A system having dualband power amplifier control in a dualband phone is provided using a single power amplifier controller. The dualband phone includes two power amplifiers, where each power amplifier amplifies the power of a signal transmitted at a different frequency band. A power amplifier controller is provided for controlling the amount of amplification performed by both of the power amplifiers, and a power amplifier switching device is connected to the power amplifier controller for switching the connection of the power amplifier controller between the two power amplifiers. The system further includes a processing device which monitors the quality and strength of the received signal transmitted by various base stations in the transmission region of the dualband phone. The processing device instructs the power amplifier switching device to switch its connection between the two power amplifiers based upon a determination of which frequency band provides the optimal balance between signal quality and signal strength, and the dualband phone then transmits its signal within the selected optimal frequency band. The system measures the power of the signal transmitted from the power amplifier connected to the power amplifier controller and feeds the measured power value back to the power amplifier controller, so that the power amplifier controller may adjust the voltage driving the power amplifier connected thereto based upon any differences found between the desired power output of the connected power amplifier and the measured power output.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to power amplifier control of a transmitter, and specifically to power amplifier control of the transmitters of a dualband phone using a single power amplifier controller.
2. Description of Related Art
Mobile phones have recently gained widespread use throughout the world. Mobile phones communicate with a base station serving a predetermined area or cell. Each base station has a limited bandwidth within which to operate, depending upon the particular transmission technique utilized by the base station. This limited bandwidth is separated into a plurality of channels frequency-spaced evenly from one another, where these channels are used by the mobile phones within that base station's transmission area. Each base station may only handle a limited number of phones equal to the number of channels and time-slots on those channels provided by that base station. Therefore, the frequency spacing between channels is minimized in order to maximize the number of channels supported by the operating bandwidth of the base stations.
In order to prevent interference between signals on two adjacent channels, the power levels of the signals transmitted by the phones must be precisely controlled. As the mobile phones move around within a base station's cell, the power levels received at the base station will change. For instance, the power level received at the base station will increase as the phone moves closer to the base station if the signal continues to be transmitted at the same power level. Interference between adjacent channels will occur if the power level of a signal received at the base station from one of the phones is too large. Therefore, the system must constantly monitor and adjust the transmission power levels as the phones move within a base station's cell to avoid interference between channels. Most mobile phones typically have power levels between the range of 5 dBm to 33 dBm. Each phone includes a power amplifier controller (PAC) which controls a power amplifier for the transmitted signal. The PAC in each phone adjusts the transmitted power level to maintain a minimum interference between the signals received at the base station on all channels at a constant level. A certain amount of error correction is transmitted with each signal by the system, wherein the amount of error correction is predetermined based upon the constant interference level.
The capacity of base stations in highly populated areas can become saturated during time periods of high use. Mobile phones currently operate as single band phones, where the transmitted signal frequency is within the bandwidth of a base station operating on the same transmission method as the mobile phone. There is a need for mobile phones to operate with dual band transmissions to increase system capacity, so that the systems could choose between two transmission frequencies depending upon which bandwidth is less saturated and could achieve a better signal quality. A dualband phone requires two transmitters, one for each frequency band. Since the power levels of the signals transmitted by a mobile phone must be constantly adjusted, dualband mobile phones must also include a PAC for each transmitter. However, requiring two PACs in a dualband phone adds to the cost, complexity, and size of the dualband phone.
There is a need for a dualband system which selects between one of the two frequency bands to transmit a signal based upon the strength and quality of the transmitted signal received at a base station. Moreover, there is a need for a dualband phone having dualband power amplifier control using a single PAC.

Dualband power amplifier control using a single power amplifier controller


A swivel elbow for a mask assembly includes an elbow adapted to be provided to the mask assembly and a swivel detachably connected to the elbow. The elbow includes a plurality of spaced apart rings that provide a controlled clearance between the elbow and an interior surface of the swivel.

Treatment of sleep disordered breathing (SDB), such as obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), by continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) flow generator systems involves the continuous delivery of air (or other breathable gas) pressurized above atmospheric pressure to the airways of a human or other mammalian patient via a conduit and a mask. Typically, the mask fits over the mouth and/or nose of the patient. Pressurized air flows to the mask and to the airways of the patient via the nose and/or mouth. As the patient exhales, carbon dioxide gas may collect in the mask. A washout vent in the mask or conduit discharges the exhaled gas from the mask atmosphere.
Known masks include a swivel elbow provided to the frame. The swivel elbow receives pressurized breathable gas from a suitable source of pressurized air. The leak rate through the swivel elbow forms part of the overall leak rate from the mask, incorporating the vent flow rate and the mask leak at the cushion of the mask. One key purpose of the vent flow rate is to provide sufficient CO2 washout from the mask. It is advisable to control the flow rate from the mask in order to provide constant known characteristics to the flow generator for prediction of pressure, flow and leakage from the cushion of the mask. Excessive leakage from the swivel elbow may also lead to noise and disturbance to the patient.


Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method and apparatus for controlling brightness of an OLED screen. The method comprises: obtaining brightness of a first sub-pixel in an M-th column of pixels; obtaining brightness of a second sub-pixel; and increasing brightness of the first sub-pixel based on a difference in brightness between the second sub-pixel and the first sub-pixel, if brightness of the second sub-pixel is greater than that of the first sub-pixel.

OLED technology is an important branch of display technology. In a conventional OLED display panel, each pixel consists of three sub-pixels, red (R), green (G) and blue (B). As the display panel is higher and higher in resolution, a display panel emerges, which employs four sub-pixels GGRB to constitute two pixels. The display panel achieves normal display of individual pixels by borrowing colors. In this case, borrowing colors means that a pixel achieves display of its own color by means of colors of light emitted by sub-pixels in surrounding pixels.
In a display panel borrowing colors, it is impossible to achieve brightness control over all the sub-pixels, since the number of sub-pixels is large, whereas the number of channels of one driving integrated circuit (IC for short) is limited. Thus, a scheme where two driving ICs are adopted for display control occurs. In general, the two driving ICs control a left half and a right half of the display panel respectively.
However, since no communication is possible between the two ICs controlling the display panel, one IC thereof cannot obtain data for the other IC driven sub-pixels, such that there might be subtle differences between brightness of sub-pixels controlled by the two ICs. This results in a case where brightness of pixels at the border of regions controlled by the two ICs might be lower than that of other pixels, thereby producing saw-tooth defects.

Method and apparatus for controlling brightness of organic light emitting diode screen


An inter-vehicle distance control device is provided. In this control device, an inter-vehicle distance detecting section detects an inter-vehicle distance between an own vehicle and a preceding vehicle traveling in front of the own vehicle. A laterally adjacent vehicle detecting section detects another vehicle present beside the own vehicle. A cut-in detecting section judges whether or not a cut-in by the other vehicle detected by the laterally adjacent vehicle detecting section is likely to occur, before the other vehicle cuts in between the own vehicle and the preceding vehicle. An inter-vehicle distance adjusting section performs an inter-vehicle distance extension adjustment to increase the inter-vehicle distance when the cut-in detecting section judges that a cut-in is likely to occur. An inter-vehicle distance control section controls the inter-vehicle distance based on information from the inter-vehicle distance adjusting section.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an inter-vehicle distance control device that controls the speed and the like of a vehicle in which the inter-vehicle distance control device is mounted (hereinafter referred to as an "own vehicle"), such that the inter-vehicle distance between the own vehicle and a leading vehicle in front of the own vehicle is a distance set in advance.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventionally, inter-vehicle distance control devices have been known that detect the inter-vehicle distance between the own vehicle and a leading vehicle, and control speed to maintain an inter-vehicle distance set in advance (set inter-vehicle distance). Among such inter-vehicle distance control devices, for example, Japanese registered patent JP-4771602-B discloses a technology in which, when another vehicle cuts in between the own vehicle and the leading vehicle, the inter-vehicle distance between the own vehicle and the other vehicle is temporarily set to a predetermined target inter-vehicle distance that is shorter than the set inter-vehicle distance, and speed control is performed. The inter-vehicle distance is subsequently returned to the set inter-vehicle distance in stages, based on the amount of surrounding traffic.
In the above-described inter-vehicle distance control device, when another vehicle cuts in in front of the own vehicle, the inter-vehicle distance between the own vehicle and the leading vehicle becomes shortened. Therefore, there is an advantage in that other vehicle is unlikely to be able to cut in during heavy traffic.
However, in the conventional technology, inter-vehicle distance control is started once the other vehicle cuts in between the own vehicle and the leading vehicle. Therefore, inter-vehicle distance control for the other vehicle is delayed, possibly causing the drivers of both the own vehicle and the other vehicle to experience unease.
Therefore, an inter-vehicle distance control device is desired that reduces unease experienced by the drivers of both the own vehicle and another vehicle, in a situation in which the other vehicle cuts in between a preceding vehicle that is the leading vehicle and the own vehicle.


