An optical pickup apparatus for recording or reproducing data on a signal recording surface of a high-density optical medium that has the signal recording surface and at least one substrate includes an optical module for generating and emitting beams and receiving reflected beams from an optical medium and a solid immersion lens (SIL) arranged on an optical path between the optical module and the optical medium, having a first surface being planar and facing the substrate of the optical medium, and a second surface being aspherical and facing the optical module, so that the SIL may be nearly in contact with the substrate of the optical medium.

(a) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an optical pickup apparatus for recording or reproducing optical media such as optical disks, and more particularly, to an optical pickup apparatus that is close to an optical medium to obtain near-field effect for high density recording or reproduction.
(b) Description of the Related Art
Recently, optical media such as optical and magneto-optical discs have been developed to have high-density storage, to be used for computer storage, package media for music and images, and so forth. In order to obtain high-density storage, it is desirable to reduce the light spot size of the optical pickup apparatus. The light spot size is proportional to the wavelength of the light, and inversely proportional to the numerical aperture of an objective lens system. Therefore, many proposals to reduce the wavelength of the light as well as to increase the numerical aperture of the objective lens system have been suggested.
In order to increase the numerical aperture of the objective lens system, a proposal suggested in U.S. Pat. No. 5,125,750 uses a solid immersion lens (SIL) that may come close to a signal recording surface of the optical disc, as shown in FIG. 10. In the pickup apparatus of FIG. 10, a light source 10 of a laser diode generates laser beams that pass though a collimator lens 12 to become collimated beams. The collimated beams pass through a beamsplitter 14 and then enter an objective lens system having a condenser objective lens 16 and a SIL 18. The condenser objective lens 16 condenses the collimated light onto the SIL 18, and the SIL 18 functions to increase the numerical aperture to focus a light spot on a signal recording surface 19. The light then diffracts and reflects from the signal recording surface 19 back to the SIL 18, the condenser objective lens 16, and the beamsplitter 14. The light is reflected from the beamsplitter 14, it passes through the field lens 22, and then enters into a photodetector 24. The photodetector 24 demodulates the beams to reproduce the original signals.
The light is focused, through the condenser objective lens 16 and the SIL 18, into a light spot having a diameter d that is defined as follows:d˜w/(NA*n)=w/NAeffwhere w is a wavelength of the light, NA is a numerical aperture of the condenser objective lens system in air, NAeff is an effective numerical aperture, and n is a refractive index of the SIL. The effective numerical aperture NAeff is large resulting in very small light spot when an optical material having a large refractive index (generally 2.0 or larger) is used for a SIL.
However, since the prior art optical pickup apparatus use a SIL facing the signal recording surface 19 of the optical disc 20, the SIL 18 may collide with the optical disc 20, thereby allowing destruction of the signal recording surface. Further, it is highly possible for the apparatus or the optical disc to suffer chemical or physical deformation due to high heat caused by light spot radiation.
In order to overcome the above drawbacks, an optical pickup apparatus that collects light from a signal recording surface through a substrate of an optical recording medium has been proposed in Japanese Laid-open Publication No. JP8-221790. In the optical pickup apparatus that is as shown in FIG. 11, a SIL 18′ faces toward a substrate 21 of an optical disc 20, rather than a signal recording surface 19. The SIL 18′ has a planar surface facing the substrate 21, and a semi-spherical surface facing the condenser objective lens 16. A center of the semi-sphere lies on the signal recording surface 19 of the optical disc 20. Therefore, light, which has passed through the condenser objective lens 16, is focused on the signal recording surface 19 through the substrate 21 of the optical disc 20 by the SIL 18′.
The optical pickup apparatus shown in FIG. 11, however, has a restriction in that the SIL 18′ has the same refractive index as the substrate with in range of 1.5–1.55. SILs are generally made of highly refractive material having a refractive index of about 2.0, but the SIL 18′ as shown in FIG. 11 has a refractive index of 1.5–1.55, which is less than the desired refractive index, so it is difficult to obtain a high storage density.
The conventional optical pickup apparatus as shown in FIG. 10 or 11 additionally has a condenser objective lens 16 before the SIL 18 or 18′, so that the apparatus becomes larger and more complex. Further, since the apparatus may be used under the condition that the refractive index of the SIL is the same as that of the substrate of the optical disc, it causes large aberrations of optics resulting in a degradation of the apparatus, as well as restriction in refractive material of the SIL.

Optical pickup apparatus for read-write heads in high density optical storages


A measuring device for detecting a humidity and temperature of a window surface including at least one moisture sensor and at least one temperature sensor placed on the window surface, an evaluation unit connected downstream from the moisture and temperature sensors, and a signal converting and linking unit placed between the moisture and temperature sensors and the evaluation unit. Further, when the temperature sensor detects a change in a temperature of the window surface or the moisture sensor detects a change in a moisture of the window surface, a frequency of an oscillator included in the signal and converting unit is changed.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a measuring device for detecting the humidity and temperature of a window surface facing a vehicle interior, particularly of a vehicle windshield including at least one capacitive moisture sensor and at least one temperature sensor, which are placed together on the window surface, and a downstream evaluation unit. Further, measuring signals from the moisture and temperature sensors are combined into a single signal, and affect the shape of the single signal.
2. Description of the Background Art
Heating and air-conditioning systems provide a high level of interior comfort to passengers in a motor vehicle. Further, during the automatic operation of an air-conditioning system, various exterior conditions can lead to window condensation. For example, window condensation can occur during an extended recirculation operation, at low or fast-dropping exterior temperatures, or when not enough fresh air is being supplied to the inside of the automobile. In these instances, the relative air humidity inside the vehicle rapidly rises, which is also contributed to by the passengers of the vehicle. Thus, sensor systems are used to detect the formation of window condensation either directly on the window or in the environment with suitable sensors.
For example, the German application No. DE 199 07 401 illustrates a method for detecting a relative humidity whereby the relative humidity is measured and transmitted to a control device of a ventilating unit. That is, a moisture-sensitive sensor is glued to the interior side of the windshield to thereby detect window condensation. In addition, at the onset of window condensation, and even before the condensation becomes visible, a capacitance of the electrical sensor abruptly changes and the abrupt change is evaluated and transmitted to a control device of the ventilation unit to initiate suitable measures such as introducing fresh air to prevent fogging or condensation on the windshield.
Further, the article in the magazine Automobile Technical Magazine 102 (2000) 1, at pages 42-44, illustrates a sensor used to determines a relative humidity using a capacitive thin-film sensor, and measures the temperature of the window surface at the same time. In addition, the sensor is a highly sensitive infrared radiation detector based on thin-film thermal elements, which allows for a contact-free measurement of the temperature. The evaluating unit then calculates the dew point temperature after converting analog input signals of the relative air humidity and the corresponding temperature, and uses the calculated dew point to determine the possibility of condensation forming on the windshield. The sensors are also mounted to the rear side of the interior mirror at a distance from the windshield.
In addition, German Application No. DE 101 52 999 illustrates a sensor for detecting a propensity of condensation forming on a windshield. In this application, a sensor module is arranged directly on the windowpane and is used to measure the moisture on the window as well as the temperature of the window surface. The measured signals are then transmitted to an evaluation unit, which calculates a propensity for condensation forming on the windshield.


A process for operating a fuel fired reactor includes introducing fuel into the reactor and burning the fuel in the reactor by means of at least one main burner. Relevant parameters of the process are monitored. Within a predetermined critical operating range for an enforced shut down, a secondary, more stringent operating range is implemented as shut down criteria. The main burner is shut down upon one or more of the relevant parameters leaving the secondary operating range while at least one pilot burner continues to operate as long as the relevant parameters are maintained within the critical operating range.

In a multitude of the thermal processes the process equipment is heated up by a preheat burner installation before the start of the main burner system needed for the continuous and designated plant operation. When the main burner system is operated, the preheat burner is shut down. All modes of burner operation are regulated by national or international regulations such as the EN-746-2 or equivalent. To avoid hazardous operation resulting from incomplete combustion, the violation of the parameters stipulated in such regulations, which define a permissible or hereinafter called critical operating range, results in mandatory shut downs of the burner system. The currently used modes of operation and processes result in an enforced shut down of the burner system and subsequently the entire process if the safety relevant parameters, in particular temperature, air/fuel ratio, O2-concentration etc. in the reactor, are violated. In addition, the reactor often has to be purged resulting in a significant loss of temperature, time, heating fuel and production since reheating for a restart of the reactor is required.

Process for operating a fuel fired reactor


A light source module for generating light, including a semiconductor light-emitting element, nano-particles having a diameter smaller than half the wavelength of light generated by the light source module, a fluorescent substance for generating visible light in accordance with light generated by the semiconductor light-emitting element, and a binder formed stratiformly for covering a light-emitting surface of the semiconductor light-emitting element to hold the nano-particles and the fluorescent substance, wherein the refractive index of the nano-particles is higher than the refractive index of the binder.

