A sheet feeding device selectively transmit a driving force transmitted to a double gear type driving gear to a first reverse gear to rotate a retard roller in a direction opposite to a rotation direction of a forward roller such that various kinds of sheets having different friction forces are separated and supplied, and an image forming apparatus including the same.

1. Field of the Invention
Embodiments of the present general inventive concept relate to a sheet feeding device to provide optimum separating performance based on supplied sheets and an image forming apparatus including the same.
2. Description of the Related Art
An image forming apparatus forms an image on a sheet according to an input signal. The image forming apparatus includes a printer, copier, facsimile, and a multifunction device having functions of the printer, copier, and facsimile.
An electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes a photoconductor, an optical scanning device, and a developing device. The optical scanning device scans light to the photoconductor, which is charged with predetermined potential, to form an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photoconductor. The developing device supplies a developing agent to the photoconductor, on which the electrostatic latent image is formed, to form a visible image. The visible image formed on the photoconductor is directly transferred to a sheet. Alternatively, the visible image is transferred to a sheet via an intermediate transfer device. The image transferred to the sheet is fixed to the sheet by fusing.
The image forming apparatus may include a sheet pickup device to pick up sheets loaded in a cassette or a tray one by one and a sheet supply device to feed picked-up sheets to a sheet feeding channel provided in the image forming apparatus. Two or more sheets may be picked up by the sheet pickup device and fed to the sheet feeding channel due to friction force of the sheets. Jam may occur in the image forming apparatus due to such multiple feeding of sheets.
In recent years, a retard type pickup structure has been developed. The retard type pickup structure includes a torque limiter and a retard roller connected to the torque limiter such that the retard roller is rotated forward or reversely according to the torque limiter to prevent multiple feeding of sheets. The torque limiter has a predetermined critical torque value. When sheet feeding friction force is greater than the critical torque value, the retard roller is rotated forward. When the sheet feeding friction force is less than the critical torque value, the retard roller is rotated reversely. The retard roller is disposed below the sheet feeding channel to prevent multiple feeding of sheets.
When no sheets are fed to the sheet feeding channel or only one sheet is fed to the sheet feeding channel, the sheet feeding friction force is greater than the critical torque value of the torque limiter. As a result, the torque limiter and the retard roller may be rotated in the sheet feeding direction to feed the sheet. When two or more sheets are fed to the sheet feeding channel, the sheet feeding friction force is less than the critical torque value of the torque limiter. As a result, the torque limiter and the retard roller are rotated in a direction opposite to the sheet feeding direction to prevent multiple feeding of sheets.
In a conventional structure, a reverse gear is provided to reversely rotate a retard roller or only the retard roller is provided without the reverse gear to achieve separation between sheets. However, the conventional structure may not provide a sheet separation area in which various kinds of sheets having different thicknesses, materials, and friction forces may are separated from each other.

Sheet feeding device and image forming apparatus including the same


An apparatus and a method for hanging shelves. An apparatus is provided for hanging one or more weight-bearing shelves from an overhead support member. The apparatus comprises a tube, a flexible member, an attachment member, and a cap. The tube has a bottom end with an opening, and is adapted to receive one or more of the shelves. The flexible member internally traverses substantially the length of the tube, and has a top end and a bottom end. The attachment member attaches the top end of the flexible member to the overhead support member. The cap has a flange portion and at least one aperture for receiving the bottom end of the flexible member therethrough. The flange portion is adapted for contacting the tube and transmitting the load of the weight-bearing shelves received by the tube to the flexible member. Shelves are attached to one or more of the tubes, preferably to four or more tubes. A method for hanging shelves using one or more of said apparatus is also provided.

Shelving and systems for supporting shelves are used in many applications, such as warehousing and storage operations, manufacturing, retail stores, and home use such as in home workshops. Many shelving support systems are designed to rest on the floor, or to be attached to the walls. However, these methods of support have a number of disadvantages. Floor-supported shelf systems may mar the floor or require the modification of the floor surfaces to accommodate their placement. For example, shelf supports placed on wood floors may scratch the wood, whereas on carpet they may crush the carpet material. In some instances special mounting modifications may be needed to adequately support shelves needing a rigid footing on an otherwise relatively soft, carpeted surface. Similarly, wall-supported shelf systems may require wall surfaces to be modified, or the wall surface may be damaged by the shelves or their supports. For example, holes might need to be drilled to support shelf brackets, and wall finishes such as plaster can be damaged by contact with the shelf supports or the shelves themselves. Floor-supported shelves may have an undesirably large footprint, and the lower shelves may be largely invisible to people standing nearby. Some walls may not be strong enough to support the weight of cantilevered shelves and their contents, or it may be desired to locate the shelves away from any walls capable of bearing a weight load.
Supporting shelves from an overhead point of attachment has also been provided in the prior art, and this method of hanging shelves offers certain advantages. By suspending a shelf system from overhead, available floor area is expanded and ease of access may be enhanced. Visibility of the contents of the shelves is improved, as the shelves can be placed at convenient eye level without wasting space on shelves at lower positions that are harder to see without effort, and the placement of which may serve to hide items on the shelves from view or in shadow. Also, shelves mounted from an overhead point of attachment are much less likely to topple over than are shelf assemblies resting on the floor, possibly causing damage or injury, when the shelves are subjected to a lateral force such as in an earthquake or even from people leaning or pushing on the shelf assembly. Shelves mounted from overhead may even be safer than wall-mounted shelves in regards to seismic safety, as the weight is suspended from directly overhead so there is no leverage effect putting added stress on the point of attachment as is the case with wall mounting.
A number of approaches have been taken to providing systems for hanging shelves from overhead support structures such as ceiling joists. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 1,566,551 proposes a shelving support system comprising a crossbar with pendant hanging devices, one at each end of the crossbar, the pendant fastening devices having rests on which the shelf boards are supported, the crossbar being attached to an overhead support. However in this system the vertical positions of the various shelves are defined by where the rests are located on the pendant hanging devices and are not adjustable. Also, assembly of the unit is somewhat involved, and no provisions are made for tightening the structure when weight and wear have tended to loosen the fasteners.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,435,105 describes a suspended storage structure comprising wire shelves that are attached to a frame comprising drilled metal straps which are fastened together with nuts and bolts. While providing for a degree of adjustability, the system is rather unattractive constructed as it is of metal strapping that while perhaps suitable for a manufacturing environment would be inappropriate in an environment in which appearance is important.
Other systems have made use of flexible suspension members such as chains, which provide for suspending shelves without the need for retightening fasteners, since usage and the weight suspended tends to loosen them over time. U.S. Pat. No. 4,061,092 proposes using chains which are hung from an overhead support member to which shelf brackets are attached upon which the shelves rest. While relatively easy to install, this system again lacks aesthetic appeal in that the metal chains and shelf brackets are exposed to view, which is undesirable in an application where appearance is a factor. Also, use of chains provides no rigidity to the system, making it very prone to swinging motion in response to a lateral force.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,116,164 describes a suspended shelving apparatus wherein shelves can easily be repositioned, but the chains themselves are still visible, not adding to the visual appeal of the display. Again, shelves suspended from chains are highly prone to motion, swinging back and forth in response to a push on a shelf, due to the complete lack of rigidity of the chains.
Therefore, there is a need for supports and support systems for hanging shelving that can suspend one or more shelves from an overhead point of attachment, provides an attractive appearance with a finished look as would be suitable for shelving in any application where an attractive, finished appearance is desirable, and provides a support for shelves that is at least somewhat more rigid than chains are.