A method and an apparatus are provided for use in a parallel optical transmitter or transceiver to compensate for variations in optical crosstalk in an optical output power monitoring system that are caused by lasers being enabled and/or disabled. In particular, the method and apparatus cause adjustments to be made to the reference value of each optical channel based on determinations of whether one or more lasers of the other optical channels have been disabled or enabled. By making these adjustments, the average optical output power level of each laser of each channel can be maintained at a desired or required level even if one or more of the lasers of one or more of the other channels is enabled or disabled.

In optical communications systems, lasers are used in optical transmitters and optical transceivers to convert electrical data signals into optical data signals, which are then transmitted over an optical waveguide, typically an optical fiber, to some intended destination, such as to an optical receiver or transceiver. Parallel optical transmitters and transceivers include multiple optical transmit channels, each of which has a respective laser for generating a respective optical data signal to be transmitted over the respective optical channel. In many parallel optical transmitters and transceivers, the output power level of at least one of the lasers is monitored by an optical output power feedback monitoring system that adjusts the modulation and/or bias currents of the lasers such that the average output power levels of the lasers are maintained at a desired or required level. Typically, the adjustments are made to cause the average output power levels of the lasers to be maintained at a predetermined, substantially constant level.
It is common practice in the optical communications industry to use a monitor photodiode to detect light output from a rear portion of the transmitter laser (or a portion of the output power reflected back through optical lenses) and to use this optical feedback to measure and control the average optical output power level of a laser. In general, the average transmitted output power level, PAVG, of the laser can be controlled by controlling the bias current, IBIAS, of the laser. Thus, if the optical feedback indicates that PAVG has fallen below the required level, increasing IBIAS by an appropriate amount will raise PAVG to the required level. Similarly, if the optical feedback indicates that PAVG has risen above the required level, decreasing IBIAS by an appropriate amount will lower PAVG to the required level.
FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a typical configuration of an optical output power feedback monitoring system of a known parallel optical transmitter or transceiver. The feedback monitoring system includes n feedback control loops 21-2n, where n is the number of optical transmit channels in the optical transmitter or transceiver. The feedback control loops 21-2n are identical in configuration. The manner in which the optical output power feedback monitoring system operates will be described with reference to feedback control loop 21. The feedback control loop 21 includes a laser diode driver circuit 3, a current source 4, a laser diode 5, a monitor photodiode 6, and an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) 7. The laser diode 5 is modulated with an electrical data signal (not shown) to cause the laser diode 5 to produce an optical data signal 8. The optical data signal 8 is optically coupled via coupling optics 9 into an end of an optical fiber 11. The coupling optics 9 optically couple a small portion 12 of the optical data signal 8 onto the monitor photodiode 6.
The monitor photodiode 6 converts the portion 12 of the optical data signal 8 received into an analog electrical signal 13. The ADC 7 converts the analog electrical signal into a multi-bit digital feedback signal 14. The digital feedback signal 14 is fed back to the laser diode driver circuit 3. The control circuit 3 compares the digital feedback signal 14 to a pre-selected digital reference signal 15 and output a drive signal 16. The drive signal 16 drives the current source 4, which causes the bias current of the laser diode 5 to be varied, thereby causing the average output power level of the laser diode 5 to be maintained at a predetermined, substantially constant level.
In some cases, a single feedback control loop 21 is used to monitor the output power level of one of the laser diodes 5, in which case all of the bias currents of all of the laser diodes 5 are adjusted by the same amount based on the optical feedback from one of the laser diodes 5. In other cases, each optical channel of the parallel optical transmitter or transceiver has a respective feedback control loop 21, as depicted in FIG. 1.
One of the disadvantages of the optical output power level feedback monitoring systems of the type shown in FIG. 1 is that the photodiodes 6 can receive optical crosstalk in the form of portions of the laser light produced by the laser diodes 5 of one or more adjacent and non-adjacent optical channels. This optical crosstalk can result in errors in the amounts by which the bias currents of the laser diodes 5 are adjusted, which, in turn, can result in a failure to maintain the average optical output power levels of the laser diodes 5 at proper levels. This is particularly true when one or more of the laser diodes 5 is enabled or disabled. For example, if the laser diode 5 of feedback control loop 2n is disabled, the photodiode 6 of feedback control loop 2n-1 will receive less light due to the absence of optical crosstalk from the laser diode 5 of feedback control loop 2n. As a result, the digital feedback signal 14 will have an artificially low value, which will result in the drive signal 16 being too great. Consequently, the current source 4 of feedback control loop 2n-1 will cause the optical output power level of its laser diode 5 to be increased more than necessary, which can result in degradation in link performance, eye safety issues, and other problems.
Accordingly, a need exists for a method and apparatus that enable the absence and presence of optical crosstalk to be compensated for in optical output power feedback monitoring systems used in parallel optical transmitters and receivers.

Method and apparatus for compensating for optical crosstalk in an optical output power feedback monitoring system of a parallel optical transmitter

Avago Technologies Fiber IP (Singapore) Pte. Ltd


An apparatus has a body having a channel. A display support member has a first end pivotally coupled to the body and a second end. A display housing has a bottom portion. The display housing is pivotally coupled to the second end of the display support member. A first latch member is coupled to the bottom portion of the display housing. The first latch member is adapted to be received by the channel and hold the display housing.

Over the past decade, there has been increased demand for notebook computers, especially in light of their enhanced data processing capabilities. Operating from either external or portable power sources, conventional notebook computers feature a display housing pivotally connected to a body. Typically, the display housing features a liquid crystal display (LCD) while the body features a keyboard and a secondary input device, such as a roller ball or a touch pad for example.
In order to access the keyboard and view the LCD, a user places the body on a surface (e.g., the user's lap or a stationary surface) and opens the notebook computer by pivoting the display housing in an upward angular direction away from the body. As a result, the user is able to access the keyboard and secondary input device as well as to read the displayed content from the LCD. To close and transport the notebook computer after use, the user pivots the display housing toward the body and secures the display housing. Such pivoting may be accomplished by a hinge attached to a rear surface of the body.
Due to the growing popularity of personal digital assistants and tablet computers, notebook computers are now being configured to alternatively operate as a tablet computer, with a stylus operating as the input device. This requires the display housing to be inverted, namely the LCD is positioned to face upward and to rest against the body.
Japanese Patent JP07-049725 discloses a notebook computer that can have the display screen in a key entry state or a pen input state. In the pen input state the display screen covers the keyboard. The display screen is generally parallel to and facing away from the keyboard. The display screen is supported by two arms that have offset hinge points causing the arms to move into a parallel relationship as the display is rotated between the key entry state and the pen input state. One of the arms is fitted with a cammed lock mechanism that operates to lock the arm when the display screen is either the key entry state or the pen input state thus holding the screen in either of those positions. The lock is released by rotation of the display screen to permit movement to the alternate screen positions.
Known electronic devices that allow the display to be pivoted to an alternate position for tablet type use may have various disadvantages. For instance, one disadvantage is that conventional display housings may employ two independent locking mechanisms, such as a pair of locking pins to preclude rotation of the LCD and a lock to attach the display housing to the body casing. This may make the locking/unlocking procedure cumbersome. Moreover, independent locking mechanisms may increase overall manufacturing costs and increase the potential likelihood of a structural failure.


A method is provided for accessing a user operable device having limited access ability. The method comprises transmitting an inquiry from a mobile device of a user via a wide area transmission network to a key authority for obtaining an access key for accessing functions of the user operable device, receiving a request for information from the key authority, transmitting the requested information to the key authority, wherein the information is used by the key authority for co-coding the access key with one or more conditions for operating the user operable device, receiving the access key assigned by the key authority via the wide area transmission network, and transmitting the access key to a controller unit of the user operable device via a short range communication network for accessing the functions of the user operable device.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a method for accessing a user operable device of controlled access. In particular, the invention relates to a method for accessing a user operable device of controlled access secured by an electronic key which can be assigned by radio link.
2. Discussion of Related Art
Traditionally, the access to several devices, particularly devices which can be rented, is often limited by time restraints due to the fact that for example a real key must be handed over to the user who intends to rent this device. Therefore, local agencies have to be maintained, which are cost-intensive. To operate such services from a central office without local agencies it is necessary to organize the rental process without handing over physical objects such as a real key.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Method for accessing a user operable device of controlled access


Disclosed are an organic electroluminescent device (organic EL device) which is improved in luminous efficiency, fully secured of driving stability, and simple in constitution and a compound for use therein. The organic electroluminescent device comprises a light-emitting layer disposed between an anode and a cathode piled one upon another on a substrate and the light-emitting layer contains a phosphorescent dopant and a compound for use in an organic electroluminescent device having two or more indolocarbazole skeletons as a host material. An example of the compound having indolocarbazole skeletons for use in the device is expressed by the following formula.

