A method, system, software and signal wherein a subset of program information for related programs is maintained with program information for a given program. The program information for the given program, including the subset of program information for related programs, can be maintained in an electronic program guide (EPG). A system can use the information in the EPG to schedule and perform program events automatically, or information can be provided to users so that the users can manually schedule or perform program events.

To avoid confusion, it will help to keep a few key definitions in mind while considering the remainder of this document. Unless otherwise specified, the term "program information" will be understood to include all forms of information related to programs provided by television, computer, Internet, set-top box or otherwise for viewing including, but not limited to, program scheduling information. Examples of program information include the following: program names, channels, network names, program lengths, episode descriptions, ratings information, Internet information, audio format information, and subtitle information, to name only a few. Another important term is "program scheduling information." The distinction between program information and program scheduling information can be subtle, so for purposes of clarity, unless otherwise specified, the term "program scheduling information" will be understood to be a subset of program information including, but not limited to, channels on which programs are broadcast as well as scheduled broadcast dates and times. Furthermore, it is to be understood that the term "network" is used throughout this disclosure in a broader sense than the usual meaning given to the term "network". In other words, the use of the term network is not limited to broadcasting companies that broadcast to a network of affiliates throughout the country. Rather, the term network is used loosely to describe different programming entities that occupy different channels in a viewing spectrum, regardless of whether these programming entities, for example, broadcast to a network of affiliates or only to a local cable station. Finally, unless otherwise specified, the term "related programs" will be understood to include, but not be limited to, episodes of recurring programs, segments of a multi-part program, programs with similar content, and programs related through an intermediate program. Other examples of related programs will be set forth in the Detailed Description section of this document.
Typical EPGs are used much like printed program schedules; a user looks through program information or scheduling information including a listing of programs and their scheduled start times. However, unlike their printed program schedule counterparts, EPGs include a user interface having user selectable cells for selecting programs for viewing. Some EPGs also provide users the ability to search for items based on themes such as Western movies or basketball. What most EPGs lack, however, is a means for identifying related programs without specific input from a user. For example, a user may be able to identify all basketball games airing on a certain day by selecting a theme, but current EPGs will not notify a user that a biography of a favorite player is airing immediately after a game the user has scheduled for recording.
Examples of prior art describing EPGs are U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,706,121; B1 4,706,121 (Reexamination of U.S. Pat. No. 4,706,121); 5,353,121; 5,532,754; 5,151,789 and 5,550,576, all of which patents are incorporated herein by reference.
If an EPG maintained a subset of the program information for related programs with the program information of a given program, users would only need to identify one program of interest, and the system could either notify them of related programs or perform another action such as recording related programs, based on the information contained in the EPG.
What is needed is a method, system, software and signal for maintaining a subset of the program information for related programs with the program information of a given program and using this information to schedule program events.

Method, system, software, and signal for performing events for related programs


The instant invention relates to a method for noise reduction from a magnetic resonance sounding (MRS) oscillating signal, and more particularly, to a data processing method for reducing random noise contained in MRS oscillating signal based on joint algorithm principles of EMD and TFPF. A MRS oscillating signal is decomposed into different eigen-mode components by using decomposition characteristic of EMD algorithm; then a signal-dominated eigen-mode component is encoded as an instantaneous frequency of an analytical signal of unit amplitude using TFPF algorithm; and random noise is suppressed with the characteristics that the time-frequency distribution of the analytical signal is concentrated along with the instantaneous frequency. The method requires fewer filtering constraints and is simple to operate without need of designing a filtering interval in the time-frequency domain, and has good adaptability to the MRS oscillating signal with a low signal-noise-ratio.

Magnetic resonance technology for detecting groundwater is a new and developing geophysical detection technology, has attracted extensive attention and achieved rapid development due to its advantages of direct detection and quantitative assessment. So far, it has been gradually developed from the theoretical research to the development of a relatively mature detection instrument system, which has been utilized for field measurement in some areas and has successfully detected shallow groundwater resources. The detection is of great significance to improve the current status of water-shortage and predict geological disasters caused by groundwater. However, a relaxation of stimulated hydrogen proton in groundwater generates very small magnitude (nV-level 1 nV=10−9 V) of magnetic resonance signals is highly susceptible to interferences from various environmental noises. The random noise interference is difficult to remove because it has wide range of frequency band and is interlaced with the effective signal, and seriously affects the signal-to-noise ratio of the signal and results in large error of the post inversion interpretation. Consequently, effective eliminating of random noise and obtaining reliable magnetic resonance signals can improve the accuracy of the inversion interpretation results.
Chinese Patent CN104459809A discloses "a method of noise filtering from MRS oscillating signal based on independent component analysis", which mainly focuses on the power frequency harmonic interference or some single frequency interference in MRS oscillating signal. Firstly, an MRS water detection apparatus is utilized for collecting an MRS signal; and the frequency of the power frequency harmonic interference or some single frequency interference contained in the collected signal is obtained by spectrum analysis, an underdetermined blind source separation issue is solved by constructing an input channel signal with a digital orthogonal method; then an independent component analysis is performed on the constructed input channel signal and the collected MRS signal together as input signals to obtain a separated MRS signal; finally a spectral correction method is utilized to solve the problem of the unsteady amplitude of the separated MRS signal, so as to extract a de-noised MRS signal. Chinese Patent CN104898172A discloses "a method of noise filtering from a MRS signal based on cross-correlation". In the method, the characteristic of the non-correlation between noise and a sinusoidal signal of Larmor frequency and the correlation between an FID amplitude attenuation sinusoidal signal and the sinusoidal signal of Larmor frequency are utilized; the noise is filtered by the cross-correlation operation; then an envelope of the cross-correlation waveform is fitted, and the cross-correlation waveform having no noise is reconstructed; finally, a de-convolution algorithm is used for extracting FID signal from the MRS data. Chinese Patent CN104614778A discloses "a method of noise elimination from a MRS groundwater detecting signal based on ICA". In the method, firstly, three sets of MRS response data are entered; Fourier Transform is performed on the three sets of data respectively, to determine the power frequency harmonics contained in the vicinity of the MRS center frequency in each set of data; then a sine function and a cosine function are constructed with the frequency which is the same as the power frequency harmonics and the length which is the same as the length of MRS corresponding data; an observed signal is composed of the functions and the MRS response data; an independent component analysis algorithm is utilized to separate each set of observed signals to obtain an unmixed signal; the data is reconstructed to eliminate the interference of the power frequency harmonics; then the three sets of MRS data with removed power frequency harmonics are processed as the observed signals using an ICA algorithm, to reduce the interference of the residual random noise. Jiang Chuandong's paper titled "Statistical stacking and adaptive notch filter to remove high-level electromagnetic noise from MRS measurements" was published in the Near Surface Geophysics [2011, 9(5), Pages 459-468]. Jiang uses a superposition method to suppress random noise, utilizes a magnetic resonance groundwater detecting system to collect signals multiple times (Ns times), and superposes all of individually collected signals; so that the signal-to-noise ratio can increase √{square root over (Ns)} times.
The method of noise filtering from a MRS signal based on independent component analysis as stated above can solve the underdetermined blind source issue and the amplitude uncertainties issue which are customary in the independent component analysis, and have the advantages of fast operation, high signal to-noise ratio, high practicability, etc., compared with conventional methods for de-noising MRS signals. However, the method can only implement filtering the inference of the power frequency and the inference of certain frequency, and cannot suppress the noise interference with a large frequency band distribution range, such as random noise. The method of noise filtering from a MRS oscillating signal based on cross-correlation as stated above can simultaneously suppress the power frequency and its harmonic noise, random noise and spike noise; however, the method mainly utilizes the characteristic of non-correlation between noise frequency and signal frequency, and cannot remove the overlap between the frequency component in the random noise and the signal frequency. The method of noise elimination from a MRS groundwater detecting signal based on ICA, as stated above, has no requirement of prior knowledge of the source signal and transmission channel, has no need of arranging a reference coil in the test process, and has the advantages of operation simple, convenient and high efficiency; however, the method requires at least three sets of data, complex calculation processes, a large amount of calculation; and it is difficult for those not skilled in the art to manipulate the method. The superposition method as stated above is the simplest and commonly-used method of random noise elimination from a magnetic resonance signal. In electromagnetic noise environment having the same intensity, the superposition method utilizes less superposition times to obtain the groundwater magnetic resonance signal with higher signal-to-noise ratio; but when the noise intensity is large, multiple superposing is needed and the measuring time is increased, resulting in lowering the working efficiency of the instrument and limited noise elimination effect.

