The subject of the present invention is a method and a device for filling a distribution line (20) with corrosive gas. The said method is a method for filling with gas, with passivation, a line (20) for distributing corrosive gas, which line is intended to distribute the said corrosive gas to a system (3) located immediately downstream of the said line (20); the said method comprising:

1. Field of the Invention
The subject of the present invention is a method and a device for filling a distribution line with corrosive gas. The subject of this invention is more specifically a method and its associated device for filling with gas, with passivation, a line for distributing corrosive gas; the said line being intended to distribute the said corrosive gas to a system located immediately downstream of this line and the said corrosive gas being capable of passivating it.
2. Description of the Related Art
The technical problem of obtaining good passivation of such corrosive-gas distribution lines with a view to, on the one hand, obtaining effective protection against corrosion of the said lines and of the said system supplied with the said gases by the said lines and, on the other hand, distribution of ultra-pure corrosive gases, is known to those skilled in the art.
To date, no truly satisfactory solutions to the said technical problem have been proposed (in particular, there are still problems with corrosion in the line and in the downstream equipment); the operation of filling with gas conventionally being performed in the following successive steps:
a first step of conditioning the line: this first step comprises at least one purge and a leak test. It generally comprises successive sequences of purging using one and the same inert gas, one and the same mixture of inert gas or several gases or mixtures of inert gases so as:
to eliminate impurities, particularly water, adsorbed onto the interior wall of the line (the said water accelerating corrosion in the presence of corrosive gas);
to check the tightness and integrity of the said line using conventional methods known to those skilled in the art;
and possibly, to analytically monitor the integrity parameters of the said line, such as the hygrometry, the oxygen content, the number of particles carried by the purge gas and supplied by the said line (the said purging gas obviously being clean and xe2x80x9cfreexe2x80x9d of water, oxygen and particles).
On completion of this conditioning of the said line, the inert gas (or mixture of inert gases) contained therein is or are removed (purged). The said inert gas (or mixture of inert gases) is or are generally pumped, to remove it, via the equipment located at the end of the line;
a second step of filling the said line with active gas: the line is filled with the active (corrosive) gas. The said gas is thus made available to the equipment.
The amount of active gas introduced into the said conditioned line for filling the said line with gas (for the xe2x80x9cfirst fillxe2x80x9d of the said line with the said active gas) is thereafter generally left in this line and then, when the said line enters service, delivered downstream into the equipment to supply the said equipment with active gas. This amount of active gas, although limited but not in any way negligible, and in any event proportional to the length and square of the diameter of the line concerned, may be referred to as the priming, start-up, or xe2x80x9cgoing livexe2x80x9d quantity.
The Applicant should be given due merit for having clearly established, in a way which was not obvious, that this amount of active gas used for filling the line with active gas, and more generally the initial quantities of active gas delivered, were liable to generate the corrosion problems mentioned hereinabove and that this was true regardless of the rigour with which the prior conditioning of the said line was performed. Specifically, the Applicant has clearly established (see FIG. 2 appended to this description) that the corrosive gas, in generating the passivation layer from the surface layer of oxides in the said line during its xe2x80x9cfirst passesxe2x80x9d down the line, also generates water, the said water making the said gas more corrosive and being liable, on the one hand, to detract from the formation of the said passivation layer and, on the other hand, to adversely affect the said passivation layer formed. Thus, regardless of the rigour of the prior conditioning, with reference to the hygrometry parameter, there is always the in situ generation of water after the said conditioning. For example, on the interior walls of a steel or iron pipe there is inevitably contact between gaseous HCl (corrosive gas) giving rise to the following chemical reaction:
Fe2O3+6HClxe2x86x922 FeCl3+3H2O.
Reactions of this type, known per se, were never alluded to within the particular context of the filling of distribution lines with corrosive gases. It is to the Applicant""s credit that the link has been established.
In the context of the present invention, the Applicant therefore recommends limiting the harmful effects of the water generated in situ during the formation of the passivation layer as far as possible. To this end, it recommends an original and particularly effective (from the point of view of the desired passivation and the corrosion caused) method for filling a distribution line with corrosive gas; the said line being intended to distribute the said corrosive gas to a system (generally an item of equipment) located immediately downstream of the said line. The components of the said system will be all the more reliable (in other words, the risk of the system malfunctioning will be all the lower) if the aggressiveness of the gas has been minimized, and if the presence of water within the said gas has been minimized.
The said line supplies the said system with the said gas directly. Its supplies the said gas to the inlet of the said system. The whys and wherefores of locating the system that is to be supplied with gas immediately downstream of the line will be understood from studying the considerations hereinabove about the methods of conditioning, and from the description hereinbelow of the method of the invention. In effect, the issue is obviously not one of carefully preparing a line xe2x80x9cfarxe2x80x9d upstream of the system that is to be supplied so as to then use the said prepared line and an extension thereof or some other line, which has not been prepared, immediately upstream of the said system for supplying this system. The problems mentioned hereinabove would inevitably be encountered in the unprepared part, and this would, just as inevitably, cancel the effects of the preparation in the portion xe2x80x9cfarxe2x80x9d upstream.
The method of the invention is thus generally performed on the entire active-gas distribution system. It may, however, obviously be performed only on part of this system, in instances where a new line or an extension of a line is or are added to a network, the upstream part of which has already been xe2x80x9ctreatedxe2x80x9d within the meaning of the invention.
The method of the invention comprises, in succession, the conventional steps of the method of the prior art, namely:
prior conditioning of the said line (conditioning as described in the introduction of the present description, on completion of which the said line is dry, clean and empty of any gas);
the actual filling of the said line with the said corrosive gas known as an active gas.
It is characterized by an original way of performing the second of the said steps. Specifically, according to the invention, the said actual filling with gas comprises:
at least one cycle of filling the said line with active gas as far as immediately upstream of the system and of removing the said active gas thus introduced into the said line; the said removal being performed without the said active gas passing through the said system;
followed by the final filling of the said line with gas so as to make the said gas available to the said system.
Thus, characteristically, according to the method of the invention, the first quantity (quantities) of active gas introduced into the said line (at least the said first quantity, referred to hereinabove as the start-up or priming quantity) is (are) removed from the said line without being delivered downstream into the system. The said system is thus spared from any contact, or any reaction with the said water-laden first quantity (quantities) of gas, which has (have) thus become more corrosive.
According to the invention, the active gas introduced during the filling with active gas of a line supplying a system is not delivered into the said system (which would be in accordance with the teachings of the prior art) but is removed upstream thereof. The intervention of the said active gas is thus optimized with respect to the passivating of the said line, while at the same time sparing the said system from the said active gas which has become wet, and therefore more aggressive, and at the same time therefore sparing the said system from the corrosion for which the said wet active gas would inevitably be responsible if it were to pass through the said system, if it were removed downstream. The said system benefits greatly from this in terms of reliability. It is thus spared from:
xe2x80x9cdirectxe2x80x9d corrosion from the said wet active gas,
any damage liable to be caused by the metal particles resulting from the degradation, by corrosion, of the interior walls of the line.
In the same way, the method performed within the said system (method which uses the active gas) is spared from any contamination from water and the said metal particles.
Characteristically, according to the method of the invention, the first quantity (quantities) of active gas delivered (contaminated by the water generated in situ) is (are) not delivered to the system that is to be supplied.
The implementation of the method of the invention and the optimization thereof is within the competence of the person skilled in the art. Obviously, it is necessary, in addition to the means necessary for filling with gas in the conventional way, to provide means (for example a pump) for removing the active gas introduced, upstream of the system. This is described in greater detail in this text.
The person skilled in the art will actually know how to manage the number of cycles of introducing and removing active gas (obviously at least one cycle) and the duration of each of these cycles so as to optimize the desired result (in terms of passivation of the line and reduction of corrosion in the said line and the system downstream).
The following specifics are non-limiting. The first cycle (only cycle or first of at least two cycles) can be performed quickly, in so as far as the oxides directly in contact with the corrosive gas react quickly: thus, the active gas may be introduced into the line in question and pumped back out of it almost immediately (in under 10 minutes, generally after 1 to a few minutes). For the next cycle or cycles, it is sensible to leave the active gas in the line for a little longer: it needs to have time to diffuse in order to generate xe2x80x9cdeepxe2x80x9d passivation. Such xe2x80x9cdeepxe2x80x9d passivation is generally likely to be achieved, in any event, in under 24 hours.
According to one particularly advantageous implementation of the method of the invention, the actual filling with gas (filling with active gas) comprises n successive cycles, n being a whole number greater than 1, of filling with active gas and of removing the said active gas, performed with monitoring of the water content of the said removed active gas; the final filling with gas being performed at the end of the nth cycle (first cycle), during which there has been no generation of water. Logically, the term xe2x80x9cfinal filling with gasxe2x80x9d is understood here to mean the filling with active gas at the end of which the active gas in question is delivered to the system downstream of the line. At the end of these n cycles, all the water likely to be generated has been generated and removed (without contact with the said system).
In any event, the performing of a single cycle within the meaning of the invention is advantageous. In general, in the context of the method according to the invention, at least two cycles are performed in succession. Advantageously, as specified hereinabove, n cycles are performed in succession, with the amount of water generated being monitored. Such monitoring may be based on various analytical methods. The method selected must obviously be compatible with the wet corrosive gas involved and advantageously allow analyses to be performed in short times. Advantageously, techniques for measuring H2O by infrared absorption spectroscopy are used.
The context of the method of the invention will now be explained in somewhat greater detail.
As mentioned earlier, the active gas in question is a corrosive gas. It may, in particular, be a gas chosen from F2, Cl2, Br2, HF, HCl, HBr, HI, CIF3 and gaseous mixtures containing at least one of these gases. In any event, this list is not exhaustive. The method of the invention is advantageously employed on a line supplying a unit for the industrial manufacture of semiconductors with one of the gases listed hereinabove, particularly with HCl, HF or HBr.
The method of the invention is also implemented for filling with gas, with passivation, any line for distributing a corrosive gas, the line being intended to distribute the said corrosive gas to a system located immediately downstream of the said line (system using the said gas or intermediate system). A distribution line such as this is liable, in particular, to connect:
a) a gas cabinet or GC (to use the term of the art) directly to a system consisting of an item of equipment that is to be supplied with the said gas, or of the equipment item using the said gas. A cabinet such as this may contain within its structure a device (valve manifold box or VMB, see next paragraph) that allows it to supply several lines in parallel;
b) a gas cabinet (or GC) to a system consisting of a valve manifold box or VMB (to use another term of the art);
c) a valve manifold box (or VMB) to a system consisting of the equipment item that is to be supplied with the said gas, as the equipment item using the said gas.
The method of the invention may thus be implemented in various contexts and, in particular, on a line of type b above then on a line of type c above, to deliver the said gas respectively from the gas cabinet (GC) to the valve manifold box (VMB) and then from the said valve manifold box (VMB) to the equipment.
Whatever the context in which it is performed, the said method optimizes the passivation of the distribution line, with the first quantities of gas delivered; these not being distributed to the system but being removed upstream of the said system, thus sparing it from corrosion. When such a method has been performed, the said distribution line is capable of delivering an ultra-pure corrosive gas, without contaminating it.
According to another of its subjects, the present invention relates to a device that can be used in implementing the method (constituting the first of the said subjects) described hereinabove. The said device is suitable for filling with gas, with passivation, a line for distributing corrosive gas or active gas, which line is intended to distribute the said corrosive gas to a system located immediately downstream of the said line. In the conventional way, it comprises:
mounted on the said line, a first shut-off valve for supplying the said line with the said gas and a second shut-off valve for supplying the said system with the said gas (the said first shut-off valve is at the inlet to the said line, whereas the second shut-off valve is at the outlet from this line);
associated with the said line, means for filling it with inert gas and for removing the said inert gas used from this line (the said means allowing the line to be purged and qualified before it is filled with active gas).
Characteristically, it further comprises:
means for purging the said line of the said active gas, introduced between the said first and second shut-off valves; the said means allowing the said purge to be performed without the said purged active gas passing through the said system.
Said means must allow the first quantities of active gas introduced (at least the first quantity of gas introduced) into the line to be removed, removal being from upstream of the system, from upstream of the second shut-off valve that isolates the said system. The said means may in particular comprise a valve mounted on the said line and connected to pumping means; the said pumping means being capable of purging the said line of the active gas introduced into it, such purging obviously being performed with the first and second shut-off valves closed. Incidentally, it will be noted that the said means for purging active gas can be used, prior to the filling with active gas, for the operation of filling the line with inert gas (for removing the said inert gas from the said line).
Advantageously, the device of the invention comprises, mounted on the line concerned, a four-way valve connected to the inert gas supply and to the purging means, which are indispensable in purging the first quantities of active gas introduced into the said line. The said four-way valve is used in two successive first positions, for the prior filling of the line with inert gas for purging and qualification purposes and, in two other successive positions, for each cycle of filling the line with active gas and of removing the said active gas. Such four-way valves thus suited to advantageous implementation of the method of the invention have, in particular, been described by the Applicant in patent application EP-A-0,814,298.
It was seen elsewhere that the method of the invention advantageously comprises n successive cycles of filling the line with active gas and removing the said active gas, performed with the water content of removed active gas being monitored. To implement this advantageous alternative form of the said method, the device specified hereinabove therefore advantageously also comprises means for measuring the water content of the purged active gas. When this water content is deemed to be acceptable, or advantageously when it is equal to the water content of the active gas entering the line, correct or even optimum passivation has been achieved. The distribution line can therefore be filled with gas for use, to deliver active gas to the system, the first and second shut-off valves being opened. The person skilled in the art is capable of selecting an effective means of measuring the said water content of the purged active gas and of incorporating the said means into the line for removing the said purged active gas.