1. Field of the Present Invention
The present invention relates to a light source module and a vehicle front lamp.
2. Description of the Related Art
A light source module using a semiconductor light-emitting element and a fluorescent substance for generating white light has been heretofore known (e.g. see Ohm MOOK Optical Series No. 1 "Optical Devices" Ohmsha, Ltd., Nov. 25, 2001). The fluorescent substance generates visible light in accordance with light generated by the semiconductor light-emitting element. The fluorescent substance is held in a transparent binder. For example, the fluorescent substance is formed stratiformly on a light-emitting surface of the semiconductor light-emitting element.
If the refractive index of the binder in this type of light source module is low, there is a possibility that the light generated by the semiconductor light-emitting element will be totally reflected on a boundary surface between the semiconductor light-emitting element and the binder when the light generated by the semiconductor light-emitting element is incident to the binder. Consequently, there is a possibility that part of the light generated by the semiconductor light-emitting element will not be applied onto the fluorescent substance in the binder. For this reason, it might be impossible to radiate the light generated by the semiconductor light-emitting element to the outside of the light source module efficiently.

Light source module and vehicle front lamp


The present disclosure provides a sternal closure fixation device. The fixation device includes a first sternum implant disposable within an interior cavity of a first half of a severed sternum such that the first implant contacts opposing anterior and posterior faces of the cavity. The fixation device additionally includes, a second sternum implant disposable within an interior cavity of a second half of a severed sternum such that the second implant contacts opposing anterior and posterior faces of the cavity. Furthermore, the fixation device includes a rigid fixation pin sized and structured to be disposed within an internal bore of the first implant and within an internal bore of the second implant, whereby when the first and second halves of the severed sternum are joined together, the first and second halves of the sternum are prevented from shear movement in any direction relative to each other.

The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art.
A median sternotomy, or cutting through the breastbone, is one of the most common surgical procedures performed. When first described, the recommended method of closure was to insert steel wires around the severed sternum and twist the ends to hold the two sternal halves tightly together. Today, this method, commonly known as the Cerclage wire method, is still the most common method of sternal closure. However, many problems with this method have been reported. For example, wires have been known to loosen (or even break) over time as the patient returns to everyday activities after surgery. Additionally, it is known that, although Cerclage wires are generally sufficient to maintain the opposing faces of the severed sternum in contact and prevent the severed sternum from separating, i.e., pulling apart such that there is a gap between the opposing faces, Cerclage wires generally do not prevent shear movement of the opposing halves relative to each other along the plane of the osteotomy. Furthermore, closing a median sternotomy in an osteoporotic patient, wherein their bone is resorbed, yielding thin, soft bone, is particularly challenging, because the sternum can be very pliable and the tightening of the Cerclage wires can actually crush the sternum.
Movement at the osteotomy line disrupts revascularization and slows healing. If there are gaps or movement along the osteotomy line, the bone healing can be greatly incumbered. Hence, to achieve optimal healing of the severed sternum, the relative movement of the two sternal halves, in every direction (longitudinal shear, horizontal separation, in-and-out shear, etc.) needs to be prevented, or minimized. Cerclage wires generally prevent horizontal separation (if they do not loosen with stress), however, they do not prevent shear movement between the sternal halves.
Several methods have been attempted to better hold the two sternal halves together, and improve the healing process of the sternum, but none of these has gained wide-spread acceptance in practice.

Apparatus and method for sternal closure

The Curators of the University of Missouri


A method includes forming a first etch target layer and a first mask layer on a substrate. Sacrificial patterns extending in a first direction are formed on the first mask layer in a second direction. Spacers are formed on sidewalls of the sacrificial patterns. After removing the sacrificial patterns, the first mask layer is etched using the spacers as an etching mask to form first masks. Second masks are formed on sidewalls of each first mask to define a third masks including each first mask and the second masks on sidewalls of each first mask. The first etch target layer is etched using the first and third masks as an etching mask to form first and second patterns in the first and second regions, respectively. Each first pattern has a first width, and each second pattern has a second width greater than the first width.

1. Field
Example embodiments relate to methods of forming minute patterns and/or methods of manufacturing a semiconductor device using the same. Example embodiment relates to methods of forming minute patterns each having a width of less than about 25 nm and/or methods of manufacturing a semiconductor device using the same.
2. Description of the Related Art
When a gate pattern having a minute width of less than about 20 nm is formed, a double patterning process may be performed. However, in a double patterning process, a gate pattern may be formed to have a constant width, and thus it may be difficult to form a gate pattern having different widths at different regions.

Method of forming minute patterns and method of manufacturing a semiconductor device using the same


An azimuthally sensitive LWD tool is disclosed, comprising a transmitting antenna, a receiving antenna, wherein the receiving antenna is azimuthally focused so as to be more sensitive to changes in magnetic flux in a particular azimuthal segment of the antenna and means for measuring current induced in the receiving antenna as a result of current flowing through said transmitting antenna.

Modern petroleum drilling and production operations demand a great quantity of information relating to parameters and conditions downhole. Such information typically includes the location and orientation of the wellbore and drilling assembly, earth formation properties, and drilling environmental parameters downhole. Directional information relating to surveying the location of the wellbore, and controlling or "steering" the drilling assembly, will be discussed later.
The collection of information relating to formation properties and conditions downhole, commonly referred to as "logging," can be performed by several methods. Oil well logging has been known in the industry for many years as a technique for providing information to a driller regarding the particular earth formation being drilled. In conventional wireline logging, a probe or "sonde" housing formation sensors is lowered into the borehole after some or all of the well has been drilled, and is used to determine certain characteristics of the formations traversed by the borehole. The sonde is supported by a conductive wireline, which attaches to the sonde at the upper end. Power is transmitted to the sensors and instrumentation in the sonde through the conductive wireline. Similarly, the instrumentation in the sonde communicates information to the surface by electrical signals transmitted through the wireline.
More recently, the industry has placed an increased emphasis on the collection of data during the drilling process itself. By selecting and processing data during the drilling process, without the necessity of removing or tripping the drilling assembly to insert a wireline logging tool, the driller can make accurate modifications or corrections on-the-fly, as necessary, to optimize performance. Designs for measuring conditions downhole and the movement and location of the drilling assembly, contemporaneously with the drilling of the well, have come to be known as "measurement-while drilling" techniques, or "MWD." Similar techniques, concentrating more on the measurement of formation parameters, commonly have been referred to as "logging while drilling" techniques, or "LWD." While distinctions between MWD and LWD may exist, the terms MWD and LWD often are used interchangeably. For the purposes of this disclosure, the term LWD will be used with the understanding that this term encompasses both the collection of formation parameters and the collection of information relating to the movement and position of the drilling assembly.
Ordinarily, a well is drilled vertically for at least a portion of its depth. The layers or strata that make up the earth's crust are generally substantially horizontal. Therefore, during vertical drilling, the well is substantially normal to the geological formations through which it passes One of the properties of the formation that is commonly logged is its resistivity. LWD tools that are designed to measure the resistivity of the surrounding formation need not be azimuthally focused, as the formation in question surrounds the wellbore and is essentially the same in all directions. Thus the rotation of the LWD tool with the bit has no significant effect on the measured resistivity. For this reason, typical LWD resistivity tools that are adapted for use in vertical wells are azimuthally symmetric and have no azimuthal sensitivity.
In certain applications, however, such as when drilling from an off-shore platform, or when drilling through formations in which the reservoir boundaries extend vertically, it is desirable to drill wells that are oriented more horizontally. When drilling horizontally, it is desirable to maintain the well bore in the pay zone (the formation which contains hydrocarbons) as much as possible so as to maximize the recovery. Formations, however, may dip or divert, making it difficult to stay within the boundaries of the desired formation. Thus, while attempting to drill and maintain the well bore within a particular formation, the drill bit may approach a bed boundary. As the rotating bit approaches the bed boundary, the bed boundary will be on one side of the bit axis, or in one azimuthal range with respect to the bit axis.
If a near-bit resistivity tool were capable of sensing resistivity values azimuthally, the sensed values could be analyzed to discern the direction of the bed boundary. If the tool were sufficiently sensitive, the approaching bed boundary would be detected in sufficient time to allow the driller to make corrections in accordance with known techniques to avoid exiting the desired formation.
Various devices have been proposed for measuring resistivity azimuthally. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,786,874 describes a resistivity measuring tool which uses an asymmetrical generation of current in the formation by a current electrode placed on one side of the drill collar and the sensing of asymmetrical voltage distribution in the formation by a voltage sensing electrode, with both electrodes placed on an insulated section of the drill collar. Another tool for providing azimuthally sensitivity resistivity measurements is set out and described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,045,795. This tool provides a pair of toroids on which four coils are mounted. The two toroids are connected by magnetic shorting bars. The coil segments and shorting bars inscribe a specific solid angle or azimuth. By connecting the outputs of the several coils through a combining circuit, the coils on a single coil supporting form can be connected in a series, additive or subtractive relationship. Through the use of two such coil forms with the line coils on each, an azimuthally oriented window is thereby defined.
Neither of these prior art systems, however, will work in synthetic drilling muds or oil based muds (non-conductive muds). Hence, it is desirable to provide an LWD tool that allows azimuthally sensitive resistivity measurements, that is easy to manufacture and assemble and that is sufficiently durable and reliable in the drilling environment.

Logging while drilling tool with azimuthal sensistivity


A magnetic sensing method and system include a die comprising a central location thereof. A group of magnetoresistive bridge circuits are located and configured upon the die. A magnetic biasing component is then utilized to bias the plurality of magnetoresistive bridge circuits with a magnetic field rotating about an axis of the central location of the die in order to generate a plurality of bridge output signals thereof. Finally, the plurality of bridge output signals are processed in order to determine position data thereof.