Method for random noise reduction from MRS oscillating signal using joint algorithms of EMD and TFPF


A positive drive system has drive and driven sprockets, coupled by a chain. The chain is trained around and operatively engages the drive and driven sprockets to transmit positive drive therebetween. The drive and driven sprockets have infinite relative planes of rotation ranging from 0 to 360 degrees.

1. Technical Field
This invention relates to a positive drive system.
2. Background
The problem in the art to which this invention apertains is the need for a positive drive system, utilizing drive transmitting means, such as a chain, for coupling a drive sprocket with driven sprockets. The chain is trained around and operatively engages the drive and driven sprockets to transmit positive drive to the driven sprockets. In order to accommodate spatial necessity, there is a further need, because the drive and driven sprockets have their own planes of rotation, for disposition of the drive and driven sprockets in infinite relative planes of rotation ranging from 0 to 360 degrees, and for disposition of succeeding driven sprockets in infinite relative planes of rotation ranging from 0 to 360 degrees. There is a further need that the assembled chain, trained around and operatively engaging the drive and driven sprockets, have means to effect its adjustment, but also, per se, incorporate vernier adjustment to "fine tune" the chain to afford not only length adjustment of the link assembly of the chain, but also for purposes of counter adjustment. Hence, the positive drive system of this invention is suitable for drive applications, ranging from light duty to heavy duty, and inclusively, high torque applications, high load capabilities, and with wear not only at a minimum but also, in the event of consequent minimal wear, such wear is correctable through vernier adjustment and counter adjustment of the chain, per se.


A card edge connector includes an elongated housing and a number of contacts retained in the housing. Each contact has a retaining portion retained in the housing, a contact portion forwardly extending from a front end of the retaining portion and a connecting portion backwardly extending from a rear end of the retaining portion. The contacts are arranged in two rows and formed with a first receiving space between two rows of contact portions to receive a module and a second receiving space between two rows of connecting portions to receive a mother board. The first receiving space defines a first center line along an insertion direction of the module. The second receiving space defines a second center line which is parallel to the first center line and offset to the first center line along an up to down direction perpendicular to the insertion direction.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to card edge connectors, more particularly to card edge connectors straddling on a mother board.
2. Description of Related Art
Card edge connectors are employed widely in computers to receive a memory card, graphic card, network interface card or a module with a plurality of electronic components thereon et al. The card edge connectors usually have an elongated housing, a plurality of contacts retained in the housing. The contacts are arranged in two rows to sandwich a module at one end thereof and straddle on a mother board at another end thereof. Each contact has a retaining portion retained in the housing, a first contact portion upwardly and inwardly extending from a front end of the retaining portion to connect with the module, and a second contact portion downwardly and inwardly extending out of the housing to connect with the mother board. Therefore, the contacts of two rows are formed with a first receiving space between the first contact portions to retain the module, and a second receiving space between the second contact portions to retain the mother board. The first receiving space has a centre line which is aligned to that of the second receiving space along an up to down direction.
A server is usually has a module with a power supply device at one side thereof to transmit power signals. With a miniature development of electronic industry, the server becomes much smaller and has limited space to hold the power supply device on one side of the module. However, because the first and second receiving spaces have a common centre line, which make the module and the mother board are located on a common plane; therefore, an outer surface of the power supply device on one side of the module and an outer surface of the mother board defines a large distance which can not be reduced, while another side of the module and mother board is leisure, which result in one side of the mother board is too thicker to be retained to the server, while another side is wasted.
Hence, an improved card edge connector is desired to overcome the above problems.


The present invention includes devices and methods for power sharing for a lower voltage programmable thermostat for operating a switch which operates at a substantially higher voltage. The present invention is preferably applied to two power line thermostat control of HVAC equipment. It is intended that the present invention be applicable to other such devices where power is stored by capacitance or in rechargeable batteries for use by lower voltage programmable thermostats while at the same time permitting sufficient current flow through a substantially higher power switch to operate directly or indirectly electrical power equipment.

The present invention relates to power sharing or xe2x80x9cpower stealingxe2x80x9d for lower voltage control means concurrent with powering a local substantially higher voltage switch.
The prior art has demonstrated certain solutions to the problem of providing lower voltage and current thermostat control means on the same circuit as a substantially higher voltage and current switch which in turn activates HVAC equipment by direct line connection or by relay.
Means for relay line voltage (typically at about 24 vac) powering of the control means are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,078,720 and 5,903,139. U.S. Pat. No. 4,078,720 describes a time variable set point thermostat adapted for use in a two-wire circuit of a heating or cooling system. Electric timer means are connected with a thermostat switch and starting relay means of a transformer having a primary and secondary winding periodically changing the set point of the thermostatic switch at selected intervals. The circuit is arranged to limit the current in the two-wire control circuit to a value less than that required to actuate the starting relay of the heating or cooling system in the two-wire control circuit with the thermostat switch open and to actuate the starting relay when the thermostat switch is closed when the ambient temperature to be regulated varies a determined amount from a selected temperature set point and the thermostatic switch is closed.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,903,139 describes a more sophisticated method of providing a zero point zone xe2x80x9cstealingxe2x80x9d of power so that enough power is taken for storage in high and low voltage capacitors while at the same time maintaining residual power passing to the relay to have continuous operation of heating equipment. A pair of power FETs are connected to the series power terminals, and the gates are controlled by logic and phase timers. FETs are turned off at the end of a phase, while a small amount of power sufficient to operate the control and circuitry is diverted to a power storage circuit, then the FETs are turned back without substantial interruption to the load. One embodiment uses a bi-directional charge pump to transfer power between low- and high-voltage power storage circuits. The circuit can operate with symmetrical or nonsymetrical AC or DC loads. It is significant for the concept of this patent that relatively precise timing of the zone about the zero point be predicted so that the xe2x80x9cstealingxe2x80x9d take place in the very low voltage zones of the continuous voltage curve so as not to cause the relay to be underpowered. The several circuit pieces required to achieve the described result in the patent are subject to failure or off specification operation, thereby increasing the likelihood that the patent device will fail or have a degraded performance. For instance, there are two sets of latches and phase timers critical to operation of the device, in addition to the two back to back FET""s whose cooperative operation is critical to the switching function.
A line voltage solution is described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,776,514 and 5,635,896. U.S. Pat. No. 4,776,514 describes a two wire line voltage thermostat with first and second terminals for receiving line voltage power and for connection to a load, a transformer having a current primary winding, a voltage primary winding and a secondary winding, a primary controller connecting the current and voltage primary windings to the terminals, the controller having at least first and second states, the controller in the first state energizing both the current and voltage primary windings and in the second state energizing only the current primary winding, and a temperature responsive circuit connected to the secondary winding for controlling the controller between the first and second states in accordance with sensed temperature such that the load can be energized when the controller is in one of the states and can be deenergized when the controller is in the other of the states. Other prior art describe the unfavorable effect of having transformers associated with the thermostat in terms of increased heat generation, size and cost.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,635,896 describes a communication system with a remote switching module having two signal terminals connected by just two conductors to the signal terminals of a local decoding module. Power is directly provided only to the local decoding module, which applies DC voltage of a first level across the conductors. The remote switching module has a voltage regulator which provides power of a second voltage level lower than the first level for operating a control unit in the switching module. The control unit controls a variable impedance having higher and lower impedance levels and which is connected across the switching module""s signal terminals. The decoding module can detect the different impedance levels by sensing the current flow on the conductors. The switching module communicates with the decoding module by modulating the time intervals between changes in impedance levels. It is clearly disadvantageous to require of two separated modules which results increased installation, manufacture and troubleshooting costs.
The present invention comprises means and methods for power sharing for a lower voltage programmable means for operating a switch which operates at a substantially higher voltage. The present invention is preferably applied to two power line thermostat control of HVAC equipment. Although a programmable thermostat is described in the specific description of the invention as the programmable means, it is intended that the present invention be applicable to other such devices where power is stored by capacitance or in rechargeable batteries for use by lower voltage programmable means while at the same time permitting sufficient current flow through a substantially higher power switch to operate directly or indirectly electrical power equipment. The present invention may be used in the presence of more than two power lines to accomplish HVAC equipment operating, the additional lines being used for other functions.
The present invention is a dramatic simplification of the overly populated circuit of U.S. Pat. No. 5,903,139. The present invention connects the two power lines described above (connected to a low voltage relay or to line voltage) to a bridge rectifier, the output connections of which are connected to a common through the drain and source of an FET. The gate of the FET is activated by a signal from the programmable means, which then causes the current to flow (switches on) through the two power lines to power the relay or directly power the HVAC equipment. The drain of the FET is also connected with power storage means, voltage regulation means and the programmable means. The additional connected means function so that, when the HVAC equipment is operating by FET gate activation, the FET for a very short interval operates to stop current through the source and drain, thereby stopping current flow for a very short interval to the HVAC equipment, thereby delivering DC voltage and current to the power storage means, voltage regulation means and the programmable means. The programmable means preferably operate on power from the power storage means, so that when the HVAC equipment is operating the power storage means are being depleted of power by the programmable means, requiring recharging of the power storage means by shutting off the power to the HVAC equipment for a very short interval so that the power storage means are recharged at least in part.
It is preferable to provide sensing means so that the programmable means may determine an appropriate portion of the alternating current curve from which to take its very short interval of power sharing. The present invention preferably obtains a short and timed portion of DC power from the AC power line inputs substantially after the AC voltage curve rises above or below zero but substantially before the maximum positive or negative voltage is reached.
It is also preferable that when the HVAC equipment is shut off, i.e., the programmable means deactivates the FET so that no current flows to the HVAC equipment directly or indirectly, the power from the two power lines is directly usable by the programming means through a voltage regulation means.

