A gold panning and classifying method and system includes a generally rectangularly shaped gold pan having diverging side panels and a plurality of valleys and ridges in the front panel. A plurality of nesting classifying screens are included to effect a first separation of material into portions composed of equivalent size particles. The unique shape of the pan greatly enhances the gravity separation techniques for separating fine sands from gold and gold dust.

The present invention relates to apparatus and methods for the separation of a first granular material from a second granular material having a specific gravity less than the first granular material, and more specifically to methods and apparatus for separating gold dust and nuggets from sand, gravel, and other material with which gold dust and nuggets are normally associated in nature, and most particularly to such methods that can be implemented by hand.
Prior art gold panning techniques call for the use of a rounded, shallow container, normally referred to as a gold pan. Gold pans are available in a variety of rounded shapes; however, most are circular in plan view and have a relatively flat bottom from which the rounded sidewalls are uniformly upwardly and outwardly flared. Gold is separated from gold-containing gravel and sand; for example, by placing the mixture into a pan and vibrating the mixture in the pan so that, theoretically, the gold, which is the heavier material present, settles to the bottom. The top, or lighter, materials are then washed from the pan by causing the water in the pan to pass over the material in the pan and allowing the water after it has passed over the material to flow over the lip or edge of the pan, carrying with it some of the lighter material. When necessary, the water is replenished and the procedure repeated until all of the gravel and sand is washed away, leaving only gold. This technique has been utilized for gross separations of materials as well as for separating gold dust from the fine, black sands of no value.
The drawback to the prior art methods is that, as the water travels across the circular, flat bottom of the pan and approaches material normally placed at the intersection of the flat bottom and the rounded sides, the rounded sides tend to cause the water to converge on itself, in essence, pinching the sand and gold together. As the pinching effect occurs, there is a tendency for the sand and gold to mix and for the sand to be removed to a greater depth on the sides of the sand and gravel mass than occurs in the middle of the mass. As more and more of the black sand is removed, one of ordinary skill will readily see that the uneven removal of black sand and the mixture of the sand and gold will eventually lead to removal and thus loss of gold from along the sides of the mass. This and other drawbacks thus limit the utility and efficacy of prior panning techniques for final separation of small amounts of black sand from small amounts of gold dust. Accordingly, other separation techniques have been resorted to, including amalgamation. However, these other techniques all have their drawbacks and to some extent lead to the loss of certain amounts of gold dust.
Another drawback to prior art panning techniques is that sand, gravel, and gold are usually mixed together often in aggregate sizes that vary from each other significantly. Conventional panning techniques utilized to separate large granular materials from small granular materials result in the loss of some gold because sand particles, although having a lesser specific gravity than gold particles, tend to move through a mixture under the influence of gravity at a greater velocity than grains of gold. However, when granular materials of substantially similar size are placed together in a pan, the gold will quickly settle to the bottom upon vibration of the materials in the presence of water.
It is therefore a broad object of the present invention to provide methods and apparatus that employ panning techniques, but that enable one to effectively, efficiently, and almost completely separate fine granular material such as black sand from gold dust using techniques that are akin to, but different from, prior art panning techniques. It is a further object of the present invention to provide apparatus for retrieving gold from a pan once it has been separated from other granular material. It is a further object of the present invention to provide apparatus that can be utilized for the classification of sands and accompanying gold dust and nuggets into its component sizes so that materials of like size can be processed separately from materials of smaller or larger size. It is a further object of the present invention to provide an integrated classifying and panning system that can be compactly shipped and stored and that can be easily used, even by those who are neophytes to the panning arts.


A tracking solar energy collector comprising a plurality of internally defined, spaced-apart channels for containing a working medium to be heated with solar energy. In a preferred form the invention comprises a rigid, generally rectangular frame, a foam insulation layer confined within the frame forming a lower side of the collector, converter means disposed within the frame over the insulation layer for absorbing heat from solar energy, fluid input manifold means disposed within the frame for inputting a working medium into the unit, fluid output manifold means in spaced-apart, substantially parallel relationship with the input manifold means, and a plurality of generally parallel, elongated channels disposed between the converter means and the foam insulative means for conducting fluid between said input manifold means and said output manifold means. In a preferred form of this invention the converter means comprises a carbon silicone elastomer material having an end portion lapped about the major portion of the length of the output manifold.

This invention relates to solar energy collectors. More particularly, the present invention relates to solar energy collector units adapted to be installed or used in conjunction with tracking systems which move continually to follow the sun's apparent movement.
As will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art, a variety of prior art techniques exist for converting solar energy to thermal energy. A plurality of solar collector units have been previously employed utilizing a wide variety of construction techniques. However, because of the conversion efficiency associated with solar energy devices it will be readily apparent that successful installations will require great numbers of solar collector units. Therefore, in order to maintain the initial installation cost as low as possible, it is mandatory to minimize the construction costs of the units involved. However, working units must nevertheless be strongly resistant to vibratory forces, weather-related forces and the like. Tracking collectors adapted to installed in units which follow the apparent movement of the sun in general must be of more durable construction than stationary collectors. Fluid confined within tracking solar collectors, for example, tends to escape from the units because of the constantly varying angle of deployment.


An inductor for heating the circumferentially opposed working surfaces and the root surface between adjacent gear teeth includes a nose portion received between the adjacent teeth and having a profile corresponding to that of the working and root surfaces. The nose portion is comprised of a flux concentrator having axially opposite ends and radially inner and outer ends, a generally V-shaped conductor plate having ends attached to the radial inner end of the concentrator and defining a coolant passageway therewith, and tubular conductors at the axially opposite ends of the flux concentrator and plate to provide for the circulation of coolant through the nose portion. A portion of the tubular conductor extends axially adjacent the radially outer side of the flux concentrator.

The present invention relates to the art of induction heating and, more particularly, to an inductor for heating the working and root surfaces between adjacent gear teeth.
The present invention is directed to an improved inductor for use in connection with the hardening of the circumferentially opposed working surfaces of adjacent gear teeth and the radially outwardly facing root surface between the teeth. It is of course well known in the induction hardening field to harden the working surfaces of adjacent gear teeth by inductively heating the surfaces and immediately thereafter quenching the surfaces. It is further well known to achieve such induction heating by means of a U-shaped inductor comprised of an electrical conductor having parallel legs extending radially of the gear teeth in axial spaced relationship and a nose or bridging portion therebetween which is received between the adjacent teeth. Such a nose or bridging portion has a profile corresponding generally with that of the working and root surface between the adjacent teeth. The inductor is energized by a suitable power source, and the gear and inductor are generally relatively displaced axially to progressively move the inductor axially between the adjacent teeth. When the inductor passes through the space between the teeth, the circumferentially opposed working surfaces and the root surface therebteween are progressively heated, and by providing a quenching arrangement adjacent the trailing end of the inductor, the heated working and root surfaces are immediately quench hardened.
Such inductors heretofore provided for heating the working and root surfaces between adjacent teeth of a gear during a quench hardening operation have not provided satisfactory results with respect to achieving a desired uniformity of the depth of the heat pattern along the circumferentially opposed working surfaces and through the root area between the teeth. In this respect, previous inductor constructions have resulted in overheating the radially outer ends of the teeth as a result of the time required for the nose portion to achieve a desired depth of heating pattern in the root portion between adjacent teeth. Overheating of the radially outer ends of the working surfaces between adjacent gear teeth is undesirable in that the heating patterns on circumferentially opposite sides of the same gear tooth at the radially outer end thereof overlap one another. Since such overlap occurs on one side of a given tooth following the quench hardening of the working surface on the other side of the given tooth, the subsequent heating of the one side causes tempering or annealing of the previously hardened working surface adjacent the outermost portion of the gear tooth which decreases its hardness. While such overlap can be avoided by increasing the scanning speed, the latter results in an undesirable depth of the heating pattern in the root area between adjacent gear teeth. Since a uniform depth of the heating pattern and thus the hardened surface is desired throughout the working and root surfaces between adjacent teeth, the latter procedure does not solve the problem.
One previous effort to solve the foregoing problem is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,185,808 to Sorensen et al wherein one leg of a U-shaped inductor is provided with a copper block radially outwardly of the nose portion of the inductor. The copper block controls current flow through the inductor so as to limit the heating effect of the inductor near the radially outermost portions of the gear teeth as the inductor is moved axially between the teeth. While the latter structural arrangement does alleviate the problem to some extent, proper adjustment of the low resistance copper block relative to the nose is necessary to achieve the desired control of the heating effect, and such adjustment is a time consuming operation and requires testing to be sure that a given adjustment provides the desired control with respect to gear teeth to be hardened. Moreover, such a structural arrangement controls the heating effect so that the radially outer portions of the working surfaces of adjacent teeth are not overheated in response to a scanning speed which enables the desired heating in the root area between adjacent teeth. Accordingly, the scanning speed is the lower speed required to achieve the desired heating of the root area with control of current flow to prevent overheating of the radially outer surface areas of the teeth at the lower speed. Thus, the scanning speed is not optimized and this results in increasing the time required to inductively heat and harden all of the teeth on the outer periphery of a given gear. This, of course, results in a reduction in production rate.


A device for monitoring temperature generated by an ablation apparatus on organic tissue is provided. The device comprises a temperature sensing pad; and an output device to receive and display a representation of a lesion found on the ablated organic tissue. Ablation systems incorporating the device and methods of using the device are also provided.