An organic EL device of the simplest structure is generally constituted of a light-emitting layer sandwiched between a pair of counter electrodes and utilizes the following light-emitting phenomenon. Upon application of voltage to the electrodes, electrons are injected from a cathode and holes are injected from an anode and they recombine in the light-emitting layer; after recombination, the energy level in the conduction band goes back to the energy level in the valence band with release of energy in the form of light.
In recent years, organic thin films have been used in the development of EL devices. In particular, devices that comprise a hole-transporting layer of an aromatic amine and a light-emitting layer of 8-hydroxyquinoline aluminum complex (hereinafter referred to as Alq3) disposed in thin film between the electrodes have been developed following the optimization of the kind of electrodes for the purpose of improving the efficiency of carrier injection from the electrodes and enhancing the luminous efficiency. The devices of this kind have produced remarkable improvement in luminous efficiency over the conventional devices utilizing single crystals of anthracene and the like and the developmental works of organic EL devices thereafter have aimed at commercial application to high-performance flat panels featuring self luminescence and high-speed response.
The utilization of phosphorescence in place of fluorescence is experimented to enhance the luminous efficiency of the device. The aforementioned devices comprising a hole-transporting layer of an aromatic diamine and a light-emitting layer of Alq3 and many others utilize fluorescence. Now, the utilization of phosphorescence, that is, emission of light from the triplet excited state, is expected to enhance the luminous efficiency approximately three times that of the conventional devices utilizing fluorescence (singlet). To achieve this object, studies were conducted on the use of coumarin derivatives and benzophenone derivatives in the light-emitting layer, but the result was nothing but extremely low luminance. Thereafter, europium complexes were tried in the utilization of the triplet excited state, but they failed to emit light at high efficiency. A large number of inventions have been made relating to phosphorescent dopants as cited in JP2003-515897 A (patent document 1).    Patent document 1: JP2003-515897 A    Patent document 2: JP2001-313178 A    Patent document 3: JP2002-305083 A    Patent document 4: JP2002-352957 A    Patent document 5: JP11-162650 A    Patent document 6: JP11-176578 A
In the development of organic EL devices, CBP that is a carbazole compound is proposed as a host material for use in the light-emitting layer as cited in JP2001-313178 A. However, the use of CBP as a host material for tris(2-phenylpyridine)iridium complex (hereinafter referred to as Ir(ppy)3) that is a phosphorescent material emitting green light destroys the balanced injection of electrical charges as CBP has a property of facilitating the flow of hole and obstructing the flow of electrons and excess holes flow out to the side of the electron-transporting layer to lower the luminous efficiency from Ir(ppy)3.
As a means to solve the aforementioned problem, a hole-blocking layer may be disposed between the light-emitting layer and the electron-transporting layer. The hole-blocking layer accumulates holes efficiently in the light-emitting layer thereby improving the probability of recombination of holes and electrons in the light-emitting layer and enhancing the luminous efficiency. Examples of the materials currently in general use for the hole-blocking layer include 2,9-dimethyl-4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline (hereinafter referred to as BCP) and p-phenylphenolato-bis(2-methyl-8-quinolinolato-N1,O8)aluminum (hereinafter referred to as BAlq). A hole-blocking material such as this can prevent electrons and holes from recombining in the electron-transporting layer. However, BCP lacks reliability as a hole-blocking material as it tends to crystallize easily at room temperature and a device comprising BCP shows an extremely short operating life. On the other hand, BAlq has a Tg of approximately 100° C. and a device comprising BAlq is reported to show a relatively long operating life, but the hole-blocking ability of BAlq is not sufficient and the luminous efficiency from Ir(ppy)3 drops.
On the other hand, 3-phenyl-4-(1′-naphthyl)-5-phenyl-1,2,4-triazole (hereinafter referred to as TAZ) is also proposed as a host material for a phosphorescent organic EL device as cited in JP2002-352957 A; however, TAZ has a property of facilitating the flow of electrons and obstructing the flow of holes and the light-emitting range is displaced toward the side of the hole-transporting layer. Hence, it is conceivable that the luminous efficiency from Ir(ppy)3 may fall depending upon the compatibility of the material used for the hole-transporting layer with Ir(ppy)3. For example, 4,4′-bis[N-(1-naphthyl)-N-phenylamino]biphenyl (hereinafter referred to as NPB) that is a material most widely used in the hole-transporting layer for its excellent performance, high reliability, and long operating life shows poor compatibility with Ir(ppy)3 and energy transition occurs from Ir(ppy)3 to NPB to lower the luminous efficiency.
The patent documents JP11-162650 A and JP11-176578 A disclose indolocarbazole compounds, but they disclose none of the compounds of this invention. Further, the disclosed indolocarbazole compounds are recommended for use as a host-transporting material and their stability is highly regarded, but the documents do not teach the use as a phosphorescent host material.

Compound for use in organic electroluminescent device and organic electroluminescent device


A system and method for automatically determining and setting the optimum output power values on base station and mobile station radio channels in a cellular system. The invention sets power levels for fixed power radio channels, and sets initial and maximum power levels for variable power radio channels. The present invention utilizes data obtained from automatic digital voice channel power regulation in either the base station, or mobile station, or both when determining and setting optimum output levels on radio channels of the system.

1. Technical Field of the Invention
This invention relates to cellular mobile telecommunications systems, and more particularly, to a system and method for automatically verifying and setting the optimal base station and mobile station radio channel output power values.
2. Description of Related Art
Wireless communication systems, including cellular mobile telephone communications systems, provide telephony services between mobile users and landline users. A system may be analog only, digital only or a dual mode system capable of both analog and digital operation. Analog cellular communication systems employ conventional frequency modulation of speech for broadcasting, while digital Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) cellular telecommunications systems convert speech into digital samples utilizing voice coders in both the mobile and the base station. These digitized samples are transmitted between a mobile station and a base station according to the TDMA structure specified for a particular communications system. The speech samples are encoded with error protection which enables the measurement of the quality of the transmitted signal by calculating the Bit Error Rate (BER) at the receiving end. A low level of BER depends on a good quality radio channel that is undisturbed by interference.
Conventionally, the output power of each of the radio channels in the base station is set manually by an operator. The operator usually selects the same value of output power level for all channels of the base station, including the analog control and voice channels, as well as the digital control and voice channels. The base station output power values remain fixed until the operator manually sets and defines a new value.
On the other hand, the output power of the mobile station on the digital or analog voice channel during conversation is normally regulated in accordance with commands received from the base station. The levels specified by the transmitted commands are typically according to measurements made at the base station on the analog or digital voice channel. However, the initial power level the mobile station assumes when a conversation is first started on either an analog or digital voice channel is set according to an operator-defined parameter transmitted by the base station on the control channel. Further, the mobile station power output level when transmitting on the control channel is also set according to an operator-defined value.
One of the problems associated with the aforementioned methods of setting the output power for either mobile or base stations is that these methods fail to adequately optimize the power levels needed for good quality transmission and reception. If the power level of a base station is set too high, excessive radio interference is created within the coverage area of other base stations which reuse the same channel frequencies. If the power level is too low, on the other hand, unacceptable reception in the mobile or base stations results from insufficient signal strength.
Since the operator normally sets the requisite power levels based on a worst case scenario, it has been observed in many mobile radio communication systems that the power levels used are significantly higher than necessary to provide good radio coverage within the range of the base stations.
A separate commonly assigned patent application, Ser. No. 08/061,000, filed May 14, 1993 now U.S. Pat. No. 5,574,982, describes an invention entitled "Method and Apparatus for Transmission Power Regulation in a Radio System". According to this invention, reports of BER during conversations on the digital voice channel are monitored and the transmitting station output power on the digital voice channel is continuously adjusted to improve performance. The transmitting station can be either the base station or mobile station. The aim of the invention is not to obtain a perfect transmission on each digital voice channel, which would require high power signals from the mobile and base stations, but to optimize the balance between power and quality in order to obtain an acceptable level of bit errors on the digital voice channels.
This method, however, cannot be applied to analog voice channels because there is no means for the receiving mobile station to report to the transmitting base station on the quality of the received signal. Also, this method cannot be applied to digital or analog control channels because the control signal is used to communicate with multiple mobile stations at different ranges within the control area of the base station. Thus the operator still needs to define a base station output power level for analog voice channels, and an output power level for both the mobile and base station digital and analog control channels. Initial values for the mobile station analog and digital voice channels also must be defined. In addition the operator also needs to define a maximum power level value that must not be exceeded by the output power regulation mechanism in the digital voice channels of both the mobile and base stations.
Accordingly, it would be a distinct advantage to have a system and method for setting fixed system parameters such as power levels for the base station analog and digital control channels, the base station analog voice channels, the mobile station analog and digital control channels, and for setting initial power levels for the mobile station analog and digital voice channels. It would also be an advantage to have a system and method for setting a maximum power level for the power regulation mechanism in the digital voice channels of both the mobile and base stations. The present invention provides such a system and method.

