A first temporary taken image taken by a first imaging section of a stereo imaging section, and a second temporary taken image taken by a second imaging section of the stereo imaging section are displayed on a display section. A user aligns the display position of the first temporary taken image with the display position of the second temporary taken image, by moving the first temporary taken image displayed on the display section. Based on the result of the movement, the display positions of two images composing a stereo image taken with the stereo camera are corrected, and the stereo image is displayed on the display section in a stereoscopically visible manner.

In order to generate a stereoscopically visible image with a stereo camera (stereo imaging), it is desirable that the focal distances of the two cameras or the optical positions such as the attachment positions are accurately aligned with each other. However, in practice, the optical positions of both cameras are not always aligned, and therefore, two images taken by both cameras (stereo image) include display error due to the difference between the optical positions of the stereo camera. Therefore, an optimum stereoscopically visible image that provides a depth feeling or a protrusion feeling cannot be displayed unless the error is corrected so as to appropriately adjust the display positions of both images (stereo image).
In addition, in conventional correction methods, an image for adjustment (adjustment pattern) is to be prepared. Therefore, even though distributers may be able to perform such adjustment (correction) in manufacturing or shipping, it is difficult for a user to perform the adjustment by using that method. Meanwhile, owing to outer shock to the apparatus when used, aging, or the like, the installation position (optical position) of the stereo camera can change. In such a case, a correction method for a user to easily perform the adjustment is desired to be provided.
Therefore, a feature of the exemplary embodiments provides a computer-readable storage medium having stored therein information processing program, and the like that allow a user to easily adjust the display positions of two images composing a stereo image even if the optical position of an imaging section (stereo camera) has changed owing to outer shock to the apparatus when used, aging, or the like.
The exemplary embodiments have the following aspects in order to solve the above problems.
One aspect of the exemplary embodiments is a computer-readable storage medium having stored therein an information processing program which is executed by a computer of an imaging apparatus that takes an image of a subject by a stereo imaging section to acquire a stereoscopically visible taken image and that includes a storage section. The information processing program causes the computer to function as: a temporary taken image acquiring section, a temporary taken image display section, an input accepting section, a display position changing section, a correction value calculation section, and a storage control section. The temporary taken image acquiring section takes an image of a given imaging target by the stereo imaging section, and acquires an image taken by a first imaging section of the stereo imaging section, as a first temporary taken image, and an image taken by a second imaging section of the stereo imaging section, as a second temporary taken image. The temporary taken image display section displays the first temporary taken image and the second temporary taken image on a display section. The input accepting section accepts an input from a user. The display position changing section changes at least one of the display positions of the first temporary taken image and the second temporary taken image, based on a predetermined input accepted by the input accepting section. The correction value calculation section calculates a correction value for correcting at least one of the display positions of images taken by the first imaging section and the second imaging section on the display section, based on displacement, by the changing, of the at least one of the display positions of the first temporary taken image and the second temporary taken image that has been changed by the display position changing section. The storage control section stores, in the storage section, the correction value calculated by the correction value calculation section without associating the correction value with the first temporary taken image and the second temporary taken image.
According to the above aspect, adjustment is performed based on the first temporary taken image and the second temporary taken image (adjustment images) acquired by taking images of a given imaging target (subject) with a stereo camera composed of the first imaging section and the second imaging section. Therefore, a user can acquire adjustment images by taking images of a desired imaging target with the stereo camera, and does not need to separately prepare a pattern image of the like for adjustment. In addition, based on a predetermined input from a user (a user's operation for moving at least one of the adjustment images), the display positions of the adjustment images displayed on the display section (for example, the display screen of the stereo camera) are changed. Therefore, a user can move the adjustment images to a desired position while confirming the display screen. In addition, based on displacement of the display position of the adjustment image changed based on an operation by a user, the correction value for correcting the display position of a stereo image (composed of two images taken with the stereo camera) to be displayed in a stereoscopically visible manner on the display surface is calculated, and the calculated correction value is stored in the storage section. Therefore, a user only has to do simple image adjustment (move adjustment images), in order to calculate the correction value for appropriate adjustment of the display position of a stereo image and store the correction value in the storage section.
In another aspect, the computer may be caused to function as a correction section and a stereoscopic display control section. The correction section, based on the correction value, may correct the display position, on the display section, of at least one of a first image taken by the first imaging section and a second image taken by the second imaging section which are taken separately from the first temporary taken image and the second temporary taken image. The stereoscopic display control section may display the first image and the second image on the display section in a stereoscopically visible manner, based on a correction result by the correction section.
According to the above aspect, based on the correction value, the display positions of the first image and the second image (stereo image) on the display section (display screen) are corrected, and based on the correction result, the stereo image is displayed on the display screen in a stereoscopically visible manner. Therefore, a user only has to do simple image adjustment (move adjustment images), in order to appropriately adjust the display position of a stereo image and appropriately display the stereo image on the display screen in a stereoscopically visible manner.
In another aspect, the calculation by the correction value calculation section may be performed as follows. That is, the correction value calculation section may calculate the correction value, based on only displacement in the vertical direction of the at least one of the display positions of the first temporary taken image and the second temporary taken image.
According to the above aspect, although displacement by movement of the display position of the first temporary taken image and/or the second temporary taken image (adjustment images) includes displacements in various directions, the correction value is calculated based on only displacement in the vertical direction (the y-axis direction shown in FIGS. 1, 5, and the like described later) of the adjustment images. Thus, the correction value is calculated as a value for correcting displacement of the position of a stereo image (displacement in the vertical direction between the positions of the first image and the second image) that is a main cause of recognition of the stereo image as two images displaced from each other. In addition, if the adjustment images can be moved also in directions other than the vertical direction by a user, it becomes possible to substantially overlap the first temporary taken image and the second temporary taken image with each other. As a result, it becomes easy to align (adjust) the display positions of the first temporary taken image and the second temporary taken image with respect to the vertical direction and to calculate appropriate correction value.
In another aspect, a display parameter for determining the display positions of the first image and the second image on the display section may be stored in the storage section. In this case, the temporary taken image display section may display the first temporary taken image and the second temporary taken image on the display section, based on the display parameter. The correction section may correct at least one of the display positions of the first image and the second image on the display section, based on the display parameter corrected based on the correction value.
According to the above aspect, the display parameter for determining the display position of a stereo image (first image and second image) to be displayed on the display section (display screen) is stored in the storage section (for example, a main memory). Based on the display parameter, the display position of a stereo image is determined. The display position of a stereo image is corrected by the display parameter being corrected. Therefore, a user can cause a stereo image to be displayed at an appropriate display position on the display screen, in which the correction is reflected (i.e., at the position updated based on the correction).
In another aspect, the computer may be caused to function as a display position determination section and a display adjustment parameter calculation section. The display position determination section may determine at least one of the display positions of the first temporary taken image and the second temporary taken image, based on a determination input accepted by the input accepting section. The display adjustment parameter calculation section may calculate a display adjustment parameter for correcting at least one of the display positions of the first image and the second image on the display section. In this case, the storage control section may update the display parameter to the value of the display adjustment parameter, and stores the updated display parameter in the storage section. The display position changing section may change the display position of the first temporary taken image, based on a first input accepted by the input accepting section. The display position determination section determines the display position of the first temporary taken image to be that changed by the display position changing section, based on the determination input. The display adjustment parameter calculation section may calculate the display adjustment parameter, based on a first displacement which is a displacement between the display position of the first temporary taken image determined by the display position determination section, and the display position of the first temporary taken image as it was before the changing by the display position changing section. The correction section may correct at least one of the display positions of the first image and the second image on the display section, based on the updated display parameter stored in the storage section.
According to the above aspect, if a user performs an operation of indicating that the display position of the first temporary taken image has been aligned with the display position of the second temporary taken image (the adjustment has been completed) (that is, if a user has given a determination input), the display adjustment parameter is calculated based on movement information (information about displacement of the display position) about the first temporary taken image (one of the adjustment images) moved thus far. Then, the display parameter, which determines the display position of a stereo image (first image and second image) to be displayed on the display section (display screen), is updated to the value of the display adjustment parameter. Therefore, a user only has to align (adjust) the display positions of the first temporary taken image (one of the adjustment images) and the second temporary taken image (the other one of the adjustment images) while confirming displacement of the first temporary taken image (the one of the adjustment images) on the display screen, whereby the display parameter can be updated (corrected) to an appropriate value (display adjustment parameter), and a stereo image can be displayed at an appropriate display position based on the updated display parameter.
In another aspect, the changing of the display position by the display position changing section, the determination of the display position by the display position determination section, and the calculation of the display adjustment parameter by the display adjustment parameter calculation section, may be performed as follows. The display position changing section may further change the display position of the second temporary taken image, based on a second input accepted by the input accepting section. The display position determination section may determine the display positions of the first temporary taken image and the second temporary taken image to be those changed by the display position changing section, based on the determination input. The display adjustment parameter calculation section may calculate the display adjustment parameter, based on the first displacement, and a second displacement which is a displacement between the display position of the second temporary taken image determined by the display position determination section, and the display position of the second temporary taken image as it was before the changing by the display position changing section.
According to the above aspect, the first temporary taken image and the second temporary taken image (both adjustment images) can be moved by a user's operation (first input and second input). Therefore, a user can align (adjust) the display positions of both adjustment images by moving both adjustment images. In addition, the display adjustment parameter is calculated based on movement (displacement) information about both adjustment images. Therefore, a user can more easily align the display positions of the adjustment images than a user aligns the display positions of the adjustment images by moving only the first temporary taken image (one of the adjustment images). Based on the adjustment result, a stereo image can be displayed at an appropriate position.