This invention relates to ablation devices that are used to create lesions in tissue. More particularly, this invention relates to ablation devices that use temperature-sensing elements to monitor the transmurality of the lesions.
The action of the heart is known to depend on electrical signals within the heart tissue. Occasionally, these electrical signals do not function properly. The maze procedure is a surgical operation for patients with atrial fibrillation that is resistant to medical treatment. In this procedure, incisions are created in the right and left atria to produce an orderly passage of the electrical impulse from the SA node to the atrioventricular node. Blind passageways are also created to suppress reentry cycles. Currently, the lesions may still be created using a traditional cut and sew technique. The scar tissue resulting from the procedure results in a non-conductive lesion.
Ablation of cardiac conduction pathways in the region of tissue where the signals are malfunctioning is now being used to replace the surgical incisions. Ablation is also used therapeutically with other organ tissue, such as the lungs, liver, prostate and uterus. Ablation may also be used in treatment of disorders such as tumors, cancers or undesirable growth.
Currently, electrophysiology (EP) ablation devices generally have one or more electrodes at their tips. These may be used for both diagnosis and therapy. In one instance, electrodes at the tips of EP ablation devices allow the physician to measure electrical signals along the surface of the heart. This is called mapping. When necessary, in another instance, the physician can also ablate certain tissues using, typically, radio frequency (RF) energy conducted to one or more ablation electrodes.
Sometimes ablation is necessary only at discrete positions along the tissue. This is the case, for example, when ablating accessory pathways, such as in Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome or AV nodal reentrant tachycardias. At other times, however, ablation is desired along a line, called linear ablation. This is the case for atrial fibrillation, where the aim is to reduce the total mass of contiguous (electrically connected) atrial tissue below a threshold believed to be critical for sustaining multiple reentrant wavelets. Linear lesions are created between electrically non-conductive anatomic landmarks to reduce the contiguous atrial mass.
Linear ablation is currently accomplished in one of several ways. One way is to position the tip portion of the ablation device so that an ablation electrode is located at one end of the target site. This may be done, for example, with an electrode positioned on a xe2x80x9cpen-likexe2x80x9d device. Then energy is applied to the electrode to ablate the tissue adjacent to the electrode. The tip portion of the electrode is then slid along the tissue to a new position and then the ablation process is repeated. This is sometimes referred to as the xe2x80x9cspot burnxe2x80x9d technique. This technique is time-consuming (which is not good for the patient) and requires multiple accurate placements of the electrode (which may be difficult for the physician). Furthermore, even if the ablation process creates a continuously linear line along the top surface of the target tissue, it is not assured that the tissue is continuously and completely ablated through further layers of the target tissue (i.e. it is not assured that transmurality is achieved.) Transmurality is achieved when the full thickness of the target tissue is ablated.
A second way of accomplishing linear ablation is to use an ablation device having a series of spaced-apart band or coil electrodes which, after the electrode portion of the ablation device has been properly positioned, are energized simultaneously or one at a time to create the desired lesion. If the electrodes are close enough together the lesions run together sufficiently to create a continuous linear lesion. While this technique eliminates some of the problems associated with the xe2x80x9cspot burnxe2x80x9d technique, some repositioning of the ablation device may be required to create an adequately long lesion. In addition, it may be difficult to obtain adequate tissue contact pressure for each electrode in a multi-electrode ablation device. Also, the use of multiple electrodes to create the linear lesion tends to make the tip portion more expensive to make, more bulky and may cause the tip portion to be stiffer than is possible when a single, or very few, electrodes are used. The added complications resulting from the use of multiple ablation electrodes can also reduce overall reliability.
Ablation devices typically include a conductive tip, which serves as one electrode in an electrical circuit. The electrical circuit is completed via a grounding electrode that may also be on the device or may be coupled to the patient. By controlling the level of energy transmitted to the ablation electrode, the user is able to control the amount of heat generated. The ablation site may also be irrigated to cool the electrode and create greater lesion depth.
In order to control the level of energy transmitted, the user must monitor the level of energy being transmitted from the electrode. Typical systems for monitoring ablation energy rely on a thermocouple element located within the ablation device, generally near the electrode. This temperature-measuring element effectively measures the temperature of the electrode rather than the tissue being ablated. Particularly when the site is being irrigated with a conductive fluid, the temperature of the tissue may differ to some degree from the temperature of the ablation device.
Another concern with the ablation approaches is the difficulty of assessing when the lesion is transmural, that is, assessing that the lesion penetrates across the full thickness of the atrial tissue. Physicians have generally relied on their best judgment or historical data to predict when a lesion is fully transmural. Currently, there is no assessment of lesion transmurality. A physician simply creates a lesion by applying energy for a pre-determined length of time over a specific length (i.e. 30W for 30 seconds over a length of 1 cm). This combination has been determined by exhaustive bench and animal experiments. Nonetheless, the human factor can result in moving the device too quickly, or changes in tissue thickness can require additional energy. If a lesion is incomplete, it may not be effective in controlling the arrhythmia, and may even be pro-arrhythmic.
It would thus be desirable to have an ablation device which, when positioned, is capable of easily and thoroughly creating a transmural lesion. It would further be desirable to have an ablation device that provides feedback that a lesion is complete and transmural. It would further be desirable to have a system for assessing the transmurality of lesions created by ablation, particularly to provide feedback to the user on the condition of the lesion while the ablation is taking place.
One aspect of the invention provides a sensor which monitors tissue temperature generated by an ablation apparatus on organic tissue. The sensor includes a temperature-sensing pad and an output device in communication with the pad. The output device receives and displays a representation of a lesion found on the ablated organic tissue. The temperature-sensing pad may incorporate temperature-sensing elements such as, for example, thermocouples, thermisters, temperature-sensing liquid crystals, or temperature-sensing chemicals. The temperature-sensing pad may be mounted on a glove, or may otherwise be adapted to fit over a user""s finger. The temperature-sensing pad may be mounted on a handle or stick, or other maneuvering mechanism or means for placing or positioning the pad against tissue. The apparatus may also include a conductive element. The output device of the sensor may be a visual display on a monitor or a visual display on the pad itself.
Another aspect of the present invention provides a system for assessing transmurality of an ablation in a tissue. The system includes an ablation apparatus which is used to ablate the front side of the tissue, a temperature-sensing pad which is placed against the back side of the tissue and senses temperature changes along the back side of the tissue. The system also includes an output device in communication with the pad that may indicate the temperature of the tissue. The system may also include temperature-sensing elements incorporated into the temperature-sensing pad.
Another aspect of the invention provides a method of ablating organic tissue. A sensor that senses the temperature of the tissue to be ablated is provided. The sensor is positioned against a back side of the tissue. The tissue is ablated with an ablation apparatus against the front side of the tissue. The pad senses the temperature changes as the tissue is ablated. The tissue may then be ablated in accordance with the temperature changes. The temperature of the tissue may be indicated using an output device.
Another aspect of the invention provides a device for monitoring temperature generated by an ablation apparatus on organic tissue. The device includes a temperature-sensing pad incorporating a plurality of temperature-sensing liquid crystals and an output device in communication with the pad that receives and displays a representation of a lesion found on the organic tissue. This pad may be used in conjunction with a color scheme in which each color indicates a temperature.
Another aspect of the invention provides a device for monitoring temperature generated by an ablation apparatus on organic tissue. The device includes a finger pad with plurality of temperature-sensing elements incorporated therein. The finger pad is operatively adapted to fit over a finger. The device also includes an output device in communication with the finger pad that is adapted to receive and display a representation of a lesion found on the organic tissue. The finger pad may also indicate the temperature generated by the ablation apparatus.
Another aspect of the invention provides a system for assessing transmurality of an ablation in a tissue. The system includes an ablation apparatus that is adapted to ablate a front face of the tissue and a temperature-sensing pad that incorporates a conductive element and senses temperature along a back side of the tissue. The system also includes an output device in communication with a pad which indicates the temperature of the tissue. The temperature pad may also be the conductive element.
The foregoing and other features and advantages of the invention will become further apparent from the following detailed description of the presently preferred embodiments, read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The detailed description and drawings are merely illustrative of the invention rather than limiting, the scope of the invention being defined by the appended claims and equivalents thereof.

