An apparatus for producing program ancillary data pertinent to each scene of a picture program to be recorded includes a display control unit for demonstrating, on a display picture, an input form having, as an input item, the information pertinent to a scene as an object of preparation, and a program ancillary data generating unit for correlating the information specifying an associated scene with the information as input through the input form, and for outputting the resulting information.

The majority of currently practiced projects employ a technique of having part of needed resources or services furnished by sponsor business operators. For example, in producing a television program, the projects make use of a scheme of having the apparel or clothes of performers, accessories, sets in a studio, small articles or location sites, furnished from the sponsor business operators. Meanwhile, in picture programs, such as television programs, variegated information pertinent to a picture program, as program ancillary data, is scheduled to broadcast or distributed simultaneously with acoustic data or picture data, such that there is a promising prospect for realization of variegated services employing the program ancillary data.
For example, not only an interpolating type service in which the viewer refers to a singer's profile as he or she enjoys a song program, but also an interactive service in which the viewer places an order for a commodity appearing on a display picture, as he or she enjoys the picture program, is felt to be promising.
Meanwhile, in order for these services to be attractive for the audience, it is essential that abundant information be furnished as program ancillary data, and that the furnished information may readily be accessible.
However, if program ancillary data is to be completed, that is input, within a limited time allowance, a considerable load is necessarily imposed on the producer of the picture program. Thus, such device or method that is able to enable efficient preparation of program ancillary data is thought to be desirable.

Program additional data creating device, video program editing device, and video program data creating device


A radar system for sensing the presence of obstacles in a vehicle's "blind spots" and generating a signal to the vehicle operator indicative of the presence of such an obstacle. The system uses a common radar transceiver that transmits a radio frequency signal directed at a blind spot of the vehicle. The signal is reflected off any obstacles that are present in that blind spot region. A Doppler shift in the received reflected frequency generally indicates that an obstacle has moved into the blind spot. Doppler frequencies attributable to objects which are of no interest, such as stationary objects, are filtered out. Only obstacles that are traveling at approximately the same speed and direction as the vehicle are considered to be of interest, and will cause the blind spot sensor to generate an indication that an obstacle is present in the blind spot. The indication is preferably an unobtrusive illuminated indicator which is affixed to one of the vehicle's mirrors. In addition to the illuminated indicator affixed to a mirror, an obtrusive audible indicator is provided in the preferred embodiment of the present invention which creates an audible tone, whistle, or buzz when an obstacle is present and the vehicle's turn signal is active.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to automotive radar systems, and more particularly to a radar system for sensing the presence of obstacles in a vehicle's "blind spots".
2. Description of Related Art
A continuing problem that presents itself to operators of automotive vehicles is the difficulty in seeing obstacles near the vehicle but in a location that is difficult to observe from the driver's seat. Such regions are commonly referred to as "blind spots". For example, the angles between 90.degree. and 170.degree. from the forward direction of a vehicle (i.e., to the right of the vehicle and slightly behind the operator thereof) is a common blind spot, particularly for large vehicles such as buses and trucks. This right-side blind spot is a source of numerous accidents when a drive makes a right-hand turn or a right lane change and does not see another vehicle in the blind spot. Another common blind spot is the rear of a vehicle when backing up.
The most common solution to the problem of blind spots has been to use mirrors to aid the operator of the vehicle in determining whether obstacles are present in a blind spot. Such mirrors have been made in a variety of shapes and mounted in various locations to provide the operator with the greatest ability to detect obstacles in particular blind spots. For example, it is common place today to see a concave mirror mounted to the right side of a vehicle aimed at the right-side blind spot. While mirrors provide the operator with some information regarding the presence of obstacles in certain of a vehicle's blind spots, but they are less useful at night and under adverse weather conditions. Hence, a more complete and satisfactory solution is still sought by many.
A known alternative to the use of mirrors to detect obstacles in a vehicle's blind spot is to mount a camera on the vehicle to provide the operator with a visual image of obstacles in the vehicle's blind spot. However, this solution is complex and expensive, requiring a video camera and video monitor. Further, a video monitor can present a complex image that must be interpreted by a driver, and such monitors can be distracting. Moreover, like mirrors, such camera systems are less useful at night and under adverse weather conditions.
Therefore, there is presently a need for a simple, and inexpensive solution to the problem of detecting hazardous obstacles in the blind spots of a vehicle. Such a solution should also be useful at night and under adverse weather conditions. The present invention provides such a solution.


A method for operating a magnetic resonance facility is proposed. The magnetic resonance facility has a number of power-consuming components. The power consumption is determined for each component. Operation of the components is controlled based on at least one criterion so that a predetermined threshold value for the overall power consumption of the magnetic resonance facility is not exceeded.

In magnetic resonance facilities very powerful magnetic fields are generated, usually by way of a superconducting basic field magnet. Accordingly known magnetic resonance facilities usually have very high specified power ratings, for example around 110 kW. The problem arises of being able to ensure such possible overall power consumption at all times, which is problematic with less well constructed power networks, as such power levels cannot or cannot always be supplied.
The significant power requirement of a magnetic resonance facility having a superconducting coil as its basic field magnet is largely determined here by a series of components of the magnetic resonance facility, for example the cold head of the cooling facility of the basic field magnet, which cools the liquid helium, the cooling facility for the remainder of the system, the gradient amplifier and the high-frequency amplifier. Each of these components must in some instances supply power levels exceeding 10 kW.
One problem here is the high power requirement of the magnetic resonance facility when using emergency power units, since, in order to be able to operate the magnetic resonance facility using the emergency power unit in an emergency, according to the current prior art the power of emergency power unit has to be matched to the theoretical maximum power consumption of the magnetic resonance facility, which is however not achieved in some instances during (rare) operation with emergency power.
To resolve such problems relating to the high power consumption of the magnetic resonance facility, it has been proposed that the power consumption of individual components should be reduced. Provision can thus be made to use regulatable compressors for the cold head or to use efficient coolers, so that it is possible to operate temporarily without compression for example at low ambient temperatures. Alternatively provision can be made for using components with lower power consumption, but these results in an unwanted lower system power. It is also conceivable to use a permanent magnet instead of a superconducting coil, so that the cooling outlay for the superconductor is no longer required but this makes the magnetic resonance facility very heavy and only permits very low field strengths.

Automatic control of the power consumption of a magnetic resonance facility


Mask sets, layout design, and methods for forming contacts in devices are described. In one embodiment, a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes a exposing a first photo resist layer using a first light beam thereby forming first features. The first exposure is performed by the first light beam passing through a first dipole illuminator and then a first mask. A dipole axis of the first dipole illuminator is oriented in a first direction. After exposing the first photo resist layer, forming second features using a second exposure with a second light beam. The second exposure is performed by the second light beam passing through a second dipole illuminator and then a second mask. A dipole axis of the second dipole illuminator is oriented in a second direction. The first direction and the second direction are not perpendicular. The first and the second features comprise a pattern for forming contact holes.

Generally, semiconductor devices are used in a variety of electronic applications, such as computers, cellular phones, personal computing devices, and many other applications. Home, industrial, and automotive devices that, in the past, comprised only mechanical components now have electronic parts that require semiconductor devices, for example.
Semiconductor devices are manufactured by depositing many different types of material layers over a semiconductor workpiece or wafer, and patterning the various material layers using lithography. The material layers typically comprise thin films of conductive, semi-conductive and insulating materials that are patterned and etched to form integrated circuits (ICs). There may be a plurality of transistors, memory devices, switches, conductive lines, diodes, capacitors, logic circuits, and other electronic components formed on a single die or chip, for example.
The accurate reproduction of patterns on the surface of a semiconductor substrate is critical to the proper fabrication of semiconductor devices. The semiconductor substrate may have undergone previous fabrication processes and may already feature layers and structures created by those fabrication processes. Improperly reproduced patterns can result in semiconductor devices that do not operate to design specifications or that do not operate at all. For example, transistors can be created with improperly sized gates; conductors can be created that are short circuited or open circuited with other conductors or devices; structures can be created with wrong geometries, and so forth. Improperly reproduced patterns can reduce the yield of the fabrication process, thereby increasing the overall cost of the product. The reproduction process typically involves the use of optical lithography to reproduce the patterns onto the surface of the semiconductor substrate followed by a variety of processes either to subtract (for example, etch) or to add (for example, deposit) materials from and to the semiconductor substrate.
There is a trend in the semiconductor industry toward reducing the size of features, e.g., the circuits, elements, conductive lines, and vias of semiconductor devices, in order to increase performance of the semiconductor devices, for example. The minimum feature size of semiconductor devices has steadily decreased over time. However, as features of semiconductor devices become smaller, it becomes more difficult to pattern the various material layers because of diffraction and other effects that occur during a lithography process. Interference and processing effects can cause distortion and deviation in the mask's patterns as they are reproduced onto the semiconductor substrate. For example, key metrics such as resolution and depth of focus of the imaging systems may suffer when patterning features at small dimensions.
Shrinking device geometries have a particularly acute affect on patterning small contact holes. As contact holes become smaller, masks used to pattern contact holes require smaller apertures. The smaller the aperture, the more difficult it is to get enough light through the aperture to adequately expose the resist disposed on the semiconductor wafer below. If enough light is not used to expose the mask, a pattern will not print on the resist below. If, on the other hand, the mask and semiconductor wafer is exposed to a high intensity light, the exposed pattern below becomes washed out and side-lobes are exposed beyond the desired perimeter of the exposed area. Consequently, the generation and exposure of small contact whole regions requires a very narrow lithographic process window, thereby limiting the range of exposure settings that will produce an adequate exposure. These exposure settings can include illumination or dose, focus, numerical aperture, and light coherence factor, sigma.
Hence, what are needed are methods, designs and structures of producing small geometry contact holes without degrading manufacturing process windows.

