A tote transport assembly that includes a base, a handle, a partition, and a lid. The base includes a plurality of wheels that facilitate vertical or tipped transportation of the ice cart through an environment. The base and the partition and the partition and the lid are shaped to facilitate a stacked and secure cooperation of multiple containers, totes, or buckets with the cart assembly. The partition and the lid movably cooperate with the handle to facilitate secure and sanitary cooperation of the containers with the cart assembly as well as convenient and expedient filling and emptying of the discrete containers. The stacked orientation of the multiple containers and alternate transport modalities provide a compact assembly for conveniently transporting loaded or unloaded containers throughout even tight quartered environments and in a manner that reduces the effort associated with such activities.

A number of environments require the conveyance of ice or other flowable materials from a bulk storage or generation area to various areas associated with use or consumption of the material. For purposes of this disclosure, and for ease of reference, ice and ice storage will be used by way of example. However, this is not meant to limit the application of the present invention to ice or any other particular flowable material or storage therefor.
Commonly, commercial food and beverage and hospitality environments require the transport of ice from a bulk source to locations more conducive to the display of food stuffs and beverage dispensing activities. Transportation of the ice requires maintaining the sanitation of the ice, transporting the ice in a manner that limits or reduces unintended spills of the ice product, and conveying the ice in a convenient manner to limit the physical requirements or efforts of staff responsible for replenishing or distributing the ice. The movement of ice in such environments also commonly requires consideration as to the storage and movement of the carts, totes, or buckets throughout the respective environments due to the limited space available in the behind the scenes areas, such as the kitchen areas, associated with many such environments.
Most commonly, ice is communicated or transported throughout the environment by staff personnel who repeatedly travel to and fro between the bulk source and the vicinity of the use or consumption activity with one or more ice totes or buckets being manually carried. The size of the container, the physical capability of staff, spatial tolerances along the available route(s), ambient conditions, and the usage or rate of consumption of the ice all contribute to the number of trips as well as staff required to adequately replenish the ice.
In an effort to expedite transportation, sanitation, and safety of moving ice throughout the use environment and mitigate or reduce the physical capabilities required to effectuate such activities, others provide wheeled carts that are configured to transport multiple ice bins or totes per trip. While such systems allow a single staff person to transport greater quantities of ice that can commonly by carried by the same staff person, such systems are not without their respective drawbacks. One such system includes a wheeled platform that is shaped to cooperate with a plurality of generally rectilinear ice buckets. The multiple row and column orientation of the various discrete ice buckets requires a substantially large footprint that makes the cart generally ill suited or even unusable for use in the somewhat cramped quarters or passages associated with many behind the scenes areas, such as kitchen spaces, associated with such environments.
Such transport systems can also dramatically increase the operating costs and sanitation issues associated with implementation of such systems. Food and drink stuffs are preferably communicated in a covered manner to limit contamination of the materials during the transport activity. Where commodities such as ice are transported by placing open containers on a cart that is moved in close proximity to counters or the like associated with food preparation but at elevations generally below the working surface associated with the counter, the inadvertent introduction of food stuffs into full or empty ice containers as they traverse past the food preparation stations is a risk. Close quarters along the transportation path has the tendency to increase the risk associated with inadvertertent contamination of the ice conveyance system.
In view of the variety of issues discussed above, it should be appreciated that the sanitary condition of ice, safety of the worker, and the efficiency of the transport of such commodities remain a predominant issue in most if not all commercial use and consumption environments. Accordingly, a need exists for a material transport system that reduces the potential for contamination of the flowable material via unintended contact or introduction of foreign materials during conveyance activities, provides a conveyance vehicle that has a compact footprint and multiple modes of transport that improve the tolerance for using the cart in confined or otherwise crowded environments, and improves the efficiency and safety with which staff or other personnel can convey the ice throughout the respective environment.


Signal processing apparatus produces an audio signal suitable for conveying a psychoacoustic perception of a low frequency audio signal to a listener, the apparatus generates harmonics of the low frequency signal by shaping the waveform of the low frequency signal with respect to time and/or level. This may be achieved using a peak-hold generator and a rectifier, or using a peak-hold-decay generator.

Audio transducers such as loudspeakers frequently have difficulty reproducing bass (i.e. low audio frequency) audio frequencies.
It is known to utilise harmonics to generate apparent bass audio frequencies. This results from a psychoacoustic phenomenon where harmonics of low frequency sounds lead the listener to "hear" the fundamental low frequency even though the fundamental is not present.
Known apparatuses and methods vary signals over their dynamic range (i.e. volume or signal level) using apparatuses such as compressors or limiters.


An information processing unit, a computer control method, and an information storage device are provided to acquire performance information during data processing and realize efficient data processing by changing data processing details as appropriate based on the information. An information processing unit includes: a data processing part 70 that processes data, an event detecting part 72 that detects predetermined events in the processing of the data processing part 70, a frequency information storage part 74 that stores frequency information the occurrence of the predetermined events detected by the event detecting part 72, a restriction judging part 76 that judges whether or not the processing of the data processing part 70 have been restricted based on the frequency information stored in the frequency information storage part 74, and a processing changing part 78 that changes details of the processing of the data processing part 70 when the restriction judging part 76 judges that the processing of the data processing part 70 have been restricted.

The present invention relates to an information processing unit, a computer control method, and an information storage medium, and in particular, to a technique to optimize data processing of the information processing unit.
When data processing is performed by an information processing unit based on programs, to improve the data processing efficiency, program optimization is frequently performed. This optimization is performed by collecting trace data in actual execution of the programs on the information processing unit, and analyzing the data.
However, with the above-described conventional technique, the trace data of the programs is collected, and based on the data, the programs must be manually modified. When the program execution environment is changed, for example, when the memory capacity and the types and numbers of programs to be simultaneously executed are changed, trace data must be collected and the programs must be modified again.
The invention was developed in view of the above-described problem, and an object thereof is to provide an information processing unit, a computer control method, and an information storage medium which can dynamically optimize program behavior.

Information processing unit, computer control method, and information storage medium


A blood pressure monitor including a cuff, a pressure sensor which detects a pressure in the cuff, a pressure regulating device which increases the pressure of the cuff, a pulse-amplitude determining device for determining an amplitude of each of pulses of a pulse wave which are produced in the cuff and detected by the pressure sensor while the cuff pressure is increased, a candidate determining device for determining, as a diastolic BP candidate, a pressure of the cuff which is detected by the pressure sensor and which corresponds to an amplitude of a first pulse of the pulses determined by the pulse-amplitude determining device, by judging whether the amplitude of the first pulse is not greater than a reference value which is smaller than an amplitude of at least one second pulse of the pulses, by a predetermined proportion of the amplitude of the second pulse, the amplitude of the second pulse being determined by the pulse-amplitude determining device after the amplitude of the first pulse is determined, and a BP determining device for determining, as a monitor diastolic BP value, the cuff pressure corresponding to the amplitude of the first pulse, when the candidate determining device determines, as the diastolic BP candidate, the cuff pressure corresponding to the amplitude of the first pulse, with respect to a predetermined number of the one or more second pulses.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a blood pressure monitor including an inflatable cuff.
2. Related Art Statement
There is known a blood pressure (BP) monitor which includes an inflatable cuff adapted to be wound around a body portion, e.g., upper arm, of a living subject, e.g., patient, to press the body portion. The BP monitor functions as an automatic BP measuring device which periodically measures a BP value of the subject by increasing the cuff pressure and thereby pressing the body portion of the subject. However, if the period or interval of the BP measurements effected by the BP monitor is shortened for improving the accuracy of monitoring of subject's blood pressure, the frequency of pressing of subject's body portion is increased, which causes the subject to feel discomfort.
In the above-indicated background, it has been proposed to increase the pressure of an inflatable cuff being wound around a body portion of a living subject, up to a predetermined value, detect a pulse wave that is a pressure oscillation produced in the cuff, and estimate a BP value of the subject based on the magnitude of the pulse wave. This technique is disclosed in, e.g., Japanese Patent Application laid open for inspection purposes under Publication No. 61(1986)-103432, or Japanese Patent Application laid open for inspection purposes under Publication No. 60(1985)-241422.
Regarding the above-indicated conventional BP monitor techniques, however, there are known some cases where it is difficult to detect a change of magnitudes of pulse waves which reflects a change of blood pressure of a living subject, if BP values are estimated based on the pulse waves detected at a considerably low cuff pressure, which contributes to reducing the discomfort felt by the subject. More specifically described, respective amplitudes of pulses of a pulse wave which is detected from an inflatable cuff being wound around a body portion of a living subject whose blood pressure is normal, has an envelope indicated at solid line in the graph of FIG. 6. In contrast, amplitudes of pulses of a pulse wave obtained from a living subject whose blood pressure is low, has an envelope indicated at one-dot chain line in FIG. 6. In the case where amplitudes of pulses of a pulse wave are detected at a considerably low cuff pressure, e.g., pressure, P.sub.K, in FIG. 6, an amount of change of the pulse amplitudes with respect to an amount of change of blood pressure of a living subject may be too small. Thus, when the BP monitor is used at the low cuff pressure P.sub.K, it may not be able to monitor the blood pressure of the subject with high accuracy.
There is also known a continuous BP monitor which includes an inflatable cuff which is adapted to be wound around a body portion of a living subject to press the body portion; a blood pressure measuring device which measures a blood pressure of the subject by changing a pressure in the cuff; a pressure pulse wave sensor which is adapted to be pressed against a distal section of the artery located on a distal side of the cuff wound around the body portion, so as to detect a pressure pulse wave which is produced from the distal section of the artery; a relationship determining means which determines a relationship between blood pressure and magnitude of pressure pulse wave, based on the blood pressure measured by the blood pressure measuring device and a magnitude of the pressure pulse wave detected by the pressure pulse wave sensor; a blood pressure determining means which successively determines a blood pressure of the subject according to the determined relationship based on a magnitude of each of successive heartbeat-synchronous pulses of the pressure pulse wave detected by the pressure pulse wave sensor; and a display which displays the blood pressure values determined by the blood pressure determining means. This BP monitor is disclosed in, e.g., Japanese Patent Application laid open for inspection purposes under Publication No. 1(1989)-214338 or Japanese Utility Model Application laid open for inspection purposes under Publication No. 2(1990)-82309.
In the prior continuous BP monitor, the condition under which the pressure pulse wave sensor is pressed against subject's artery may be changed due to, e.g., a physical motion of the subject. Hence, in order to improve the accuracy of BP values determined by the BP determining means, the relationship between blood pressure and magnitude of pressure pulse wave is updated at a predetermined period. However, the updating of the relationship needs a blood pressure measurement of the blood pressure measuring device including the inflation of the cuff. In addition, since the pressure pulse wave sensor is set on the distal side of the cuff, the continuous BP determination of the BP determining means is interrupted by the inflation of the cuff. This problem is exaggerated if the period of updating of the relationship is shortened for improving the accuracy of the continuous BP monitoring.