Apparatus and method for hanging shelves


Helical gears are used for a sun gear, planet gears, and an internal gear. Accordingly, when a load, which exceeds a preset torque, is applied to the internal gear, the internal gear is moved in a direction toward an input shaft or a direction toward an output shaft while making rotation in a direction different from that of the sun gear to automatically switch the speed reducing ratio.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an automatic speed reducing ratio-switching apparatus capable of automatically switching the speed reducing ratio transmitted from an output shaft to a displacement member of an actuator by using a planetary gear mechanism when a load, which exceeds a predetermined torque, is applied.
2. Description of the Related Art
Those to which the speed reducing ratio-switching mechanism has been hitherto applied include, for example, machine systems such as construction machines. In such a machine system, an electric cylinder is used as an actuator for an expansion/contraction operation system for driving a link mechanism.
In such an electric cylinder, a rotary shaft is connected to an input section of an electric motor in a casing, and a screw shaft is arranged in the rotary shaft. The screw shaft is screwed to a nut member which is rotatably supported in the casing. Two pairs of planetary gear mechanisms, which have different speed reducing ratios, are provided between the rotary shaft and the nut member. Each of the planetary gear mechanisms comprises a sun gear, and planet gears meshed with each sun gear and an internal gear provided inside the cylindrical casing to perform the planetary motion. Each of the sun gears is connected to the rotary shaft via a one-way clutch in which the direction of engagement is different to be the forward direction and the reverse direction. A planetary support shaft, which rotatably supports the planet gears of each of the planetary gear mechanism, is connected to the nut member.
In the electric cylinder, when the electric motor is driven and rotated in the forward direction, then the rotary shaft is also rotated in the forward direction, the nut member is rotated in the forward direction by the aid of the planetary gear mechanism having a small speed reducing ratio, and thus the screw shaft is moved in an expandable manner. On the other hand, when the electric motor is driven and rotated in the reverse direction, then the rotary shaft is also rotated in the reverse direction, the nut member is rotated in the reverse direction by the aid of the planetary gear mechanism having a large speed reducing ratio, and thus the screw shaft is moved in a contractible manner (see Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2003-184982).
However, in the electric cylinder as described above, it is necessary to use the two types of planetary gear mechanisms having different speed reducing ratios in order to allow the screw shaft to perform the expanding operation and the contracting operation. In this case, the number of parts is increased, and the entire electric cylinder becomes large in size. In the planetary gear mechanism of the electric cylinder as described above, the expanding operation is performed at low speed with large thrust force, while the contracting operation is performed at high speed with small thrust force, irrelevant to the magnitude of the load torque applied to the electric cylinder. Therefore, the movement speed of the screw shaft cannot be increased to a high speed for the expanding operation even when the load torque applied to the electric cylinder is small.

Automatic speed reducing ratio-switching apparatus


A method for use in a Dynamic Spectrum Manager (DSM) for coordinating asynchronous silent periods in a network, the method comprising detecting a primary user in the network, transmitting a Silent Period Start Control Message to one or more cognitive radio (CR) nodes in the network, wherein the message indicates the start and duration of a silent period and initiates spectrum sensing, receiving a Measurement Report Control Message from the one or more CR nodes in the network indicating results of spectrum sensing, and transmitting a message to the one or more CR nodes, wherein the message instructs the one or more CR nodes to move to a different frequency based on the spectrum sensing results.

