in the same plane. The widths of the top portion and the vertical portion can be the same or different with a width wide enough at the juncture of the two portions to assure contact with the bottom part of a camera sufficient to support the camera and secure it to the base.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a removable base to securely attach to and support a photographic camera that prevents the camera from tipping or falling with consequential damage when not in use.
2. Description of the Related Art
Candid camera enthusiasts, both hobbyists and professionals, have long felt the need for a means to support and protect their camera when it has been put aside for a moment to attend to other equipment or subject matters. When out of the hands of the photographer, the shape of most cameras produces an uneven distribution in weight, which enhances the tendency for the camera to tip over or roll over, even when laid on flat surfaces. Often, damage to the camera, particularly the lens, can result. In the world of camera equipment there are support bases of many types, especially the ubiquitous tripod, that can adjust to different heights and safely secure the camera in most instances. But these base supports are bulky, expensive, or just unable to serve the needs of a casual, momentary, camera set aside by the photographer. Were a camera always attached to a tripod, there would be no need for any additional base. However, even when the camera is attached to a tripod, the camera frequently must be laid out-of-hand during a photographic session. Just as frequently, the camera, especially high end cameras, are usually supporting several attachments, such as flash equipment, telescopic lens and the like, that make the camera an awkward ensemble and vulnerable to accidental damage if laid aside without extra care.
While there is a need for a light, unobtrusive, inexpensive and convenient camera support base to overcome the foregoing problems, a successful camera support base must also be able to accommodate a wide variety of camera brands, types, shapes and sizes. Photographers, particularly hobbyists and professionals, often carry more than one type of camera with them, plus assorted attachments. It is impracticable for them to also carry camera support bases specifically designed for every situation. It is more preferable, by far, for a single camera support base to be adaptable as a support for a wide range of photographic equipment.
Referring to U.S. Pat. No. 6,776,539, a camera bracket is described for use with a camera and flash unit. The bracket has a base support member and a vertical support member configured to accommodate and engage with a flash unit. The bracket has a handle member to-support the bracket that allows the photographer to support the assembly to take a horizontal photograph. The bracket of the patent is large and intended to aid in the support and use of a flash unit.
The above patent fails to describe the instant invention as claimed. Thus, a camera support base solving the aforementioned problems is desired.


An ostomy bag has a non-adhesive filter formed by a carbon fabric disc with impermeable layers on the front and back surfaces. The front layer has a central aperture whereas the rear layer is imperforate. The filter is releasably secured to an adhesive area around a vent opening of the bag with the aperture aligned with the opening so that gas can flow into the filter and radially outwards. The filter be peeled off and reversed to block escape of gas from the opening.

This invention relates to medico-surgical collection bags.
The invention is more particularly concerned with filtered bags, such as ostomy bags.
An ostomy bag comprises a bag of flexible plastics material sealed around its edge and having an opening in one face which, in use, is secured around the user's stoma so that discharged material enters the bag. The most convenient way of attaching the bag to the patient is by means of an adhesive region around the bag opening which adheres directly either to the patient's skin or to the front of a separate patient fitment which is secured to the skin. In GB2213728 there is described a bag in which a flange with an adhesive surface is secured to the inside surface of a wall of the bag around its opening, and in which the opening in the wall exposes adhesive on the flange. An external flange is secured to the exposed adhesive region and this is used to secure the bag to the patient. In GB 2247840 there is described a two-part bag assembly in which the bag is adhered to a separate patient fitment.
It is common practice for such bags to have a filtered vent to allow for the escape of gas from the bag, the filter reducing the transmission of ordors. Preferably, the vent should be capable of being completely sealed so that a cushion of gas can be trapped in the bag. This is sometimes necessary to prevent the accumulation of faeces around the stoma and to keep the front wall of the bag away from the stoma to reduce irritation of the stoma.

Smiths Industries Public Limited Company


A method is provided that includes forming a trench isolation structure in a dynamic random memory region (DRAM) of a substrate and patterning an etch mask over the trench structure to expose a portion of the trench structure. A portion of the exposed trench structure is removed to form a gate trench that includes a first corner formed by the substrate and a second corner formed by the trench structure. The etch mask is removed and the first corner of the gate trench is rounded to form a rounded corner. This is followed by the formation of an oxide layer over a sidewall of the gate trench, the first rounded corner, and the semiconductor substrate adjacent the gate trench. The trench is filled with a gate material.

Memory capacity and the demand for that memory for electronic devices of all types have grown explosively as performance requirements for electronic devices as increased. One way in which memory capacity has been increased is through the use of dynamic random access memory (DRAM). Typical DRAM storage cells are created comprising one single Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor Field-Effect-Transistor (MOSFET) and a single capacitor, this DRAM storage cell is commonly referred to as a 1 T-RAM device. The 1 T-RAM device stores one bit of data on the capacitor as an electrical charge.
Optimization of semiconductor devices continues to be an important goal for the semiconductor industry. The continued miniaturization of semiconductor devices, such as DRAM, presents ongoing challenges to semiconductor manufacturers in maintaining or improving that optimization. As performance requirements have continued to increase, leakage concerns within DRAM areas of semiconductor devices has become a point of focus for the industry.

Method to reduce trench capacitor leakage for random access memory device


A method and apparatus are provided for processing a message from a patient for one of a plurality of physicians through a web site. The method includes the steps of providing one or more web pages to the patient from the web site containing indicia of identity for each physician of the plurality of physicians and detecting selection by the patient of a physician of the plurality of physicians. The method further includes the steps of determining an information content of the message and routing the message based upon the determined information content and a predetermined routing criteria provided by the selected physician.

Good communication between doctor and patient has always been an important part of healthcare. While face-to-face communication has always been the best form of communication, it is also often necessary for physicians to remain available after hours for emergencies and other patient concerns.
The traditional method of contacting a physician after hours has been through an answering service. Answering services answer calls directed to the physician and take messages. The physician may periodically call the answering service to pick up his messages. Alternatively, the answering service may page the physician for each message, if the physician has a pager.
While answering services work well for taking and retrieving messages, some calls could be handled without the physician's involvement. However, only the physician is qualified to make a decision regarding the handling of his patients by others.
Because of the variability of patient handling procedures among medical specialties, conventional systems are often not structured to incorporate the needs of the individual physician and his practice. Accordingly, a need exists for a method of processing patient calls that can be structured to meet a variety of patient needs.


A socket adapted for electrically connecting an IC package and a PCB, comprising: a body mounted on the PCB for electrically connecting the IC package, two bolts mounted on the PCB and beside the body and a clip for retaining the IC package in the body. The bolt has a header portion on the top with biggest size, a middle portion and a screw portion engaging with the PCB. The clip has two attaching portions, each defining a hatch at a free end thereof, the clip links with the bolt by inserting the attaching portion toward the bolt to make the middle portion be received in the hatch and the header portion be upon the hatch to prevent the attaching portion from upward movement.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a socket, especially to an LGA (Land Grid Array) socket mounted to a printed circuit board and adapted for electrically connecting a semiconductor package.
2. Description of the Related Art
U.S. Pat. No. 6,905,357, issued to Honhai on Jun. 14, 65 discloses a related LGA socket for electrically connecting an IC package to a printed circuit board. The socket includes a stiffener, an insulative housing located in the stiffener and fixed on the printed circuit board, a clip rotatablely assembling to an end of the stiffener to cover the insulative housing, and a load lever pivotally assembling to an opposed end of the stiffener. The insulative housing defines a plurality of passageways for receiving terminals therein. The stiffener defines a pair of slots, and the clip has two hooks inserting into the slot to pivotally assemble the clip to the stiffener.
Another related socket includes an housing having a number of terminals received therein. Two metal pieces are embedded and fastened to the housing, each metal piece defines a through hole at a top end thereof. A clip has two arched hooks inserting into the through holes of the metal pieces and pivotally assemble the clip to the metal piece, so that the clip can open or cover the socket body. However, both of above two related sockets assemble the clip by pivotally connecting to the stiffener or the metal piece, and each defines an open position and a close position related to the body. Operator need put the clip in the open position, then put the IC package in the socket, and finally rotate the clip to the close position and retain the clip. This operation process may need a certain time.
Hence, an improved socket is required to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art.