A method and computerized system is disclosed for managing insurance receivable accounts. The method provides a combination of specific automation enablers and unique ruled based decision tools which are used to maximize recovery of the insurance receivable accounts. The method includes automation of collection strategies based in part on an automated decision support tool, for objective evaluation of data relating to any collection related decisions or activities, and a historical data warehouse, for comparison to all other insurance receivable accounts recorded. The computerized system entails a local area network of workstations, database server, file server, input devices, output devices configured by software for accumulating, processing, administering and analyzing premium insurance collection accounts in an automated workflow process environment. The computerized system provides, among other capabilities, for cases processed in-house by collectors, automation respecting scripted dispute handling, on-line payment plan capabilities, electronic data transfer and, collection strategy development, for cases referred to an outside collection agency or attorney, automation respecting facsimile generations, legal strategy development, in-house attorney reviews and monitoring, electronic data transfers to local counsel, evaluation of the next step to be undertaken and, access to a bankruptcy database.

This invention relates to a method and computerized system for the collection of unpaid insurance receivable accounts. More particularly, it relates to a method and computerized system providing a combination of specific automation enablers and unique rule based decision tools which are used to maximize recovery of past due and/or disputed insurance premium accounts by optimizing key decisions that occur during the transaction life cycle of the insurance receivable accounts.
The insurance service industry expends large amounts of resources, including facilities, equipment and staff, for collecting unpaid insurance premiums. A billing system which referred $107 million of past due premiums for collection included referrals from large and regular accounts making up most of the approximately 57,000 new cases and $65 million of past due premiums referred annually. Premium recovery through direct collection efforts was $38.3 million and charge offs (referrals considered losses) were $22.8 million. Outside legal collection fees were $1.5 million. Over 70 file cabinets were required to store the estimated 1.2 million documents representing active collection cases. A staff of 30 individuals, including 22 collectors and 8 administrative and management personal in support, was maintained to process these collection cases.
A review of the existing collection process revealed that the less time a collector spent in direct contact with a debtor, the greater likelihood a case remained unresolved and the costs to collect increased. The collection process typically consisted of the following steps: a 1st letter requesting payment, a 2nd letter requesting payment, phone calls requesting payment of the debt, a financial background check on the debtor, an asset search, initiation of a suit, pretrial conference, trial, and resolution of the debt. Time and money expenditures increased with a resulting decrease in likelihood of recovery the farther along the collection process progressed through these steps. Lack of automation respecting routine, repetitive collector tasks such as copying, referrals, matching to file, memo generation and retrieving as well as a lack of automated scripted dispute handling, on line payment plan capabilities, electronic data transfer and, collection strategy development took away from the collector's time to spend in direct contact with a debtor.
When the case was referred to an outside collection agency or attorney, the costs to collect dramatically increased and the chances of recovery dramatically decreased. In particular, lack of automation respecting facsimile generations, legal strategy development, in house attorney reviews and monitoring, electronic data transfers to local counsel, evaluation of the next step to be undertaken and, access to a bankruptcy database contributed to dramatic increases in costs to collect and prolonging the case. Consequently, more effective outside referral and litigation management was needed with respect to the steps undertaken by collection agencies and outside attorney's to minimize collection costs.
Prior art fails to teach or suggest the present invention method and computerized system for managing insurance receivable accounts. U.S. Pat. No. 5,444,61 5, entitled "Attorney Terminal Having Outline Preparation Capabilities For Managing Trial Proceeding", issued to Bennett et al concerns attorney terminals having outline capabilities for case evidence, case law and work product for a lawsuit. U.S. Pat. No. 5,136,502, entitled "System For Funding, Analyzing And Managing Health Care Liabilities", issued to Van Remortel et al relates to a system for funding and managing retiree health care benefits. U.S. Pat. No. 5,191,522, entitled "Integrated Group Insurance Information Processing And Reporting System Based Upon An Enterprise-Wide Data Structure", issued to Bosco et al concerns an integrated information processing storage system for processing and supervising a plurality of group insurance accounts. U.S. Pat. No. 4,831,526, entitled "Computerized Insurance Premium Quote Request And Policy Issuance System", issued to Luchs et al concerns a computerized system for processing and preparing applications for insurance and premium quotations and for preparing and writing insurance contracts. Notwithstanding the prior art, there is no suggestion or teaching of the present method and computerized system for managing insurance receivable accounts on through the litigation process.
An object of the present invention is to provide a method and computerized system for managing insurance receivable accounts. More specifically, it is an object to provide a system for substantially automating the work in process management of billing and collection functions for insurance receivable accounts.