System and method for setting of output power parameters in a cellular mobile telecommunication system


Liquid level control apparatus consisting of a valve frame with supply gas throughput through an adjustable orifice post and a float actuated release of orifice post pressure to cause a sharp change in pressure to actuate a pressure-responsive dump valve. Proposed then is the further interconnection of the valve frame in reversed disposition to a snap action pilot valve thereby to provide a non-bleeding mode of valve control.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates generally to liquid level controllers of the type used for automatic level control in oil field applications and the like and, more particularly, but not by way of limitation, it relates to an improved liquid level controller that is pollution free as it does not bleed control gas into the atmosphere.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The prior art includes numerous types of float-operated and pressure-operated switching arrangements for controlling the liquid level in field storage tanks of various types, particularly those that are used in the petroleum industry. A series of floatless controllers for use on inlet gas scrubbers for compressors is available from Kimray, Inc. of Oklahoma City, Okla. and this series of valves is identified as Type 100, 200 and 400 PLC Floatless Controllers. This type of controller may be applied to any liquid level control application in conjunction with a diaphragm-type motor valve. The same manufacturer also provides a Type PFS series float-operated pilot valve for use on oil and gas separators, water knock-outs, gas scrubbers, accumulators and related devices.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,882,724 is representative of a prior art type of liquid level metering apparatus. This patent teaches free float liquid metering utilizing a metering vessel containing a float member that is free to move up and down the column vessel between movable arms. The movable arms are each positioned to operate actuating assemblies which function to open and close the fluid inlet valve to the vessel and the fluid outlet valve.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,970,099 is illustrative of another type of liquid level controller wherein a vent valve reacts to movement of a float suspended within a container or vessel. A pneumatic vent valve responds to float movement through a simplified direct-acting mechanism having a sealed shaft between the float and vent chambers. Here again, we have a pneumatic control system that is particularly adaptable for allowing a compressor to be shut down when liquid level reaches a predetermined height. However, the device is also adaptable for use with pressure vessels, boilers and the like. The U.S. Pat. No. 4,573,489 is directed to a dump valve which includes a float/float arm sensor within a gas scrubber container. The liquid level responsive float is connected to operate a vent valve which, in turn, is connected to a small diaphragm spool valve that feeds through a pressure regulator unit. A sensitive, small pneumatic signal-responsive diaphragm spool valve is utilized in parallel with the float-operated vent valve so that when the vent valve is open due to rising liquid level, a small pneumatic control signal is delivered through the spool valve to a pneumatic control chamber on one side of a relatively large diaphragm of an automatic dump valve. This dump valve enables quick, manual operation whenever desired as an override to the automatically responsive condition.


In an embodiment, a device manufacturing method for transferring a pattern from a patterning device onto a substrate includes receiving a design layout information associated with a device, determining the pattern from the design layout information, providing the pattern to a patterning device, determining feed-forward requirement data from the design layout information, wherein the feed-forward requirement data includes at least first feed-forward requirement data related to a first location in the pattern and second feed-forward requirement data related to a second location in the pattern, determining a transfer condition from at least at least the first and the second feed-forward requirement data; and transferring a portion of the pattern from the patterning device onto the substrate based at least in part on the transfer condition.

1. Field
Embodiments of the present invention relate to a method for manufacturing a device, a lithographic apparatus, a design for manufacturing system, a computer program product for use with a lithographic apparatus and a computer program product for use with a design for manufacturing system.
2. Background
A lithographic apparatus is a machine that applies a desired pattern onto a substrate, usually onto a target portion of the substrate. A lithographic apparatus can be used, for example, in the manufacture of devices such as integrated circuits (ICs). In that instance, a patterning device, which is alternatively referred to as a mask or a reticle, may be used to generate a circuit pattern to be formed on an individual layer of the IC. This pattern can be transferred onto a target portion (e.g. including part of, one, or several dies) on a substrate (e.g. a silicon wafer). Transfer of the pattern is typically via imaging onto a layer of radiation-sensitive material (resist) provided on the substrate. In general, a single substrate will contain a network of adjacent target portions that are successively patterned. Known lithographic apparatus include so-called steppers, in which each target portion is irradiated by exposing an entire pattern onto the target portion at one time, and so-called scanners, in which each target portion is irradiated by scanning the pattern through a radiation beam in a given direction (the "scanning"-direction) while synchronously scanning the substrate parallel or anti-parallel to this direction. It is also possible to transfer the pattern from the patterning device to the substrate by imprinting the pattern onto the substrate.
U.S. Pat. Appl. Publ. No. 2005/028129 A1, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, describes a method to automatically determine beam condition parameters from a target layout. In particular, to determine a numerical aperture (NA) of the radiation beam and an intensity distribution of the radiation in a pupil of the optical system of the lithographic apparatus, such as the sigma_inner and sigma_outer of an annular pupil filling. U.S. Pat. Appl. Publ. No. 2005/028129 A1 uses e.g. a line width analysis or pitch analysis to determine NA and sigma_inner and sigma_outer such that the features may be printed without bias adjustments.
Although the method described in U.S. Pat. Appl. Publ. No. 2005/028129 A1 provides an improvement over earlier prior art methods by effectively adjusting the optical system so as to achieve an imaging with an optimal resolution, the method may still give rise to some problems. For example, when a large NA is selected with a large pupil filling, the depth of focus of the imaging is very small and the risk of not being in optimal focus may be significant. When the imaging is done without having optimal focus, the imaging resolution may be of a lesser quality and the highest resolution features may be imaged with a too low quality.

Device manufacturing method, lithographic system, lithographic apparatus and design for manufacturing system


A signal process circuit includes a signal modulation unit, a first resistor, a second resistor, a first discharge unit, a second discharge unit and a discharge detection unit. The signal modulation unit is used to modulate an input signal for generating a modulated signal. The first resistor is coupled between the signal modulation unit and an operation node. The second resistor is coupled between the operation node and the signal modulation unit. The first discharge unit is coupled to the signal modulation unit. The discharge unit is coupled to the signal modulation unit. The discharge detection unit is coupled to the first discharge unit, the operation node and the second discharge unit for detecting an output common voltage and control a discharge path accordingly.

According to prior art, a high voltage current shunt amplifier and related process circuit may be used in application scenarios of real-time overcurrent protection (OCP), current and power protection of system optimization, current measurement for a closed loop circuit and so on. For example, in the fields of robotics, electric vehicle (EV), hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) and solar inverter, the abovementioned circuit is frequently used. In practice, information can be carried on a signal having a pulse width modulation (PWM) waveform. However, regarding circuits of the field, there are engineering problems including that input common voltages of various amplifiers vary too greatly, an amplifier is susceptible to changes of a pulse width modulation signal, and it is difficult to avoid using high voltage components. The engineering problems have caused difficulties of circuit design in the field. An appropriate solution is still required.

Signal process circuit capable of being externally coupled to multiple types of amplifier circuits


A method of fabricating an electrostatic chuck capable of holding a substrate in a chamber comprises forming an at least partially sintered dielectric insert, forming a dielectric preform comprising an electrode and a gas conduit, and placing the dielectric insert in the gas conduit of the dielectric preform, and sintering the dielectric preform and the dielectric insert.