Two line switch and power sharing for programmable means


The embodiments of the present disclosure provide an array substrate, a display panel, a display apparatus and a current measuring method. The array substrate may include: a plurality of pixel units and sensing lines. Each of the pixel units may include a driving transistor, and the sensing line is configured to transmit an output of the driving transistor to a sensing device. At least two of the plurality of driving transistors may have their outputting terminals connected in series. Outputting terminals of adjacent driving transistors of the at least two of the driving transistors may be connected through a first switching element. At least one of the driving transistor of the at least two of the driving transistors may have an outputting terminal connected to the sensing line through a second switching element.

In the field of display technology, organic light-emitting diodes (OLED) have been widely used. In display panels, driving transistors can generate a driving current according to a data voltage, so as to drive the OLED to emit light for displaying. Threshold voltages of the driving transistors may affect the correspondence between the data voltage and the driving current. Different driving transistors may have different threshold voltages. Further, the threshold voltage of the same driving transistor may be varied over time. Therefore, it is not always to obtain the same driving current with respect to the same data voltage, which may cause the display panel to emit light non-uniformly.

Array substrate, display panel, display apparatus and current measuring method

HEFEI XINSHENG OPTOELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.


The proteasome inhibitors of this invention include peptide-based compounds with a short linear sequence of amino acids. An oxo or thio group is attached to the N-terminal amino acid. A protein-reactive electrophilic group such as an epoxyketone, an aziridinylketone, or a beta-lactone is attached to the C-terminal amino acid. Upon contact with a proteasome complex in a target cell, the electrophilic group reacts with a functional group in or near a binding pocket or active site of the proteasome, forming a covalent bond and thereby inactivating the proteasome. These and other proteasome inhibitors can be screened for binding affinity and an ability to selectively eliminate senescent cells or cancer cells. Compounds that selectively remove senescent cells can be developed for the treatment of conditions such as osteoarthritis, ophthalmic disease, pulmonary disease, and atherosclerosis.

Senescent cells are characterized as cells that no longer have replicative capacity, but remain in the tissue of origin, eliciting a senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP). It is a premise of this disclosure that many age-related conditions are mediated by senescent cells, and that selective removal of the cells from tissues at or around the condition can be used clinically for the treatment of such conditions.
US 2016/0339019 A1 (Laberge et al.) describes treatment of certain age-related conditions using MDM2 inhibitors, Bcl inhibitors, and Akt inhibitors. US 20170266211 A1 (David et al.) describes the use of particular Bcl inhibitors for treatment of age-related conditions. U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,691,184, 9,096,625, and 9,403,856 (Wang et al.) describe Bcl inhibitors in a small-molecule library.
Other disclosures related to the role of senescent cells in human disease include the pre-grant publications US 2017/0056421 A1 (Zhou et al.), WO 2016/185481 (Yeda Inst.), US 2017/0216286 A1 (Kirkland et al.), and US 2017/0281649 A1 (David); and the articles by Furhmann-Stroissnigg et al. (Nat Commun. 2017 Sep. 4; 8(1):422), Blagosklonny (Cancer Biol Ther. 2013 December; 14(12):1092-7), and Zhu et al. (Aging Cell. 2015 August; 14(4):644-58).
In a previously unrelated field, the targeting of proteasome complexes to treat cancer and other conditions is referred to in Park et al., Transl Res. 2018 August; 198:1-16, and in Dou et al., Curr Cancer Drug Targets. 2014; 14(6):517-36. Proteasome inhibitor patents since 2010 are reviewed by Metcalf et al., Expert Opin Ther Pat. 2014 April; 24(4):369-8.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Peptide-based proteasome inhibitors for treating conditions mediated by senescent cells and for treating cancer


A directional drilling control system allows dynamic orientation of downhole drilling equipment in unstable or corrupt natural magnetic fields without the use of gyroscopic measurement devices. The system is especially suited for sidetracking wells. The system includes a permanent or retrievable whipstock having referencing magnets embedded along the centerline of its face, and a measurement while drilling (MWD) instrument assembly. The instrument assembly contains at least one sensor which can accurately determine orientation of the mud motor relative to the reference magnets. The relative positioning of the mud motor is transmitted to the surface by way of a steering tool or MWD telemetry system. The direction of the mud motor or tool face is adjusted by turning the drill pipe at the surface. As drilling progresses, shifts in the orientation of the mud motor due to reactive torque at the drill bit will be indicated in real time so that adjustments may be made at the surface as required.

Oil and gas wells normally employ steel casing as a conduit for produced or injected substances. In recent years, many operators have begun to re-enter and sidetrack existing wells to take advantage of newer technologies such as horizontal and underbalanced drilling techniques. The existing practice requires that a gyroscopic directional survey of the cased well be conducted to establish an accurate profile of the well and a starting point for the sidetrack. Steel casing disrupts the earth's natural magnetic field and precludes the use of directional measurement devices which depend on the earth's magnetic field as a reference. State of the art gyro systems employ costly earth rate gyroscopes and surface readout features which dictate the requirement for electric conductor wireline equipment as well.
Once the well has been surveyed, a bridge plug and a casing whipstock are located at the sidetrack point and oriented in the desired direction of deviation. If the well is vertical or near vertical, the whipstock is oriented using the gyro surveying equipment. A series of milling tools are used to machine a slot in the casing and thereby create an exit point or window. A drill bit driven by a downhole mud motor equipped with a bent housing member is employed to deviate the new wellbore in the desired direction.
In vertical or near vertical wells, a gyroscopic orienting instrument is once again required to orient the motor toolface in the same direction the whipstock was aligned. Since gyroscopic instruments are not built to withstand the shock forces encountered while drilling, the gyro is pulled up into the drill pipe before drilling commences. As drilling progresses, operations must be halted periodically to check the motor's toolface orientation with the gyro. Moreover, these checks are done in a static condition which does not give an accurate indication of reactive torque at the bit and therefore requires the operator to extrapolate the actual toolface orientation while drilling. Drilling must continue in this manner until enough horizontal displacement has been achieved in the new wellbore to escape the magnetic effects of the steel casing on a magnetically referenced orienting device such as a wireline steering or a measurement while drilling (MWD) tool. Alternatively, drilling must continue until enough angle has been built to allow the use of a steering tool or MWD-based gravity referenced orienting device. Only at this point can the gyro and wireline equipment be released and the more cost effective and operationally superior MWD tool be employed.
This conventional method of steering a sidetracked well in the vicinity of steel casing has two disadvantages. First, the requirements for gyroscopic survey equipment and electric conductor wireline equipment add significant cost to the operation. During the time that milling operations are in progress, this equipment is normally kept on standby. Once drilling begins, the actual operating time of the gyro survey equipment is minimal even though the time to release of its services may be substantial. The gyro service incorporates highly sensitive equipment which commands high service charges and, along with the wireline service, requires two or three operations personnel to operate the equipment.
The second disadvantage of the prior art methods relates to their accuracy. The orientation method is inferior as it normally incorporates static instead of dynamic survey data. In operation, the gyro is seated in the muleshoe with the rig's mud pumps turned off. The motor toolface is oriented in this condition and the gyro is pulled up into the drill string before the pumps are started and drilling commences. During drilling, the drill bit's interface with the formation generates reactive torque which causes the orientation of the motor toolface to rotate counterclockwise from its initial setting. Although numerous orientation checks may be made to determine the effects of reactive torque, the gyro equipment cannot be used to obtain orientation data while drilling is in progress. Data obtained must be extrapolated and assumed values used to correct for reactive torque. Since the severity of reactive torque is a function of drill bit torque, drillers normally use low bit weights while orienting with gyro equipment in order to minimize effects on the toolface orientation. This results in slow penetration rates and even higher costs associated with the sidetrack procedure.