Method and computerized system for managing insurance receivable accounts


Methods to at least partially compensate for photoresist-induced spherical aberration that occurs during mask imaging used for photolithographic processing of semiconductor devices, LCD elements, thin-film magnetic heads, reticles and other substrates including photo-defined structures thereon are disclosed. A photoresist or other photosensitive material may be irradiated with a mask pattern image including a selected nonzero spherical aberration value to compensate for photoresist-induced spherical aberration.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the processing of substrates, such as semiconductor wafers, using photolithography. More specifically, the present invention relates to methods for correcting photoresist-induced spherical aberration that occurs during photolithography.
2. State of the Art
Semiconductor devices including integrated circuitry, such as memory dice, are mass produced by fabricating hundreds or even thousands of circuit patterns on a single semiconductor wafer or other bulk semiconductor substrate using photolithography in combination with various other processes. In order to increase the number of memory cells on semiconductor memory devices for a given surface area, it is important to accurately control the optical resolution of the images produced during photolithography. These images are used to define structural features on a semiconductor substrate to fabricate the integrated circuitry of such semiconductor memory devices.
Photolithography is a process in which a pattern is delineated in a layer of material, such as a photoresist, sensitive to photons, electrons, or ions. In photolithography, an object containing a pattern (e.g., reticle or mask) is exposed to incident light. The image from the reticle or mask is projected onto a photoresist that covers a wafer or other substrate. The photolithographic process typically involves exposing and developing the photoresist multiple times. At a given step, the photoresist is selectively exposed to photons, electrons, or ions, then developed to remove one of either the exposed or unexposed portions of photoresist, depending on whether a positive or negative photoresist is employed. Complex patterns typically require multiple exposure and development steps.
There are three predominant conventional photolithography methods of optically transferring a pattern on a mask to a photoresist that is coated on a substrate. These methods are contact printing, proximity printing, and projection printing. Currently, projection printing is the most frequently used type of exposing system. Referring to FIG. 1, a conventional exposing system used in projection printing is shown. Exposing system 100 includes illumination controller 101 coupled to illumination source 102 for producing light. Illumination source 102 typically includes a mirror, a lamp, a light filter, and/or a condenser lens system. In the exposing system shown in FIG. 1, illumination source 102 irradiates mask 108 having the desired pattern to be projected onto photoresist 110. Projection lens 104, which may include a complex set of lenses and/or mirrors, focuses the image from mask 108 onto photoresist 110. Photoresist 110 is developed and substrate 112 is subsequently processed as by etching to form the desired structures and photoresist 110 is then removed.
When projecting a mask pattern onto a photoresist using the above-described process, it is typically necessary to compensate for spherical aberration induced by the exposing system. Spherical aberration is caused by using spherically shaped lenses and mirrors because truly spherical surfaces do not form sharp images. An example of a spherical aberration is shown in FIG. 2. Paraxial light rays 202 and peripheral light rays 204 are incident on a lens 206. Paraxial light rays 202 and peripheral light rays 204 do not unite accurately at a focus. Rather than the light being focused at a point, it is focused along a line transverse to the plane of the target photoresist, resulting in a blurred image. The spherical aberration is defined as the distance between focal point 210 of paraxial light rays 202 and focal point 208 of peripheral light rays 204. By using a complex system of lenses and/or mirrors, the spherical aberration of an optical system used in conventional photolithography may be, and typically is, adjusted to zero. In other words, the light incident on photoresist 110 in FIG. 1 has a spherical aberration of zero.
Systems for controlling spherical aberration of the light incident on a photoresist are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,432,587 to Nozue and U.S. Pat. No. 5,973,863 to Hatasawa et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,636,000 to Ushida et al. discloses a projection lens system that controls environmental effects on the resulting projected image. U.S. Pat. No. 5,935,738 to Yasuzato et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 6,310,684 to Matsuura disclose methods to measure spherical aberration in projection lens systems.
While these prior art methods and apparatus have provided the capability to compensate for spherical aberration within photolithography exposing systems, they do not completely overcome the problem. This is due to the fact that the point for focusing a mask pattern is not selected to be at the surface of a photoresist layer, but is at some point within the photoresist layer near the middle of its cross-sectional thickness. By focusing the mask pattern in this fashion, a more uniform exposure over the entire cross-section of the photoresist is achieved. This, in turn, provides mask features with well-defined profiles. FIG. 3 shows a graph of mask feature profiles that result from focusing at different focal points within the photoresist. On the left, FIG. 3 shows that when the focus depth is too shallow, such as by focusing the light at or near the surface of the photoresist, the upper portion of the photoresist is overexposed, resulting in a mask feature profile 114A that is rounded-off and not thick enough to provide sufficient protection for the subsequent etching process. At a median focus depth, mask feature profile 114B has uniform sidewalls and maintains the thickness of the photoresist. At lower focus depths, the bottom portion of the photoresist is overexposed, resulting in undercutting as shown by mask feature profile 114C.
Because the light must pass through a portion of the photoresist layer to reach the focus point, however, the refractive index of the photoresist itself may induce spherical aberration. Referring to FIG. 4A, the origin of photoresist-induced spherical aberration is shown, where the photolithography process is adjusted in the conventional manner to compensate for spherical aberration from the optical system. Incident light 302, having a spherical aberration set at zero, arrives at photoresist 110 at various angles due to diffraction of light off of mask 108 (not shown, see FIG. 1). Incident light 302 is refracted due to the difference in the index of refraction between air 306 and photoresist 110. However, since incident light arrives at various different angles, it is refracted by different amounts in accordance with Snell's law and comes into focus at different depths within the photoresist 110. Thus, refraction by photoresist 110 causes the focal points for light arriving at different incident angles to be separated along a line, resulting in spherical aberration 308. This separation of the incident light 302 within photoresist 110 is the photoresist-induced spherical aberration. FIGS. 4A and 4B also illustrate how incident light 302 at differing angles would ideally unite accurately at a single focal point 304 (shown by broken lines in FIG. 4A) in the absence of refraction by photoresist 110.
Because the density of integrated circuitry patterns is constantly increasing to meet semiconductor technology requirements, photoresist-induced spherical aberration is progressively becoming a significant problem. Photoresist-induced spherical aberration causes the best focus to be a function of mask pattern density and feature size and pitch (spacing). This is due to the diffraction of light at different angles by various mask patterns. Reduced pitch gives higher diffraction. Thus, features like isolated lines will produce different focal points within the photoresist layer than dense line patterns. For each type of feature, there is a process window wherein light may be focused above or below the feature focal point and be within a tolerable range for forming an acceptable feature profile as shown in FIG. 3. Because the focal points for each feature are at different locations, the process windows for the various features will also be different. Therefore, to provide mask feature profiles that are within a tolerable range for all mask features having different sizes and pitches, it is necessary to focus the mask pattern at a point within the photoresist layer where portions of the process windows for each feature overlap, which is the overall process window for the mask pattern.
Because the photoresist-induced spherical aberration causes the focal points for the different mask features to be farther apart, there will be less overlap of their corresponding process windows. Therefore, if spherical aberration is not corrected or compensated for, the acceptable overall process window will be smaller, reducing process tolerances. Failure to correct for spherical aberration can cause misregistration in the resulting resist pattern and, if focus is poor, the resulting resist pattern is not as "clean" or well defined, as shown on the right and left sides of FIG. 3.
Accordingly, in order to improve the quality of patterns transferred to photoresists using photolithography, a need exists to reduce photoresist-induced spherical aberration.

Methods for reducing spherical aberration effects in photolithography


A process for producing a supported catalyst for the synthesis of methacrolein and methacrylic acid in which a catalytic active substance comprising a composite oxide containing molybdenum and bismuth as essential components is supported on the inside surface and/or the outside surface of an inert carrier, which comprises the steps of drying a mixed solution or an aqueous slurry containing the compounds of the elements constituting the catalytic active substance, subjecting the dried product to a primary calcination at a temperature in a range of 200.degree.-400.degree. C. to form a catalytic active substance precursor, comminuting the obtained catalytic active substance precursor to such an extent that the medium particle size in the volume-based particle size distribution becomes 10 .mu.m or less, supporting the comminution product on an inert carrier, and subjecting it to a secondary calcination at a temperature which is 100.degree. C. or more higher than the primary calcination temperature.

Many proposals have been made (JP-A-55-127328, JP-A-56-2926, U.S. Pat. No. 435,404, U.S. Pat. No. 4,446,328, JP-A-59-31727, etc.) regarding the catalysts used in the preparation of methacrolein and methacrylic acid through catalytic oxidation of isobutylene or tertiary butanol in a high-temperature gaseous phase. These proposals, however, mostly concern the catalyst components and their ratios. Few of these proposals make mention of preparation process of supported catalyst, and none of them refers to particulars of the catalytic active substance to be supported, such as particle size thereof and calcination conditions for the production of such substance.
In the production of a catalyst used for the preparation of methacrolein and methacrylic acid through gas phase catalytic oxidation of isobutylene or tertiary butanol with molecular oxygen in a fixed bed reactor, since this reaction is exothermic type, it is desirable to bulk up the catalytic active substance while controlling the thickness of the catalyst layer to avoid the undesirable rise of temperature due to build-up of heat in the catalyst layer. Control of the thickness of the catalyst layer is also desirable for inhibiting the consecutive reactions of the product. Therefore, use of a supported catalyst having a catalytic active substance supported on a carrier and the controlled thickness of the catalyst layer often prove to be favorable for the selectivity of the objective product.
JP-A-2-25443 discloses a production process of a supported catalyst used for the preparation of acrolein, according to which a catalytic active substance precursor ground to a particle size of about 400 .mu.m is supported on an inert carrier. JP-A-58-930 discloses a production process of a supported catalyst used for the preparation of acrolein or methacrolein, and in an embodiment thereof, there is shown a method for supporting a catalytic active substance precursor ground to a particle size distribution of around 2-80 .mu.m, with the mode of the particles falling in a range of about 10-30 .mu.m, on an inert carrier. According to this method, the primary calcination for obtaining a catalytic active substance precursor is carried out at around 500.degree. C., and the secondary calcination conducted after the supporting operation is carried out at a temperature which is approximately 20.degree. C. higher than the primary calcination temperature. The supported catalysts obtained from these methods are still unsatisfactory for industrial use in such respects as catalytic activity, selectivity of the objective product and mechanical strength, and further improvements have been desired from the industrial standpoint.