The present invention relates to an electrostatic chuck and a method of fabricating the same.
An electrostatic chuck is used to electrostatically hold a substrate during processing, for example, to hold a silicon wafer in a chamber during semiconductor processing. The electrostatic chuck typically comprises an electrode covered by a dielectric, the electrode being electrically chargeable to form or sustain a plasma in the chamber. The plasma is an electrically conductive gaseous medium that may be formed by coupling electromagnetic energy, such as RF energy, into the chamber. For example, the plasma may be generated by inductive or capacitive coupling of energy to the gas. The electrode may also be charged by a voltage to generate an attractive electrostatic force that holds the substrate to the chuck. A heat transfer gas, such as helium, may also be provided to the backside of the substrate via holes that extend through the electrostatic chuck.
One problem with conventional electrostatic chucks arises during their use in plasma processes, especially high density plasma processes. The plasma can permeate into, or may form in, gaps and apertures in the electrostatic chuck. For example, the potential applied to the electrode may cause formation of glow discharges or electrical arcing in or about the helium gas holes passing through the electrostatic chuck. This is especially a problem when the gas holes extend through an electrode of the electrostatic chuck that is powered with a RF voltage, for example, to ignite or sustain the plasma in the chamber. The RF voltage may permeate to couple to the gas traveling through the gas holes to generate a plasma therein.
It is known to provide a dielectric insert in the gas hole to reduce plasma formation therein. The dielectric insert allows the passage of gas therethrough while reducing or preventing plasma formation therein. However, conventional methods of manufacturing the electrostatic chuck with the dielectric insert may sometimes result in cracking or fracturing about the portion of the electrostatic chuck surrounding the dielectric insert. Also, it is difficult to insert the dielectric insert into the gas hole of the electrostatic chuck without damaging the gas hole or the surrounding regions. This is especially a problem in the manufacture of electrostatic chucks made from ceramic materials which may be brittle and thereby undergo brittle fracture.
Thus, it is desirable to have an electrostatic chuck capable of reducing plasma formation about or in the electrostatic chuck, for example, in gas holes extending through the electrostatic chuck. It is also desirable to have a method of manufacturing the electrostatic chuck that allows for the robust production of electrostatic chucks. It is further desirable to allow for the efficient production of ceramic electrostatic chucks.
The present invention satisfies these needs. A method of fabricating an electrostatic chuck capable of holding a substrate in a chamber is provided. The method comprises forming an at least partially sintered a dielectric insert, forming a dielectric preform comprising an electrode and a gas conduit, and placing the dielectric insert in the gas conduit of the dielectric preform, and sintering the dielectric preform and the dielectric insert.

Fabricating an electrostatic chuck having plasma resistant gas conduits


An air and water hub for the separation of excess water from air is constructed at the top of a canister assembly that is used for the induction of air, dust and water. The hub is a spinning member rotating within the canister assembly near the top thereof, and is powered by a shaft connecting the hub to the vacuum motor at the top of the assembly. The hub spins within the circumference of the top of the canister, and the rotating action removes the water from air by forcing it against the inside walls of the assembly. A gap between the inner wall and the hub allows the water to drain downward along the inside of the assembly. The hub may be used with ah hourglass-shaped induction assembly that directs the flow of air, water and dust to the hub from below.

The invention relates to the field of vacuum cleaners and in particular an improved vacuum cleaner having an air/water separator hub that operates as an interface between a vacuum motor and an induction chamber. The invention is believed to find most use in the field of wet and dry vacuums where the vacuum motor is designed to create a suction effect within a canister or similar housing water that is taken in along with dirt and dust is separated from the water at the bottom of the assembly. The hub is located at the top of the assembly and serves to further remove water by cyclonic action at the top of the assembly.
While there are wet/dry vacuums that are used in the prior art none of them that the applicant is aware of have a spinning hub at the top of the induction assembly in order to remove the last traces of water from the air stream prior to reaching the motor.
An air and water hub for the separation of excess water is shown and described The hub is constructed at the top of a canister assembly that is used for the induction of air, dust, etc. in the vacuum assembly. The hub may be thought of as a spinning member that rotates within the canister assembly and near the top. The hub may be powered by a shaft that connects the hub to the vacuum motor at the top of the assembly. The hub spins within the circumference of the top of the canister and the rotating action should remove the water by forcing the water against the inside walls of the assembly. A gap between the inner wall and the hub provides for the water to drain downward down the inside of the assembly.
There may be constructed an outer groove running in connection with the hub and on the outside of the induction assembly. The groove is used to hold a sponge or similar type of material that can hold water in order to remove excess water from the top of the inducted air stream as that air stream reaches the top of the canister.
It is among the object of the invention to provide an improved induction canister assembly for wet dry vacuums that has a spinning hub at the top of the assembly for further removal of water from the inducted air stream.
Another objective is to protect the motor located in connection with an induction assembly from coming into contact with excess water.
Another objective is to further the separation of dirt and water from air in a wet/dry vacuum by the action of a spinning hub in connection with an hour glass shaped induction assembly that serves to compress the water and dirt mixture by the centrifugal action of the hub.
Another objective is to enhance the removal of fine grains of dust that may escape from the bag of the vacuum by ejecting dirt through the perforated area of the assembly that is described below.
Other objectives will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Vacuum cleaner with air/water separator hub


A device for recording and monitoring medical procedures, particularly during emergency treatment, including a keyboard with several groups of keys, one group representing different medical treatments, another representing different medications, another representing various dosages, as for example in c.c.'s and one representing numerical digits. When the keys are depressed a signal is transmitted to a microprocessor which routes it to a LED digital display for visual confirmation. Then, an "Enter" key, which is pressed at the time the treatment is actually effected, transmits the signals representing treatment, dosage, etc. selected by the depressed keys to the microprocessor which transmits the data, along with signals representative of the time of day from a clock circuit, simultaneously to a thermal printing device and to a tape recorder. In the meantime, signals from an external electrocardiogram machine are continuously being transmitted to the tape recorder to be recorded on a second channel.

According to present practice, the precise time that events effected during medical procedures, particularly during an emergency, are almost impossible to record accurately or completely. Procedures taken during a medical emergency are usually written on paper as time and opportunity permit, they are seldom recorded precisely at the times, or in the actual sequence, in which they are given. The attending medical professional is often working under considerable tension and haste and cannot stop to note procedures taken and medication given at the time of the event. Further, notes of procedures and medications are usually not made on, or with any time relationship to, an electrocardiogram, which is registering the heart beat. The EKG machine cannot be stopped to record the medication or treatment on the strip itself, because critical changes in the heart beat, or even cardiac arrests, could take place at any time.

Medical procedures monitoring and recording device


An endless drive track system for use with a tracked vehicle includes a planetary drive system having drive rollers, a plurality of roller wheels, an endless track having an interior surface and a plurality of drive lugs attached to the interior surface. Each drive lug includes at least one drive face that is positively engaged by the drive rollers of the planetary drive system, and longitudinal faces that are engageable with the sides of the roller wheels. Each longitudinal face has an angled shape defined by upper and lower portions. The lower portion is substantially perpendicular to the interior surface while the upper portion is angled between about 5.degree. and 60.degree. with respect to the lower portion. This arrangement promotes lateral guidance of the endless track and reduces the potential of damaging contact between the longitudinal faces and the roller wheels. The endless track may include a reinforcing brace having flanges that protect the longitudinal faces. The reinforcing brace extends from the interior surface of the endless track and decreases the amount each of the drive lugs erodes from possible contact with the roller wheels.