Socket having clip with attaching portion


An apparatus for cutting grass including: a lawn mower equipped with: a movement device for movement of the lawn mower at least inside a cutting area (S), one or more blades for cutting grass in the cutting area (S), a power supply unit for supplying electrical power to one or more of the movement device and the one or more blades; a recharging base for the lawn mower, including at least a first inductive element (E1) and a first control unit associated with the first inductive element (E1) and configured to enable the flow of a certain current (I) in the first inductive element (E1). The lawn mower comprises has a second inductive element (E2) associated with the power supply unit and coupleable to the first inductive element (E1) for a recharging of the power supply unit, and a second control unit. The second control unit is configured to generate a charge signal (CS) representative of a charge level of the power supply unit; transmit the charge signal (CS) to the first inductive element (E1) through the second inductive element (E2). The first control unit is configured to receive the charge signal (CS) through the first inductive element (E1); regulate the current (I) based on the charge signal (CS).

As is known, at present, automatic lawn mowers are predisposed to operate within predetermined cutting areas.
Lawn mowers are utilized to keep lawns, gardens and grassy areas in general, in optimal condition, that is, to keep the grass below a certain height in a substantially homogeneous manner throughout the entire cutting area.
The cutting area is often delimited by a perimeter wire or cable, in which an electrical signal is propagated; the lawn mower, detecting this electrical signal, is capable of recognizing the boundaries of the cutting area and adjusting its own movement and/or cutting activities accordingly.
As is known, lawn mowers are equipped with an independent electrical power supply unit, which has the function of supplying electrical power to the electrical and electromechanical devices present inside the lawn mower itself, such as, for example, the motors designed to drive the wheels and the blades, the electronic circuits dedicated to detection of the presence of grass, to detection of the presence of the perimeter cable, to the processing of the data collected and to controlling the various motors, etc.
When the power supply unit, which is typically made up of a battery or a battery pack, nears exhaustion, the lawn mower goes to a recharging base, where the power supply unit can be recharged so as to permit, after a certain amount of time, continuation of the activity of the lawn mower.
To date, there are various known techniques for recharging the power supply unit on board a lawn mower.
One such technique provides for a coupling of an inductive type between a first inductive element that is part of the recharging base, and a second inductive element mounted on the lawn mower and connected to the power supply unit to be recharged.
A control unit that is part of the recharging base and associated with the first inductive element, enables the flow of a pre-established current therein, so that power can be transferred to the second inductive element and the power supply unit of the lawn mower can thus be recharged.
Typically, the current delivered to the power supply unit is constant during recharging. The value of this current may be within the range of about 100 mA to 4 A.
This makes it particularly difficult to determine the most suitable value for the intensity of the current utilized, as a current that is too low can result in unduly long recharging times, whereas a current that is too high could very seriously damage the power supply unit as recharging nears completion.
In light of the above, the aim of this invention is to make available an apparatus for cutting grass, wherein the recharging of the power supply unit mounted on the lawn mower takes place in a reasonably brief time, without running the risk of damaging the power supply unit and the lawn mower.
An ancillary aim of the invention is to supply an apparatus for cutting grass, wherein the efficiency of the transfer of power from the recharging base to the lawn mower is maximized.
A further ancillary aim is to make available an apparatus for cutting grass that is capable of operating properly even when the distance between the inductive element that is part of the recharging base and the inductive element mounted on the lawn mower is fixed at a value ranging between 0 and 3 cm.
An additional ancillary aim of the invention is to provide an apparatus for cutting grass, wherein the recharging base is capable of determining in a simple and automated manner, the presence of the lawn mower so as to begin the process of recharging the power supply unit.
These and other aims are substantially achieved by an apparatus for cutting grass according to that which is described in the attached claims.
Further characteristics and advantages will become more apparent from the detailed description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of the invention.


A joining material like an In film having a low melting point forms a surface oxide film when melted. If the oxide film is thick, an uneven surface shape will remain as it is, and can cause vacuum leakage during vacuum sealing. This problem is solved, for example, by placing particles of a refractory material inside the low melting joining material. The particles of the refractory material serve as a holding member for the low melting material and break the oxide film during a joining operation to bring the seal bonding with the low melting material to perfection.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to image display apparatus using an electron source substrate with electron-emitting devices therein and, more particularly, to structure in a vacuum seal bonding portion.
2. Related Background Art
There are two types of conventionally known electron-emitting devices, thermal electron sources and cold cathode electron sources. The cold cathode electron sources include field emission devices (FE devices), metal/insulator/metal devices (MIM devices), surface conduction electron-emitting devices, and so on.
A surface conduction electron-emitting device will be outlined below in brief.
The foregoing surface conduction electron-emitting device, as schematically illustrated in FIGS. 17A, 17B, is comprised of a pair of device electrodes 2, 3 facing each other on a substrate 1, and an electroconductive film 4 coupled to the device electrodes and having an electron-emitting region in part thereof.
Since the above-stated surface conduction electron-emitting device is simple in structure and easy in production, it has the advantage of capability of forming an array of many devices over a large area. A variety of applications to take advantage of the feature are thus under research. For example, such applications include an electron source substrate in which a number of surface conduction electron-emitting devices are wired in a matrix pattern or the like, flat-panel image forming apparatus such as display apparatus using the electron source substrate, and so on.
FIG. 18 is a schematic illustration of a display panel constructed using the electron source substrate with a number of such electron-emitting devices therein. FIG. 18 shows the schematic sectional structure of the peripheral region of the display panel (envelope 90).
In FIG. 18, numeral 21 designates the electron source substrate with a number of electron-emitting devices (not shown) therein, which is also called a rear plate. Numeral 82 denotes a face plate in which a fluorescent film, a metal back, etc. are formed on an internal surface of a glass substrate. Numeral 86 represents a support frame.
The envelope 90 is constructed by bonding and sealing the rear plate 21, the support frame 86, and the face plate 82. The seal bonding procedure of the envelope 90 will be briefly described below.
First, the rear plate 21 and the support frame 86 are preliminarily joined to each other with frit glass 202.
Then In films 203 as a panel joining material are soldered to the support frame 86 and to the face plate 82. At this time, in order to enhance the bond strength of the In films 203 to the support frame 86 and to the face plate 82, it is desirable to provide silver paste films 204 as underlying layers.
Thereafter, the support frame 86 and the face plate 82 are joined to each other through the In films 203 at a temperature over the melting point of In in a vacuum chamber, so as to effect seal bonding, thereby forming the envelope 90.
The above-stated conventional seal bonding method of image forming apparatus, however, had the problems described below.
The joining material is In, which is a material having the relatively low melting point of 156° C. and emitting a relatively small amount of emission gas at the softening point=melting point. In use of In, there arises a problem that surface oxide films are formed in the In films 203 on the occasion of implementing ultrasonic soldering of the In films 203 to the support frame 86 and to the face plate 82, or to the silver paste films 204 as underlying layers.
Namely, the oxide films have a high melting temperature of 800° C. or more, and thus remain as oxide films even after pure In has melted during the seal bonding operation. As long as the oxide films are thin, they can break or chemically react with pure In to lose the shape of the oxide films, thus posing no problem. However, if the oxide films are thick, the uneven surface shape will remain as it is, and can give rise to vacuum leakage.
In is easy to oxidize in the atmosphere and oxygen quickly diffuses into the interior thereof at temperatures over the melting point to form a thick oxide film. Therefore, the conventional seal bonding method had the problem that the vacuum leakage was likely to occur at thick portions of the oxide films formed during the ultrasonic soldering process.
These problems can also be similarly serious problems in the case of the metals other than In or alloy materials being used as the joining material.

Image display apparatus and production method thereof


The invention proposes the use of a piezoelectric crystal element as an actuator for data storage systems. In particular, the piezoelectric crystal element mechanically positions a head with respect to a data storage medium. More specifically, the invention may use a piezoelectric laminate crystal structure as a fine positioning actuator in a magnetic tape system in order to precisely position one or more heads with respect to tracks of the magnetic tape. Furthermore, in order to address hysteresis in the piezoelectric crystal element, the invention proposes the introduction of a high frequency periodic signal as part of the input to the piezoelectric crystal element.

