A thermal processing apparatus having a substrate holding unit for mounting a substrate, a housing for constituting a processing chamber to house the substrate mounted on the substrate holding unit, a heat source arranged around the housing, and a shielding means arranged between the heat source and an end of the substrate, the shielding means serving to shield heat radiation radiated into the end of the substrate.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a shielding unit arranged between an end of a substrate and a heat source, when the substrate such as a semiconductor substrate is subjected to a thermal processing. and the present invention relates to a thermal processing apparatus, and a thermal processing method of the same. The present invention relates more particularly to a thermal processing apparatus and a thermal processing method, in which the thermal processing is conducted with a high rising rate of the temperature of the substrate until it reaches to a desired value and excellent uniformity of temperature in a surface of the substrate can be achieved.
2. Description of the Related Art
A thermal processing technology for a semiconductor substrate such as Si and GaAs, and a glass substrate is inevitable on manufacturing of micro electronic devices such as DRAMs, SRAMs. EEPROMs and CCDs and panel display devices such as TFTs formed on glass.
For a thermal processing apparatus employed in such thermal processing, there are two systems: one is a sheet processing system for processing a sheet of a substrate, and the other is a batch system for processing a plurality of substrates simultaneously.
In both systems, it is inevitable to increase a rising rate or temperature per unit time until temperature in the thermal processing apparatus is raised to desired thermal processing temperature, namely, a lamp rate. A temperature distribution in a surface of the substrate to be treated should be uniform.
Since a total processing time for thermal processing can be shortened by virtue of a high lamp rate, a time required to manufacture semiconductor devices will be shortened.
Furthermore, in order to achieve a high integration of the semiconductor devices, a junction depth within the semiconductor devices must be small. Here, the magnitude of the junction depth is determined not only by a thermal processing time at desired temperature but also by the difference between heating values given to the substrate and that released from the substrate for a certain period of time. This certain period of time is from a time until the substrate rises to this desired temperature to a time until the substrate is cooled after thermal processing. In general, the higher the lamp rate, namely, the shorter a time until temperature rises to a desired value, the less the heating value given to the substrate. Therefore, the junction depth within the semiconductor device becomes shallower. In other words, it will be possible to form a shallower junction by increasing the lamp rate.
Furthermore, it is possible to achieve uniformity of characteristics of elements formed in the semiconductor substrate by making a temperature distribution in the substrate uniform, whereby a yield in manufacturing increases.
Furthermore, defects, for example, such as a slippage and a warp are caused by the temperature distribution in the substrate during the thermal processing. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of the defects by making the temperature distribution in the substrate uniform, whereby a high yield in manufacturing the semiconductor devices and an improvement of characteristics of the semiconductor devices are achieved.
To achieve the uniformity of the characteristics among the element and to prevent the occurrence of the defects in the substrate, it is important to make the temperature distribution in the surface of the substrate uniform, not only for a period of time of the thermal processing at the desired temperature but also for both periods of time of increasing the temperature of the substrate and decreasing the temperature of the substrate.
However, the increase in the uniformity of the temperature distribution of the substrate is generally contrary to the increase in the lamp rate. Namely, it becomes difficult to achieve uniformity in the temperature distribution in the substrate as the lamp rate increases. The reason for this fact will be described with reference to FIGS. 7(a) and 7(b). FIGS. 7(a) and 7(b) show an apparatus in which heat is radiated into a substrate 1 such as Si. Referring to FIGS. 7(a) and 7(b), the heat radiated into a surface of the substrate 1 is denoted as a symbol s, and the heat radiated perpendicularly into an end of the substrate 1 is denoted as a symbol p.
Particularly, while the temperature of the semiconductor substrate is low (see FIG. 7(a)), the substrate behaves as a transmissible body for the heat radiation, whereby the substrate will hardly absorb the heat. In a crystalline Si substrate of a low impurity concentration of about 1.times.10.sup.15 cm.sup.-3, when the temperature is below 600.degree. C., an absorption length for the heat radiation is, for example, about 10 mm.
Here, a thickness of the Si substrate is, for example, about 1 mm or less, and a diameter of the Si substrate is about several hundreds of millimeters. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7(a), sincu the absorption length for the heat radiation is longer in comparison with the thickness of the Si substrate, most of the heat S radiated into the surface of the substrate is not absorbed in the substrate, and it transmits through the substrate.
On the other hand, since the absorption length for the heat radiation is shorter in comparison with the diameter of the Si substrate, the heat P radiated into the end of the substrates approximately in perpendicular to the substrate, namely, in a parallel direction with the surface of the substrate, is absorbed in the substrate without transmitting through the substrate.
In the above-described manner, while the average temperatures of the substrate is in a low temperature range, the temperature in the end of the substrate increases at a higher rising rate in comparison with the center of the substrate. Therefore, the temperature in the end of the substrate becomes higher than that in the center of the substrate, whereby a large temperature difference is produced in the surface of the substrate.
When the average temperature of the substrate becomes high see FIG. 7(b)), the substrate shows a non-transmissible property for a heat radiation. The absorption length of the substrate for the heat radiation becomes very small in comparison with the thickness of the substrate. Therefore, if the heat radiation into the substrate from a heater is uniform, the substrate is heated uniformly, whereby the temperature rising rate becomes uniform.
However, the temperature difference between the end of the substrate and the center thereof is produced at the low temperature range. Although such temperature distribution in the substrate is extinguished by thermal conduction, time is needed until the temperature distribution in the substrate changes to be uniform perfectly.
Particularly, during a rapid thermal processing, the time until the substrate is raised to the desired temperature of 1000.degree. C. is, for example, only about 10 seconds. The time until the temperature of the substrate reaches the desired value after it has exceeded the low temperature range is not sufficient enough for the temperature difference to disappear by virtue of the thermal conduction, which was produced in the low temperature range.
For this reason, also in the range where the temperature of the substrate is high, the large temperature difference remains, so that there is a possibility of occurrence of slippages and the like.
The problem of the temperature difference in the surface of the substrate produced in the low temperature range during the above-described thermal processing is especially severe when the heat is radiated uniformly from both directions of the surface of the substrate and the end of the substrate. For example, in a hot wall type RTP (rapid thermal processing) apparatus employing a resistance heater there is a problem because a surface and an end of a substrate are radiated by heat with approximately equal intensity.
A structure of the conventional hot wall type RTP apparatus employing the resistance heater is illustrated in FIG. 8.
The conventional RTP apparatus comprises a substrate holding unit 2 for mounting a substrate 1; a housing 3 for constituting a processing chamber which houses the substrate 1 mounted on the substrate holding unit 2; a resistance heater 4 arranged around the housing 3; and a driving means 5 equipped to the substrate holding unit 2 to move upward and downward the substrate mounted on the substrate holding unit 2.
In the RTP apparatus having the above-described structure, the substrate 1 is mounted on the substrate holding unit 2, and the substrate holding unit 2 is, for example, moved upward by means of the driving means 5, whereby the substrate 1 is brought near the resistance heater 4. Thus, the temperature of the substrate 1 is raised quickly. Furthermore, by holding the substrate 1 close to the resistance heater 4, the temperature of the substrate 1 is kept constant. Furthermore, the substrate 1 is kept away from the resistance heater4 by moving the substrate holding unit 2, for example, downward by means of the driving means 5, whereby the temperature of the substrate 1 is cooled quickly.
The RTP apparatus employing the above described resistance heater has a structure such that the resistance heater 4 surrounds the substrate 1 during the thermal processing. Consequently, the RTP is able to perform the thermal processing for the substrate 1 utilizing thermal energy more effectively, in comparison with, for example, a thermal processing apparatus which heats a substrate using a lamp. In addition, the RTP apparatus has a feature in that the apparatus is able to keep the temperature of the substrate constant stably during the thermal processing.
However, as described above, since the RTP apparatus is constructed such that heat is radiated in the directions toward both the surface of the substrate 1 and the end thereof from the outside approximately uniformly, there is the problem that the temperature difference between the surface of the center and the end thereof exists due to the transmissible property of the substrate for the heat radiation while the temperature of the substrate is raised, especially during the low temperature range.
Furthermore, since the temperature of the substrate is raised rapidly until it reaches the desired temperature, there is a problem that the temperature difference occurred while the temperature of the substrate is in the low temperature range can not be perfectly lessened by the thermal conduction.
In order to solve these problems, a method is considered, wherein in course of raising the temperature of the substrate 1, a rise in the temperature of the substrate 1 is stopped at the temperature of the substrate 1, for example, at about 600 to 700.degree. C., and the temperature of the substrate 1 is kept at this temperature until the temperature difference caused in the low temperature range is perfectly extinguished by the thermal conduction. However, when this method is employed, the time until the temperature of the substrate 1 reaches to the desired value is prolonged, whereby the total time for the thermal processing becomes long.
As described above, the conventional RTP apparatus employing the resistance heater involves inherently a problem of difficulty in increasing a rising rate of the temperature of the substrate as well as in shortening the processing time. In the conventional RTP, there is also a problem of difficulty in achieving uniformity of the temperature in the substrate uniform.