Gridded contacts in semiconductor devices


A zirconium nitride powder which has a specific surface area of 20 to 90 m2/g as measured by a BET method, has a peak corresponding to zirconium nitride but does not have a peak corresponding to zirconium dioxide, a peak for lower zirconium oxide or a peak corresponding to lower zirconium oxynitride in an X-ray diffraction profile, and the light transmittance X at 370 nm is at least 18%, the light transmittance Y at 550 nm is 12% or less and the ratio (X/Y) of the light transmittance X at 370 nm to the light transmittance Y at 550 nm is 2.5 or more in the transmission spectra of a dispersion that contains the powder at a concentration of 50 ppm.

This type of a black pigment is used for a black matrix of an image forming element such as a color filter of a liquid crystal display and the like, by dispersing in a photosensitive resin to prepare a black photosensitive composition, applying this composition to a substrate to form a photoresist film, and exposing the photoresist film by a photolithography method to form a patterning film. Since conventional carbon black as a black pigment has conductivity, it is not suitable for applications requiring insulation properties.
Conventionally, as a black pigment with high insulating property, there has been disclosed a high resistance black powder containing a black powder comprising titanium oxynitride having a specific composition also called titanium black, and an insulating powder comprising at least one kind of Y2O3, ZrO2, Al2O3, SiO2, TiO2 and V2O5 (for example, see Patent Document 1). According to this black powder, it is said to be suitable as a black matrix of a color filter since it has a high resistance value and is excellent in light shielding property when it is formed into a black film.
Further, as an insulating black pigment containing zirconium nitride, there is disclosed a fine particle lower zirconium oxide-zirconium nitride composite characterized by having a peak corresponding to lower zirconium oxide and a peak corresponding to zirconium nitride in the X-ray diffraction profile, and a specific surface area of 10 to 60 m2/g (for example, see Patent Document 2). This fine particle lower zirconium oxide-zirconium nitride composite is produced by the process of sintering a mixture of zirconium dioxide or zirconium hydroxide, magnesium oxide and metallic magnesium in a stream of a nitrogen gas or an inert gas containing a nitrogen gas at 650 to 800° C. The above-mentioned fine particle lower zirconium oxide-zirconium nitride composite can be used as a black fine particle material having low electric conductivity, is said to be used as a fine particle black pigment having lower electric conductivity for a black matrix of displays such as televisions in which carbon black or the like is used, and according to the above-mentioned production method, it is said that the above-mentioned fine particle lower zirconium oxide-zirconium nitride composite can be produced (mass-produced) on an industrial scale.

Zirconium nitride powder and method for producing same

MITSUBISHI MATERIALS ELECTRONIC CHEMICALS CO., LTD.


A liquid electrophotographic developing device for developing a charged and exposed photoconductive material which includes a photoconductive layer formed on one surface of a conductive layer. The liquid electrophotographic developing device is comprised of developing section, a developing solution tank provided in a housing and filled with a developing solution, conveying rollers for conveying the photoconductive materials, a developing electrode and a back electrode which are disposed parallel along a conveying path of the photoconductive material in the developing section, and a developing solution supplying device disposed above the developing electrode. The developing electrode is spaced part from the photoconductive layer, and the back electrode is disposed to come into contact with the back surface of the photoconductive material. Upon directly connecting the electrodes, toner particles contained in the developing solution adhere to the photoconductive layer to achieve development. The developing electrode does not touch the photoconductive layer to make a developed image free from soiling. The housing is covered with a lid to prevent the vaporizing of the developing solution. The developing solution is circulated through the developing section by a circulating device.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a liquid electrophotographic developing device and a method thereof for developing a photoconductive material charged and exposed by the use of a liquid toner.
2. Background Information
A liquid electrophotographic developing device is proposed to develop a photoconductive material (such as an electro-lithograph plate which is produced by forming a photoconductive layer made of ZnO and binder on a base material water-proofed and made conductive) which bears an electrostatic latent image after being charged and exposed to an image. Development is performed by applying a liquid toner to the photoconductive material so as to make the electrostatic latent image borne thereby visible.
Specifically, when two electrodes made of metallic plates and disposed in closely-spaced relation are directly connected together or when bias voltage is applied to the two electrodes in order to minimize fogging in the image, toner flowing between the two electrodes develops the photoconductive material which is also traveling between the two (developing and back) electrodes. In conventional developing devices, however, toner particles tend to electro-deposit on the two electrodes, especially on the back electrode, so that the photoconductive material is soiled upon contact with the electrodes during development. The contact of the photoconductive material with the electrodes has been avoided by increasing the distance between the developing electrode and the back electrode. However, if the distance between the electrodes is increased, the electric field between the developing electrode and the photoconductive material weakens, thereby lowering the efficiency of development which causes insufficient development resulting in visual images of poor reproducibility. An ordinary way to prevent the photoconductive material from being soiled is to stretch a wire material such as gut around the back electrode.
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 59-185373 teaches a liquid developing device in which a groove is formed in a back electrode. An insulating guide is then disposed between the back electrode and a photoconductive material, so that the photoconductive material is prevented from coming into contact with the back electrode so as to avoid the soiling of the photoconductive material.
In this prior art, however, when the back electrode is soiled and thus the efficiency of development is lowered, the developing device must be stopped to wash the back electrode. The work of washing toner from the back electrode is difficult in the case where a wire material such as gut is provided around the back electrode.
Japanese Patent Publication No. 50-38943 teaches a liquid developing device in which a liquid toner is caused to flow vigorously, so that a strong stream of liquid toner prevents the photoconductive material from coming in contact with the back electrode and washes off the toner adhering to the back electrode.
Japanese Patent Publication No. 59-8832 teaches a liquid developing device in which a liquid toner is vigorously introduced between the photoconductive material and the developing electrode and between the photoconductive material and the back electrode at flow speeds higher than the speed of the photoconductive material passing between the electrodes to prevent the photoconductive material from coming in contact with the metallic plates and to wash off the toner adhering to the back electrode.
In the liquid developing device taught in Japanese Patent Publication No. 50-38943, when development is carried out for a long time, toner particles adhere gradually to the back electrode disposed on the back side of the photoconductive material thereby soiling the back electrode. If the toner adheres to the back electrode, a non-conductive film is formed on the surface of the back electrode, so that the function of the electrode is deteriorated causing the efficiency of development to be lowered. Therefore, the proper amount of toner does not adhere to the photoconductive material and good development cannot be achieved; thus, the developing device must be stopped periodically to wash the back electrode.
In the liquid developing device taught in Japanese Patent Publication No. 59-8832, although the rate at which toner particles adhere to the back electrode can be decreased, the liquid toner adheres to the back electrode in long-term processing; thus, the back electrode must be washed as is the above case.
To solve the foregoing problems, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 1-260463 teaches a direct-powered developing system in which a conductor such as a brush is disposed so as to come into contact with the back surface of a photoconductive material, and to perform development, a liquid toner is supplied between the photoconductive material and the developing electrode under the condition that the conductor or back electrode and a base material of the photoconductive material are in direct contact. In this system, since toner particles never electro-deposit on the back electrode, the back electrode is perfectly prevented form being soiled through electro-deposition.
In this developing system, however, if the conductor is kept in a wet state or holds a developing solution adhering thereto for a long time (e.g. from the end of developing work to the beginning of developing the next day), the liquid toner adhering to the conductor dries and solidifies, so that a non-conductive coating is formed to lower the efficiency of development. To avoid such a defect, the developing electrode and the like must be washed after the end of the developing work or before the beginning of next development. This work is troublesome.
In this regard, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 64-38771 teaches a system in which to prevent soiling, a liquid toner is caused to continuously flow toward electrodes to prevent the drying and solidifying of the liquid toner in case a liquid developing device is to be stopped for a comparatively short time; or, a washing solution is caused to automatically flow in case the developing device is stopped for a long time. That is, to perfectly prevent the electrodes from being soiled by electro-deposition, drying and solidifying of the toner, a toner circulating means for short-term stoppage and an automatic washing means for long-term stoppage are incorporated in the direct-powered developing device.
However, in the liquid developing device taught in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 64-38771, the liquid toner flows toward the developing electrode even while development is not carried out. This results in a large degree of vaporization so that the concentration of the liquid toner varies. Specifically, the toner concentration varies largely between where a large volume of work is contiguously carried out and where a small volume of work is intermittently done; thus, the amount of toner adhering to the photoconductive material bearing an electrostatic latent image varies in long-term processing. Such a difference in toner concentration will be corrected by changing the concentration of a supplementary toner between contiguous large-volume processing and intermittent small-volume processing; but, this makes control complicated or non-practicable. Another system was taught in which with a toner of high concentration and a carrier solution prepared, they are automatically weighed and introduced in response to each measurement of the toner concentration to bring about a proper concentration; but, this system was rarely practiced because the device is complicated in structure and development is influenced due to the reliability of meters and the like.
As described above, in any of the conventional liquid developing devices and systems, toner particles adhere to the back electrode or the like, so that a non-conductive coating is formed to lower the efficiency of development; thus, the device must be washed frequently to recover an intended efficiency of development, making maintenance troublesome. On the other hand, in the method free of the above defects, the concentration of the liquid toner varies due to vaporization. That is, toner concentration varies between contiguous large-volume processing and intermittent small-volume processing to change a final quality. Consequently, a very complicated control must be incorporated to overcome the above.