1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to a track for an endless drive track system. More particularly, the present invention relates to an endless drive track having an improved drive lug configuration for use with a tracked vehicle such as a tractor, bulldozer or tank.
2. Description of Related Art
Conventional endless drive track systems are used with tracked vehicles such as tractors, bulldozers, tanks or the like, as shown in U.S. Pat. No. Re. 33,324, incorporated herein by reference. As shown in FIG. 1 herein, a vehicle 1 includes an endless drive track system 2 with an endless track 3, a drive system, e.g., a planetary drive system 4, and a plurality of roller wheels 5, also commonly known as idler wheels that guide, laterally align and support the track 3. The planetary drive system 4 and the plurality of roller wheels 5 are located at separate positions within the endless drive track system 2. For example, when the drive rollers 6 (see FIGS. 2 and 3) of the planetary drive system 4 rotate in a clockwise direction, the endless track 3 is driven in the clockwise direction. The roller wheels 5 also rotate in the clockwise direction due to the frictional engagement of the roller wheels 5 with the driven endless track 3. Alternatively, the roller wheels 5 can be positively driven. Consequently, the drive rollers 6, the roller wheels 5 and the endless track 3 rotate in a common direction.
The endless track 3 is comprised of a plurality of drive sections 7. FIG. 2 shows an exploded perspective view of an exemplary drive section 7 where the drive rollers 6 of the planetary drive system 4 engage the drive section 7 of the endless track. Each drive section 7 includes an interior surface 8 and an exterior surface 9. The exterior surface 9 of each drive section 7 faces away relative to the endless drive track system 2 and includes a tread that contacts the ground over which the tracked vehicle 1 travels. The interior surface 8 of each drive section 7 faces toward the endless drive track system 2 and includes a plurality of drive lugs 10 extending inwardly from the interior surface 8.
Typically, each drive lug 10 includes four faces 10a-10d. Faces 10b and 10d are drive faces that extend in a direction transverse to the traveling direction of the endless track 3 and are contacted and driven by the drive rollers 6. An arrow A indicates the traveling direction of the endless track 3 as being from right to left, although the traveling direction of the endless track 3 can also be from left to right. The remaining faces 10a and 10c are longitudinal faces and extend in a direction substantially parallel to the traveling direction of the endless track 3. At least one purpose of the longitudinal faces 10a and 10c is to guide the endless track 3 as it travels past the roller wheels 5.
FIG. 3 shows a schematic diagram of the drive rollers 6 rotated in a clockwise direction by the planetary drive system 4 to engage and drive the drive lugs 10. When a drive section 7 of the endless track 3 reaches the planetary drive system 4, the rotated drive rollers 6 of the planetary drive system 4 contact drive face 10b of the drive lugs 10 to drive the endless track 3 in the clockwise direction. Similarly, when the drive rollers 6 are rotated in the counterclockwise direction, the drive rollers 6 contact drive face 10d of the drive lugs 10 to drive the endless track 3 in a counterclockwise direction. As such, upon contacting the drive face 10b or 10d of the drive lugs 10, the drive rollers 6 are able to drive the drive section 7 of the endless track 3 in the desired traveling direction. The drive rollers 6 repeat the above-described operation for every drive lug 10 passing through the planetary drive system 4.
As the drive rollers 6 of the planetary drive system 4 are typically constructed from wear-resistant materials, e.g., metals, and the endless track 3 is typically made of a polymeric material, the engagement of the drive rollers 6 with the drive lugs 10 of the endless track 3 may result in the wearing down or erosion of the drive lugs 10. Although the drive rollers 6 are illustrated as substantially filling the region between adjacent drive lugs 10, the size of the drive rollers 6 can be made smaller, as long as the drive rollers 6 are capable of engaging the drive faces 10b and 10d of the drive lugs 10.
FIG. 4 shows an exploded perspective view where the roller wheels 5 engage a drive 7 section of the endless track 3 driven in the clockwise, i.e., right to left, direction. In the illustration, three roller wheels 5 are provided on a common shaft, although more or less than three rollers can be provided, and independent shafts may be desirable, depending on need. As such, because of the frictional engagement of the endless track 3 with the roller wheels 5, each roller wheel 5 is rotated in the clockwise direction with the drive section 7 of the endless track 3. The rotation of the roller wheels 5 provides even support across the endless track 3 in an orthogonal direction relative to the direction the track 3 is driven.
FIG. 5 is cross-sectional view of the roller wheels 5 engaging the drive section 7 of the endless track 3 shown in FIG. 4, as taken along section line 5--5. The spacing of the roller wheels 5 relative to the drive lugs 10 is such that the roller wheels 5 should not contact the longitudinal faces 10a and 10c of the drive lugs 10 while engaging the drive section 7. To this end, the total length of the combined distances X and Y is typically about 3/8"-1/2".
As represented by the bi-directional arrows in FIG. 5, the endless track 3 has a tendency to move with respect to the roller wheels 5 in the direction parallel to the axes of the roller wheels 5. Consequently, the roller wheels 5 may contact the longitudinal faces 10a and 10c of the drive lugs 10. As the roller wheels 5 are typically constructed from wear-resistant materials and the endless track 3 is typically made of a polymeric material, the frictional engagement of the roller wheels 5 with the drive lugs 10 results in the wearing down or eroding of the longitudinal faces 10a and 10c of the drive lug 10.
For example, as shown in FIG. 6, which is an enlargement of the dashed box of FIG. 5, contact between the roller wheels 5 and the longitudinal faces 10a and 10c of the drive lug 10 results in the wearing away of the longitudinal faces 10a and 10c. The worn away portions of the drive lug 10 are represented by the shaded region R. The gradual decrease in the surface area weakens the drive lugs 10 and causes early failure of the drive belt. For example, the endless drive belt may need to be replaced after 300 working hours due to erosion of the drive lugs. Also, due to the reduced surface area, "slipping" can occur between the drive rollers 6 of the planetary drive system 4 and the endless track 3.
Furthermore, the wearing away of the longitudinal faces 10a and 10c weakens the structural integrity of the endless track 3 and permits an increase in lateral "play", i.e., the extent the endless track 3 moves in the direction parallel to the axes of the roller wheels 5. Also, the wearing away of the endless track 3 frequently requires that the endless track 3 be replaced, which requires a stoppage of work, increases the cost associated with using the tracked vehicle 1, and increases labor costs.

Endless drive track with improved drive lug configuration


The present invention relates to a light emitting diode having an AlxGa1−xN buffer layer and a method of fabricating the same, and more particularly, to a light emitting diode having an AlxGa1−xN buffer layer, wherein between a substrate and a GaN-based semiconductor layer, the AlxGa1−xN (0≦x≦1) buffer layer having the composition ratio x of Al decreasing from the substrate to the GaN-based semiconductor layer is interposed to reduce lattice mismatch between the substrate and the GaN-based semiconductor layer, and a method of fabricating the same. To this end, the present invention provides a light emitting diode comprising a substrate; a first conductive semiconductor layer positioned on the substrate; and an AlxGa1−xN (0≦x≦1) buffer layer interposed between the substrate and the first conductive semiconductor layer and having a composition ratio x of Al decreasing from the substrate to the first conductive semiconductor layer.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a light emitting diode having an AlxGa1−xN buffer layer and a method of fabricating the same, and more particularly, to a light emitting diode having an AlxGa1−xN buffer layer, wherein between a substrate and a first conductive semiconductor layer, the AlxGa1−xN (0≦x≦1) buffer layer having the composition ratio x of Al decreasing from the substrate to the first conductive semiconductor layer is interposed to reduce lattice mismatch between the substrate and the first conductive semiconductor layer, and a method of fabricating the same.
2. Discussion of the Background
A light emitting diode (LED) is a photoelectric conversion semiconductor device having a structure in which an N-type semiconductor and a P-type semiconductor are joined to each other, and emits light by recombination of electrons and holes. The LED has been widely used as a display device and a backlight. Further, since the LED has lower power consumption and longer lifespan as compared with bulbs or fluorescent lamps, the applications of the LED are expanded to general illumination while substituting for incandescent lamps and fluorescent lamps.
In a light emitting diode, a sapphire substrate having good stability has been generally used as a substrate that serves as a base of the light emitting diode. An AlxInyGa1−x−yN semiconductor layer (0≦x,y,x+y≦1), i.e., a GaN-based semiconductor layer, is grown on the substrate. Particularly, in case of green and blue light emitting diodes, there are many light emitting diodes using the GaN-based semiconductor layer having a higher band gap.
However, the GaN-based semiconductor layer grown on the sapphire substrate has a problem in that it has a higher defect density due to lattice mismatch between the GaN-based semiconductor layer and the sapphire substrate, resulting in problems of deterioration of the reliability, productivity and electrical properties of the light emitting diode.
In order to solve these problems, a conventional light emitting diode has been fabricated by using a method in which a GaN buffer layer is grown on a sapphire substrate and a doped GaN-based conductive semiconductor layer is then grown on the GaN buffer layer.

Light emitting diode having algan buffer layer and method of fabricating the same


A new and distinct Echinacea plant named ‘TNECHPR’ is provided herein, characterized by red ray florets, an amazing number of inflorescences starting in the first season, a very compact habit, very long bloom time with excellent rebloom, ray florets held horizontally, and excellent vigor.

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Echinacea and given the cultivar name 'TNECHPR'. Echinacea is in the family Asteraceae. The new cultivar is part of a planned breeding program for a landscape series with very compact habits and profuse inflorescences. The exact parents of this selection are unknown, unnamed, proprietary interspecific hybrids bred from Echinacea paradoxa, Echinacea purpurea, and Echinacea tennesseensis.
Compared to Echinacea 'Balsomsed', U.S. Plant Pat. No. 23,105, the new cultivar is shorter and has inflorescences that are larger.
Compared to Echinacea 'Dixie Scarlet', U.S. Plant Pat. No. 26,110, the new cultivar is shorter with more ray florets that are a deeper red color.
Compared to Echinacea 'TNECHKR', U.S. Plant Pat. No. 28,768, the new cultivar is shorter.
This new Echinacea cultivar is uniquely distinguished by:                1. red ray florets,        2. an amazing number of inflorescences starting in the first season,        3. a very compact habit,        4. very long bloom time with excellent rebloom,        5. ray florets held horizontally, and        6. excellent vigor.
This new cultivar has been reproduced only by asexual propagation (division and tissue culture). Each of the progeny exhibits identical characteristics to the original plant. Asexual propagation by division and tissue culture using standard micropropagation techniques with terminal and lateral shoots, as done in Canby, Oreg., shows that the foregoing characteristics and distinctions come true to form and are established and transmitted through succeeding propagations. The present invention has not been evaluated under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary with variations in environment without a change in the genotype of the plant.