In another aspect, the calculation of the display adjustment parameter by the display adjustment parameter calculation section may be performed as follows. The display adjustment parameter calculation section may calculate the display adjustment parameter, based on a relative displacement of the first displacement with respect to the second displacement.
According to the above aspect, while the first temporary taken image and the second temporary taken image (both adjustment images) can be moved by a user's operation (first input and second input), relative displacement of the first temporary taken image with respect to the second temporary taken image (displacement of one of the adjustment images from the other one) is used for calculation of the display adjustment parameter. Therefore, when a user aligns the display positions of the adjustment images, the user can more easily align (adjust) the display positions of the adjustment images by moving both adjustment images. In addition, the calculation of the display adjustment parameter in this case can be performed similarly to the calculation performed when the second temporary taken image is fixed and only the first temporary taken image is moved (that is, only one of the adjustment images is moved). Therefore, the display adjustment parameter can be easily calculated.
In another aspect, the calculation of the display adjustment parameter by the display adjustment parameter calculation section may be performed as follows. The display adjustment parameter calculation section may calculate the display adjustment parameter, based on only a displacement in the vertical direction of the first displacement.
According to the above aspect, although displacement (the first displacement) by movement of the display position of the first temporary taken image includes displacements in various directions, only displacement in the vertical direction (the y-axis direction shown in FIGS. 1, 5, and the like described later) is used for calculation of the display adjustment parameter. Thus, displacement in the vertical direction of the position of a stereo image (the first image and the second image) that is a main cause of recognition of the stereo image as two images displaced from each other, is corrected. In addition, while only displacement in the vertical direction is used for calculation of the display adjustment parameter, if the first temporary taken image (one of the adjustment images) can be moved also in directions other than the vertical direction by a user, it becomes possible to substantially overlap the first temporary taken image and the second temporary taken image with each other. As a result, it becomes easy to align (adjust) the display positions of the first temporary taken image and the second temporary taken image with respect to the vertical direction.
In another aspect, the calculation of the display adjustment parameter by the display adjustment parameter calculation section may be performed as follows. The display adjustment parameter calculation section may calculate the display adjustment parameter, based on only a displacement in the vertical direction of the first displacement and a displacement in the vertical direction of the second displacement.
According to the above aspect, although displacement (the first displacement and the second displacement) by movement of the display position of each of the first temporary taken image and the second temporary taken image includes displacements in various directions, only displacements in the vertical direction (the y-axis direction shown in FIGS. 1, 5, and the like described later) of the temporary taken images are used for calculation of the display adjustment parameter. Thus, displacement in the vertical direction of the position of a stereo image (the first image and the second image) that is a main cause of recognition of the stereo image as two images displaced from each other, is corrected. In addition, while only displacement in the vertical direction is used for calculation of the display adjustment parameter, if the first temporary taken image and the second temporary taken image (both adjustment images) can be moved also in directions other than the vertical direction by a user, it becomes possible to substantially overlap the first temporary taken image and the second temporary taken image with each other. As a result, it becomes easy to align (adjust) the display positions of the first temporary taken image and the second temporary taken image with respect to the vertical direction.
In another aspect, the storage control by the storage control section, the calculation of the display adjustment parameter by the display adjustment parameter calculation section, the stereoscopically display control by the stereoscopic display control section, may be performed as follows. The storage control section may store, in the storage section, the display position of the first temporary taken image changed by the display position changing section, every time the input accepting section accepts the first input. When the input accepting section has accepted a switching input, the display adjustment parameter calculation section may calculate the display adjustment parameter, based on a third displacement which is a displacement between the display position of the first temporary taken image stored in the storage section, and the display position of the first temporary taken image as it was before the changing by the display position changing section; and the stereoscopic display control section may display the first image and the second image on the display section in a stereoscopically visible manner, based on the calculated display adjustment parameter.
According to the above aspect, every time the display position of the first temporary taken image (one of the adjustment images) is changed by a user's operation, the changed display position is stored in the storage section, the display adjustment parameter is calculated based on the stored display position, and a stereo image (first image and second image) is displayed in a stereoscopically visible manner, based on the calculated display adjustment parameter. Therefore, when a user is adjusting the display position of the first temporary taken image (one of the adjustment image) (that is, during the adjustment), the user can actually confirm how the stereo image is displayed in a stereoscopically visible manner by the current adjustment, and can confirm whether or not the current adjustment is appropriate, before ending (determining) the adjustment.
In another aspect, the storage control by the storage control section, the calculation of the display adjustment parameter by the display adjustment parameter calculation section, the stereoscopically display control by the stereoscopic display control section, may be performed as follows. The storage control section may further store, in the storage section, the display position of the second temporary taken image changed by the display position changing section, every time the input accepting section accepts the second input. When the input accepting section has accepted the switching input, the display adjustment parameter calculation section may calculate the display adjustment parameter, based on the third displacement and a fourth displacement which is a displacement between the display position of the second temporary taken image stored in the storage section, and the display position of the second temporary taken image as it was before the changing by the display position changing section; and the stereoscopic display control section may display the first image and the second image on the display section in a stereoscopically visible manner, based on the calculated display adjustment parameter.
According to the above aspect, every time each of the display positions of the first temporary taken image and the second temporary taken image (both adjustment images) is changed by a user's operation, the changed display position is stored in the storage section, the display adjustment parameter is calculated based on the stored display positions, and a stereo image (first image and second image) is displayed in a stereoscopically visible manner, based on the calculated display adjustment parameter. Therefore, when a user is adjusting the display position of the first temporary taken image and the second temporary taken image (both adjustment images) (that is, during the adjustment), the user can actually confirm how the stereo image is displayed in a stereoscopically visible manner by the current adjustment, and can confirm whether or not the current adjustment is appropriate, before ending (determining) the adjustment.
In another aspect, display of the temporary taken image by the temporary taken image display section may be performed as follows. The temporary taken image display section may display the first temporary taken image and the second temporary taken image on the display section such that at least one of the first temporary taken image and the second temporary taken image is displayed in a translucent manner.
According to the above aspect, the first temporary taken image and the second temporary taken image (both adjustment images) are displayed on the display section such that at least one of the temporary taken images is displayed in a translucent manner. Therefore, a user can easily view displacement between the two images. In addition, since the adjustment images have increased visibility, a user can intuitively and easily align (adjust) the display position of the first temporary taken image (one of the adjustment images) with the display position of the second temporary taken image (the other one of the adjustment images) by changing the display position of the first temporary taken image.
In another aspect, display of the temporary taken image by the temporary taken image display section may be performed as follows. The temporary taken image display section may display the first temporary taken image and the second temporary taken image on the display section in a planar visible manner.
According to the above aspect, the first temporary taken image and the second temporary taken image (both adjustment images) are displayed on the display screen in a stereoscopically visible manner (that is, the images are displayed such that both images are viewed by each of the right eye and the left eye of a user). Therefore, a user can easily view displacement between the display positions of the adjustment images, and can easily adjust these images.
In another aspect, a default parameter that defines predetermined default display positions of the first image and the second image on the display section may be stored in advance in the storage section. In this case, when the input accepting section has accepted a defaulting input, the storage control section may update the display parameter to the value of the default parameter and store the updated display parameter in the storage section.
According to the above aspect, if a user performs an operation of defaulting the display position (operation of returning the display position of a stereo image to the default setting), the display parameter is changed to the value of the default parameter. Therefore, even when a user has changed (adjusted) the display position of a stereo image, the user can return the display position to the default setting any time.
In another aspect, the changing of the display position by the display position changing section may be performed as follows. The display position changing section may change, in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction, at least one of the display positions of the first temporary taken image and the second temporary taken image, based on the predetermined input.
The above aspect is effective particularly when the first temporary taken image and the second temporary taken image (the adjustment images) are displayed in a planar visible manner. In general, since stereoscopically visible images have parallax therebetween, if the adjustment images are displayed in a planar visible manner, the adjustment images are displayed being displaced from each other in the horizontal direction (the x-axis direction shown in FIGS. 1, 5, and the like described later). Therefore, even if displacement between the adjustment images due to the optical position of the stereo camera includes only displacement in the vertical direction (the y-axis direction shown in FIGS. 1, 5, and the like described later), the adjustment images are displayed being displaced also in the horizontal direction. The magnitude of the displacement in the horizontal direction varies depending on the distance between an imaged subject and the stereo camera. Therefore, it may be difficult for a user to perform adjustment for removing displacement in the vertical direction. However, according to the above aspect, since at least one of the adjustment images can be moved also in the horizontal direction, a user does not need to consider the distance between a subject and the stereo camera, and can cause the adjustment images to substantially overlap with each other by moving at least one of the adjustment images in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction. Thus, a user can align (adjust) the display positions of the adjustment images with respect to the vertical direction.
In the above, the exemplary embodiments have been described using a computer-readable storage medium having stored therein an information processing program as an example. However, the exemplary embodiments may be applied to an imaging apparatus, an imaging system, or an imaging method.
According to the exemplary embodiments, it is possible to provide a computer-readable storage medium having stored therein information processing program, and the like that allow a user to easily adjust the display positions of two images composing a stereo image even if the optical position of an imaging section (stereo camera) has changed owing to outer shock to the apparatus when used, aging, or the like.
These and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the exemplary embodiments will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

System and method for calibrating a stereoscopic camera based on manual alignment of test images


Methods and systems for imaging a patient using an imaging system is provided. The method includes rotating a detector assembly about an examination axis of the imaging system, maintaining a first detector of the detector assembly at a first distance from the patient while receiving imaging data from the patient, and maintaining a second detector of the detector assembly at a second distance from the patient while receiving imaging data from the patient wherein the second distance is greater than the first distance and wherein the resolution of the imaging data from the first detector is smaller than the resolution of the imaging data from the second detector due to the difference between the first distance and the second distance.