Various sensors are known in the magnetic-effect sensing arts. Examples of common magnetic-effect sensors include Hall-effect and magnetoresistive technologies. Such magnetic sensors can generally respond to a change in the magnetic field as influenced by the presence or absence of a ferromagnetic target object of a designed shape passing by the sensory field of the magnetic-effect sensor. The sensor can then provide an electrical output, which can be further modified as necessary by subsequent electronics to yield sensing and control information. The subsequent electronics may be located either onboard or outboard of the sensor package.
Hall-effect sensing devices represent one type of magnetic-effect sensors that are utilized widely in rotational and angular position detection. Hall-effect sensors incorporate Hall-effect elements that rely on a reaction between a current flowing between a first set of contacts and an orthogonally-applied magnetic field to generate a voltage across a second set of contacts. In theory, with no magnetic field applied to the Hall-effect element, no voltage should be generated across the second set of contacts. In practice, a voltage is typically generated across the second set of contacts even with no magnetic field applied to the Hall-effect element.
Magnetoresistive (MR) technology is also utilized in a variety of commercial, consumer and industrial detection applications. One type of MR technology is anisotropic magnetoresistive (AMR) technology. In some conventional MR systems an apparatus can be provided for determining the position of a member movable along a path. In such a device, a magnet can be attached to the movable member and an array of magnetic field transducers are located adjacent the path. This type of sensing configuration is commonly referred to as "MR Array" technology. As the magnet approaches, passes and moves away from a transducer, the transducer provides a varying output signal, which can be represented by a single characteristic curve that is representative of any of the transducers.
To determine the position of the movable member, the transducers are electronically scanned and data is selected from a group of transducers having an output that indicates relative proximity to the magnet. A curve-fitting algorithm can then be utilized to determine a best fit of the data to the characteristic curve. By placement of the characteristic curve along a position axis, the position of the magnet and therefore the movable member may be determined.
In another conventional MR device, a position determining apparatus can be implemented, which includes a magnet that is attached to a movable member that moves along a predefined path of finite length. An array of magnetic field transducers can be located adjacent to the predefined path. The transducers can provide an output signal as the magnet approaches passes and moves away from each transducer. A correction mechanism can also be implemented to correct for residual error caused by the non-linearity of the transducers.
Such a correction mechanism preferably approximates the residual error with a predetermined function, and applies correction factors that correspond to the predetermined function to offset the residual error. By correcting for the non-linearity of the transducers, the length of the magnet may be reduced and/or the spacing of the transducers may be reduced.
An example of a conventional magnetic sensing approach is disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,589,769, "Position Detection Apparatus Including a Circuit for Receiving a Plurality of Output Signal Values and Fitting the Output Signal Values to a Curve," which issued to Donald R. Krahn on Dec. 31, 1996, and is assigned to Honeywell International Inc. Another example of another conventional magnetic sensing approach is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,097,183, "Position Detection Apparatus with Correction for Non-Linear Sensor Regions," which issued to Goetz et al. on Aug. 1, 2000 and is also assigned to Honeywell International Inc. A further example of a conventional magnetic sensing system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,806,702, "Magnetic Angular Position Sensor Apparatus," which issued to Wayne A. Lamb et al on Oct. 19, 2004, and which is assigned to Honeywell International Inc. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,589,769, 6,097,183 and 6,806,702 are incorporated herein by reference. Such conventional MR-based devices generally utilize discrete components on a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) assembly to yield the resulting function.
Because such conventional MR-based sensing devices, and in particular angle sensors, are required to be implemented in the context of small package diameters, such devices are not feasible in situations where there is not enough room for a bias magnet to be positioned in a "fly by mode". A magnetic circuit and sensor combination must therefore be implemented, which occupies less space.
Some systems utilize AMR bridges in association with simple mathematical functions such as ATAN (Inverse Tangent function) to determine absolute position data. One of the problems with utilizing mathematical functions such as ATAN is that in order to achieve high accuracy with this method, the AMR bridge signals must be as close to perfect sinusoids (i.e., Sin 2× and Cos 2×) as possible. To date, such goals have not been sufficiently achieved.
In order to overcome such problems, a new angular/rotary position sensing scheme and algorithm thereof must be designed in order to achieve maximum performance benefits. It is believed that the embodiments disclosed herein address and satisfy these issues.

Angular position detection utilizing a plurality of rotary configured magnetic sensors


According to a hearing aid comprising a voiceless period information detecting means for detecting information about a voiceless period based on sound received by a sound input means, and a control means for changing an amplification factor of an amplifying means or switching on/off output of sound emitted by a sound output means based on the sound received by the sound input means and the information about the voiceless period, output of the hearing aid can be controlled depending on noise included in the sound.. Moreover, according to a hearing aid comprising a specific sound detecting means for detecting sound having specific frequency from sound received by a sound input means, and control means for changing an amplification factor of an amplifying means or switching on/off output of sound emitted by a sound output means, or making the sound output means receive either a signal passing through a filter for the specific frequency or a signal bypassing the filter, based on the sound having the specific frequency, warning sound having the specific frequency or the like appearing suddenly in ambient sound can be attenuated.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a hearing aid for controlling the emitted sound in consideration of the ambient sound.
The invention also relates to a hearing aid for controlling the emitted sound depending on the information presented by the wearer of the hearing aid.
2. Related Art of the Invention
A conventional hearing aid amplified the received sound, without distinguishing voice from other sound than voice, and emitted the amplified sound to the wearer of the hearing aid, and therefore when the ambient sound other than the voice became loud, a discomfort was given to the wearer of the hearing aid.
A conventional hearing aid, similarly, amplified the alarm sound released by an ambulance or the like, the warning sound at the crossing, or other ambient sound, together with the voice, the power level of the output sound was excessive, and it gave an extreme discomfort to the wearer of the hearing aid.

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.


A lid for a container is openable by peeling. The lid includes a first layer adhered to a second layer (5) having, on its outer face, a sealing agent (6) enabling it to adhere to the container (1, 2). The first layer (3) has a cut-out portion (7) delimiting a gripping tab (8). In addition, the force of adherence between the first and second layers (3, 5) is greater than the force of adherence between the second layer (5) and the container (1, 2). Alternatively, the lid includes a third layer (13) adhered to the first layer (3) and having a hole (15) permitting access to the tab (8).

The present invention relates to a lid for a container openable by peeling, including a first layer adhered to a second layer comprising a sealing agent on its outer face, this agent being designed to enable the lid to adhere to the recipient by sealing.
Lids designed to be fixed by sealing to containers that are openable by peeling are generally provided with a gripping tab forming a lateral protuberance.
Now, when the lids are fixed by heat sealing, part of the heat supplied is locally absorbed by the tab, so that the seal at the base of the latter is often of poorer quality and less strong than elsewhere.
The present invention proposes, in particular, to remedy this drawback and, to do so, it provides a lid having the structure mentioned above, this lid being characterised in that the first layer comprises an internal cut-out portion delimiting a gripping tab, and in that the force of adherence between the first and second layers is greater than the force of adherence between the second layer and the recipient.
The gripping tab of this lid does not constitute a lateral protuberance as it is located in the area of a cut-out portion provided inside the first layer.
The heat supplied to perform sealing thus remains uniformly distributed along the line along which the lid adheres to the container, which prevents the occurrence on this line of zones of adherence of variable quality and strength.
It will further be noted that the forces of adherence, which are different between the layers constituting the lid, on one hand, and between the lid and the recipient, on the other hand, guarantee correct opening without the layers parting from one another.
Preferably, the tab comprises a root portion connecting it to the first layer, a free end opposite from the root portion, and two sides connecting the root portion to the free end, a hole being provided in the first layer so as to be delimited at least partially by the free end of the tab.
Thanks to this hole, the tab can be more easily taken hold of with a view to opening the container.
According to one particular form of embodiment, the lid according to the invention includes a third layer, adhered to the first layer and comprising a hole permitting access to the tab.
The third layer enhances the strength of the lid and prevents the tab from becoming accidentally separated from the first layer when it is pulled on with a view to opening the container.
To make it easier to grip the tab, the hole in the third layer is, preferably, at least as large as the tab.
According to a first variant, the hole in the third layer is delimited, at least partially, by the free end of the tab and/or by at least one of the sides of the latter.
According to a second variant, the hole in the third layer is defined by a special cut-out portion delimiting an additional tab covering, at least partially, the tab of the first layer, the additional tab being integral with the first one.
According to a third variant, the tab of the first layer extends, at least partially, over the third layer so as to be easier to grip with the hand.
Finally, it should be specified that each of the first, second and third layers is made of paper or of aluminium, or is constituted by a film of plastic material.

Cover for a container openable by peeling, comprising a gripping tab delimited


Methods and apparatus for performing colorant limitation are provided that receive input data, desired output response data and measured (or specified) output response data for a print output device, and determine converted input data that accounts for differences between the measured (or specified) output response data and the desired output responses of the printer. Converted input data may then be provided to a conventional colorant limitation algorithm for performing colorant limitation. Colorant-limited input data are then de-converted by accounting for differences between the desired output response data and the measured (or specified) output responses of the printer.