Data storage media are commonly used for storage and retrieval of data, and come in many forms, such as magnetic tape, magnetic disks, optical tape, optical disks, holographic disks or cards, and the like. Magnetic tape media remains economical for storing large amounts of data. For example, magnetic tape cartridges, or large spools of magnetic tape, are often used to back up data in large computing centers. Magnetic tape cartridges also find application in the backup of data stored on smaller computers such as desktop or notebook computers.
In magnetic media, data is typically stored as magnetic signals that are magnetically recorded on the medium surface. The data stored on the medium may be organized along "data tracks," and transducer heads can be positioned relative to the data tracks to write data to the tracks or read data from the tracks. A typical magnetic storage medium, such as magnetic tape, may include several data tracks in a data band. Optical media, holographic media, and other media formats can also make use of data tracks. Linear data storage media refers to data storage media, such as magnetic tape or other data storage tape formats, in which data is stored in parallel tracks that extend linearly along the length of the media.
Servo patterns refer to signals or other recorded marks on the medium that are used for tracking purposes. In other words, servo patterns are recorded on the medium to provide reference points relative to the data tracks. A servo controller interprets detected servo patterns and generates position error signals. The position error signals are used as feedback to adjust the lateral distance of read or write heads relative to the data tracks so that the heads are properly positioned along the data tracks for effective reading and/or writing of the data to the data tracks. Time-based servo patterns and amplitude-based servo patterns are common in magnetic tape.
Actuators refer to the elements that mechanically position a head with respect to a data storage medium. For high density media, actuators may be responsive to position error signals, which are generated based on the readout of servo patterns recorded on the media surface. In some cases, a coarse positioning actuator can be used to position a head in general proximity to a desired location, and a fine positioning actuator can be used to precisely position the head in the desired location. The coarse positioning actuator may define a larger range of motion than the fine positioning actuator, but the fine positioning actuator has greater positioning accuracy.

Piezoelectric crystal actuator and techniques for hysteresis reduction


A system and method for medical communications is disclosed. The system and method may operate to receive, from a user communication node, an electronic signal comprising a communication request including a request description; select, from the list of network entities corresponding to third parties, one or more network entities based at least in part on (i) a parameter profile associated with a third party, and (ii) criteria extracted from the communication request including the request description; transmit an electronic signal, to one or more network entities, the communication request including the request description; receive an action from one of the selected network entities corresponding to third parties in response to the communication request; and provide an interactive communication panel to the user communication node and the one of the selected network entities to facilitate the real-time communication session.

Current telemedicine systems seek to facilitate communications between clinicians and patients in need of medical assistance. However, such systems have various technical deficiencies that make it difficult to provide efficient and high quality care. For example, requests for medical assistance may be broadcast to nodes in a computer network in a manner that can result in inefficient traffic and/or routing over the network for recipient users. These systems also lack integration of patient medical information with healthcare provider communications.

Systems and methods for enhanced networking and remote communications


The present invention relates to the field of correlating a fluid flow rate by strategically measuring a differential pressure of a fluid. Embodiments of the present invention build off a simple concept of applying an aerodynamic device into a flow stream in conjunction with a flow concentrator and measuring fluid pressure at two locations on the aerodynamic device. The flow meter has not moving parts other than used for making tuning adjustments in some embodiments. A central design approach with the present invention is that each component can be adjusted relative to the other. Unlike prior systems that utilize a necked-down region of a fluid passage, the current system increases fluid velocities around a centralized flow element with the aid of an aerodynamic flow horn. Head losses are minimized through this approach. Additionally, having adjustability between the components will allow one to tune the flow meter to a preferred head loss and preferred pressure differentials by allowing the flow element to concentrically translate within its respective flow horn.

The commercial value of a flow meter is dependent upon its ability to provide strong, clear signals which, for ease of use, are linearly related to fluid parameter signals, to be applicable to a variety of fluids each possessing unique viscosities and be usable over a large range of flow rates. There is, however, a tendency for such devices to produce signals which are not consistently measurable, thus causing signaling devices of lesser accuracy than desired. Many flow meters in a similar classification rely on the principles of Bernoulli's Equation, thus (usually) relating fluid velocities to fluid pressures. A drawback to existing differential pressure measuring flow meter systems is that the entire flow stream is typically necked-down into a reduced flow area thus causing flow rates for all the fluid to increase and therefore, fluid pressures to drop, thus causing a potentially undesirable head loss on the system.
Bernoulli's Equation: ΔP=ρv2/2 Where P is the pressure of the fluid, p is fluid density, and v is the fluid velocity. This allows one to use the effects of an aerodynamic wing in which the speed of the air moving over the top face of a wing causes a lower pressure, creating lift. Conversely, slowing the speed of air moving under the lower face of a wing causes a higher pressure, creating elevated pressure, thus lift. This also allows one to create a higher ΔP from the flow element but have a lower ΔP through the entire flow measuring system.
Poiseuille's Equation: Q=(πr2/8ηL)ΔP Where Q is the flow rate, R is the radius of restriction, n is the fluid viscosity, L is the length of the restriction, and P is the pressure of the fluid. This allows one to minimize the effects of drag and viscosity by elongating the flow passage to reduce turbulence.

Ultra low pressure drop flow element system for measuring fluid flow rates


A method for manufacturing a connecting rod for an engine contemplates creating a rough connecting rod from high carbon steel. The rough connecting rod is normalized to provide strength and toughness characteristics to the core of the connecting rod for functional operation. A first, second or both ends of the connecting rod are selectively induction hardened to create a durable martensitic structure in those ends. The connecting rod is then cracked and ground to form a final connecting rod for use in internal combustion engines.