Thermal processing apparatus with a shield between heater and substrate


An electric linear actuator includes an output shaft which is non-rotatable but displaceable in an axial direction and which has one end thereof coupled to a driven device; a cylindrical member arranged coaxially with the output shaft and rotatably about the output shaft, and driven by an electric motor for rotation; and a feed screw mechanism arranged between the output shaft and the cylindrical member for converting a rotating motion of the cylindrical member to a linear motion of the output shaft. The feed screw mechanism has a male spiral groove formed in the outer peripheral surface of the output shaft; a nut cylinder secured on the inner peripheral side of the cylindrical member and formed with a plurality of circular holes; and a plurality of balls accommodated in the circular holes and engaged with the male spiral groove.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an electric linear actuator. A linear actuator is utilized, for example, for driving a flow rate control valve or the like disposed in a hydraulic circuit.
2. Related Background Art
In a hydraulic circuit provided, for example, in an automotive vehicle, an electric linear actuator is preferably employed in order to drive a flow rate control valve based on an instruction from a controller. Generally, linear actuator constituted by a combination of a solenoid and a compression spring has been used. This type of linear actuator is constructed such that a displacement member such as a rod is urged by the compression spring in one of the axial directions, and when this displacement member need is to be displaced, the solenoid is energized to displace the displacement member in the axial direction against the urging force of the compression spring. The displacement member is displaced and stopped at a position where the urging force of the compression spring balances with a force of the solenoid. A displacement amount of the displacement member is adjusted by controlling the amount of current to the solenoid and changing the magnitude of force which the solenoid exerts on the displacement member.
An electric linear actuator utilizing a solenoid as mentioned above requires a large current to be supplied to the solenoid when the displacement member is to be displaced against the urging force of the compression spring. However, a large current unfavorably causes an excessive load on a battery. Also, the structure for urging a displacement member by a compression spring as mentioned above presents large hysteresis, whereby even if an identical amount of current is supplied to the solenoid, a displacement amount of the displacement member can vary widely. For this reason, it is quite difficult to finely adjust an opening angle of a flow rate control valve by a linear actuator.
To solve the above problem, the present assignee has proposed an electric linear actuator as shown in FIGS. 11-12 (Japanese Patent Application No. 3-201142). Referring to FIG. 11, this electric linear actuator comprises an output shaft 124 made displaceable only in the axial direction by a support 122 formed in a housing 120; a cylinder 126 arranged concentrically with this output shaft 124 for rotation about it; a torsion coil spring 130 arranged between the cylinder 126 and a casing 128 for applying to the cylinder 126 an urging force in the circumferential direction; a feed screw 135 arranged between the outer peripheral surface of the output shaft 124 and the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder 126 for displacing the output shaft 124 in the axial direction with the rotation of the cylinder 126; and an electric motor 132 arranged inside the casing 128 for rotating the cylinder 126, when energized, against the urging force of the torsion coil spring 130. The feed screw 135 is constituted by a spiral groove 138 formed in the outer peripheral surface of the output shaft 124, another spiral groove 140 formed in the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder 126, and a multiplicity of balls 142 accommodated between both grooves. An end of the output shaft 124 is inserted into a guiding portion 121 of the housing 120 which guides the output shaft 124 so as to block its rotation and allow displacement only in the axial direction.
In the above-mentioned electric linear actuator, when the electric motor 132 is not energized, the cylinder 126 is subjected to the rotational fore of the torsion coilspring 130. This force acts, by way of the feed screw 135, to bring the output shaft to one end of its range of movement in th axial direction. On the other hand, when the electric motor 132 is energized, the cylinder 126 is rotated until a rotating torque of the electric motor 132 determined in accordance with an amount of current balances with the urging force of the torsion coilspring 130, and the cylinder 126 is stopped in the balanced state. With the rotation of the cylinder 126, the output shaft 124 is displaced by the feed screw 135 toward the other end of its range of movement in the axial direction.
The above-mentioned electric linear actuator solves the problem inherent in conventional electric linear actuators utilizing a solenoid by virtue of the feed screw which smoothly operates to convert the moving direction of the output shaft. However, the following problems are still left unsolved.
Specifically, since the feed screw 135 for displacing the output shaft 124 in the axial direction with the rotation of the cylinder 126 is realized by a ball and thread mechanism constituted by the spiral grooves 138, 140 and balls 142, it requires a returning tube for the balls, which have moved to ends of the spiral grooves 138, 140, to be returned to the other ends of the spiral grooves 38, 140. Consequently, the feed screw 135 becomes complicated and large in size, thereby presenting difficulties in designing an electric linear actuator to be installed in a narrow area.


A network management system includes a processor and a memory that is accessible by the processor. A computer program is embedded within the memory. The computer program includes instructions to detect the receipt of one or more modified management messages. Each of the one or more modified management messages includes one or more modified data packets having a unique identifier. The computer program further includes instructions to determine an originating device associated with each of the unique identifiers. In a particular embodiment, the unique identifier is a predetermined device management password. Further, the predetermined device management password is a community string for a simple network management protocol data packet.

Network management is important to businesses, government agencies, schools, banks, hospitals, and other institutions having multiple computers connected via a network. Simple network management protocol (SNMP) is one solution for remotely managing devices connected via a network. SNMP can be used to monitor managed devices using a polling method or a trapping method. A polling method allows a network management system (NMS) to collect information from remotely managed devices by prompting the managed devices to send management messages to the NMS on a specific schedule. On the other hand, a trapping method allows remotely managed devices to automatically send management messages to an NMS without prompting. In a management message sent via SNMP, the source Internet protocol (IP) address is recorded in the IP header of the message and in the payload of the message.
For networked devices to communicate with each other, every networked device has a unique IP address. For example, each device connected to the Internet is assigned a unique IP address having the following format ###.###.###.###. As such, each device can be identified when necessary. A range of available IP addresses are reserved for use by private networks and the same private IP addresses can be used in different private networks. Request for comment (RFC) 1918 indicates that the private addresses include the IP addresses from 10.0.0.0 to 10.255.255.255, the IP addresses from 172.16.0.0 to 172.31.255.255, and the IP addresses from 192.168.0.0 to 192.168.255.255.
In certain instances, one private network may have a plurality of devices that have the same private IP address as devices in another private network. This typically is not a problem because the networks are private and are not interconnected. If the privately networked devices do interact via a public network, e.g., the Internet, network address translation (NAT) can modify the IP address in the header of a message in order to assign a unique identifier to the header of the message. However, NAT does not modify the payload of the message. When managing multiple private networks via a public network, it is possible for duplicate IP addresses to occur in the payloads of management messages. Thus, it can be very difficult to manage multiple private networks via a public network using SNMP and NAT.
Accordingly, there is a need for an improved system and method for managing multiple private networks via a public network.