Method and device for filling a distribution line with corrosive gas

Abstract: prior conditioning of the said line (20);

Abstract: the actual filling of the said line (20) with the said corrosive gas known as an active gas.

Abstract: Characteristically, the said actual filling with gas comprises:

Abstract: at least one cycle of filling the said line (20) with active gas as far as immediately upstream of the system (3) and of removing the said active gas thus introduced into the said line (20); the said removal being performed without the said active gas passing through the said system (3);

Abstract: followed by the final filling of the said line (20) with gas so as to make the said gas available to the said system (3).

L""Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme a Directoire et Counseil de Surveillance pour l""Etude et l""Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude


Gas chromatography apparatuses are provided that can include a housing configured to substantially envelop the column within the compartment. Analytical instruments are provided that can include at least one chromatography column compartment having a volume of the less than 100 mL. Analytical methods are provided that can include increasing the temperature of a chromatography column at a rate of about 60° C./minute using less than about 40 W. Methods are also provided that include providing at least one gas chromatography column compartment configured to substantially envelop a gas chromatography column and performing analysis with the one compartment in the first operable position and/or transitioning portions to the second operable position to allow access to the one compartment. Production processes are provided that can include forming a first trench within the first surface of a substrate and/or aligning the first substrate with a second substrate to define at least one compartment between the first and second substrates.

Gas chromatography has been used as a separation and analysis technique for the detection of chemical warfare agents, environmental contaminants, and/or explosive compounds. Chromatographic separation can be based on the differential partitioning of compounds between a stationary phase coated on the inside of a capillary column and what can be referred to as the mobile phase such as carrier gas. Compounds that partition into the stationary phase can be retained longer within the column than other compounds that remain in the mobile phase. Compounds that partition into the stationary phase will therefore reach a detector at the end of the column later than will the other compounds that remain in the mobile phase as the other compounds are not as restrained as the compounds in the stationary phase. Temperature can be used to change the partitioning of compounds between the stationary and mobile phases, which can result in the separation of similar compounds. Gas chromatography can be highly reproducible and/or quantitative resulting in the ability to analyze complex samples rapidly.
However, the use of gas chromatography as an analytical tool can be limited by the requirement of a large, temperature-controlled oven. Typical laboratory based systems are quite large (24×24×30 inches, for example) and require significant power (˜1000 W). There have been many attempts at size and power reduction of gas chromatography systems. For example, ABB (www.ABB.com) manufactures the ACAMS for detection of chemical warfare agents at government facilities. OI Analytical (151 Graham Road, College Station, Tex. 77845) sells the mini-CAMS for the same purpose.

Analytical instrumentation and processes


The Code Key is substantially the same size and shape as a conventional key with cuts and slopes that actuate pin tumblers as in a conventional lock. However, instead of the tumblers being aligned by the key to permit mechanical rotation of the lock cylinder, the tumblers close selected sealed switches to create an electrical digital code. This code is compared to a preset code and upon matching of the two codes electrical unlocking and circuit enabling takes place. The unit into which the Code Key is inserted has the approximate shape, and outwardly appears the same, as a conventional lock. This unit, which can be referred to as a translator, has no mechanical connection to the door latch or circuit controls and thus no mechanical actions by an intruder can open the door or otherwise defeat the system. The Code Key Security System (CKSS) provides much more effective entry control for automobiles and other vehicles due to the absence of all mechanical locks and linkages, and includes all necessary controls for a total security system. In addition to vehicles, there are many other applications that can benefit from the added security of replacing mechanical locks and keys with translators and Code Keys. Further, the CKSS can be readily programmed for any desired code, and multiple codes and special functions can be provided.