Preparation process of supported catalyst for the synthesis of methacrolein and methacrylic acid


A vane having a profile capable of formation by pultrusion is disclosed. The vane can be used for removing liquids entrained in a gas stream. The vane includes a main curved section oriented generally parallel to the gas stream and curved to reorient the gas stream, the main curved section causing a first and a second change of direction of the gas stream; a first air pocket formed on a first side of the main curved section, the first air pocket sized and oriented into the gas stream where the gas stream first changes direction; and a second air pocket formed on a second side of the main curved section, the second air pocket smaller than the first air pocket and sized and oriented into the gas stream where the gas stream makes the second direction change.

Virtually all air intake systems require an air filtering mechanism to maintain inlet air free of contaminants. This requirement is particularly true of shipboard engines and ventilation systems that operate in a salt spray environment, where moisture and salt particles impinging, for example, on fast spinning turbine blades can cause severe damage to the ship's propulsion system. In this environment, the filtering mechanism must be able to separate moisture from the inlet air, providing dry and clean air to the ship's propulsion system or ventilation system. This requirement is equally important in trains, offshore platforms, and other wet environments, among other applications.
In a specific example of a shipboard application, most naval vessels rely on fossil fuel for propulsion, and many of these vessels are powered by gas turbines. Gas turbine engines require significant quantities of air for combustion. This air is drawn into the combustion chamber through an air intake. The air intake, ideally, would be as high as possible above the waterline to minimize the possibility of water entrainment (i.e., entrainment of ocean spray) in the intake air stream. Because the air intakes are located high on the ship, their weight should be minimized to avoid making the ship less stable and more susceptible to rolling, and in a worst case scenario, capsizing.

Composite vane and method of manufacture


Devices, systems, and methods for developing prescriptions for and/or treating presbyopia may use a combination of an alteration to the refractive tissues of the eye with changes in the response of the visual system. The visual system response may include using residual accommodation in a manner similar to that employed by latent hyperopes, a trained response of the pupil, trained psychophysics, or the like. Associated refractive prescriptions may be tailored to take advantage of the subsequent visual system response so as to mitigate presbyopia.

This invention generally relates to optical correction, and in particular provides methods, devices, and systems for mitigating or treating presbyopia and/or other vision conditions. Exemplary embodiments employ aspherical refractive corrections for providing appropriate accommodative power with changes in pupil size.
Presbyopia is a condition that affects the accommodation properties of the eye. As objects move closer to a young, properly functioning eye, the effects of ciliary muscle contraction increases the optical power of the lens of the eye to focus at nearer distances. Hence, accommodation can allow the eye to focus and refocus between near and far objects.
Presbyopia normally develops as a person ages, and is associated with a natural progressive loss of accommodation, sometimes referred to as "old sight." The presbyopic eye often loses the ability to rapidly and easily refocus on objects at varying distances. Although the condition progresses over the lifetime of an individual, the effects of presbyopia usually become noticeable after the age of 45 years. By the age of 65 years, the crystalline lens has often lost most of its elastic properties and has only limited ability to change shape. Residual accommodation refers to the amount of accommodation that remains in the eye. A lower degree of residual accommodation contributes to more severe presbyopia, whereas a higher amount of residual accommodation correlates with less severe presbyopia.
A variety of methods and devices for treatment of presbyopia have been employed, with varying results. The goal of such treatments is generally to allow the eye to see clearly both distant objects and near objects. Reading glasses have traditionally allowed the eye to focus on and maintain a clear image of near objects by adding plus power diopter to the eye, using an approach similar to that applied for treatment of farsightedness or hyperopia. To facilitate viewing both near and far objects, presbyopia has also been treated with bifocal eyeglasses. A variety of other approaches have also been suggested, but none of the known presbyopia-treatment modalities that are commonly used by patients have been shown to be without drawbacks for at least some cases.
In work associated with embodiments of the present invention, it has recently been proposed to provide refractive shapes which take of advantage of changes in a size of a patient's pupil with changes in viewing distances, so as to provide enhanced optical imaging. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/738,358 entitled "Presbyopia Correction Using Patient Data," as filed on Dec. 5, 2003, presents a variety of approaches for establishing prescriptions that mitigate or treat presbyopia of particular patients. Suitable shapes may be optically optimized, scaled or otherwise varied, and/or may provide optical powers that change with pupil size, with the preferred prescriptions often being tailored to measurements of a patient's eye at differing viewing conditions. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/892,386, as filed on Jul. 14, 2004, and entitled "Correction of Presbyopia Using Adaptive Optics and Associated Methods" describes systems and devices which may be suited for accurately measuring characteristics of the eye at differing viewing distances. Both these references are incorporated herein by reference. By taking advantage of these recent improvements, many patients may experience enhanced abilities to view at different viewing distances without the inconvenience of reading glasses, bifocals, or the like.
While the recent proposals may represent a significant advancement in the art, as with many such successes, still further improvements would be desirable. In particular, work in connection with embodiments of the present invention indicates that the benefits of pseudo accommodation can be limited in at least some cases. Hence, it would be advantageous to provide improved devices, systems, and methods for treatment of presbyopia, and particularly to provide such improvements so as to extend the benefits of the recently proposed presbyopia mitigation techniques to additional individual patients, groups of patients, and the like. It may also be advantageous to increase the clinical efficacy of presbyopia-mitigating techniques so as to improve optical imaging, acuity, and/or patient satisfaction.

Training enhanced pseudo accommodation methods, systems and devices for mitigation of presbyopia


There are included a transmission modulator (103) for impulse-modulating the data to be transmitted, thereby producing a subcarrier; a subcarrier control section for controlling the subcarrier to be utilized for communication, depending on the amount and significance of information and on the propagation condition of communication; and an antenna section (101) for radiating the subcarrier signal. This structure allows selection of a subcarrier suitable for information to be transmitted and for propagation environment, and hence allows a communication to be performed which exhibits a high flexibility and a high noise immunity. Thus, there can be provided a communication apparatus that can perform a high-quality, high-stability communication exhibiting an improved interfering immunity and that performs a flexible impulse communication.

Digital radio communication now occupies the important position in the field of communication by virtue of the technological development thereof. In an attempt to pursue higher speed of communication, study has being put forward toward communication using impulse modulation scheme. Impulse modulation scheme involves the problem of being ready to undergo interference from other systems and hence become instable during communication because of its occupation over a broadband frequency. Meanwhile, because of band occupation, there is a difficulty in multiplexing a plurality of channels.
However, as means for solving this, there are those as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,677,927, for example. FIG. 44 shows the conventional communication apparatus described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,677,927.
In FIG. 44, a subcarrier generator & modulator 4401 generates a modulation subcarrier signal to be modulated with an information signal, and outputs the modulation subcarrier signal to a subcarrier time modulator 4402. By the subcarrier time modulator 4402, an encoded timing signal is modulated to generate a modulated encoded timing signal. The timing signal is radiated in the form of an electromagnetic pulse, at a transmission antenna 4404 through an output stage 4403.
With the above configuration, the communication apparatus in the prior art makes an impulse signal into channels by the simultaneous uses of subcarriers different in frequency or waveform. By using separate subcarriers at individual channels, communication is made feasible simultaneously at a multiplicity of independent channels.
However, in the configuration of U.S. Pat. No. 5,677,927, because communication is by a broad use of band on the impulse modulation scheme, there is a difficulty in avoiding against the system that issues high output signals in a part of the band, resulting in readiness to undergo influence.
Meanwhile, because the interval of subcarrier frequencies is great in distance (interval equal to or greater than 500 MHz), there is a conspicuous difference appearing in frequency-based radio wave propagation characteristic. Namely, concerning the higher-frequency subcarrier, there is limitation in the area for transmission as compared to the lower-frequency subcarrier. Thus, there is greater effect of shadowing. Besides, attenuation is high at around shields such as walls. This is the case from the fact that generally, at lower frequency band, communication is favorable with reduced circuit disconnections and broader communication area while, at higher frequency band, circuit disconnection is higher in rate and communication area is narrower.
These can be responsible for the followings.
Free space propagation loss: loss increases with increasing frequency. Narrowing communication area.
Transmission characteristic: loss of transmission through a shield increases with increase of frequency.
Diffraction effect: diffraction effect decreases and shadowing influence increase with increase of frequency.
Consequently, the communication system using impulse modulation scheme has the problem of the above conspicuous setbacks, as compared to the communication system in the prior art having a carrier interval of approximately several MHz to several tens MHz.

Communication apparatus and communication method utilizing multiple carrier waves for overcoming interference


An optical connector has a simple structure and a method of attaching an optical fiber cord to the connector is easy. The connector 1 includes: a plug part 2 which has a capillary 5 provided at the front and containing a built-in optical fiber 6 and which includes a mechanical splicing portion 7 capable of allowing an optical fiber 51 to be inserted from the rear so as to be fixed therein; a caulking stand 35 capable of holding a sheath by radially contracting in a state in which the optical fiber cord 50 is inserted therein; a caulking ring 45 provided outside the cylindrical portion 36 of the stand 35 so as to hold the tension member 52 between the ring 45 and the stand 35; and a coupling body 20 provided behind the plug part 2 and accommodating the stand 35 and the ring 45.