The need for higher bandwidth efficiency for emerging networking technologies and the fact that today's licensed bandwidth is inefficiently utilized has lead to the development of technologies in cognitive radios (CR). A CR-enabled device is able to communicate on bands licensed to other devices by performing a spectrum sensing operation to find available spectrum at a particular instant and using the available spectrum at times where it may not be occupied by the primary user. In order to ensure that CR networks may coexist with current licensed technologies, CR devices may require a high degree of agility, (ability to quickly detect the presence of a primary user and react to the arrival of a primary user), in order to sense the arrival of a primary user on a band and to move to another available band without causing interference to the primary user.
Cooperative spectrum sensing may be used to decrease the sensitivity requirements of the spectrum sensing algorithm for a CR node which may be in a deep fading environment. In the most traditional form of cooperative spectrum sensing, a set of CR nodes may perform spectrum sensing simultaneously and transmit the individual results to a central node to determine the spectrum availability. This requires a method for coordinating and exchanging the spectrum sensing between users.
The simplest form of spectrum sensing algorithm may be the category of energy detection. This category of algorithms detects the presence or absence of a primary user by a measure of the energy detected on the particular band of interest. The simplicity of this form of spectrum sensing makes it highly attractive for the CR application. For example, the IEEE 802.22 standard for wireless regional area networks (WRANs) made energy detection using white spaces in the TV spectrum one of the accepted spectrum sensing techniques. A major challenge using energy detection for the CR device is to distinguish between a primary user transmission and another CR device transmission when performing the spectrum sensing. In addition, for cost reasons, a CR device may contain only one receiver and may not be able to perform spectrum sensing simultaneously with normal transmit (TX) receive (RX) operations. The resulting scenario where many CR devices form an ad-hoc or CR network and may coexist, spectrum sensing periods for each of these nodes need to be coordinated in time to ensure that the spectrum sensing is performed when no other CR nodes in the vicinity are transmitting. This leads to what is called a silent period for spectrum sensing.
The use of silent measurement periods in a network was explored for wireless access points (AP) needing to perform measurements on an allowable channel set. This previous work does not address the needs of a CR network trying to perform spectrum sensing in an environment with different primary users using differing wireless technologies. For example, the silent measurement period (SMP) requested by an AP may only be initiated when the communication medium becomes available, which may not address the agility requirements of a CR device. The CR device may react to the arrival of a primary user by switching to an unused band in a limited delay not to incur any interference to the primary user.
For example, the IEEE 802.22 draft standard requires an evacuation time of two seconds. This is the time required for a secondary user to leave the currently used band following the arrival of a licensed primary user to that band. Typically, periodic spectrum sensing periods have been considered, which require the CR nodes to perform spectrum sensing at least every two seconds to be able to achieve the required evacuation time. In general, periodic spectrum sensing may result in higher overhead in the CR node due to context switching, maintaining of buffers and real-time traffic during the spectrum sensing times. As a result, short spectrum sensing periods are highly undesirable from an efficiency perspective. Accordingly a method for coordinating silent periods for spectrum sensing in a CR network is needed.

Coordination of silent periods for dynamic spectrum manager (DSM)


The invention concerns a spindle motor, comprising a stationary base flange that supports a central spindle, a hub that is positioned pivoting on the spindle with the aid of suitable bearings and on which at least on fixed-memory disc is arranged, wherein the hub has a rotor magnet on the inside circumference, and comprising a stator-side winding packet, which is arranged at the base flange and is positioned opposite the rotor magnet, wherein the winding packet is extrusion-coated completely with an elastic mass and is thereby connected to the base flange.

A spindle motor for driving fixed-disc memories is known, for example, from U.S. Pat. No. 5,216,557, which motor comprises a stationary base flange that supports a central spindle. A hub furthermore exists, which is positioned with the aid of suitable bearings, such that it pivots on the spindle and which has at least one fixed-memory disc arranged on it. On the inside circumference, the hub carries a magnetic yoke with a permanent magnet, which constitute a part of the rotor for the spindle motor.
A stator with stator windings is arranged in the standard way opposite the permanent magnet, said stator being attached directly or by means of a fastener to the base flange.
One disadvantage of the above-described, known spindle motor design consists in that the stator is fixedly connected to the base flange, and that whenever current is flowing, vibrations and noises are generated in the stator winding owing to the electromagnetic fields, which are referred to in the following as electromagnetic noises. These noises cause a considerable share of the total spindle motor noise.
When using a spindle motor as drive for fixed-disc memories, it is required that the motor be clean and free of dust. As described in the above, for example, traditional, unprotected stator windings have the additional disadvantage that dirt particles can be released from the stator winding during the motor operation. If no suitable counter-measures are taken, these dirt particles can enter the clean room in which the memory discs are arranged. In the worst case, this leads to the destruction of the fixed-memory discs.


Improved method by control of excess bromine in reaction between bromine and cyclododecatriene to form hexabromocyclododecane provides increased product yield. A novel reaction mass is obtained and maintained.

Known methods of brominating cyclododecatriene to produce hexabromocyclododecane include admixing bromine and cyclododecatriene for reaction in proportions other than the stoichiometric three moles of bromine to one mole of cyclododecatriene, e.g. an excess of bromine. For examples, see U.S. Pat. No. 3,558,727 (Jenkner et al) and U.S. Pat. No. 3,833,675 (Newcombe et al), incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. However, there remains a need for improved methods to achieve higher purity and yields of the solid hexabromocyclododecane product obtained from the reaction mass formed in the bromination of cyclododecatriene.


A reinforcement tube having high strength, toughness and resilience for use as an absorption element in a motor vehicle door, the reinforcement tube having a cross-section in which a first dimension of the cross-section is greater than a second dimension of the cross-section, the second dimension being perpendicular to the first dimension.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a motor vehicle door reinforcement tube having high strength, toughness and resilience for use as an impact absorption element for a motor vehicle door, in particular the door of a passenger car.
2. Background Information
These door reinforcement tubes are used as braces in motor vehicle doors to absorb the impact energy in lateral collisions and convert the impact energy into mechanical work, with the intent being to ensure the integrity of the door structure. For such a door reinforcement tube to perform this safety function, the tube must possess the following characteristics, for example:
______________________________________ Tensile strength Rm min. 1100 N/mm2 Limit of elasticity Rt min 800 N/mm2 Elongation at failure A5 min. 8% ______________________________________
or a W-150 energy absorption of at least 1900 Joule, as a function of the profile dimensions.
These minimum requirements can be higher or lower, as specified by the automobile manufacturer.
The energy absorption is tested by deflecting a door reinforcement tube 150 mm in a 3-point bending test. The force applied is recorded over the deflection and the surface area below the curve is determined. This integral then gives the desired energy absorption characteristic.
In automobile construction, in addition to many special developments, two basic problems are constantly being addressed: the reduction of the vehicle weight, and an increase in the passive safety provided to the seated passengers.
One proposed solution for these problems is disclosed in German Patent No. 37 28 476, in which, through the use of a particular steel alloy, the tensile strength and limit of elasticity values of a door reinforcement tube are increased compared to the prior art. One disadvantage of this proposal is that the reinforcing effect is achieved only by the addition of relatively expensive elements such as nickel and molybdenum.
According to another proposal, German Patent No. 36 06 024, a protective element made of light alloy is used to reinforce the vehicle door at both ends of the vehicle door. This nearly square reinforcement element is not intended for narrow vehicle doors with a low insertion depth, and is designed with thick walls to compensate for low strength values, which means that the advantage of the lower specific weight of the light alloy is largely eliminated. Moreover, this reinforcement element is not very adaptable to different vehicle doors, as different doors may require different dimensions. Also, for each reinforcement element that is needed, a new extrusion die needs to be created, which extrusion die is expensive to make.