This invention relates generally to imaging systems, and more particularly to methods and apparatus for medical imaging with improved resolution.
Diagnostic nuclear imaging is used to study radionuclide distribution in a subject, such as a patient. Typically, one or more radiopharmaceuticals or radioisotopes are injected into the subject. Gamma camera detector heads, typically including a collimator, are placed adjacent to a surface of the subject to monitor and record emitted radiation. At least some known gamma camera detector heads are rotated around the subject to monitor the emitted radiation from a plurality of directions. The monitored radiation data from the plurality of directions is reconstructed into a three dimensional image representation of the radiopharmaceutical distribution within the subject.
Generally, the resolution of a gamma camera degrades with increasing distance between the imaged organ and the detector. Therefore, it is desirable to place the gamma camera as close as possible to the patient to facilitate minimizing the loss of resolution. At least some known imaging systems use non-circular orbits, such as oval or elliptical orbits to facilitate maintaining the detectors positioned close to the patient during a scan. When the imaging system is configured for example, with a pair of gamma cameras in an "L" mode as is done when imaging the heart, and other organs, the gamma cameras are configured so they essentially touch one another along adjacent edges. Typical gamma cameras comprise a large scintillation crystal of NaI optically coupled to an array of Photo-Multiplying Tube (PMT). Signals from the array of PMTs are processed to yield the location of the scintillation event on the crystal in what is known as "Anger" camera, for example as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,011,057. Because of this construction, the gamma camera is less responsive near an outer periphery of the detector. The gamma camera detector is sized larger than the viewing area, and a volume of missing data is created proximate a surface of each detector where the volume is "seen" from only one of the detectors. Generally, the body of the patient is maintained spaced away from the surface of the detectors to avoid "missing data" that causes artifacts in the reconstructed image.


Within both a system for managing a work-in-process (WIP) workload within a fabrication facility and a method for managing the work-in-process (WIP) workload within the fabrication facility, there is determined from an overall routing sequence for fabricating the work-in-process (WIP) workload within the fabrication facility a series of routing sub-sequences which correspond with a series of service codes. By using the series of service codes for routing the work-in-process (WIP) workload within the fabrication facility there may be realized operational efficiencies when fabricating the work-in-process (WIP) workload within the fabrication facility.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to systems and methods for scheduling fabrication facility utilization. More particularly, the present invention relates to systems and methods for efficiently scheduling fabrication facility utilization.
2. Description of the Related Art
Microelectronic fabrications are formed from microelectronic substrates over which are formed patterned microelectronic conductor layers which are separated by microelectronic dielectric layers.
As microelectronic fabrication integration levels have increased and microelectronic device and patterned microelectronic conductor layer dimensions have decreased, so also has increased the complexity of microelectronic fabrication processing methods and microelectronic fabrication processing facilities which are employed for fabricating microelectronic fabrications. The increased complexity of microelectronic fabrication processing methods and microelectronic fabrication processing facilities which are employed for fabricating microelectronic fabrications derives in-part from: (1) the length (i.e., total number of process steps) of a typical microelectronic fabrication process description; along with (2) the variety of microelectronic fabrication process tools which is typically employed for fabricating a typical microelectronic fabrication; further in conjunction with (3) the variety of individual microelectronic fabrications (i.e., part numbers) which is typically fabricated within a typical microelectronic fabrication processing facility; still further in conjunction with (4) any specific microelectronic fabrication tool routing requirements which may be encountered when fabricating a particular microelectronic fabrication or a particular class of microelectronic fabrications within either a single microelectronic fabrication processing facility or a plurality of microelectronic fabrication processing facilities.
Further contributing to the complexity of microelectronic fabrication processing methods and microelectronic fabrication processing facilities is the generally distributed (i.e., non-linear) nature of microelectronic fabrication processing methods and microelectronic fabrication processing facilities, which further allows for various production priorities and dispatching rules when fabricating multiple microelectronic fabrication part numbers within either individual microelectronic fabrication processing facilities or multiple microelectronic fabrication processing facilities. Such varied production priorities and dispatching rules in-turn often provide difficulties in management of microelectronic fabrication work-in-process (WIP) workload within microelectronic fabrication processing facilities.
In light of the foregoing, it is thus desirable in the art of microelectronic fabrication to provide systems and methods for efficiently managing microelectronic fabrication work-in-process (WIP) workload within microelectronic fabrication facilities.
It is towards the foregoing object that the present invention is directed.
Various systems and methods have been disclosed in the arts of manufacturing and fabrication for managing fabrication workload within fabrication facilities, such as but not limited to microelectronic fabrication work-in-process (WIP) workload within microelectronic fabrication facilities.
Included among the systems and methods, but not limiting among the systems and methods, are methods disclosed within Dangat et al., in U.S. Pat. No. 5,971,585 (a method for optimizing within a fabrication facility, such as but not limited to a microelectronic fabrication facility, fabrication assets with respect to fabrication demands, such as to determine which fabrication demands may be met, and thus manage a workload within the fabrication facility, by employing a best can do (BCD) algorithm for matching the fabrication assets with respect to fabrication demands, where the best can do (BCD) algorithm comprises a forward implode feasible plan solver which may alternatively employ either heuristic decision technology or linear programming decision technology). The teachings of the foregoing reference are incorporated herein fully by reference.
Desirable in the art of microelectronic fabrication are additional systems and methods which may be employed for efficiently managing microelectronic fabrication work-in-process (WIP) workload within microelectronic fabrication facilities.
It is towards the foregoing object that the present invention is directed.
A first object of the present invention is to provide a system and a method for managing microelectronic fabrication work-in-process (WIP) workload within a microelectronic fabrication facility.
A second object of the present invention is to provide a system and a method in accord with the first object of the present invention, wherein the system and the method are readily commercially implemented.
In accord with the objects of the present invention, there is provided by the present invention a system and a method for managing within a fabrication facility, such as but not limited to a microelectronic fabrication facility, a work-in-process (WIP) workload, such as but not limited to a microelectronic fabrication work-in-process (WIP) workload.
To practice the method of the present invention, there is first provided a fabrication facility comprising a plurality of fabrication tools which performs a corresponding plurality of fabrication functions. There is then defined for the fabrication facility an overall routing sequence for fabricating a work-in-process (WIP) workload within the fabrication facility. There is then defined from the overall routing sequence a series of routing sub-sequences defined by a series of service codes, where a routing sub-sequence and a corresponding service code define a sub-plurality of fabrication tools which performs a corresponding sub-plurality of fabrication functions. Finally, there is then fabricated within the fabrication facility a work-in-process (WIP) workload which is routed while employing at least one service code.
The method of the present invention contemplates a system, and in particular a computer implemented system, which may be employed for practicing the method of the present invention.
The present invention provides a system and a method for managing within a fabrication facility, such as but not limited to a microelectronic fabrication facility, a work-in-process (WIP) workload, such as but not limited to a microelectronic fabrication work-in-process (WIP) workload.
The present invention realizes the foregoing object by employing within a fabrication facility comprising a plurality of fabrication tools which performs a corresponding plurality of fabrication functions an overall routing sequence for fabricating a work-in-process (WIP) workload within the fabrication facility. In addition, within the present invention, there is defined from the overall routing sequence a series of routing sub-sequences defined by a series of service codes. Within the present invention a routing sub-sequence and a corresponding service code define a sub-plurality of fabrication tools which performs a corresponding sub-plurality of fabrication functions with respect to a work-in-process (WIP) workload within the fabrication facility. Finally, a work-in-process (WIP) workload is fabricated within the fabrication facility while employing at least one service code.
The system of the present invention and the method of the present invention are readily commercially implemented. As will be illustrated in greater detail within the context of the Description of the Preferred Embodiment which follows, the present invention employs fabrication assets, fabrication resources and fabrication systems which are either generally employed within the art of microelectronic fabrication or readily adapted to the art of microelectronic fabrication. Since it is thus a specific operational methodology of fabrication assets, fabrication resources and fabrication systems which provides at least in part the present invention, rather than the existence of fabrication assets, fabrication resources and fabrication systems which provides the present invention, the system of the present invention and the method of the present invention are readily commercially implemented.