The present invention relates to the field of physical security systems as conventionally provided by locks and keys, and more particularly to a system in which said locks and keys are replaced by translators and Code Keys together with digital comparator and output circuits to constitute an overall security system.
A particular application of the Code Key Security System (CKSS) relates to automobiles and other vehicles. Many security or theft deterrence systems have been devised for use on vehicles, but most consist of some type of alarm and a means for triggering the alarm. These provide a degree of deterrence but do nothing to prevent entry. They are also frequently prone to false alarms as many of the sensors are motion or vibration sensitive. Some of the systems also disable the ignition circuit, but this can usually be bypassed as is commonly done. There are also remote control systems which lock and unlock the vehicle doors and trunk by means of a small transmitter. Some cars also have a series of push buttons near the outside door handle which can be used to enter a code that will unlock the doors. Although many anti-theft systems have been developed, all cars still utilize a mechanical lock and key system along with any anti-theft system they may have, and thus there is little deterrence to intruder entry of the vehicle.
Over the years there have been many remarkable improvements in automotive technology, yet the locks and keys are essentially the same as those first introduced many years ago. The locks can not only be picked, but can be forced with relatively crude tools, and further there is usually some mechanical means inside on the door which can be reached with a tool under the glass, or by breaking the glass, which will open the door. None of these is possible with the CKSS.
The CKSS has numerous other applications where increased security is desired, such as hotel room or other business or institutional door control. In high traffic areas like hotels, it is frequently desirable to change room keys and this requires rekeying the locks, a time consuming task. The equivalent task for the CKSS, changing the translator code, can be readily accomplished since all of the translators in the facility can be programmed from a central computer terminal. In order to gain some of the advantages of the CKSS, some hotels are using card access control systems for their room doors. The associated card readers for these systems, however, are much larger than a translator and thus have problems regarding placement and aesthetics. Also, these systems are not as versatile as the CKSS since they do not offer the ease and convenience of making and using keys.

Security system with membrane switches to detect binary code on mechanical key


A vehicle mirror actuator includes an actuator housing, a first motor, and a second motor. The second motor is provided in the actuator housing and configured to adjust a mirror angle in a second direction of a mirror. The first motor is provided in the actuator housing between the second motor and the mirror and configured to adjust a mirror angle in a first direction of the mirror.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a vehicle mirror actuator and an exterior mirror for a vehicle.
2. Discussion of the Background
Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application Publication No. 2002-67795 discloses a vehicle mirror actuator which adjusts a mirror angle of a vehicle mirror. The contents of this application are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. FIG. 4 shows an exploded perspective view of Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application Publication No. 2002-67795.
Referring to FIG. 4, a vehicle mirror actuator 11 has a first motor unit 13A, a first wheel-cylinder assembly 14A and a first rod 15A in an actuator housing 12 in order to adjust a mirror angle in a first direction. The actuator 11 also has a second motor unit 13B, a second wheel-cylinder assembly 14B and a second rod 15B in the actuator housing 12 in order to adjust a mirror angle in a second direction. The first motor unit 13A and the second motor unit 13B include a first motor 13A1 and a second motor 13B1, respectively, and a first worm wheel 13A2 and a second worm wheel 13B2, respectively. The first motor 13A1 and the second motor 13B1 rotate the first worm wheel 13A2 and the second worm wheel 13B2, respectively. The first wheel-cylinder assembly 14A and the second wheel-cylinder assembly 14B include a first gear 14A1 and a second gear 14B1, respectively. The first gear 14A1 and the second gear 14B1 engage with the first worm wheel 13A2 and the second worm wheel 13B2, respectively. The first rod 15A and the second rod 15B are provided with the first wheel-cylinder assembly 14A and the second wheel-cylinder assembly 14B, respectively. The first rod 15A and the second rod 15B are arranged not to rotate against the first wheel-cylinder assembly 14A and the second wheel-cylinder assembly 14B, respectively, and arranged to extend and retract as the first wheel-cylinder assembly 14A and the second wheel-cylinder assembly 14B are rotated by the first worm wheel 13A2 and the second worm wheel 13B2, respectively.

Vehicle mirror actuator and exterior mirror for vehicle


A method and apparatus for utilizing a vehicle wheel alignment system to guide the placement and orientation of a vehicle service apparatus or alignment fixture relative to the thrust line of a vehicle. A laser adapter for projecting a reference line is mounted to a steerable wheel of the vehicle, and is aligned relative to both a line of the vehicle and to the supporting surface on which the vehicle is disposed. The vehicle line is determined by the vehicle wheel alignment system, and the steerable wheel, together with the adapter, are steered relative to the determined vehicle line, such that a projected reference line defined by the position and orientation of the adapter is established parallel to both the supporting surface and the vehicle line. The placement and orientation of the vehicle service apparatus or alignment fixture is subsequently adjusted relative to the projected reference line.

The present invention relates to the alignment of vehicle components relative to one or more features of a vehicle, and in particular, to methods and apparatus for utilizing a vehicle wheel alignment system to facilitate adjusting the alignment of sensors associated with forward looking vehicle collision avoidance systems relative to a determined thrust line of the vehicle.
Machine vision vehicle wheel alignment systems have been in use by the vehicle service industry for several years. A typical machine vision vehicle wheel alignment system, such as the Series WA400 wheel alignment system, configured with the Hawkeye Alignment sensors manufactured by Hunter Engineering Co. of Bridgeton, Mo. consists of a console unit, imaging sensors or cameras, and optical targets. The console unit contains a computer or processor configured with suitable image processing and vehicle wheel alignment software applications, and incorporates various conventional operator interfaces, such as a keyboard, a mouse, a printer, and a display device. The imaging sensors or cameras are operatively coupled to the computer or processor, and the optical targets are disposed in the field of view of the imaging sensors or cameras, typically mounted to the wheels of a vehicle undergoing an alignment inspection.
Commonly, to view the left and right sides of a vehicle, at least one imaging sensor or camera is disposed with a field of view oriented to observe the left side of the vehicle, and at least one imaging sensor or camera is disposed with a field of view orientation to observe the right side of the vehicle. The field of view of each imaging sensor or camera encompasses one or more wheels of the vehicle. In alternative configurations, two imaging sensors or cameras are provided on each side of the vehicle, each having a field of view encompassing at least one of the two vehicle wheels on the respective side of the vehicle, i.e. a left front, left rear, right front, and right rear wheel, respectively. To facilitate vehicle wheel alignment, optical targets are mounted on the vehicle wheels, and observed by the imaging sensors or cameras. The optical targets preferably have predetermined features which are identified in images obtained by the imaging sensors or cameras, and which facilitate a determination of the position and orientation of the optical targets in three dimensional space. The image processing may either take place in the imaging sensor or camera modules, or in the console computer or processor. Once the position and orientation of each optical target is determined, the position and orientation of the associated vehicle wheel can be determined, and corresponding, the various vehicle wheel alignment angle measurements may be either determined or calculated by the computer or processor using suitable mathematical algorithms. Vehicle wheel alignment angle measurements typically include a measure of camber, caster, and toe angles for each vehicle wheel, as well as the spatial position and orientation of the vehicle centerline and the vehicle rear thrust line.
It is becoming increasingly common for automotive vehicles to be equipped with various external sensor systems, such parking assist cameras, backup cameras, lane departure warning systems, blind spot detections systems, adaptive cruise control systems, and forward-looking collision avoidance radar components. Many of these external sensor systems require precise positioning and/or alignment of an associated field of view for proper operation. For example, adaptive cruise control system and collision avoidance radar components typically operate in either a frequency modulation (FM) or continuous wave (CW) mode to transmit a forward-looking signal from an antenna typically located in the front grill area of an automobile. The collision avoidance radar then determines from the return signal received by the antenna a distance an object causing the return signal is located from the automobile and the rate of closure of the object. Adaptive cruise control systems in the United States of America are currently configured to operate within a 76-77 GHz frequency band allocated by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for collision avoidance radar systems. However, other collision avoidance systems may be constructed which operate within different portions of the electromagnetic spectrum, for example, utilizing infrared or visible light lasers to obtain information about objects in the path of a vehicle, or alternatively, utilizing ultrasonic signals or cameras.
To obtain an accurate measure of the distance between the vehicle on which the collision avoidance components are mounted, and an observed object in the path of the vehicle, it is necessary to ensure that the object is in fact observed along the same vector as the vehicle is traveling, which is typically the vehicle rear thrust line for straight-line motion. In other words, it is necessary to ensure that signals emitted by a collision avoidance system, or field of view of an associated camera, are aligned along the same vector as the vehicle is traveling. Any misalignment between the transmission/observation vector and the direction of vehicle travel may result in misidentification of approaching objects, a miscalculation of the distances between the vehicle and the object, and accordingly, a miscalculation of the rate of closure between the two. Depending upon the severity of the miscalculation, the collision avoidance system might fail to recognize an impending collision, or in the case of adaptive cruise control systems, might signal a reduction in vehicle speed which is less than that which is actually required to safely avoid a collision between the vehicle and the approaching object.
Conventionally, the manufacturer of the vehicle external sensor system, such as a collision avoidance system, provides a vehicle service apparatus or alignment fixture specifically designed to facilitate the alignment of the signal emitting and receiving components. For example, a collision avoidance system alignment fixture is placed in front of the vehicle, and configured with components to facilitate a precise placement and orientation of the alignment fixture relative to the vehicle as specified by the vehicle manufacturer. These may include alignment marks onto which lasers are projected from laser pointers mounted to fixed positions on the vehicle structure (or in converse, may include mounting points for lasers to project towards alignment marks on the vehicle). Alternatively, the collision avoidance system alignment fixture may include mounting points to receive traditional transducer-based vehicle wheel alignment sensor heads or machine vision optical targets which are then observed by a suitably configured vehicle wheel alignment system to guide the operator to properly place and orient the fixture. Once the fixture is properly placed and oriented as specified by the vehicle manufacturer, the operator proceeds with a calibration procedure for the collision avoidance system (or other external sensing system) as specified by the vehicle manufacturer. These procedures typically requires that the vehicle sensor system be activated on-board the vehicle by the operator to observe the alignment fixture and to provide appropriate feedback for adjustment and calibration. Alternatively, a laser may be projected from the alignment fixture towards a target or mirror associated with the vehicle sensor system, and adjustments made to the vehicle sensor system to reflect the laser back to a specified point on the alignment fixture. In some cases, an OEM vehicle-specific scan tool or external control unit is required to be coupled to the vehicle ECU by the operator in order to initiation and or complete the adjust and calibration procedures.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,382,913 B2 to Dorrance et al., herein incorporated by reference, describes a method for facilitating the placement of a vehicle collision avoidance system alignment fixture relative to the direction of travel of an associated vehicle, using a machine vision vehicle wheel alignment system, cameras, and associated optical targets, thereby eliminating the need for vehicle service centers to either delay acquiring machine vision vehicle wheel alignment systems or maintaining both a machine vision vehicle wheel alignment system for vehicle wheel alignment measurements and a conventional transducer-based vehicle wheel alignment system specifically for the purposes of aligning vehicle collision avoidance system fixtures.
In order to utilize the machine vision vehicle wheel alignment system features, the '913 Dorrance et al. method requires the placement of an additional set of optical cameras on the vehicle collision avoidance system alignment fixture, to enable the machine vision vehicle wheel alignment system to observe wheel mounted optical targets from the position of the fixture, and to direct to operator to carry out any necessary placement adjustments for the fixture prior to adjusting the alignment of a collision avoidance system components on the vehicle.
Accordingly, it would be advantageous to provide a low cost method and simplified apparatus to facilitate the placement of a vehicle service apparatus, such as a headlight aiming device, or alignment fixtures for vehicle external sensor systems such as Intelligent Vehicle Highway Systems, relative to the thrust line of a vehicle undergoing a vehicle service procedure, without directly using components of a vehicle wheel alignment system mounted to the vehicle service apparatus or alignment fixture, thereby eliminating the need for additional or supplemental machine vision cameras, image processing procedures, optical targets, or conventional alignment angle transducers to complete the vehicle service procedure.
It would be advantageous to provide a low cost method and simplified apparatus to facilitate the placement of a of a vehicle service apparatus, such as a headlight aiming device, or alignment fixtures for vehicle external sensor systems such as Intelligent Vehicle Highway Systems, relative to the surface on which the vehicle undergoing a vehicle service procedure is currently resting, without directly using components of a vehicle wheel alignment system mounted to the vehicle service apparatus or alignment fixture, thereby eliminating the need for additional or supplemental machine vision cameras, image processing procedures, optical targets, or conventional alignment angle transducers to complete the vehicle service procedure, as well as compensating for any variations in the levelness of the surface on which the vehicle is disposed.
It would be further advantageous to provide a vehicle service system, such as a vehicle wheel alignment system, with the capability to communicate with an on-board computer or control system (ECU) of a vehicle, in order to either initiate or carry out, an OEM calibration or alignment procedure associated with an external sensor system of the vehicle once a vehicle service apparatus or alignment fixture has been properly positioned and oriented in proximity to the vehicle, thereby reducing the steps an operator must carry out to complete the procedure and eliminating the need for additional scan tools or interface devices.