This invention pertains to digital imaging. More particularly, this invention relates to methods and apparatus for reducing colorant used in digital printing.
A digital printer receives image data from a computer and places colorant, such as ink or toner, on a sheet of receiving material, such as paper or transparency plastic. The printer may use a variety of different technologies to transfer colorant to the page, including inkjet, thermal dye transfer, thermal wax, electrophotographic, silver halide, and other processes. High quality digital color printers typically use a combination of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black ("CMYK") colorants, although some printers may use more than or less than these four colorants. Each individual colorant commonly is referred to as a "channel," with the amount of colorant for each channel typically specified as a percentage between 0 and 100%. Thus, on a four-color printer, the maximum amount of colorant that may be specified is 400%, corresponding to 100% on all four channels.
If excessive colorant is used, however, undesirable image artifacts such as bleeding (an undesirable mixing of colorants along a boundary between printed areas of different colorants), cockling (warping or deformation of the receiving material that may occur from using excessive colorant), flaking and smearing may result that produce an unacceptable print. In severe cases, excessive ink may cause the receiving material to warp so much that it interferes with the mechanical operation of the printer and may damage the printer. In addition, for many color printers, satisfactory density and color reproduction can generally be achieved without using the maximum amount of colorant. Therefore, using excessive colorant not only may cause undesirable image artifacts and may damage a printer, but it also wastes colorant. Generally, the amount of colorant needed to cause undesirable image artifacts (and therefore be considered excessive) depends on the receiver material, colorant and printer technology.
To minimize the effects of excessive colorant, previously known printing systems often include colorant limitation devices or methods. Referring to FIG. 1, a conventional colorant limitation system is described. Colorant limitation system 10 includes colorant limiter 12, which receives input data and provides colorant-limited input data to print output device 14, which generates a print document in accordance with the colorant-limited input data. Previously known techniques for limiting colorant usage, such as the system of FIG. 1, have typically performed colorant reduction without including the effects of actual print output device performance. For example, Allen et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,633,662 ("Allen") describes a process for controlling ink volume in liquid ink printing systems by comparing the total specified ink volume per pixel to a selected maximum total ink volume per pixel. Depleted ink volumes are formed by applying a scaling factor to each pixel, or to those pixels having ink volumes that exceed a threshold ink volume. Likewise, Li et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,872,896 ("Li") describes an ink limiting algorithm in which pixels that exceed a total ink limit are reduced, with some pixels reduced to values that are significantly below the total ink limit. Neither Allen nor Li, however, describe ink limiting methods or apparatus that include a direct measurement of actual printer behavior or specified behavior as part of the ink reduction determination.
Indeed, previously known colorant-reduction techniques typically are optimized for speed, and do not consider variations in engine state that may significantly affect print device output. For example, a print output device may include one or more color channels, with each color channel having a nominal output response. As a result of ageing or device imperfections, one or more color channels may have an actual output response that differs from the nominal response. For example, the output of one color channel may be only 50% of the nominal output. As a result, although the specified amount of colorant for that channel may be 60%, the actual amount of colorant provided by the channel may be only 30%. Nevertheless, a conventional ink limitation algorithm would operate in the usual manner, although the print device actually can tolerate a higher specified amount of colorant because the actual output has already been limited by some other mechanism or defect.
In view of the foregoing, it would be desirable to provide methods and apparatus for performing colorant limitation that prevent unnecessary colorant limitation.
It further would be desirable to provide methods and apparatus for performing colorant limitation that include the effects of actual print device performance.
It also would be desirable to provide methods and apparatus for performing colorant limitation that may be modified to accommodate changes in print output device performance.
It additionally would be desirable to provide methods and apparatus for performing colorant limitation that include the effects of specified device performance.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Methods and apparatus for colorant reduction


The inkjet recording head comprises: a first vibrating plate which forms part of a pressure chamber connecting an ink supply port and an ink ejection port; a first actuator which induces ink ejection from the ink ejection port for printing by deforming the first vibrating plate; a second vibrating plate which forms part of the pressure chamber; and a second actuator which induces ink ejection from the ink ejection port for performing maintenance by deforming the second vibrating plate, wherein a relationship K1>K2 is established between a ratio K1 of a volume of ink expelled by deformation of the first vibrating plate in relation to a pressure applied to the first vibrating plate by the first actuator during the ink ejection for printing, and a ratio K2 of a volume of ink expelled by deformation of the second vibrating plate in relation to a pressure applied to the second vibrating plate by the second actuator during the ink ejection for maintenance.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an inkjet recording head and an inkjet recording apparatus, and more particularly to an inkjet recording head and an inkjet recording apparatus wherein maintenance can be performed by reliably removing ink that has thickened due to drying, ink with air bubbles mixed in, or other such ink that causes nozzle clogging or ejection problems from the nozzle.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventionally, one known example of an image recording apparatus is an inkjet recording apparatus (inkjet printer) that has an inkjet head (ink discharge head) with an alignment of multiple nozzles, and that forms an image on a recording medium by discharging ink from the nozzles while moving the inkjet recording head and the recording medium relatively to each other.
Various methods for discharging ink in inkjet printers are conventionally known. One known example is a piezoelectric system, wherein changes the volume of a pressure chamber (ink chamber) by deforming a vibration plate that constitute part of the pressure chamber due to the deformation of a piezoelectric element (piezoelectric ceramic) so that controls the ink supply and the ink discharge to the pressure chamber.
In an inkjet recording apparatus, ink is supplied from an ink tank for storing ink to an ink ejection head via an ink supply channel, and the ink is ejected onto a recording medium from the nozzle of the ink ejection head. The ink used herein is preferably dried and adhered immediately upon being ejected onto the recording medium.
Ink is always filled in the nozzle of the ink ejection head so that printing can be immediately executed when a command for printing is received, and since ink ejection from the nozzle would be unstable if the ink in this nozzle dries, the ink ejection head is sealed by a cap during non-operation to ensure that the ink in the nozzle does not dry.
However, since the ink in the nozzle is exposed to air during printing, the ink dries in a nozzle that does not undergo ejection for a long period of time, and it is possible that the viscosity of the ink will increase, the nozzle will be clogged, and the nozzle will run out of ink, making ejection impossible. Therefore, purging must be performed wherein ink is forcefully ejected from the nozzle at specific intervals.
Also, ink cannot be ejected from the nozzle if air bubbles mixed in the ink supply channel accumulate in the ink ejection head or in front of the filter for removing impurities disposed in the ink supply channel and the supply of ink is blocked by these accumulated air bubbles.
In view of this, various proposals have been made in conventional practice for dealing with ink ejection failures or ejection problems due to inconstant pressure in an inkjet recording apparatus, which is the result of the thickening of ink or adhesion of insoluble components near the nozzle due to a reduction in volatile components in such ink, or of pressure loss due to air bubbles accumulated in the ink flow channel. These proposals include restoring the nozzle by suctioning from the nozzle surface side by negative pressure, applying great positive pressure from the supply side to eject (purge) thickened ink, and the like.
One known example of a measure for dealing with firm clogs in the head is to perform purging with the use of a pump or an ejection actuator, wherein an electric signal with a frequency approximate to the characteristic vibration frequency of the pressure chamber is sent to an ejection actuator to cause resonant vibration in the pressure chamber, resonant vibration is caused intermittently and repeatedly in the filled ink, and air bubbles adhering to the walls of the pressure chamber are extracted and suctioned and removed along with impurities (for example, see Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2000-177126).
Also, the following are known structural examples for implementing measures for dealing with firm clogs in the head using a device other than a purging pump or an ejection actuator.
In one known example, an ultrasonic transducer is provided next to a common liquid chamber or an individual flow channel in the inkjet head, and ultrasonic vibration is caused in the cleaning fluid of the common liquid chamber or the individual flow channel (for example, see Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2003-145782).
In another known example, compressed air is fed into the ink ejection channel where the clog has formed, and the ink causing the clog is expelled from the ink ejection port (for example, see Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 9-150509).
In yet another known example, after the ink chamber is formed during the manufacture of the inkjet head, purified water or a cleaning solution is supplied into the ink chamber, and cuttings and other such impurities that formed during manufacturing and adhered to the actuator are expelled from the nozzle along with the purified water or the cleaning solution (for example, see Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 9-193379).
However, the methods proposed in conventional practice have had problems in that air bubbles, impurities, thickened ink, or the like in a channel reaching from an individual flow channels to a nozzle via a pressure chamber are removed by negative or positive pressure from a location separate from any pressure chamber (ink chamber), a long flow channel extends from the pressure source to the point of application, and due to the inertia of the ink therein, an impact force cannot be applied to the location of the problem, a great number of trials are needed until the air bubbles, impurities, thickened ink, or the like are effectively removed, and the ink develops defects.
Also, the example disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2000-177126 has problems in that air bubbles and the like are expelled by inducing the maximum possible vibration using an ejection actuator, but the effects are limited and it is unlikely that the clogging will be sufficiently dispersed because the ejection actuator is optimized for the original ejection and an extra force cannot be produced.
Also, the example disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2003-145782 has problems in that costs increase in the case of a head having multiple nozzles when an ultrasonic element is to be installed in each individual nozzle.
Furthermore, the examples disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication Nos. 9-150509 and 9-193379 have problems in that they are designed to clean the ink chamber but are not designed to resume printing by immediately dispersing clogs when the nozzle is clogged during printing, and the restoring operation cannot be performed in real time.