System and method for assessing transmurality of ablation lesions


Process for the preparation of tetraalkylorthosilicates which comprises contacting alkanol and dimethylamine with copper-activated silicon, followed by adding alkanol to the resultant silane mixture.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to the preparation of tetraalkoxysilanes by the direct reaction of alkanol with silicon.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The most common route of tetraorganooxysilanes is the reaction of silicon tetrahalides with alcohols or their salts. The esters can also be made by transesterification, by reaction of alcohols with SiO.sub.2, SiS.sub.2, hydridosilanes, or silicon alloys such as Mg.sub.2 Si or Ca.sub.2 Si.sub.2, and by direct reaction of alcohols with silicon.
One such direct reaction involves the formation of alkoxysilanes from alcohols and silicon, ferrosilicon, or iron silicide in the presence of metal alkoxide catalysts. Ethoxysilanes have also been formed by the electrolysis of ethanol with silicon-containing anodes and by the reaction of ethanol with hyperactive silicon formed from calcium silicide and chlorine. Further, silicon can be reacted with alcohols in the presence of copper or copper halides when suspended in liquid such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons or silicone oils. Likewise, copper-catalyzed reactions of silicon with alcohols in the gas phase are known.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,927,937 discloses the use of alkaline catalysts such as ammonia in the direct reaction of ethanol with silicon. U.S. Pat. No. 3,505,379, in column 7, lines 31-36, teaches that tetraethylorthosilicate formation from Si and C.sub.2 H.sub.5 OH is possible if the reaction be carried out in the presence of basic substances. However this patent teaches, loc cit, that such tetraethylorthsilicate formation should be avoided, presumably because the object of the patented invention is the production of organosilanes. Such prior art generically teaches the equivalence of "alkaline catalyst" and "basic substances" in the reaction in question. Thus, not only does such prior art fail to recognize the importance of employing copper-activated silicon in the reaction, but also it fails to recognize the advantages of utilizing dimethylamine therein.


A method for removing, separating, and concentrating certain selected ions from a source solution that may contain larger concentrations of other ions comprises bringing the source solution in contact with a composition comprising an ion-biding ligand covalently bonded to a membrane having hydrophilic surface properties. The ligand portion of the composition has affinity for and forms a complex with the selected ions, thereby removing them from the source solution. The selected ions are then removed from the composition through contact with a much smaller volume of a receiving solution in which the selected ions are either soluble or which has greater affinity for the selected ions than does the ligand portion of the composition, thereby quantitatively stripping the complexed ions from the ligand and recovering them in concentrated form in the receiving solution. The concentrated ions thus removed may be further separated and recovered by known methods. The process is useful in the removal of selected ions, including noble metals and other transition metals from a variety of source solutions such as are encountered in semiconductor, nuclear waste cleanup, metals refining, environmental cleanup, providing ultra high purity fluids, electric power, and other industrial enterprises. The invention is also drawn to the ligand-membrane compositions.

Composite membranes of the type utilized in one embodiment of the present invention have been previously described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,618,533 to Steuck. Some of the ion-binding ligands of the types disclosed herein are also known. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,952,321 to Bradshaw et al. discloses amine-containing hydrocarbons attached to a solid inorganic support such as silica or silica gel wherein the ligand is bound to the solid inorganic support through a hydrocarbon spacer containing a trialkoxysilane group. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,071,819 and 5,084,430 to Tarbet et al. disclose sulfur and nitrogen-containing hydrocarbons as ion-binding ligands. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,959,153 and 5,039,419 to Bradshaw et al. disclose sulfur-containing hydrocarbon ligands. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,943,375 and 5,179,213 to Bradshaw et al. disclose ion-binding crowns and cryptands as ligands. U.S. Pat. No. 5,182,251 to Bruening et al. discloses aminoalkylphosphonic acid-containing hydrocarbons ligands. U.S. Pat. No. 4,960,882 to Bradshaw discloses proton-ionizable macrocyclic ligands. U.S. Pat. No. 5,078,978 to Tarbet et al. discloses pyridine-containing hydrocarbon ligands. U.S. Pat. No. 5,244,856 to Bruening et al. discloses polytetraalkylammonium and polytrialkylamine-containing hydrocarbon ligandsd. U.S. Pat. No. 5,173,470 to Bruening et al. discloses thiol and/or thioether-aralkyl nitrogen-containing hydrocarbon ligands. U.S. Pat. No. 5,190,661 to Bruening et al. discloses sulfur-containing hydrocarbon ligands also containing electron withdrawing groups. Copending application serial no. 08/058,437 filed May 7, 1993, discloses oxygen donor macrocycles, for example, ligands containing macrocyclic polyether cryptands, calixarenes, and spherands, multiarmed ethers and mixtures of these. All of these previous reports have involved binding of the ligands to solid inorganic supports via a silane-containing spacer grouping. However, researchers have not previously reported incorporating complex, strongly interacting and highly selective ion-binding ligands into membranes which would be highly desirable because of the high surface-to-area ratios, convenient physical formats, ease of production, ease of use, and inexpensive cost of such membranes. The present invention successfully accomplishes this feat.

Processes for separating and concentrating certain ions from mixed ion solutions using ion-binding ligands bonded to membranes


According to a method for producing a stent which is formed into a tubular body and includes at least one marker formed from a marker housing and a marker insert including: using an indenter having a partially spherical shaped distal end, the distal end coming into contact with the marker insert when the marker insert is pressed with the indenter and is pressure fitted to an opening provided on the marker housing to fix it thereon, a sufficient load can be applied to a radiopaque marker insert when the marker insert is attached to the stent, and further a stent having a radiopaque marker whose marker housing has little damage can be produced.

A stent is generally a medical device for treating various diseases caused by stenosis or occlusion of a blood vessel or another in vivo lumen. The stent is a medical device, which has, for example, an expandable mesh structure part, expands a lesion site such as a stenosis or occlusion site from the inside, and is indwelled in the lesion site to maintain an inside diameter of a lumen with the lesion.
The stent is used in a living body, and thus once the stent is inserted into the body, the position thereof cannot be visually confirmed. In usual, accordingly, markers including a radiopaque material (hereinafter referred to as marker inserts) are provided on pre-determined positions on the stent, and a medical treatment is advanced while exact positions of the markers are confirmed under an X-ray illumination.
A method in which marker inserts are pressure fitted to an opening of a marker housing provided on a stent (Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2); a method in which marker inserts are welded to a stent using a laser (Patent Document 3), or a method in which marker inserts are formed in a structural element of a stent by using a plating method (Patent Document 4), or the like has been proposed as a method for attaching the marker inserts to the stent. Of these, the method in which the marker inserts are pressure fitted to the opening of the marker housing is preferably used, because it is a simple method requiring no particular, special facilities or techniques, and less galvanic corrosion occurs.

Stent, method for producing same and device for producing same


A photographer adds explanatory text to a captured image by speaking the text at approximately the time the image is captured by the digital camera. The spoken information is reduced to text by recognizing the user's speech, and is associated with the digital image. Preferably, the digital camera contains an on-board speech reduction capability to produce an intermediate symbolic form expressing the user's speech as a series of basic sounds, or phonemes, which can be later reduced to natural language text by a computer system having access to sophisticated vocabulary lists and syntactical analysis.

The latter half of the twentieth century has been witness to a phenomenon known as the information revolution. While the information revolution is a historical development broader in scope than any one event or machine, no single device has come to represent the information revolution more than the digital electronic computer. The development of computer systems has surely been a revolution. Each year, computer systems grow faster, store more data, and provide more applications to their users.
The declining prices and expanding capabilities of modern digital technology has caused it to be used in an ever increasing variety of applications. One of these applications has been the capturing of optical images. Optical imaging technology generally uses a digital sensor array, such as a charge-coupled device (CCD) array, having a large number of photo-sensitive elements arranged in a regular pattern, and appropriate supporting hardware which scans the output of the elements and constructs therefrom a digital image. The digital image can then be stored in any digital data storage medium, displayed on a digital display device, printed on paper or other medium, manipulated using editing tools, or transmitted to remote locations using any transmission medium appropriate for digital data.
Optical imaging has been used in a variety of settings, including fax machines, document scanners, bar code readers, and so forth. In particular, digital optical imaging is also used as a substitute for older film-based media in high-resolution still and motion picture cameras. Indeed, as digital optical technology improves in quality and declines in price, many foresee the day when it will completely supplant the older film-based media in these fields.
A digital camera, whether still or motion video, typically contains an on-board processor, which can be programmed to perform a variety of functions. Among other things, the processor can be programmed to embed supplementary information in the digital image. It is known, for example, to embed a date and time at which the image was captured. Date and time is easily established by maintaining an on-board digital clock in the camera. Embedding such supplementary information is not particularly difficult once it is obtained.
Most digital cameras to date have simply tried to mimic the capabilities of their mechanical device counterparts, making limited use of digital technologies other than simple optical scanning and recording. Such an approach fails to recognize the vast potential of the information age to provide improved integration of digital technology and enhanced function of digital cameras not yet conceived, a potential which is bounded only by human imagination. In particular, it fails to recognize the potential to obtain information, which can then be embedded in or otherwise associated with a digital image.