Dynamic orienting reference system for directional drilling


A photoresist composition that employs onium salt carboxylates as thermally stable dissolution inhibitors. The photoresist composition can be either an onium carboxylate salt with a phenolic photoresist, such as novolac, or an onium cation protected carboxylate-containing resin such as an acrylic/acrylic acid copolymer. The onium carboxylate can be an onium cholate, wherein the onium cholate is an iodonium cholate. Particularly preferred iodonium cholates are alkyloxyphenylphenyl iodonium cholates and most particularly preferred is octyloxyphenyphenyl iodonium cholate. The photoresist composition will not create nitrogen or other gaseous byproducts upon exposure to radiation, does not require water for photoactivation, has acceptable UV radiation transmission characteristics, and is thermally stable at temperatures required for solvent removal.

The invention is directed to a novel photoresist composition that employs onium salt carboxylates. The photoresist composition combines either an onium carboxylate salt with a phenolic photoresist, such as novolac, or an onium cation protected carboxylate containing resin such as an acrylic/acrylic acid copolymer. The onium carboxylates provide a thermally stable dissolution inhibitor that, when exposed to light, promotes the dissolution of the photoresist, does not require water for the reaction, create nitrogen, and has acceptable radiation transmission characteristics.
There are a variety of applications for which thick film lithography can prove to be advantageous. For example, thick film lithography can be used to create plating molds to fashion small, high aspect ratio metal parts for micromechanical applications (e.g., LIGA), allow the semiconductor industry to extend the thickness of their bump technology, and provide for extension of thin film head manufacturers to extend their thickness regime. However, the photoresist compositions found to be generally useful for resist films thicker than 70 μm, such as SU-8 (MicroChem Corp., Marlboro, Mass.), have disadvantageous features; namely, solvent development and the highly crosslinked epoxy can be difficult to strip from a substrate. Consequently, there are good reasons to try to extend lithography as practiced by the semiconductor industry, i.e., thin film lithography, into the thick film regime.
Thin film lithography photoresists, such as positive working photoresists based on aqueous base soluble phenolic resins, have gained popularity because of their superior resolution potential, one micron with state-of-the art processes, and better etch resistance. Diazonapthoquinone/novolac (DNQ/novolac) is a positive working, multicomponent resist system consisting of a novolac resin prepared by the acid catalyzed co-polymerization of cresol and formaldehyde and a sensitizer, DNQ, which is base insoluble. Upon photolysis, DNQ produces a carbene which undergoes rearrangement to form a ketene. The ketene adds water, present in the resist film to form a base soluble indene carboxylic acid photo-product. DNQ/novolac resist systems are common in microcircuit manufacturing applications and consequently, there have been some attempts to extend the thickness and resolution capabilities of these materials to the thick film regime, film thicknesses of 75 μm or greater.
However, photoresists developed for thin film applications are not necessarily applicable to thicker film applications. For example, the DNQ/novolac resists discussed above suffer from several drawbacks. While DNQ/novolac photoresists are widely used, they are limited to film thickness below about 70 μm and the near UV (wavelengths greater than about 366 nm) because of the absorption characteristics of DNQ. Furthermore, DNQ/novolac resists form nitrogen gas upon exposure to radiation which causes bubbles in the resist film, and are generally not thermally stable enough to remove effectively the solvent from the thick films (generally greater than 75 μm) required for LIGA-type applications.
One approach to solving the problems associated with the use of thin film resist compositions for thick film applications is to replace DNQ in DNQ/novolac resists with a thermally stable dissolution inhibitor that when exposed to radiation promotes the dissolution of novolac but, at the same time, does not require water for the reaction. Moreover, it is desirable that the dissolution inhibitor chosen not create nitrogen or any other gaseous reactions products. The availability of such a dissolution inhibitor would allow the extension of novolac-based photoresists to thick film photoresist applications.

Photosensitive dissolution inhibitors and resists based on onium salt carboxylates


A dioptric projection optical system projects an image of a first surface onto a second surface and includes a first lens group having a negative refractive power and arranged in an optical path between the first surface and the second surface, a second lens group having a positive refractive power and arranged in an optical path between the first lens group and the second surface, a third lens group having a negative refractive power and arranged in an optical path between the second lens group and the second surface, a fourth lens group having an aperture stop and arranged in an optical path between the third lens group and the second surface, and a fifth lens group having a positive refractive power and arranged in an optical path between the fourth lens group and the second surface, wherein lens components belonging to the dioptric projection optical system are formed of at least two types of fluorides, and wherein a clear aperture of a light beam in the projection optical system is at a relative maximum within the second lens group, is at a minimum within the third lens group, and is at a relative maximum within the third, fourth, or fifth lens group, and has only one significant minimum between the first surface and the second surface.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a projection exposure apparatus and a projection exposure method which are used, for example, when a micro device such as a semiconductor integrated circuit, an imaging element such as a CCD or the like, a liquid crystal display, a thin film magnetic head, or the like is fabricated by using lithography technology, and to a projection optical system which is suitable for use in the projection exposure apparatus.
2. Related Background Art
Recently, as circuit patterns of micro devices such as semiconductor integrated circuits and the like have been made smaller, a wavelength of illumination light (exposure light) for exposure which is used in an exposure apparatus such as a stepper has been shortened. That is, as exposure light, instead of an i line (wavelength: 365 nm) of a mercury lamp which was mainly used in a conventional device, KrF excimer laser light (wavelength: 248 nm) is mainly used. Furthermore, ArF excimer laser light which has an even shorter wavelength (wavelength: 193 nm) has been made practical. Additionally, with the object of developing exposure light of a short wavelength, use of halogen molecular laser or the like such as F2 laser (wavelength: 157 nm) is also being tested.
As a light source at a wavelength 200 nm or less in a vacuum ultraviolet region, the above-mentioned excimer laser, halogen molecular laser, or the like can be used. However, there is a limit to practically developing a narrow band in such lasers. Additionally, materials which transmit radiated light in a vacuum ultraviolet region are limited, so only limited materials can be used for the lens elements which constitute the projection optical system. The transmittance of these limited materials is not very high. Furthermore, currently, performance capability of antireflection coatings provided on a surface of the lens elements is not as high as in long wavelength light.
Therefore, one object of this invention is to have a short glass path length and a low number of lens surfaces, to suitably correct chromatic aberration, and to reduce a burden of a light source. Furthermore, another object of this invention is to suitably project and expose an image of a pattern of a mask which has been made extremely fine onto a workpiece.
To accomplish the above-mentioned objects, a projection optical system of a first embodiment is a dioptric projection optical system which projects an image of a first surface onto a second surface, includes lens components formed of at least two types of fluorides, and is constituted by, in order from the first surface side, a first lens group having a negative refractive power, a second lens group having a positive refractive power, a third lens group having a negative refractive power, a fourth lens group having an aperture stop within an optical path, and a fifth lens group having a positive refractive power. An clear aperture of a light beam in the projection optical system is at a maximum within the second lens group, is at a minimum within the third lens group, is at a relative maximum within the third, fourth, or fifth lens groups, and has only one significant minimum between the first surface and the second surface.
Additionally, in order to accomplish the above-mentioned object, the projection optical system of a second embodiment is a dioptric projection optical system which projects an image of a first surface onto a second surface and is constituted by, in order from the first surface side, a first lens group having a negative refractive power, a second lens group having a positive refractive power, a third lens group having a negative refractive power, a fourth lens group having an aperture stop within an optical path, and a fifth lens group having a positive refractive power. When an clear aperture of a light beam in the projection optical system monotonically increases within the first lens group in the direction from the first surface side to the second surface side, the clear aperture of the light beam goes from an increased size to a decreased size within the second lens group, the clear aperture goes from a decreased size to an increased size within the third lens group, the clear aperture monotonically decreases within the fifth lens group, the clear aperture of a surface having the maximum clear aperture within the second lens group is Mx2, and the clear aperture of a surface having the minimum clear aperture within the third lens group is Mn3, and the following condition is satisfied:
1.7 less than Mx2/Mn3 less than 4.
Additionally, in order to accomplish the above-mentioned object, a projection exposure apparatus according to this invention is a projection exposure apparatus which projection exposes an image of a pattern arranged in a mask onto a workpiece, is provided with a light source which supplies exposure light, an illumination optical system which guides exposure light from the light source to the pattern on the mask, and the projection optical system, and can arrange the mask at the first surface and the workpiece at the second surface. Furthermore, in preferred embodiments of the projection exposure apparatus of this invention, the light source supplies exposure light in a vacuum ultraviolet region, and in further preferred embodiments, the light source includes an F2 laser.
The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given hereinbelow and the accompanying drawings which are given by way of illustration only, and thus are not to be considered as limiting the present invention.
Further scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.