Method and apparatus for positioning a vehicle service device relative to a vehicle thrust line


Perpendicular magnetic recording media and methods of fabricating perpendicular magnetic recording media are described. The perpendicular magnetic recording medium of one embodiment includes an interlayer, an underlayer, and a perpendicular magnetic recording layer. The interlayer is formed from a NiWCr alloy.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention is related to the field of magnetic disk drive systems and, in particular, to a perpendicular magnetic recording medium having an interlayer formed from a NiWCr alloy.
2. Statement of the Problem
One type of recording medium presently used in magnetic recording/reproducing apparatuses is a longitudinal magnetic recording medium. A longitudinal magnetic recording medium includes a magnetic recording layer having an easy axis of magnetization parallel to the substrate. The easy axis of magnetization is the crystalline axis that is aligned along the lowest energy direction for the magnetic moment. Another type of recording medium is a perpendicular magnetic recording medium. A perpendicular magnetic recording medium includes a magnetic recording layer having an easy axis of magnetization oriented substantially perpendicular to the substrate. Hexagonal Close Packed (HCP) Co-alloys are typically used as the magnetic recording layer for both longitudinal and perpendicular recording. The easy axis of magnetization for these materials lies along the c-axis or <0001> direction.
The perpendicular magnetic recording medium is generally formed with a substrate, a soft magnetic underlayer (SUL), an interlayer, an underlayer, a perpendicular magnetic recording layer, and a protective layer for protecting the surface of the perpendicular magnetic recording layer. The soft magnetic underlayer (SUL) serves to concentrate a magnetic flux emitted from a main pole of a write head and to serve as a flux return path back to a return pole of the write head during recording on the magnetic recording layer. The underlayer and the interlayer serve to control the size of magnetic crystal grains and the orientation of the magnetic crystal grains in the magnetic recording layer. The underlayer and the interlayer also serve to magnetically de-couple the SUL and the perpendicular magnetic recording layer.
The interlayer may be an amorphous material or a crystalline material with a Face Centered Cubic (FCC) or HCP structure. For example, Ni or Cu alloys such as NiFe or CuNb may be used for the interlayer. One problem with many present layer structures for perpendicular magnetic recording media is that if the interlayer is made of a material that is ferromagnetic, then the material can couple with the soft magnetic underlayer and increase the media noise. It is also desirable for the interlayer to give rise to small, uniform grains and strong perpendicular c-axis orientation in the underlayer and magnetic layer. This creates maximum signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and high coercivity (Hc) for the medium.
Other types of material that may be used for the interlayer is NiV, NiCr, and NiW. The use of these alloys gives rise to superior c-axis perpendicular crystallographic texture of the subsequently-deposited underlayer and perpendicular magnetic recording layer. One drawback to using NiV or NiW alloys for the interlayer is that the interlayer may be susceptible to corrosion, especially if the thickness of the interlayer is above about 8 nanometers.

Perpendicular magnetic recording medium having an interlayer formed from a NiWCr alloy

Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Netherlands, B.V.


The present disclosure relates to an array substrate comprising a substrate body provided, on a perimeter edge thereof, with a sealant coating region to be coated with a sealant, and the sealant coating region comprises a first region provided with a metal trace structure, and further comprises a region provided with a metal structure, a difference between an area of the metal structure and that of the metal trace structure being smaller than a threshold.

At present, in order to increase bonding stability of a sealant, a metal trace structure will be provided on an array substrate in a sealant coating region to be coated with a sealant. However, the sealant coating region is not entirely coated with the metal trace structure, which causes the arrangement of the sealant to be uneven. Moreover, in general, the sealant is cured by UV light, and a metal can reflect the UV light. Therefore, the provision of the metal trace structure that can reflect the UV light in a part of the sealant coating legion makes UV light irradiation powers inconsistent, thereby causing poor curing of the sealant or other problems.


The invention discloses a method and an apparatus for drying and cooling a glass substrate. The method comprises the steps described below. The method delivers the glass substrate cleaned by a cleaner into a baking oven by a first roller device. It dries the glass substrate using an infrared heating plate installed in the baking oven. It delivers the dried glass substrate into a cooling chamber by a second roller device. It cools the dried glass substrate using a cooling plate installed in the cooling chamber. And it delivers the cooled glass substrate onto a platform of an air floating type coater, and coating the glass substrate. This invention also discloses an apparatus corresponding to the method. According to the embodiments of the present invention, it is possible to reduce the number of foreign particles on the glass substrate before coating, and the drying effect is excellent.