Method and apparatus for enhancing digital images with textual explanations

International Business Machines Corporation


A rigid habitat structure is provided that is fabricated in an axially compressed condition so that it occupies less volume before it is expanded upon deployment. In a preferred embodiment, the structure is fabricated with a pleated metal skin forming a bellows-like structure. The structure may further comprise structural hoops and stringers connected to the metal skin. The structure may be transported to its desired location in its compressed condition and then deployed by inflating the structure to axially expand the bellows, whereby the metal skin and stringers are stretched into a straightened condition. Inflation may be continued past the elastic limits of the stringers and skin, thereby stiffening them in their expanded condition and creating a rigid expanded structure. Axially expandable micrometeorite shielding and thermal insulation are also provided that can be installed on the compressed structure and that expand along with the structure during deployment.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to enclosed, pressure bearing structures suitable for aerospace use, such as space station components and structures for use as lunar or planetary surface buildings suitable for human habitation. More specifically, this invention provides a bellows-shaped structure that can be transported, as by a rocket booster, in a relatively small volume and subsequently deployed and expanded to provide a rigid, pressure-bearing structure several times its initial compressed length. This invention may also be suitable for providing a structure for terrestrial or marine use, in particular for use in remote areas or hostile climates.
2. Discussion of the Prior Art
It is desired to provide an enclosed structure suitable for human habitation in hostile environments, in particular for use in space exploration and habitation of planetary or lunar surface environments. A number of such structures have been proposed in the past, including both rigid structures and non-rigid, inflatable structures. Structures suitable for habitation in non-terrestrial environments must be strong enough to support internal pressurization and the rigors of transport, handling and occupation. It is preferable that such structures be relatively easy to maintain, have a long usable life-span, and be incapable of catastrophic failure that would cause a sudden and complete loss of pressurization. Furthermore, space habitat structures are preferably low in weight and have low launch volumes, in order to decrease the expense, difficulty and risk of putting the structures into orbit for use in space.
The prior art provides both rigid and non-rigid structures. Rigid structures known in the art can be made adequately strong and durable, and they are relatively easy to maintain and repair. With proper choice of materials and construction techniques, the chance of catastrophic failure can be reduced to an acceptable level. Rigid structures, however, have unacceptably high launch volumes, requiring a large number of rocket flights to lift a desired number of such structures out of the earth's gravitational field and into space.
Non-rigid structures have also been proposed for similar applications, particularly inflatable fabric-based structures. This type of structure has the advantage of being low in weight and launch volume. It is capable of bearing pressurization, but it is more susceptible to catastrophic failure than is a rigid structure. If a fabric structure fails, it not only loses pressurization within itself, but, due to its lack of inherent rigidity, it can also compromise the stability of surrounding structures. Furthermore, inflatable fabric structures are not as durable as rigid structures and they are harder to maintain. Presently known designs would require frequent, more difficult repairs than would rigid structures.
Inflatable metal foil structures have been used for applications such as extendable booms on satellites, but the metal foil material does not have the strength and durability necessary for use in a structure intended for habitation. Furthermore, metal foil structures are typically stuffed into their containers, resulting in sharp folding and creasing of the foil material. This sharp folding is not detrimental for thin foil structures and the relatively low pressures that are usually applied to such structures. Such sharp folds in metal skin material become unacceptable as the thickness of the metal skin is increased to acceptable rigidity levels for use in relatively large rigid structures.


A monitor interface cable for transmitting display data and command data between a computer system and a display monitor preferably including a microcontroller. The monitor interface cable enables both display and command data to be transmitted simultaneously from the computer system to the display monitor.

1. Field of the Invention
The described invention relates generally to the field of computer systems. More particularly, this described invention relates to a high speed display system that allows command and display data to be transmitted between the display monitor and a computer system through a single cable.
2. Description of Art Related to the Invention
In recent years, integrated circuit microcontrollers have become less expensive, thereby increasing their use in a variety of systems including display monitors used in conjunction with computer systems. A microcontroller, placed in such a display monitor, generally controls various parameters of the display monitor (e.g., power, brightness, screen configuration, etc.) through command data. The command data for controlling the microcontroller is usually generated by software stored external to the display monitor such as within a computer system.
One method for transferring command data to a microcontroller employed within a display monitor includes the use of a control data cable coupling the display monitor and the computer system. The control data cable enables command data to be transmitted under a standard asynchronous serial communication method from the computer system to the display monitor. As a result, various software programs running on the computer system may be used to automatically configure the display monitor through the transmission of certain commands. Thus, unnecessary costs associated with mechanical controls (knobs, switches and the like) may be eliminated.
In conventional computer systems, in addition to the control data cable, a display data cable is coupled between the computer system and the display monitor in order to transfer display data. The display monitor uses the display data to generate an image on a display screen. Utilizing both a control data cable and a display data cable, however, has a number of disadvantages.
One disadvantage is that multiple cables increase the overall cost of the computer system by requiring more connections and additional components. Moreover, it is often necessary to install an extra serial communication card in the computer system so that it may transmit the commands to the display monitor, thereby causing further costs to be incurred.
Another disadvantage is that multiple cables provide difficulties in controlling EMI radiation, contrary to a single cable implementation whereby EMI radiation can be controlled quite easily and inexpensively. In addition, multiple cables complicate the set-up of the computer system and cause unwanted clutter surrounding the computer system. Based on the foregoing and any other disadvantages, it is desirable to have a method and apparatus for interfacing a computer system to a display monitor that transmits both command data and display data through a single monitor interface cable.
A method and apparatus for transmitting display data and command data between a computer system and a display monitor having a microcontroller is described. A monitor interface cable is provided in which both display and command data are transmitted simultaneously from the computer system to the display monitor. Inside the computer system, command data written to a particular memory location within a video buffer card is applied to various signal lines located in the monitor interface cable. These signal lines are coupled to the microcontroller, located in the display monitor, which receives the command data and performs various controlling functions in response. Status information is transmitted back across a second signal line to the computer system where various software programs including drivers receive and process the status information. Display data is simultaneously transmitted with the command data over other signal lines located in the monitor interface cable enabling the display monitor to show various images on a display screen.

Synchronous serial display monitor control and communications bus interface


A brush holder for mechanically commutated electric motors has a support plate, a shaft-like guiding container mounted on the support plate for guiding a sliding brush pressed by a spring force against the commutator of an electric motor. The guiding container has side walls extending transverse to the support plate and provided with legs. A pressing spring is formed as a strip-shaped flat spring and has end portions which are oppositely rolled to form rollers abutting against the legs of the guiding container on surfaces of the legs which face the commutator and also have a central portion arranged to load an end surface of the sliding brush facing away from the commutator. The side walls of the guiding container are provided with recesses which are open to an end facing away from the commutator, have a depth extending to the supporting legs and have a width which is greater than a width of the pressing spring, each of the supporting legs at a transition to a side wall of the guiding container being provided with a slot which is open toward a side of the supporting leg facing away from the support plate, has a depth at least corresponding to the width of the pressing spring, and also has a longitudinal side merging into the recess located in a respective one of the side walls of the guiding container.

The present invention relates generally to a brush holder for mechanically commutated electric motors.
More particularly, it relates to a brush holder which has a support plate and a shaft-like guiding element for sliding brushes pressed against a collector of an electric motor by a spring force, with strip-shaped flat springs rolled at their both end portions so as to be supported on legs extending transverse to the side wall of the guiding element.
Brush holders of the above mentioned general type are known in the art. One of such brush holders is disclosed, for example, in the European patent document EP-OS 0 397 973. In this brush holder for mounting of the brush holder the pressing spring must be guided with its portion located between the rollers by the guiding element formed as a guiding container, so that the spring portions are located between the inner wall of the container and the sliding brushes. Such mounting is complicated and expensive.

Brush holder for mechanically commutated electric motors


An initial position determination process and a rotation driving process are both attained. A motor includes a rotor having a permanent magnet with a plurality of magnetic poles and a stator having coils with a plurality of phases. A voltage signal generation part generates a voltage signal corresponding to an electric current flowing through each of the coils with the phases of the stator. A filter part includes a first filter and a second filter. The voltage signal is inputted to a comparator through the filter part. A control part controls such that the first filter whose filter constant is larger is selected when performing the initial position determination process of the rotor and the second filter whose filter constant is smaller is selected when performing the rotation driving process.

The present invention relates to a motor driving device, a method, and a program and, in particular, relates to a motor driving device, a method, and a program for use in rotation driving of a permanent-magnet synchronous motor.
The Patent Document 1 discloses a semiconductor device for use in drive control of a brushless DC (Direct Current) motor. In Patent Document 1, in order to determine a stop position of a rotor, prior to rotation driving of the rotor, electric currents are sequentially supplied to coils with a plurality of phases of a stator. When an electric current is supplied to a coil with each phase, easiness of the electric current flowing from the conductive coil through a coil with another phase coupled to the conductive coil varies due to an effect of a magnetic flux of a stopped rotor. In Patent Document 1, a difference in the ease of flow of an electric current flowing through the coils with respective phases is detected using a comparator and, based on a determination result thereof, a stop position (initial location) of the rotor with respect to the stator is determined.
Moreover, according to Patent Document 1, when determining a difference in easiness of the current flowing through the coils with respective phases, a predetermined voltage generated by a DAC (Digital to Analog Converter) is compared using the comparator with a signal corresponding to a magnitude of the electric current flowing through the coil with each phase, and time required for the signal corresponding to the magnitude of the electric current flowing through the coil with each phase to arise up to the predetermined voltage is measured. Furthermore, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique in which, during a high-speed rotation of the rotor, a voltage of an electrically non-conductive phase is monitored with use of the comparator that has been used in determining the initial position of the rotor and electrically conductive coil phases are switched.

Motor driving device, method, and program


In the present invention, a lower arm control substrate, an insulation material and an upper arm control substrate are layered to be arranged in this order on a top surface of a small-sized power module. An upper arm main region and a lower arm main region are arranged to overlap the insulation material in plan view, and large parts of the upper arm main region and the lower arm main region overlap each other in plan view. The upper arm control substrate and the upper arm control substrate are configured with substrates of the same structure and the lower arm control substrate has a positional relation with the upper arm control substrate so as to be rotated by 180° from the upper arm control substrate in a horizontal direction.