Liquid electrophotographic developing device and method thereof


A deposition mask group includes a first deposition mask having two or more first through holes arranged along two different directions, a second deposition mask having two or more second through holes arranged along two different directions and a third deposition mask having two or more third through holes. The first through hole and the second through hole or the third through hole partly overlap when the first deposition mask, the second deposition mask and the third deposition mask are overlapped.

A display used in a portable device such as a smartphone and a tablet PC is desired to be of high definition. For example, such a display preferably has a pixel density of 400 ppi or more. There is also an increasing demand for a portable device which supports ultrahigh definition. In the case of ultra high definition, a pixel density of a display is preferably 800 ppi or more, for example.
Among displays, an organic EL display is attracting attention because of its good responsiveness, low power consumption and high contrast. A method of forming pixels and electrodes by means of a deposition mask with through holes is known as a method of forming pixels of an organic EL display. For example, a substrate on which an anode is formed in a pattern corresponding to pixels is prepared first. Then, an organic material is deposited onto the anode via the through holes of the deposition mask to form the organic layer on the anode. Following thereto, a conductive material is deposited onto the organic layer via the through holes of the deposition mask to form a cathode on the organic layer.    Patent Document 1: JP2000-82582A

Deposition mask group, manufacturing method of electronic device, and electronic device


A method of treating liquid, particularly an oil/water mixture, in an oil well pipe, wherein a radio frequency propagating electrical field is established in the liquid in the pipe cause the formation of seed crystals or scale-forming material in the liquid, on which seed crystals asphaltenes and/or paraffin waxes in the liquid are deposited so that they are carried through the pipe with the liquid in preference to being deposited on the pipe wall.

The extraction of oil from underground sources is, in principle, straightforward. A hole is drilled down to an oil-bearing ground stratum and pipework placed in the hole through which oil can be raised to ground surface level. In some oil wells the oil may be under pressure in the oil bearing stratum so it flows to the surface without any assistance, but in many wells assistance may be required either by pumping to draw up the oil or by the injection of water down to the oil-bearing stratum so that oil comes to the surface mixed with the water. The water injected to the oil-bearing stratum may be sea water, and may be heated so that the oil, if viscous, flows more readily. In this case, what comes to the surface will be an oil-water mixture of which the oil content may well be 10% or more
One problem associated with oil extraction in this way is that of the formation of waxes and scale in the pipe through which the oil/water mixture comes to the surface. As pressure is reduced the further up the pipe the mixture rises, the water become super-saturated and precipitates calcium carbonate and other minerals in the form of aragonite, berite, pyrite, and silicates on the surfaces of the production pipeline. Additionally, asphaltenes and paraffin waxes precipitate (as pour point is reached) from the oil content of the mixture again forming on the surfaces of the pipe and gradually reducing the rate of production. In addition, calcium mineral deposits, and bio-fouling, also cause problems in the water injection wells and the high pressure pumping system necessary for water injection, reducing oil production.
It is broadly the object of the present invention to address the aforementioned problem of pipeline blockage by deposition of minerals, waxes and other substances.


A system is described for load balancing requests dispatched from Web pages containing multiple frames. The system includes a load balancer to receive client requests from a client browser via a network. The requests are dispatched by a Web page having a first frame and a second frame. The system further includes a number of servers coupled to the load balancer to process the requests routed by the load balancer. Each server executes a software code to generate a new uniform resource locator (URL) and return a redirect message with the new URL to the client browser in response to (1) a request received from a requesting frame to load data object for a target frame and (2) the owner of the requesting frame is different from the owner providing the data object. When the client browser receives the redirect message with the new URL, the browser dispatches a new request using the new URL to the server specified by the new URL.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to communications over the Internet, and in particular, to providing secure communications between client computers and an array of servers.
2. Description of the Related Art
In the development of a large Web site supporting an Internet-based service, such as an e-commerce site or a telecommunications service site, scalability may be achieved by employing a parallel array of servers. Such large Web site may also employ a load balancer to receive client requests and then redirect the requests to one of the servers in the array which is least busy at the time the request is received.
Web developers may employ a technique known as frames to present multiple Web pages to a user within one browser screen. Frames technique enables partitioning of the entire browser screen into separate areas which are in effect separate Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) documents. The HTML documents loaded into the frames may be configured to enable one frame to load the other frame. However, if a Web site employing frames technique is hosted in a parallel array of servers, the ability of one frame to load another frame may be prohibited by the Web browser. This is due to the fact that Web browsers such as Microsoft Internet Explorer or Netscape Navigator enforce owner/domain permission regulation.
To facilitate the transfer of data objects between servers on the Internet and client browsers, Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) is often used. However, the use of HTTP to transmit private or sensitive information may not be desired since HTTP does not provide secure connection between the client's browser and the Web servers. A secure connection to a Web site may be established by invoking Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure (HTTPS) which provides secure communication through a security mechanism commonly known as SSL (Secure Sockets Layer). If multiple-framed Web pages are hosted in a parallel array of servers, the ability of one frame to load another frame using different communication protocol may be prohibited by the Web browser due to the concept of ownership imposed by browsers as noted earlier.

Method and system for automatic invocation of secure sockets layer encryption on a parallel array of Web servers


A method and apparatus for oxidizing conductive redeposition in TMR sensors is disclosed. A TMR stack having a first electrode that includes at least a pinned layer and an antiferromagnetic (AFM) layer, a second electrode that includes a free layer and a tunnel barrier is formed. The TMR barrier layer is etched. Redeposition material is oxidized and the barrier is healed using an oxidizing agent selected from the group consisting of ozone and water vapor.