Service code system and method for scheduling fabrication facility utilization

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd


A head actuator has a shaft fixed on a base and a head supporting member, to which a head is attached, pivotably supported around the shaft. Because the shaft does not pivot with the head supporting member, it is not necessary to provide a member for supporting the pivoting shaft from both sides thereof, so that the head actuator can be made thin. Accordingly the disk storage having the head actuator can also be made thin.

The present invention relates generally to head actuators and to disk storage devices having head actuators, and more particularly to a rotary head actuator pivotable around a shaft and a disk storage device having such a head actuator.
Among magnetic disk storages, hard disk storages have been used as memory means for computers. Hard disks have been more improved than so-called floppy disks in TPI (track per inch) and BPI (bit per inch) so that the hard disks can be recorded with high density. The hard disk is fixed in a sealed housing to prevent dust from the outside attaching itself thereto so that it can be recorded with high density. In such a hard disk storage, a rotary head actuator is usually used for it.
A rotary mechanism of a conventional head actuator comprises, as shown in FIG.1, a head supporting member 14 to which a head arm having magnetic heads at the top thereof (not shown) is attached, a shaft 15, bearing beds 16 and a yoke 17. The head supporting member 14 is coupled to the shaft 15 so that they are rotatable together. The shaft 15 is supported by the bearing beds 16 via the bearings 19, and the bearing beds 16 are fixed on the case 18. In addition, the yoke 17, which is used for a voice coil motor, is fixed on the case 18 apart from the head supporting member 14, the shaft 15 and the bearing beds 16. The yoke 17 is inserted into the case 18 from the side surface or the upper surface of the storage so as to be attached to the case 18.
However the conventional head actuator has the following disadvantages.
1. It is difficult to make the device thin because the bearing beds 16 which support the rotating shaft 15 must be provided in the direction of the thickness of the case 18.
2. Since the yoke 17 is made individually from other parts so as to be attached to the case 18, it is necessary to wait for a performance test of the voice coil motor until the actuator is completely assembled in the case 18, which is troublesome.
3. It is difficult to insert the yoke 17 into the case 18 from the side of the storage, and on the other hand, at least a screwing process will take longer if it is inserted from the upper surface thereof.
4. It is difficult to assemble the actuator in the case 18, thus the process for assembling it will take longer.

Head actuator pivoting around stationary shaft and dish having such head actuator


A cobalt electroplating composition may include (a) cobalt ions; and (b) an ammonium compound of formula (NR1R2R3H+)nXn−, wherein R1, R2, R3 are independently H or linear or branched C1 to C6 alkyl, X is one or more n valent inorganic or organic counter ion(s), and n is an integer from 1, 2, or 3.

Filling of small features, such as vias and trenches, by metal electroplating is an essential part of the semiconductor manufacture process. It is well known, that the presence of organic substances as additives in the electroplating bath can be crucial in achieving a uniform metal deposit on a substrate surface and in avoiding defects, such as voids and seams, within the metal lines.
With further decreasing aperture size of recessed features like vias or trenches the filling of the interconnects with copper becomes especially challenging, also since the copper seed deposition by physical vapor deposition (PVD) prior to the copper electrodeposition might exhibit inhomogeneity and non-conformity and thus further decreases the aperture sizes particularly at the top of the apertures. Furthermore, it becomes more and more interesting to substitute copper by cobalt since cobalt shows less electromigration into the dielectric.
WO 2017/004424 discloses a composition for cobalt electroplating into interconnect features comprising an acetylenic suppressor compound and preferably a buffer. A preferred buffer is boric acid. The only example comprises boric acid, too.
DE 10 2014 019753 A1 discloses a boric acid free nickel electroplating bath comprising ammonium chloride.
JP 62-103387 A discloses an electroplating bath for depositing metals like Ni, Co, Fe, etc. which comprises a buffer. The Co composition in example 10 comprises citrate as the buffer.
On the other hand, cobalt may also be a substitute of copper in other applications like under bump metallization. In this case much bigger structures comprising micrometer-sized aperture size are used. Besides a void free filling in this application it is of particular importance that all features are equally filled with cobalt so that all bump on which the solders are to be deposited show essentially the same height.
A disadvantage of the existing cobalt electrodeposition baths is the pronounced non-uniformity of the electrodeposited cobalt layer.
There is still a strong need for a cobalt electroplating bath which provides, besides void-free filling of submicrometer-sized interconnects, a substantially planar surface over the filled features. There is also a strong need for a cobalt electroplating bath which provides a cobalt under bump metallization showing a low non-uniformity over the filled features.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a composition useful for cobalt electrodeposition which improves the non-uniformity of the cobalt deposit across the wafer.

Composition for cobalt or cobalt alloy electroplating


The present invention relates to dried preparations containing a class III antiarrhythmic compound in the form of a crystalline or amorphous salt or any combination thereof, where the counterion is selected from pharmaceutically acceptable water-soluble organic or inorganic acids. The present invention also relates to frozen preparations containing a class III antiarrhythmic compound in the form of a salt solution, where the counterion is selected from pharmaceutically acceptable water-soluble organic or inorganic acids. Preferred preparations contain a salt of the compound 3,7-diazabicyclo[3.3.1]-nonane-3-carboxylic acid, 7-[(2S)-3-(4-cyanophenoxy)-2-hydroxypropyl]-1,1-dimethylethyl ester (Compound A). Further aspects of the present invention include salts of Compound A per se, processes for preparing the preparations, as well as use of the preparations for prophylaxis and/or treatment of cardiac arrhytmia.