Motor vehicle door reinforcement tube and a process for manufacturing the reinforcement tube


The present invention relates to a composition having a pH of less than about 7, for treating a hard surface comprising: at least one low residue surfactant and/or an alkyl ethoxylate surfactant; and a polymeric biguanide.

Liquid compositions for treating hard surfaces, such as, kitchen and bathroom surfaces, eyeglasses, and surfaces that require cleaning in industry for example surfaces of machinery or automobiles are known in the art. Such compositions can be used as such in a neat cleaning operation or in diluted form. Such compositions are often used in combination with conventional wiping products or more recently in combination with absorbent disposable cleaning pads.
Conventional wiping products are typically natural or synthetic sponges, soft or scouring pads, brushes, cloths, paper towels. Such wiping products can be used, as desired, in combination with cleaning implements comprising a handle for tough to reach areas or for the cleaning of floors, walls, or other large area surfaces either inside or outside the home, in office settings or in commercial or public establishments. Such devices can also have the wiping element combined or built into the handle such as sponge mops, string mops and strip mops. Pre-moistened wipe cleaning products in the form of laminates are commercially available. One example is Swiffer Wet®, a tri-laminate wipe that comprises an aqueous composition impregnated on a point-bonded floor sheet, a cellulosic reservoir core and a spunbond attachment sheet. Such products are further detailed in WO 2000-2000US26401, incorporated herein by reference.
Absorbent disposable cleaning pads represent a new method of cleaning, geared toward achieving outstanding end result. These disposable pads are advantageous in that they not only loosen dirt, but also absorb more of the dirty solution as compared to conventional cleaning tools or pre-moistened wipes. As a result, surfaces are left with reduced residue and dry faster. The use of disposable pads comprising super-absorbent polymer, i.e., absorbent disposable cleaning pads are particularly advantageous in that the polymer improves the mileage, longevity, reuse-ability and economic value of the pads. Such pads are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,048,123; 6,003,191; 5,960,508; and 6,101,661; incorporated herein by reference. The pads can be used as stand-alone products or in combination with an implement comprising a handle, particularly for the cleaning of floor surfaces. An example of such a product is currently sold by Procter and Gamble under "Swiffer WETJET®".
A commonly known problem in treating hard surfaces is the formation of films and/or streaks on surfaces treated therewith. Indeed, after the treatment of a hard surface with a liquid composition, the formation of visible residues (streaks) and/or shine reducing films after drying can often be observed.
Furthermore, the addition of an antimicrobial agent, to compositions intended to wipe and clean surfaces, increases the tendency of filming/streaking on said hard. The filming/streaking is particularly problematic when treating glossy surfaces, such as porcelain, chrome and other shiny metallic surfaces, tiles etc.
It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a composition that shows a filming/streaking performance benefit (low or substantially no formation of streak- and/or film-formation).
It has now been found that the above objective can be met by a composition for treating a hard surface having a pH of about 7 or less and comprising at least one low-residue surfactant and/or an alkyl ethoxylate surfactant; and a polymeric biguanide.
It is an advantage of this invention to provide aqueous compositions, either in dilutable or in neat form that can be used in conjunction with sponges, cloths, rags, paper towels and the like. Such products can function as stand-alone products or can be used in combination with conventional cleaning implements including sponge mops, string mops, strip mops or used with an absorbent disposable cleaning pad that is optionally attached to a cleaning implement comprising a handle and mop head.
It is another an advantage that judicious selection of surfactant and composition pH, can result in an enhancement of the gloss on the tiles, either versus clean untreated tiles, or tiles treated with a base composition that lacks the polymeric biguanide.
It is another advantage of this invention to provide disinfecting or antimicrobial compositions that leave little or no visible residue on hard surfaces. Furthermore, such compositions can be used in conjunction with cleaning tools with or without cleaning implements (defined herein after), including sponges, cellulose strings or strips, clean paper or commercially available paper towels, or absorbent disposable cleaning pads or substrate.
Advantageously, the compositions herein may be used to treat shiny and matt hard-surfaces made of a variety of materials like glazed and non-glazed ceramic tiles, vinyl, no-wax vinyl, linoleum, melamine, glass, plastics, plastified wood.
A further advantage of the present invention is that an excellent cleaning performance is obtained on different types of stains and soils.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Aqueous compositions for treating a surface