Projection optical system, projection exposure apparatus, and projection exposure method


An optically isolated laser diode array is formed by growing a quantum well layer on a substrate after a plurality of strips are placed on the substrate. As the lattice of the quantum well of layer grows over the strips, it deforms the lattice structure of such layer causing it to be optically lossy in the regions above the strips. An insulative layer may then be deposited on the quantum well layer and patterned so that electrical contact may be made to the quantum well layer active regions which are disposed between each of the strips. In these active regions, the quantum well layer lattice structure is well formed to provide high quality active regions for laser diodes.

A typical laser diode array has a plurality of laser diode active regions formed on a common substrate. Generally, a quantum well layer is disposed on the substrate and the active regions in the quantum well layer may be optically isolated from each other by various techniques. Electrical connection may be made to each of the active regions individually for an addressable array or to all regions simultaneously for phase coupled laser diode array having a continuous wave high power output (the output power of each individual active region being combined with each other active region).
The optical isolation between each active region in the quantum well layer is required to prevent lateral coupling of optical energy between adjacent active regions. Such lateral coupling may cause unwanted oscillations and reduce the optical power output of the device in the phase coupled array. In an addressable array, the lateral coupling may cause crosstalk. Such crosstalk could introduce bit errors where the array is used for fiber optic communications. Accordingly, several techniques isolating the active regions of the quantum well layer in the laser diode array have been developed in the prior art.
For example, Thornton, U.S. Pat. No. 4,870,652 and Paoli, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,831,629 show that the use of diffused regions which extend into the multiple quantum well layer will provide lateral isolation between adjacent laser diode active regions. The diffused regions will absorb laterally propagating optical energy from the active regions to minimize crosstalk and undesired transverse modes.
Another technique developed in the prior art is the use of a plurality of parallel etched grooves extending in the longitudinal direction through the quantum well layer, as disclosed in Scifres, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,803,691. The grooves reflect and scatter the laterally propagating light such that the optical coupling between adjacent active regions is minimized.
Instead of diffused regions or scattering grooves to separate the active regions, an absorbent material may also be used to provide optical isolation. The absorbent material may be any of various semiconductor materials such as silicon or the exemplary III-V semiconductor compounds as disclosed in Luft, U.S. Pat. No. 4,712,220. One technique for placing absorbent material in between the active regions of the laser diode array is to etch the quantum well layer to form voids between the active regions. The absorbent semiconductor material is then grown within the voids between the active regions. For example, Trussel, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,371,968 discloses the regrowth of gallium aluminum arsenide within trenches formed between the active regions. Carney et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,577,321 discloses the growth of cladding material to fill the voids between individual quantum well lasers. An overview of all the above techniques disclosed in Heinen et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,674,095.
A significant disadvantage and limitation of each of the above described techniques for providing isolation between the quantum well layer active regions is that several additional processing steps are required to provide for the diffusion into the quantum well layer or for the regrowth of material within etched voids. The diffusion or regrowth must be performed at relatively high temperatures which causes dopant carriers within the device to further diffuse. This further diffusion may degrade device operating characteristics from the desired characteristics which had been established during the growing of the quantum well layer. Also, the additional processing steps increase wafer handling time and complexity of the device, each of which significantly adds to cost of the finished array. Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide for optical isolation within the quantum well layer at the time such layer is formed.


The invention relates to a method for controlling a wiper device (10) by means of a control and/or regulating unit (12). At least one operating parameter is set dependent on at least one parameter which differs from a vehicle window coverage parameter.

There is already a known method for controlling a wiper device by means of a control and/or regulating unit. Such methods are especially used in motor vehicles in order to wipe vehicle windscreens conveniently. The control and/or regulating unit can undertake functions here that operate at least partly automatically, such as in particular interval wiping functions, adjustments of a wiper speed and/or the application of washing water to the vehicle windscreen and then distribution by limited interval wiping. It is also known to couple the control and/or regulating unit to a rain sensor that determines a vehicle windscreen coverage parameter and controls the wiper device depending upon said coverage parameter.

Wiper device and method for controlling same


A sulfonic acid group-containing polyurethane produced from a sulfonic acid group-containing polyamide diol and/or a sulfonic acid group containing polyester diol, a dihydroxyhydrocarbon having a specific molecular weight and a diisocyanate. This polyurethane has not only high hydrophilicity but also excellent mechanical strength, excellent heat resistance, low permanent tensile set and low hardness, which are required for the base polymer for a photosensitive resin composition to be used for producing a flexographic printing plate. Further, a photosensitive resin composition containing such a sulfonic acid group-containing polyurethane has excellent photosensitivity and in addition, has excellent properties such that after the photosensitive resin composition has been exposed to actinic rays through an image-bearing transparency, the development of the exposed composition can be performed with water or an aqueous alkali solution. From this photosensitive resin composition, a flexographic printing plate having excellent printing resistance, ink resistance and mechanical properties can be obtained.