The present invention relates to dried preparations containing a class III antiarrhythmic compound in the form of a crystalline or amorphous salt or any combination thereof, where the counterion is selected from pharmaceutically acceptable water-soluble organic or inorganic acids. The present invention also relates to frozen preparations containing a class III antiarrhythmic compound in the form of a salt solution, where the counterion is selected from pharmaceutically acceptable water-soluble organic or inorganic acids. Preferred preparations contain a salt of the compound 3,7-diazabicyclo[3.3.1]-nonane-3-carboxylic acid, 7-[(2S)-3-(4-cyanophenoxy)-2-hydroxypropyl]-1,1-dimethylethyl ester (hereinafter Compound A). Further aspects of the present invention include salts of Compound A per se, processes for preparing the preparations, as well as use of the preparations for prophylaxis and/or treatment of cardiac arrhytmia.
Cardiac arrhythmias may be defined as abnormalities in the rate, regularity, or site of origin of the cardiac impulse or as disturbances in conduction which causes an abnormal sequence of activation.
Arrhythmias may be classified clinically by means of the presumed site of origin (i.e. as supraventricular, including atrial and atrioventricular arrhythmias and ventricular arrhythmias) and/or by means of rate (i.e. bradyarrhythmias (slow) and tachyarrhythmias (fast)).
In the treatment of cardiac arrhythmias, the negative outcome in some clinical trials (see, for example, the outcome of the Cardiac Arrhythmia Suppression Trial (CAST) reported in New England Journal of Medicine, 321, 406 (1989)) with drugs, acting primarily by slowing the conduction velocity (class I antiarrhythmic drugs), has prompted drug development towards compounds which selectively delay cardiac repolarization, thus prolonging the QT interval of the ECG. Class III antiarrhythmic drugs may be defined as drugs which prolong the action potential duration (which can be caused by a block of outward K+ currents or from an increase of inward ion currents) and refractoriness, without affecting cardiac conduction.
One of the key disadvantages of hitherto known drugs which act by delaying repolarization (class III or otherwise) is that they all are known to induce a unique form of proarrhythmia known as torsades de pointes, which may, on occasion be fatal. From the point of view of safety, the minimisation of this phenomenon (which has also been shown to be exhibited as a result of administration of non-cardiac drugs such as phenothiazines, tricyclic antidepressants, antihistamines and antibiotics) is a key problem to be solved in the provision of effective antiarrhythmic drugs.
Most antiarrhythmic drugs (including class III antiarrhythmic drugs) have a duration of action of between 3 and 12 hours. For example, the selective class III antiarrhythmic drug ibutilide (Pharmacia and Upjohn) has a half-life of elimination, which averages at around 6 hours when the drug is administered intravenously to a human patient.
In the minimisation of the side effects (including torsades de pointes) associated with anti-arrhythmic drugs, compounds which are effective, yet short acting, when administered intravenously, are expected to be of benefit. Accordingly, compounds which have a duration of action which is relatively short (hereinafter referred to as xe2x80x9cshort acting compoundsxe2x80x9d) may be expected to have clinical advantages when used in the acute conversion of arrhythmias, including reduced monitoring and hospitalisation time.
The class III antiarrhythmic compounds of the present invention, including Compound A, are such short acting compounds useful in the prophylaxis and treatment of cardiac arrhythmias. Their properties and the preparation thereof are described in International Patent Application WO 99/31100 that is hereby incorporated by reference.
Compound A is poorly soluble in water and unstable in water solutions. Compound A can thus not be readily formulated as a ready-for-use aqueous solution.
The physico-chemical properties of the class III antiarrhythmic compounds of the present invention, including Compound A (which is a weak base), such as low water solubility and decomposition in water solution, especially at a low pH, provide difficulties in formulating pharmaceutical preparations containing these compounds which are stable during storage and easy to administer, e.g. parenterally in a suitable volume.
In addition of being unphysiologically low, the pH of the acidic solution makes the active substance decompose and thus the storage stability of the solution will be insufficient.
Thus, an objective of the present invention is to provide pharmaceutical preparations containing certain class III antiarrhythmic compounds having good storage stability.
A further objective of the invention is to provide a parenteral pharmaceutical preparation of Compound A having good storage stability and which can be easily administered as a solution to mammals.
A still further objective of the invention is to provide a method of preparing such a parenteral pharmaceutical preparation.
One aspect of the invention relates to a dried pharmaceutical preparation for preparation of a solution ex tempore comprising a class III antiarrhythmic compound of the general formula
wherein
R represents linear, branched, cyclic or acyclic C1-6 alkyl, in the form of a crystalline or amorphous salt or any combination thereof, wherein the counterion is selected from an acid which is a pharmaceutically acceptable water-soluble organic or inorganic acid.
Another aspect of the invention relates to a frozen, aqueous pharmaceutical preparation comprising a class III antiarrhythmic compound of the general formula
wherein
R represents linear, branched, cyclic or acyclic C1-6 alkyl, in the form of a salt solution, wherein the counterion is selected from an acid which is a pharmaceutically acceptable water-soluble organic or inorganic acid.
Yet another aspect of the invention relates to a process for the preparation of a dried or frozen pharmaceutical preparation containing the class III antiarrhythmic compound of the invention, comprising dissolving the class III antiarrhythmic compound in the acid and water, optionally adjusting the pH with an alkalising agent and drying or freezing, respectively, the resulting solution.
Still another aspect of the invention relates to a salt of the compound 3,7-diazabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane-3-carboxylic acid, 7-[(2S)-3-(4-cyanophenoxy)-2-hydroxypropyl]-1,1-dimethylethyl ester, a salt of the compound 3,7-diazabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane-3-carboxylic acid, 7-[(2R)-3-(4-cyanophenoxy)-2-hydroxypropyl]-1,1-dimethylethyl ester or any mixture thereof, wherein the counterion is selected from an acid which is a pharmaceutically acceptable water-soluble organic or inorganic acid, suitably tartaric acid.
A further aspect of the invention relates to use of a salt or salt solution of a class III antiarrhythmic compound according to the invention in the manufacture of a dried or frozen pharmaceutical preparation for the prophylaxis and/or treatment of cardiac arrhythmia.
A still further aspect of the invention relates to a method for the prophylaxis and/or treatment of cardiac arrhythmia, especially atrial and ventricular arrhythmia, wherein a pharmaceutical preparation according to the present invention is administered to a mammal in the need of such prophylaxis and/or treatment after reconstitution and optional dilution or thawing and optional dilution.
It has now been found that the solubility of the active substance and the storage stability of a pharmaceutical preparation, of a class III antiarrhythmic compound of the present invention, especially parenteral preparations of Compound A, can be considerably improved by dissolving the active substance in water together with a water-soluble organic or inorganic acid, and by optionally adjusting the pH to a physiologically acceptable level where the substance remains dissolved, followed by drying, especially freeze-drying, of the obtained solution to yield a dry salt or salt mixture or freezing the obtained solution.
The salts of the present invention can be crystalline or amorphous or any combination thereof, preferably amorphous.
In a particularly preferred embodiment, the pharmaceutical preparation according to the present invention is a parenteral formulation comprising Compound A in the form of an amorphous salt, after freeze-drying of a water solution of the stable base of Compound A dissolved in an acid. An alternative to freeze-drying is to store the solution frozen. The freeze-dried product is reconstituted and optionally diluted before administration. The frozen product is thaw ed and optionally diluted before administration.
The present invention also relates to dry mixtures of a class III antiarrhythmic compound and a pharmaceutically acceptable water-soluble organic or inorganic acid.
The most preferred class III antiarrhythmic compound for use in the present preparations is 3,7-diazabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane-3-carboxylic acid, 7-[(2S)-3-(4-cyanophenoxy)-2-hydroxy-propyl]-1,1-dimethylethyl ester (Compound A).
Although the present invention relates to preparations comprising various class III anti-arrhythmic compounds, in the following the invention will be described with reference to Compound A only.
The acid used to dissolve the Compound A is a pharmaceutically acceptable, water-soluble inorganic or organic acid. Salts which may be mentioned include acid addition salts.
Suitable inorganic acids are hydrochloric acid, hydrobromic acid, sulphuric acid and phosphoric acid.
Suitable organic acids are sulphonic acids (such as methanesulphonic acid, bensenesulphonic acid, p-toluene sulphonic acid, 2-ethane sulphonic acid, and 2-hydroxy ethane sulphonic acid), carboxylic acids (such as aspartic acid, maleic acid, succinic acid, malonic acid, acetic acid, fumaric acid, bensoic acid and hydroxy bensoic acid), and hydroxy acids (such as salicylic acid, glycolic acid, malic acid, ascorbic acid, citric acid, gluconic acid, lactic acid and tartaric acid).
Properties of the acid, such as the water solubility, lipophilicity and dissociation constants determine the suitability as acidic additive and the amount of acid to be used. In the present invention, water-soluble means that the amount of acid necessary for ionizing Compound A is soluble in the volume of water used in the preparation of the preparation.
Mono as well as polyvalent acids can be used to dissolve the active substance in water.
The preferred acid is tartaric acid.
The present invention also relates to a salt of the compound 3,7-diazabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane-3-carboxylic acid, 7-[(2S)-3-(4-cyanophenoxy)-2-hydroxypropyl]-1,1-dimethylethyl ester, a salt of the compound 3,7-diazabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane-3-carboxylic acid, 7-[(2R)-3-(4-cyanophenoxy)-2-hydroxypropyl]-1,1-dimethylethyl ester, or any mixture thereof, wherein the counterion is selected from an acid which is a pharmaceutically acceptable watersoluble organic or inorganic acid.
Preferred salts are the tartrate salts of 3,7-diazabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane-3-carboxylic acid, 7-[(2S)-3-(4-cyanophenoxy)-2-hydroxypropyl]-1,1-dimethylethyl ester, the tartrate salts of 3,7-diazabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane-3-carboxylic acid, 7-[(2R)-3-(4-cyanophenoxy)-2-hydroxypropyl]-1,1-dimethylethyl ester, or any mixture thereof.
The mixtures of enantiomers of the present invention include the racemic mixture, i.e. a 50:50 mixture of the (S) and (R) enantiomers.
The most preferred salts are the tartrate salts of the compound 3,7-diazabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane-3-carboxylic acid, 7-[(2S)-3-(4-cyanophenoxy)-2-hydroxypropyl]-1,1-dimethylethyl ester.
After dissolving Compound A in an aqueous acid solution, a low pH of the solution gives rise to enhanced degradation of Compound A. This may cause poor stability of Compound A during preparation and filling as well as during storage before administration. A low pH is also unphysiologic for parenteral use. Therefore, the pH of the solution may be adjusted by an alkalising agent to a value in the range of pH 3 to pH 7.4 (physiological pH), depending on at what concentration the compound is dissolved. The concentration should be below the solubility limit of the active substance at that pH.
In order to obtain suitable volumes for dosing, the concentration of Compound A is preferably in the range of 0.1 to 45.0 mg/ml in a stock solution before drying, preferably freeze-drying, or freezing. Preferably a stock solution containing 25 mg/ml of Compound A is adjusted to a pH value from 3.5 to 4.5.
A suitable alkalising agent for the optional pH adjustment is an agent such as sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, potassium bicarbonate, ammonia, and sodium tartrate.
The pharmaceutical preparation of the invention may be manufactured in the following way. The active substance is dissolved in an aqueous acid solution and sterile water is added. Optionally, the pH is adjusted and, if necessary, further water is added to reach the final weight. Finally, the pH is controlled and adjusted if necessary. The solution is suitably sterile filtered, filled into primary packages, such as vials, cartridges, prefilled syringes and dried, suitably freeze-dried, or frozen.
In the present invention, any order of mixing the active substance, acid and water can be used. Suitably, the acid is mixed with water to make up an acid solution before the active substance is dissolved in said acid solution. In this way, the degradation of the compound can be minimized. The use of excess acid in a water solution, followed by pH adjustment with an alkalising agent after dissolution of the active substance, allow a quick dissolution process while still exposing the active substance to a tolerable pH range.
In the present invention, the drying process can be any suitable process that removes the water while maintaining the integrity of the class III antiarrhythmic compound. Freeze-drying is preferred. The degradation rate of Compound A is temperature dependent and the temperature of a water solution of Compound A should not exceed about 25xc2x0 C. to avoid degradation.
Before administration the dried, suitably freeze-dried, or frozen product is reconstituted and/or diluted in for instance water, physiological saline, glucose solution or any other suitable solution. The frozen solution is thawed, optionally diluted with for instance any of the above mentioned solutions.
In the first part of the process to obtain the preferred preparation comprising the tartrate of Compound A, tartaric acid is added to Compound A providing good solubility of Compound A.
Optionally, in the following part of the process to obtain the preparation, an adjustment of pH by addition of an alkalising agent to the solutions of Compound A provides a physiologically acceptable pH and enhanced stability (reduced degradation) of Compound A.
In the further part of the process to obtain the preparation, freezing or drying, preferably freeze-drying, a solution of Compound A and tartaric acid provides a preparation with good storage stability. The use of freeze-dried tartrate of Compound A provides very good storage stability.
The pharmaceutical preparation according to the invention is used for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of cardiac arrhythmias, preferably atrial and ventricular arrhythmia and most preferably atrial fibrillation.
The pharmaceutical preparation according to the invention is normally administered parenterally including but not restricted to intravenously, intraarterially, intranasally, subcutaneously, intracutaneously, intramuscularly, intralipomateously, intraperitoneally, buccally or by inhalation.
Suitable parenteral doses for Compound A in the therapeutical treatment of mammals, including man, are from 0.05 to 5 mg/kg of body weight.
The preparation of the present invention, suitably further contains adjuvants, carriers and/or diluents.
The preparation according to the invention may contain ingredients besides those mentioned above. Such ingredients may be antimicrobial preservatives, tonicity modifiers and/or antioxidants.
The preparations of the present invention may contain additional salts, which may be added or formed in the process. An example of the latter is sodium tartrate, which may be formed in the process of preparing a tartrate salt of e.g. Compound A.
A specific salt that may be used to advantage in the present preparations is sodium chloride. Thus, especially in the frozen, aqueous preparations sodium chloride is suitably used to make the preparations isotonic.