A printing apparatus to which an option unit can be connected includes a storage unit configured to store an update program for updating an option unit program, and an update unit configured to, if an option unit has been connected to the printing apparatus, update the option unit program using an update program stored by the storage unit.

Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a printing apparatus, a printing apparatus control method, and a storage medium.
Description of the Related Art
An image forming apparatus, such as a multifunction peripheral, includes a central processing unit (CPU) of a main body controller unit that controls the entire image forming apparatus, and option unit CPUs that individually control option functions, such as a FAX and a folding machine function. The various functions, such as the FAX and the folding machine function, are realized by the option unit CPUs operating based on control programs corresponding to the respective functions, stored in a storage device such as a read-only memory (ROM).
Conventionally, when trying to utilize an option function, a service person has had to mount the option unit and update the control programs of a combination of the option units matching the version of the control programs in the main body. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-116660 discusses a technology for updating option unit control programs. In this technology, the main body controller compares the version of the control program in an option unit with the version of that control program on a server. If the option unit version is older, the main body controller downloads the option unit control program on the server, and then downloads that control program to the option unit.
An option unit like a facsimile board can be used as an option unit that is common to a plurality of models. For easier inventory management, such an option unit is handled as the identical unit stock number (unit+control program).
However, the option unit control program is frequently corrected in order to respond to the various problems that arise when producing a new model, which naturally means that the program version also increases each time a correction is made. In this case, after the new version has finished being evaluated for the plurality of models, the option unit program for the models that have already been brought to market needs to be downloaded.
When utilizing an option function for the first time, the service person first mounts the option unit on the main body. However, if left like this, since the option unit is managed based on the identical stock number, the version of the control program in the option unit will often be old. According to the technology discussed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-116660, in this case, the option unit control program has had to be updated after accessing the server and downloading the option unit program to the main body. Further, it is also necessary to determine on the main body side whether the option unit control program corresponds to the version of the main body control program.

Printing apparatus, printing apparatus control method, and storage medium


An aqueous silicone emulsion which yields an elastomer upon removal of the water comprises a polydiorganosiloxane having alkoxysilyl endblocking groups with at least two alkoxy groups attached to the silicon atom, titanium catalyst, and optionally, a filler.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an aqueous silicone emulsion which gives an elastomer when dried.
2. Background Information
Cooper discloses in U.S. Pat. No. 3,383,355, issued May 14, 1968, a method for preparing siloxane polymers having alkoxy groups bonded to terminal silicon atoms by reacting a hydroxylated organosiloxane polymer with an alkoxysilane in the presence of a suitable catalyst.
Findley et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 3,924,725, issued Dec. 27, 1966, describe a method for polymerizing organosiloxanes in emulsion using a surface active sulfonic acid catalyst. Their Example 16 mixes a hydroxyl endblocked dimethylpolysiloxane with an excess of methyltrimethoxysilane to give a methyldimethoxysilyl endblocked dimethylpolysiloxane which was then emulsified with a nonionic emulsifying agent. Dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid was added and allowed to react for an hour and then the emulsion was neutralized. Upon breaking the emulsion, a fluid was obtained which gelled rapidly. While in emulsion the fluid was not gelled.
Homan in U.S. Pat. No. 4,743,474, issued May 10, 1988, describes organopolysiloxane compositions which cure rapidly from the liquid to non-liquid state when exposed to moisture. The compositions contain a metal ester, dissolved in an organopolysiloxane fluid which has moisture-reactive, silicone-bonded alkoxysilylorganic radicals.
Kamis et al in U.S. Pat. No. 4,888,380, issued Dec. 19, 1989, describe a process for making a silicone sealant which is moisture curable. The process comprises mixing a polydiorganosiloxane having hydroxyl or alkoxy endblocking, an alkoxysilane, titanium catalyst, and reinforcing filler and storing in the absence of moisture.
Krahnke et al in U.S. Pat. No. 5,017,672, issued May 21, 1991, teach polyalkoxysilylalkylenedisilazane can be reacted with a silanol containing polyorganosiloxane to give a polyalkoxysilyl terminated polydiorganosiloxane.


A method of forming a pattern using a phase shift mask which comprises applying at least first and second exposures. At least one exposure is conducted by using a phase shifting mask and at least the other exposure is conducted for compensating the amount of light at a phase shifting boundary of the phase shifting mask, the pattern having an inter-pattern distance on a substrate of less than 2.4.times..lambda./NA.. The method of the present invention is applicable also to the formation of a pattern to which the existing phase shifting technique can not be applied, as well as to a pattern in which sub-patterns as the phase shifting portions can not be provided, whereby a pattern at a high resolution power can be obtained irrespective of the pattern shape.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention concerns a method of forming a pattern by using a phase shifting mask. The present invention can be utilized as a technique for forming various kinds of patterns and, for example, it can be utilized when forming various kinds of patterns such as a resist pattern in a semiconductor device production process.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The fabrication size of devices to which a pattern is formed by using a photomask, for example, semiconductor devices, has been made finer year by year. With such a situation, in a photolithographic technique for obtaining miniaturized semiconductor devices, a so-called phase shifting technique which provides a phase difference to light permeating a mask, thereby improving the profile of a light intensity, has been highlighted in order to further improve the resolution power of the photolithography.
The phase shifting technology has been described, for example, in Japanese Patent Laid Open Sho 58-173744, "Improving Resolution in Photolithography with a Phase-shifting mask" by Marc D. Levenson, et al., IEEE Transactions on Electron Devices, Vol. ED-29, No. 12, December 1982, P 1828-1836, and "The Phase-shifting Mask II: Imaging Simulations and Submicrometer Resisto Exposures" by Marc D. Levenson, et al., IEEE Transactions on Electron Devices Vol. ED-31, No. 6, June 1984, O 753-753.
Further, Japanese Patent Publication Sho 62-50811 discloses a phase shifting mask having a predetermined pattern comprising permeable portions and impermeable portions, in which a phase member is positioned at least to one of the permeable portions on both sides of an impermeable portion, and a phase difference is caused between the permeable portions on both sides thereof.
A description will now be given of the phase shifting technology known so far with reference to FIGS. 18a, 18b below.
For example, in a case of forming a line-and-space pattern, in a usual existing mask a light shielding portion 10 is formed using a light shielding material such as Cr (chromium) or other metal or metal oxide on a transparent substrate 1 made of a quartz substrate or the like as shown in FIG. 18(a) by which a repeating line-and-space pattern is Formed as an exposure mask. Theoretically, in the intensity distribution of light transmitting the exposure mask, the light intensity is 0 at the light shielding portion 10, while light transmits at other portions (permeable portions 12a, 12b) as shown by reference A1 in FIG. 18(a). Considering then one permeable portion 12a, the transmission light incident on an exposed material has a light intensity distribution by diffraction of light or the like having hill-like extremes at the skirts on both sides as shown at A2 in FIG. 18(a). The transmission light A2' from the permeable portion 12b is indicated by a dotted line. When light from each of the permeable portions 12a, 12b is synthesized, the light intensity distribution loses its sharpness and the image becomes blurred due to light diffraction as shown at A3. As a result, sharp exposure can no more be attained. On the contrary, if a phase shifting portion 11a (made of material such as SiO.sub.2 or resist, referred to as a shifter) is disposed on every other light permeable portion 12a, 12b of the repeating pattern as shown in FIG. 18(b), a blur of the image caused by the light diffraction is offset by the inversion of the phase. Accordingly a sharp image is transferred to improve the resolution power and the focus margin. That is, as shown in FIG. 18(b), in a case where a phase shifting portion 11a is formed at the permeable portion 12a on one side as shown in FIG. 18(b), and, if it provides a 180.degree. phase shift, for example, the light passing through the phase shifting portion 11a is inverted as shown by reference B1. The light from the adjacent permeable portion 12b causes no such inversion since it does not pass the phase shifting portion 11a. Portions of light distributions are inverted to each other in phase and are offset with respect to each other at a position shown by B2 in the figure at the skirts of the light intensity distribution, and, the distribution of light on the exposed material have sharp identical shape as shown at B3 in FIG. 18(b).
In the above-mentioned case, for making the effect most reliable, it is most advantageous to invert the phase by 180.degree. and, for this purpose, a phase shifting portion 11a has a film having a film thickness D: ##EQU1## in which n represents a refractive index of the phase shifting portion and k represents a wavelength for exposure light.
In the pattern formation by exposure, means used therefor are sometimes referred to, for example, as a reticle when it is used for diminishing projection, as a mask for 1:1 projection, as a reticle when it corresponds to an original, or as a mask when it is reproduced from the original. In the present invention, masks or reticles in such various meanings are collectively referred to as a mask.
The phase shifting mask described above for shifting the phase of light between adjacent light permeable portions (ideally 180.degree. inversion) is referred to as a space frequency modulation type (or Levenson type), and which has the greatest effect for improving the resolution power among other several kinds of phase shifting mask methods (referred to as an edge emphasis type, light screening effect emphasis type or the like)(refer to "Nikkei Micro-device", July 1990, P 108-114, Nikkei MacGrow Hill Co.).
The phase shifting mask of this type is a highly prospective technique for improving the resolution power, and it is necessary to provide, desirably, a 180.degree. phase difference between transmission lights in adjacent patterns as described above. However, portions with the phase difference of 0.degree. to 180.degree. can not be satisfactorily arranged adjacent to each other depending on the pattern and, accordingly, applicable patterns have been restricted.
For instance in a case where there are first and second patterns P1 and P2 adjacent to each other, and further there is present a third pattern P3 adjacent with both of the patterns P1 and P2, 0.degree. and 180.degree. can not be basically allocated. If 0.degree. and 180.degree. are allocated to the first and the second patterns P1 and P2 adjacent to each other, the phase shifting effect can not be provided to either one of the first and the second patterns P1 and P2 in or none of the case of allocating 0.degree. or 180.COPYRGT.to the third pattern P3 adjacent to both of the patterns P1 and P2.
Further, there is also a technique of attaching a sub-pattern at the periphery of a contact hole or an isolated line, and providing the sub-pattern with a phase difference of 180.degree. to improve the resolution power. For instance, as shown in FIG. 11, four sub-patterns 11 are formed around a pattern 12 for forming a contact hole, and the sub-patterns are used as the 180.degree. inversion phase shifting portion. However, such a technique also has a drawback that sub-patterns as the phase shifting portion can not be arranged if the patterns are excessively close to each other.