1. Field Of The Invention
The present invention relates to a sulfonic acid group-containing polyurethane and a photosensitive resin composition containing the same. More particularly, the present invention is concerned with a sulfonic acid group-containing polyurethane produced from a sulfonic acid group-containing polyamide diol and/or a sulfonic acid group containing polyester diol, a dihydroxyhydrocarbon having a specific molecular weight and a diisocyanate. Further, the present invention is concerned with a photosensitive resin composition comprising such a sulfonic acid group-containing polyurethane as a base polymer, an ethylenically unsaturated compound and a photopolymerization initiator.
The sulfonic acid group-containing polyurethane of the present invention has not only high hydrophilicity but also excellent mechanical strength, excellent heat resistance, low permanent tensile set and low hardness, which are required for the base polymer for a photosensitive resin composition to be used for producing a flexographic printing plate, and has also excellent compatibility with an ethylenically unsaturated compound. The photosensitive resin composition containing such a sulfonic acid group-containing polyurethane has excellent photosensitivity and, in addition, has excellent properties such that, after the photosensitive resin composition has been exposed to actinic rays through an image-bearing transparency, the development of the exposed composition can be performed with water or an aqueous alkali solution optionally containing a surfactant, thereby producing a flexographic printing plate which has excellent printing resistance, ink resistance and mechanical properties
2. Discussion Of Related Art
Various types of polymers are known as a base polymer of a photosensitive resin composition which is used to produce a printing plate. In particular, polyamides are widely used as such a base polymer. Conventionally, an alcohol-soluble polyamide copolymer was mainly used. However, the production of a printing plate using this alcohol-soluble polyamide copolymer is inevitably accompanied by drawbacks, such as limitations in handling and operation attributed to the use of an alcohol and the necessity of an anti-fire developer apparatus. Therefore, currently, as polyamides for use in preparing a photosensitive resin composition, use is made of those which can provide a photosensitive resin composition which, after being exposed to actinic rays, can be developed with water or an aqueous alkali solution.
Representative examples of such polyamides include a sulfonic acid group-containing polyamide as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Specification Nos. 48-68302/1973 and 48-72250/1973, a polyamide containing a basic nitrogen or an ammonium salt-forming nitrogen as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Specification Nos. 50-7605/1975 and 50-78401/1975 and a polyamide having an ether bond as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Specification No. 48-42049/1973 and Japanese Patent Application Publication Specification No. 49-43565/1974.
The printing plates produced from a photosensitive resin composition containing such a polyamide, however, has poor resistance to flexographic printing ink (in which water or an alcohol is used as a solvent).
A thermoplastic elastomer is also used as a base polymer for a photosensitive resin composition which is useful in producing a flexographic printing plate. As such thermoplastic elastomers, use is currently made of those which, after being exposed to actinic rays, can be developed only with organic solvents, such as ketones and chlorinated hydrocarbons. The use of such organic solvents are likely to cause a pollution problem. Therefore, efforts are made in the art to develop a photosensitive resin composition comprising a thermoplastic elastomer, which composition, after being exposed to actinic rays, can be developed with water or an aqueous solution. Examples of such photosensitive resin compositions are disclosed in for example, Japanese Patent Application Publication Specification Nos. 59-29849/1984 and 58-33884/1983. From any of the proposed photosensitive resin compositions, however, only printing plates having poor ink resistance can be obtained, which limits their application in industry.
Further, a polyamide copolymer comprising a polyamide as a main chain and, incorporated therein, a polyether segment, was proposed as a base polymer for a photosensitive resin composition which can give a flexible, tough flexographic printing plate by exposure to actinic rays and development with water or an aqueous solution. Representative examples of such copolymerized polyamides include a polyamide copolymer as produced from a polyoxyethylene having terminal amino or carboxyl groups and an aliphatic dicarboxylic acid or an aliphatic diamine (see Japanese Patent application Publication Specification Nos. 57-18173/1982 and 57-4891/1982), and a polyether-ester-amide as produced from a lactam or a nylon salt, a polyoxyalkylene glycol and a dicarboxylic acid (see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Specification Nos. 58-117537/1983 and 60-14232/1985). Still further, a polyether-ester-amide as produced from a sulfonic acid group-containing polyamide, a polyoxyalkylene glycol and a dicarboxylic acid (see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Specification Nos. 60-8322/1985 and 61-162524/1986) and a polyether-ester-amide as produced from a polyamide having a basic nitrogen, a polyoxyalkylene glycol and a dicarboxylic acid (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Specification No. 59-221327/1984 and Japanese Patent Application Publication Specification No. 2-372/1990) were proposed as a base polymer for a photosensitive resin composition which is excellent in developability with water or an aqueous solution after exposure to actinic rays. However, from such polyamide copolymers, only a flexographic printing plate having poor resistance to flexographic printing ink is obtained.
Known as a base polymer for a synthetic leather, a coating composition and an adhesive composition is a polyether-ester-urethane as produced from a sulfonic acid group-containing polyester diol, a polyoxyalkylene glycol and a diisocyanate (see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Specification Nos. 59-6210/1984 and 59- 24/1984). When this polyether-ester-urethane is used as a base polymer for a photosensitive resin composition and the composition is exposed to actinic rays and developed, the resultant printing plate has poor resistance to flexographic printing ink.

Sulfonic acid group-containing polyurethane and a photosensitive resin composition containing the same


A cleaning blade holder that has a top and bottom portion. The bottom portion of the blade holder contains a groove into which a protruding rib from the back side surface of the blade fits in order to dummy proof the orientation of the blade and to secure the fit. An alternative bottom portion contains a plurality of nodules along the bottom portion surface that interconnect with apertures in corresponding positions to the nubbins along the length of the blade body. The blade holder holds the blade body in a horizontal position allowing the edges on either side of the blade body to extend from the holder. Each side of the blade body fosters two edges. Rotation of the blade holder produces a new cleaning edge. Two other cleaning edges are produced by reversing the blade body in the holder and rotating the blade holder again between positions one and two.

This invention relates generally to electrophotographic printing, and more particularly, a cleaning blade used therein to remove particles adhering to the photoconductive member.
In the process of electrophotographic printing, a photoconductive surface is charged to a substantially uniform potential. The photoconductive surface is imagewise exposed to record an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the informational areas of an original document being reproduced. This records an electrostatic latent image on the photoconductive surface corresponding to the informational areas contained within the original document. Thereafter, a developer material is transported into contact with the electrostatic latent image. Toner particles are attracted from the carrier granules of the developer material onto the latent image. The resultant toner powder image is then transferred from the photoconductive surface to a sheet of support material and permanently affixed thereto.
This process is well known and useful for light lens copying from an original and printing applications from electronically generated or stored originals, and in ionography.
In a reproduction process of the type as described above, it is inevitable that some residual toner will remain on the imaging (i.e. photoreceptive, photoconductive) surface after the toner image has been transferred to the sheet of support material (e.g. paper). It has been found that with such a process that the forces holding some of the toner particles to the imaging surface are stronger than the transfer forces and, therefore, some of the particles remain on the surface after transfer of the toner image. In addition to the residual toner, other particles, such as paper debris (i.e. Kaolin, fibers, clay), additives and plastic, are left behind on the surface after image transfer. (Hereinafter, the term "residual particles" encompasses residual toner and other residual particles remaining after image transfer.) The residual particles adhere firmly to the surface and must be removed prior to the next printing cycle to avoid its interfering with recording a new latent image thereon.
Various methods and apparatus may be used for removing residual particles from the photoconductive imaging surface. Hereinbefore, a cleaning brush, a cleaning web, and a cleaning blade have been used. Both cleaning brushes and cleaning webs operate by wiping the surface so as to affect transfer of the residual particles from the imaging surface thereon. After prolonged usage, however, both of these types of cleaning devices become contaminated with toner and must be replaced. This requires discarding the dirty cleaning devices. In high-speed machines this practice has proven not only to be wasteful but also expensive.
The shortcomings of the brush and web made way for another now prevalent form of cleaning known and disclosed in the art--blade cleaning. Blade cleaning involves a blade, normally made of a rubberlike material (i.e. polyurethane) which is dragged or wiped across the surface to remove the residual particles from the surface. Blade cleaning is a highly desirable method, compared to other methods, for removing residual particles due to its simple, inexpensive structure. However, there are certain deficiencies in blade cleaning which are primarily a result of the frictional sealing contact that must occur between the blade and the surface. This frictional sealing contact often leads to blade failure and as a result requires blade replacement.
To change a cleaning blade in a conventional xerographic copier a customer service engineer (CSE), technical representative or the like, must, for every blade change, perform sometimes as many as a 24 step process that includes completely removing the photoreceptor belt module.
The present process for installing the cleaning blade (average size of the cleaning blade is about a 37 cm.times.1.8 cm.times.0.2 cm urethane slab) in its present holder requires the CSE to push the blade into the holder channel until the blade reaches maximum penetration (about 1.1 cm) along the entire length of the blade. This is not a simple operation. The blade uses a friction fit to hold the blade in position inside its holder. The blade's snug fit causes it to stick to the sides of the holder and resist being pressed into the channel. Since the blade is pliable, the blade bends as the CSE tries to push it into its proper position, making the job difficult.
It requires a lot of practice to be able to accomplish the task of installing a new blade in this manner. Even after the blade is finally inserted into the holder channel, it is not obvious whether or not the blade is properly aligned for an even cleaning edge. Although cleaning blades have been able to clean when installed slightly skewed, a skewed blade can also cause photoreceptor tracking problems. These tracking problems can cause premature failure of the photoreceptor and other failures. A skewed cleaning blade also wears unevenly and causes premature failure of the blade also. It is an object of the present invention to provide an easier means for inserting the blade so that skewing of the blade does not occur.
The following disclosures may be relevant to various aspects of the present invention and may be briefly summarized as follows:
U.S. Pat. No. 4,202,437 to Gordon discloses a conveyor belt scraper assembly to remove foreign matter from a conveyor belt. This design allows rapid and efficient replacement of worn out blades. The scraper assembly is mounted on a pair of slide housings which allows adjustment of the angular orientation of the blade to compensate for substantial wear on the scraper edge. A scraper core holds three blades, all 120 degrees apart which may be used substitutively when one blade wears out. The blades consist of two working edge surfaces so that when one surface is diminished and unusable, the mounting can be reversed to provide a new working surface.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,311,094 to Ellison discloses a method and apparatus for removing foreign matter from a printing plate mounted on a cylinder. A pair of parallel, spaced flexible blades contact the surface of the plate whereby one blade spreads and thins ink on a surface while the other blade dislodges and removes them from the surface. The blades are supported by a mounting member which extends across the entire width of the printing plate and is parallel to the axis of the plate cylinder.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,328,888 to Luke discloses a conveyor belt scraper blade in which one longitudinal axis makes contact with a conveyor belt surface to be scraped. The blade extends in opposite lateral directions beyond the periphery of a metallic reinforcing strip to provide two scraper edges. The hard rubber blade, bonded to a metallic reinforcing strip, makes contact with the conveyor belt and scrapes foreign matter therefrom. After wearing of one edge of the blade, the worn blade may be released from the supporting arrangement and reversed to present its' other edge to the belt surface.