System and method for managing devices within a private network via a public network


Articles for increasing lubrication of a joint are described herein. The articles include resorbable, biocompatible particles having a glass transition temperature within a joint of less than about 37° C. and capable of increasing fluid movement within the joint compared to synovial fluid, viscosupplemental fluid, or combinations thereof. A composition for increasing lubrication of a joint is also disclosed. The composition includes the resorbable, biocompatible particles and a carrier fluid. Methods of lubricating a joint and treating disease affecting the joint such as osteoarthritis are also described herein. The methods include introducing the resorbable, biocompatible particles into a joint.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is directed to assisting in lubricating the joints of mammals and methods of treating osteoarthritis and joint-related pain and ailments.
2. Description of Related Art
Synovial joints such as hip, knee, shoulder and ankle joints are surrounded by an envelope or synovial capsule. The inner layer of the synovial capsule is called a synovial membrane which produces synovial fluid. The fluid is partially stored within the joint cartilage and the remaining fluid circulates freely within the synovial capsule. The capsule maintains the fluid within the joint. In a hip joint, a ring of soft tissue called the acetabular labrum aids in maintaining the fluid in the femoral-acetabular interface. The fluid lubricates and thus reduces friction inside of the joint. In ball and socket synovial joints, the fluid lubricates the ball and socket interface, particularly during movement. For example, the wringing action of the synovial capsule in a hip joint, particularly during flexion and extension movement of the joint, and the paddling action of the femoral neck combine to pump synovial fluid into and across the femoral-acetabular interface thus lubricating the joint. The synovial fluid also cushions the joints during movement, provides oxygen and nutrients to the joint cartilage and removes carbon dioxide and metabolic waste.
Synovial fluid is generally composed of hyaluronic acid, lubricin, proteinases, and collagenases. The hyaluronic acid imparts anti-inflammatory and pain-reducing properties to the normal synovial fluid and contributes to joint lubrication and cushioning during movement. Synovial fluid also exhibits non-Newtonian flow characteristics and thixotropy where the fluid viscosity decreases over time under stress due to movement.
A lack of synovial fluid within the joint, particularly within the ball and socket interface, can aggravate arthritic conditions. Osteoarthritis, the wear and tear of aging, and other injuries or ailments can cause irregularity of the joint surface. In a hip joint, osteoarthritis can also cause fraying of the acetabular labrum resulting in the loss of its gasket-like sealing property. The fraying of the labrum allows migration of the synovial fluid away from the femoral-acetabular interface. Gravity also acts on vertical synovial joints such as hip joints by drawing the synovial fluid downward and away from the femoral-acetabular interface. Moreover, the stress and/or inflammation in synovial joints over time reduce the viscosity of the fluid making it a less effective lubricant and more difficult for the fluid to effectively coat the joint interface. This reduction in synovial fluid flow in the joint interface often results in further reduction in the sealing capacity of the labrum and roughening or incongruity of the joint interface causing increased pain and stiffness in the joint. The pain and stiffness causes a decrease in the motion of the joint resulting in a loss of the pumping action and decrease in the flow of the synovial fluid in the joint interface. This can eventually lead to joint replacement surgery.
To address this problem, artificial lubricants have been developed to replace and/or supplement the lubricating and cushioning action of the synovial fluid in the joint. These lubricants are generally referred to as viscosupplements and generally include hyaluronic acid. However, the degradation of the acetabular labrum associated with osteoarthritis can result in leakage and decreased flow of the viscosupplements. Thus, multiple viscosupplement treatments can be required.
Others have proposed the injection of biodegradable microparticles containing therapeutic agents into the arthritic joints. U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos. 2007/0141160 and 2010/0016257 to Brown, et al. disclose a method of treatment that includes intra-articular injection of biodegradable, polymer microparticles in a carrier vehicle. The microparticles are 5 to 150 microns and may be introduced with a carrier vehicle such as one including a therapeutic agent, for example, hyaluronic acid. The composition is injected into the intra-articular space of a joint to treat joint pain associated with osteoarthritis.
Other treatments to address this issue include joint replacement surgery, arthroscopic surgery, medication and physical therapy. Joint replacement surgery includes replacement of the joint with a prosthetic implant. The prosthetic implant may be constructed of various materials including metal and polymer materials. In addition the typical health risks associated with major joint surgery in older patients, risks and complications of the procedure include infection, dislocation, loosening, or impingement of the implant. In hip replacement surgery, the risks also include fractures of the femur. Moreover, the implant may wear over time causing dissemination of metal and polymer debris within the joint and body, in general.
There exists a need in the art for other innovative methods to improve joint lubrication and thus address the degradation and reduction in the circulation of synovial fluid associated with aging, osteoarthritis, injuries and other ailments. The method will preferably relieve pain and extend joint life to avoid the drawbacks associated with joint replacement surgery and to improve on existing treatments.

Method, composition, and articles for improving joint lubrication


An asphalt plant includes a rotary dryer, a rotary mixer, a conduit for transferring gas from the mixer to the dryer, and a flame arrester in the conduit adjacent to the dryer to prevent a fire from propagating from the dryer back through the conduit.

The present invention relates to asphalt plants, and, in particular, to a design of an asphalt plant which solves the problem of explosions.
In many asphalt plants, air is pulled through a rotary mixer, taking with it particulates, water vapor and hydrocarbon gas. When the level of water vapor is low and the hydrocarbon content is high, the mixture may be readily combustible, and explosions have been known to occur at a number of different asphalt plants because of this combustible mixture. These explosions cause great property damage, and there is a risk of causing serious bodily injury to the people operating the plant.


Embodiments of the subject technology for deep learning based reservoir modelling provides for receiving input data comprising information associated with one or more well logs in a region of interest. The subject technology determines, based at least in part on the input data, an input feature associated with a first deep neural network (DNN) for predicting a value of a property at a location within the region of interest. Further, the subject technology trains, using the input data and based at least in part on the input feature, the first DNN. The subject technology predicts, using the first DNN, the value of the property at the location in the region of interest. The subject technology utilizes a second DNN that classifies facies based on the predicted property in the region of interest.

Geological models may be used to represent subsurface volumes of the earth. In some geological modeling systems, a subsurface volume may be divided into a grid consisting of cells or blocks and geological properties may be defined or predicted for the cells or blocks.
In one or more implementations, not all of the depicted components in each figure may be required, and one or more implementations may include additional components not shown in a figure. Variations in the arrangement and type of the components may be made without departing from the scope of the subject disclosure. Additional components, different components, or fewer components may be utilized within the scope of the subject disclosure.


Provided are a silicon-containing compound having carbazole and fluorene in its molecule and an organic electroluminescent device including an organic layer employing the same. The silicon-containing compound is represented by the following formula:

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a silicon-containing compound and an organic electroluminescent device employing the same.
2. Description of the Related Art
Electroluminescent devices are a self-emission type display device and have a wide viewing angle, a high contrast ratio, and a short response time. Due to such characteristics, electroluminescent devices are getting more attention.
Electroluminescent devices are generally classified into inorganic electroluminescent devices including an emitting layer employing an inorganic compound and organic electroluminescent devices including an emitting layer employing an organic compound. Specifically, organic electroluminescent devices have higher luminescent characteristics, a lower driving voltage, and a shorter response time than inorganic electroluminescent devices. In addition, organic electroluminescent devices produce various colors. Due to those characteristics, much research into organic electroluminescent devices is being performed. In general, an organic electroluminescent device has a stack structure of anode/organic emitting layer/cathode, or when a hole injection layer and/or a hole transport layer and/or an electron injection layer are further stacked between the anode and the emitting layer or between the emitting layer and the cathode, a stack structure of anode/hole transport layer/organic emitting layer/cathode or a stack structure of anode/hole transport layer/organic emitting layer/electron transport layer/cathode.
Meanwhile, a polyphenyl compound or anthracene derivatives are well known as a hole transport layer forming material (see U.S. Pat. No. 6,596,415 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,465,115). However, organic electroluminescent devices employing conventional hole injection layer and/or hole transport layer forming materials still needs to be improved in terms of lifetime, efficiency, and power consumption.