A conventional semiconductor device including a module or the like which contains an inverter unit having upper and lower arms is used as an inverter device for driving a drive motor of, for example, an electric vehicle such as an electric car. A semiconductor device having such features as described above is disclosed, for example, in Patent Document 1.
In a configuration of a conventional semiconductor device containing upper and lower arms as described above, in order to ensure an insulation property between the upper arm and the lower arm, insulation between the upper arm as a high-voltage side arm and the lower arm as a low-voltage side arm should be required as a matter of course, and also when two control substrates for the upper arm and the lower arm are provided on the same base, in order to ensure an insulation property between the two control substrates, the substrates should be arranged with an insulation area provided therebetween, which restricts a reduction in size of the two control substrates in a plane direction.

Semiconductor device and multiphase semiconductor device


A method of inhibiting scale formation and deposition from a feed stream passing through a membrane system is disclosed. The method comprises: (a) controlling the pH of said feed stream within the range between about 7.0 and about 8.2; (b) optionally controlling the temperature of said feed stream within the range between about 5° C. to about 40° C. when the membrane system is an RO system, a NF system, an ED system, an EDI system or a combination thereof; (c) optionally controlling the temperature of said feed stream within the range between about 40° C. and about 80° C. when the membrane system is an MD system; and (d) adding an effective amount of a scale inhibitor to said feed stream, said scale inhibitor comprises an AA-AMPS copolymer.

Nanofiltration (NF), Reverse Osmosis (RO), Electrodialysis (ED), Electrodeionization (EDI) and Membrane Distillation (MD) membrane processes have been used for the treatment of brackish (ground and surface) water, seawater and treated wastewater. During the concentration process, the solubility limits of sparingly soluble salts such as sulfates of calcium, barium, magnesium and strontium; carbonates of calcium, magnesium, barium; and phosphates of calcium, are exceeded, resulting in scale formation on a membrane surface as well as in the system. Membrane scaling results in the loss of permeate flux through the membrane, increases in salt passage through the membrane (except in MD), and increases in pressure drop across membrane elements. All of these factors result in a higher operating cost of running the above-mentioned processes and a loss of water production through these membrane systems.
Antiscalants are successfully used either alone or in conjunction with a pH adjustment (in case of carbonate and phosphate scales) to inhibit scale formation. Most of the commercial antiscalants used e.g. in NF and RO processes are polyacrylates, organo-phosphonates, acrylamide copolymers and/or their blends. Due to increasingly stringent regulations on phosphorous-based materials, phosphorous-free antiscalants are required. Polyacrylate based antiscalants work only with some water chemistries and do not perform well in others, especially those containing iron. Therefore, there is a need for developing phosphorous free antiscalants for NF, RO, ED, EDI and MD processes.

Method for inhibiting scale formation and deposition in membrane systems via the use of an AA-AMPS copolymer


A cold-rolled flat steel product may have a yield strength Rp0.2 of not more than 320 MPa, a fracture elongation A80 of at least 20% and a microstructure having by percent area 62%-82% ferrite, 10%-30% martensite, 1.5%-8% residual austenite, and a sum total of not more than 10% other microstructure constituents. The flat steel product may comprise a steel alloy containing in percent by weight 0.06%-0.1% C; 0.15%-0.4% Si; 1.5%-2% Mn; 0.2%-0.5% Cr; not more than 0.1% Al; wherein the sum total of C, Si, Mn, and Cr is at least 2.3% and not more than 2.8%; wherein the sum total of Si and Al is not more than 0.4%; not more than 0.03% P; not more than 0.006% S; not more than 0.008% N; unavoidable impurities including not more than 0.0006% B, not more than 0.02% V, and not more than 0.01% each of Nb and Ti, and not more than 0.1% each of Mo, Ni, and Cu; as well as iron. For production of such a flat steel product, a cold-rolled flat steel product may first be produced and then brought to 760-860° C. in a continuous run and kept at that temperature over an annealing period Gt for which, depending on the thickness D of the flat steel product, Gtu≤Gt≤Gto withGtu [s]=3.56*D2 [s/mm2]−5.1*D [s/mm]+9.8 sGto [s]=−21.4*D2 [s/mm2]+132.8*D [s/mm]+47 s.

Flat steel products of the type in question here are typically rolled products such as steel strips or sheets, and blanks and plates produced therefrom.
High-strength flat steel products are of growing significance particularly in the field of automobile construction, since they enable particularly lightweight chassis and bodywork constructions. Depending on their susceptibility to corrosion, their site of use and the aggressiveness of the environment in which they are used, the flat steel products are used with a metallic protective coating. The low weight of high-strength flat steel products contributes not just to the optimal utilization of the technical performance capacity of the particular drive unit, but also promotes resource efficiency, optimization of costs and climate protection.
High strengths can be achieved in flat steel products by addition of relatively large amounts of strength-enhancing alloy constituents and suitable production methods. However, the costs associated with high alloy contents and complex production methods are at odds with the demand for products at minimum cost which can be produced in an economically viable and operationally reliable manner. It is therefore a key aim in the technical field to lower the production costs for high-strength flat steel products by dispensing with costly alloying elements, for example microalloying elements and molybdenum.
Alloying elements which are obtainable at lesser expense and can be added to high-strength steels for compensation of the for a minimization of the costly strength-enhancing alloying elements frequently lead, as a result of a tendency to grain boundary oxidation and to the formation of oxides at the surface of the steel sheet, to deterioration in the processing properties and surface characteristics. Therefore, it is possible with the known inexpensive alloying concepts in many cases to achieve the high strengths required, but not to assure the other properties such as good toughness, good embrittlement resistance characteristics, and optimal suitability for cold forming and for welding, which are expected of the flat steel products envisaged for automobile construction.
Grain boundary oxidation arises at temperatures above 500° C. as a result of penetration of oxygen, through diffusion processes, along the grain boundaries from the surface into the steel substrate. As it does so, the oxygen forms oxides with the elements having a higher oxygen affinity than iron, for example silicon, aluminum, manganese and chromium. This leads to distinct weakening of the grain boundaries and, in the advanced state, to the detachment of whole grains from the structure. Particularly in forming operations, these act as notches and thus lead to premature material failure. The situation is similar for coated material. The notch effect on grain boundary oxidation also exists in the case of coated material. It is additionally the case that the detachment of individual grains or whole grain layers greatly reduces coating adhesion and results in defects in the surface coating that extend as far as complete detachment of the surface coating.
One example of a flat steel product which is intended for automobile applications and is said to have bake-hardening properties is described in EP 2 392 683 B1. The flat steel product known from this publication consists of a steel containing, as well as iron and unavoidable impurities (in % by mass) more than 0.015% and less than 0.100% C, 0.01%-0.3% Si, more than 1.0% and less than 1.90% Mn, 0.015%-0.05% P, up to 0.03% S, 0.01%-0.5% undissolved Al, up to 0.005% N, less than 0.30% Cr, 0.0003%-0.005% B, less than 0.014% Ti, up to 0.1% Mo, up to 0.4% V, up to 0.015% Nb, up to 0.15% W, up to 0.1% Zr, up to 0.5% Cu, up to 0.5% Ni, up to 0.2% Sn, up to 0.2% Sb, up to 0.01% Ca, up to 0.01% Ce and up to 0.01% La. At the same time, the alloy of the steel should fulfill the following conditions: 2.2≤(% Mn+1.3%×% Cr+8% P+150 B*≤3.1 and 0.42≤8×% P+150 B*)≤0.73. B* is calculated by the formula B*=% B+% Ti×0.2025+% Al×0.01 and is set to 0.0022% when this formula for B* gives a value for B* greater than 0.0022%. % Mn, % Cr, % P, % B, % Ti and % Al in the formulae mentioned denotes the respective Mn, Cr, P, B, Ti and Al content of the alloy.
The microstructure of the known flat steel product alloyed in the manner set out above is additionally to have a microstructure composed of ferrite and a second phase consisting of martensite, residual austenite and optionally pearlite or bainite. The area proportion of the second phase is supposed to add up to 3-15 area %, and the proportion of the surface component of martensite and residual austenite in the total area component of the second phase is to be more than 70%. In addition, 50% or more of the area component of the second phase is to be present at a grain boundary triple point, where grains that are in contact with three or more ferrite grain boundaries are defined as second-phase grains present at the grain boundary triple point.
It is apparent from the working examples adduced in EP 2 392 683 B1 that the known flat steel products having such characteristics have tensile strengths of 430-594 MPa and yield strengths of 201-274 MPa. For production of such flat steel products, EP 2 392 683 B1 proposes a process in which a steel slab heated to 1100-1300° C. is hot-rolled at a finish rolling temperature between the Ar3 transition point and the Ar3 transition point +150° C., after the hot rolling is cooled at a cooling rate of at least 20 K/s to 640° C. and then is coiled at 400-620° C. Then the hot strip is cold-rolled with a degree of deformation of 50%-85%. The cold-rolled strip obtained is subjected to an annealing treatment in a continuous galvanizing and galvannealing line at an annealing temperature of more than 740° C. and less than 840° C., then cooled at an average cooling rate of 2-30 K/s from the annealing temperature to the temperature of a galvanization bath which is kept at 450-500° C. The strip which has thus been subjected to annealing treatment runs through the galvanization bath. The flat steel product leaving the galvanization bath is then, in a first variant of the known method, cooled down directly at an average cooling rate of 5-100 K/s to a temperature of 100° C. or, in a second variant of the known process, subjected to an alloying treatment in which it is kept within a temperature range of 470-650° C. for 30 seconds, in order then to be cooled back down to 100° C. at an average cooling rate of 5-100 K/s.