1. Field of the Invention
This disclosure relates in general to tunnel magnetoresistive devices, and more particularly to a method and apparatus for oxidizing conductive redeposition in TMR sensors.
2. Description of Related Art
Magnetic recording media have been predominantly magnetic disks and magnetic tapes. They are manufactured by forming a thin magnetic film on an Al substrate or a resin tape. A magnetic head utilizing an electromagnetic conversion operation is used in order to write and read magnetic information to and from these magnetic media. This magnetic head comprises a write portion for writing the magnetic information to the recording medium and a read portion for reading out the magnetic information from the recording medium. A so-called "induction type head", which comprises a coil and magnetic poles that wrap the coil from above and below and are electrically connected to the coil, is generally used for the write portion.
Magneto-resistive (MR) sensors based on anisotropic magneto-resistance (AMR) or a spin-valve (SV) effect are widely known and extensively used as read transducers to read magnetic recording media. Such MR sensors can probe the magnetic stray field coming out of transitions recorded on a recording medium by generating resistance changes in a reading portion formed of magnetic materials. AMR sensors have a low resistance change ratio or magneto-resistive ratio ΔR/R, whereas SV sensors have a much higher ΔR/R for the same magnetic field excursion. SV heads showing such high sensitivity are able to achieve very high recording densities.
In a basic SV sensor, two ferromagnetic layers are separated by a non-magnetic layer. An exchange or pinning layer is further provided adjacent to one of the ferromagnetic layers. The exchange layer and the adjacent ferromagnetic layer are exchange-coupled so that the magnetization of the ferromagnetic layer is strongly pinned or fixed in one direction. The magnetization of the other ferromagnetic layer is free to rotate in response to a small external magnetic field. When the magnetizations of the ferromagnetic layers are changed from a parallel to an anti-parallel configuration, the sensor resistance increases yielding a relatively high MR ratio.
Recently, new MR sensors using tunneling magneto-resistance (TMR) have shown great promise for their application to ultra-high density recordings. These sensors, which are known as magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) sensors or magneto-resistive tunnel junctions (MRTJ), came to the fore when large TMR was first observed at room temperature. Like SV sensors, MTJ sensors basically include two ferromagnetic layers separated by a non-magnetic layer. One of the magnetic layers has its magnetic moment fixed along one direction, i.e., the fixed or pinned layer, while the other layer, i.e., free or sensing layer, is free to rotate in an external magnetic field. However, unlike SV sensors, this non-magnetic layer between the two ferromagnetic layers in MTJ sensors is a thin insulating barrier or tunnel barrier layer. The insulating layer is thin enough so that electrons can tunnel through the insulating layer. Further, unlike SV sensors, MTJ sensors operate in CPP (Current Perpendicular to the Plane) geometry, which means its sensing current flows in a thickness direction of a laminate film or orthogonal to the surfaces of the ferromagnetic layers.
The relative magnetic direction orientation or angle of the two magnetic layers is affected by an external magnetic field such as the transitions in a magnetic recording medium. This affects the MTJ resistance and thus the voltage of the sensing current or output voltage. By detecting the change in resistance and thus voltage based on the change in relative magnetization angle, changes in an external magnetic field are detected. In this manner, MTJ sensors are able to read magnetic recording media.
In the patterning of tunnel magnetoresistive (TMR) sensors, ion milling is commonly used in recording head structures and reactive ion etching (RIE) is commonly used in magnetic random access memory (MRAM) structures. While both of these techniques are effective in patterning the sensor material, both leave behind two artifacts, which create a parasitic resistance path, which is parallel to the remaining structure.
The first artifact is redeposited metal (redep). When patterning TMR structures it is quite common for some metal to be milled away from the field and redeposited on the sides of the TMR stack. However, this material can be conductive. The parasitic resistance created by this conductive material lowers the SNR in a functioning device.
The second artifact is ion damage to the barrier layer. TMR structures typically employ an oxide insulator barrier layer. The ion milling and RIE are both prone to damage the edge of the oxide insulator barrier layer and deplete it of oxygen. This also creates a parasitic resistance, which lowers SNR in a functioning device.
Present solutions include reactive ion oxidation of the redeposition metal. In reactive ion oxidation energetic oxygen ions are used to partially oxidize the redep and re-oxidize or "heal" the barrier layer. Nevertheless, reactive ion oxidation has two detremental effects. First, oxygen ions have the effect of reducing the thickness and dimensions of photoresists and carbon layers, which may be used to pattern the TMR device and its subsequent biasing layers. Secondly, oxygen ions can penetrate deeply into the sides of a TMR stack, reducing its effective area and damaging the free layer or pinned layer of such devices.
It can be seen that there is a need for a method and apparatus for oxidizing conductive redeposition in TMR sensors.

Method and apparatus for oxidizing conductive redeposition in TMR sensors

Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Netherlands B.V.


Monoclonal antibodies prepared against platelet β3 integrin useful in antithrombotic therapy or in models of thrombosis, thrombocytopenia, and anti-angiogenesis. The antibodies are prepared using β3 integrin deficient (β3−/−) mice immunized against platelets or β3 integrin fragments.

Platelet adhesion and aggregation at sites of vascular injury are key events required to arrest bleeding. However, the same haemostatic processes can also lead to thrombi within atherosclerotic arteries (i.e., coronary or cerebral arteries), which is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Unstable angina and myocardial infarction typically result from platelet adhesion and aggregation at the site of atherosclerotic lesions in coronary arteries. Antiplatelet therapies therefore provide a useful approach to mitigate platelet aggregation, thrombus formation, and hence, the risk of suffering a heart attack or stroke.
Currently available antiplatelet agents include ASPIRIN™, the thienopyridines (ticlopidine and clopidogrel), dipyridamole, and the platelet integrin αIIbβ3 (glycoprotein IIb/IIIa) receptor antagonists. The present invention relates to the latter category of antiplatelet agents, namely, the platelet αIIbβ3 receptor antagonists.
Integrin αIIbβ3, a calcium-dependent heterodimer containing a αIIb subunit and a β3 subunit, is the most abundant platelet adhesion receptor. There are 5-12×104 copies of αIIbβ3 expressed on each platelet, which accounts for approximately 17% of the total platelet membrane protein. It is a receptor for fibrinogen, fibronectin, vitronectin, von Willebrand factor, and thrombospondin, and mediates platelet aggregation, firm adhesion, and spreading. Mutations in either the αIIb or the β3 subunit have been found to result in Glanzmann thrombasthenia, an autosomal recessive bleeding disorder affecting platelet function (Bellucci, S., and Caen, J. (2002) Blood Rev. 16, 193-202).
The β3 subunit (GPIIa) of the complex is encoded by the ITGB3 gene, while the αIIb subunit (GPIIb) is encoded by the ITGA2B gene. Each subunit has been extensively studied individually, as the αIIbβ3 heterodimeric complex belongs to a class of cell adhesion molecule receptors that share common heterodimeric structures with alpha and beta subunits.
GPIIIa is the common β subunit of 2 integrins: αIIbβ3 complex and αvβ3 complex, which have distinctive alpha subunits (i.e., αIIb and αv). αvβ3 is also a receptor for fibronectin, vitronectin, von Willebrand factor, and thrombospondin. Both αIIbβ3 integrin and αvβ3 integrin are expressed on the platelet surface although the copies of αvβ3 integrin (2-4,000/platelet) are significantly fewer. Interestingly, αvβ3 integrin is also expressed on angiogenic endothelial cells and is required for new vessel development (angiogenesis) (Brooks P C et al, 1994. Science 264:569-571). Therefore, anti-β3 integrin antibodies may also have anti-angiogenic potential for tumor therapy.
Both integrin α and β subunits contribute to their ligand (e.g., fibrinogen, fibronectin) binding. The ligand binding pocket is formed by an N-terminal β propeller domain of the α subunit and the βA domain of the β subunit (top of FIG. 1). Three Ca2+ and one Mg2+ have been proposed in the β propeller domain of the α subunit; these divalent cations support one ligand binding site on this subunit. One divalent cation binding site has been proposed in the βA domain (vWF A domain-like domain) of the β subunit; this domain contains an RGD peptide binding site in the up-face of a Rossman fold structure. The RGD (arginine-glycine-aspartic acid) sequence in ligands (e.g., fibrinogen, vWF, fibronectin, vitronectin, prothrombin, etc.) is the recognition motif of the integrin family, and after ligand binding, some divalent cations may be replaced by an RGD portion of the ligands, but divalent cations are required to maintain the specific structure for ligand binding in most cases.
It is notable that many anti-PSI domain antibodies, if not all, may activate integrins by directly changing the integrin conformation. Based on earlier studies (Ni H et al, J Biol Chem. Apr. 3, 1998; 273(14):7981-7987), and the integrin structure model (Xiao T et al, Nature. Nov. 4, 2004; 432(7013):59-67), antibody binding to the PSI domain of integrin (e.g., β3 integrin) may enhance the "swinging out" of the leg of the β subunit and facilitate integrin-ligand binding. Therefore, anti-PSI domain of β3 integrin antibodies may lead to platelet activation and aggregation, and have therapeutic potential to stop bleeding.
Among the commercially available platelet αIIbβ3 receptor antagonists is the monoclonal antibody (mAb) 7E3, which binds to the αIIbβ3 receptor on the platelet. A humanized form of 7E3 is the active agent in the clinical drug REOPRO™ (abciximab), a drug developed for the treatment of thrombotic diseases. According to the REOPRO™ website, the drug blocks interaction of fibrinogen with αIIbβ3, and hence the final common pathway to platelet aggregation. REOPRO™ (abciximab) is thus claimed to block the formation of platelet aggregates and the formation of an arterial thrombus, and is used as an adjunct to percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).
Another commercially available platelet αIIbβ3 receptor antagonist, tirofiban, is marketed as a drug in many countries under the brand name AGGRASTAT™. Tirofiban is a non-peptide αIIbβ3 receptor inhibitor, and is usually used in combination with heparin to help prevent blood clotting that occurs during certain heart conditions (e.g., acute coronary syndrome), or in medical procedures such as percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).
Eptifibatide (INTEGRILIN™), another αIIbβ3 receptor antagonist, is an intravenous cyclical heptapeptide derived from a protein found in the venom of the southeastern pygmy rattlesnake (Sistrurus millarus barbouri). It has been shown to be efficacious in the treatment of patients during coronary angioplasty, myocardial infarction and angina.
A significant drawback of these αIIbβ3 antagonists, however, is the occurrence of side-effects, such as bleeding disorders. Due to the severity of these side effects, there is a need for continued research with a view towards developing new platelet aggregation inhibitors that can be safely used for antithrombotic therapy.