A connecting rod in an internal combustion engine provides linkage between the piston and the crankshaft. Particularly in two stroke cycle internal combustion engines, this linkage is done in a low lubricant environment. To accomplish this linkage, the connecting rod generally uses rolling element bearings between the crankshaft and the connecting rod at a first, large end of the connecting rod and also between the piston pin and the connecting rod at a second, small end of the connecting rod. The first, large end of the connecting rod includes a large end hole. Conventionally, after a rod is forged or cast, the rod is cracked in a brittle manner to form a two component connecting rod that is assembled on to the crankshaft through the large end hole. Thus, after cracking, the connecting rod may be reassembled with bolts in a manner that gives optimal registry. Cracking of connecting rods is known in the industry.
It is also known that the connecting rod may be forged from a low carbon steel alloy having, at the very least, less than 0.70% carbon by weight, and usually having less than 0.20% by weight. However, in these conventional connecting rods, the rolling element bearing cannot successfully run on the forged surface because the low carbon steel is not strong enough to resist mechanical deformation caused by the load transmitted from the piston through the roller bearings during the combustion process. To resolve this problem it is known to carburize low carbon steel connecting rods to increase the carbon level near the surface area. The higher carbon level material can then be heat treated to form a specific microstructural constituent known as martensite.
Carburizing is the addition of carbon to the surface of low carbon steels at temperatures generally between 850° and 950° C. (1560-1740° F.) at which austenite is the stable crystal structure. It is known that austenite has a high solubility for carbon and therefore it is ideal to carburize at the austenite temperature. Hardening of the carburized surface is accomplished when the high carbon surface layers are quenched to form martensite. Thus, the carburization process allows for a high carbon martensitic case with good wear and fatigue resistance to be superimposed on a tough, low-carbon steel core.
During the martensitic heat treatment process after carburization, the low-carbon steel connecting rod undergoes a solid state transformation. Initially, the part is in a body centered cubic (BCC) structure at room temperature. The BCC structure is a fairly soft metallic state and is only able to dissolve a limited amount of carbon. During the heat treatment, the part is heated until it reaches a temperature where the low energy condition of the material is preferable to transform into a face centered cubic (FCC) structure. In the FCC structure, many more carbon atoms are able to fit into the interstitial portions of structure as compared to the BCC structure. After the carbon molecules have diffused to the interstitial positions, the part is rapidly cooled or quenched. During the quenching process, the part is transformed at a temperature where the structure is generally of the BCC type. However, if the cooling is sufficiently fast enough, then the carbon atoms do not have enough time to diffuse from the interstitial positions of the FCC structure, and the carbon atoms remain packed in the interstitial positions. At room temperature, the diffusion coefficient of carbon is very low and carbon will essentially be trapped in the position it is in. Since the BCC structure cannot contain this much carbon at room temperature, a third structure, martensite, with a body centered tetragonal (BCT) structure is formed. This crystalline structure has a very high amount of internal stress. Due to this internal stress, the product is extremely hard but brittle, usually too brittle for practical purposes. This internal stress may also cause stress cracks on the surface of the product. From the quenched condition, the part is tempered to increase the toughness, but only slightly, as a surface hardness of 60-63 hardness Rockwell C is desired. The tempering process is well known to those in the art.
Forging is a manufacturing process where metal is shaped by plastic deformation under great pressure into high strength parts. There is no melting and consequent solidification involved. Forging's plastic deformation produces an increase in the number of dislocations resulting in a higher state of internal stress. This strain hardening is attributed to the interaction of dislocations with other dislocations and other barriers, such as grain boundaries. Simultaneously, the shape of primary crystals (dendrites) changes after this plastic working of the metal. Dendrites are stretched in the direction of metal flow and thus form fibers of increased strength along the direction of flow.
Conversely, the manufacturing process of casting consists of pouring or injecting molten metal into a mold containing a cavity with the desired shape of the casting. Metal casting processes can be classified either by the type of mold or by the pressure used to fill the mold with liquid metal. Since casting is a solidification process, the microstructure can be finely tuned, such as grain structure, phase transformations and precipitation. However, defects such as shrinkage porosity, cracks and segregation are also linked to casting's solidification process. These defects may lead to lower mechanical properties in some castings. Subsequent heat treatment is often required to reduce residual stresses and optimize mechanical properties in cast products.
The connecting rod is machined to a near-net shape before the heat treating process. This is done because the cost to machine large amounts of hard material is costly and it is also difficult to create the hardness profile that is required for the part. Unfortunately, the solid state phase transformation distorts the connecting rod. Particularly, this distortion occurs during the quenching operation of the current process when the crystal structure changes from FCC to BCT. Such connecting rods are measured for distortion and straightened by bending. Accordingly, it is desired to create as little distortion as possible of the connecting rod from heat treatment through the phase changes. Ideally, the distortion is limited to less than the final grinding allowance. Thus, in conventional connecting rod manufacturing, the connecting rod has to be straightened before it can be used. Such straightening is a non-value added operation during the manufacturing process of a connecting rod.
Problems also arise if the connecting rod is completely carburized. The section of the connecting rod between the ends usually has a configuration of a thin-walled I-beam. Carburization of the thin-walled I-beam results in an unfavorable through thickness hardness condition. While this condition has good strength properties, it has poor fracture toughness. Thus, the connecting rod is subject to brittle fracture from any impact type loading, and an engine misfire event could cause a fractured connecting rod.
To address the through thickness hardness condition, connecting rods are normally copper plated. Since the diffusion of carbon in copper is very low, the copper effectively masks the carbon and prevents diffusion. After the copper plating process, the connecting rod may be selectively machined to remove the copper in areas where the part is to be carburized. As aforementioned, these areas are typically where the bearing rollers contact the rod at the thrust faces of the first and second ends of the connecting rod. Since these areas have to ultimately be machined, the copper plating is not considered to be a value added operation.
Thus, significant road blocks impede a cost-effective process for manufacturing strong, durable connecting rods for internal combustion engines.

Method for manufacturing a connecting rod for an engine


A wrench driven rotation hand tool with side handle; as required, an independent axial knob and a lateral side handle are selected to be incorporated together with a transmission gear set to a column; the output end of the transmission gear set is provided to drive a main shaft, thus to further drive a cutter or tool; and the input end of the transmission gear is manually driven by a reciprocal handle.

(a) Field of the Invention
The present invention is related to a wrench driven rotation hand tool with side handle, and more particularly to an innovative design of the functions and operation methods of a brace, screwdriver, hand drill, flare nut wrench, or tap wrench that is portable, requires no power, easy use and applicable to service or DIY operation.
(b) Description of the Prior Art
A conventional hand drill is usually provided with a column. One end of the column is provided with a chuck and a tool, and the other end of the column is axially provided with an axial knob. A lateral side handle extending in radius is provided at the middle section of the column. Generally, there are four working points for the user to manipulate, respectively (1) the lateral side handle, (2) the axial knob, (3) the cutter clamped by the chuck or a tip of other types of tool, and (4) manual rotation hand wheel. A canopy transmission gear set is driven by manually rotating the hand tool to further drive the chuck and cutter or the tip of other types of tool attached to a main shaft. The hand drill has the advantage of easy use without having to depend on electric power; however, it also has the disadvantages of sour wrist, and instability in the course of operation. The axial knob adapted to a conventional screwdriver has the difficult to maintain axial stability while driving in a wooden screw since rotation and pressure must be applied at the same time. Similarly, the same difficulty is found in using a socket wrench with an erect handle or a flare nut wrench to drive in a self-tapping screw. Furthermore, in using a tap wrench for tapping operation, maintaining its axially vertical positing is comparatively difficult.

Wrench driven rotation hand tool with side handle


A method for using a radio frequency identification (RFID) system including a transponder, an antenna, and a reader, the antenna coupled to the reader, the antenna and the reader for transmitting a radio signal to the transponder and for receiving a response radio signal from the transponder, the response radio signal including data from the transponder, the method including: selecting a curtain that limits propagation of the radio signal; and placing the curtain in an area through which the radio signal would otherwise propagate; wherein the curtain includes a plurality of flexible strips transparent to visible light, the long edge of each of the strips is oriented in substantially the vertical direction, more than one strip overlaps a portion of the width of an adjacent strip along the length of the adjacent strip, and the length of each of the strips is substantially greater than the width of each of the strips.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a radio frequency identification (RFID) system that limits propagation of radio signals. In particular, the radio signals are diminished outside of an area monitored by the RFID system
2. Description of the Related Art
A radio frequency identification (RFID) system is useful for many applications. One application involves tracking items in a business. The RFID system can receive data from transponders (referred to as "tags") affixed to the items. By "reading" the data, the RFID system can be used by the business to identify each item with a tag and associated location.
The RFID system generally includes an antenna, a reader, a server, an operator terminal and a database. The antenna transmits a radio signal that is received from the reader. The radio signal is received by a tag (RFID transponder) affixed to an item. The tag, in turn, responds to the radio signal by sending a response radio signal that includes data stored within the tag. The reader receives the responding radio signals via the antenna. From the responding radio signal, the reader can extract the data sent by the tag. The data is generally sent to the server from which the data can be accessed by the operator terminal or stored in the database.
The RFID tag or transponder can be one of passive, semi-passive (also referred to as "battery-assisted"), and active. A passive RFID tag does not have a battery or a transmitter. A passive tag receives energy to operate from the radio signal transmitted by the RFID reader. The passive tag transmits a response to the radio signal by modulating and reflecting the radio signal. One example of the passive tag is the tag contained within an access control badge such as the tags manufactured by HID Global of Irvine, Calif. A semi-passive tag (or semi-active) tag includes a battery to supply energy for operation. The semi-passive tag does not include a transmitter. The semi-passive tag also operates by modulating and reflecting the radio signal. One example of the semi-passive tag is the E-ZPass tag used for electronic toll collection. An active tag includes a battery and a transmitter. Unlike the passive and semi-passive tags, the active tag is capable of initiating a transmission to the reader. One example of the active tag is the tag used for object location produced by WhereNet of Santa Clara, Calif.
In one application of the RFID system, the RFID system is used to identify tagged items as the items pass through a receiving portal. In one embodiment, the reader is turned on in advance of the tagged item entering a receiving portal. The reader is turned on in advance to allow sufficient time to read the tag. After the tag has been read and passed through the portal, the reader is turned off to save on the duty cycle of the reader.
A portal may separate regions or areas while still allowing for the passage of physical objects such as people, packages, and machinery. Some examples of portals include a gateway separating a loading dock from a receiving area, an opening between two divided areas in a retail establishment, an opening through which luggage is transported on a conveyer belt in an airport, and spaces or openings through which packages pass in a sorting facility at a delivery company.
In some applications, after a tagged item has passed through the portal, the item is stored in a staging area nearby the portal. In some instances, the reader may read a tag in the nearby staging area. It is not desired to read the same tag again in the staging area after the tag was already read while passing through the portal.
Reading the same tag multiple times can lead to problems such as misinterpretation by a business computing system. For example, reading a tag on an item that was already received through the portal may result in an erroneous message being communicated to an operator that an unexpected item is being received.
Another problem with the reader reading a tag in the nearby staging area is that it may be difficult to determine the location of the tag. In one application, multiple readers may be used with each reader assigned to a separate area. If readers in adjacent areas read the same tag, an operator may not be able to determine which area the tag is in. Additionally, when adjacent areas are each equipped with a reader, the readers may interfere with each other. The interference may occur because power levels of signals emitted from antennas associated with the readers are many orders of magnitude greater than the response radio signals emitted from the tags.
Attempts have been made to avoid a reader reading tags in nearby areas. One attempt includes restricting the power levels of radio signals emitted by the reader. Restricting the power levels limits the range of the radio signals. However, it has been found that restricting the power levels also decreases the accuracy of reading the tags.
Therefore, what are needed are techniques that limit a signal emitted from an antenna associated with a reader from propagating to an unwanted area. In particular, the techniques do not reduce the accuracy of reading a tag.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Method for isolating radio propagation zones