In the procedure of manufacturing the liquid crystal display panel, further in the exposure process of the array substrate (TFT side), the glass substrate needs to be cleaned by a cleaner before coating. Then the glass substrate will be dehydration baked (DB) and cooled before proceeding with the coating procedure. After the coater (e.g. photoresist) is coated in the coating procedure, a pre-bake procedure is performed. And then the glass substrate is delivered into an exposure. A mask is used on the glass substrate for photoresist corresponding to the predetermined pattern. Then the corresponding pattern is formed by the developer. As a result, the TFT substrate exposure procedure will be completed.
In order to reduce coating defects in the coating procedure, it is necessary to use a cleaner to perform cleaning before coating procedure in the prior art. In this regard, the skill mainly be divided into the following steps:
It uses Extremely-Violet (EUV) to decompose the organics on the substrate surface, and at the same time uses ozone to accelerate the decomposition of organics. It neutralizes the acidic on the surface of the substrate using Tetramethylammonium Hydroxide (TMAH). Then use brush (RB) and AAJEDT to clean for removing the foreign particles on both sides of glass substrate. After the substrate is cleaned, an air knife (A/K) is used to blow the upper and lower surfaces of the substrate to remove the residual moisture. After the glass substrate is cleaned and dried, the glass substrate is transferred by a robotic arm to a Dehydration Baking (DB) apparatus before coating procedure to bake, dry and cool the glass substrate. Further, it is necessary to use a robotic arm to move the cooled glass substrate into a coater.
However, the traditional technology has the following defects: Firstly, the operating stroke is larger for the robotic arm to clean. Therefore, there will be more foreign particles in the environment around the robotic arm. Furthermore, the floor where the robotic arm is mounted is a raised floor. During the operation of the robotic arm, the airflow generated by the moving robotic arm brings the foreign particles under the floor into the working space of the robotic arm. In addition, there are hot plates (HP) and cold plates (CP) in existing baking, drying and cooling equipment. When the glass substrate is fed into or sent out of the equipment, the foreign particles in the working space of the robotic arm fall on the hot plate and the cold plate. Therefore, when the glass substrate is heated or cooled in a stationary state, the foreign particles adhere to the surface of the glass substrate. In the prior art, there is a technique that uses an air floating type coater (Levi coater) instead of the linear coater. Whereby, it is possible to reduce the use of robotic arm once before coating. That is it does not require the robotic arm to move the cooled glass substrate into the coater. However, it is also necessary to use the robot arm once before coating. That is the process of moving the glass substrate into the baking equipment. During the operation of the robotic arm and the process of baking the glass substrate in stationary state, there is still a problem concerning the foreign particles adsorbing on the surface of the glass substrate.
In addition, in order to reduce the poor coating yield due to the attachment of foreign particles, some of the existing technologies do not use the dehydration baking apparatus, and instead use only the air knife. But in fact, the air knife cannot completely remove moisture from the substrate. If there is moisture on the surface of the substrate, photoresist peeling may occur during the procedure of photoresist coating.

Method and apparatus for drying and cooling glass substrate

WUHAN CHINA STAR OPTOELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.


A dual crystalline resonator package comprises either (1) two crystalline bodies, in adjoining cavities of which bodies a crystalline temperature resonator and a crystalline reference resonator are respectively connected and which bodies are directly connected together, or (2) such two crystalline bodies in conjunction with a third crystalline body which is connected directly between the two first-mentioned bodies and to opposite sides of which third body the resonators are connected so that the resonators extend therefrom into the cavities of the two first-mentioned bodies. Either of these embodiments can be used for generating temperature data signals in a high pressure, high temperature well wherein the respective embodiment is lowered and exposed to such high pressure and high temperature. A modification of the second embodiment eliminates one of the resonators and the respective body having the cavity into which the eliminated resonator would otherwise extend.

This invention relates to a crystalline package having a crystalline temperature resonator and a crystalline reference resonator housed within crystalline bodies that can withstand high pressures and temperatures such as found in deep oil or gas wells. The invention also includes a related method.
During drilling, completing and producing an oil or gas well, temperature and pressure measurements are typically taken from within the well to obtain information about the ability of the well to produce oil or gas. This can be done by lowering quartz crystal pressure and temperature transducers into the well and generating electrical signals in response to the frequencies at which the quartz crystal members oscillate in response to sensed pressure and temperature. Typically a quartz crystal reference member is also provided for compensating for changes in response dye to pressure or temperature. This reference member and the temperature sensing member can be housed together.
The previous combined temperature sensing resonator and reference resonator packaging being used in the oil and gas industry is an assembly of either (1) four Z-cut quartz plates or (2) three Z-cut quartz members with the center member having a central aperture. These are disposed to define a central cavity containing the reference and temperature resonators. See U.S. Pat. No. 4,802,370 to EerNisse et al. for example. The reference resonator in such embodiments typically includes an SC-cut quartz crystal which is essentially independent of pressure, and the temperature resonator typically includes a torsional mode quartz tuning fork. These types of packages are typically positioned adjacent quartz pressure crystals.
These previous types of packages are rated for use up to 16,000 pounds per square inch (psi) at 175 degrees centigrade (.degree. C.). At these maximums, package failures are encountered, usually resulting in separation or fracturing of the Z-cut quartz plates. Because pressures and temperatures exceeding these limits are encountered in oil and gas wells, there is the need for an improved temperature/reference package that is reliably functional above these prior limits.

Temperature/reference package, and method using the same for high pressure, high temperature oil or gas well


A method for a film transfer device includes receiving a digital image in the film transfer device, wherein the digital image comprises a plurality of square pixels, wherein the digital image comprises a first number of pixels in a horizontal direction and a second number of pixels in a vertical direction, and wherein the digital image comprises a non-anamorphic version of an image, and optically converting the digital image into an optical output image to film media in the film transfer device, wherein the optical output image is associated with a plurality of non-square pixels, wherein the optical output image is associated with the first number of pixels in the horizontal direction and the second number of pixels in the vertical direction, and wherein the optical output image comprises an anamorphic version of the image.

The present invention relates to image to film transfer. More particularly, the present invention relates to techniques and apparatus for efficient recording of images to film media.
Throughout the years, movie makers have often tried to tell stories involving make-believe creatures, far away places, and fantastic things. To do so, they have often relied on animation techniques to bring the make-believe to "life." Two of the major paths in animation have traditionally included, drawing-based animation techniques and stop motion animation techniques.
Drawing-based animation techniques were refined in the twentieth century, by movie makers such as Walt Disney and used in movies such as "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" (1937) and "Fantasia" (1940). This animation technique typically required artists to hand-draw (or paint) animated images onto a transparent media or cels. After painting, each cel would then be captured or recorded onto film as one or more frames in a movie.
Stop motion-based animation techniques typically required the construction of miniature sets, props, and characters. The filmmakers would construct the sets, add props, and position the miniature characters in a pose. After the animator was happy with how everything was arranged, one or more frames of film would be taken of that specific arrangement. Stop motion animation techniques were developed by movie makers such as Willis O'Brien for movies such as "King Kong" (1933). Subsequently, these techniques were refined by animators such as Ray Harryhausen for movies including "Mighty Joe Young" (1948) and Clash Of The Titans (1981).
With the wide-spread availability of computers in the later part of the twentieth century, animators began to rely upon computers to assist in the animation process. This included using computers to facilitate drawing-based animation, for example, by painting images, by generating in-between images ("tweening"), and the like. This also included using computers to augment stop motion animation techniques. For example, physical models could be represented by virtual models in computer memory, and manipulated.
One of the pioneering companies in the computer aided animation (CA) industry was Pixar Incorporated. Pixar developed both computing platforms specially designed for CA, and animation software now known as RenderMan®. By moving to CA, Pixar was faced with additional challenges. One such challenge was how to accurately and effectively transfer CA images onto film.
As one means of recording an image on film, light is selectively introduced to the film in different areas over time, such that the effect of the combined exposures is a composite image. In one known arrangement, a laser beam is focused upon a frame of film. The laser beam is utilized to record a single pixel of an image onto the film. The laser beam is selectively directed at different areas of the frame of film in scan line sequential fashion to generate the composite image. In such an arrangement, beams of red, green and blue light are directed at the frame of film so that a color image is recorded by the film. The process of directing the laser beam at the film must be done with utmost precision or else the resultant image will suffer from visible defects.
In addition, in order for the image to have high resolution, the number of individual pixels or spots on the film which are individually exposed must be very large. The number of individually exposed pixels or spots on a frame of film may be 4000×4000 or more. Thus, in order to expose thousands of frames for a motion picture presentation, the spots are exposed at very high speed, with very high precision spot placement accuracy.
It is known to use a galvanometer to control a reflective surface which is used to deflect a light beam. In such an arrangement, a galvanometer is connected to a mirror and moves the mirror, such as in an oscillating motion. In the case of a laser film recorder, the mirror may be used to deflect the laser beam which exposes the film.
When recording a frame of film, the individual pixels or areas which are exposed by the laser beam are arranged in a Cartesian coordinate system. Pixels are arranged in rows (parallel to an "x"-axis) and columns (parallel to a "y"-axis). In order to record each pixel, the laser beam and/or film must be moved in both the "x" and "y" directions.
In prior arrangements, the laser beam is directed over the film in the "x" direction using a mirror controlled galvanometer. The film is then moved in the "y" direction with respect to the beam. Such arrangements have numerous drawbacks which are well known, including complex film drives and controls.
In order to avoid the shortcomings of systems in which the film is moved, some systems have been devised in which a mirror-controlled galvanometer is used to direct the laser beam in one dimension, and then the entire galvanometer is mounted to a rotary head unit for moving the entire device to direct the beam in the other dimension. Such a system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,831,757 having the same assignee as herein.
This system constitutes an improvement over prior systems. Still, the rate at which the beams may be scanned over the film using this system was limited due to limitations in controlling the movement of the entire device in the required precise manner. When producing a film having thousands of frames, it is desirable to be able to scan the film as quickly as possible.
In light of the above, Pixar invented a proprietary laser film recording system named Pixarvision™ with solved many of these problems. One specific innovation was the use of two substantially independent galvanometer controlled mirrors to direct the laser beams onto film media in a highly controlled scanning fashion. Previously, laser film recording could take up to 50 seconds per frame, however with Pixar's advances in this technology, this time was reduced to about 5 seconds per frame. Further details regarding specific embodiments may be found in U.S. Pat. No. 6,628,442 assigned to Pixar, the assignee of the present patent application.
In the movie industry, two of the more conventional widescreen formats for theater screens have horizontal to vertical aspect ratios include CinemaScope (Panavision) (e.g. 2.39:1, 2.40:1, 2.35:1) and widescreen 1.85:1 (e.g. approximately 16×9). In contrast, conventional film stock, such as 35 mm film have large active regions that can support a variety of aspect ratios including approximately 1.2:1 (e.g. 1.18:1). Conventionally, for film projected at CinemaScope aspect ratios, the images are intentionally distorted and recorded in compressed (or expanded) form onto the film media. Looking at the film media, the distorted images appear as horizontally squeezed (or vertically stretched), or "anamorphic" images. In the theater, the anamorphic images are projected through and horizontally stretched (or vertically compressed) by an anamorphic lens. As a result, the image on the theater screen appears at the correct aspect ratio. In contrast, for film having a projected aspect ratio of 1.85:1, the images are recorded onto the film media (stock) with little intentional distortion. Because these images are recorded as non-anamorphic images, no anamorphic lens is required for playback.
Despite these advances, the inventors of the present invention believe that further advances could be achieved in image to film transfer.