Inkjet recording head and inkjet recording apparatus


A liquid crystal display substrate includes a first active area and a second active area on the liquid crystal display substrate, a first black matrix and a second black matrix respectively surrounding the first active area and the second active area, a cutting region encircling the first black matrix and the second black matrix, and at least a guarding wall disposed on the black matrix or on the cutting region.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a liquid crystal display device and a method for forming an alignment film. In particular, the present invention relates to a liquid crystal display device with at least a guarding wall to go with the formation of the alignment film.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The alignment film is considered as one of the crucial components in the liquid crystal display device. The alignment film is placed on the substrate of the liquid crystal display device, in order to construct the pretilt angle of the liquid crystal molecules, which is the kernel component of the liquid crystal device. Only when the liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal display panel have correct pretilt angle will the liquid crystal molecules twist correctly in accordance the external electric field to create the required images.
The process to form the alignment film requires rollers with specially designed patterns to correctly transfer the alignment film solution (the Pi solution) onto a pre-determined location of the panel on the substrate. FIG. 1 illustrates rollers with specially designed patterns to print the alignment film solution in the prior art. As shown in FIG. 1, the roller 110 has patterns 113 corresponding to a location of the panel on the substrate, so the alignment film solution 111 is transferred onto the substrate 114 by contacting the correct location on the substrate 114 to avoid any undesirable transfer of the alignment film solution 111 onto incorrect zones on the substrate 114, for example, the frame adhesive zone 115 because the alignment film solution 111 may compromise the function of the frame adhesive and jeopardize the quality of the liquid crystal display products.
However, liquid crystal display panels of various forms and of different sizes all require exclusive rollers of particular patterns in order to correspond to the unique patterns of the liquid crystal display process panels on the substrate. In particular, reserved spaces are needed for the frame adhesive and the external connectors on the liquid crystal display panels, so liquid crystal display panels of different specifications require exclusive rollers of particular patterns. Besides, with the larger and larger sizes of the liquid crystal display panels, for example those above G6 generation, it is harder and harder to make the corresponding unique patterned rollers. Solutions such as piecing up, in which smaller pieces are jointed together to obtain a larger, complete one, have been proposed. However, it adversely affects the production of the liquid crystal display panels. This process is neither economical nor cost-saving.
Accordingly, a novel substrate for the liquid crystal display process is needed to use non-exclusive rollers for various sizes and specifications. The alignment film solution can be correctly transferred onto a pre-determined location of the panel on the substrate by a simplest and easiest method without interfering with other regions on the substrate.

Liquid crystal display and method for forming alignment film


Aqueous solutions comprising a polysaccharide oncotic agent, a physiologically compatible buffer, a simple hexose sugar, dissolved chloride salts of calcium, sodium and magnesium, and a dissolved organic salt of sodium are disclosed. The solutions are effective substitutes for blood and may be used to preserve the biological integrity of the organs of a mammalian donor organism as shown by superior anatomical integrity of cryopreserved organs and tissues of subjects perfused with the solution. The solutions may be used for maintaining a partially or substantially completely exsanguinated subject at normal temperatures and at temperatures substantially below those normally maintained by a mammal and may be used in conjunction with hypobaric environments to maintain such partially or completed exsanguinated subjects alive without infusing blood back into the subject.

Two clinically applied preservation methods for organs are known: (1) initial perfusion for about 5 min with subsequent cold storage (2.degree. C.), and (2) continuous perfusion using solutions containing albumin or plasma.
Many of the solutions used for initial perfusion with subsequent cold storage are based on the solutions of Collins et al. (1969) Lancet 2:1219 and Sacks et al. (1973) Lancet 1:1024. Ross et al. (1976) Transplantation 21:498 compared canine renal preservation following flushing and storage for 72 hours in various solutions. It was found that only kidneys preserved in a hypertonic citrate (HC) solution (comprising in part 80 mM K.sup.+, 55 mM citrate, 400 mOsmol/kg, pH 7.1) survived after 72 hours. The Collins and Sacks solutions in part contained 115-126 mM K.sup.+, 290-430 mOsmol/kg, pH 7.0-7.3. Wall et al. (1977) Transplantation 23:210 reports the hypothermic preservation of human livers for up to about 4 hours in a solution in part comprising 250 mg dextrose, and 15 mEq potassium phosphate. Bishop & Ross (1978) Transplantation 25:235 reported that renal function was preserved best in the HC solution of Ross et al. (1976) supra, rather than other available solutions. Fischer et al. (1985) Transplantation 39:122 found a new preservation solution for hypothermic ischemic storage (comprising in part 110 mM Na.sup.+, 115 mM K.sup.+, 400 mOsm/kg, solvent D.sub.2 O, 110 mM HEPES) to be superior to other solutions in clinical use, including Collins, Sacks, and HC.
Among the solutions used for continuous organ perfusion, Belzer et al. (1985) Transplantation 39:118 reported a newly developed solution which preserved renal function when kidneys were perfused for 48 hours and stored for 24 hours (comprising in part 80 mM sodium gluconate, 22 mEq/l K.sup.+, 128 mEq/l Na.sup.+, 4.9 mM adenosine, 10 mM HEPES, 3.0 mM glutathione, 3.75 g % albumin, pH 7.45). Kallerhoff et al. (1985) Transplantation 39:485 examined the effect of temperature on pH of organs continuously perfused with two different solutions (Euro-Collins: 10 mM Na.sup.+, 115 mM K.sup.+, 198 mM glucose, 406 mOsm/L, pH 7.2 at 20.degree. C.; HTK: 15 mM Na.sup.+, 10 mM K.sup.+, 2.0 mM tryptophan, 180 mM histidine, 30 mM mannitol, 310 mOsm/L, pH 7.3 at 8.degree. C.). At incubation temperatures between 5.degree. C.-35.degree. C., HTK solution maintained pH at consistently higher values than Euro-Collins solution.
Klebanoff & Phillips (1969) Cryobiology 6:121 describe hypothermic asanguinous perfusion of dogs perfused with buffered Ringer's lactate at 7.1 to 16.degree. C. Segall et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 4,923,442) describe a blood substitute capable of maintaining a subject and its organs at temperatures below 20.degree. C. having four different solutions--a base solution, a cardioplegia-inducing solution, a cardioplegia-maintaining solution, and a recovery solution. The base solution contains electrolytes in physiological concentration, a macromolecular oncotic agent, a conventional biological buffer effective at physiological pH, sugar, and K.sup.+ ranging from 4-5 mEq. The cardioplegia-inducing solution had a K.sup.+ concentration of 25-45 mEq; the cardioplegia-maintenance solution had a K.sup.+ concentration of 15-45 mEq; and the recovery solution had a K.sup.+ concentration of 6-10 mEq. Segall et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 5,130,230) further described the four-solution system, where the recovery solution contains 0-10 mEq K.sup.+.