The demand for high-speed data communications has increased in accordance with the spread of Internet, and the so-called Fiber-To-The-Home (FTTH) services in which optical fibers are installed in each home are also expanding. Thus, it is expected that an optical connector for optical connection will be used in a general home. For example, it is considered to attach an optical connector to the end of an optical fiber cord that is attached to optical communication equipment in the home and to insert the plug of the optical connector into an adapter provided in the wall for optical connection, so that the optical communication equipment in the home is connected with the FTTH network.
An optical connector known for such use is a connector suitable for field (indoor) assembly, having a structure which comprises a built-in optical fiber-containing capillary provided at the tip and a mechanical splice provided at the rear inside. Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2001-235656 discloses an SC connector having a built-in mechanical splice that enables field assembly, as well as tools and method for assembling a field-assembly optical connector so as to be attached to an end of an optical fiber cord. In the disclosed technique, the optical connector is assembled using an optical connector assembly tool that is equipped with a connector support stand, a fiber support stand for clamping an optical fiber cord, a tension member fixing tool for fixing a tension member exposed at the end of the optical fiber cord, and a moving mechanism for moving the connector support stand back and forth relative to the fiber support stand.
In order to obtain stable optical and mechanical characteristics, the optical connector attached to the end of the optical fiber cord must endure the force that is applied from the outside to the optical fiber cord. For example, the optical connector is required not only to hold the sheath of an optical fiber cord but also to allow the tension member of the optical fiber cord to be fixed to the optical connector so that the tension member may bear the tension acting on the optical fiber cord.
It has been difficult to assemble a conventional field-assembly optical connector in a manner such that a tension member is fixed while a sheath is held, and generally the assembly work has been complex. Also, since the conventional field-assembly optical connector has an additional structure for enabling field-assembly, its structure has been complicated. For example, in the case of the optical connectors described in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2001-235656, it has been necessary to use an optical connector assembly tool having a tension member fixing jig so that a tension member may be fixed, and consequently the connector assembly work is also complex.

Optical connector and method of attaching optical fiber cord to optical connector


An improved Gigabaud Link Module (GLM) is provided for performing bi-directional data transfers between a host device and a serial transfer medium. The improved GLM, includes data signal transmission circuitry for reading data signals from the host device and transmitting the data signals as serial data over a first serial transfer link. Data signal receiving circuitry is also provided for receiving serial data signals from a second serial transfer link. The receiving circuitry then writes the signals to the host device. The first and second transfer links form the serial transfer medium, and the transmission and receiving circuitry provides the bi-directional data transfer between the host device and the serial transfer medium. The improved GLM further includes signal detection circuitry for determining when data signals are being received over the second serial transfer link.

The present invention relates to an improved Gigabaud Link Module for providing a received signal detected indication incorporated with a link unusable signal supplied to a host device.
Gigabaud Link Modules (GLM) are high speed data modules used for transferring massive amounts of data between various pieces of computer equipment, for example between a host computer and a peripheral storage device such as a disc drive. An individual GLM provides bi-directional communication between the parallel format data bus of a host device and a serial format transfer medium. A pair of GLM can be connected to each end of the transfer medium to create a bi-directional communication link, or multiple GLM can be connected in a daisy-chain manner to establish an arbitrated loop configuration. In either case, a GLM module provides bi-directional communication between its host device and the transfer medium, allowing data to be exchanged between the various host devices associated with each of the GLM connected to the transfer medium.
The GLM family specification, FCSI-301 incorporated herein by reference, describes a series of single port serial communications subassembly modules all having a common footprint and configured to support a variety of data rates, transfer media types, transmission lengths, and interface widths. In accordance with the GLM family specification, GLM can be configured to support a variety of transfer media including: short wave laser using 50 or 62.5 micron multimode optical fiber, long wave laser using single mode fiber, and copper using a variety of media and connectors. A first preferred embodiment of the present invention relates to GLM employing laser generated signals and an optical fiber transmission medium in applications supporting Fibre Channel/Arbitrated loop, Local Area Networks, and other shared resource computing arrangements. A second preferred embodiment is also provided having broader application in GLM supporting any of the available transmission media and connected in either a point-to-point or arbitrated loop configuration.
FIG. 1 shows the block diagram of a GLM including a data received signal according to the first embodiment of the present invention. (The block diagrams of the first embodiment and second embodiment shown in FIG. 4 are the same except that the signal detecting circuitry of the second embodiment receives its input from a different point within the receiving circuitry, and the transmitting and receiving circuitry of the second embodiment may be configured to support transfer media other than optical fiber.) The block diagram shown includes function blocks common to all GLM, as well as signal detecting circuitry unique to the present invention. As noted, GLM can be interconnected in two different configurations, either a point-to-point configuration, or an arbitrated loop network configuration. In the point-to-point configuration GLM operate in pairs, with a single GLM connected to each end of a fiber optic link. The output of the transmit portion of a first GLM is connected to one end of an optical fiber, the opposite end of the fiber is then connected to the receive input of a second GLM. The receive input of the first GLM is connected to a second optical fiber, the opposite end of which is connected to the transmit output of the second GLM. Thus, the first GLM transmits data to be received by the second GLM, and receives data transmitted by the second GLM. A central host device can be set up as a hub supporting a number of fiber optic links in a spoke like fashion such that host devices located at the ends of the spokes can communicate with one another through the central hub.
In the arbitrated loop configuration, like the point-to-point configuration, the output of the transmit portion of a first GLM is connected to one end of an optical fiber, the opposite end of which is connected to the receive input of a second GLM. The transmit output of the second GLM, however, is not connected back to the receive input of the first GLM, but rather to the receive input of a third GLM. The transmit output of the third GLM is connected to the receive input of a fourth GLM, and so on in a daisy-chain fashion around a loop until finally, the transmit output of the last GLM in the arbitrated loop is connected to the receive input of the first GLM, thereby closing the loop.
In either configuration, point-to-point or arbitrated loop, the GLM themselves operate in the same manner. A GLM reads data signals from the parallel data bus of its associated host device, and the parallel to serial converter converts the parallel data into a string of serial data bits which are input into a laser driver. The laser driver drives the output of an optical laser diode which converts the electrical signals into optical signals corresponding to the serial data string output from the parallel to serial converter. The laser radiates the signals through the first optical fiber where they are received by a second GLM connected to the opposite end. On the receiving side, a photo diode receives serial optical signals transmitted by another GLM over a second optical fiber. The photo diode converts the optical signals into a serial string of electrical data signals which are then amplified and input into a serial to parallel converter, or deserializer. The deserializer converts the received serial data into a parallel format and writes the parallel data to the parallel data bus of the host device.
In order to synchronize the signals and organize the data being communicated over the serial data link, the host devices connected to each GLM will be equipped with an interface controller. The interface controller organizes the data, and times the exchange of each byte of data between the host and the GLM. An example of such an interface controller configured to support Fibre Channel communications is the TACHYON.TM. Fibre Channel Interface Controller produced by Hewlet-Packard. It should be noted that Fibre Channel is a high speed communication protocol specifically adapted to accurately exchange massive amounts of data quickly and without errors. To ensure successful data exchange between the interface controller and the GLM, a number of status and control signals are exchanged between the GLM and the interface controller along with the parallel data signals. Included among these are the E.sub.-- WRAP and L.sub.-- UNUSE signals.
E.sub.-- WRAP is short for enable wrap. The E.sub.-- WRAP signal is generated by the host's interface controller and enables a data loopback mode in the GLM to check the integrity of the serializer and deserializer circuitry of the GLM. When the interface controller drives this signal true (logic 1) the internal loopback mode is initiated within the GLM. The transmitting laser is shut down, and the interface controller sends test data to the GLM. The parallel test data is input to the parallel to serial converter where it is serialized in the normal manner in preparation for transmission over the serial link. However, rather than being output to the laser driver, the output from the parallel to serial converter is looped back to the serial to parallel converter on the receive side of the GLM. The serial to parallel converter deserializes the data and writes the data to the interface controller where it is checked against the original test data. During this operation the link is unavailable for transmitting real data. L.sub.-- UNUSE is short for link unusable. The L.sub.-- UNUSE signal is generated by the GLM and indicates when the link is available to transmit data. Among other conditions, this signal will be set true (logic 1) whenever the E.sub.-- WRAP signal initiates the loopback function, indicating that the transmit laser has been disabled and the link is unavailable.
GLM configured in the point-to-point configuration can support Open Fiber Control (OFC). In these modules the L.sub.-- UNUSE signal is also set true while the GLM establishes the integrity of the fiber optic link between two modules. This check is necessary to protect personnel against the damaging effects that high energy short wavelength laser radiation can have on human eyes when viewed directly. OFC ensures that the optical fibers extending between the transmit and receive ports of each GLM are in place and unbroken so that the laser radiation emitted from the laser transmitters is wholly contained within the fibers and therefore cannot be viewed directly by personnel working in the same area as the fiber optic link. OFC verifies the integrity of the optical fiber link by transmitting a low duty cycle test signal from one GLM to the other. If a fiber is broken or disconnected, the low duty cycle test signal escaping from the broken or disconnected fiber will have insufficient power to cause harm if inadvertently viewed by personnel in the area. If the fibers are intact, the second GLM receives the test signal and retransmits the signal back to the first GLM. Proper reception of the test signal at the first GLM indicates that the entire link is intact, and that both GLM may begin transmitting at full duty cycle. The L.sub.-- UNUSE signal is set true throughout the OFC test procedure.
OFC is not supported in all GLM, including those operating in the arbitrated loop configuration. The daisy-chain interconnection between GLM in an arbitrated loop does not allow a test signal to be transmitted from a first GLM then immediately retransmitted from a second GLM back to the first GLM. In the arbitrated loop configuration, the test signal would have to be transmitted all the way around the loop before being received back at the originating GLM. Without OFC, there is no way to determine the integrity of the fiber optic links between GLM comprising the loop. Because the arbitrated loop GLM cannot verify the integrity of the fiber links, the output power of these modules is limited to an output power level much lower than the output power level allowed for GLM supporting OFC. The output power of non-OFC GLM is held below the threshold which can harm the human eye. With the laser output power maintained below this threshold, the signals can be viewed directly without the threat of injury, eliminating the need for OFC. Eliminating the OFC check frees the L.sub.-- UNUSE signal from being held true (logic 1) while the integrity of the fibers is being checked.
A problem with the operation of arbitrated loop GLM has been the introduction of false control signals generated from random noise within the receiving circuitry of the GLM when one or more of the optical fibers has been disconnected. Even though the photodiode on the receiving side of the GLM may not be receiving optical signals over the fiber optic link, noise present in the highly sensitive photodiode and preamplifier circuits can generate random bit patterns which are transmitted to the host device through the interface controller. Occasionally the random bit pattern generated by the receiving circuitry will mimic valid Fibre Channel control signals. The interface controller will respond to these false signals according to predetermined rules established by the link protocol, such as for example, the Fibre Channel protocol. The interface controller will send a request to the host device to validate and accept the data. However, since the noise signal generating the request is invalid, the host will fail to validate the data based on higher level error checking functions, such as Cyclic Redundancy Checking (CRC). Requests for validation which are not validated by the host device are counted as elastic store errors by the interface controller. A Fibre Channel link is intended to be an error free data transmission medium. Thus, the interface controller attempts to resolve all data transmission errors. However, when the number of unresolved elastic store errors reaches a certain predetermined limit, the controller assumes there is a critical problem and initiates a higher level system shutdown. The system shutdown will alert the network manager, or some other service personnel that there is a problem with the arbitrated loop network, and that corrective action is required.
Obviously, it is undesirable to shut down the arbitrated loop network because of elastic store errors resulting from noise generated within the GLM, especially when the elastic store errors are generated during periods when the GLM is not actively receiving optical data signals over the transmission link. Therefore, it is desirable to provide a GLM with a received signal detect function which can generate a Signal Detected signal to alert the interface controller when data signals are being received over the fiber optic link. False data signals generated by noise during those periods when a data signal is not being received can be ignored. By ignoring these signals, the number of falsely accumulated elastic store errors can be reduced, as well as the amount of down time on the Fibre Channel network.
The GLM Family Specification does not provide for a signal detected signal to alert the interface controller when optical signals are actually being received over the fiber optic link. Therefore, there is no way to distinguish between valid data signals and noise generated in the GLM's receiving circuitry. Furthermore, the GLM Family Specification explicitly states that the L.sub.-- UNUSE signal should not be used for this purpose. The primary reason for this restriction is that L.sub.-- UNUSE must be held true (logic 1) during the entire OFC operation, regardless of whether optical power is actually being received over the fiber optic link. Since all of the interface signals between the interface controller and the GLM have been predefined by the GLM Family Specification, and since the L.sub.-- UNUSE signal has been unavailable for use as a signal detected signal, this feature has not been included in past GLM. The drawback from not including a received power detect signal in arbitrated loop GLM has been increased numbers of elastic store errors, and an unnecessary increase in the amount of network down time.