Method of forming a pattern using a phase shifting mask


Extracorporeal blood treatment apparatus and methods as described herein involve on-line port leak detection.

Extracorporeal blood treatment involves taking the blood from a patient, treating the blood outside the patient, and returning the treated blood to the patient. Extracorporeal blood treatment (hemodialysis, hemofiltration for example) is typically used to extract undesirable matter or molecules (apheresis, plasmapheresis for example) from the patient's blood, and/or to add beneficial matter or molecules to the blood. The treatment is typically performed by sampling the patient's blood in a continuous or intermittent flow, by introducing the blood into a primary chamber of a filter that is defined, at least in part, by a semi-permeable membrane. The semi permeable membrane may selectively allow the unwanted matter contained in the blood pass through the membrane, from the primary chamber to the secondary chamber, and may selectively allow the beneficial matter contained in the liquid going into the secondary chamber pass through the membrane to the blood going into the primary chamber, according to the type of treatment.
Extracorporeal blood treatment is used with patients incapable of effectively eliminating matter from their blood. One example is a patient who is suffering from temporary or permanent kidney and/or liver failure. These and other patients may undergo extracorporeal blood treatment to add to or to eliminate matter from their blood, to maintain an acid-base balance, to eliminate excess body fluids, etc.
In the case of the aforementioned treatments of blood and methods of removing a blood component, the source of fluid is formed by the vascular circuit of the patient/donor, and the fluid is the blood of the patient/donor, which blood, pumped from an artery, is caused to circulate in a blood treatment apparatus (hemodialyzer, hemofilter, plasma filter, centrifuge, etc.) and, once freed of its impurities or having a fraction of one of its components reduced, is re-injected into a vein of the patient/donor.
A number of liquid supply and return lines connect with the blood treatment apparatus. These connection points can be a source of liquid leaks. Thus it is desired to provide for detection of liquid leaks at these connection points on the blood treatment apparatus.

Hemodialysis on-line port leak detection


Disclosed herein are methods and systems for selecting a coding scheme for application-session content in an application session between a server and a client device. In an exemplary embodiment, the client device receives application-session content from the server via a communication path that comprises a wireless link. An exemplary method may involve (a) at the client device, determining current values of one or more quality-of-service indicators, wherein the quality-of-service indicators are indicative of quality of service over the wireless link; and (b) using the current values of the quality-of-service indicators as a basis for selecting a coding scheme that should be used to encode forthcoming applicant-session content. Further, if the selected coding scheme differs from the coding scheme being used by the server, the client device may request that the application server use the selected coding scheme.

Wireless access networks are providing increasingly fast packet-data connections for client devices using air-interface protocols such as WiMAX and 1xEV-DO. As a result, client devices such as cellular telephones, mp3 players, and personal digital assistants (PDAs), among others, are able to access data content of ever-increasing quality, including higher-quality content that was previously unavailable to such devices due to the bandwidth constraints of wireless access networks.
In wireless access networks, bandwidth is typically a scarce resource as compared to most wire-line networks, the availability of which may change dynamically. More specifically, as a result of variable fading and shadowing that typically occurs in wireless access networks, the network resources that are available for communications may change dynamically. Each client device may therefore experience a different and unique air interface, with varying RF signal quality depending on the location of the client device. The variability of the traffic load in an access network may further contribute to the variability of signal quality experienced in wireless access networks. Due to the variability of wireless service, the traffic bit-error rate may be significantly higher over wireless links, as compared to landline or wireline links.

Dynamic two-dimensional coding for applications


A shipping container for semiconductor substrate wafers including a rectangular receptacle having a plurality of outwardly extending aligned and opposing vertical rib members which are spaced on the interior opposing sides of the receptacle, and interchangeable upper and lower cover members having finger and post structure to support and space each of the wafers. The upper and lower cover members engage with the outer sides of the receptacle. The receptacle includes latching crossbars across offset ends of each side of the receptacle which engage with locking members extending from each end of the upper and lower cover members. The upper and lower cover members include a plurality of opposing fingers spaced the longitudinal distance of the covers which support the wafer at arcuate points on the wafer and a plurality of posts spaced in between the opposing fingers along the longitudinal distance of the covers which provide separation between each of the wafers. In another embodiment, a pair of longitudinal extending opposing ribs run the longitudinal length of the receptacle which provide support for the wafers when the lower cover is removed. In a further embodiment, the upper and lower covers are provided with upward and outwardly extending ribs in lieu of the fingers and posts which provide support and separation of the wafers and align with the ribs of the receptacle.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to shipping containers, and more particularly, pertains to a shipping container for semiconductor substrate wafers and the like.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In the field of semiconductor substrate wafers, it has been a general practice to employ containers to store and ship the substrate wafers. Most prior art containers have been unsatisfactory in that the containers fail to protect the wafers against contamination from the environment, and handling damage during storage and shipping.
Rigid working wafers of semiconductor substrate material such as silicon are used extensively in the production of integrated circuits. Integrated circuit patterns are deposited and etched onto the substrate wafers in a number of steps of a process. The completion of the integrated circuit requires multistep procedures, and accordingly, the substrate wafers must be handled and are oftentimes shipped from one plant to another during the processing of the integrated circuits. Since the substrate wafers are rather large in dimension and of a rather small thickness, the likelihood of breakage of the substrate wafers is especially high during shipping. The wafers can be in the range of one and one-half to four inches in diameter and can be in the range of fifteen to fifty thousandths of an inch in thickness.
During transporting such as by common carrier and the like, the shipping container must protect the brittle, delicate substrate wafers against shipping damage and also against environmental contamination such as from dust, dirt, moisture, and the like.
The prior art shipping containers previously known and utilized have not been totally satisfactory for the purpose of retaining and cushioning the substrate wafers confined in the shipping container in addition to protecting the substrate wafers from environmental contamination. Also, the prior art shipping containers have had numerous sharp edges and have not easily lended themselves to heat shrinkable plastic bag sealing. The prior art containers have cut and shredded the plastic bags with the sharp edges of the container resulting in a shipping container which not only shredded the plastic bag seal covering of the package but also tended to lacerate the individual's hands handling the container.
The present invention overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art shipping containers by providing a shipping container for semiconductor substrate wafers.

Shipping container for semiconductor substrate wafers