A dehydration process may include introducing in a reactor an alcohol, and contacting the alcohol with an acidic catalyst to dehydrate the alcohol to make a corresponding olefin. The process may include recovering from the reactor the olefin and water. In the process, an effective amount of a component capable to neutralize a part of the catalyst active site may be introduced. The component may include ammonia, organic ammonium salts, hydrazine, nitriles, amines, amides, imines, di-imines, imides, cyanates, isocyanates, nitrites and nitroso compounds, aldehydes, ketones, carboxylic esters, and their corresponding thio-compounds.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,302,357 relates to an activated alumina catalyst employed in a process for the production of ethylene from ethanol through a dehydration reaction. In the description LHSV of ethanol is from 0.25 to 5 h−1 and preferably from 0.5 to 3 h−1. The examples are carried out at 370° C. and LHSV of 1 h−1, ethylene yield is from 65 to 94%.
Process Economics Reviews PEP' 79-3 (SRI international) of December 1979 describes the dehydration of an ethanol-water (95/5 weight %) mixture on a silica-alumina catalyst in a tubular fixed bed at 315-360° C., 1.7 bar absolute and a WHSV (on ethanol) of 0.3 h−1. The ethanol conversion is 99% and the ethylene selectivity is 94.95%. It also describes the dehydration of an ethanol-water (95/5 weight %) mixture on a silica-alumina catalyst in a fluidized bed at 399° C., 1.7 bar absolute and a WHSV (on ethanol) of 0.7 h−1. The ethanol conversion is 99.6% and the ethylene selectivity is 99.3%.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,873,392 describes a process for converting diluted ethanol to ethylene which comprises heating an ethanol-containing fermentation broth thereby to vaporize a mixture of ethanol and water and contacting said vaporized mixture with a ZSM-5 zeolite catalyst selected from the group consisting of:                a ZSM-5 zeolite having a Si/Al atomic ratio of from 5 to 75 which has been treated with steam at a temperature ranging from 400 to 800° C. for a period of from 1 to 48 hours;        a ZSM-5 zeolite having a Si/Al atomic ratio of from 5 to 50 and wherein La or Ce ions have been incorporated in a weight percentage of 0.1 to 1.0% by ion exchange or in a weight percentage ranging from 0.1 to 5% by impregnation, and        a ZSM-5 zeolite having a Si/Al of from 5 to 50 and impregnated with a 0.5 to 7 wt % of trifluoromethanesulfonic acid,and recovering the ethylene thus produced.
In ex 1 the catalyst is a steamed ZSM-5 having a Si/Al ratio of 21, the aqueous feed contains 10 w % of ethanol and 2 w % of glucose, the temperature is 275° C., the WHSV is from 3.2 to 38.5 h−1. The ethylene yield decreases with the increase of WHSV. The ethylene yield is 99.4% when WHSV is 3.2 h−1 and 20.1% when WHSV is 38.5 h−1.
In ex 2 a ZSM-5 having a Si/Al ratio of 10 is compared with the same but on which La or Ce ions have been incorporated. The aqueous feed contains 10 w % of ethanol and 2 w % of glucose, the temperature is from 200° C. to 225° C., the WHSV is 1 h−1 and the best ethylene yield is 94.9%.
In ex 3 the catalyst is a ZSM-5 having a Si/Al ratio of 10 on which trifluoromethanesulfonic acid has been incorporated, the aqueous feed contains 10 w % of ethanol and 2 w % of glucose, the temperature is from 180° C. to 205° C., the WHSV is 1 h−1. The ethylene yield increases with temperature (73.3% at 180° C., 97.2% at 200° C.) and then decreases (95.8% at 205° C.).
In the ethanol dehydration processes, ethanol conversion is nearly complete. The increase of C2− selectivity while keeping high ethanol conversion is of importance to gain in process efficiency and to save expensive steps of downstream separation/purification. A convenient solution has been discovered to adjust the activity and selectivity of the catalyst by poisoning the unselective acid sites while keeping active the selective acidic sites. This can be achieved by an appropriate spiking of the alcohol feed with a neutralising agent. A particular characteristic of the present invention is that the amount of neutralising agent to maximise selectivity can be adjusted continuously and eventually completely omitted from the reaction section. Such event can occur when (i) the residence time of the feed in the catalytic reactor changes, (ii) when the feed composition changes and contains similar neutralising components or (iii) when the catalyst deactivates due to poising or coke lay down on the catalyst surface.
The moderation of the catalytic activity by feed spiking the feedstock is documented for other processes but not for alcohol dehydration.
For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 4,517,395 discloses the addition of fixed amounts of carbon monoxide (CO), which increases the selectivity of the hydrogenation process towards the conversion of conjugated and/or cumulative double bonds and for acetylenic triple bonds into monoene-containing mixtures of hydrocarbons, so as to avoid to a maximum extend any losses of monoenes by the formation of saturated hydrocarbons.
Another example is to find in U.S. Pat. No. 7,399,402 which describes the introduction of an ammonia precursor when hydrotreating a C4-C8 hydrocarbon feed rich in olefins and aromatics on a catalyst consisting of transition metals supported on refractory oxides. The introduction of the ammonia precursor into the feed allows to block the acid sites responsible for secondary reactions (oligomerization and alkylation on acid sites in this prior art), thus keeping excellent product quality.
In order to avoid the double bond isomerisation of the primary alpha-olefins in the dehydration of long-chain alcohols, the use of metal cations to modify the catalyst (by minimizing the number of acid sites that are thought to increase the rate of isomerization) have been reported (K. Jira'tova', L. Bera'nek, Appl. Catal. 2 (1982) 125; R. Miranda, D. J. Collins, J. Catal. 88 (1984) 542 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,234,752). Such methods are permanent, irreversible and hence no means are left available to adjust the performance when feed composition, feed residence time and catalyst activity changes over the time of using the catalyst.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,873,392 mentions at col 1 line 48-col 2 line 9 a modification of the ZSM-5 acid sites if the production of ethylene is desired. This part of U.S. Pat. No. 4,873,392 relates to the MTO reaction in which methanol is converted to a mixture of ethylene, propylene and higher hydrocarbons. It has nothing to see with the present invention which relates to the dehydration of alcohols on acidic catalysts to make the corresponding olefin which means an olefin having the same number of carbons as the alcohol precursor.

Dehydration of alcohols on acidic catalysts


A method is described for closing openings in a film, for example, in microelectronic process technology, whereby substantially no deposition material passes through the openings, which can be important if fragile micro devices are positioned under the openings. The closure of these openings can cause an underlying cavity to be hermetically sealed, in which an object can be located. In particular the method provides a way for hermetically sealing cavities under controlled atmosphere and pressure in the encapsulation and sealing processes of cavities comprising fragile content. The cavities may comprise for example Micro Electro Mechanical Systems (MEMS). The method may be used for encapsulating devices which may require a controlled atmosphere and pressure encapsulation such as micro accelerometers, micro gyroscopes, micro tubes, vibration micro sensors, micro mirrors, micro mechanical resonators or “resonant strain gauges”, micro mechanical filters, micro switches, micro electrical circuits, micro relays, Integrated Circuits with air gaps etc.

Many micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) require an encapsulation under vacuum or under a controlled atmosphere and pressure to ensure either a good performance or an acceptable lifetime of operation. The encapsulation has to be performed without the deposition of sealing material on the MEMS device, which can cause damage to the device. In "The indent reflow sealing (IRS) technique—a method for fabrication of sealed cavities for MEMS devices", J. MEMS, 9, p. 206-217, 2000 by H. A. T. Tilmans, M. D. J. van de Peer and E. Beyne, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety, two approaches for wafer-scale zero-level packaging are mentioned.
The most popular approach is based on wafer bonding. Here, the sealing is performed by connecting two wafers (device wafer and capping wafer) together by means of a reflowable material. An example of such packaging is described in patent EP-A-0951069, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. In this approach an expensive substrate, e.g. a Si wafer or a MEMS substrate, is used as a cap to close the cavity comprising the MEMS device. These wafers are thick and the sealing ring is large. Therefore, the resulting encapsulated MEMS device is space consuming. Moreover, batch processing is not possible.
Alternatively, encapsulation can be done by the fabrication and sealing of surface micro-machined membranes. The use of conformal LPCVD (low-pressure chemical vapour deposition) films is a known method for encapsulation at low pressure [C. Liu, Y. C. Tai, "Sealing of micro machined cavities using chemical vapour deposition methods: characterisation and optimisation", J. MEMS, 8, p. 135-145, 1999, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety]. The sealing of the cavity comprising the MEMS devices is done while depositing the conformal film. Hence, the atmosphere and pressure of the sealed MEMS device are those of the deposition chamber. Methods for sealing at higher pressures up to the order of atmospheric pressure and a few times that value, by the deposition of thin films, are however not widespread. Moreover, most of these atmospheric pressure techniques do not prevent material deposition inside the cavity.
MEMS devices can be very fragile and deposition of material on the device is preferably avoided. As disclosed in "Silicon processing for the VLSI era, vol. 1—Process Technology", 2nd ed., 2000, S. Wolf and R. N. Tauber, chapter 11.8, pages 475-7, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety, hole filling may be performed by sputtering, e.g. in the formation of a via. This technique is not suitable for sealing cavities in which fragile devices are located, i.e. in cases in which the fragile device would be buried in the filling substance.
In EP0783108 A1, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety, a method is disclosed for the closure of openings in a membrane layer of, for instance, polycrystalline silicon which is covering a cavity. Hereby a layer of doped glass is deposited on the membrane layer, such that holes of certain dimensions are not closed but slightly narrowed. A temperature step is then applied, whereby the doped glass material further enters the cavity, creeping along the lower or inner surface of the film and later along the cavity walls, such that a layer of glass is formed covering the walls of the cavity. If the openings are small enough, the underlying cavity can be sealed by this temperature step, whereby the openings are completely filled with glass material.
In U.S. Pat. No. 6,337,499 B1, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety, trenches or holes in a substrate, called cavities, are sealed by depositing a layer of doped glass on top of the substrate, hereby narrowing the opening of the cavity. A reflow step is then performed whereby the cavity is sealed by the reflowed glass layer, which partially enters the cavity. Optionally, deposition of a passivation layer, having an substantially constant thickness of for instance 50 nm, is performed. It is considered desirable for the remaining cavity to have a constant width of about 1 μm over a depth T of typical 40 μm.

Method for the closure of openings in a film

Interuniversitair Microelektronica Centrum (IMEC)


A method for implementing all blocking controls in a telecommunications system supporting ported directory numbers comprises initializing each switch with a call blocking control. In the preferred embodiment, ported directory numbers are identified, and a number portability data base is accessed to aid in determining whether the call blocking control applies to the ported directory number. If the ported directory number is not subject to the implemented call blocking control, the ported directory number is exempted.