Silicon-containing compound and organic electroluminescent device employing the same

Abstract: The silicon-containing compound has excellent electrical characteristics and a charge transporting capability, the silicon-containing compound can be used as a hole injecting material, a hole transporting material, and/or a light emitting material that are suitable for all-color fluorescent and phosphorescent organic light emitting devices such as red, green, blue, and white fluorescent and phosphorescent organic light emitting devices. When the silicon-containing compound is used to manufacture an organic electroluminescent device, the organic electroluminescent device has a high efficiency, a low driving voltage, high luminosity, and a long lifetime.

Nongseo-Dong, Giheung-Gu, Yongin, Gyunggi-Do


A ballast water treatment apparatus equipped with devices for injecting bromine salt and ozone includes a ballast pipe, a ballast pump, a bromine salt injection part and an ozone processor, wherein the injection part includes a bromine salt storage tank; a bromine salt transfer pipe connected to the ballast pipe for injecting bromine salt supplied from the bromine salt storage tank into the ballast pipe; and a bromine salt injection pump in the transfer pipe for pressurizing bromine salt to be injected into the ballast pipe, and the ozone processor includes an ozone injection device for supplying ozone to the ballast pipe; a mixer in the ballast pipe for mixing ozone supplied from the ozone injection device and seawater transferred into the ballast pipe; and an ozone transfer pipe connected to the mixer of the ballast pipe for injecting ozone supplied from the ozone injection device into the ballast pipe.

For a ship whose cargo is unloaded, or when a ship is operated with a very small amount of loaded cargo, ballast tanks formed on both sides of the bottom of the ship are filled with freshwater or seawater for buoyancy adjustment to prevent the ship being unbalanced. The freshwater or seawater used in this case is called ballast water.
Since freshwater or seawater used as ballast water contains various organisms such as pathogens and plankton, discharging ballast water into coastal regions without any treatment may lead to serious marine pollution and destruction of ecosystems.
Based on this situation, in 1996, in the United States, by establishing the national invasive species law, exotic species were defined as invaders and the management and control of ballast water became mandatory. In addition, in Australia, the quarantine law was amended, and ballast water was defined as imported cargo subject to quarantine.
In addition, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) concluded an international agreement in February 2004. According to this agreement, a ship must be equipped with necessary equipment to sterilize ballast water starting in 2009, and in case of violation, the ship is completely prohibited from entering. Accordingly, various techniques for treating ballast water have recently been developed. As a representative example, there is a technology of disinfecting and purifying ballast water using ozone (03). In this regard, the present inventors also filed patent applications No. 16091, No. 17653 and No. 19305 for ballast water treatment apparatuses in 2007, and were granted corresponding patents (No. 10-769834, No. 10-775238, and No. 10-802889, respectively).
However, in the conventional ballast water treatment apparatus using ozone as described above, because ozone is only stable for a short time, the sterilizing capacity of ozone can be maintained for a short time from the moment when ozone is dissolved, and thereafter, ozone is decomposed. Therefore, there is a disadvantage in that continuous sterilization is difficult when using ozone.
On the other hand, when ozone comes in contact with a trace amount of bromine salt in seawater, hypobromous acid (HBrO) is formed through the following reaction formula.Br−±O3+H2O→HBrO+OH−+O2
The generated hypobromous acid remains in seawater, and sterilization action may be continued, but generation of hypobromous acid is poor in the case of seawater containing a low content of bromine salt or low salt water. Therefore, there is a disadvantage in that generation of hypobromous acid, which is responsible for maintaining sterilizing power, is irregular depending on the conditions of seawater.
Therefore, an electrolysis method using chlorine which has a longer residence time than ozone has been developed. However, there is a problem in that a post-treatment process should be carried out with a device for neutralizing chlorine because the chlorine-containing water should not be discharged into the sea.

Ballast water treatment device having device for injecting bromine salt and ozone


In a method for setting the clamping force, which is exerted by a parking brake, a portion of which clamping force is at least partially generated by an electromechanical braking device having an electric actuator, and another portion is additionally generated by an additional braking device, as needed, the actual force curve is determined and compared to a characteristic, defined force curve to determine the magnitude of the electromechanical clamping force to be supplied by the electric actuator. If the actual force curve corresponds to the characteristic force curve, then, in addition to the electromechanical clamping force, an additional clamping force of the additional braking device is also taken into account for obtaining the setpoint clamping force.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method for setting the clamping force exerted by a parking brake in a vehicle.
2. Description of the Related Art
German patent DE 103 61 042 B3 describes an electromechanical parking brake, which has an electric brake motor as an actuator, during the operation of which a brake piston having a brake pad is axially pressed against a brake disk. The magnitude of the clamping force is controlled via the supply of power to the brake motor.
In addition, it is known that electromechanical parking brakes may be combined with the hydraulic vehicle brake, in that the hydraulic pressure of the vehicle brake supportingly acts upon the brake piston, so that the clamping force is made up of an electromotive and a hydraulic portion.

Method for setting the clamping force exerted by a parking brake


A power recharging system may include an electrical conductor connected to a first aircraft and configured to connect to a second aircraft while the aircrafts are in flight. An AC signal may be induced in the electrical conductor it is in proximity to a changing magnetic field. The system may include a first rectifier circuit at the first aircraft that converts the AC signal into a DC signal for charging the first aircraft and a second rectifier circuit at the second aircraft that converts the AC signal into a second DC signal for charging the second aircraft. The electrical conductor may be part of a communication line. A communication system at the first aircraft may send and receive data communications via the communication line.

Drones may be safer and cheaper than traditional crewed aircraft and, in some cases, drones may have more capability. For this reason, drones are desirable in both military and commercial applications. One benefit of drones is that their size may be significantly smaller than crewed aircraft. However, as the size of drones are reduced, it may become challenging to maintain sufficient power for long flight times.
One solution is to provide landing stations at locations along a flightpath to enable the drone to land and recharge its power system. In some alternatives, a power storage device, e.g., battery or capacitor, may be swapped out for another. This may enable quickly providing drones with additional power for flight. However, in order to perform these charging operations, the drone typically lands on the landing station. By landing, time may be lost when the drone could be travelling or performing its desired function. Thus, typical methods for recharging drones may be inefficient. Another disadvantage of this approach is the high cost of building and maintaining power stations along the flight path. In addition, such landing pads can interfere with existing infrastructure or be aesthetically unappealing.
In some cases, drones may be equipped with looped magnetic field capture coils. These coils may be attached to a transformer of the drone at both ends of the coil. The coil may also have multiple loops in order to capture electrical energy from a magnetic field while the drone is near a magnetic field source. However, because these coils are looped and attached to the drone at both ends, it may be difficult to position the coils near the magnetic field source while the drone is in flight without risking an in-air collision due to gusts of wind for example. It may be particularly difficult to position a looped coil near a magnetic field source when the magnetic field source is a power transmission line. Another challenge associated with harvesting electrical power from a magnetic field source is positioning a coil relative to the magnetic field source (i.e., orienting the coil within the magnetic field) to optimize a level of generated power.
Flying drones near magnetic field sources, such as power transmission lines, may also be associated with various additional challenges. For example, if the drones want to communicate with each other at high data rates they may need to do this through airborne optical communication because radio frequency (RF) communication may be limited. Airborne optical communication may rely on lenses or reflective dishes that must be properly orientated to focus the light to provide enough gain to recover a signal. Lenses, dishes, and gimbals tend to bulky and heavy and therefore may not be suitable for small drones. Further, it may be difficult to send and receive airborne communications due to potential interference. Wind and weather patterns may increase the risk of collisions between drones, or the risk of contact between a drone and the power transmission line. Also, harvesting electrical power results in a cost to a utilities operator that operates the power grid associated with the power transmission lines. Typical power grids are not capable of identifying when electrical power is harvested from magnetic fields surrounding power transmission lines. Other disadvantages may exist


The present invention provides a coating for a transparent substrate which exhibits a neutral color through a wide range of angles of incidence a light. The coating employs a base coat adjacent to the transparent substrate having a thickness of no more than about 275 Angstroms and may include two reflective metal layers having an intermediate layer of an anti-reflective metal oxide therebetween and an outer anti-reflective layer of metal oxide over the second reflective metal layer. If so desired, the coating of the invention may include an abrasive-resistant overcoat as its outer most layer. This overcoat is desirably formed of an abrasive-resistant metal oxide, such as zinc oxide, applied at a thickness which does not significantly affect the optical properties of said coated substrate.