A target irradiation system for irradiating a radioisotope target in a vessel penetration of a fission reactor, includes a target delivery assembly with a body defining a central bore, a basket that is slidably receivable within the central bore of the body, and a winch that is connected to the basket by a cable. The target delivery assembly is affixed to the vessel penetration of the reactor; and a target passage is in fluid communication with the target delivery assembly. The basket is configured to receive a radioisotope target therein via the target passage and be lowered into the vessel penetration of the reactor when irradiating the radioisotope target. The target delivery system forms a portion of the pressure boundary of the reactor when in fluid communication with the reactor.

Technetium-99m (Tc-99m) is the most commonly used radioisotope in nuclear medicine (e.g., medical diagnostic imaging). Tc-99m (m is metastable) is typically injected into a patient and, when used with certain equipment, is used to image the patient's internal organs. However, Tc-99m has a half-life of only six (6) hours. As such, readily available sources of Tc-99m are of particular interest and/or need in at least the nuclear medicine field.
Given the short half-life of Tc-99m, Tc-99m is typically obtained at the location and/or time of need (e.g., at a pharmacy, hospital, etc.) via a Mo-99/Tc-99m generator. Mo-99/Tc-99m generators are devices used to extract the metastable isotope of technetium (i.e., Tc-99m) from a source of decaying molybdenum-99 (Mo-99) by passing saline through the Mo-99 material. Mo-99 is unstable and decays with a 66-hour half-life to Tc-99m. Mo-99 is typically produced in a high-flux nuclear reactor from the irradiation of highly-enriched uranium targets (93% Uranium-235) and shipped to Mo-99/Tc-99m generator manufacturing sites after subsequent processing steps to reduce the Mo-99 to a usable form, such as titanium-molybdate-99 (Ti—Mo99). Mo-99/Tc-99m generators are then distributed from these centralized locations to hospitals and pharmacies throughout the country. Since Mo-99 has a short half-life and the number of existing production sites are limited, it is desirable both to minimize the amount of time needed to reduce the irradiated Mo-99 material to a useable form and to increase the number of sites at which the irradiation process can occur.
There at least remains a need, therefore, for a system and a process for producing a titanium-molybdate-99 material suitable for use in Tc-99m generators in a timely manner.

Target irradiation systems for the production of radioisotopes


A superconductive magnet device includes a superconductive magnet body and non-magnetic pipes made of a transparent non-magnetic material. Preferably, the magnetic shims for compensating for the inhomogeneous magnetic field components generated by the superconductive magnet body are colored in accordance with the kinds thereof. Thus, during the adjustment operation of the inhomogeneous magnetic field, the number, kinds, and the position of the magnetic shims within the non-magnetic pipes can be ascertained from without.

This invention relates to superconductive magnet devices provided with magnetic shims for compensating for inhomogeneous magnetic field components and utilized, for example, in a magnetic resonance imaging system.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a conventional superconductive magnet device, and FIG. 5 is a side view of the main portion, as extracted from the housing, of the superconductive magnet device of FIG. 4. Within a superconductive magnet body 1 is formed a homogeneous magnetic field region 2. A number of non-magnetic pipes 3 are disposed on inner side of the superconductive magnet body 1 at predetermined circumferential spacings. Rod-shaped magnetic shims 4 are accommodated within the respective non-magnetic pipes 3. Stoppers 5 are inserted into both ends of the non-magnetic pipes 3 to confine the magnetic shims 4 within the non-magnetic pipes 3. The stoppers 5 also serve to position the magnetic shims 4 at predetermined axial positions along the lengths of the non-magnetic pipes 3. The non-magnetic pipes 3 are attached to the superconductive magnet body 1 via attachment frames 6.
It is extremely difficult to attain a sufficient homogeneity within the homogeneous magnetic field region 2 solely by means of the superconductive magnet body 1, due to insufficient manufacturing precision of the superconductive magnet body 1 or adverse effects of magnetic fields generated by neighboring magnetic parts. Thus, the homogeneity of the magnetic field within the homogeneous magnetic field region 2 is improved as follows.
First, the spatial magnetic field distribution within the homogeneous magnetic field region 2 is measured, and, upon the basis of the measurement, the magnitudes of the inhomogeneous magnetic field components are determined. Next, the kinds and number of the rod-shaped magnetic shims 4 required for compensating for the respective inhomogeneous magnetic field components are selected. The selected magnetic shims 4 are inserted into the non-magnetic pipes 3 at the predetermined positions, and are positioned along the lengths of the non-magnetic pipes 3 by means of the stoppers 5.
The spatial magnetic field distribution within the homogeneous magnetic field region 2 is measured again to ascertain whether or not the resulting magnetic field satisfies the prescribed homogeneity. If the homogeneity is below the prescribed level, the above-described steps of measurements and selections of the non-magnetic pipes 3 are repeated until the prescribed homogeneity level is attained.
By the way, in the above-described steps of inhomogeneous magnetic field compensation, the kinds and the number of the magnetic shims 4 inserted into the non-magnetic pipes 3 and the positions of the magnetic shims 4 within the non-magnetic pipes 3, etc., are recorded after every step, such that the compensation procedures up to the present can be comprehended at once.
The above conventional superconductive magnet device thus has the following disadvantage. Namely, during the compensation procedure of the inhomogeneous magnetic fields, the kinds and number of the magnetic shims 4 must be recorded precisely every time the magnetic shims 4 are changed and inserted into the non-magnetic pipes 3. Further, if the record contains an error, all the magnetic shims 4 must once be removed from the non-magnetic pipes 3 to confirm the kinds and the number of the magnetic shims 4. When the magnetic shims 4 are thus removed, it is necessary to ascertain the position of the magnetic shims 4 within the non-magnetic pipes 3. To do this, the operator must look into the non-magnetic pipes 3 from their ends. This is dangerous since the magnetic shims 4 may jump out of the non-magnetic pipes 3 due to the attraction of the magnetic field generated by the magnet.

Superconductive magnet device with transparent pipes for accommodating field correction shims


A method for providing a recommendation to an individual about an article of footwear includes receiving data about the individual from a sensor module associated with the individual during a first athletic activity engaged in by the individual, determining a first characteristic about the individual's gait based on the data related to the first athletic activity, providing a recommendation about a first article of footwear to the individual based on the first characteristic, receiving data about the individual from the sensor module associated with the individual during a second athletic activity engaged in by the individual, determining a second characteristic about the individual's gait based on the data related to the second athletic activity, comparing the first characteristic with the second characteristic, and providing a recommendation about a second article of footwear to the individual based on the comparison.

Athletic activity is important to maintaining a healthy lifestyle and is a source of entertainment for many people.
Technology has resulted in the development of fitness monitoring devices that are capable of recording information about an individual's performance during an athletic activity using sensors, and in some cases providing feedback about the individual's performance. Some fitness monitoring devices employ sensors attached to the individual's body, while other fitness monitoring devices rely on sensors attached to a piece of athletic equipment. Such sensors may be capable of measuring various physical and/or physiological parameters associated with the individual's physical activity.
While some existing fitness monitoring devices are capable of making relatively simple performance determinations such as an individual's current heart rate or total step count for an activity, more advanced determinations are often not possible or suffer from accuracy issues. Finally, the performance feedback provided by existing devices to individuals often fails to provide these individuals with quick, accurate, insightful information that would enable them to easily compare past performances, develop strategies for improving future performances, visualize performances, or select new training regimens or athletic equipment, such as articles of footwear in a retail environment.

Retail store motion sensor systems and methods


One approach to provide engine cooling for an internal combustion engine includes pumping coolant from a pump output, in parallel, directly to a block and a head upper coolant jacket; flowing coolant from the block directly to a head lower coolant jacket; discharging coolant from the upper and lower jackets only to a control block; and selectively directing cooling from the control block to each of: a cabin heater; radiator bypass line; and the radiator. In this way, an increased demand for pre-warmed coolant can be met, for example in the case of low outside temperatures.

Engines may utilize various cooling jackets in the head and block to provide cooling. However, there may be competing objectives for the cooling system relating to increase engine efficiency and waste heat rejection, improving engine warm-up, maintaining peak temperature control, providing cabin heating, etc.
One approach to balance such objectives includes an engine method, comprising:
pumping coolant from a pump output, in parallel, directly to a block and a head upper coolant jacket;
flowing coolant from the block directly to a head lower coolant jacket;
discharging coolant from the upper and lower jackets only to a control block; and
selectively directing cooling from the control block to each of: a cabin heater; radiator bypass line; and the radiator.
For example, it may be possible for a coolant-operated cabin heater to be provided with coolant that has been pre-warmed in the cylinder block. In this way, an increased demand for pre-warmed coolant can be met, for example in the case of low outside temperatures. In this way, all of the coolant conducted through the cylinder head and through the cylinder block can be connected via the heating circuit line to an inlet side of the control block.
It should be understood that the summary above is provided to introduce in simplified form a selection of concepts that are further described in the detailed description. It is not meant to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, the scope of which is defined uniquely by the claims that follow the detailed description. Furthermore, the claimed subject matter is not limited to implementations that solve any disadvantages noted above or in any part of this disclosure.