International Business Machines Corporation


A method of forming an ohmic contact on a substrate composed of a wide-band gap semiconductor material includes: depositing a transition metal group metal on the substrate; annealing the substrate at a high temperature to cause a solid state chemical reaction between the substrate and the deposited metal that forms a modified layer in the substrate having modified properties different than the substrate, and by-products composed of a silicide and a nanocrystalline graphite layer; selectively etching the substrate to remove one or more of the by-products of the solid state chemical reaction from a surface of the substrate; and depositing a metal film composed of a transition group metal over the modified layer on the substrate to form the ohmic contact. The modified layer permits formation of the ohmic contact without high temperature annealing after depositing the metal film.

A semiconductor device requires a good ohmic contact to permit efficient transfer of electricity from external wires to the device. The metal ohmic contact must be physically and chemically compatible with the semiconductor material of the device. An ohmic contact is usually defined as a metal-semiconductor contact that has negligible contact resistance relative to the bulk or spreading resistance of the semiconductor (Physics of Semiconductor Devices by Sze, Second Edition, 1981).
In wide band semiconductor device such as, for example, silicon carbide devices, limited electrical conductivity of the semiconductor due to low hole or electron concentrations may hinder or even prevent the formation of an ohmic contact. Therefore, the formation of low resistivity and thermally stable ohmic contacts to silicon carbide is one of the most critical stages in device processing. A general approach to this problem and an overview of the main results has been published by Crofton et al. in (Phys. Status Solidi B 202, (1997) 581).
Ohmic contacts to silicon carbide are typically formed by the deposition of transition metals (possibly in combination with other metals) onto heavily doped silicon carbide followed by high temperature annealing. This high temperature of annealing (typically in excess of 900 degrees Celsius) may negatively affect other component parts of the device.

Method of forming an ohmic contact in wide band semiconductor


A method for providing workload information in a structured workload information data structure format that is organized according to a workload schema to be conducive to a given end usage of the information. The structured workload information can be made accessible using standard database analytical server applications to facilitate ad-hoc querying of the structured workload information to summarize and analyze the database workload or to facilitate exchange of workload information. A structured workload information (SWI) is constructed according to a SWI schema to facilitate a desired end usage of the workload information. The query information is extracted from the workload and stored in a structured workload information (SWI) data structure according to the schema based on the desired end usage of the information such as ad hoc querying or information exchange. The query information may be stored in a relational database having query information organized as a central fact table and a collection of hierarchical dimension tables or as an OLAP cube featuring hierarchical dimensions that arrange the query information in dimensions having objects ordered as a function of granularity or the information may be stored according to an XML schema wherein units of query information are separated by XML tags that identify a type of workload information.

Today's enterprises are widely deploying commercial relational database systems as back-ends for storing and retrieving large amounts of data. One of the important tasks of a database administrator (DBA) is to ensure that good performance is achieved over time. The ability of a DBA to make informed decisions that impact performance depends heavily on being able to understand the nature of the workload (queries and updates faced by the system). While most commercial relational database systems have tools for logging queries and updates that run against the server, existing aids for summarizing, analyzing, and exchanging the workload within and across organizations are inadequate. In particular, the exchange of workload information is cumbersome due to the lack of a common schema upon which to base the exchange of workload information as well as the complexity of workload information.
The ability to efficiently leverage information about the workload of a relational database can assist a DBA in finding under-performing queries, analyzing resource usage, and evaluating the quality of a given query optimizer. To identify an under-performing query, the DBA can search out queries that take a long time to execute and/or spend a significant amount of time scanning the base tables. Or the DBA can identify queries that are I/O intensive and tune the disk layout of the database to better accommodate the identified queries. In addition, a DBA may be interested in detecting users who execute the most queries or identify databases that are accessed most often. The DBA can evaluate the quality of a query optimizer by comparing actual cost to that predicted by the optimizer. Although the workload contains a wealth of information that is useful to a DBA, the exchange of such information is difficult and due to the complexity of existing database workload analysis techniques, most DBAs are limited to performing preprogrammed or "canned" reports on their databases.
For example, Paradyn is a performance measurement tool for parallel and distributed programs. It is designed to scale to long running programs (hours or days) and large (thousand node) systems. It can provide performance data down to the procedure or statement level. Paradyn supports dynamic instrumentation and uses a structure search methodology to automate finding performance bottlenecks. While Paradyn can provide meaningful information to the interested DBA, the querying model over the gathered information is technically advanced and not susceptible to ad hoc querying by a relatively unskilled user. Other commercially available performance analysis tools provide canned reports but offer little flexibility to an end user. These tools include PreciseSoft for Oracle, Centerfield and BMC for IBM AS/400, and Platinum for SQL server database systems.