High visible transmittance, low emissivity coatings applied to transparent substrates such as glass are characterized by their ability to transmit visible light while minimizing the transmittance of other wavelengths of light, such as light in the infrared spectrum. This characteristic is particularly useful for reducing radiative heat transfer without impairing visibility, such as in architectural glass or automobile windows. For aesthetic reasons, in many such applications it is important to maintain reflection relatively consistent throughout the visible spectrum so that the coating has a "neutral" color, i.e., is essentially colorless.
Generally speaking, such high transmittance, low emissivity coatings comprise a "film stack" having at least one thin metallic film or layer with high infrared reflectance and low transmissivity disposed between metal oxide layers. The metallic layer may be virtually any reflective metal, such as silver, copper or gold, with silver being the most frequently-used metal for this application due to its relatively neutral color. Metal oxides useful in high transmittance, low emissivity films including oxides of titanium, hafnium, zirconium, niobium, zinc, bismuth, indium and tin. Prior art systems have also employed oxides of metal alloys, such as zinc stannate or oxides of indium/tin alloys.
The metal oxide layers of such coatings serve two important functions. First, they serve to reduce the visible reflection of the film stack, enhancing transmittance. The metal oxides used in these layers should have a relatively high index of refraction, e.g., on the order of 2.0 or more, in order to achieve this end. According to commonly accepted principles in the art, the metal oxide layer between the transparent (e.g., glass) substrate and the first metallic layer must be at least 300 Angstroms (A) in order to obtain a neutral, high transmitting coating; such layers more commonly are between about 400 and 700 A in thickness.
Second, the metal oxide layers should serve to protect the reflective metal layer from the environment. Once such coated substrates are assembled and installed for use, the film stack is frequently isolated from contact with the environment, as by disposing the film stack between two spaced panes of glass in a composite window structure. However, before these products are assembled, the film stack is frequently subjected to relatively harsh conditions, such as by handling, shipping or washing.
A variety of attempts have been made to enhance the ability of the metal oxide layers to protect the reflective metal layer in such film stacks. For instance, Gillery, et al. teach the use of titanium oxide as a protective overcoat in U.S. Pat. No. 4,786,563, the teachings of which are incorporated herein by reference. Although Gillery, et al. explain that titanium oxides achieve the best results, they note that such an overcoat could be formed of a metal instead of a metal oxide; titanium and alloys of iron or nickel are listed as prime candidates for such a metal layer. Gillery, et al. also teach that certain other oxides simply lack the requisite durability to be used as a protective overcoat. Zinc oxide, bismuth oxide and tin oxide are all listed as having undesirable properties, such as a lack of durability, which make them unsuitable for a protective overcoat.
However, it has been found that the use of a titanium oxide overcoat such as that taught by Gillery, et al. is particularly prone to scratching or abrasion during shipping and washing operations. For instance, when coated substrates are washed before being assembled into a final product, the film stack comes into physical contact with a washing apparatus. It has been found that such a washing stage can physically abrade an overcoat of titanium oxide or the like, noticeably degrading the appearance of the finished article.
The particular composition of the layers of a film stack, as well as their relative thicknesses, must be carefully chosen in order to achieve the desired properties in the coated substrate. As noted above, in addition to maximizing visible transmittance while minimizing emissivity, in many instances it is desirable that a film stack have a neutral color. It has been possible to provide coatings for substrates which have an acceptable neutral color in transmission when viewed at an angle of incidence generally perpendicular to the plane of the film. However, as the angle of incidence is decreased, the film stack will tend to exhibit increasing color in transmission. It has been noted that film stacks which are nearly completely neutral when viewed at a perpendicular angle will tend to exhibit a distinct, visible color when viewed at a more acute angle. Windows of buildings or cars are viewed from various angles, of course, so variations in color of film stacks can frequently be detected in use.
It would be desirable to provide a film stack which serves as a high visible transmittance, low emissivity coating for a substrate, yet remains substantially neutral at a wide range of angles of incidence. Additionally, it would be desirable to provide the film stack with a protective coating which can withstand the rigors of normal handling associated with such substrates.

High transmittance, low emissivity coatings for substrates


The invention relates to a system (1) for stimulating renal nerves of a renal artery of a subject (3). The system comprises a stimulation device (12, 17, 28) for stimulating the renal nerves, a measuring unit (20) for measuring the blood pressure and/or the heart rate of the subject at at least two times, wherein at least one of these times is during or after the stimulation of the renal nerves, and a subject suitability determination unit (14) for determining whether the subject is suitable for a renal sympathetic denervation procedure based on the measured blood pressure and/or the measured heart rate. The invention allows therefore for a preselection of subjects which are suitable for a renal sympathetic denervation procedure.

The article "Catheter-based renal sympathetic denervation for resistant hypertension: a multicenter safety and proof-of-principle cohort study" by H. Krum et al., The Lancet, volume 373, pages 1275 to 1281 (2009) discloses a renal sympathetic denervation (RDN) procedure for treating hypertension, wherein the RDN procedure is carried out by using transvascular radio frequency (RF) ablation.
The RDN procedure has the disadvantage that only about 20 percent of the patients, who undergo the RDN procedure, respond with a significant decrease in blood pressure. Thus, many patients are treated by using the transvascular RF ablation procedure without significantly improving the hypertension problem.


An LED backlight source drive circuit, an LED backlight source and a liquid crystal display device are provided. LED backlight source drive circuit includes a voltage input terminal, a coupling module, and a rectifier module. The coupling module is connected to the voltage input terminal for receiving a current complying with a total working voltage of two power consumption modules from the voltage input terminal, and converting the current into a current complying with a working voltage of one power consumption module. The rectifier module is connected to the coupling module for inputting the current complying with the working voltage of one power consumption module into two serially-connected power consumption modules, thereby supplying power to the power consumption modules. The LED backlight source and the liquid crystal display device include two power consumption modules and the above LED backlight source drive circuit.

With the rapid development of electronic technologies, liquid crystal display devices become more popular. As known, a drive circuit is used for driving the backlight source of an electronic device such as a liquid crystal display device or a liquid crystal computer.
FIG. 1 is a schematic circuit diagram illustrating the connection between a drive circuit and LED light strips of a conventional liquid crystal display device. As shown in FIG. 1, the LED backlight source of the liquid crystal display device is an LED light strip. The drive circuit for driving the LED light strip comprises an external power supply input terminal U, a boost module 40, a control module N, a rectifier module 20, a filtering module Co, a current sampling module 5, and a light-adjusting module 7.
The boost module 40 is used for receiving the current from the external power supply input terminal U and converting the current into an increased voltage required to power the LED light strip. Then, the increased voltage from the boost module 40 is transmitted to the rectifier module 20.
By the rectifier module 20, the current from the boost module 40 is rectified into a rectified current, and the rectified current is inputted into the filtering module Co and the LED light strips.
The filtering module Co is used for storing the current from the boost module 40 and gradually releasing the current to the LED light strip.
The light-adjusting module 7 is used for receiving a light-adjusting signal and a start signal from an external circuit board (not shown), and transmitting the light-adjusting signal and the start signal to the control module N.
After the start signal is received by the control module N, the control module N enters a working state. In the working state, the magnitude of the current flowing through the LED light strip is sensed by the control module N through the current sampling module 5. According to the light-adjusting signal, the current from the boost module 40 to the rectifier module 20 is adjusted to a desired magnitude by the control module N.
Moreover, the boost module 40 comprises an inductor and a MOS transistor. By controlling the frequency of turning on/off the MOS transistor, the magnitude of the voltage corresponding to the output current of the boost module 40 is controlled by the control module N.
In accordance with the conventional driving method, a boost module 40 is able to drive only one corresponding LED light strip. That is, the drive circuit composed of one boost module 40, one rectifier module 20, one filtering module Co and one current sampling module 5 can be used for driving one LED light strip. For driving two LED light strips, the drive circuit should comprise two boost modules 40, two rectifier modules 20, two filtering modules Co and two current sampling modules 5, and the control module N should be implemented by multiple chips.
From the above discussions, it is found that the conventional drive circuit for driving the LED light strips still has some drawbacks.
For example, if only two LED light strips are installed in an electronic device, the drive circuit for driving these two LED light strips needs two boost modules 40 as shown in FIG. 1. Since the electronic components of the boost module 40 are relatively costly, the electronic device with the drive circuit has higher fabricating cost.