Cold-rolled flat steel product and method for the production thereof


A fluidized bed reactor system utilizes a fluid phase, a retained fluidized primary particulate phase, and a migratory second particulate phase. The primary particulate phase is a particle such as a gel bead containing an immobilized biocatalyst. The secondary particulate phase, continuously introduced and removed in either cocurrent or countercurrent mode, acts in a secondary role such as a sorbent to continuously remove a product or by-product constituent from the fluid phase. Introduction and removal of the sorbent phase is accomplished through the use of feed screw mechanisms and multivane slurry valves.

Conventional fluidized bed type reactors operate as a columnar chamber through which there is an upflow of a fluid that suspends or fluidizes particles into an expanded bed. The particulates tend to migrate throughout the bed, usually at a slow rate, but they are contained within the bed while the fluid progresses through the suspended particles as essentially a front or in "plug flow." The particulates are typically catalysts such as biocatalyst beads, or feed material such as coal. The fluid phase (gas, liquid, or a mixture of the two) is typically a feed material or reactant at the reactor inlet, and a product and/or waste material at the reactor outlet.
For some applications, it is desirable to have means for continuously removing a product constituent from the fluid phase. This would be particularly useful in fluidized bed bioreactors where the retained particulates are immobilized biocatalysts that may be inhibited by the build-up of the product concentration.
Fluidized bed reactors have been used in the chemical process industry for many years, and such reactors utilizing immobilized biocatalysts have been studied for continuous fermentation and other bioreactor applications. A high productivity ethanol fermentation in an immobilized-cell fluidized-bed bioreactor has been demonstrated as disclosed in B. H. Davison and C. D. Scott. Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Vol. 18, p. 19 (1988). Other uses for fluidized bed bioreactors are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,846,964, issued on Jul. 11, 1989. Although reactor system, particularly bioreactors, may already operate with three phases (gas, liquid, solid), it has been suggested by H. Y. Wang, Annals New York Academy Sciences, Vol. 413, p. 313 (1983), that the addition of a separations agent (sorbent or solvent) may also be useful so that the conversion and separation step can be carried out simultaneously. It has been disclosed by S. S. Lee and H. Y. Wang, Biotechnology and Bioengineering Symposium, No. 12, p. 221 (1982), that solid sorbents can be added to stirred-tank reactors. Solvents can be used to extract product in membrane reactors, as disclosed by G. T. Frank and K. K. Sirkar, Biotechnology and Bioengineering Symposium, No. 17, p. 303 (1986). Another process which utilizes liquid product extraction technology is taught by R. M. Busche, et al, Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Vol. 20/21, p. 357 (1989). Since many possible organic solvents are also toxic or inhibitory to microorganism of enzymes, the use of continuous solvent extraction in fluidized bed bioreactor systems does not appear to be generally useful.
Methods for preparing gel beads useful in carrying out the present invention are found in C. D. Scott, Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, Vol. 501, p. 487 (1987). Further work discussing fundamental hydrodynamics is disclosed by B. H. Davison, Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Vol. 20/21, p. 449 (1989). Still further work which discusses biocatalyst bead properties is found in C. D. Scott, et al., Enzyme Microb. Technol., Vol. 11, p. 258 (1989).


A Fresnel lens in use for a projector lens comprising a glass plate, a Fresnel lens body integrally formed on one surface of the glass plate, and a reflective layer formed on an annularly grooved surface of the lens body. The present invention provides a Fresnel lens, fabricated with a low cost, having sufficient hardness as a document support and free from any of ghost images or image distortions when used in a projector.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a Fresnel lens comprising a glass plate, a Fresnel lens body integrally formed on one surface of said glass plate, and a reflective layer formed on an annularly grooved surface of said lens body. The grooved surface serves as a non-spherical light converging reflector with reduced lens material instead of using a thick and bulk lens.
2. Brief Description of the Prior Art
A conventional Fresnel lens is shown in each of FIGS. 9 and 11. The Fresnel lens L.sub.6 shown in FIG. 9 includes a Fresnel lens body 31 of a plastic material with a reflective layer 33 formed on an annularly grooved surface 32, and a hard coating layer 34 provided on the opposite surface of the annularly grooved surface 32.
The Fresnel lens L.sub.6 is fabricated through the following steps. In a Fresnel lens mold 35, a plastic resin plate material P1 is placed. After being softened, the upper mold 37 is lowered and the plate material P1 is press-formed. After being cooled, the press-formed Fresnel lens body 31 is derived from the mold 35. On the annularly grooved surface 32, aluminum or the like is sputtered to form a reflective surface 33. Finally, a hard coating layer 34 is formed on the opposite surface of the annularly grooved surface 32.
FIG. 11 shows another Fresnel lens L.sub.7, in which a Fresnel lens body 39 of a photo-curing resin is integrally formed on a surface of a plastic plate 38. Then, a reflective layer 41 on an annularly grooved surface 40 and a hard coating layer 42 on the opposite surface of the plastic plate 38 are formed.
The Fresnel lens L.sub.7 is fabricated through the following steps. As shown in FIG. 12, a photo-curing resin layer is formed on a transfer surface 43 of the annularly grooved surface 40 of Fresnel lens body 39, and a plastic plate 38 is placed thereon. After hardening of the photo-curing layer by illuminating ultra-violet ray, the lens body 39 formed as an integral member with the plastic plate 38 is taken out from Fresnel mold 44. The reflective layer 41 is formed on annularly grooved surface 40. Finally, the hard coating layer 42 is formed on the opposite surface of the plastic plate 38.


A new and distinct cultivar of Carnation plant named ‘Hilorbli’, characterized by its upright, somewhat outwardly spreading and uniformly mounded plant habit; freely branching habit; freely flowering habit; large orange-colored double flowers that are positioned above and beyond the foliar plane on strong peduncles; and good garden performance.

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Carnation plant, botanically known as Dianthus caryophyllus, grown commercially as a potted and garden plant and hereinafter referred to by the name 'Hilorbli'.
The new Carnation plant is a product of a planned breeding program conducted by the Inventor in De Kwakel, The Netherlands. The objective of the breeding program is to create new potted Carnation plants that have uniform plant habit and numerous large and attractive flowers.
The new Carnation plant is a naturally-occurring whole plant mutation of Dianthus caryophyllus 'Bling Bling', not patented. The new Carnation plant was discovered and selected by the Inventor as a single flowering plant from within a population of plants of 'Bling Bling' in a controlled greenhouse environment in De Kwakel, The Netherlands in May, 2009.
Asexual reproduction of the new Carnation plant by terminal cuttings propagated in a controlled greenhouse environment in De Kwakel, The Netherlands since June, 2009 has shown that the unique features of this new Carnation plant are stable and reproduced true to type in successive generations of asexual reproduction.


There are provided N-substituted carbonyloxyalkylpyrrole compounds of formula I ##STR1## and their use for the control of insects, acarina and mollusks. Further provided are compositions and methods comprising those compounds for the protection of plants from attack by insects, acarina and mollusks.

Insects, acarina and mollusks destroy growing and harvested crops. In the United States alone, agronomic crops must compete with thousands of insect and acarid species. In particular, tobacco budworms, southern armyworms, two-spotted spider mites and slugs are especially devestating to crops.
Tobacco budworms cause tremendous economic losses in agronomic crops. In particular, budworms devastate cotton crops by feeding on green bolls. Control of budworms is complicated by their resistance to many common insecticides, including organophosphates, carbamates and pyrethroids. Also, budworm larvae are difficult to control with currently available insecticides once they reach the third instar.
Two-spotted spider mites attack many plant species, raspberry plants for example, by removing sap from leaves. When raspberry plants are heavily infested, canes and leaves become stunted. With a severe infestation, fruiting canes are damaged, resulting in reduced yield and fruit quality.
In spite of the commercial insecticides, acaricides and molluscicides available today, damage to crops, both growing and harvested, caused by insects, acarina and mollusks still occurs. Accordingly, there is ongoing research to create new and more effective insecticides, acaricides and molluscicides.
Certain pyrrole compounds are known to possess insecticidal, acaricidal and/or molluscicidal activity (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,157,047 and U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 392,495 filed on Aug. 11, 1989; 621,162 filed on Nov. 30, 1990; 776,967 filed on Oct. 15, 1991; 795,407 filed on Nov. 20, 1991; 803,289 filed on Dec. 4, 1991; and 971,025 filed on Nov. 3, 1992). However, none of the pyrroles disclosed in those patent applications are within the scope of the present invention.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide N-substituted carbonyloxyalkylpyrrole compounds which are highly effective for controlling insects, acarine and mollusks.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide a method for protecting growing plants from attack by insects, acarina and mollusks by applying to the foliage of said plants or to the soil or water in which they are growing an insecticidally, acaricidally or molluscicidally effective amount of an N-substituted carbonyloxyalkylpyrrole compound.
These and other objects of the present invention will become more apparent from the detailed description thereof set forth below.