180 degree rotating cleaning blade holder


A system and method of controlling a rotary-wing aircraft includes transforming a non-rate limited servo position command into a rate limited servo position command.

The present invention relates to a flight control system, and more particularly to control of a swashplate trajectory.
Control of a rotary-wing aircraft is affected by varying the pitch of the rotor blades individually as the rotor rotates and by varying the pitch of all of the blades together. These are known respectively as cyclic and collective pitch control. Blade pitch control of a rotary wing aircraft main rotor is typically achieved through a swashplate.
The swashplate is typically concentrically mounted about the rotor shaft. The swashplate generally includes two rings connected by a series of bearings with one ring connected to the airframe (stationary swashplate), and the other ring connected to the rotor hub (rotating swashplate). The rotating ring is connected to the rotor hub through a pivoted link device typically referred to as "scissors", with the static ring similarly connected to the airframe. The rotating swashplate rotates relative the stationary swashplate. Apart from rotary motion, the stationary and rotating swashplate otherwise move as a unitary component. Cyclic control is achieved by tilting the swashplate relative to a rotor shaft and collective control is achieved by translating the swashplate along the rotor shaft.
Pitch control rods mounted between the main rotor blades and the rotating swashplate transfer loads between the swashplate and the main rotor blades. Main rotor servos extend between and attach to the stationary swashplate and the aircraft fuselage. Displacement of the main rotor servos results in displacement of the stationary swashplate. Hence, by actuating selected main rotor servos, collective and cyclic commands are transferred to the rotor head as vertical and/or tilting displacement of the swashplates.
Certain limits may be required for the swashplate linkages to operate properly. Typically, the more compact the swashplate, the more complicated the linkage geometry and the greater the number of linkages required to achieve a desired range of motion. Main rotor servo limits may be required to avoid interference relationships within the range of motion.
Main rotor servo rate limits may also prevent exceedences of a hydraulic system capability which drives the main rotor servos. Since a swashplate requires a combination of servo movements to achieve the desired position, individual limitation of servo rates may result in an undesirable trajectory which produces an off-axis response.


The present invention discloses a flexible liner bag which may contain an absorbent material suitable for collecting and containing waste material. Bottom, side, and top edges of the bag are sealed, such that the absorbent material is contained within the bag. Retaining band is positioned on the bag near the top edges of the bag. A removal means is positioned on the bag between the top edges of the bag and the retaining band. The liner bag is used in a container to collect and contain waste products. A closure means is used to secure the bag for disposal.

Plastic bags are commonly used in lining containers, receptacles, boxes, and the like because of the protection afforded to the container, the ease of clean up and disposal, cost, and the ability to hold liquids. Liner bags are particularly useful in conjunction with animal litter boxes. The liner bags are typically positioned within the litter box, and then filled with an absorbent litter from a separate source. The boxes or liners are thrown away after the litter is soiled. In some instances, a rim lid of the litter box is utilized to retain the liner bag in place.

Flexible liner bag for containing an absorbent material


An acoustic lens may improve the directional audio performance of a loudspeaker. Application of the improved directional audio performance to a sound system in a listening area may improve the performance of the audio system. The acoustic lens (or phase plug) may be acoustically opaque and partially fill the cavity formed by the loudspeaker cone. The acoustic lens may provide an improved frequency response and directivity. The improved loudspeaker may provide an improved listening location, for example, in a vehicle, a room or a concert hall.

The midrange in many loudspeakers may suffer from timbre defects in the acoustic output at the ends of the midrange bandwidth. The timbre defects may include peaks and dips that may result from interference, constructive or destructive, from sound radiation originating in spatially diverse areas of the diaphragm. The peaks and dips may also originate from the Helmholtz cavity resonance formed by the cone shaped diaphragm itself. Although in a speaker system, the midrange transducer operation is usually band limited with frequency limiting low pass filters to operate below the frequencies where the peaks and dips manifest themselves, such filters are necessarily tapered so that the midrange sound pressure level is attenuated by between 6-24 dB SPL/doubling of frequency. As a result, midrange timbre defects found at frequencies several times the frequency of the high pass filter may affect the overall timbre performance of the loudspeaker system.
A typical loudspeaker may have increased directivity and/or nulls in the frequency response at higher frequencies. Accordingly, the speaker will not provide the same frequency response or tonal quality for each listener depending upon the listener's relative position to the speaker. The response difference may result in reduced high frequency output at some listening positions. Additionally, the response at angles away from a primary axis of the speaker may have a different character from the response on the primary axis. Typically, the different character of the off-axis performance cannot be corrected electronically.
Automotive sound systems currently suffer from different tonal balance in different listening positions due to the directivity characteristics of direct radiating loudspeakers. Sound energy radiating into the surrounding ambient space within an automobile may result in different tonal balance characteristics depending upon the relative position of the listener to the loudspeaker.

Harman International Industries, Incorporated


A light-polarizing film is provided which possesses a light transmittance of not more than 0.3% wavelengths of from 430 nm to 500 nm inclusive when irradiated with a linearly polarized light with a vibration plane parallel to an absorption axis of said film, and a light transmittance of not less than 77% at wavelengths of from 430 nm to 500 nm inclusive when irradiated with a linearly polarized light with a vibration plane perpendicular to the absorption axis of said film. When a light-polarizing plate comprising the light polarizing film is applied to the liquid crystal panel for blue of a liquid crystal projector, the obtained liquid crystal projector displays images featuring bright and 15 natural color tones.

The present invention relates to a light-polarizing film.
In conventional liquid crystal projectors incorporating liquid crystal panels, such as so-called video projectors, data projectors and the like, beams of the three primary colors of red (R), green (G) and blue (B) are respectively applied to liquid crystal panels for red, green and blue to obtain respective images of the three primary colors. The resultant images are synthesized and projected by means of dichroic mirrors or the like. The beam of each primary color is obtained through spectral-separation of white light from a metal halide lamp, high-pressure mercury lamp or the like, by means of the dichroic mirror or the like. Such a liquid crystal panel normally employs a light-polarizing plate wherein protective sheet(s) are bonded to one or both sides of a so-called neutral-gray light-polarizing film. As the light-polarizing film, a light-polarizing film with an absorbedly oriented dichroic dye is frequently employed in view of its resistance to heat and light from the light source.
Unfortunately, a conventional liquid crystal projector with the neutral-gray light-polarizing film has a problem in that a displayed image often appears yellowish to the eye. The problem of the yellowish image display may be solved by reducing the amount of light for red and green relative to that for blue. However, the reduced amount of light results in a lowered image lightness.
After an intensive study to develop a light-polarizing film for a liquid crystal projector featuring a bright and natural color display, the present inventors have found that a bright and natural color display is attained by applying a light-polarizing plate comprising a light-polarizing film with specific light transmitting characteristics to the liquid crystal panel for blue of the liquid crystal projector, thus achieving the present invention.
A first object of the present invention is to provide a light-polarizing film which possesses a light transmittance of not more than 0.3% at wavelengths of from 430 nm to 500 nm inclusive when irradiated with a linearly polarized light with a vibration plane parallel to an absorption axis and a light transmittance of not less than 77% at wavelengths of from 430 nm to 500 nm inclusive when irradiated with a linearly polarized light with a vibration plane perpendicular to the absorption axis.
A second object of the present invention is to provide a light-polarizing plate which comprises the above-described light-polarizing film and possesses a surface reflectance of not more than 1% at wavelengths of from 430 nm to 500 nm inclusive.
A third object of the present invention is to provide a light-polarizing plate which possesses a light transmittance of not more than 0.3% at wavelengths of from 430 nm to 500 nm inclusive when irradiated with the linearly polarized light with the vibration plane parallel to the absorption axis, a light transmittance of not less than 77% at wavelengths of from 430 nm to 500 nm inclusive when irradiated with the linearly polarized light with the vibration plane perpendicular to the absorption axis, and a surface reflectance of not more than 1% at wavelengths of from 430 nm to 500 nm inclusive.