LED backlight source drive circuit, LED backlight source and liquid crystal display device


A scanning apparatus for scanning an object includes a casing, a scanning module, at least one sensor, and a control unit. The control unit is electrically connected to the scanning module and the sensor for receiving a detecting signal generated by the sensor so as to actuate the scanning module to scan, and the scanning module then generates a first image of a first scanned page and a second image of a second scanned page. The control unit further includes a recognition unit for recognizing whether the first image along with the second image are continuous. As the recognition unit recognizes the first image and the second image to be discontinuous, the control unit generates an insertion image between the first image and the second image.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a scanning apparatus, and more particularly, to a scanning apparatus for scanning a binding document.
2. Description of the Prior Art
With the growth of scanning technology, scanners are becoming widespread and applied at home or office. A scanner is capable of capturing objects and is utilized in scanning documents, photos, and books. The captured digital image data can be displayed and stored in a computer, so that the image data can be permanently stored and the space that the objects occupied may be saved; meanwhile, the image data can also be edited or delivered by the user for a variety of applications of the image data.
Scanners can be classified into flatbed scanners and sheet-fed scanners according to different operation. The sheet-fed scanner is capable of automatically feeding sheets and is generally used for scanning a large amount of sheets. The flatbed scanner is particularly used for scanning binding documents or books. It is impractical to scan the binding documents or a book by the sheet-fed scanner without detaching the sheets from the binding. However, the binding documents or books can properly be scanned by use of the flatbed scanner. When a book is opened and placed on a scanning flatbed, the spine of the book makes it difficult to fully lay flat on the scanning flatbed, causing unsatisfactory scanning result like lack of clarity or shadows on the images. Hence, a flatbed scanner with an inclined surface can properly place the spine and the pages of the book can be laid flat on the flatbed such that a clear image may be obtained. However, the book to be scanned has odd pages and even pages, these scanners with one inclined surface can only scan one page at a time and need a 180 degrees rotation of the book after finishing scanning an odd page before the even page can be scanned. Also when scanning discontinuous pages, such as merely even pages or merely odd pages, the conventional scanner is incapable of recognizing that these pages are discontinuous. Therefore, it is an important issue to design a scanner capable of recognizing the discontinuous pages and automatically carrying out appropriate procedures so that the discontinuous pages may be distinguished for conveniently previewing, reading, and printing.


A multi-step method of detecting a gene in a nuclear chromosome which is involved in mitochondrial recombination is disclosed. The method disclosed includes the steps: a) fusing enucleated .omega..sup.- mitochondrial donor cells expressing a first marker gene with nucleus-containing .omega..sup.+ mitochondrial recipient cells expressing a second marker gene different from the first marker gene to form fused cells wherein the fused cells have one type of mitochondria and b) selecting fused cells that are .omega..sup.+ and express the first and second marker genes to identify those enucleated .omega..sup.- mitochondrial donor cells with a reduced recombination frequency. The method includes the further steps of judging that the gene in a nuclear chromosome of the recipient cells involved in mitochondrial recombination is normal when the mitochondrial recombination frequency is high or that the gene is mutated when the recombination frequency is low. The judging steps permit the detection of a mutant gene in a nuclear chromosome of the recipient cells used for cell fusion. An isolated mhr1 and MHR1 gene coding for a polypeptide is also disclosed.

Mitochondria are organelles present in eukaryotic cells and they play a role in synthesizing ATP, which is energy source between generated by oxidative phosphorylation of substances, through an electron transport system.
Mitochondria contain high levels of reactive oxygen species as by-products of oxygen respiration. Reactive oxygen species are continually damaging mitochondrial DNA oxidatively. In order to maintain their DNA and their functions as organelles, mitochondria must have a mechanism for repairing such damage to DNA and suppressing mitochondrial DNA abnormalities. Homologous recombination is believed to be indispensable in the repairing of eukaryotic nuclear DNA as well as bacterial and viral DNA.
Homologous recombination is a phenomenon universally observed in the world of organisms. Homologous recombination may occur, when a DNA molecule has a region having an almost identical base sequence with a base sequence of a region of another DNA molecule allowing the, pairing or the DNA molecules over several hundred base pairs. DNA chains of the two molecules are cut and re-linked to a different chain from the initial one at a site correctly corresponding with each other in those regions. As a result of homologous recombination, damage to one DNA molecule may be complemented by the other DNA. Thus, it is very likely that homologous recombination could play an important and general role in mitochondrial DNA repair.
When the activity of a gene inducing homologous recombination (hereinafter referred to as a "homologous recombination gene") is reduced, it becomes impossible to repair damaged DNA. Thus DNA abnormalities will increase. Furthermore, when a homologous recombination gene functions abnormally, abnormal unequal crossover will occur between a pair of repeated sequences located at sites other than those of alleles. As a result, DNA abnormalities such as deletions are induced. Deletion in mitochondrial DNA has been shown to be associated with mitochondrial diseases (e.g., mitochondrial myopathy which is caused by lack of an enzyme in the energy producing system of mitochondria), aging and the like Holt, I. J. et al., Nature (London), 331:717-719 (1988)!.
Therefore, by isolating a mutant gene involved in those abnormalities in homologous recombination described above and finding out the role of such a gene, it will become possible to use the detection and modification of such a mutant gene in the diagnosis or treatment of mitchondria-related diseases as well as in the prevention of aging and the like.
Most of mitochondrial proteins are encoded by DNAs located on nuclear chromosomes. It is thus expected that the homologous recombination in mitochondrial will be dependent on the genetic information contained in nuclei.
Therefore, as one step to elucidate the role and mechanism of mitochondrial homologous recombination, it is necessary to isolate a gene having a mutation which causes a defect in mitochondrial homologous recombination, i.e., a mutant gene in nuclei.
Conventionally, yeast has been considered as the most appropriate system for obtaining genetic information concerning mitochondria (information on the role of mitochondrial homologous recombination).
Even in yeast, however, it has been extremely difficult to examine a large number of clones for a mutant gene, in particular a recessive mutant gene in a nuclear chromosome involved in mitochondrial homologous recombination. In order to identify such a gene, it is necessary to carry out a mating experiment for detecting the recombination of mitochondria. However, when cells having a recessive mutant gene for mitochondrial homologous recombination are mated with cells having a normal gene for the recombination, the recessive mutant gene is hidden by the function of the normal gene and thus the recessive mutant gene cannot be detected.
Therefore, in the conventional method for isolating a recessive mutant gene in a nuclear chromosome, the following operations are required for the isolation; i) constructing monoploid cells of both alleic mating types (a and .alpha.) each having the same nuclear genotype as that of respective mutant monoploid cells; ii) introducing mitochondria having different gene markers into either an a- or .alpha.-derivative through the isolation and cell fusion experiments of a .rho.-derivative (derivative having no mitochondrial gene) ; and iii) carrying out a mating experiment between a-monoploid and .alpha.-monoploid in order to determine the recombination frequency of the mitochondrial gene markers. However, these operations are complicated and time-consuming and it has been extremely difficult to examine a large number of candidate cells simultaneously.

Mutant gene causing a defect in mitochondrial recombination and a method for its detection

Institute of Physical and Chemical Research


A switch device includes an operating knob on which a tilting operation is performed, a detected portion that tilts with the tilting operation of the operating knob, a detection portion that detects movement of the detected portion, and a substrate on which the detection portion is arranged. The detection portion is aligned in an in-plane direction of the substrate and performs a switching operation upon detection of movement of the detected portion in the in-plane direction.