Dried or frozen pharmaceutical preparation containing a class III antiarrhythmic compound


A method of placing a concrete compositions including a) combining 3-40 volume percent cement, 5-50 volume percent fine aggregate, 5-50 volume percent coarse aggregate, and 10-22 volume percent water; b) adding 1.5-40 volume percent of prepuff particles to form a concrete composition; and c) pumping the concrete composition to a point higher in elevation than the delivery point of the concrete to place the concrete. The concrete composition contains less than 30 volume percent of other light weighting aggregates and the prepuff particles have an average particle diameter of from 0.2 mm to 8 mm, a bulk density of from 0.02 g/cc to 0.64 g/cc, an aspect ratio of from 1 to 3. The slump value of the placed concrete measured according to ASTM C 143 is greater than 1 inch and the concrete has a density of from about 40 to about 135 lb./ft3.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is directed to novel methods of placing concrete compositions where the concrete does not develop undesirable properties when mixed for extended periods and/or pumped to an elevation above a concrete delivery point.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In the formulation of concrete compositions, it is known in the art to use mixtures of different hydraulic cements, as well as other additives such as accelerators and retarders in order to provide desirable properties such as slump, setting times, strengths, and volume changes in order to meet the needs or demands of various specialty applications.
Light weighting aggregates used in concrete compositions include expanded shale, clay and slate, and can range from the so-called "super light weights" which can be used in making concrete weighing 15 to 20 pounds per cubic foot to the natural aggregates and finally to the expanded shale, clay and slate aggregates which can produce structural concrete ranging from about 85 to 115 pounds per cubic foot when produced by the rotary kiln method and from about 90 to 120 pounds per cubic foot when produced by sintering. Structural light weight concrete is described as having a 28 day compressive strength of at least 2,500 pounds per square inch and an air dry weight of no more than 115 pounds per cubic foot. Weights can be increased by replacing a portion of the light weight aggregate with sand.
Other light weight aggregates used in concrete compositions are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,600,476 (light weight aggregates from fly ash and sludge); U.S. Pat. No. 3,661,604 (light weight aggregate mixture derived from clay, sand and crushed bricks); U.S. Pat. No. 4,504,320 (light weight aggregate containing fly ash, silica fume and microspheres); and U.S. Pat. No. 4,741,782 (light weight aggregate pellets from fly ash, cement and silica fume dust).
Often, when the above-described light weight aggregates are used in concrete formulations that are subsequently mixed for extended periods and/or pumped to an elevation above a concrete delivery point, the concrete formulation demonstrates a drop in fluidity often referred to as slump loss.
In many cases, dispersants are added to concrete formulations in an attempt to improving the fluidity of light weight concrete compositions. However, the water in the concrete composition tends to be adsorbed into the light weight aggregate during extended mixing and/or under the pressure generated during pumping resulting in a highly reduced water content resulting in slump loss, additionally, air is forced out of the concrete, the combination of which gives rise to the problems of poor workability and applicability.
Further, when dispersants are used to prevent slump loss, their ability to reduce the slump loss varies and becomes weaker with time and also causes significant and often undesirable set retardation.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,214,393, 3,257,338 and 3,272,765 disclose concrete mixtures that contain cement, a primary aggregate, particulate expanded styrene polymer, and a homogenizing and/or a surface-active additive.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,021,291 discloses a method of making cellular concrete by incorporating into the concrete mixture, prior to casting the mixture, a polymeric material that will expand under the influence of heat during curing. The shape and size of the polymeric particles is not critical.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,580,378 discloses a lightweight cementitious product made up of an aqueous concrete composition that can include fly ash, Portland cement, sand, lime and, as a weight saving component, micronized polystyrene particles having particle sizes in the range of 50 to 2000 μm and a density of about 1 lb/ft3. The mixture can be poured into molded products such as foundation walls, roof tiles, bricks and the like. The product can also be used as a mason's mortar, a plaster, a stucco or a texture.
JP 9 071 449 discloses a lightweight concrete that includes Portland cement and a lightweight aggregate such as foamed polystyrene, perlite or vermiculite as a part or all parts of the aggregate. The foamed polystyrene has a granule diameter of 0.1-10 mm and a specific gravity of 0.01-0.08.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,580,378, 5,622,556, and 5,725,652 disclose lightweight cementitious products made up of an aqueous concrete composition that includes cement and expanded shale, clay, slate, fly ash, and/or lime, and a weight saving component, which is micronized polystyrene particles having particle sizes in the range of 50 to 2000 μm, and characterized by having water contents in the range of from about 0.5% to 50% v/v.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,265,964 discloses lightweight compositions for structural units such as wallboard panels and the like, which contain low density expandable thermoplastic granules; a cementitious base material, such as, gypsum; a surfactant; an additive which acts as a frothing agent to incorporate an appropriate amount of air into the mixture; a film forming component; and a starch. The expandable thermoplastic granules are expanded as fully as possible.
WO 98 02 397 discloses lightweight-concrete roofing tiles made by molding a hydraulic binder composition containing synthetic resin foams as the aggregate and having a specific gravity of about 1.6 to 2.
WO 00/61519 discloses a lightweight concrete that includes a blend of from around 40% to 99% of organic polymeric material and from 1% to around 60% of an air entraining agent. The blend is used for preparing lightweight concrete that uses polystyrene aggregate. The blend is required to disperse the polystyrene aggregate and to improve the bond between the polystyrene aggregate and surrounding cementitious binder.
WO 01/66485 discloses a lightweight concrete composition containing by volume: 5 to 80% cement, 10 to 65% expanded polystyrene particles; 10 to 90% expanded mineral particles; and water sufficient to make a paste with a substantially even distribution of expanded polystyrene after proper mixing.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,851,235 discloses a building block that includes a mixture of water, cement, and expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam beads that have a diameter from 3.18 mm (⅛ inch) to 9.53 mm (⅜ inch) in the proportions of from 68 to 95 liters (18 to 25 gallons) water; from 150 to 190 kg (325 to 425 lb) cement; and from 850 to 1400 liters (30 to 50 cubic feet) prepuff beads.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,913,791 discloses a building block that has a cement-based attachment layer on one or both exterior surfaces of the block that receives and holds a penetrating fastener such as a nail, screw, staple, or the like. One cement-based layer contains water, cement, and expanded polystyrene foam beads in first proportions and a second exterior surface contains water, cement, and expanded polystyrene foam beads in second proportions different than the first proportions.
In many cases, water is able to adsorb or absorb into and/or onto the expanded polystyrene particles leading to a highly reduced water content in the concrete composition, slump loss, poor workability and applicability after extended mixing and/or under the pressure generated during pumping as described above.
In many situations where expanded polystyrene particles are used in concrete formulations, the expanded polystyrene particles lower the strength and/or structural integrity of concrete compositions. Further, concrete articles made from prior art expanded polystyrene particles have at best inconsistent physical properties, such as Young's modulus, thermal conductivity, and compressive strength, and typically demonstrate less than desirable physical properties.
Thus, there is a need in the art to provide methods for light weighting concrete that do not result in slump loss and set retardation.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