The present invention relates to a fat-removal massager utilizing a speed-adjustable motor in combination with two corresponding gear sets for driving a plurality of eccentrically rotatable massaging balls. Moreover, every two neighboring massaging balls in rotation create a rapid squeezing effect upon muscles for achieving the expected fat-removing and massaging goal.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a new and improved fat-removal massager, and more particularly, to an apparatus which can be used everywhere and held by a single hand to achieve the massaging and fat-removing effect.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The commercially available massagers work in the vibrating or in-place striking way. The vibrating massager makes use of the rapid vibration to achieve the relaxing and vibrating effect upon the local muscles. The in-place striking massager exerts a certain pressure on the local point (acupuncture point) of muscles to achieve the effect of relaxing muscles and nerves.
The above-mentioned massagers can create relaxing effect on the local muscles. However, they can't produce squeezing and fat-removing effect upon the muscles containing much fat. Thus, it's necessary to improve them.


The invention relates to an aircraft seat comprising an adjusting device, the aircraft seat comprising at least one adjustable seat element. The seat element has an adjustable state and a locked state, the seat element being adjustable by means of manual force application and/or force application by a spring element and/or force application due to the weight of parts of the aircraft seat only in the adjustable state. The adjusting device comprises at least one control element and at least one locking element, the locking element being movable by means of the control element between a locking position in which the seat element is locked, and a neutral position in which the seat element is adjustable. The control element is an electronic and/or electric switch, and the locking element can be moved between the locking position and the neutral position by means of an electrically operated actuator which can be actuated by means of signals from the switch.

Aircraft seats comprising adjustable seat elements, such as backrests, arm rests, leg rests or seat surfaces are generally known. The adjustment is a relative change in the position and/or orientation of two or more seat elements. This can include, for example, setting the angle of a backrest relative to a seat surface or adjusting the height of the leg rest relative to the seat surface. A seat element can be adjusted relative to a further seat element by means of rotation about an axis, by means of displacement along an axis, or by means of adjustment along a trajectory. Moreover, seat elements, in particular the seat surface, are adjusted relative to a seat base or a seat frame which is fixed to the cabin floor.
The adjustment of seat elements is made possible by means of adjusting devices, which allow two or more seat elements of an aircraft seat to move relative to one another within specified limits.
Aircraft seats providing a normal level of comfort, which are provided for as dense a seat arrangement as possible in an aircraft, usually comprise mechanical adjusting devices for seat elements, which a seat occupant can release from a locked position by means of an operating lever or operating button. The operating lever is connected to the adjusting device and to a corresponding locking element by means of cables, rods or hydraulic lines for mechanical transmission of the unlocking force.
The mechanical transmission of the unlocking force in order to allow a corresponding force transmission from the operating lever to the adjusting device has a complex configuration on account of the distance to be bridged between an operating lever, e.g. at the end of an armrest, and an adjusting device, e.g. on the joint between the seat surface and the backrest. Moreover, possible transitions between seat elements and changes of direction in the case of force transmission in small radii, e.g. at the transition from an armrest to a backrest, must be bridged. Transitions of this kind can in addition be in the form of a joint, as a result of which the mechanical force transmission must occur in an equally complex articulated manner and occupies a correspondingly large amount of space, considerably limiting the design freedom of the aircraft seats. Moreover, mechanisms of this kind can be subject to considerable friction, meaning that they are difficult for an operator to operate, in particular after a long service life. Bowden cables or hydraulic systems, for example, can be used for the purpose of mechanical force transmission.
In contrast, aircraft seats exist which comprise electrically driven adjusting devices. Said devices make it possible for seat elements to be adjusted by means of actuating drives. The actuating drives are electronically activated and can be controlled by a seat occupant by means of control keys. In this way, the angle of a backrest to a seat surface can be adjusted or changed electrically for example. The actuating drives are designed such that one or more seat elements can also be adjusted against the weight of a seat occupant. Moreover, the actuating drives must be designed in such a way that they are able to safely withstand the loads which occur in the event of a crash. On account of these requirements, the servomotors are heavy and also expensive. In addition, the necessary size of the servomotors limits the design freedom of an aircraft seat during integration. If a plurality of adjustable seat elements are provided on an aircraft seat, it must be laboriously ensured that no combination of positions of the seat elements can be reached which could trap or injure a seat occupant.
The object of the invention is to provide an adjusting device for an aircraft seat which overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages.


In a connector member comprising an insulator body with a plurality of contacts, a casing has an inside surface defining an opening as a counterpart member receiving space for receiving a counterpart member. To provide water-tight seal between the opening and the connector member, the casing is formed with four connector portions. The opening has a surrounding sealing inside surface lined with a sealing member, with the counterpart member surrounded by a counterpart sealing ring which matches the sealing member.

This invention relates to a connector member which is for water-tight connection to a counterpart member.
In the manner which will later be described more in detail, a conventional connector member comprises a printed circuit board, a connector portion attached to the printed circuit board, a casing, and sealing means for providing water-tight seal between the connector portion and the casing. It should, however, be noted that the sealing means has a complicated structure. This renders the connector member unreliable, bulky, and expensive.

Connector member comprising a casing having a counterpart member receiving space lined with a water-tight sealing member

Japan Aviation Electronics Industry, Limited


In an alignment sensor of a lithographic apparatus, position sensing radiation is delivered to a target (P1). After reflection or diffraction from the target, position sensing radiation is processed to determine a position of the target. Reference radiation interferes with the position sensing radiation) while a relative phase modulation is applied between the reference radiation and the position sensing radiation. The interfering radiation includes a time-varying component defined by the applied phase modulation. The interfering radiation is delivered to two photodetectors in such a way that each photodetector receives said time-varying component in anti-phase to that received at the other photodetector. A difference signal (i(t)) from said photodetectors contains an amplified, low noise version of said time-varying component. This is used in determining the position of the target. Mode matching enhances interference. Surface scattered radiation is rejected.

A lithographic process is one 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 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. comprising 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. Stepping and/or scanning movements can be involved, to repeat the pattern at successive target portions across the substrate. It is also possible to transfer the pattern from the patterning device to the substrate by imprinting the pattern onto the substrate.
In lithographic processes, it is necessary to make very accurate position measurements over a substrate, to ensure proper alignment between patterns formed in different patterning steps, for example between two layers in a device. Accurate position sensors have been developed which use optical phenomena such as diffraction and interference to obtain position information from alignment marks formed on the substrate. One type of position sensor is based on a self-referencing interferometer, described for example in US2004033426A1. Various enhancements and modifications of the position sensor have been developed, for example as disclosed in US2015261097A1. Modified alignment marks have also been developed, for example as disclosed in US2009195768A1, The contents of these publications are incorporated herein by reference. The present disclosure is not limited to this specific type of interferometer.
In many applications, optical properties of the substrate and alignment marks make it difficult to obtain a high-quality signal. For example, as the manufacturing process progresses, it may be necessary to read an alignment mark which is buried under various layers of material. Photocurrents obtained by photodetectors within the optical system of the position sensing arrangement become very weak, and difficult to distinguish from electronic noise. The sensors which are employed in state-of-the-art lithographic apparatuses use several techniques to obtain the best quality signal, for example by selecting from a range of different wavelengths and polarizations of radiation, to find the one which best penetrates layers overlying the alignment mark. Nevertheless, requirements for accuracy are ever-increasing, while the structures to be measured become more complex. One way to improve signal quality is by taking more time for the measurement. However, this may be undesirable because of the requirement to maintain a very high throughput in a commercial lithographic apparatus.
Other types of position sensors are known, and are also subject of the present disclosure. One example is the ATHENA sensor as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,297,876B1 (Bornebroek et al) and the laser interferometric alignment (LIA) sensor disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,285,455B1 (Shiraishi).
In an unrelated field, that of quantum optics, a technique of balanced heterodyne detection has been developed to allow very sensitive detection of single photon events with high detection bandwidths. These techniques are described for example in the publications U Leonhardt, Measuring the quantum state of light, Cambridge University Press (1997); S RHuisman, et al, Opt. Lett., 34, p 2739 (2009); and A I Lvovsky and M G Raymer, Rev. Mod. Phys., 81, p 299 (2009). The contents of these publications are incorporated herein by reference. Note that "bandwidth" in this context relates to the bandwidth of signals being processed, not the bandwidth of the radiation used to obtain those signals.

Position sensing arrangement and lithographic apparatus including such an arrangement, position sensing method and device manufacturing method