A phase shift mask comprises a light transmitting substrate; a light shelding layer comprising an inorganic material formed on the light transmitting substrate; and a phase transition layer formed on the light shielding layer.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a phase shift mask and a fabricating method thereof.
2. Description of the Related Art
As the need for thin and compact size semiconductor devices increases, semiconductor devices having larger capacities have been widely studied. To improve the resolution of such devices, various photolithography processes are intensely studied, especially those involving mask processes. Among these mask processes, phase shift mask fabricating technology, which is capable of patterning a device using a phase transition effect to achieve a high resolution, draws much attention from the public and industry. Among the phase shift mask types used in phase shift mask fabrication, the alternating type, the rim type, and the attenuating type are well known in the industry. In each of these types, a pattern of a phase transition layer can be formed beside the pattern of a light shielding layer. This is in contrast to other types of phase shift masks that use a pattern of light shielding layer formed on the light transmitting substrate.
The phase shift mask is directed to provide an additional pattern of a phase transition layer on a substrate, whose pattern has a phase difference angle of 180.degree. with respect to the phase of light passing through a substrate having another, better light transmitting characteristic. The light transmitting rate of a phase transition layer is present in various ranges. In addition, the phase shift masks of an alternating type and of a rim type (but not of an attenuating type) have an appropriately arranged light transmitting region and phase transition layer at the boundary of the light shielding layer.
The alternating type phase shift mask has a light transmitting region and a phase transition layer which are alternatingly arranged to the light shielding layer, and some patterns are additionally formed at the time of fabricating a device, so that the light intensity is increased. The rim type phase shift mask is basically directed to form a pattern of a phase transition layer, having relatively greater width than that of the pattern of the light shielding layer, on the pattern of the light shielding layer. The attenuating type phase shift mask is directed to use a light transmitting layer which does not include a light shielding layer and a layer of a phase transition having a relatively low light transmitting rate. Moreover, it is directed to use entire regions, except the light transmitting region as a phase transition layer.
The above described phase shift masks are difficult to use in the industry because there are many problems in the fabrication and maintenance process of a reticle, such as a pollution of a substrate caused during the fabrication of a semiconductor device, and in the design and test of the reticle. It is particularly difficult to use a rim type phase shift mask in the industry.
As shown in FIG. 1A, a phase shift mask according to the conventional art includes a light shielding layer 2 of chrome formed on a light transmitting substrate 1, a phase transition layer 3 formed on the light shielding layer 2, and a light transmitting poly-methyl-methacrylate ("PMMA") formed on the phase transition layer 3 with a thickness T. Thereafter, a photosensitive film 4 is formed on the phase transition layer 3, and the phase transition layer 3 of the region not masked by the photosensitive film 4 is removed so that a pattern of the phase transition layer 3 is exposed.
As shown in FIG. 1B, after the photosensitive film 4 is removed, the light transmitting layer 2 not masked by the pattern of the phase transition layer 3 is etched by a wet-type etching method. At this time, because the light shielding layer 2 is undercut, the width of lower portion of the pattern of the light shielding layer 2 is smaller than that of the phase transition layer 3. Thus the substrate 1 is exposed by the width W from each edge of both sides of the phase transition layer 3. Therefore, the light consecutively passed through the above described edge portions of the phase transition layer 3 and the substrate 1 and the light passed through only the substrate 1 are shifted by the angle of 180.degree. from each other.
A fabricating method of a conventional rim-type phase transition mask will now be explained.
First, as shown in FIG. 2A, a light shielding layer 12 of chrome is deposied on a light transmitting substrate 11. Thereafter, after a pattern of a photosensitive film 14 is formed on the light shielding layer 12, the light shielding layer 12 of the region unmasked by the pattern of the photosensitive film 14 is etched to expose the pattern of the light shielding layer 12 under the pattern of the photosensitive film 14.
As shown in FIG. 2B, a phase transition layer 15 of PMMA, which is a light transmitting photosensitive film, is coated on a region of the pattern of the light shielding layer 12 and the substrate 11. Thereafter, when light from a light exposing apparatus (not shown) is exposed to the rear side surface of the substrate 11, the region of the phase transition layer 15 of the pattern of the light shielding layer 12 is shielded from the light; however, the region of the phase transition layer 15 of the substrate 11 is exposed to the light.
As shown in FIG. 2C, the phase transition layer 15 is photoetched so that the region of the light shielding layer 12 has a pattern of the phase transition layer 15. At this time, the thickness T of the pattern of the phase transition layer 15 is such that it causes a phase shift.
As shown in FIG. 2D, the pattern of the light shielding layer 12 of the region not masked by the pattern of the phase transition layer 15 is etched by a wet-type etching method. At this time, the pattern of the light shielding layer 12 is undercut, and the width of the lower portion of the pattern of the light shielding layer 12 is smaller than that of the pattern of the phase transition layer 15, and each edge, having a width W, of both sides of the substrate of the pattern of the phase transition layer 15 is exposed. Therefore, light consecutively passed through the above described edge of the phase transition layer 15 and the substrate 11, in order, and light passed through only the substrate 11 are shifted by 180.degree. from each other.
Because the conventional phase shift mask fabricating method is directed to each the region of the light shielding layer except the region of the pattern of the light shielding layer on the light transmitting substrate, the surface of the light transmitting substrate can be damaged. In addition, because the conventional phase shift mask fabricating method involves wet-etching the region of the light shielding layer not masked by the pattern of the phase transition layer and forming the pattern of the light shielding layer in which the lower portion of the pattern of the phase transition layer is undercut, it is difficult to provide a phase transition layer having a thickness and a width from each edge of both sides of the phase transition layer, such that a desired phase shift effect can not be obtained.

Phase shift mask and fabrication method thereof


An article of manufacture, such as a laptop computer, comprising a housing, a processor disposed within the housing, a computer readable medium disposed within the housing and in communication with the processor, a lock mechanism disposed within the housing, wherein the lock mechanism can be moved between a locked configuration and an unlocked configuration, and computer readable program code encoded in the computer readable medium and useable with the processor, the computer readable program code comprising a series of computer readable program steps to effect moving the lock mechanism between the locked configuration and the unlocked configuration.

The number of electronic devices a person carries is increasing. A business person may utilize a portable computing device, cellular telephone, BLACKBERRY, personal digital assistant, iPOD, digital tape recorder, and the like. At work, that individual may also use a flat screen monitor, and a desktop computer or docking station. All of these items are prime targets for theft due to their small size, easy concealment, and substantial street value. When one is stolen, the owner is not only burdened with replacing an expensive electronic device, but often with the loss of important, and possibly sensitive, data.
A need exists for an apparatus and method to deter theft of such portable electronic devices, wherein that apparatus and method operate electromechanically.

Portable electronic device comprising an integrated lock mechanism

International Business Machines Corporation


A catadioptric projection objective for projecting a pattern arranged in the object plane of the projection objective into the image plane of the projection objective, having: a first objective part for projecting an object field lying in the object plane into a first real intermediate image; a second objective part for generating a second real intermediate image with the radiation coming from the first objective part; a third objective part for generating a third real intermediate image with the radiation coming from the second objective part; and a fourth objective part for projecting the third real intermediate image into the image plane.