Gigabaud link module with received power detect signal


A flame-resistant, photo-curing resin composition of the present invention consists of:. (a) 35 to 65 parts by weight of an acrylic thermoplastic polymer, the acrylic thermoplastic polymer being 15 to 30% by weight copolymerized with at least one of monomer containing an alpha, beta-unsaturated carboxyl group, PA0 (b) 5 to 30 parts by weight of a bromine-substituted monomer represented by a general formula [I]: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is H or CH.sub.3, PA0 (c) 0 to 10 parts by weight of antimony trioxide particles with an average diameter of 0.1 .mu.m or smaller, PA0 (d) 20 to 50 parts by weight of a vinyl monomer, excluding component (b), and PA0 (e) 0.01 to 10 parts by weight of a photo-polymerizing initiator, wherein a total amount of the component (a), (b), (c), (d), and PA0 (e) is 100 parts by weight.. A is ##STR2## wherein R.sub.2 is an alkylene group containing two or three carbon atoms, PA1 n is an integer between 1 and 4, and PA1 X.sub.1, X.sub.2, and X.sub.3 are Br or H, under a condition that at least two of the X.sub.1, X.sub.2, and X.sub.3 are Br,

1. Field of the Invention
This invention refers to the composition of a flame-resistant photo-curable resin mixture, more specifically, a pattern-forming flame-resistant resin mixture that can be used as a solder resist (solder mask) in printed circuit board (referred to as "PC-board" below) manufacturing.
2. Prior Art
In the PC-board manufacturing industry, the solder resist (solder mask) is widely used as a permanent protective film on PC boards. Solder resist is used to prevent solder bridges that can form during soldering, and to prevent conductor corrosion and protect electric insulation during use. Since the solder resist must be able to withstand severe process and usage conditions, it must be capable of satisfying the following performance requirements:
Ability to maintain adhesion during immersion in solder (240.degree.-280.degree. C.) PA1 Ability to maintain permanent adhesion PA1 High resistance to solvents and other chemicals PA1 Ability to maintain high electric insulation in a high-humidity environment PA1 Flame resistance PA1 A represents ##STR4## wherein R.sub.2 is an alkylene group containing two or three carbon atoms, and n is an integer between 1 to 4; and PA1 X.sub.1, X.sub.2, and X.sub.3 are Br or H, under the condition that at least two of the three are Br. PA1 A is ##STR7## wherein R.sub.2 is an alkylene group containing two or three carbon atoms and PA1 n is an integer between 1 and 4; and PA1 X.sub.1, X.sub.2, and X.sub.3 are Br or H, under the condition that at least two of the three are Br.
To satisfy these requirements, heat- or photo-curable inks have widely been used together with screen printing methods to form solder resists. In recent years, however, these printing methods have not kept pace with advances in circuit complexity and circuit element size reductions, and these methods have therefore become unsuitable for recent high-density printing method with regard to precision and fineness of detail. The screen printing method has reached a limit with regard to accuracy because further extension of the screen mesh can cause positional deviations and the ink may bleed or become blurred. On the other hand, if it is used to forcibly enhance the precision, the film may become too thin. Thus, screen printing is incapable of providing both the necessary thickness together with high precision.
Therefore, in recent years, the photo resist method is replacing the screen printing method. In the photo resist method, a photo-curable film is formed on the board and selectively exposed to light for curing. Following exposure, the non-cured portions are removed in a developing process. This method is far superior to the screen printing method, especially with respect to precision.
Several proposals have been made so far with regard to the formation of the photo-curable film used in the photo resist method. Japanese Patent Application, first publication No. (Tokukai Sho) 51-15733 proposes a method in which a photo-curable resin is applied to a printed circuit board in the form of a solution in an organic solvent, and then heat is applied to evaporate the solvent, leaving behind the photo-resist film. In this method, however, small through-holes not used for component mounting cannot be tented and the film on a pattern cannot be made thick enough.
It is preferable to apply a specific dry film resist proposed in Japanese Patent Application, first publication No. (Tokukai Sho) 54-1018 by heating under low pressure, as proposed in Japanese Patent Application, first publication No. (Tokukai Sho) 52-52703. However there is no dry film resist which can be developed with an alkaline developer and also finally cured product has necessary properties as a solder resist such as high adhesion, surface hardness, heat resistance and flame resistance.
The aim of the present invention is to provide a photo-curable resin composition for solder resist that can be developed by an alkaline developer in the pattern forming process and that has excellent flame resistance and other characteristics.