N-substituted carbonyloxyalkylpyrrole insecticidal, acaricidal and molluscicidal agents


A ferroelectric memory device includes a lower interlayer dielectric on a semiconductor substrate, a plurality of ferroelectric capacitors, and a plate line. The ferroelectric capacitors are on the lower interlayer dielectric. The plate line extends across and electrically connects to surfaces of at least two adjacent ones of the plurality of ferroelectric capacitors.

Ferroelectric memory devices are nonvolatile devices that retain data after supply of power is stopped. They may also be operated at a supply voltage for the device, like some DRAM or SRAM devices. Ferroelectric memory devices may be used in, for example, smart cards or other memory cards.
FIGS. 1 through 4 are cross-sectional views illustrating a method of fabricating a conventional ferroelectric memory device.
Referring to FIG. 1, a device isolation layer 13 is formed at predetermined regions of a semiconductor substrate 11 to define active regions. Insulated gate electrodes 15, which serve as word lines, are formed to cross over the active regions and the device isolation layer 13. Impurity ions are implanted into the active region between the gate electrodes 15, to form source/drain regions 17s and 17d. A first lower interlayer dielectric (ILD) 19 is formed on the entire surface of the resultant structure on the source/drain regions 17s and 17d. The first lower ILD 19 is patterned to form storage node contact holes, which expose the source regions 17s. Contact plugs 21 are formed in the storage node contact holes.
Referring to FIG. 2, ferroelectric capacitors 32, which are 2-dimensionally arranged, are formed on the entire surface of the semiconductor substrate 11 including the contact plugs 21. Each of the ferroelectric capacitors 32 includes a lower electrode 27, a ferroelectric pattern 29, and an upper electrode 31, which are sequentially stacked. Each of the lower electrodes 27 covers one of the contact plugs 21. A first upper ILD 33 is formed on the entire surface of the semiconductor substrate including the ferroelectric capacitors 32. A plurality of main word lines 35, which are parallel to the gate electrodes 15, are formed on the first upper ILD 33. Each of the main word lines 35 may, for example, control four gate electrodes 15.
The upper and lower electrodes 31 and 27 may be formed of noble metals of the platinum group. Sidewalls of the ferroelectric capacitor 32 have sloped sidewalls, as illustrated in FIG. 4.
Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, a second upper ILD 37 is formed on the entire surface of the semiconductor and the main word lines 35. The second upper ILD 37 and first upper ILD 33 are patterned to form via holes 39, which expose the upper electrodes 31. A wet etch process and a dry etch process may be performed to reduce an aspect ratio of each via hole 39. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the via hole 39 has sloped upper sidewalls 39a. A plurality of plate lines 41 are formed to cover the via holes 39. The plate lines 41 are disposed in parallel with the main word lines 35.
In another approach, the diameter of the via hole 39 may be increased to reduce an aspect ratio of the via hole 39. However, increasing the diameter may cause a short between the plate line 41 and the main word line 35. As the integration density of ferroelectric memory devices increases, it may become more difficult to properly align the via hole 39 with the upper electrode 31. Moreover, space "s" between the via hole 39 and the main word line 35 adjacent to the via hole 39 may become smaller. Increasing the diameter of the via hole 39, or misaligning the via hole 39 with the upper electrode 31, may result in the main word line 35 being exposed by the via hole 39 and a corresponding short between the plate line 41 and the main word line 35 (see FIG. 4).
Misalignment between the via hole 39 and the upper electrode 31 may also result in etching damage to the pattern 29. For example, the via hole 39 may be formed using an over-etching technique to facilitate connection between the subsequently formed plate line 41 and the upper electrode 31. During the formation of the via hole 39, the sloped sidewalls of the ferroelectric capacitor 32 may be exposed and damaged by the etching.

Ferroelectric memory devices with expanded plate line and methods in fabricating the same


A dynamically programmable security device. The device includes: a secure nonvolatile read only memory (NVMROM) for securely storing a unique device cipher key; a secure interface for dynamically loading authenticated application code; a cryptographic engine for encrypting, decrypting data and authenticating the application code; a secure random access memory (RAM) for storing the authenticated application code and application data; and a processor for executing the authenticated application code.

The proliferation of distributed computing networks and, in particular, wireless communication networks has brought with it a greater need to secure the information that is transmitted through the networks. For example, the computing power and storage capacity now available in end-user devices such as cell phones and wireless PDAs makes them a convenience mechanism for storing and using sensitive information (e.g., personal and business contact and financial information). However, to store and use this information on an end-user device, a user may need to transmit the information to and from other locations (e.g., a server) via a relatively insecure network.
A variety of cryptographic techniques are known for securing transactions in data networks. For example, the SSL protocol (and its replacement TLS) provides a mechanism for securely sending data between a server and a client. Briefly, the SSL provides a protocol for authenticating the identity of the server and the client and for generating an asymmetric (private-public) key pair. The authentication process provides the client and the server with some level of assurance that they are communicating with the entity with which they intended to communicate. The key generation process securely provides the client and the server with unique cryptographic keys that enable each of them, but not others, to encrypt or decrypt data they send to each other via the network.
This process may be better understood by reference to FIG. 1 which depicts in simplified form several layers in a security system 102. Entities in the system may securely transfer data between one another by encrypting the data 104 before it is transmitted. Before another entity is able to decrypt received data, however, it should obtain an appropriate key. Hence, data encryption depends on a secure method of key negotiation 106 between the entities. If the key negotiation is not secure (e.g., the keys are intercepted by unauthorized persons), the encrypted data may be compromised. Likewise, a prerequisite to secure key negotiation is the ability to authenticate the parties 108 involved in the exchange. In other words, each entity should be sure that it is not negotiating with an entity that is, for example, masquerading as the intended entity. The authentication process ultimately relies on a root key 110 that uniquely and reliably identifies a specific entity. Hence, this root key is often referred to as the cryptographic identity of the entity.
In practice, a system may include many levels of cryptographic protection. For example, a typical e-commerce server may need to negotiate keys with thousands of clients per day. Moreover, these clients typically reside in relatively insecure environments (e.g., a personal computer). If the system is to remain secure, the root key should not be used for these transactions given that there is a relatively high possibility that the key may be compromised. Accordingly, in practice the root key is used to generate other keys that may then be used to generate even lower level keys.
Typically, these lower level keys will be used for relatively short periods of time. For example, lower level keys such as SSL session keys may be valid only for a single session. Thus, the potential for damage may be much less in the event a session key is compromised as opposed to a higher level key. For example, the entire system will not be compromised and the key will expire relatively quickly.
In contrast, once a higher level key is compromised, all subsequent (e.g., lower) levels may be compromised. Moreover, higher level keys tend to be used for relatively long periods of time. Thus, the potential for harm is much greater. Accordingly, protection of higher level keys is a primary goal in any cryptographic security system.
As mentioned above, in a typical e-commerce transaction a unique set of SSL keys are generated for each session. For example, when a user uses a web browser to securely access a financial website for a bank, a set of session keys may be generated for the session. These session keys are used to encrypt and decrypt data sent between the server (e.g., the bank's server) and the client (e.g., the browser). To prevent these keys from being intercepted by unauthorized persons, a higher level key (e.g., a private-public key pair negotiated between the bank's server and the client) will be used to encrypt and decrypt the session level keys. As discussed above, however, protection of this higher level key is of utmost importance.
Referring to FIG. 2, in a typical personal computer-based application, a client device stores its private key (Ka-priv) 214 in a system memory 206 of the computer 200. When a session is initiated, the server encrypts the session key (Ks) 228 using the client's public key (Ka-pub) then sends the encrypted session key (Ks) Ka-pub 222 to the client. As represented by lines 216 and 224, the client then retrieves its private key (Ka-priv) and the encrypted session key 222 from system memory via the PCI bus 208 and loads them into a public key accelerator 210 in an accelerator module or card 202. As represented by line 26, the public key accelerator uses this downloaded private key 220 to decrypt the session key and loads the clear text session key (Ks) 228 into system memory.
When the server needs to send sensitive data to the client during the session the server encrypts the data using the session key (Ks) and loads the encrypted data (data) Ks 204 into system memory. When a client application needs to access the plaintext (unencrypted) data, it may load the session key 228 and the encrypted data 204 into a symmetric algorithm engine (e.g., 3DES, AES, etc.) 212 as represented by lines 230 and 234, respectively. The symmetric algorithm engine uses the loaded session key 232 to decrypt the encrypted data and, as represented by line 236, loads plaintext data 238 into system memory. At this point the client application may use the data.
The SSL protocol and other protocols provide a relatively high level of security for data transfers when both the client and the server are secure. However, given the increased sophistication of hackers and authors of computer viruses, there is a possibility that the security of these devices may be comprised. For example, a virus running on a computer may be able to access data stored in the data memory of the computer. Moreover, the virus may be able to send this information to a third party.
Referring again to the example of FIG. 2, the client's private key (Ka-priv) may be stored in the clear (e.g., unencrypted) in system memory and it may be transmitted in the clear across the PCI bus. Moreover, operating system calls may be used to provide the data transfers to and from the cryptographic accelerator. All of these aspects of the system are susceptible to attack by hackers, viruses or other means. Given that in an SSL transaction the client's private key is essentially a certificate that identifies the server (hence it may essentially comprise the server's private key), conventional architectures such as this may not provide sufficient security for many applications.
Components such as a hardware security module ("HSM") may be used to provide a higher level of security for highly security-sensitive applications. Conventionally, a hardware security module provides secure key management to generate cryptographic keys, sets the capabilities and security limits of keys, implements key backup and recovery, prepares keys for storage and performs key revocation and destruction. These modules are typically constructed as multi-chip boards potted with an epoxy material to provide very strong security. However, due to the use of the epoxy material and the functional key management requirements, a hardware security module is typically a very expensive device that has a large system footprint and has limited capabilities outside of key management. More importantly, these modules need to be re-designed and re-programmed (within a secured boundary) for different applications. For example, a SIMM Card for a mobile phone which only authenticates the user needs to be replaced by another hardware module to perform credit card transactions over a wireless network.
Due to these constraints, it is impractical to implement a hardware security module into many types of end-user devices. Accordingly, a need exists for improved techniques for utilization of a low cost security module that is dynamically programmable within a secure boundary to support a variety of different secured applications.