Liquid-cooled internal combustion engine with liquid-cooled cylinder head and with liquid-cooled cylinder block


A semiconductor integrated circuit having a standard pair of complementary data lines subjected to ternary control, through which data complementary to each other are transmitted when valid data are transmitted, single data lines subjected to binary control, through which data of the same system as that of the pair of complementary data lines are transmitted and a circuit for detecting valid data in a standard intermediate latch circuit which detects an event that the data transmitted through the standard pair of complementary data lines are changed to data complementary to each other, wherein the circuit for detecting valid data confirms arrival of the valid data and controls data corresponding to the data transmitted through the single data lines, to thereby reduce the number of pairs of data lines for narrowing an wiring area of the data lines and reducing a chip size while maintaining a high speed operation.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a configuration of signal lines in a semiconductor integrated circuit, in particular, a configuration of signal lines which can realize a high access speed and a reduction of chip size simultaneously.
2. Discussion of Background
A semiconductor integrated circuit has been improved variously in order to obtain a high access speed. As one of these improvements, a method that, in a semiconductor integrated circuit having memories, a line called data line, through which data to be read out from a memory cell or data to be written in a memory cell is transmitted, is composed of a pair of signal lines; and data to be read out from the memory cell or data to be written in the memory cell are transmitted through the paired data line has been widely used. When the data read out from the memory cell or the data to be written in the memory cell is transmitted to the paired data lines which have been pre-charged in advance, the data exist in the paired data lines have values which are complementary to each other. Provided that the data read out from the memory cell or the data to be written in the memory cell are called valid data, in a case that the data lines are composed to have paired structure, a time when data transmitted through the paired data lines have values complementary to each other is a time when the valid data are transmitted.
As a configuration of paired data lines, for example, there is proposed a semiconductor integrated circuit disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication Hei 2-101773 (JP-A-2-101773), wherein the semiconductor integrated circuit is composed such that data lines are constituted to be paired and countermeasures against the increment of the number of data lines caused by increasing bits and expanding capacities in recent dynamic random access memories (DRAM) are disclosed.
Meanwhile, FIG. 32 is a block diagram for showing prior art in which only single data lines are used to connect a preamplifier with a main amplifier of an ordinary DRAM.
In FIG. 32, a numerical reference 001 designates an array block of the DRAM. An i/o line area 200 is constituted by a plurality of paired i/o lines; and a preamplifier area 300 is constituted by preamplifiers pa0 through pan, which are provided in correspondence with the paired i/o lines respectively. Data in a memory cell in the memory cell array block 100 read out through the paired bit lines are amplified by the preamplifiers pa0 through pan after passing through paired i/o lines respectively. Data line area of a first system 400 is composed of single data lines rd0 through rdn, each one of which is connected to a corresponding preamplifier among the preamplifiers pa0 through pan, and transmits the data of memory cell amplified by the preamplifiers pa0 through pan. These data transmitted through the data lines rd0 through rdn of the first system are held temporarily in an intermediate latch circuit area 500 composed of intermediate latch circuits la0 through lan, which are respectively connected to the data lines rd0 through rdn of the first system; transmitted through single data lines od0 through odn in a data line area of a second system 600, each one of the single data lines od0 through odn connected to a corresponding intermediate latch circuit among the intermediate latch circuits la0 through lan; and reached to main amplifiers ma0 through man respectively in a main amplifier area 700. Further, these main amplifiers ma0 through man output from input/output terminals dq0 through dqn in a group of input/output terminals 010 to the outside.
FIG. 33 is a timing chart for showing an operation of conventional DRAM shown in FIG. 32.
In FIG. 33, references i/o, /i/o designate data in memory cell transmitted through paired bit lines and a sense amplifier to the paired i/o lines. In this, a case that identical data are read out so as to be transmitted the paired i/o lines represented by 0 through n. A reference pae designates a preamplifier activation signal; a reference rdi designates data to be transmitted through one of the single data lines of the first system rd0 to rdn; a reference rdL designates a signal for controlling data holding of the intermediate latch circuits la0 through lan; a reference odi designates data to be transmitted through one of the data lines of the second system od0 to odn which are outputs from the intermediate latch circuits la0 to lan; a reference oem designates an output control signal of the main amplifier, which is generated by delaying the signal for controlling data holding rdL; and a reference dqi designates data to be output from one of the input/output terminals dq0 through dqn. In the Figure, a reference (HO) designates a case that the data output from the one of the input/output terminals dq0 through dqn are data of a high level (H level), and a reference (L0) designates a case that the data are of a low level (L level).
Data in a memory cell in an address designated at a time T00 appear in paired i/o lines through paired bit lines and the sense amplifier.
At a time T01, the preamplifier activation signal pae becomes the H level and the preamplifier is activated. The data of the memory cell appeared in the paired i/o lines are subjected to a differential amplification by the activated preamplifier and the L level is output to one of the data lines of the first system rd0 through rdn.
The signal for controlling data holding rdL of the intermediate latch circuit, which is in the H level in advance at a time T02, becomes the H level by a delay of the preamplifier activation signal pae. In accordance with this change, the data transmitted from the one of the data lines of the first system rd0 through rdn is held in the intermediate latch circuit and output to one of the data lines of the second system od0 through odn. The period between the time T01 and the time T02 is designed based on a result obtained by calculating accurately and predicting by a simulation or the like in advance such that the amplified data outputs from the preamplifiers pa0 through pan are transmitted through the data lines of the first system rd0 through rdn, arrive at the intermediate latch circuits la0 through lan, and are held securely therein.
At a time T03, the output control signal oem of the main amplifier is activated, in other words, becomes the H level. In response thereto, transmitted data are output from one of the input/output terminals dq0 through dqn by the maim amplifier. Timing for activating the output control signal oem is also designed based on a result obtained by calculating minutely a time when data to be transmitted through one of the data lines of the second system od0 through odn arrive at a corresponding main amplifier by a simulation or the like, in a similar manner to that of the timing of the above-mentioned signal for controlling data holding rdL.
However, the conventional semiconductor integrated circuit has a problem that a size of chip became unfavorably large because, for example, when all of data lines were constituted by pairs of lines, the data lines occupied a very large area for wiring in a chip area of the semiconductor integrated circuit in accordance with an increasing number of pins, a configuration of bank and an increasing bit capacity, which have been especially prevailing in recent years, and therefore the size of chip in the semiconductor integrated circuit was restricted by the area for wiring.
Further, there were problems that wiring of paired data lines for obtaining a high speed became extraordinarily long because a layout of semiconductor integrated circuit is restricted by an increment of the number of wirings and the data lines had to be provided in a wiring layer having a high resistance value and a high capacitance value. Further, there was a problem that a yield was affected because connections between different wiring layers had to be realized by contacting these as a result of a complicated layout and thereby a defective opening of contact, a disconnection of wire, a short circuit and so on are apt to occur at a time of manufacturing the semiconductor integrated circuit.
On the other hand, in a case of the structure shown in FIG. 32, the area for wiring becomes about a half of that in comparison with that in the structure made of paired data lines, whereby it was very effective for reducing the size of chip. However, it was necessary to conduct a simulation by considering or assuming various elements such as every data line, a wiring length of signal line, a configuration of lines, a material of line and a margin of operating temperature in order for setting functional timings of the signals rdL and oem for controlling the data holding in the intermediate latch circuit, an output from the main amplifier and so on. Further, in such case, there was a problem that a high speed operation was not effectively conducted because the timings of control signals were set based on a case that transmission of data was slowest, namely, the worst condition.
Further, there was a problem that a yield was greatly affected because a delicate adjusting of the timing introduces malfunctions depending on a scattering in a manufacturing process.
Practically, a semiconductor integrated circuit using paired data lines for most of data lines in order to attain a high speed operation is increasingly used despite that a large capacity of the semiconductor integrated circuit is pursued in these several years.


A method for communicating information includes modulating a communications signal by orthogonal frequency domain modulation and transmitting the communication signal by a laser and/or light emitting diode carrier signal.