Flame-resistant photo-curable resin composition


Methods and systems are provided for controlling the transmit spectrum in medical imaging. A combination of different delays and/or sign changes are used control the spectrum. The different delays and/or sign changes are applied across the transmit aperture. For example, a repeating pattern of three different delays in addition to focusing delays is provided, such as no additional delay, a quarter cycle advance and a quarter cycle delay. As another example, a repeating pattern is applied where one waveform has an additional delay and a sign change. The use of three or more different amounts of delay in addition to focusing delays and/or the use of delay and sign change may be used in simple unipolar or bipolar transmitters or in more complex transmitters. For example, delay is implemented with a phase shift. The combinations of delays, phase shifts and sign changes is selected to cause acoustic summation along the transmit beam with desired spectral content. By summing the waveforms in the acoustic domain, a more desired spectral content than available for any given transmit waveform is provided. For example, harmonic, second harmonic, odd harmonics, even harmonics or any other frequency bands may be suppressed.

The present invention relates to spectral control during transmit operations. In particular, a transmit spectrum for medical imaging is controlled using an aperture function.
In medical diagnostic ultrasound, transmit acoustic beams are formed by generating transmit waveforms independently for a plurality of different elements. Relative delays and apodization cause the acoustic energy to generate a transmit beam focused at a point or along a region. Sixty-four, 128, 256 or other number of elements and associated transmit channels are typically used. Each transmit channel consumes power, adds to cost and adds to size. Complex waveform generators, such as used for generating sinusoidal or near sinusoidal waveforms are expensive. Bipolar, unipolar or simpler waveform generators may use less energy, space and cost. However, bipolar and unipolar waveforms limit the ability to control the transmit spectrum. For example, unipolar and bipolar waveforms have more energy at second harmonic frequencies of fundamental transmit frequencies (twice the fundamental) than a sinusoid of a same number of cycles. As a result, information at second harmonic frequencies isolated during receive operation undesirably includes information generating by the transmitter rather than by tissue or reflection.
In "Transmit Aperture Processing for Non-Linear Contrast Agent Imaging" by Krishnan and O'Donnell, an additional phase shift controls the transmitted spectral content. A 90° phase shift is applied to every other element. At fundamental frequencies, the resulting amplitude at the focal region is decreased by approximately the square root of 2. At the second harmonic frequencies, the 90° phase shift is converted to a 180° phase shift. At the focal region, the waveforms acoustically combine. The resulting combination of waveforms with a 180° phase difference cancels or reduces energy due to the transmitters at the second harmonic. However, the phase shift is applied to sinusoidal waveforms.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,193,659 implements spectrum control for transmit operations with more simplistic waveform generators, such as bipolar or unipolar waveform generators. Since these waveform generators may not be able to produce a 90° phase shifted waveform, a delay of one-quarter wave length at the center frequency is used. The one-quarter wave length delay is applied to every other or to groups of transmit elements. The amplitude at the fundamental frequency is decreased by a factor of the square root of two, and information at second harmonic frequency of the center frequency is reduced or canceled. However, the 3 db or other loss at the fundamental center frequency may require larger voltages to be applied to the transducer to achieve the desired transmit power. The gain is higher at lower frequencies than at the center frequency which may introduce a low frequency artifact. The cancellation of the second harmonic is narrow so that wide band harmonic signals may not be well suppressed.

Medical imaging transmit spectral control using aperture functions


Various inspection and review systems for wafers or reticles are provided. One system includes an optical component configured to project light onto a specimen during inspection or review. The system also includes a liquid disposed between and in contact with surfaces of the optical component and the specimen. The liquid does not permanently alter properties of the optical component or the specimen. Preferably, the presence of the liquid between the optical component and the specimen increases the resolution of the inspection or review system. Another system includes an inspection or review subsystem configured to project light through an optical component, a liquid, and onto a specimen. The liquid contacts the optical component and the specimen. This system also includes a processing subsystem configured to remove the liquid from the specimen after inspection or review. In some embodiments, the processing subsystem is configured to clean the specimen after inspection or review.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention generally relates to optical systems for inspecting wafers or reticles with increased resolution. Certain embodiments relate to inspection systems that include a liquid disposed between an optical component of the system and a specimen.
2. Description of the Related Art
As the dimensions of transistors and related structures on semiconductor wafers continue to shrink, the need to detect and identify defects on the wafers and on the reticles used in the lithography process to fabricate the wafers continues to increase. The size of these defects follows the size of the structures on the wafers with a defect about half the minimum dimension on the wafers being considered a "killer" defect that can cause the device to fail. The current minimum dimension on semiconductor devices is about 100 nm with research and development work being conducted on 70 and 50 nm structure sizes. Wafer yield is a function of the number and type of these killer defects, and for more efficient processing and profitability, the number of defects needs to be minimized by first identifying their existence on the wafer and then correcting the root cause. Thus, the detection of defects on both the wafer and reticle is a critical function in current semiconductor fabrication facilities (fabs).
Current fabs utilize various optical inspection tools to locate these defects and classify them into categories, which are related to their root cause. As the size of the defects decreases, the need for higher sensitivity inspection and review tools follows. Generally, sensitivity is related to optical resolution for techniques, which use microscopes to examine the wafers and reticles for defects. Resolution is defined as: Resolution=λ/n(NA), where λ is the wavelength, n is the index of refraction, and NA is the numerical aperture of the optical system at the object. The NA of a typical inspection or review optical tool is currently in the range of 0.90 to 0.95 with a maximum theoretical value of 1.0, so little opportunity exists to increase resolution with this variable. The cost of increasing the NA beyond 0.90 is very expensive due to the difficulty in controlling optical aberrations. The minimum wavelength of current inspection and review tools is in the range of 248 to 266 nm, but the lack of inexpensive continuous sources with wavelengths below this variable is too expensive to consider. The final variable is the index of refraction, which can be a fluid disposed between the surface of the object to be inspected and the last optical surface of the inspection optical system. The higher the index, the better the resolution and smaller defects can be detected, and the increased resolution aids in their classification.
Therefore, it would be advantageous to increase the resolution of optical systems by increasing the index of refraction of the fluid between the object's surface and the last surface of the lens thereby increasing the system's sensitivity without increasing the NA and/or decreasing the wavelength of illumination thereby alleviating the design, manufacture, and test difficulties associated with high-resolution optical systems in addition to reducing the cost of such optical systems.

Systems for inspecting wafers and reticles with increased resolution


In one example, the present disclosure describes a device, computer-readable medium, and method for multi-phase protection of digital content. For instance, in one example, a method includes receiving a request for digital content from a client device, initiating a digital content protection process comprising a plurality of phases, where each phase of the plurality of phases includes verifying credentials provided by the client device, delivering a plurality of seeds to the client device, wherein each individual seed of the plurality of seeds is delivered to the client device upon a successful completion of one phase of the plurality of phases, encrypting the digital content, using an encryption key derived using the plurality of seeds, to generate encrypted content, and delivering the encrypted content to the client device.

Digital technologies have made it easier to distribute content (e.g., video, audio, and other types of media content) to large numbers of users. In some cases, a group of users may share (or may have access to) a subscription to a service that makes digital content available. For instance, a home, a college campus, a hospital, a hotel, or another type of residence or enterprise may subscribe to service that provides digital content, and may in turn allow authorized users (e.g., family members, students, employees, patients, customers) to use the subscription to access the digital content.