A momentary switch device has been proposed which allows, e.g., an operating force and a displacement amount when operating the switch to be freely set to a desired value and barely makes sound during being operated and returning to the original state. In the switch device, a detection switch is mounted on a substrate, and two displacement portions each composed of a base, a top formed of a rubber-based member and a click rubber also formed of a rubber-based member and sandwiched therebetween are provided on a housing and located above the substrate. Then, a switch knob formed of a synthetic resin member and having a substantially squared U-shape is placed from above the housing so as to cover the housing. The switch knob is configured that a rotating shaft protrudes from both side surfaces, openings are formed at the edges of the both side surfaces, and a lever of the detection switch is inserted through the openings. Two protruding portions are further provided on the inner surface of the upper portion of the switch knob and respectively face the tops on the two click rubbers provided on the housing (see, e.g., Patent Literature 1).

KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOKAI RIKA DENKI SEISAKUSHO


A method of providing data communication services is provided. The method comprises a mobile electronic device establishing a data connection to a content source, a gateway creating a record comprising information related to the data connection and providing the record to a server, and the server charging the content source for the data connection and providing at least a part of the record to the content source.

Wireless data communications by mobile phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), and wireless enabled laptop computers is increasing. Content providers and retailers see wireless browsing as a new source of revenue and sales opportunities and desire for wireless data communications to continue to increase. Some wireless users, however, balk at the moderately high price of wireless data communication services subscription prices.

Content provider sponsored data services system and methods


What is provided is a system and method for providing a benefit package. In order to provide the benefit package, a professional utilizes a subscriber application which is configured for the professional's given set of services. The professional establishes an arrangement with a large entity. The professional then establishes a provider account on behalf of the large entity. Through this provider account, the benefit package is generated for the employees and individuals associated with the large entity. The employees benefit from the employment relationship by taking advantage of the benefit package negotiated by the employer on their behalf.

a) Field of the Invention
The field of the current embodiments generally relates to professional services and providing professional services to organizations such as companies, unions, educational groups, governmental agencies, nongovernmental agencies, and the individual members employed or associated with those organizations.
b) Background Art
U.S. Pat. No. 5,819,263 discloses a financial planning system incorporating relationship and group management, where an adviser can provide proactive, efficient service to clients through the use of the group management system. The system is an effective work management tool that efficiently organizes and advises day-to-day operations, workflow, clients and prospects. This is done by allowing coordinated consultation based not only on an individual's demographic information, but also on the individual's relationship to others, people and organizations which are arranged into client groups and prospect groups. An adviser can analyze an individual's relationship with his or her family, business and pension to provide overall financial planning and security. As seen in col. 4 around line 55, in the summary of the invention section, "To achieve financial security, the system considers the client's account information in conjunction with the client's goals. The grouping of clients by specific criteria greatly enhances an advisor's ability to assist clients in achieving their relationship goals."
U.S. Pat. No. 5,855,008 discloses an attention brokerage, which provides an approach for distributing advertising and other information over a computer network. As seen in the abstract, "Attention brokerage is the business of buying and selling the attention of consumers." It can be used to provide direct, immediate payment to a consumer for paying attention to an advertisement or other information.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,064,986 discloses a computer-assisted and/or implemented process and architecture for customer account creation, maintenance and administration of foreign investment and/or retirement program. The process includes receiving a request from a customer to administer the resources in accordance with predetermined criteria, storing customer related data associated with the customer. A network of service providers is formed to assist in the administration of the resource for the customer and to provide a variety of economic and/or administrative features using a computer. As is seen in the summary of the invention section, "It is another feature and advantage of the present invention in providing a process of, opening, managing and/or administering a customer account for administration of retirement and/or administrative resources in conjunction with a predetermined configuration network service providers, thus reducing costs and optimizing or maximizing return and/or investment resources while attempting to minimize administration costs."
U.S. Pat. No. 6,385,594 discloses a method and computer network for coordinating a loan over the internet. The invention relates to a method and a computer for coordinating an electronic credit qualification form between an Internet user and a plurality of lending institutions via the Internet. This method involves displaying documents in a web site, and receiving credit data from forms placed on the web site. After receiving this data a special loan processing computer applies a filter to the data. The filter comprises loan selection criteria provided by lending institutions which allows these institutions to filter out loan applications that they do not want. Next, after the data is filtered, it is transmitted to a plurality of lending institutions. Finally, the computer and the method then controls and coordinates communication between these lending institutions and the Internet user to match borrowers and lenders via the Internet. As can be seen in the summary of the invention section, "it is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a fast, convenient process to apply for credit from a large number of lending institutions. In accordance with our invention, needless repetitive applications or credit qualification form are eliminated."
U.S. Pat. No. 6,505,166 discloses a system and method for providing expert referral over a network, the system allows users to request assistance over the Internet to an expert server having a file of qualified experts. The first expert to respond to the request is assigned an alias and is enabled to communicate with the requester through the expert server. According to the background portion of the invention, "A key aspect of the present invention is that the system is adaptive. If an expert who is lower on the priority list continues to get high grades from customers for accomplishing tasks, that expert can climb in the rankings and achieve a priority ranking thereby receiving more request for assistance and hence, more revenue from responding to customers needs."
U.S. Pat. No. 6,883,002 discloses a real estate information exchange process and system, the system is connected to a database of MLS properties. Real estate agents subscribe to the system and are included in the database. Clients to the system are either prospective buyers or MLS properties. Each client utilizes a subscribing real estate agent to represent them before being allowed access to the information and services provided. Real estate agents may view any of the client files and activities and post MLS properties for sale. Agents are also able to view the activity of their own listings. According to the objects section in col. 4 around line 29, "Another object of the invention is to provide a real estate information exchange process and system that can provide an activity report that informs the listing agent of the amount as well as the source of activity regarding the names of other agents who have looked at the listing agent's property." Also, still in col. 4 around line 18, "it is an object of the present invention to provide a real estate information exchange process and system that includes a database accessible over the Internet or an Intranet that allows exchange of information between agent to agent and also between agent to client".
U.S. Pat. No. 6,970,835 discloses a system and method for directing and instructing customers to deal with specific merchants, the system uses incentives to verify commissions from matching a buyer with a seller. An item locator system has a repository of information, about items for purchase, and may be provided over network for users to access the information about the items. Along with each item, the system presents an incentive that may be realized if the item is purchased from a designated third-party seller. The user then executes the purchase with the seller, pays the system the agreed-upon fee and also issues a certification of purchaser to the buyer. The fee or commission may be based on the price of the item; such as if the item is a new house for sale and the seller is a new house builder. This can be seen in col. 2 around line 29, "Another object of the invention is to provide a new business method for eliminating agent's commissions in the sale of items through the use of a central system for bringing together buyers and sellers of items." Still in col. 2 around line 58, "the present invention may comprise a method relating to the sale of new houses through a web site accessible by potential buyers over the Internet."
U.S. Pat. No. 7,039,594 discloses a method and system for content management assessment, planning and delivery, where the method using key considerations related to the client environment, and using key processes, and applying these to the design problem with the assistance of a template showing basic content management and delivery element relationships, whereby such a system can be implemented wherein coherent sales, training or marketing campaigns may be efficiently generated to web-based and other clients.
www.CTXmort.com: this web site discloses on the homepage what appears to be the standard consumer application for purchasing and refinancing home loans. There also seems to be insurance quotes, realtor associations, and affiliated business arrangements. On the affiliated business arrangement link, the arrangement is a limited partnership established between two entities, a mortgage lender and the other entity being the homebuilder, a realtor, a bank, credit union, corporate affiliation, or other business arrangement which provides opportunities of ownership but limits risk. One of the benefits according to the web site is "increased profit margin such as participating in mortgage company profits, selling inventory, or enforcement of upgrade options, additional outside business referrals, etc. One of the options that the system provides to its mortgage brokers is personal web sites with newsletters which are generated to keep the mortgage brokers clients up-to-date."
http://www.ditech.com/about/sitemap.html discloses what seems to be a consumer oriented home loan web site. This site focuses on new purchases, refinance, and home equity products. In the new purchases section, the site provides product solutions, rates and fees, and calculators for new home loans. The site also provides construction loans and an overview for information on construction loans. In the refinance section, the same categories are provided including product solutions, rates and fees, and calculators. In the home equity section, again products are provided, information on HELOCS and HELOANS are provided, various calculators and research for different types of home equity loans. In addition to the product sections, the site also provides a learning center including video library; the learning center also has tax information. A local pages link provides a list of local offices within various states. Each user of the site can set up an account for applications of various types of loans and provide their own specific personal profile. As seen on the back page, "Ditech.com, a national direct mortgage lender, offers some of the most competitive rates and fees available on first mortgages and home equity loans. Deal direct and get the right home loan for you without paying a commission or a broker fee to a middleman. The whole process is fast and easy."