Anamorphic recording method and apparatus


A computer-implemented automated decision support system for designing an auction for a given item includes a structure extractor that estimates unknown elements of market structure of the auction based on auction characteristics data extracted from historical auctions for similar items and a bidding model matching the extracted auction characteristics data. The decision support system also includes a bidding behavior predictor that predicts bidding behaviors of bidders in the auction based on the estimated unknown elements of market structure and characteristics of the auction. In addition, the system includes an optimizer that employs an evaluation criterion to generate an evaluation of the auction based on (1) the estimated unknown elements of market structure and (2) the predicted bidding behavior of bidders. A method of providing an automated auction analysis is also described.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention pertains to auction designs and auction analysis. More particularly, this invention relates to an automated decision support system for designing and analyzing auctions.
2. Description of the Related Art
In an auction, the participants typically make a variety of decisions. In an auction run by a seller, a bidder has to decide on how to bid and whether or not to bid in a specific auction conditional on information the bidder has. In addition, the bidder needs to decide whether or not and how to gather information on auctions, objects, rivals, etc.
The auction house needs to decide fees for buyers and/or sellers. In addition, the auction house needs to decide the menu of auction mechanism to offer.
The seller has to make a number of decisions regarding the auction mechanism. This means that the seller typically makes a number of decisions to determine the specific auction procedure for designing and conducting the auction. The auction mechanism typically includes the auction format, the reserve price of the item to be auctioned, entry fees, quantity, timing and duration, lot size and bundling, sequence of lots, bid increments, information disclosure policy, participation rules, and preference/discrimination policy, etc. The auction format indicates the process by which the auction winner(s) and payments are determined. Standard auction formats include Dutch, English, first-price-sealed bid, Vickrey, etc.
The reserve price specifies the minimum or maximum acceptable price, depending on whether the auction is a selling auction or buying auction. If the auction is a selling auction, then the reserve price is the minimum acceptable price. If the auction is a buying auction, the reserve price indicates the maximum acceptable price. The entry fee is the fee a bidder is charged to participate in the auction. The participation rules specify how bidders can participate in the auction. For example, the participation rules can specify that the auction is an invitation only auction. As a further example, the participation rules may specify that participation is based on lottery draws.
For example, in an auction to sell an item (e.g., laser printer), the seller needs to determine, among other things, which auction format is to be employed in order to extract the maximum revenue from the auction. This is due to the fact that a particular auction format is better suited for a particular market environment than other auction formats. In other words, an English auction is better for some market environments, while in others, a first-price-sealed-bid auction is better. If a wrong auction format is selected by the seller, the revenue generated from the auction may be adversely affected.
In addition, once the seller has decided to employ a specific auction format, another important decision the seller typically needs to make is to set the reserve price below which no bid will be accepted. Again, the selection of the reserve price also affects the revenue generated from the auction. Estimates using field data from offshore oil lease auctions suggest that optimal reserve prices can increase auction revenues by more than 300%.
Currently, these decisions are left entirely to the person who runs the auction. In addition, uncertainty is intrinsic in all these decisions. This means that these decisions are person-dependent and typically optimality of these decisions cannot be ascertained. There is no systematic data analysis for the auction before the person can make the decisions. If the person making these decisions is experienced in auctions, then the decisions are likely to be optimal. If the person making these decisions is not experienced in auctions, then the decisions are likely not to be optimal.
Thus, there exists a need for an integrated estimation and optimization solution for making auction design decisions optimally based on structural econometric analysis of available data.

Automated decision support system for designing auctions

Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.


The present invention concerns a security device containing secret information, of the type comprising a memory area of an integrated circuit receiving said information and protection means covering and fastened at least to the memory area. The protection means comprise at least a second integrated circuit. The device further includes interactive connecting means between the two integrated circuits and means for destroying the secret information if the connection is interrupted or disrupted.

Such devices are included in portable payment terminals, for example, within an electronic security application module (SAM). These modules are very important because they contain secret information (example: bank keys), the discovery of which would allow access to an entire system.
The information is necessarily in an electronic layer of an integrated circuit. A passivation layer generally covers the electronic layer.
In some cases, this layer may not be a sufficient obstacle to access to the secret information, if sophisticated reading means are employed to read the information through the passivation layer. These reading means can utilize particle beam-type scanning techniques, for example.
Existing techniques intended to protect such information include the use of conventional intrusion sensors to protect an enclosure containing the electronic memory containing the information.
Also known in themselves are means protecting the integrated circuit directly against reading with the aid of sophisticated equipment. Said means are of two types: the first consists in masking the pattern of the semiconductor, for example by a metalization, a grid of dummy circuits or a diamond carbon layer; the second consists in memorizing the information in a RAM type memory and possibly combining it with random numbers that are changed continuously. The information is accessible only through an operating system that controls access to it. The principles used are identical to those of microprocessor cards. With this second type of means, the secrets contained in a RAM are always lost if the power supply to the component is interrupted. In this case, access to the information is not totally impossible providing the following are known:
how to eliminate the resin from the casing of the component when live, without creating a short-circuit that would lead to loss of the information, PA1 the exact schematic of the component, PA1 the memory "scrambling" table, PA1 the address of the secrets in the memory plane, and PA1 the correct manner of writing and reading the address bus and the data bus in real time.
The various prior art techniques mentioned hereinabove have the disadvantage of being ineffective if highly sophisticated means are employed or of being costly, in particular when diamond carbon masks are used.

Active security device including an electronic memory


A method for storing database information includes storing a table having data values in a column major order. The data values are stored in a list of blocks. The method also includes assigning a tuple sequence number (TSN) to each data value in each column of the table according to a sequence order in the table. The data values that correspond to each other across a plurality of columns of the table have equivalent TSNs. The method also includes assigning each data value to a partition based on a representation of the data value. The method also includes assigning a tuple map value to each data value. The tuple map value identifies the partition in which each data value is located.

Data compression has become an important feature for high-performance data warehouses. Many database management systems (DBMSs) support storing data in compressed form to reduce storage and input/output needs. To be efficient for processors and caches, many DBMSs also operate directly on compressed values. The DBMSs use some form of dictionary or prefix encoding so that algorithms for predicate evaluation, join, etc., directly apply on encoded values.
Several issues may arise when using compressed databases, particularly when handling new values or wide-sparse tables. Processing data is faster when handling fixed length and fixed format data. When handling new values, DBMSs may require support for heterogeneous representations for values that may be unencoded or encoded differently. When handling wide-sparse tables that have a lot of attributes where only a small number of one or more attributes are non-null values in any given record, representing the null values according to a DBMS's particular encoding configuration can have a negative impact on query performance.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Intra-block partitioning for database management

International Business Machines Corporation


A thermal transfer recording system wherein an area of a thermal transfer imaging medium is heated imagewise while in contact only with a thermal printing head and the imaged area of the thermal transfer recording medium subsequently transferred to a receiver material.