An improved take-off device for an injection molding machine that includes an extensible sleeve for extending a suction channel during transfer of parts from the mold core assembly to the take-off device, the tube being retractable after the parts have been transferred.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to method and apparatus by which a take-off device efficiently transfers a molded article from the mold of an injection-molding machine. More particularly, the present invention relates to method and apparatus by which a suction sleeve extension ensures that the take-off device efficiently and reliably extracts the molded article from the mold.
2. Related Art
It is well known in the art of injection molding to transfer molded articles from a mold to a take-off device using suction to draw the article being released from a core pin into a tube on the take-off device. The take-off device is usually attached to a robot arm that enters into the space between the mold halves when the mold is open.
FIG. 1A shows an example of a known device used to transfer parts from a mold to a take-off device. A single take-off tube 74 mounted on a take-off plate 72 in a manner known in the art. In this FIG. 1A, a molded part 50 has been fully transferred into cooling tube 74 and ejector rail 14 is fully retracted. When part 50 is sufficiently cooled, rail 14 is moved upwardly in the drawing to engage a lip 52 of part 50 and discharge it from the tube 74 in a manner that is well understood in the art. A plug 8 is placed at the bottom of tube 74 and bolted to take-off plate 72. A port 10 in plug 8 provides a suction source to the tube 74 to draw parts into the tube 74. Cooling channel 12 provides coolant to the tube 74 to cool part 50 while in the tube 74. A sleeve 16 surrounds the tube 74 to confine the coolant in the cooling channel 12 in a manner that is well known in the art. However, in certain circumstances, the articles may not transfer properly using the presently known suction transfer devices.
Referring first to FIG. 1, a known take-off device 62 transfers molded articles 50 (which are being removed from core pins 38 by neck rings 98) by providing suction through ports 10 to the tubes 74. In certain circumstances, however, the articles 50 may not transfer properly. For example, if the molded article is of an irregular shape the suction provided in the tube 74 may be insufficient to draw the molded article into the tube 74 because of loss of suction between the core pins 38 and the tubes 74 due to the irregular shape of the molded article. In other circumstances, it may not be possible to bring the take-off device 62 into close proximity to the core pins 38 because of the need to maintain adequate clearance between the mold half 20 and the take-off device 62. In this situation, the transferring part 50 may drop out of alignment with the tube 74 and either jam against an edge of the take-off device 62 or even fall out of the mold half 20. Not only may the part be lost or malformed, the entire machine may be jammed, necessitating costly shut-downs and repairs.
FIG. 2 helps to illustrate these potential problems. The part 50 is formed on mold core 38. Neck ring 98 mounted on slide 96 cooperates with mold core 38 to form the neck portion of part 50. Slide 96 and neck ring 98 slide forward towards take-off device 62 to remove part 50 from mold core 38. As the neck ring 98 moves forward it separates to release the part 50. Neck ring 98 is shown in its open position where it is releasing part 50 so that it may be received by take-off tube 74. At this point, the distance between tube 74 and the releasing position of the neck ring 98 is significant with respect to the length of part 50. If there is a problem releasing the part 50 from the neck ring 98, the part 50 may not properly align with the tube 74 and either fall out of the mold or jam against the take-off device 62. The suction provided by the channel 10 may be insufficient to overcome this alignment problem because of significant losses in the space between the core 38 and the take-off device 62.
With the known take-off devices 62 shown in FIGS. 1, 1A and 2, there is nothing to prevent loss of suction in the space between the core pins 38 and the end of the tubes 74. When the tubes 74 and the core pins 38 cannot be brought into close proximity, or if the part 50 has an irregularly shaped outer surface, there may be insufficient suction and thereby cause the molded articles to transfer improperly.
Several patents teach other examples of devices used to transfer parts from a mold to a take-off device. U.S. Pat. No. 4,364,895 to Underwood discloses a mechanical ejection device that includes an air cylinder for providing air to the base of the article being ejected so as to minimize distortion of the article while it is being ejected from the mold.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,660,801 to Schad, assigned to the present assignee, discloses a mechanism for ejecting a cup-shaped work piece from a core. A core sleeve on the core is moved forward by fluid pressure to initiate release of the work piece from the core. As the core sleeve moves forward, it opens a fluid channel through the side of the core. Fluid through this side channel impinges on an inner surface of the work piece and assists in the removal of the work piece from the core.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,447,426 to Gessner et al., assigned to the present assignee, discloses a take-off device including an ejector.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,948,341 to Diamond et al., assigned to the present assignee, discloses apparatus for removing parts from a mold using a tool plate and pressurized air to move the part from the mold onto a retention apparatus.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,123,538 to Kutalowski, assigned to the present assignee, discloses a cooling device for a take-off device.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,391,244 to Chen uses a blocking portion on a take-off plate to prevent ejection of the preforms from the cooling tubes until the preforms have been partially separated from the cooling tubes.
However, nothing in the teachings above will ensure an efficient, reliable, and rapid transfer of parts from a mold to a take-off device.

Suction sleeve extension for a take-off device


Provided is a method for treating Type I diabetes in mammals utilizing certain phenol and benzamide compounds.

Diabetes mellitus is a systemic disease characterized by disorders in the metabolism of insulin, carbohydrates, fats and proteins, and in the structure and function of blood vessels. The primary symptom of acute diabetes is hyperglycemia, often accompanied by glucosuria, the presence in urine of large amounts of glucose, and polyuria, the excretion of large volumes of urine. Additional symptoms arise in chronic or long standing diabetes. These symptoms include degeneration of the walls of blood vessels. Although many different organs are affected by these vascular changes, the eyes appear to be the most susceptible. As such, longstanding diabetes mellitus, even when treated with insulin, is a leading cause of blindness.
There are two recognized types of diabetes. Juvenile onset, or ketosis-prone, diabetes (also known as Type I diabetes) develops early in life, with clinical onset most often occurring before the patient is 18 years of age. Type I diabetes has much more severe symptoms and has a near-certain prospect of later vascular involvement. Control of this type of diabetes is often difficult. The second type of diabetes is adult onset, or ketosis-resistant, diabetes (also known as Type II diabetes). Type II diabetes develops later in life, is milder and has a more gradual onset.
One of the most significant advancements in the history of medical science came in 1922 when Banting and Best demonstrated the therapeutic effects of insulin in diabetic humans. However, even today, a clear picture of the basic biochemical defects of the disease is not known, and diabetes is still a serious health problem. It is believed that two percent or more of the population of the United States is afflicted with some form of diabetes, with 0.1-0.5% afflicted with Type I diabetes.
Type I diabetes is an autoimmune disease which is characterized by a long latent period. Furthermore, the younger the patient is when striken with Type I diabetes, especially if the patient is pre-puberty, the more debilitating the complications resulting from the disease. Accordingly, there is a need for a safe drug which will prevent development of Type I diabetes, or at least prolong onset of the disease for as long a period of time as possible.
It is an object of this invention to provide a method of treating Type I diabetes. More specifically, the invention provides a method of treating Type I diabetes in a mammal, especially a human, which method comprises administering a compound selected from among certain phenols and benzamides of the general formula ##STR1## The present method provides for safe and efficacious treatment of Type I diabetes by either preventing development of the disease altogether or by prolonging onset of the disease for as long a period of time as possible, thereby minimizing the disease's concomitant complications.
The method of the present invention employs certain phenols and benzamides of the general formula set forth above. Such compounds are known in the art and have been found to possess various utilities.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,305,483 discloses that certain phenols of the above formula can be used as an antioxidant for various substances such as gasoline, diesel fuel, heating oil, lubricating oil, asphalt, petroleum wax and high molecular weight hydrocarbon polymers. Chemical Abstracts, 97, 200429m (1982) teaches that 4-(2-dimethylaminoethyl)-2,6-di-t-butylphenol can be used as an antioxidant for jet aircraft fuel. European Patent Application 42,589 describes the use of various of the above phenols as antioxidents for polymeric norbornene type polymeric materials.
Chemical Abstracts, 88, 38847m (1978) discloses that 2,6-di-t-butyl-4-[N,N-bis(2-hydroxyethyl)aminomethyl]phenol can be used to increase the heat resistance of certain fibers. Chemical Abstracts, 88, 192135j (1978) teaches that 1-phenyl-4-(3,5-di-t-butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl)piperazine is a noncolorizing thermostabilizer for stress-stable polystyrene. 2-(3,5-Di-t-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)ethylmethylamine is described as being useful for improving the lightfastness of dyed polyester fibers in Chemical Abstracts, 76, 73628q (1972).
Chemical Abstracts, 77, 141203v (1972) teaches that 3-(dimethylamino)propylaminobis(4-methylene-2,6-di-t-butylphenol can be used to improve the aging resistance of diene rubber. Chemical Abstracts, 91 12411p (1979) describes a 1:1 pyrocatechol/4-[(dimethylamino)methyl]-2,6-di-t-butylphenol complex which deactivates transition metals in rubber. N,N-dimethyl-3,5-di-t-butyl-4-hydroxybenzylamine is disclosed to be an effective polymerization inhibitor for styrene in Chemical Abstracts, 100, 35563w (1984). Chemical Abstracts, 107, 42468s (1987) discloses that 3-(4-hydroxy-3,5-di-t-butylphenyl)-1-aminopropane acetate or N-(4-hydroxy-3,5-di-t-butylbenzyl)-N-(.beta.-aminoethyl)piperazine hydrochloride can be used to modify cation exchange resins so as to reduce the diffusive permeability of the resin membrane and increase its sodium ion transport properties.
Several of the phenols and benzamides of the general formula set forth above have also been found to possess various pharmacological activities. U.S. Pat. No. 3,809,761 discloses that certain of the above phenols can be used to reduce mammalian plasma lipid levels. Chemical Abstracts, 73, 86385w (1970) and Chemical Abstracts, 66, 16925d (1967) teach that certain of the above phenols have antitumor activity. Chemical Abstracts, 74, 96312e (1971) discloses that (4-hydroxy-3,5-di-t-butylbenzyl)methylamine hydrochloride increases the antioxidative activity of liver lipids, thereby increasing liver tissue regeneration following a partial hepatectomy. N-methyl-3,5-di-t-butyl-4-hydroxybenzylamine is said to be able to increase the rate of blood deoxygenation in Chemical Abstracts, 78, 132326f (1973). Chemical Abstracts, 109, 110014j (1988) and Derwent Abstracts, 87-076373/11 teach that certain of the phenols used in the method of the present invention are useful as antiinflammatory, antirheumatic, anti-allergenic, analgesic, diuretic, platelet agglutination-inhibiting (antithrombotic), hypotensive and antilipaemic agents and are lipoxygenase inhibitors. Finally, Chemical Abstracts, 109, 129047u (1988) discloses that certain benzamides of the above formula are useful for treating epilepsy and high blood pressure.
The phenols and benzamides employed in the method of the present invention have not heretofore been used to treat Type I diabetes in mammals. The known activities of such compounds, as set forth above, in no way suggest the method of the present invention. Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a new pharmacological use for certain known phenols and benzamides.
Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the subsequent description and the appended claims.