This application is a National Stage of International Application No. PCT/EP2004/011587 filed Oct. 15, 2004, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/511,673, filed Oct. 17, 2003.
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a catadioptric projection objective for projecting a pattern arranged in the object plane of the projection objective into the image plane of the projection objective.
2. Description of the related Prior Art
Such projection objectives are used in microlithography projection exposure systems in order to produce semiconductor components and other finely structured components. Their purpose is to project patterns of photomasks or lined plates, which will be generically referred to below as masks or reticles, onto an substrate coated with a photosensitive layer with maximal resolution on a reducing scale.
In order to generate finer and finer structures, it is then necessary on the one hand to increase the numerical aperture (NA) of the projection objective on the image side and, on that the other hand, to use shorter and shorter wavelengths, preferably ultraviolet light with wavelengths of less than about 260 nm, for example 248 nm, 193 nm or 157 nm.
Purely refractive projection objectives have primarily been used to date in optical lithography. They are distinguished by a mechanically quite simple, centered construction which has only a single optical axis. It is also possible to use object fields centered on the optical axes, which minimize the etendue to be corrected and simplify alignment of the objective.
The form of the refractive design, however, is substantially constrained by two elementary image errors: the chromatic correction and the correction of the Petzval sum (image field curvature).
If only one refractive material is used (generally SiO2 for 193 nm, CaF2 for 157 nm) then the opportunity to correct the chromatic errors is very restricted. Full achromatization cannot be carried out. The best design compromise is then achieved by selecting single-waist designs with a small first convexity a large second convexity.
The correction of the Petzval condition (image field planarization) imposes the characteristic waist structure on the objective and entails very large maximum lens diameters, which increase the blank mass (mass of the lens material parts needed for the lens production). Once the waist structure has been established, then mass-optimized designs are obtained by trying to match the maximum diameters to one another in the first and second convexities. But this conflicts with the correction of the transverse chromatic aberration.
Simpler correction of the Petzval condition and an opportunity for chromatic correction are achieved with catadioptric designs. Here, the Petzval correction is achieved by the curvature of the concave mirror, and the chromatic correction is achieved by the refractive power of the negative lenses in front of the concave mirror (for CHL) and the aperture position with respect to the concave mirror (CHV).
A disadvantage of the catadioptric design, however, is that it is necessary to operate either with off-axial object fields, that is to say an increased etendue (in systems with geometrical beam splitting) or with physical beam splitter elements, which generally cause problems with the polarization.
In off-axial catadioptric systems, the requirements for the optical design may be formulated as follows: (1) minimize the etendue, (2) configure the geometry of the folding (beam deviations or deflections) so that a mounting technique can be developed for it and (3) correct the Petzval sum and the chromatic aberrations together in the catadioptric mirror group.
In order to keep the etendue small, the folding of the design should in principal take place in the low-NA region (that is to say in the vicinity of the object, for example) and in the vicinity of openings (that is to say close to the reticle or a real intermediate image).
As the numerical aperture rises, however, the numerical aperture on the object side and therefore the distance of the first fold from the reticle also increase, so that the etendue becomes greater. The diameter of the concave mirror and the size of the folding mirror are also increased. This can lead to problems with availability of space.
This can be remedied by firstly projecting the reticle onto an intermediate image by a first refractive relay system and by forming the first fold in the vicinity of the intermediate image. Such a catadioptric system is disclosed in EP 1 191 378 A1. It has a catadioptric objective part with the concave mirror. The light travels from the object plane onto a deflecting (folding) mirror placed in the vicinity of the first intermediate image, from there to the concave mirror and from the latter, while producing a second real intermediate image in the vicinity of a second deflecting mirror, into a refractive objective part which projects the second intermediate image onto the image plane (wafer).
A system with a similar structure is disclosed in WO 03/036361 A.
A catadioptric projection objective with a long, multi-lens relay objective for generating a first intermediate image, a polarization beam splitter, a catadioptric objective part with a concave mirror for generating a second real intermediate image, and a refractive objective part for projecting the second intermediate image onto the image plane, is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,861,997.
A disadvantage of such systems, however, is that the second refractive part again introduces chromatically and Petzval-undercorrected elements which need to be compensated for in the catadioptric part.
Other catadioptric systems with two real intermediate images are disclosed in JP 2002-372668 and Patent U.S. Pat. No. 5,636,066.