It is common knowledge that signals can be imposed upon laser light and LEDs by various means of modulation. It is also common knowledge that the atmosphere does not possess a uniform transmittance. Two classes of phenomenon primarily cause this. The first relates to the general chemical composition of the atmosphere and consists of bands of alternating high and low transmittance as a function of carrier frequency. These are well understood and generally well behaved. Thus, one can design a class of communication lasers and/or LEDs that will take advantage of higher transmittance within a particular frequency band as opposed to adjacent bands and expect the resulting system to perform significantly better than a system that does not do so. The second phenomenon is unfortunately not as well behaved and deals with the fact that the atmosphere is not homogeneous and constant in space and in time. Due to environmental conditions such as temperature gradients, moisture content, pollutants, wind and turbulence, the atmosphere's transmittance and index of refraction changes in localized spaces. These conditions are cumulative with distance, time varying, and are generally not predictable. Therefore they are best thought of in terms of random variables and consequently systems that do not compensate for them suffer in performance and quality. The result is that the channel, though it is pure line-of-sight, is an extremely hostile channel and optical systems (i.e. laser-and/or LED based) typically are only used for short distances where the cumulative atmospheric uncertainty is small. These systems typically can only establish reliable communication channels at data levels and ranges well below what might be expected for pure line-of-sight conditions. Typical means used in an attempt to overcome these obstacles include significantly increasing the output power of the transmitter laser or LED by either pure transmit power and also by the inclusion of expensive and physically large optics in the receiver configurations. While improving performance somewhat, these measures also have substantial negative impact. Higher power lasers are substantially higher in cost and also possess a health hazard to individuals in close proximity, either willingly, or unwillingly. Additionally, these higher power units also may possess a negative environmental impact Further, the cost of optical systems can go as the square of the size of the lenses employed, so it is easy to see the impact of a hostile channel on both cost and performance.
Even though some more recent systems have attempted to use other techniques such as some spatial diversity, positive results have been limited and the requirement to still use the items discussed above is not much alleviated.

Wireless optical system for high bandwidth communications


A clam shell type receptacle includes: a case assembly including a bottom case and a top case, the bottom case having a bottom wall and a peripheral wall which together form a recessed reception space, and the top case having a top wall and a peripheral wall which together form a recess, the top case being coupled to the bottom case so as to open or close the reception space; and a locking and release unit for locking the reception space in the closed state and for releasing the reception space from the locked state. The disclosed receptacle has a simplified external appearance, can be easily opened or closed, and the closed state of the reception space can be stably maintained.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a clam shell type receptacle, and more particularly to a receptacle having a bottom case forming a recessed reception space, and a top case coupled to the bottom case for opening and closing the reception space.
2. Description of the Prior Art
As generally known in the art, conventional cosmetic receptacles, such as a cosmetic makeup compact, are formed with a space for holding cream or powder cosmetics. Among such cosmetic receptacles, a clam shell type receptacle has a construction allowing a reception space formed in a bottom case to be opened or closed by a top case.
FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional clam shell type receptacle.
As shown in FIG. 12, a conventional clam shell type receptacle includes a case assembly 110 forming a reception space 120a, a locking and release unit 140 for locking the case assembly 110 so that the reception space 120a is closed in relation to the outside, or for releasing the case assembly 110 from the locked state, and an inner receptacle 160 provided within the case assembly 110.
The case assembly 110 has a bottom case 120 and a top case 130 coupled to the bottom case 120.
The bottom case 120 has a bottom wall 121 and a peripheral wall 122, the bottom wall 121 and the peripheral wall 122 cooperatively forming a recessed reception space 120a.
An opening assistance groove 122a is formed on the front side of the peripheral wall 122 of the bottom case 120.
The top case 130 has a top wall 131 and a peripheral wall 132, the top wall 131 and the peripheral wall 132 cooperatively forming a recessed area.
The top case 130 with the above-mentioned construction is pivotally coupled to the bottom case 120.
Consequently, as the top case 130 is pivoted, the reception space 120a of the bottom case 120 is opened or closed.
The locking and release unit 140 includes a catch projection 141 formed in the opening assistance groove 122a, and a locking rib 152 extending downward from the front lower edge of the peripheral wall 132 of the top case 130.
The locking rib 152 has a locking projection 152a formed on the inner surface of the locking rib 152.
A method of using the above-mentioned conventional clam shell type receptacle will be described with reference to FIG. 13. For the convenience of description, it is assumed that the reception space 120a is opened.
At first, if the top case 130 is pushed toward the bottom case 130, the top case 120 is rotated.
As the top case 130 is rotated, the locking rib 152 is received within the opening assistance groove 122a, and the locking projection 152a comes into contact with the catch projection 141.
When the locking projection 152a comes into contact with the catch projection 141, the top case 130 is pressed so that the locking projection 152a is forced to move over the catch projection 141. If the locking projection 152a is moved over the catch projection 141, the reception space 120a is closed and maintained in the closed state through the cooperation of the locking projection 152a and the catch projection 141.
Next, if the top case 130 is rotated away from the bottom case 120 with the opening assistance groove 122a, the locking projection 152a is released from the catch projection 141, and the reception space 120a is opened.
The above-mentioned conventional clam shell type receptacle has a problem in that its outer appearance is complicated because the locking and release unit 140 is formed on the outer surface of the case assembly 110.
In addition, the clam shell type receptacle has a problem in that because it is necessary to move the locking projection 152a over the catch projection 141 when the reception space 120a is opened or closed, the locking projection 152a and the catch projection 141 are worn.
Moreover, the clam shell type receptacle has a problem in that because the locking projection 152a and the catch projection 141 are worn when the reception space 120a is opened or closed, it is impossible to stably maintain the closed state of the reception space 120a if the clam shell type receptacle is used for a long time.


A method of manufacturing a semiconductor structure by forming an oxide layer above a substrate; optionally annealing the oxide layer to densify the oxide layer; forming a first sacrificial gate above the substrate; removing the first dummy gate; optionally annealing the first gate oxide layer; and forming a first replacement metal gate above the gate oxide layer. In some embodiments selective nitridation may be performed during the annealing step.

The present invention relates to manufacturing semiconductor devices, particularly to manufacturing gate dielectric layers for Replacement Gate Field Effect Transistor (FET) structures.
FETs are commonly employed in electronic circuit applications. FETs may include a source region and a drain region spaced apart by a semiconductor channel region. In planar FETs, the semiconductor channel region may be a semiconductor substrate. In finFETs, the semiconductor channel region may be a semiconductor fin. A gate, potentially including a gate dielectric layer, a work function metal layer, and a metal electrode, may be formed above the channel region. By applying voltage to the gate, the conductivity of the channel region may increase and allow current to flow from the source region to the drain region.
FinFETs are an emerging technology which may provide solutions to field effect transistor (FET) scaling problems at, and below, the 22 nm node. FinFET structures include at least one narrow semiconductor fin as the channel region of the FET and are gated on at least two sides of each of the at least one semiconductor fin. FinFETs including more than one fin may be referred to as multi-fin FinFETs. FinFETs may be formed on bulk substrates to reduce wafer cost and/or enable formation of certain devices in the bulk substrate.
Due in part to the relative instability of the dielectric layer and work function metal layer of the gate, a gate-last process, also known as a replacement metal gate process, may be used where a sacrificial gate is formed prior to forming other components of the FET. The sacrificial gate may then be removed to form a recessed region that may then be filled with a replacement metal gate potentially including a gate dielectric layer, a work function metal layer, and a metal electrode.

Annealing oxide gate dielectric layers for replacement metal gate field effect transistors

International Business Machines Corporation


Some implementations can include a zero turn radius utility vehicle that is operated in a standing position by an operator using foot controls provided on the utility vehicle. Accordingly, the operator's hands are free to operate handheld equipment (e.g., a line trimmer, edger, blower, etc.) while the operator controls the utility vehicle via the foot controls. Further, the utility vehicle may have a single third wheel (and no mower deck or other deck or protrusion) extending from the front of the vehicle frame so as to minimize any protrusions to the front of the vehicle, which can permit the operator to work on the ground in front of the utility vehicle using handheld equipment without interference from a mower deck, while remaining in a standing position on the utility vehicle and being able to simultaneously control the utility vehicle (via foot controls) and perform work with handheld equipment.

Some conventional utility vehicles may not be suitable for certain applications such as operating handheld equipment (e.g., line trimmer, edger, hedge trimmer, etc.) due to a need for some conventional vehicles to be operated by hand controls and/or due to the front of some conventional vehicles (e.g., a mower) having a platform or deck (e.g., for a mower blade or other equipment) extending out from the conventional vehicle such that operating handheld equipment to contact the ground (e.g., a line trimmer or edger) may be difficult or cumbersome.
One or more embodiments were conceived in light of the above-mentioned limitations or problems, among other things.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Foot controlled stand up zero turn radius utility vehicle


At least two flexible belts each having a pair of longitudinal edges are fed parallel to each other to a uniting station with one edge of one unfinished belt transversely confronting one edge of the other unfinished belt. The two unfinished belts are laterally separated at the station so that their one edges are spaced from and parallel to each other and a separator belt is inserted into a space defined between the one edges. Then the two unfinished belts and the separator belt are fed together into a press, and are there hot pressed.