A buffered peripheral system comprises a backup memory and a primary control unit which has a buffer memory for temporarily storing a copy of the contents of a buffer memory which stores data to be written to a peripheral device and a control device for issuing a command necessary to write the block stored in the buffer memory device to the peripheral device. The primary control unit also includes a recording device for recording the block number corresponding to the block which was most recently written to the peripheral device. The blocks of data which have been written to the peripheral device is then deleted from the backup memory to make room for storing further blocks of data. The system further has a backup control unit substantially identical to the primary control unit. Only the primary control unit normally operates to control the writing to the peripheral device. Upon detection of the failure of the buffer memory in the primary control unit, the backup control unit completes the operation of writing to the peripheral device by retrieving the blocks of data to be written to the peripheral device from the backup memory device using the block number information.

The present invention relates to a buffered peripheral system capable performing a reliable backup operation, and more particularly to a buffered peripheral system, in which important data such as journal can be written in peripheral devices even when a fault is generated in a buffer memory, to allow the system to have a wide range of application.
In a conventional buffered peripheral system, as is evident from, for example, the explanation in the U.S. Pat. No. 4,423,480 with respect to FIG. 2 thereof, after data from a channel has been written in a buffer memory included in a control unit, the control unit writes the data in a plurality of peripheral devices.
In the above peripheral system, however, when an anomaly such as the disconnection of power source is generated in the control unit, there arises a problem that data in the buffer memory is lost or mismatched. In this case, it is required to repeat desired processing from the beginning thereof. Usually, it is possible to obtain journal once more. In a case where the journal cannot be obtained, data indicative of the journal is lost forever. Since the journal is indispensable for the recovery of a fault in a computer system and for a service using the journal, the vanishment of the journal will result in fatal damage.

Buffered peripheral system and method for backing up and retrieving data to and from backup memory device


An impeller shoe (110) having a front side (112) with a series of half column members (114) and raised upper and lower rims (116, 118) that form the impact surface of the impeller shoe. Half columns (114) and raised rims (116, 118) are formed with carbide material (120) formed therein in order to improve wear resistance at these critical surfaces.

Wear and abrasion resistant, high impact, iron alloy members are employed in a variety of applications, in particular, in rock crushing machines for crushing rocks and ore. A common machine used for crushing rocks is a centrifugal rock crusher, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,533,685.
Centrifugal rock crushing apparatus typically contain cast iron impact members called impeller shoes, which throw or propel rocks against stationary members called anvils to effect crushing of the rock. Both the impeller shoes and the anvils are subjected to repeated, high force impact loading, which of course is necessary to break apart the rocks. During operation of the rock crusher, the impact surfaces, or wear faces, of the impeller shoes receive tremendous abrasion and wear, which after even a few hours of use require replacement of the shoes. Consequently, the type of material used to fabricate the impeller shoes, as well as the anvils, is of critical importance.
Replacement of impeller shoes, as well as of anvils, requires complete shut down of the machine, in order to gain access to the impeller shoes. Shut down of the rock crusher can last for 2-4 hours, in order to remove and replace the old impellers and anvils. Consequently, rapidly wearing rock crusher components significantly increases downtime and maintenance, which adds cost to the operation. Thus, it is highly desirable to provide an iron alloy member capable of withstanding high impact yet also having increased wear resistance, particularly at the wear surface.
Cast white iron alloys are economical to produce and are widely used in the rock crushing industry. White iron alloys have been found to be one of the more impact and wear resistance of the iron alloys. However, impeller shoes made from these alloys still require frequent replacement due to significant wear and abrasion. Conventional cast white iron impellers and anvils can require replacement after as little as 6-8 hours of use. The useful life of rock crusher impellers can be longer, for example, as long as 40 hours, depending upon the material being crushed, but in every case, it would be desirable to increase the life of these critical rock crusher components. Despite there drawbacks, white iron alloy impellers and anvils are, however, still the preferred choice for use in centrifugal impact rock crushers.


The invention provides a method for preferentially stimulating neural somas over neural axons located around the somas but not integral with the somas. In the invention, a positive electrical pulse is applied to a region of neural tissue consisting of one or more neural somas to be stimulated and neural axons, and due to the physiology of the somas, they are preferentially stimulated by the electrical pulse over the neural axons not integral with the somas to be stimulated. The preferential soma stimulation provided by the invention achieves the advantage of locally focusing external stimulation such that it may be directed to particular soma locations for indicating location-dependent sensory information. Thus the pulse scheme of the invention may be employed in prosthetic applications directed to, for example, the retinal ganglia neural tissue.

This invention relates to techniques for stimulating neural tissue.
The physiology of electrical neuron stimulation is well known. A neuron consists of: a branched pattern of processes, commonly known as dendrites, which act to receive information; a cell body, known as the soma, from which the dendrites extend, and which integrates the received information and provides for the metabolic needs of the neuron; and an axon integral with, i.e., connected to, the soma and extending from the soma, for transporting constituents between the soma and distant synapses, which transfer information to the next set of nerve dendrites.
Neurons may be modelled electrically as distributed capacitors linked by intracellular and extracellular resistances. Neurons are initially, i.e., at a resting time when no stimulation is presented, negatively polarized by about 60 mV-80 mV inside the soma membrane with respect to the outside of the membrane. Depolarization of a soma membrane creates an action potential, which effectively travels via axons to, e.g., the inner brain, thereby sending the stimulation signal to the inner brain. Thus, information is represented in the nervous system as a series of action potentials that travel between the neurons via the membranes of axons. Depolarization of a soma is conventionally achieved by causing current to pass out through a region of the soma membrane. As current flows out of the soma membrane, it acts to largely reduce the polarization potential of the soma, and initiate the soma depolarization, causing an action potential to appear and propagate information along an axon.
In general, outward soma current is typically initiated by transiently forcing the electric potential outside the soma membrane more negative than its resting potential, or conversely by forcing the electric potential inside the soma membrane more positive than its resting potential. In practice, either of these conditions are achieved by flowing current in the appropriate direction through the resistive biological fluids surrounding a neuron.
The outward current flow of depolarization current necessarily causes equivalent inward current flow in another region of the neuron to conserve charge and preserve charge neutrality across the body of the neuron. This independent current largely hyperpolarizes the soma membrane but does not cause an action potential. Neuron stimulation and charge neutrality preservation are thus achieved by manipulation of electrical potentials in the local area of the neuron membrane.
Generally speaking, axons connect neural somas to other somas, as explained above, and thus provide means for delivering electrical information impulses from an exterior neuron to the neurons of the inner brain. Axons pass around many neurons not integral with, i.e., not connected to, those axons in their trajectory from a first neuron to a second neuron at, e.g., the inner brain. As a consequence, external stimulation of a neuron may also unintentionally stimulate an unrelated axon along whose path the neuron is located. Such unintentional axon stimulation results in diffuse, poorly localized neuron activation. This limits the ability to create stimuli indicative of a precise stimuli location in a neural structure.
Referring to FIG. 1, such locally precise stimuli are desirable in, for example, the application of electrical stimuli to retinal ganglia in a visual prosthetic application. FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a region of neural retinal tissue, represented as 2; this tissue includes ganglion somas 4 (tiny dots) and axons 6 (lines). In the case of retinal ganglia stimulation to provide visual signals, stimulus position directly corresponds to visual information encoded in the stimulus. For example, ganglia stimulation with an electrode 6 that, for purposes of discussion, is assumed to ideally focus stimulation, could in theory stimulate a few chosen ganglion somas without stimulating axons around those somas. With this localized stimulation, the brain would then perceive light corresponding to the stimulation to originate at a localized region 8 in the vicinity of the somas. Conversely, ganglia stimulation with an electrode 7 that, for purposes of discussion, is assumed to stimulate a cluster of axons emanating from ganglion somas in a distant region 9 causes an incorrect neural perception of a visual stimulus location at the distant region 9, rather than the intended location at the electrode 7. Stimulation of axons uncorrelated to a neural tissue region of interest is thus seen to provoke unintended, misplaced visual stimulation. Accordingly, the effectiveness of electrical stimulation for retinal prosthetic applications, and indeed any neural stimulation application, is directly impacted by the ability to locally focus neural activations.

Method and apparatus for preferential neuron stimulation