This invention relates to a thermal recording system. More specifically, this invention relates to a thermal recording system wherein a thermal imaging medium is heated imagewise prior to being brought into contact with a receiver material.
Printers based upon a process known as xe2x80x9cthermal wax transferxe2x80x9d, or, more correctly, xe2x80x9cthermal mass transferxe2x80x9d are available commercially. Such printers use an imaging medium (usually called a xe2x80x9cdonor sheetxe2x80x9d or xe2x80x9cdonor webxe2x80x9d) which, in the case of a color printer, comprises a series of panels of differing colors. Each panel comprises a substrate, typically a plastic film, carrying a layer of fusible material, conventionally a wax, containing a dye or pigment of the relevant color. To effect printing, a panel is contacted with a receiving sheet, which can be paper or a similar material, and passed across a thermal printing head, which effects imagewise heating of the panel. At each pixel where heat is applied by the thermal head, the layer of fusible material containing the dye or pigment transfers from the substrate to the receiving sheet, thereby forming an image on the receiving sheet. To form a full color image, the printing operation is repeated with panels of differing colors so that three or four images of different colors are superposed on a single receiving sheet.
Thermal wax transfer printing is relatively inexpensive and yields images which are good enough for many purposes. However, the resolution of the images which can be produced in practice is restricted since the separation between adjacent pixels is at least equal to the spacing between adjacent heating elements in the thermal head, and this spacing is subject to mechanical and electrical constraints. Also, the process is essentially binary; any specific pixel on one donor panel either transfers or does not, so that producing continuous tone images requires the use of dithering, stochastic screening or similar techniques to simulate continuous tone. One version of thermal wax transfer, called variable dot wax transfer, creates gray scale at the pixel level by creating a variable dot. This is accomplished by using a variable dot printhead, which has smaller heating elements, which creates a more peaked thermal gradient in the media. The longer heat is applied at the pixel the larger is the dot formed. It is not necessary to use halftoning with this technique. However, one problem with this technique is that it becomes very difficult to transfer small dots which results in grain and in the loss of detail in the low density regions.
Finally, some difficulties arise in accurately controlling the color of the images produced. The size of the wax particle transferred tends to vary depending upon whether an isolated pixel, or a series of adjacent pixels are being transferred, and this introduces granularity into the image and may lead to difficulty in accurate control of gray scale. Also, the size of the wax particle transferred depends on the thermal properties and surface roughness of the receiving material. Local nonuniformities in these properties in the receiving material introduce granularity into the image. This effect, in turn, requires expensive specialized receiving materials for high quality images. In addition, any given pixel in the final image may have 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4 superimposed wax particles, and the effects of the upper particles upon the color of the lower particles may lead to problems in accurate control of color balance.
Printers are also known using a process known as xe2x80x9cdye diffusion thermal transferxe2x80x9d or xe2x80x9cdye sublimation transferxe2x80x9d. This process is generally similar to thermal wax transfer in that a series of panels of different colors are placed in succession in contact with a receiving sheet, and heat is imagewise applied to the panels by means of a thermal head to transfer dye from the panels to the receiving sheet. In dye diffusion thermal transfer processes, however, there is no mass transfer of a binder containing a dye; instead a highly diffusible dye is used, and this dye alone transfers from the panel to the receiving sheet without any accompanying binder. Dye diffusion thermal transfer processes have the advantages of being inherently continuous tone (the amount of dye transferred at any specific pixel can be varied over a wide range by controlling the heat input to that pixel of the panel) and can produce images of photographic quality. However, the process is expensive because special dyes having high diffusivity, and a special receiving sheet, are required. Also, this special receiving sheet usually has a glossy surface similar to that of a photographic print paper, and the glossy receiving sheet limits the types of images which can be produced; one cannot, for example, produce a image with a matte finish similar to that produced by printing on plain paper, and images with such a matte finish may be desirable in certain applications. Finally, problems may be encountered with images produced by dye diffusion thermal transfer because the highly diffusible dyes tend to xe2x80x9cbleedxe2x80x9d within the image, for example, when contacted by oils from the fingers of users handling the images.
Finally, there is a thermal imaging system, described in, inter alia, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,771,032; 5,409,880; 5,410,335; 5,486,856; and 5,537,140, and sold by Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. under the Registered Trademark xe2x80x9cAUTOCHROMExe2x80x9d which does not depend upon transfer of a dye, with or without a binder or carrier, from a donor to a receiving sheet. This process uses a recording sheet having three separate superposed color-forming layers, each of which develops a different color upon heating. The top color-forming layer develops color at a lower temperature than the middle color-forming layer, which in turn develops color at a lower temperature than the bottom color-forming layer. Also, at least the top and middle color-forming layers can be deactivated by actinic radiation of a specific wavelength (the wavelength for each color-forming layer being different, but both typically being in the near ultra-violet) so that after deactivation the color-forming layer will not generate color upon heating.
This recording sheet is imaged by first imagewise heating the sheet so that color is developed in the top color-forming layer, the heating being controlled so that no color is developed in either of the other two color-forming layers. The sheet is next passed beneath a radiation source of a wavelength which deactivates the top color-forming layer, but does not deactivate the middle color-forming layer. The sheet is then again imagewise heated by the thermal head, but with the head producing more heat than in the first pass, so that color is developed in the middle color-forming layer, and the sheet is passed beneath a radiation source of a wavelength which deactivates the middle color-forming layer. Finally, the sheet is again imagewise heated by the thermal head, but with the head producing more heat than in the second pass, so that color is developed in the bottom color-forming layer.
In such a process, it is difficult to avoid crosstalk between the three color-forming layers since, for example, if it is desired to image an area of the top color-forming layer to maximum optical density, it is difficult to avoid some color formation in the middle color-forming layer. Insulating layers may be provided between the color-forming layers to reduce such crosstalk, but the provision of such insulating layers adds to the cost of the medium. Print energy tends to be high, since the third pass over the thermal head to form color in the bottom color-forming layer requires heating of this layer through two superposed color-forming layers, and two insulating layers, if these are present. Finally, the need for at least two radiation sources to produce two well-separated wavelengths adds to the cost and complexity of the apparatus required.
Generally speaking, the prior art thermal imaging methods involve the application of heat by a thermal imaging head to the donor element while the donor element is in contact with the receiver material. This arrangement is not always completely satisfactory because the amount of energy needed to reach the required imaging temperature is affected by the receiver material, typically paper, and therefore the energy necessary is typically higher. Also, the image quality of the image formed may be adversely affected by non-uniform receiver layer surfaces.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,504,837 describes a method and apparatus for recording color images as color transfer superimposed laminations. In one embodiment described therein imaging is effected by applying heat to a transfer sheet while it is in contact with an ink ribbon to form an image on the transfer sheet and a base sheet is then laminated over the image on the surface of the transfer sheet. In another embodiment (see, for example, FIG. 9 and the discussion beginning at column 7, line 32) three separate color donor elements are imaged by three separate thermal heads before the donor elements are brought into contact with the receiver material but with a roller in contact with the back side of the donor element. Subsequently, the entire coloring layer of the donor element is stripped from the support layer and transferred to a base sheet. In the multicolor embodiment illustrated in FIG. 9 of the ""837 patent subsequent color layers are superimposed over the first transferred color layer.
As the state of the art advances and efforts are made to provide new thermal recording systems which can meet new performance requirements and to reduce or eliminate some of the undesirable characteristics of the known systems it would be advantageous to have a thermal recording system wherein the effects of the receiver material upon the energy requirements of the system and on the image quality of the images obtained can be significantly reduced or substantially eliminated.
It is therefore the object of this invention to provide a novel thermal recording system.
It is another object to provide a thermal recording system wherein the energy required for imaging is not affected by the receiver material on which the image is recorded.
It is still another object of the invention to provide a thermal recording system wherein a thermal imaging medium is heated by a thermal printing head prior to being brought into contact with a receiver material.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide a thermal recording system wherein one surface of a thermal imaging medium is heated by contact with a thermal printing head while the opposite surface of the imaging medium is in contact with air.
A further object of the invention is to provide a thermal recording system wherein an image formed in a thermal image-forming layer can be transferred to a receiver material without the application of any substantial additional heat.
Still another object is to provide a thermal recording system wherein an image formed in a thermal image-forming layer can be transferred to a receiver material and laminated over a previously transferred image or images formed in a thermal image-forming layer or layers without causing any appreciable undesirable further thermal development of the previously transferred image(s).
A further object is to provide a thermal recording system capable of high image quality which permits the use of a broad range of receiving materials.
These and other objects and advantages are accomplished in accordance with the invention by providing a novel thermal recording system wherein a specific area of a thermal imaging medium is imaged by being brought into contact with a thermal printing, or imaging, head and heated imagewise before that imaged area of the imaging medium is brought into contact with a receiver material. According to the invention, during the imagewise heat application step the area of the surface of the thermal imaging medium opposite to the area of the surface in contact with the thermal printing head is in contact only with air. The imaging medium is held firmly against the thermal printing head by tension. Subsequently, at least the imaged areas of the thermal imaging medium are transferred to a receiver material. Thus, the effect of the receiver material upon the energy required to attain the requisite imaging temperature is substantially or completely avoided.
According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the distance between the point where any specific area of the thermal imaging medium is imaged by the thermal printing head and the point where that specific area of the imaged thermal imaging medium is transferred to a receiver material is selected such that no, or only very little, additional energy is needed to reach the required temperature for transferring the image formed in the thermal imaging medium to a receiver material.
In preferred embodiments of the invention, as will be described in detail below herein, the distance between imaging of the thermal imaging medium and transfer of the image formed in the imaging medium to a receiver material is a function of the length of the surface of the thermal heating element in the thermal printing head, i.e., the length in the print direction (the travel direction of the thermal imaging medium and the receiver element), and is measured from the center of the surface of the thermal heating element. The distance between application of heat to any point on the thermal imaging medium (referred to herein as the xe2x80x9cimage generation pointxe2x80x9d) to transfer of the image formed in that location to a receiver material (referred to herein as the xe2x80x9cimage transfer pointxe2x80x9d) is from about two to about six times the length of the surface of the thermal heating element.
The thermal recording system of the invention permits the use of less energy to attain the imaging temperature required by the thermal image-forming material in any particular instance. In a preferred embodiment, an imaging medium comprising a substrate carrying as the thermal image-forming layer a color-change layer which develops color upon heating is utilized and cross-talk between successively transferred, differently colored image-forming layers to form a multicolor image can be avoided without the necessity of fixing the previous image before transferring a subsequent image over it. Further, according to another preferred embodiment the imaged thermal image-forming layer can be transferred to a receiving element with only relatively little or no additional energy being required.