Workload analysis tool for relational databases


A method and apparatus for depositing a metal and/or metal nitride layer on a substrate by the thermal or plasma enhanced disassociation of an organometallic precursor having the formula of (Cp(R)n)xM(CO)yxe2x88x92x, in the presence of a processing gas, such as argon, hydrogen, or ammonia. In one embodiment the metal or metal nitride film is deposited at a pressure of less than about 20 Torr. The deposited metal or metal nitride layer may then be exposed to a plasma to remove contaminants, densify the layer, and reduce layer resistivity. The layer is useful as a liner or barrier layer for conducting metals and high dielectric constant materials in integrated circuit manufacturing.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention generally relates to the fabrication of integrated circuits and a method for depositing metal layers by chemical vapor deposition.
2. Background of the Related Art
Reliably producing sub-half micron and smaller features is one of the key technologies for the next generation of very large scale integration (VLSI) and ultra large scale integration (ULSI) integrated circuits. However, as the fringes of circuit technology are pressed, the shrinking dimensions of interconnects in VLSI and ULSI technology has placed additional demands on processing capabilities. The multilevel interconnect features that lie at the heart of this technology require careful processing of high aspect ratio features, such as vias, lines, contacts, interconnects, and other features. Reliable formation of these features is very important to VLSI and ULSI success and to the continued effort to increase circuit density and quality of individual substrates and die.
As circuit densities increase, the widths of vias, contacts and other features, as well as the dielectric materials between them, decrease to sub-micron dimensions, i.e., 0.25 xcexcm or less, whereas the thickness of the dielectric layers remains substantially constant, with the result that the aspect ratios of the features, i.e., their height divided by width, increases. Many traditional deposition processes have difficulty filling sub-micron structures where the aspect ratio exceeds 4:1, and particularly where it exceeds 10:1. Therefore, there is a great amount of ongoing effort being directed at the formation of void-free, sub-micron features having high aspect ratios.
Conducting metals such as aluminum and copper are being used to fill sub-micron features on substrates during the manufacture of integrated circuits. However, aluminum and copper can diffuse into the structure of adjacent dielectric layers, thereby compromising the integrity of the devices being formed. Diffusion, as well as interlayer defects, such as layer delamination, may be prevented by depositing a liner layer, a barrier layer, or a combination of both, in a feature before depositing the conducting metal. The liner layer is conventionally composed of a refractory metal that provides good adhesion to the underlying material. The barrier layer is deposited on the liner layer or underlying material and is often a nitride of a refractory metal that prevents interlayer diffusion and minimizes chemical reactions between underlying materials and subsequently deposited materials.
With the recent progress in sub-quarter-micron copper interconnect technology, metals such as tantalum, niobium, tungsten, and the respective metal nitrides have become popular liner and barrier materials in copper applications. Depending on the application, a liner adhesion layer and/or a diffusion barrier layer may comprise a metal, such as tantalum, niobium, or tungsten, a metal nitride layer, such as tantalum nitride, niobium nitride layer, or tungsten nitride, a metal and metal nitride stack, or other combinations of diffusion barrier materials. Metal and metal nitride layers have been traditionally deposited by physical vapor deposition (PVD) techniques. However, traditional PVD techniques are not well suited for providing conformal coverage on the wall and bottom surfaces of high aspect ratio vias and other features. Therefore, as aspect ratios increase and device features shrink, new deposition techniques are being investigated to provide conformal coverage in these device features.
One proposed alternative to PVD deposition of metal and metal nitride layers is depositing the layers by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) techniques to provide good conformal coverage of substrate features. The ability to deposit conformal metal and metal nitride layers in high aspect ratio features by the disassociation of organometallic precursors has gained interest in recent years due to the development of metal organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) techniques. In such techniques, an organometallic precursor comprising a metal component and organic component is introduced into a processing chamber and disassociates to deposit the metal component on a substrate while the organic portion of the precursor is exhausted from the chamber.
However, current MOCVD techniques deposit layers at near atmospheric conditions. Layers deposited at near atmospheric conditions generally have less than desirable coverage of sub-micron features formed on a substrate which can lead to void formation in substrate features and possible device failure. Additionally, atmospheric deposited layers generally have high levels of contaminants which detrimentally affect layer properties, such as layer resistivity, and produce layers with less than desirable interlayer bonding and diffusion resistance. Further, atmospheric layer deposition processes have been observed to deposit materials that flake or delaminate from the surfaces of the chamber or substrate and become a particle source within the chamber. Particles can produce layering defects in the deposited layers and result in less than desirable interlayer adhesion.
Additionally, there are few commercially available organometallic precursors for the deposition of metal layers, such as tantalum, niobium, and tungsten precursors by MOCVD techniques. The precursors that are available produce layers which have unacceptable levels of contaminants such as carbon and oxygen, and have less than desirable diffusion resistance, low thermal stability, and undesirable layer characteristics. Further, in some cases, the available precursors used to deposit metal nitride layers produce layers with high resistivity, and in some cases, produce layers that are insulative. The insulative properties of the layer are generally a result of the crystalline structure or the chemical composition of the materials deposited from the precursor. For example, in tantalum layers, as the nitrogen content increases, the layer becomes increasingly resistive. A high nitrogen content can transition a good conducting phase of tantalum nitride with superior barrier properties, such as Ta2N, into an insulating phase, such as Ta3N5. Many of the available tantalum nitride precursors readily deposit an insulating Ta3N5 phase. Contaminants, such as carbon and hydrogen deposited from available precursors can also increase film resistivity. Furthermore, there are no current satisfactory MOCVD techniques and precursors for depositing materials, such as silicon, which can be incorporated in the deposited metal and metal nitride materials to improve diffusion resistance, chemical resistance, thermal stability, or enhance interlayer adhesion.
One additional problem with depositing metal liner layers and metal nitride barrier layers using current CVD deposition techniques is that often during substrate processing, it is required to transfer the substrate between processing chambers or systems in order to deposit both the metal layer and the metal nitride layer. The transfer of substrates between processing chambers and systems increases processing time and decreases substrate throughput while potentially exposing the layers to contamination or to atmospheric conditions where oxidation may occur.
Therefore, there remains a need for a process for forming liner and/or barrier layers of metal or metal nitride materials from organometallic precursors. Ideally, the liner and/or barrier layers deposited are substantially free of contaminants, have reduced layer resistivities, improved interlayer adhesion, improved diffusion resistance, and improved thermal stability than those produced with prior processes. Ideally, the metal and metal nitride layers are deposited at sub-atmospheric pressures.
The invention generally provides an organometallic precursor and a method of forming a metal or metal nitride layer on a substrate by chemical vapor deposition of the organometallic precursor. In one aspect of the invention, a precursor of the formula (Cp(R)n)xM(CO)yxe2x88x92x is used to deposit a metal or metal nitride layer at sub-atmospheric pressures. The method for depositing the metal or metal nitride layer comprises introducing the precursor into a processing chamber, preferably maintained at a pressure of less than about 20 Torr, and disassociating the precursor in the presence of a processing gas to deposit a metal or metal nitride layer. The precursor may be disassociated and deposited by a thermal or plasma-enhanced process. The method may further comprise a step of exposing the deposited layer to a plasma process to remove contaminants, density the layer, and reduce the layer""s resistivity.
The precursor of the formula: (Cp(R)n)xM(CO)yxe2x88x92x, comprises a metal, M, selected from the group of tantalum, niobium, vanadium, and tungsten, having a valence of y, at least one cyclopentadienyl functional group, Cp, which may form between 1 and 5 ligands, x, with the metal, M, and have between 0 and 5 substituents, n, which comprise an organic group, R, and at least one carbonyl group, CO, forming a ligand with the metal, M. The organic group, R, may further comprise one or more carbon silicon bonds, preferably comprising an alkylsilyl functional group. The alkyl silyl group may further include at least one silicon-oxygen bond.
Another aspect of the invention provides a method of depositing a metal layer and a metal nitride layer in situ. The method comprises depositing a metal layer by either a thermal or plasma-enhanced disassociation of a precursor of the formula (Cp(R)n)xM(CO)yxe2x88x92x in the presence of a processing gas, such as an inert gas, a reactive gas, or a combination of both, and depositing the metal nitride layer on the metal layer by the disassociation of a precursor of the formula (Cp(R)n)xM(CO)yxe2x88x92x in the presence of a nitrating processing gas, such as nitrogen (N2) or ammonia (NH3). The metal layer and the metal nitride layer may both be exposed to a plasma following deposition.
Another aspect of the invention provides a method for metallization of a feature on a substrate comprising depositing a dielectric layer on the substrate, etching a pattern into the substrate, depositing a metal layer on the substrate, depositing a metal nitride layer on the metal layer, and depositing a conductive metal layer on the metal nitride layer. The substrate may be optionally exposed to reactive pre-clean comprising a plasma of hydrogen and argon to remove oxide formations on the substrate prior to deposition of the metal nitride layer. The conductive metal is preferably copper and may be deposited by physical vapor deposition, chemical vapor deposition, or electrochemical deposition. The metal layer and the metal nitride layer are deposited by the thermal or plasma enhanced disassociation of an organometallic precursor having the formula (Cp(R)n)xM(CO)yxe2x88x92x in the presence of a processing gas, preferably at a pressure less than about 20 Torr. Once deposited, the metal layer and the metal nitride layer are exposed to a plasma prior to subsequent layer deposition.

Deposition of CVD layers for copper metallization using novel metal organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) precursors


A silicon substrate has patterned thereon a pad oxide layer and a nitride layer. The exposed surface of the silicon substrate is cleaned of residual oxide, and a layer of oxidizable material such as polysilicon is deposit over the resulting structure. The polysilicon layer is anisotropically etched to form spacers on the side of the nitride layer portions, which are also in contact with the silicon substrate, the etching continuing into the silicon substrate. Field oxidation is then undertaken, with the polysilicon spacers being oxidized, as is a portion of the silicon substrate, the spacers causing initial oxidation during field oxide growth to be removed from the sides of the nitride layer portions, so that encroachment of the oxide under the nitride layer portions is avoided.