A perforator apparatus for continuous photo film includes a perforator unit having a punch and a die. The perforator unit is disposed between first and second suction chambers. The photo film is extended past each of the suction chambers. A blower applies suction of air through the suction chambers, to apply tension to the photo film through the perforator unit. The perforator unit is disposed between a feed roller and a sprocket roller, which convey intermittently the photo film by a punching length. A first pass roller continuously conveys the photo film into the first suction chamber. A first loop of the photo film in the first suction chamber is maintained with a length substantially of an arc of a semi-circle defined between the first pass roller and the feed roller. A second pass roller continuously conveys the photo film from the second suction chamber. A second loop of the photo film in the second suction chamber is maintained with a length substantially of an arc of a semi-circle defined between the second pass roller and the sprocket roller. The perforator unit forms a train of perforations in the photo film along each of its two edges when the photo film is stopped.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a perforator apparatus and a perforating method for photo film, and photo film working/securing apparatus and method. More particularly, the present invention relates to photo film perforating, working, and/or securing apparatus and method of which an operating speed can be heightened.
2. Description Related to the Prior Art
U.S. Pat. No. 4,928,562 (corresponding to JP-A 1-271197) and U.S. Pat. No. 5,461,450 (corresponding to JP-A 6-339898) disclose a perforator apparatus in which continuous material, such as continuous photo film, is provided with perforations of a predetermined pattern. The perforator apparatus includes a punch and a die, which are operated when the continuous photo film is stopped in the course of intermittent conveyance, to form the perforations in the continuous photo film. To convey the continuous photo film to the punch and the die, there are a feed roller and a sprocket roller. The feed roller is arranged upstream from the punch/die set with reference to the conveying direction of the continuous photo film. The sprocket roller is arranged downstream from the punch/die set with reference to the conveying direction. It is also known to use a suction drum instead of the sprocket roller. The feed roller, the sprocket roller and/or the suction drum are driven to rotate by an indexing device.
The perforator apparatus has the single indexing device which is operated for rotating both the feed roller and the sprocket roller. Load of inertia applied to the indexing device is considerably high, so that it is extremely difficult to heighten the speed of the perforator apparatus.
In the perforator apparatus of the prior art, the conveying speed of the feed roller nipping the continuous photo film is determined smaller than the conveying speed of the sprocket roller nipping the continuous photo film downstream therefrom, so as to apply tension to the continuous photo film. The tension causes edges of the perforations of the continuous photo film tightly to contact sprocket teeth of the sprocket roller, to keep the continuous photo film positioned on the punch/die set in an unchanged manner. The precision in the position of forming the perforations is maintained. The continuous photo film receives the tension so high between the sprocket teeth of the sprocket roller and the feed roller, that it is likely that the perforations are damaged by the sprocket teeth of the sprocket roller, and that the continuous photo film is fogged by pressure or scratched by slips of the nip rollers. The nip rollers must be used in a limited condition related to the nipping force.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,461,450 (corresponding to JP-A 6-339898) discloses a method of applying the tension to the continuous photo film by use of suction chambers arranged on upstream and downstream sides of the punch/die set. There is a shortcoming in the perforator apparatus in that a surface of the continuous photo film contacts inner walls of the suction chambers to scratch the surface of the continuous photo film. It is likely that there occurs remarkable shake or undulation of loops of the continuous photo film, due to unfavorable position of the loops.
A photo filmstrip of a 35 mm type consists of a combination of a spool on which the photo filmstrip is wound and a cassette for containing the spool in a rotatable manner. To manufacture the photo filmstrip with the cassettes, a front end or trailer of the photo filmstrip is inserted into a slot formed in the spool, to retain retainer holes of the photo filmstrip on retainer hooks arranged in the slot, so that the front end of the photo filmstrip is secured to the spool. The photo filmstrip includes the sprocket roller, a trimmer unit, a photo film guide and an inserter roller arranged in the order listed. The continuous photo film is cut by the trimmer unit with a cutting operation for forming shapes of the front end and a rear end which is a photo film leader. The front end of the photo filmstrip is moved into the slot of the spool.
JP-A 2-222946 discloses a method in which the photo filmstrip is regularly fed by rotating the sprocket roller, and a photo film path of an air blowing structure is opened after the front end of the photo filmstrip is moved past the inserter roller. When the front end comes near to the spool, the inserter roller is slowed down to an inserting speed, so as to ensure retention of the retainer holes of the front end on the retainer hooks of the spool
To shorten a cycle time of the system of JP-A 2-222946, a conveying speed of the photo filmstrip may be heightened. However this lengthens a distance by which the photo filmstrip is conveyed in a period which starts upon the passage of the front end of the photo filmstrip by the inserter roller and ends upon opening the photo film path. Also it lengthens a distance by which the photo filmstrip is conveyed in a period which starts upon opening the photo film path, and ends upon slowing down the conveying speed to the inserting speed. Consequently a distance between the inserter roller and the spool should be long enough. An insertion guide must be so long that the photo filmstrip is loosened between the inserter roller and the spool. An inserting operation is so unstable that the photo filmstrip is likely to be bent before insertion.

Perforator apparatus and perforating method for photo film, and photo film working/securing apparatus and method


A pipe joint can be attached to a hydraulic apparatus so as to be able to absorb vibrations of a pipe or the like connected to thereto. The pipe joint comprises a joint member having one end provided with an externally threaded portion in which external threads are cut, an annular clearance groove and an O ring squeezing surface, and an intermediate member to be fixedly screwed in the hydraulic apparatus, provided with an internally threaded portion in which internal threads are cut and an annular clearance groove. When the externally threaded portion of the joint member is screwed completely in the intermediate member, the externally threaded portion of the joint member drops into the annular clearance groove of the intermediate member, and the internally threaded portion of the intermediate member drops into the annular clearance groove of the joint member, so that the joint member is able to turn relative to the intermediate member.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a pipe joint for use in the piping of a hydraulic circuit including hydraulic apparatus and, more specifically, to a pipe joint effective for properly attaching an elbow to a hydraulic apparatus.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Referring to FIG. 13 showing a conventional washer-faced 90 degree elbow, the body 41 of the elbow has one end provided with a threaded portion 42 for screw engagement with a pipe and the other end provided with a threaded portion 43 for screw engagement with a hydraulic apparatus 47. In attaching the elbow to the hydraulic apparatus 47, the threaded portion 43 is screwed in a connection port 48 by a predetermined depth, the direction of the elbow is determined, and then, a locknut 44 is screwed down firmly against a backup washer 45 to fix the elbow in place. When the locknut 44 is screwed down, an O ring 46 is squeezed flat so as to be in close contact with the outer circumference of the body 41, the backup washer 45 and the inner surface of the connecting port 48 of the hydraulic apparatus 47 for sealing.
As mentioned above, since a conventional pipe joint is attached fixedly to the hydraulic apparatus 47, it is possible that leakage occurs due to the loosening of the pipe joint relative to the hydraulic apparatus 47 or the loosening of connection between the pipe joint and a pipe caused by the vibration of the pipe or the like if the direction of the pipe joint is not determined properly taking into consideration the handling of the pipe, and the movement and vibration of the pipe.
In screwing the elbow of FIG. 13 in the hydraulic apparatus 47, a cylindrical space of a radius l (FIG. 13 ) must be secured around the elbow. Therefore, in connecting a plurality of pipes to a hydraulic apparatus, such as an oil control valve provided on a forklift truck, in a limited space, some measures, such as attaching pipe joints in different heights, must be taken to avoid interference between the adjacent pipe joints. Therefore, in attaching conventional washer-faced elbows to a hydraulic apparatus, a sufficiently large space must be secured on the hydraulic apparatus and an appropriate method of attaching the pipe joint must be contrived. Thus, the conventional pipe joint is disadvantageous in collectively arranging a plurality of pipe joints, in arranging a plurality of pipe joints in a narrow space and removing some of a plurality of pipe joints from the hydraulic apparatus for replacement. Furthermore, since the O ring 46 is squeezed and the backup washer 45 must slide smoothly relative to the body 41 of the elbow in screwing down the locknut 44, the inside diameter of the backup washer 45 and the outside diameter of the O ring groove formed in the circumference of the body 41 must be finished in a considerably high accuracy, which is disadvantageous in manufacturing the elbow.

Kabushiki Kaisha Toyoda Jidoshokki Seisakusho


A catheter sheath for an irrigation catheter comprises an elongate member having a proximal end and a distal end and defining a lumen extending from the proximal end to the distal end. At least one electrode is arranged on the elongate member. A plurality of elongate elements are contained in the elongate member, the elongate elements comprising at least one electrical conductor and at least one element of a non-conductive material arranged adjacent the at least one electrical conductor to form at least one non-conductive region associated with the elongate member. At least one passage extends through a wall of the elongate member to intersect the non-conductive region and to be in communication with the lumen of the elongate member. The at least one passage has an outlet opening in, or adjacent, the at least one electrode.

In the heat treatment of a biological site in a patient's body, it is often necessary to cool the site being treated to inhibit damage to tissue at the site in the patient's body. Cooling is generally effected by irrigating the site with an appropriately sterilized liquid. The liquid is conveyed to an outlet opening through a conduit in a catheter.
The Applicant has filed an International Patent Application for an electrical lead under International Patent Application Number PCT/AU01/01339 dated Oct. 19, 2001. The electrical lead forming the subject matter of the International Patent Application has an unimpeded lumen and is suitable as a catheter sheath of an irrigation catheter. It lends itself to this application due to the fact that the unimpeded lumen facilitates insertion of items to assist in maneuvering and manipulating the electrode sheath while retaining a narrow diameter sheath which is beneficial in steering the catheter through the vascular system of the patient to the site of interest. The lumen can also be used as the conduit for the passage of the irrigation fluid to be emitted at a distal region while still maintaining the benefit of a catheter sheath having a narrower diameter than other catheters of which the Applicant is aware.
Throughout this specification the word "comprise," or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising," will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps.

Irrigation catheter and a method of fabricating