The new method concerns the custom designed lowcost mass production of flexible planar circuits which suit particu-larly for one time use and carry complex prints on at least one face thereof, as may be e.g. RF sensitive tickets or marker tags for electronic security systems. The construction both of planar electrical circuit and printed outfit elements in mutual alignment with each other is based on continuous light printing routines in combination with a production carrier protection and a post etching routine. Light printing may be of the LASER, LED, LCS or like type. The method is computer orchestrated and rolls off prior art barriers in view of limits for custom designs of shape, face, outfit, electrical, and even RF properties of such circuits. Custom designs are easily layouted onscreen of a modern personal computer. The data obtained thereof are downloaded to the production line. Changing, hopping sweeping and tuning custom circuit and print designs, without any format restriction and at full process speed is unprecedentedly introduced. Forming tools have been abandoned. As an exclusive longlife production tool electromagnetic wave energy is extensively used. The production web can be selected from a wide choice of materials and thus define circuit properties from flexible printed circuit wafers over tear-resistive spunbond labels to paper-like tags or stickers which may even be washed and sewn and nicely go one way with a pretty commercial face.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the mass production of thin, flexible lowcost circuits of arbitrarily definable shape. More particularly, the process according to the present invention is useful for the customized mass make of thin, planar Radio frequency [RF] resonant circuits including inductive and capacitive elements, as are commercially desired as marker means in Electronic Article Surveillance [EAS] systems, in Electronic Personnel Access Control [EPC] systems, in Electronic Anti-Counterfeit [EAC] systems, and in most modern Object Handling Control [OHC] systems, e.g. electronic document safe systems, clinical supply systems, electronic flight baggage and ticket control systems, and the like.
The invention further concerns the computerized nonstop mass production of such circuits for one time use, and breaks down prior art barriers in view of limitations for custom designs of shape, face, and resonant properties of such circuits. Custom designs of circuits are easily layouted onscreen of a modern personal computer The data obtained thereof are downloaded to the process line Hopping custom circuit and face designs with ease is unprecedentedly introduced. Forming tools have been abandoned. As an exclusive longlife production tool electromagnetic wave energy is extensively used. The circuits may be washed and sewn and attract their user with a pretty face.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,913,219 (LICHTBLAU) describes a production process for the make of planar electrical circuits comprising a dielectric sheet and having an inductively reacting conductive spiral path made from an appropriate metal foil and bonded to one side of said dielectric sheet. Said spiral path terminates, at each end, via at least one connection means, into first and second conductive areas being in a mutually aligned opposition and spaced by said dielectric sheet, thus forming a discrete capacitor. Said capacitor and said conductive spiral thus cooperate to form an LC resonant circuit The production method is tied to stringent problems and limitations, as follows:
Production starts up with a special trilayer material resulting from a difficult collamination process of two aluminum layers of widely differing thickness (typical 8 .mu.m and 50 .mu.m) with a polyethylene layer. The latter must exhibit very close tolerances in view of thickness (normally about of 25 .mu.m.+-.5 .mu.m) and dielectric permittivity, and hence has to be produced off-line, in a special apparatus, at extra speed, and thus is expensive. First waste results between its shock cooled high density extrusion and its heated collamination between said aluminum layers, at a considerably low speed. Then, applying known roto-printing techniques, etching resist patterns are printed, mutually in register, on both faces of the composition and dried, at high speed. Due to the roto-printing technique, the print is of the fixed formatted type, which means, the circuit patterns repeat at a constant pitch or spacing on the circumference of the printing cylinder. Though printing is performed with a high repetitive register accuracy of the resist structures defining the resonator to be constructed, a repetitive in-register condition is maintained only for a very short time from the following reason.
When etching, the entire processing web starts up shrinking, owing to strains frozen in the polyethylene during recrystallization in the early moment of its collamination with said aluminum layers aided by heat. These strains get active, once wide areas and spirally turn-to-turn spacings have been removed, and thus cancel a previously achieved in-register condition on the yet unetched web both in its along and across direction. Further, etching taken alone is a slow process step, since modern fast etching techniques--due to their inherent poor overetch protection--cannot be utilized. This is from the following reason. Etching must take place on both faces of the composition simultaneously, meaning, that the etching of aluminum layers having a widely different thickness (e.g. 8 .mu.m and 50 .mu.m) should be finished right at the same time. Overetching and out-of-register waste is the result.
Shrinking encounters the problem, that the endless processing web representing a plurality of resonant structures cannot be combined, as circuit's face, with an endless cover material preprinted with an individual outline per circuit repeating at a constant resonator pitch or space, since due to lost in-register condition no precise alignment of a resonantor and a preprinted circuit face (so as to mate and cover each other) can be maintained. Further, since the inconsistent multilayer construction of the fully finished circuit from other reasons can be printed merely asynchronously by aid of low quality rubber-flex techniques, this known process neither yields standard circuits printed in a fixed print-to-resonator register, nor yields circuits according to changing or hopping custom design specifications, e.g. including an attractive color print.
Further problems encounter with that method, since immediately a upon etching the processing web, due to its filigree shape, is most complicated to handle, to advance and to position, just in a state in which such should be facilitated and carried out quickly. Again waste is a result. For an improvement, it is not allowed to thicken the polyethylene layer for stabilization, otherwise the RF performance of resonators would dramatically drop provided such circuit should be made as small as possible which is, however, a common desire. Further problems encounter with the need, that the two metal layers have to be contacted through said polyethylene layer's normal thickness of of 25 .mu.m. Such thru-contacts proved to be unreliable; "dead" circuits use already to appear among good ones when shipped from the factory.
Chemical agents as being in worldwide use with the recreation of fashions and garments not only destroy these contacts. These agents dissolve and float off the roto-printable etchant resistive pattern, which is left back surplus in the circuit construction once etched. Hence, circuits of this make may even mediate or cause heavy degradations and deteriorations of suchlike treated fashions in a much later state, provided such circuits are made just for one way use for walking away with customer's buy. Moreover, though said polyethylene layer is considerable costly and its properties are essentially needed merely in a considerable small place of the entire resonator construction, this layer is very inefficient, since wasted over the entire circuit area (wasted precision is wasted money). As an overall result, these problems and the restrictions for the finished product concluded thereof qualifies this method as inapplicable for making disposable one way RF marker circuits, which also serve for quite other functions, a variety thereof having been disclosed in more recent patent applications of applicant.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,482,874 (RUBERTUS & TAIT) and U.S. Pat. No. 4,598,276 (TAIT) describe a method of producing novel high efficiency marker devices the unique design scheme of which having been taught in U.S. Pat. No. 4,694,283 granted to applicant. This method is based on a complex stamping routine which utilizes a most delicate domino stamping tool. It has a fixed design and requires steady performance control, service, and exchange on elapse of its short lifetime. This means, that such production cannot be run continuously 24 hours/365 days a year, at a minimum dead time. However, a minor advantage is obtained with this method over that mentioned above, so far as the pitch or spacing between resonators may be influenced at some degree, however, by encountering complex mechanics along the production line, provided such resonators should be covered in register with a paper face already on-line. However, owing to a limited dimensional precision of any cover material to join the endlessly produced resonator web, preprinting such cover material harvests all the same out-of-register problems with an attempt to have individual resonator structures superpose in a perfect alignment individual cover face prints.