This invention is a method of separating induced microseismicity signals from seismic signals acquired within active seismic monitoring operations carried out in underground zones under development which has application for monitoring of underground hydrocarbon or fluid storage reservoirs. Seismic records are formed from signals emitted by one or more seismic sources controlled by orthogonal signals. In this case, the signals are processed to separate the respective contributions of the at least one seismic source to the signals received and to reconstruct the seismograms equivalent to those that would be obtained by actuating the at least one seismic source separately. The induced microseismicity signals (passive seismic signals) are separated from the seismic signals coming from sources (active seismic signals) essentially by isolating the contribution thereof by comparison with a spectral reference model at the fundamental frequencies emitted and at the respective harmonics thereof, and by reconstructing in the time domain the induced microseismicity signals and the signals coming from the at least one seismic source.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a method for discriminating microseismic signals induced by the development of an underground reservoir, from among seismic signals emitted within the seismic monitoring operations.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In order to follow the evolution of an underground reservoir under development, it is well-known to permanently install seismic sources and seismic receivers, at the surface or in wells, whether for reservoir exploration or for development wells, and to carry out, at predetermined time intervals, recording of the seismic signals from the formation. These signals may be seismic signals induced by the site development activity or reflected by the geologic discontinuities of the formation in response to the emission of disturbances in the ground by means of one or more seismic sources. Comparison of the recordings performed at different times of the site development provides information on the evolution thereof.
Various long-term seismic monitoring systems are described for example in the following patents EP-591,037 corresponding to U.S. Pat. No. 5,461,594, French Patent 2,593,292 corresponding to U.S. Pat. No. 4,775,009, and French Patent 2,728,973 corresponding to U.S. Pat. No. 5,724,311) or French Patent 2,775,349.
EP Patent 748,457 corresponding to U.S. Pat. No. 5,724,311 filed by two of the applicants describes a permanent monitoring system allowing obtaining perfect reproducibility of the operating conditions in repetitive seismic monitoring operations carried out in an underground zone traversed by at least one well or borehole, notably in an underground gas storage reservoir. This system comprises, installed on a permanent basis, one or more set(s) of seismic receivers (buried at the surface or placed in one or more wells), several repetitive seismic sources (buried or at the surface), and a permanent linking network for selective energy supply to these sources. A central station remotely controls selectively each one of these sources and records the seismic signals coming from the underground zone in response to the seismic waves transmitted selectively in the ground by the sources.
All these permanently installed sources whose coupling with the surrounding formations remains stable and this supply network, at least partly buried and whose surface coverage area is limited, allows carrying out a series of long-term seismic monitoring operations under stable operating conditions, without any risk of incompatibility with the development site activities.
French Patent 2,775,349 corresponding to U.S. Pat. No. 6,182,012 filed by the same two applicants describes a method and a device intended for permanent monitoring of an underground formation in which cavities are formed for seismic sources (preferably deep enough to be coupled with the formation below the weathered zone (WZ)), at least one well is drilled either below each source or in the immediate vicinity thereof. An antenna having a plurality of seismic receivers (geophones, hydrophone, etc.) is lowered into each well thus drilled and coupled with the surrounding formation. With this device, emission-reception cycles are carried out with emission of seismic waves in the formation by at least one source and acquisition of the signals picked up by the seismic receivers, in response to the waves reflected by the formation. The receivers can for example be associated with a fluid transfer tube lowered in the well in order to connect an underground zone to a surface development device and coupled with the formation surrounding the well.
The various sources of the seismic monitoring device can be actuated successively with a sufficient time interval between the triggering times for reception of the waves reflected by the zone being investigated. It is also possible to use seismic sources emitting the same signals that are triggered simultaneously to increase the power emitted.
French Patent 2,805,051 filed by the applicants describes a method and a system for seismic monitoring of an underground formation. As diagrammatically shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the system comprises for example a network of seismic antennas 2 each having a series of seismic pickups 4 arranged at regular intervals along a well 3 drilled in the ground. This network can be regular as shown in FIG. 2 or irregular. The pickups are, for example, vertically oriented one-directional or multi-axis (triphones) geophones and/or hydrophones. A seismic source 5 is arranged near to each antenna 2. Piezoelectric type vibrators such as those described in French Patent 2,791,780 U.S. Pat. No. 6,338,394 filed in the joint names of the applicants are advantageously used as sources and permanently installed in the immediate vicinity of each antenna 2. An electronic control and recording module 6 (FIG. 1) can be associated with each antenna. These electronic modules 6 can be connected to a central control and synchronization laboratory 8. According to another implementation mode diagrammatically shown in FIG. 4, antennas 2 are directly connected to a central laboratory 8 including all the individual electronic control and recording modules 6 (FIG. 1).
Seismic waves are emitted in the underground formation by one or more seismic sources (vibrators) 5. In the case of multiple sources, the latter emit simultaneously and are controlled by orthogonal signals so as to form a composite vibrational signal. The vibrators work permanently or at least for a sufficiently long time to obtain a sufficient signal-to-noise ratio. The seismic waves generated by seismic sources 5 are propagated downwards (downgoing waves 9). These incident waves are first recorded by receivers 4 of each well 3. The waves reflected by the discontinuities of the zone (seismic interfaces) are propagated upwards. These upgoing waves 10 are also recorded by the various receivers 4. The upgoing and downgoing waves are thus superimposed in the seismograms. The records are subjected to the conventional processings known in the art suited for those obtained by means of the VSP technique (Vertical Seismic Profiling). Finally, the respective contributions of the seismic sources to the composite vibrational signal are discriminated and the seismograms equivalent to those that would be obtained by actuating the seismic sources separately are reconstructed. Sinusoidal signals of different frequencies, in their fundamental components as well as in their respective harmonics, or signals based on wavelets, Legendre polynomials or random series, etc., are for example used as orthogonal signals.
In the case notably where the orthogonal signals emitted are sinusoids, discrimination of the respective contributions of the seismic sources is for example performed by determining the amplitude and the phase of the composite vibrational signal at the fundamental frequencies of the control signals applied to the seismic sources. This discrimination comprises for example weighting of the signals recorded by a bell weighting (or apodizing) factor and determination of the amplitude and of the phase of the composite signal, or selection by Fourier transform of lines of the complex spectrum associated respectively with the various weighted signals. Reconstruction of the seismograms corresponding specifically to the various seismic sources is carried out for example by applying, after separation thereof, an inverse Fourier transform to the lines associated respectively with the various weighted signals.
Furthermore, it is well-known that reservoir development induces mechanical stress variations in the reservoir and in its overlying bed. These stress variations have the effect of generating seismic signals that are propagated in the formations. The receivers of the various antennas 2 record these signals (upgoing waves 11).
Since seismic sources 5 are arranged much closer to receivers 4 of antennas 2 than to the reservoir and since the energy that is emitted is much more intense than the energy of the induced microseismic signals generated in the reservoir, the microseismic signals are generally concealed and undetectable.

Method for separating microseismic signals from seismic signals emitted by one or several sources