With reference to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, a typical method of growing field oxide (SiO.sub.2) in a semiconductor device is shown. Initially, a semiconductor substrate 10 (FIG. 2) is provided, and a thin layer of silicon dioxide (SiO.sub.2) 12 is grown thereover. A silicon nitride (Si.sub.3 N.sub.4) layer 14 is patterned over the oxide layer 12 as is well known, resulting in nitride layer portions 14A, 14B shown in cross section in FIG. 2.
These nitride layer portions 14A, 14B may be quite long as shown in FIG. 1, and are used to define regions therebetween in which field oxide will be grown.
The thin oxide layer 12 is then patterned to the configuration of the nitride layer forming oxide layer portions 12A, 12B. This leaves exposed areas 10A of the silicon substrate which will subsequently be oxidized to form field silicon dioxide (SiO.sub.2) regions 16A, 16B (FIG. 3).
An important fact for consideration is that during the conversion of silicon to silicon dioxide, the volume of material from original silicon to silicon dioxide is increased by a factor of approximately two. With such field oxide typically being grown at 1100.degree. C., the silicon dioxide has a glass transition temperature at approximately 950.degree. C., so that at 950.degree. C. or greater, the silicon dioxide has a viscous flow. However, even with such viscous flow, the increase in volume as the silicon is converted to silicon dioxide, along with the fact that the silicon dioxide grows rapidly at 1100.degree. C., causes substantial stress to be placed on the edges of the nitride layer portions 14A, 14B as the oxide grows thereunder. That is, a large lifting force is applied to the nitride along the elongated sides thereof, and particularly at the tip thereof where such lifting force is applied on three sides of the nitride layer portion (FIG. 1). With dimensions of semiconductor devices becoming ever smaller, a width of a nitride layer portion 14A may for example be substantially less than 0.5 microns. Because a small area of nitride layer portion is in contact with the underlying oxide, which contact area grows smaller and smaller as the field oxide is grown inward under the nitride layer portion, the force holding the nitride layer portion 14A in place may be reduced to the point where due to the lifting force of the growing field oxide regions, the nitride layer portion 14A lifts away from the thin oxide to form a void 18 thereunder. And, as pointed out above, the faster the field oxide is grown, the less time is allowed for oxide flow to alleviate such stress on the nitride layer portion 14A.
Obviously, creation of such a void in a semiconductor device is undesirable and can lead to device failure.
In addition, with the contact area of the nitride layer portion 14A becoming smaller and smaller as the field oxide 16A, 16B is grown inward under the nitride layer portion 14A, the silicon surface area remaining for incorporation of circuit elements is reduced.

Method of improving oxide isolation in a semiconductor device


Absorbent articles such as disposable diapers, incontinent briefs, diaper holders, training pants, feminine hygiene garments, and the like, having extensible side panel features that improve the dynamic fit of the diaper around the legs and waist of the wearer. Such absorbent articles include a containment assembly including a liquid pervious topsheet; a liquid impervious backsheet; an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet; and extensible side panels, each including a waist panel and a thigh panel disposed along each longitudinal edge of the containment assembly in the first waist region. The waist panel and the thigh panel are operatively associated so that the waist panel has a primary direction of extensibility in one direction and the thigh panel has a primary direction of extensibility in a different direction. This forms a multi-directional extensible side panel wherein the waist panel provides tension around the wearer's waist to maintain fit about the waist and to hold the diaper on the wearer, and the thigh panel expands and contracts to maintain a dynamic fit around the leg of the wearer. Thus, the waist and thigh panels reduce the negative effects of the dynamic forces on the absorbent article, such as sagging and gapping that can cause leakage, while increasing freedom of motion and wearer comfort.

Infants and other incontinent individuals wear absorbent articles such as diapers to receive and contain urine and other body exudates. Absorbent articles function both to contain discharged materials and to isolate these materials from the body of the wearer and from the wearer's garments and bed clothing. Disposable absorbent articles having many different basic designs are known to the art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. Re. 26,152, entitled "Disposable Diaper" issued to Duncan and Baker on Jan. 31, 1967 describes a disposable diaper which has achieved wide acceptance and commercial success.
In order to provide better fit and to reduce leakage, absorbent articles have been provided with elastic features. U.S. Pat. No. 3,860,003, entitled "Contractible Side Portions For Disposable Diaper", issued to Kenneth B. Buell on Jan. 14, 1975, describes an elasticized leg cuff disposable diaper which has achieved wide acceptance and commercial success. U.S. Pat. No. 5,151,092 issued to Buell et al., on Sep. 29, 1992 describes an absorbent article having an elastic waist feature improving dynamic fit as well as containment characteristics. U.S. Pat. No. 4,857,067 issued to Wood, et al. on Aug. 15, 1989 describes a disposable diaper with elastic side panels to fit over the hips of the wearer. The elastic features are designed to expand and contract with the wearer's motions and to maintain the fit of the absorbent article about the wearer during use (i.e. provide sustained dynamic fit).
However, it has been found that absorbent articles having elastic features still have a tendency to gap or to be too tight during use. As the wearer moves, changes occur in the wearer's body measurements, particularly in the hips and thighs, thereby subjecting the diaper to dynamic forces. These dynamic forces tend to deform the materials making up the diaper and tend to push the diaper away from the body. As a result, the diaper tends to sag or gap away from the wearer, especially in the regions of dynamic motion such as the hips and thighs. Conventional disposable diapers were originally made of non-elastic materials unable to elastically expand to accommodate the wearer's bodily movements. The introduction of unitary elastic side panel features to conventional disposable diapers has improved their fit and comfort by allowing the side panels to expand generally in the lateral direction around the waist of the wearer. However, unitary elastic side panels are unable to fully elastically expand in directions other than the lateral direction without placing undue pressure on the wearer's legs, hips or waist. Because the wearer's movements create dynamic forces in many different directions, conventional disposable diapers having unitary elastic side panel features still tend to gap away from the body causing an increased likelihood of leakage and exerting forces on the wearer that can be uncomfortable and cause red marks on the wearer's skin.
Thus, it would be advantageous to provide an absorbent article having improved extensible side panels that provide better fit and wearer comfort as well as reduced leakage, sagging and gapping during use.
Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide an absorbent article having improved dynamic fit about the waist and leg of the wearer by reducing sagging and gapping of the absorbent article on the wearer.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide an absorbent article having unique multi-directional extensible side panels that expand and contract in multiple directions to minimize the effects of the dynamic forces created by the wearer's movements, thereby increasing freedom of motion and comfort for the wearer while improving sustained dynamic fit of the absorbent article.
These and other objectives of the present invention will be more readily apparent when considered in reference to the following description and when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Absorbent article with multi-directional extensible side panels


Nanowire apparatus and methods of using the same are disclosed. The apparatus include nanowires that are attached to and extend from varying substrates and can be used in the manipulation of cells and/or sensing of cellular and subcellular characteristics. The methods include using the apparatus to sense forces exerted by a single cell or using the apparatus to manipulate one or more cells.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is directed toward nanowires capable of contacting individual cells, and methods of using the same. The nanowires according to the present invention can effectively and efficiently manipulate single cells and/or sense forces exerted by single cells. These nanowires may be used in a number of applications including, but not limited to, single cell or subcellular contact force sensing, and excision and/or transplantation of single cell to few cellular level tissues.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Several diverse biomedical fields would benefit from devices that can manipulate and/or sense various characteristics of individual cells. Manipulation and sensing various characteristics of individual cells requires devices comparable in size to the cells of interest. For example, detecting the adhesive contact forces exerted by a cell's pseudopod appendage on a substrate requires a sensor comparable in size to this contact site. Despite the importance of pseudopod-substrate adhesive contacts in force transmission and environmental sensing, which influences the direction of migration of leukocytes or breast cancer cells, there have been few measurements and little characterization of pseudopod-substrate adhesive contacts at the single-contact level.
One current technique used for measuring cellular contact forces is the deformable substrate method, which involves observation of cell induced wrinkling or marker displacement of an elastic substrate. However, with this method, the forces at the discrete single adhesive contact sites are not directly measured. Instead, these forces are extracted by a non-trivial modeling effort that correlates the substrate displacement field with the inferred force field and with the discrete contact sites. Another current technique employs the use of an atomic force microscope (AFM) to measure cellular contact forces. However, conventional AFM cantilevers are too bulky to be precisely interfaced with such amorphous and dynamic submicron-sized targets and, as a result, have difficulty measuring the forces exerted by single pseudopod substrate adhesive contacts.
Additionally, in other medical fields, there is an absence of devices that can manipulate individual cells. For example, in certain instances, it is beneficial to excise and/or transplant tissue samples at the cellular level. However, conventional scalpels and curettes are too large and bulky to remove surrounding tissue and cells in such procedures. Therefore, there is a need for devices that can effectively and safely manipulate individual cells and/or sense various characteristics of individual cells.