The United States telecommunications industry is in a state of transition. During the next several years, it is expected that the monopoly held by local exchange carriers will be substantially altered, and competitive access providers will begin to offer customer service for both toll, and local exchange calls. To facilitate this transition without creating an excessive burden on subscribers of a competitive access provider, a requirement for service provider number portability is anticipated. Service provider number portability is defined as a change in service provider without a change in directory number. Eventually, location number portability will also be available so that customers can move to other geographic locations without a change in directory number.
Number portability, regardless of type, significantly impacts call routing in the existing telecommunications network. This is because calls between telephone customers in the United States are established on the basis of a national directory number plan, wherein each customer line is identified by a 10-digit directory number having geographic, and central office switch significance. The 10-digit directory number comprises a three-digit area code (generally denoted by the letters "NPA") defining a specific geographic region, followed by a three-digit office code (denoted by the letters "NXX") identifying a particular central office switch in the network. The remaining four digits are customer line identifiers (denoted by the letters "XXXX") for establishing the line address of a particular customer line served by the central office switch identified by the NXX digits. Customers who change service providers while retaining their directory number are typically served by a central office switch which normally serves NPA-NXX digits different than the NPA-NXX digits of the customer's directory number. In other words, such customers have "ported" their directory numbers.
Ported directory numbers require special accommodations in the existing telecommunications network. One example of such an accommodation is the implementation of a location routing number (LRN) scheme in which each central office switch in the public-switched telephone network is identified by a unique set of "NPA-NXX" digits. Number portability databases store LRN data, and are accessed to ensure proper routing of calls to ported directory numbers. A detailed explanation of LRNs, and call routing may be found in U.S. Pat. No. 5,475,749, assigned to AT&T.
The routing of calls to ported directory numbers is also affected when "call blocking" (also known as "code blocking") is initiated. Call blocking is a procedure in which only a portion of all telephone calls to a particular destination (e.g., a central office switch or directory number) is completed in accordance with a predetermined blocking scheme. Call blocking is initiated by network management personnel to control high call volumes to a particular destination. For example, call blocking may occur as a result of a natural disaster affecting a particular geographic region. Central office switches located in the affected region may be controlled by a block which allows only one call per second to terminate to customer lines served by the switch, wherein the normal termination rate is two calls per second. This type of blocking is used to reduce the high incoming call volume to affected switches so that subscribers served by the switch can use network resources to complete outgoing calls. The blocked calls receive either an "all circuits busy" announcement, or a fast busy signal.
Individuals who retain directory numbers ported from another switch are adversely affected by existing call blocking procedures directed to central office switches. This is because blocking an entire central office switch is based on "NPA-NXX" digits which identify the switch. In other words, incoming call volume is decreased by completing only a portion of the number of calls directed to directory numbers including blocked "NPA-NXX" digits. Unfortunately, a ported directory number customer who happens to retain "NPA-NXX" digits of a central office switch under call blocking controls will also have calls blocked. Therefore, there is a need in the art to exclude ported directory number customers adversely affected by call blocking controls.

Method for accommodating ported directory numbers affected by call block controls implemented in a telecommunications network


A non-destructive method determines an amount of heat exposure to a resin-fiber composite substrate. A value of infrared energy reflected by a composite substrate is determined. The value of infrared energy reflected, or conversely absorbed, is correlated to a degree or amount of heat exposure. According to an aspect of the present invention, one method utilizes an infrared spectrometer to determine infrared absorbance of a composite substrate. The infrared energy of the reflected beam is then compared with the pre-determined value of infrared energy reflected off a reference heat damaged composite substrate to determine the amount of heat exposure.

Resin-fiber composites are utilized in a variety of applications, such as parts of vehicles, including aircraft. Vehicles, equipment, and structures constructed utilizing resin-fiber composites may be exposed to heat in a variety of circumstances, ranging from fire to lightening strikes to weapons impacts.
Heat exposure to resin-fiber composite affects the composites in a variety of ways. Chemical degradation may occur involving changes in the polymer chemical structure. This may include oxidation, material loss and either the breaking or forming of additional chemical links. Resin decomposition, charring, and ultimately fiber decomposition may occur at increasing temperatures. Repair or removal of heat damaged resin-fiber composite materials involves determining the degree of harmful heat damage to the composite substrate. Ascertaining the degree of heat damage to composite materials is typically performed by visual inspection, but heat damage to resin-fiber composites is not always visually apparent. Thus, current visual heat damage inspections of resin-fiber composites involve a substantial degree of subjectivity. Therefore, there currently exists an unmet need in the art for a non-destructive, quantitative, objective determination of a degree of heat damage to resin-fiber composite materials.

Method for measurement of composite heat damage with infrared spectroscopy


A micro-cavity measuring equipment based on double optical fiber coupling includes a sight and transmitter, a controller, and a length measuring device. The equipment detects small changes in the position of an object with respect to a probe from a moment when the sight and transmitter starts working to another moment when the sight and transmitter stops working. The controller has a program to automatically control the whole measuring process. The measuring equipment is characterized in that the sight and transmitter consists of a laser unit, a data collecting and processing unit, and a double optical fiber coupling unit with its ends of incident and effluent optical fibers fixed on a coupler. A micro-cavity measuring method based on double optical fiber coupling consists of the following steps: inserting the probe into the micro-cavity and moving it in the measuring direction; sending signals to the length measuring device by the sight and transmitter to cause the length measuring device to record the corresponding position of the probe when the probe is contact with the sides of the micro-cavity; and then calculating the dimensions of the micro-cavity.

The number of parts with micro-cavities increases with the development of hi-tech industries, such as aerospace industry, and auto industry. The proper measurement of these micro-cavities becomes a "bottleneck" for further development of these hi-tech industries, and this justifies the necessity of developing a good type of micro-cavity measuring equipment and method.
How to precisely measure the dimensions of a micro-cavity is a new problem for the measurement field and the solution of this problem involves many key techniques, and what we have to do is to minimize the conflicts among accuracy, range and depth. A wider range can be achieved at a deeper depth using a contact measuring method and a longer measurement arm, while the accuracy will decrease with the increasing length of measurement arm. Professor Zhang Guoxiong with Tianjin University invented a 3D measuring sensor with a diaphragm to solve the problem. In the 3D measuring sensor, a capacitance sensor is used to detect the distortion of the diaphragm, and an elasticity-dimension-chain is used to compensate the distortion of the diaphragm. The sensor can be used to fulfill the task of measuring a diameter of 0.2 mm, at an aspect ratio of 30:1, and an uncertainty better than 1 μm. In comparison with the contact method, non-contact optical methods can be used to fulfil the task of measuring holes of small diameter at higher accuracy, but these methods can be used to measure the surface of a hole only at a very shallow depth and cannot be used to obtain the inside information of a hole because of the bulky size of an optical system. What's more, the measurement accuracy may drop for such small defects as burrs in the hole. The vibroscanning method can be used to measure the diameter of a micro-hole by detecting the changes in voltage caused by the displacement of the probe from the wall of an object. But the measurement accuracy is subject to the influence of contaminants, and the probe may be broken for excessive vibration. So the minimum diameter and depth achievable with this method can not be large enough, even when a twin-stylus or high-aspect-ratio probe is used.
With the development of optical fiber technique, some novel methods, which use optical fibers as sensors to measure the dimensions of a micro-cavity, have been developed. However, it is almost impossible to use these methods to measure a micro-hole with a diameter of less than 1 mm.
During 1997˜1998, a new measuring method, which uses a single optical fiber and a CCD image processing technique, is developed by Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB) and Tianjin University. This method can be used to fulfill the task of measuring micro-cavities, in which an illuminated micro-sphere is imaged on a CCD camera as an object, and the lateral displacement of the sensor is transformed into a longitudinal displacement of the micro-sphere, and indicated in image signal brightness captured through the CCD camera. However, the image from the CCD camera is so weak that it is not suitable for image processing because most of the light enters the micro-sphere through the optical fiber can not enter the optic imaging system. Consequently the measurement depth is very shallow because of the shading effect of the wall of the micro-hole, and the method is no longer usable if the aspect-ratio is greater than 10:1. When the micro-sphere get in contact with the wall of the micro-hole, the image from the CCD camera will not be changed because the depth of field of the optical system is fixed, and so, the sensitivity and accuracy achievable with this method are not good enough, either.

Micro-cavity measuring equipment and method based on double optical fiber coupling