The University of Colorado Foundation, Inc.


A via hole depth measurement apparatus generates a light beam of white light, divides the light beam into a measurement and reference beams, focuses the measurement beam and projects it onto a sample, reflects the reference beam and advances it along the original optical path, continuously changes a relative optical path length difference between optical path lengths of the measurement and reference beams, combining reflected light from the sample and from the reflected reference beam and generates an interference beam, changes a relative distance between an objective lens which focuses the measurement beam and the sample, detects a relative position between the objective lens and the sample, receives the interference beam and outputs an interference signal, and, and outputs recessed portion depth information based on displacement information based on the interference signal and the relative position between the objective lens and the sample.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a depth measurement apparatus for measuring the depth of a recessed portion such as a hole or a step, and more particularly relates to a depth measurement apparatus and a depth measurement method capable of measuring the depth of the hole having high aspect ratio with high resolution.
The present invention relates to a depth measurement apparatus for outputting 2-dimensional image information of a sample surface and depth information of the recess formed on the sample surface.
2. Description of the Related Art
With miniaturization of semiconductor devices, an aspect ratio of a recessed portion such as a via hole formed on a semiconductor wafer is higher greatly, it is strongly demanded to develop a depth measurement apparatus capable of measuring the depth of a fine via hole with high resolution. For example, with respect to the semiconductor devices currently developed, it is required to measure a via hole in a silicon substrate having a diameter of 30 μm and a depth of 100 μm with resolution of 0.1 μm. As a method of measuring the depth of such the fine recessed portion, it is considered to use a light beam for measurement. However, in the case of measuring the hole depth having a high aspect ratio, an objective lens with high NA cannot be used. Therefore, the depth of the fine hole cannot be measured using the features of confocal optical system. In addition, some via holes do not have an etching stopper formed on the bottom surface and some via holes are formed by laser processing. Such via holes do not have a flat bottom surface and thus the reflected light from the bottom surface of the recessed portion is weak. In fact, the reflected light from the bottom surface cannot be accurately measured.
As a surface profile measurement apparatus for measuring a sample surface profile, there has been known an apparatus which projects an illumination light emitted from a white light source through an objective lens onto a sample surface, captures images of an interference stripe formed by an interference of a reference light and a measurement light by a CCD camera, and measures the sample surface profile (for example, see Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-66122). According to the known surface profile measurement apparatus, an optical path length difference continuously changing is introduced between an optical path length of the reference light and an optical path length of the measurement light, a large number of images of the interference pattern are captured, and a characteristic function having a peak position matching with a peak position of the interference light is estimated. Then, the sample surface profile is measured based on the height of the peak position of the characteristic function.
What is needed is to develop a depth measurement apparatus capable of measuring the depth of a fine via hole having a high aspect ratio with high resolution, but in fact, no practical apparatus has not been developed yet. For that reason, in order to know the depth of the via hole, the silicon wafer is broken to measure the depth of the via hole. According to the surface profile measurement apparatus of the above Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-66122, the surface profile is measured from an interference pattern formed by the interference between the reference light and the measurement light, and thus, measurement with a high resolution is expected thereon. In fact, it is possible to measure the sample surface profile, but it is extremely difficult to measure the depth of the fine via hole having a high aspect ratio.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a depth measurement apparatus and a depth measurement method capable of measuring the depth of the via hole having a high aspect ratio with high resolution.

Depth measurement apparatus and depth measurement method


An apparatus is described for transferring hazardous material between the interior of a container and the chamber of a fume hood having a port that includes a flexible enclosure with an upper surface, a lower surface and a side surface; a first conduit extending from the enclosure to connect to the port; a second conduit extending from the enclosure to connect with the container; and a pair of glove ports in the enclosure outer wall, including sleeved gloves extending into the enclosure, whereby the interior of the container and the chamber of the fume hood are accessible through the glove ports. The apparatus may also include means for supporting the enclosure in an open position above the container.

(1) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to improved apparatus for use in transferring hazardous material between large containers and fume hoods or ventilated workstations, and in particular to an apparatus that is attachable to a fume hood and a large container permitting transfer of hazardous materials between the container and the interior of the fume hood without insertion of any part of the container into the fume hood or exposure of the operator to the hazardous material.
(2) Description of the Prior Art
Fume hoods or vented workstations are used in laboratories and other environments to manipulate materials that might generate noxious or dangerous gases or fumes without releasing the materials or components or fumes therefrom into the work environment. Generally, these fume hoods are comprised of an enclosure or chamber in which materials are handled, and means for drawing air through a front opening in the enclosure. The operator also uses this front opening as the means of access into the enclosure. The enclosure also includes an exhaust opening, frequently communicating with a filter, to remove contaminants from air exhausted from the chamber.
The fume hood is normally comprised of side and top walls, which may be of transparent material, such as PLEXIGLASS™ acrylic plastic sheet, or other clear plastic, a rear wall with an exhaust opening, and a planar bottom wall or floor. The front edges of the top, side and bottom walls may form an operator access opening. A slidable or hinged door may be positioned to cover, or vary the size of, the access opening. Generally, the hood is configured and air vanes are often added, so that air enters the access door and is exhausted through the exhaust opening, with generally laminar airflow being maintained within the chamber to avoid air turbulence that could disturb the materials being manipulated.
Escape of contaminated air from the hood chamber through the access opening into the work environment is prevented by maintaining a pressure differential between the chamber, or hood interior, and the work environment, or hood exterior, so that air continually flows from the hood exterior through the access opening into the hood interior. A sufficient air velocity at the access opening, known as the "face velocity," must be maintained to prevent contaminated air from escaping.
Contaminated air is exhausted from a fume hood through an exhaust conduit that includes a vacuum source to draw the air through the exhaust conduit. Generally, this vacuum source is comprised of an exhaust fan positioned within the conduit, and an electric motor to turn the fan. The gas may be exhausted to the exterior environment when toxic contaminants are not present. In many instances, however, the air will be conveyed through a filter, such as a HEPA filter, to remove contaminants from the air.
When working with hazardous or toxic material, there is frequently a need to transfer portions of the contents of a container into the interior of a fume hood or workstation without releasing any of the contents into the surrounding environment. Some of these containers, which may be carboys, drums, or the like, are quite large and difficult to maneuver. Therefore, placement of one or more of these containers into a fume hood to prevent escape of hazardous materials into the surrounding environment, as well as their subsequent removal, and the insertion or transfer of materials to or from these containers, can be difficult, if not impossible.
In order to address this need, U.S. Pat. No. 6,431,975 to Ryan, issued Aug. 13, 2002, and incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, describes an apparatus and method for transferring hazardous materials between a large container and a fume hood chamber.
Generally, the Ryan apparatus is comprised of an enclosure having walls that define a chamber that includes at least one container-receiving opening in the floor of the enclosure. The enclosure is supported so that a large container having a top opening through which material can be added to, or removed from, can be positioned beneath the enclosure and then raised upwardly, so that the upper section of the container projects through the opening and into the enclosure.
The operator can then open the container from within the enclosure, remove or add material, and then close the container. The container is then lowered to separate the container from the enclosure. As a result, the opening into the container is at all times within the fume hood enclosure when the container is open, thereby preventing hazardous materials from escaping from outside the hood enclosure. As used herein, the term "hazardous" is broadly intended to include all materials, whether in powder, liquid or gaseous form, where escape beyond a confined area is undesirable, and the term "container" is intended to include all containers for such materials.
While the Ryan apparatus is effective in transferring materials without exposing the operator, there is still a need for an apparatus that will achieve this desired result using a fume hood of a more conventional construction, without the need for one or more large holes in the floor of the fume hood.

Apparatus for transferring hazardous material