A blank mask is provided. The blank mask includes a mask layer disposed on a transparent quartz substrate, and a nano inorganic material-polymer complex layer. The nano inorganic material-polymer complex layer has nano-scale components and is formed on a surface of the mask layer to adsorb a residual contamination source remaining on the surface of the mask layer and to protect the surface of the mask layer from external contamination sources. The nano inorganic material-polymer complex layer can include a nano clay-polymer composite where PVDF is interposed between the nano clay plate-shaped layers. The contamination sources can be removed from the mask layer surface by removing the composite layer.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a semiconductor device, and more particularly, to a blank mask and a manufacturing method thereof.
2. Brief Description of Related Technology
A mask is used during a process of transferring patterns for a semiconductor device onto a wafer. A mask is manufactured by forming mask patterns having a layout of patterns to be transferred to a transparent substrate. Such a mask is manufactured by performing a patterning process for mask patterns on a blank mask including a layer for the mask patterns formed on the transparent substrate. The blank mask may be maintained in a state where any defect is not substantially generated before patterning of a mask layer is performed.
When packed or otherwise stored prior to use, it is frequently the case that foreign substances accumulate and are absorbed onto the surface of the blank mask, thereby generating defects during a subsequent process. To suppress this defect generation, a pre-inspection and washing to remove foreign substances upon detection of the foreign substances are performed before a patterning process is performed on the blank mask. However, the inspection and washing processes increase process time, which lowers productivity of the entire mask manufacturing process. Also, when defects are generated during the inspection process after mask manufacturing, a valuable mask is lost. Therefore, it is very important to remove foreign substances or particles from an initial blank mask.


The present invention provides for novel off-axis illuminator lens masks for semiconductor photolithographic projection systems. The masks are rotationally symmetric along axes 60.degree. or 120.degree. apart. Such masks can increase the contrast 30.degree. and 60.degree. with respect to the X and Y axes of an integrated circuit in a semiconductor wafer for the optimum printing of conducting lines along these directions.

The present invention is related to the field of semiconductor photolithography and, more particularly, to semiconductor optical projection systems.
In present semiconductor photolithography, optical projection systems are presently being used to print circuit patterns upon the surface of semiconductor wafers. Each circuit pattern is defined in a layer of a semiconductor device so that a sequence of these circuit patterns form the semiconductor device. As these devices become more compact and dense, the individual elements forming the semiconductor device become smaller and smaller. Feature sizes of many advanced integrated circuits today are smaller than 0.5 .mu.m.
These semiconductor photolithography projection systems have many refinements to enhance the printing capabilities of these systems. Among these refinements is the use of an off-axis mask for the illuminator lens of the projection system. The off-axis mask enhances the contrast of the pattern image which is projected onto a semiconductor wafer to create a circuit pattern on the wafer.
Nonetheless, there is still room for improvements in semiconductor photolithography projection systems. Unlike conventional semiconductor photolithography projection systems which take no advantage in emerging improvements in semiconductor technology, the present invention does.

Off-axis illuminator lens mask for photolithographic projection system


The invention provides methods and compositions for identifying transgenic seed that contain a transgene of interest, but lack a marker gene. Use of an identification sequence that results in a detectable phenotype increases the efficiency of screening for seed and plants in which transgene sequences not linked to a gene of interest have segregated from the sequence encoding a gene of interest.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention generally relates to transgenic plants. More specifically, the invention relates to identification and removal of unwanted or unnecessary DNA in transformed plants.
2. Description of Related Art
The identification of unnecessary or unwanted transgenic DNA in transformed plants has been the subject of numerous investigations and many different methods have been examined in efforts to eliminate these transgenic sequences from such plants (e.g. Hanson et al., 1999; Dale et al., 1991; Ebinuma et al., 1997; Yoder et al., 1994; Kononov et. al., 1997; Hare and Chua, 2002; Scutt et al., 2002; Puchta, 2003; de Vetten et al., 2003; Halpin, 2005; U.S. Published Appln. 20030110532; U.S. Published Appln. 20040237142; U.S. Pat. No. 6,458,594). In general, it is beneficial to identify plants that do not include transgenic DNA not contributing to an agronomically useful trait of the transgenic plant.
Many methods for introducing transgenes in plants by Agrobacterium-mediated transformation utilize a T-DNA (transferred DNA) that incorporates a transgene and associated genetic elements, and transfers these into the genome of a plant. Generally, the transgene(s) is bordered by a right border DNA molecule (RB) and a left border DNA molecule (LB), and is transferred into the plant genome, integrating at one or more loci. It has been observed that when a DNA construct contains more than one T-DNA, these T-DNAs and the transgenes contained within may be integrated into the plant genome at separate loci (Framond et al., 1986). This is referred to as co-transformation.
The process of co-transformation can be achieved by delivery of the T-DNAs with a mixture of Agrobacterium strains transformed with plasmids carrying the separate T-DNAs. Co-transformation can also be achieved by transforming one Agrobacterium strain with two or more DNA constructs, each containing one T-DNA. An additional method employs two T-DNAs on a single DNA vector and identifying transgenic cells or plants that have integrated the T-DNAs at different loci. In a non-Agrobacterium-mediated transformation system, such as a physical method for introducing DNA including bombardment with microprojectiles, two DNA molecules could be integrated independently into the target genome, and then segregate independently in a subsequent generation. Use of 2 T-DNA constructs allowing for independent insertion of sequences and their genetic segregation, has also been described (e.g. U.S. Pat. No. 5,731,179; Zhou et al., 2003; Breitler et al., 2004; Sato et al., 2004). While the foregoing has furthered the understanding in the art, there remains a need for improved methods and compositions for obtaining marker free plants to make product development more efficient. Previously described screening processes have been highly labor intensive, for instance requiring Southern blot or PCR™ analysis following growth of R0 and/or R1 plant material.
U.S. Publication 20060041956 describes use of a visual marker gene in conjunction with Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. However, the publication does not describe any method where such markers are linked to a selectable or screenable marker gene and unlinked to a gene of interest. Thus, there remains a great need in the art for methods and compositions that would improve the ease and efficiency with which plants lacking marker sequences and/or other transgenic DNA which is not agronomically useful can be identified and eliminated.

Methods and compositions for obtaining marker-free transgenic plants


A method for cleaning a lithography apparatus is provided. The method includes flowing a major cleaning agent in volume over a reflective surface of a collector of the lithography apparatus; and flowing a minor cleaning agent in volume intermittently over the reflective surface of the collector, so as to clean the reflective surface of the collector.

A lithography process generally used in the fabrication of a semiconductor device, in which a light beam is used to transfer various element patterns of a circuit design on various layers on a substrate. The element patterns are further processed to create devices and circuits forming an IC device. With advancements in IC design and fabrication technologies, the element patterns are getting much smaller for producing a smaller and efficient IC device. A light source with a smaller wavelength, such as an extreme ultraviolet (EUV) light beam, is required to achieve a better resolution for the element patterns.

Lithography apparatus and cleaning method thereof

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