A cooling apparatus (1) has a compressor (2), a condenser (3), an expansion valve (5), an evaporator (6) and an electric valve (10), all connected to each other in this order by a piping line to form a refrigeration circuit. The apparatus further has a heating section (11) and a bypass (12), and a thermosensitive tube (13) of the expansion valve is disposed between the heating section (11) and the electric valve (10) so that temperature of a refrigerant having left this section is detected before entering this valve (10). The refrigerant remains as a gas-liquid mixture until it leaves the evaporator (6) such that temperature of the refrigerant is uniform within the evaporator and equal to the saturation vapor temperature of this refrigerant, and therefore fluctuation in the refrigerant temperature is diminished.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a cooling apparatus (hereinafter referred to simply and often as 'cooler') adapted for incorporation into a manufacture system and/or an inspection system such as designed to make, inspect and/or evaluate semiconductors, electronic devices or the like, within a space that must be kept severely at a constant temperature.
2. Description of Related Art
Cooling apparatuses are widely used in refrigerators, air conditioners and the like to provide lower temperatures. As well known in the art, each cooler includes a refrigeration circuit built therein such that a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve and an evaporator are connected to each other in this order by a piping line.
In the refrigeration circuit, successive volumes of a refrigerant in gaseous phase will be compressed continuously by the compressor and transferred to the condenser. The condenser will remove a quantity of heat from each volume of gaseous refrigerant so as to liquefy it into a liquid mass or to produce a mixture of vapor fraction and liquid fraction. Each of successive liquid masses or the fractions will then be delivered to the evaporator through the expansion valve or the like means. The succeeding evaporation process operates to remove a quantity of heat from an ambient load of heat exchange, that is, the object to be cooled, due to latent heat of evaporation of the refrigerant. In other words, each liquid volume of refrigerant will receive heat from the ambient load so as to evaporate again before returning to the compressor.
It is desirable that all the successive volumes of refrigerant returning to the compressor are in a thoroughly vaporized state in order to avoid the so-called problematic 'compression of a liquid'.
Therefore, the former systems have been designed such that the each of successive volumes of refrigerant, whether being a liquid or a mixture of vapor and liquid, should gasify to a perfect extent.
The expansion valve or the like in the refrigeration circuit of the former system has been controlled to keep the temperature at the outlet of evaporator higher than the temperature of saturated vapor (herein called 'saturation vapor temperature') of the refrigerant. In more detail, degree of superheating of the refrigerant vapor has been regulated to be constant at the evaporator outlet, by control of an expansion valve or the like.
Disclosed in Japanese Patent Laying-Open Gazette No. 61-89456 (called Gazette '456 hereinafter) is a proposal that was made to return every volume of refrigerant to the compressor in its completely evaporated state.
The countermeasure described in the Gazette '456 employs heat exchange between a lower-pressure side and a higher-pressure side, with the former side flowing between the evaporator and the compressor, and the latter one between the compressor and the expansion valve. The refrigerant fraction having left the evaporator will thus be superheated before entering the compressor.
Such a proposal of the Gazette '456 is directed to a perfect vaporization of refrigerant within the evaporator. The heat exchange between the said lower and higher pressure-sides are provided so as to superheat the refrigerant vapor discharged from the evaporator so that even a very small amount of liquid fraction will not come back into the compressor at all.
Also in the former coolers, temperature control of their portions in contact with the ambient load of heat exchange has been effected by switching on or off the compressor.
If the temperature of ambient load-contacting portions is above a target temperature, then the compressor will be actuated in the cooler to lower the temperature of evaporator so as to more cool said portions. If contrarily the temperature of said ambient load-contacting portions is below the target temperature, then the compressor will be switched off.
The on-off control of the compressor for keeping the temperature of ambient load-contacting portions close to the target temperature has however given rise to a certain problem. Such a simple mode of control has often caused fluctuation or 'hunting' of said portions' temperature.
Some plants for manufacturing, inspecting and/or evaluating semiconductors, electronic components and the like, or some kinds of testers for environmental factors, must be 'thermoregulated' strictly. However, such an on-off control of compressors as summarized above will fail to realize a sufficient stability in temperature of the coolers' portions in contact with ambient load, with a resultant significant fluctuation in temperature of the object to be controlled, making it difficult to meet the severe requirement.
Some of those plants are therefore equipped with highly responsible heaters in addition to the coolers so that an excessive degree of cooling is canceled with heat which those heaters will emit.
This approach to diminish the problem inherent in the former systems does however include a contradiction that cooling is done on one hand and heating is done simultaneously on the other hand, thus lowering efficiency of energy and failing to save energy.
One of the most important requirements to the environmental testers and the like is that temperature distribution in each of them should be as small as possible, but the former apparatuses have not been satisfactory from this point of view.
For example, the environmental testers and the like have to operate within a very wide range of target temperatures that may be changed from −40° C. to +100° C. A cooler installed in such testers or the like has had to include an evaporator of such a high duty (viz., high efficiency of heat exchange) as matching the lowermost target temperature of system. If temperature of ambient load (for example in a temperature chamber) is considerably high, then the refrigerant contained in the evaporator will gasify soon and immediately, absorbing its whole latent heat amid the evaporator. As a result, temperature will become non-uniform even by means of the evaporator itself included in this type of coolers, thereby producing an unallowable temperature distribution throughout the ambient load, which disables accurate environmental tests.
In order to diminish temperature distribution in the ambient load of heat exchange, a supplementary or auxiliary coolant (such as brine) may be involved and controlled in temperature by the cooler before supplied to the ambient load. However, such a countermeasure necessitating its own circuit, circulating pumps and other devices for the supplementary coolant will render the cooler expensive and make the cooler too large in scale to be accommodated in a given space not so wide.
FIG. 11 illustrates an example of this system employing therein the supplementary coolant. Its main portion is a cooler that is composed of a compressor 100, a condenser 101, an expansion valve 102 and an evaporator 103. In addition to these principal devices, a reservoir 105 is indispensable in such a proposal and will further need an electric heater 106 immersed therein, thus raising an equipment cost, occupying a larger space and unreasonably lowering thermal efficiency.

Cooling apparatus and a thermostat with the apparatus installed therein


A non-volatile memory cell and method of writing data thereto. In accordance with some embodiments, the memory cell includes first and second resistive memory elements (RMEs) configured to concurrently store complementary programmed resistive states. The first RME is programmed to a first resistive state and the second RME is concurrently programmed to a second resistive state by application of a common write current in a selected direction through the memory cell.

Data storage devices can be used to store and retrieve user data in a fast and effective manner. Some data storage devices utilize a semiconductor array of solid-state memory cells to store data. The memory cells can be volatile or non-volatile. Some non-volatile memory cells can be provided with a 1T1R configuration with a single transistor ("T") and a single programmable resistive memory element ("R").
The resistive memory element is programmable to different resistive states through the application of write currents to the memory cell, and these different resistive states can be used to denote different logical states (e.g., logical 0, 1, 10, etc.). The programmed state of the resistive memory element can be sensed by application of a read current to the memory cell, and a comparison of the voltage drop across the cell with a reference voltage using a sense amplifier. The memory cell transistor serves as a switching device to facilitate access to the memory cell during write and read operations, and to decouple the memory cell from adjacent cells at other times.
A number of resistive memory element (RME) constructions are known, including without limitation magnetic random access memory (MRAM), spin-torque transfer random access memory (STRAM), resistive random access memory (RRAM), phase change random access memory (PCRAM), and programmable metallic cells (PMCs). While operable, a limitation with these and other RME constructions relates to difficulties in reliably sensing the different resistive states to which the cells are programmed. Significant portions of the available semiconductor area may be allocated for circuitry used during read and write operations. This increased overhead can limit overall data storage densities for a given semiconductor size.

Non-volatile memory cell with complementary resistive memory elements


Apparatus for a wheelchair foot rest that has two positions: stored and deployed. The foot rest has a base, a heel stop, a toe pocket, and a pair of straps that attach to the side of the base. The ends of the straps attach to extenders connected to the frame of the wheelchair. The extenders support the straps in front of the frame of the wheelchair. With the foot rest in the deployed position the base is suspended from the extenders. The foot rest has a magnetic attraction with a clip attached to the bottom of the seat whereby the foot rest is supported under the seat when in the stored position.

1. Field of Invention
This invention pertains to a foot rest for a wheeled chair. More particularly, this invention pertains to a sling attached to a wheeled chair with the sling movable between a stored position and a deployed position providing support for the occupant's feet.
2. Description of the Related Art
Wheelchairs are useful for transporting persons who are not mobile or who are incapable of walking. Very little has changed in wheelchairs over the years. Generally wheelchairs have two large wheels in the rear, two smaller ones in the front, and a seat positioned between the wheels. Removable, swing-away foot rests are typically attached to the front wheel supports.
For those persons who have some function remaining in their lower legs, wheelchair occupants often shuffle their feet to move the chair forward. In order to accomplish this form of locomotion, the wheelchair foot rests must be either folded up out of the way or removed from the chair. If the rigid foot rests are folded up, they often present a hazard for chair occupants who have limited motor control. For example, the cuff of the occupant's pants leg easily snags on the foot rest and the occupant can be bruised when their legs knock against the foot rests. If the foot rests are removed from the wheelchair, they must be either retrieved or carried with the chair for reinstallation when the occupant tires and can no longer propel the chair by shuffling their feet.
When persons who frequently propel themselves using their feet need to be transported long distances or over uneven terrain, a caregiver will push the chair. To avoid injury to the wheelchair occupant it is necessary that the occupant use the foot rests of the wheelchair. Otherwise the occupant is at risk of having a foot strike the ground and be pulled back as the chair moves forward, resulting in a foot injury. But as noted above, such persons often do not use the foot rests because the persons are used to propelling themselves with their feet and the foot rests are not always available.


The present invention relates generally to a discount estimating and purchase system and method and, more particularly, to a discount quoting and purchasing system and method that allows quotes/purchases to be evaluated for discounts using various organizational units to maximize efficient order volumes and minimize total price.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates generally to a discount estimating and purchase system and method and, more particularly, to a discount quoting and purchasing system and method that allows quotes/purchases to be evaluated for discounts using various organizational units to maximize efficient order volumes and minimize total price.
2. Related Art
Historically, pricing model systems and methods provide quotes and/or purchases based on per item price and, possibly, a discounted item volume price or purchase volume price. Unfortunately, current systems and methods do not allow for providing discounts based on efficiencies that do not manifest themselves by reviewing overall volume levels of a purchase. For example, a volume level discount for products or services purchased from a distributor, wholesaler or retailer is based on the total purchase of those products or services. A review of the overall volume of a purchase that includes items from multiple manufacturers does not provide analysis of whether each individual manufacturer's discount level has been met. Similarly, overall review of a purchase volume does not reveal such things as: whether a purchase efficiently fills a delivery truck, whether all the items ship from the same location, or whether items can be shipped directly from the manufacturer to the end user. Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a discount estimating and purchasing system and method that allows for evaluation of efficiencies that do not manifest themselves by review of just overall volume levels of a quote or purchase.
It would also be advantageous if the system could also provide this improved analysis for individual users and for cooperatives of users.
Another disadvantage of current systems and methods is that they are limited to calculations based on a single type of volume, i.e., quantity, monetary amount, weight, etc. Accordingly, it would be advantageous if a system could provide a harmonizing model for items, that are measured with different volume types.
Another disadvantage of current systems and methods is that they do not provide dynamic mechanisms for consideration of market conditions in order to maximize efficiencies and profitability. Accordingly, it would be advantageous if a system could use more dynamic a formulas and tables and provide flexibility in structuring discounts to accommodate market conditions.
Yet another disadvantage of current systems and methods is that they do not provide for allocation of part of a volume of items quoted/purchased to achieve the lowest total price.

Discount estimating and purchase system and method