Electrochemically-grown nanowires and uses thereof

Kansas State University Research Foundation


A system and method for searching and voting on Internet-accessible content is presented. HTML-linked content on one or more Internet host servers is indexed and stored on associated meta servers. Non-HTML content and dynamic HTML content from the deep web, is processed by the present invention into HTML content, indexed, and stored on the meta servers. Each meta server includes a local search engine. The present invention also includes a central repository which tracks user votes, query language progressions, and information about content on each of the meta sites. The present invention also provides a plurality of enhancement plug-ins for standard web robots, including a toolbar for conventional web browsers. The toolbar can be used to securely solicit and authenticated user votes from standard web sites, while preserving the privacy of the voter. The plug-ins facilitate interoperability between existing Internet software (and technology) and the present invention.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to searching for content on computer systems and networks. More particularly, the present invention relates to a system and method for searching for Internet-accessible content.
2. Related Art
The Internet represents the largest interconnected network of computer systems and smaller networks presently in existence. Since its inception, the number of nodes connected to the Internet has increased dramatically. As a result, a tremendous amount of content is currently available on the Internet, and is hosted by a multitude of websites. Collectively, these websites comprise the worldwide web (a.k.a., the "web").
The ability to quickly locate relevant content on the Internet is a paramount concern for many users. To address this need, various web search engines have been implemented, each utilizing proprietary search methodologies and algorithms. One example is a search engine which includes a web crawler and associated technology to traverse, collect, parse, index, compress, and store content from the web. Users can query the search engine using one or more search terms, and are presented with links to websites offering content that the search engine determines as being relevant. The search results are generated using the "PageRank" algorithm, wherein the search results are generated by simple text matching and are prioritized according to the number of websites that link to a given website, thus indicating the popularity of a website. In the PageRank algorithm, pages of content on a website, and, sometimes, intra-page content, are represented as nodes in the network forming the web. The more incoming links (or connections) that a node has, the higher the rank that is associated with the node. The search engine also allows a user to view its cache of content for a particular website. Using the cache, the search engine highlights portions of retrieved content that match the user's search string query. This allows users to quickly scroll down through the page and to find areas of interest.
As web page sizes have grown, it has become increasingly difficult to locate a search string in the search results returned by existing search engines. Often, a user is forced to do a secondary search using local web browser's search capability. Further, content cached by search engines is often outdated by several days or weeks. Since existing search engines rely on a repository of cached content which may be out of date, search results often do not accurately represent all relevant content available on the web. Moreover, existing search engines cannot adequately access "dynamic" content, which includes content that is not stored ("static") on a website and which is created when a user visits a website. Still further, existing search engines cannot adequately access "deep" content, e.g., database content that is accessible on the web, but is not stored in hypertext markup language (HTML) format. The content in such databases is typically accessed by manual generation of the user query. In response to the user query, an on-demand web page is then dynamically generated and presented to the user. This page may or may not have HTML links to other content deep in the database. Since these pages do not exist prior to the query, nor do they survive long thereafter, they present special problems for automated web "crawling" algorithms implemented in most search engines. As a result, the content is essentially invisible to popular search engines.
Another shortcoming of existing search engines is their inability to adequately track user feedback, and in particular, user satisfaction with search results. One attempt to track user feedback is a toolbar that can be installed for use with a web browser, and which allows for "click-through" measurement of user activities. This system also allows users to vote on the page being viewed. In particular, toolbars track user browsing habits by tracking the websites that users select after being presented with a webpage of search results by a search engine. However, existing toolbars suffer from a number of drawbacks, such as a lack of secure communications when votes are cast, as well as inadequate communication and interaction with the user as to the subject being voted on.
The collection of user information by search engines is known in the art. However, what is often not made clear to users is the specific data being collected, when it is collected, how it is transmitted, where and to whom it is transmitted, how it is used, and how long it is stored for potential future reference. Among other drawbacks, each user search query is recorded along with the user's IP address. Increasingly, users around the world are concerned about privacy while surfing the Web (including, for example, the collection of personally-identifiable information).
Other techniques for tracking user feedback are known in the art. One example is the "cookie," which consists of a file generated by a website and stored locally on the user's machine after visiting the site. The cookie stores information about a user's web browsing activities, and can later be accessed by the same website, which stored the cookie on the user's system. Unfortunately, cookies do not allow a search engine provider to adequately gauge users' satisfaction and feedback regarding search results. Another technique for tracking user feedback involves allowing a user to save or bookmark sites that have been visited, and tracking such bookmarked information as an indication of the user's satisfaction with certain types of content. Still another technique relates to "click-through" measurement, wherein a user selects a specific search result, clicks on it, and this action is measured as an indication of relevance. However, these approaches rely on inferences as to the user's judgment based on browsing behavior, which is often inaccurate and incomplete.
Existing peer-to-peer networks also suffer from significant drawbacks. In particular, these networks require better search query routing abilities, and they presently lack the ability to permanently cache content at a local server (to help improve content availability and to avoid excessive file transfer times and bandwidth consumption). Additionally, there is a general need to provide an integrated search capability across the worldwide web, structured query language (SQL) based relational databases (e.g., the "deep" web), and peer-to-peer networks. At present, there is an excessive reliance in existing search engines on a single indication of relevance (e.g., PageRank), combined with a nearly myopic view of the worldwide web, which causes new, quality content to stay hidden from search engines for too long. As a result, it is almost necessary for webmasters to "game" the system to gain visibility for new content, while, at the same time, it is easier for low-quality content to spam the Internet. As a result, older, existing content that has had time to collect incoming links is given an advantage (several orders of magnitude) over new, potentially higher-quality content that no one has seen. Therefore, no one has link to such newer content, and it has no discernable PageRank. This self-fulfilling characteristic of PageRank offers a skewed, non-quality-based view of the web to users. This, combined with the difficulty that search engines have in adequately crawling the rapidly-growing Web, leaves room for improvement.
Accordingly, what would be desirable, but has not yet been provided, is a system and method for searching Internet-accessible content, which addresses the foregoing limitations of existing search engines.

System and method for searching for internet-accessible content


A cellular communication system with enhanced Quality-of-Service (QoS) during the hand-off process is disclosed. The system includes a plurality of cells, each including a corresponding base station. Based on the history of a mobile user's positions, the base station of the cell in which the user is located predicts the user's future position. If the future position is in an area covered by another base station (i.e., the target base station), the base station initiates QoS negotiations with the target base station. The target base station allocates resources according to the negotiated QoS if the mobile user enters the area covered by the target base station as predicted.

A cellular communication system provides wireless communication services to mobile users. The coverage area of the system is generally divided into a plurality of cells of substantially the same size. Each of the cells includes a base station that connects the mobile users in the cell to remote destinations. The base station provides wireless connections to the mobile users within the same cell. The base station also relays the connections to the remote destinations, typically via other base stations, over landlines, the public switched telephone network (PSTN), or a combination of wireless and wired backbone networks. The base station also allocates resources to the mobile users within the cell. The resource allocations may include time slot assignments, frequency allocations, and QoS (Quality of Service) assurance.
A mobile user may travel away from a first cell to enter a second cell. When that occurs, the mobile user's signal received at the base station of the first cell (i.e., the current base station) may become so weak in power that the signal becomes highly susceptible to interference and noise. To maintain the quality of the connection, the current base station may hand over the connection to the base station of the second cell (i.e., the target base station). The target base station may establish a new connection for the mobile user without alerting the user. This process of handing over a connection from the current base station to the target base station is called a hand-off process.
The hand-off process is generally initiated by the current base station. The current base station first requests the target base station allocate resources for the mobile user with a QoS level acceptable to the user. The target base station then sets up a new connection for the mobile user with the requested QoS. After the new connection is set up, the current base station tears down the current connection to the user, thus completing the hand-off process.
The hand-off process is generally required to be completed in a timely manner to avoid dropping calls or creating glitches. For multi-media transmissions, a delay in the hand-off process around 600–800 ms may cause a loss of approximately 20–38 typical video frames or 30–40 typical voice speech frames.

Method and an apparatus for reduction of QOS impairments in multi-media services during hand-over