In the production of continuous belting, for instance for the manufacture of conveyor belts, it is standard to laminate together the various layers of the belt, typically of outer layers of elastomer sandwiching a core layer of reinforcement as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,386,014 and then to hot press this laminate together in a continuous press. Such a continuous press can have upper and lower press parts as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,946,541 through which endless steel liner belts move, or can have heated rollers between which the belt is squeezed.
Clearly it is essential that the press exert a uniform pressure over the entire belt surface in order to avoid squeezing the belt too thin in some locations and leaving it too thick in others. This is not a problem if the belt has a width measured transversely to its normal transport direction through the press that is roughly equal to the press width measured in the same direction.
When, however, a narrower belt is to be pressed, it is normally necessary to press several such belts at the same time. This has the disadvantage that, if the belts abut laterally, they can become laterally fused together, and, if they are spaced somewhat, the edges are subjected to excessive pressure which leaves these edges too thin.
Alternately it is possible to make a single wide belt and subsequently slit it longitudinally to subdivide it transversely into two or more narrower belts. This leaves the reinforcement exposed at the belt edges and is generally expensive and unsatisfactory.


The present invention relates to temporary wall systems and their production and more particularly to portable, temporary wall systems. The wall system includes an adjustable pillar member, a panel member, and a support article arranged and disposed to secure the panel member to the adjustable pillar member. The adjustable pillar member includes a base portion and an expansion portion, and is configured to extend between opposing surfaces to provide support for the panel member when secured thereto. The base portion includes a first face, an opposing second face, and a channel formed in the first face, the channel extending from the first face towards the second face. The expansion portion is movably disposed within the channel, and at least partially extends from the first face of the base portion.

Often, it is desirable to divide rooms into sections or sub-sections of an original configuration. For example, homeowners and apartment renters may wish to divide rooms in order to provide privacy, or make more efficient and creative use of the existing space. However, currently available devices and/or methods include various disadvantages and drawbacks, leaving a variety of commercial needs which have not yet been met.
One currently available device includes a room divider, such as a hinged room divider screen. Although room divider screens may be easy to assemble and disassemble, and may include decreased cost, they also are often flimsy and easily knocked over while offering minimal privacy. Another method includes using existing furniture, such as a bookcase or other tall pieces of furniture (e.g., free-standing wardrobes), to partially separate rooms. However, furniture can be heavy and difficult to move, expensive, include unfinished portions, and/or create substantial and potentially dangerous tip-over hazards.
Traditionally built stationary walls, erected with studs, bottom plates, top plates, and clad with sheets of drywall, may be sturdier and provide increased privacy as compared to room dividers or pieces of furniture. However, stationary walls include significant drawbacks such as possibly requiring a building permit to erect, requiring expertise to construct, being difficult to remove, and leaving marks or holes in the floor, ceiling, and adjoining walls. Additionally, stationary walls are often erected and dismantled in a manner that makes it difficult to reclaim the materials in a useable form.
As an alternative to traditionally built stationary walls, pressurized walls may be constructed by expanding leveling screws within vertical studs to create a snug, pressurized fit of the stud against the floor and ceiling. Sheets of drywall are then attached to the studs, and the wall is finished with drywall tape, drywall compound, and paint. Although pressurized walls provide a temporary solution without forming holes in the floor or ceiling, they also include various drawbacks. Such drawbacks include potentially violating municipal building codes, being expensive to construct, and possibly requiring a contractor to dismantle the wall when no longer wanted, which may result in the contractor claiming the dismantled building materials. When the contractor claims the dismantled building materials, the consumer not only pays for the contractor's time, but also realizes no equity in the original purchase of the pressurized wall.
A portable, temporary wall system that shows one or more improvements in comparison to current solutions would be desirable in the art.


A third interconnection layer is disposed near a first interconnection layer and a second interconnection layer disposed above the first interconnection layer. The first interconnection layer and second interconnection layer are connected to each other by a regular via plug and a via plug for redundancy. The via plug for redundancy is disposed by the side of the regular via plug and between the regular via plug and the third interconnection layer. An extended portion of the second interconnection layer is extended from a portion connected to the via plug for redundancy on the second interconnection layer toward the third interconnection layer. The extended portion has a dimension smaller than the minimum dimension prescribed in the interconnection line design rule.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a semiconductor integrated circuit device, and particularly to a pattern of a plurality of interconnection lines connected to each other by a plurality of via or contact plugs in a semiconductor integrated circuit device provided with a redundancy layout design.
2. Description of the Related Art
In semiconductor integrated circuit devices (LSI) having high integration degrees, generation change or progress requires design rules for realizing designs with smaller pattern shapes. However, with a decrease in the size of pattern shapes, the number of defects is increased due to accidental factors and process fluctuations caused in the manufacturing process. In order to prepare for occurrence of such defects and thereby to improve the yield rate, pattern layout designs are arranged to employ a redundant structure dispensable for the operation, as a defect countermeasure.
In this respect, Jpn. Pat. Appln. KOKAI Publication No. 2001-284455 discloses the following technique. Specifically, via regions respective formed on the layers of interconnection lines are set to have essentially the same width as the line width of the respective interconnection layers. Where a via hole is formed at an end of an interconnection line, this via hole is elongated beyond the end of the interconnection line by a predetermined length in the length direction of the interconnection line. Consequently, it is possible to suppress problems in relation to minimum areas and/or the end of lines.

Semiconductor integrated circuit device comprising different level interconnection layers connected by conductor layers including conductor layer for redundancy


The present invention provides: a protection member used for preventing a contact between a lens for focusing light on an optical information recording medium and the optical information recording medium upon optically recording or reproducing information on or from the optical information recording medium, the protection member including an ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene porous film; and an optical pickup device having the protection member.

An optical pickup device for recording or reproducing information on or from an optical information recording medium such as DVD (Digital Versatile Disk) is provided with a lens for focusing light emitted from a light source on the optical information recording medium. This lens is opposed to the optical information recording medium in recording and reproduction and provided movably in a direction orthogonal to an information recording surface of the optical information recording medium and in a horizontal direction for the purposes of focus control and tracking control.
Recently, in order to realize high density recording, optical pickup devices using a laser beam of a short wavelength or a lens having a large number of apertures (NA) for recording and reproducing information have been proposed. The size of a recording mark of an optical information recording medium is proportional to the size of an optical spot, and it is possible to downsize the recording mark by downsizing the optical spot, thereby achieving improvement in recording density. When the laser beam wavelength is represented by λ, the optical spot size is decided by λ/NA. Namely, it is possible to improve the recording density of an optical pickup device by using the short wavelength laser beam and/or by using the lens having a large NA. For example, in the case of BD (Blu-ray Disk) developed as a large capacity optical information recording medium, it is possible to record information up to 27 GB on one side by using an optical pickup device using a blue-violet laser beam having a wavelength of 405 nm and an object lens having an NA of 0.85.
However, since a focal distance becomes shorter when the lens having large NA is used, a distance (hereinafter sometimes referred to as operation distance of lens) of the closest approach of the lens to a surface of the optical information recording medium is reduced. For instance, in one example of optical pickup device for BD, the focal distance is about 0.32 mm, and the lens operation distance is about 0.31 mm, which are remarkably short. As described above, due to the recent tendency of reducing the operation distance of the lens for the realization of high density recording, damages due to a contact between the lens and the optical information recording medium during operation of focus control and tracking control, for example, can easily be caused. Since the highest rotation speed of the optical information recording medium is about 150 km/h at its outer rim during recording and reproducing, at least one of the lens and the optical information recording medium is damaged when they contact with each other to make it impossible to record and reproduce information.
In order to solve the above problem, the optical pickup device has heretofore been provided with means for protecting the lens and the optical information recording medium from damages. For example, there has been proposed an optical pickup device provided with a protection member which is disposed on a surface opposed to an optical information recording medium of a component part retaining a lens, such as a lens barrel, and projected closer to the optical information recording medium than the lens is. As such protection member, a cushioning material made from a lamb felt (see Reference 1, for example), a projecting part made from a plastic which is more flexible than an optical information recording medium (see Reference 2, for example), a protector made from a silicon rubber (see Reference 3, for example), a protection lubrication film made from a non-crystalline carbon film and the like (see Reference 4, for example), a resin film produced by using a fluorine resin and the like as a base (see Reference 5, for example), and the like have been proposed.
[Reference 1] JP-5-144041
[Reference 2] JP-2-54433
[Reference 3] JP-11-312322
[Reference 4] JP-2001-297478
[Reference 5] JP-2003-272206
It is necessary for the protection member to reliably prevent the contact between the lens and the optical information recording medium as well as to avoid from damaging the information recording surface of the optical information recording medium when the protection member contacts the optical information recording medium. Therefore, the protection member is required to have an appropriate hardness for realizing a low friction property, a cushioning property (elasticity) for cushioning an impact of contact, and friction resistance.
However, as described in the foregoing, since recording and reproduction are performed in a state where the lens and the optical information recording medium are considerably close to each other in the case of the optical information recording medium of high recording density, an impact caused by a contact therebetween is great, and it has been difficult to protect both of the lens and the optical information recording medium with the use of conventional protection members.

Protection member and optical pickup device using the same