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,658,264 (BAKER) also repeats the basic construction scheme of the planar stripline resonator as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,694,283. However, it is not taught how to assign to such resonator a precisely registered print on its usable outer face, or how to design such resonator for facilitating its fitting between most modern cover materials, for giving it even a tex-like appearance or the capability of being washed and sewn. Oppositely, this Patent centers merely on the task of how to fold over a substantially filigree and inconsistent substrate for a registered alignment of folded over portions with a precision of alignment sufficient enough, as has been likely reflected in applicant's prior publications.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,369,557 (VANDEBULT) repeats major portions of the LICHTBLAU process, however, with an important distinction so far as the trilayer compound as a production carrier is exchanged for a dual layer one Thus, etching of a constant thickness metal layer is carried out merely on one face of a thin and dimensionally unstable dielectric layer which, however, again and all the same has to serve for production carrier's function. Consequently, all other problems and restrictions of the LICHBTLAU process are imported and maintained. Hence, that Patent does not teach how to produce one way RF marker circuits offering a modern cover face designed according to whatsoever customer's specifications.
European Patent Application No. 84104174.2 (SALAMONE, HOOVER & VANDEBULT) discloses a method of fabricating respective circuits by electrolytically depositing and growing up resonator structures. The process applies fixed format silk screen printing electrically conductive patterns on a thin dielectric film, as may be of polyester. Then, this film and patterns are subjected to a very slow electrolytic deposition routine. Since this method, too, does not yield a marketable product rather than mere (bare) resonators, it is also in conflict with the described out-of-register drawback, so that this process has also to be considered as off-limits for the mass production of RF marker circuits going both one way and customized, reading with a whatsoever pretty commercial face.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,943,966 (LENO and SEARLE) describes an inductive element formed by folding over an insulative sheet provided with conductive paths so that upon folding said paths configure as a coil which turns continuously. For this purpose, a conductive path may turn thru in its respective plane by 360 degrees. The insulative sheet is utilized for preventing short circuits between superposed conductive paths. The Patent does not refer to a fabrication of said insulative sheet, and refers neither to a dielectric layer provided on a face of conducutive paths nor to a precisely rated capacitance of a circuit, hence to no resonant feature of a finished circuit. No printed face as a "commercial face" is being referred to and definitely aligned with an "electrical face" of a carrier material.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,849,298 (WERBERIG) describes a process utilizing etching for forming conductive paths on a tenaceously adhering plastic film particularly in a way so that a slow compression betwewen heated platens leaves said conductive paths "embedded and locked in the laminate in flush relation thereto". The Patent does not refer to the make of a capacitor's dielectric layer, and hence refers neither to a dielectric layer provided on a face of conducutive paths nor to a precisely rated capacitance of a circuit, hence to no resonant feature of a finished circuit. No printed face as a "commercial face" is considered and definitely aligned with an "electrical face" of a carrier material. Obviously, Werberig did not think in terms of designing whatsoever condutor path patterns asynchronously, meaning, with a size an integer multiple of which does not equal a ion drum's circumference.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,526,573 (KEPPLE et al) describes a way of making flexible flame retardant foil-clad laminates having one or more printed circuits adhesively bonded to a flexible sheet made from a fibrous base material. Said base material may be impregnated and covered with a fully curved synthetic resin insulating material; the printed circuit composition does not deform when subjected to heat and exhibits an excellent dimensional stability.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,215,574 (KORB) describes a method for making thin flexible plastic-sealed printed circuits which utilizes, in a discontinuous additive manner, the temporary adherence (presence) of a fibrous material for stabilizing circuits under manufacture, for then beeing completely removed from the product in a later step.
The present invention not only accomplishes the object of overcoming the aforedescribed shortcomings and limitations.
It opens a new horizon for making mass marketable electrical circuits which feature custom designs and outfits to fill catalogs. Therefore, the present invention breaks with prior art methods, for thus defining a new reference standard of the state of the art, which becomes obvious from the listing of objects of the present invention, as follows:
Producing a continuous flow at constant process speed, no acceleration or deceleration of the production web, no rolling and unrolling of component materials; PA1 Abandoning spoolers; PA1 Abandoning forming tools; PA1 Abandoning the waste of precise and/or precious materials; PA1 Abandoning the production of construction materials off-line for having them imported on-line; PA1 Abandoning etching of metal layers having different thicknesses, once at a time; PA1 Abandoning out-of-register waste due to a shrinking or creasing production web; PA1 Abandoning unreliable electrical contacts; PA1 Abandoning close tolerance raw materials; PA1 Reducing heat stressings of the production carrier; PA1 Allowing less close tolerances of materials and/or structural components, thus utilizing inexpensive materials or components; PA1 Reusing waste to be recycled; PA1 Generating and/or feeding on-line vulnerable construction materials in a most late production state; PA1 Producing dielectric layers on-line on demand with properties just as currently required, and not accepting circuit's performance drop by misuse of such layers for carrier functions; PA1 Boosting thereby circuit's RF performance over prior art; PA1 Throwing off circuit all surplus materials which could lead to deterioration of fashions or garments due to their recreation; PA1 Utilizing a production carrier which can be handled precisely, at high speed, in any production step, under perfect position and register control; PA1 Allowing novel and modern cover materials in fashion and inexpensive paper as well as a production carrier; PA1 Making circuits having a tex- or tissue-like appearance and being resistive to attempts of tearing; PA1 Making RF marker circuits which can be washed and sewn; PA1 Registering an electrical circuit and a cover face print of such circuit thru the entire production line; PA1 Custom designing RF marker circuits with arbitrary shape, dimension, field layout and print face; PA1 Economically producing even smallest lots of circuits (e.g. a few hundreds) according to customer's specifications; PA1 Changing and fine-tuning designs of circuits in a short period of time or even at full production speed; PA1 Overcoming idea papers, drafts & drawings, scratch pads, models, layouts, films, microfiches for the design of whatsoever customized planar electrical circuit, and doing all of the design onscreen of a personal computer, and downloading for execution designs at full process speed; PA1 Utilizing graphics design & construction software (e.g. a desktop publishing software) on whatsoever personal computer on customer's site, and receiving customer's layout and design ideas as data frames via a communication line, and feeding customer personal designs into the production line, for a quick turnaround and shipment of customized circuits on same day or night; and PA1 Changing and hopping circuit designs at a freedom which is just the freedom to change News in the New York Times. PA1 GEM.TM. of Digital Research Inc., USA PA1 KEVLAR.TM. of E. I. Du Pont de Nemours & Co. (Inc.), USA PA1 Macintosh.TM. of Apple Computer Inc., USA PA1 TYVEK.TM. of E. I. Du Pont de Nemours & Co. (Inc.), USA PA1 THERMOTHEN.TM. of Maria Soell GmbH, FRG PA1 VAX.TM. of DIGITAL EQUIPMENT Corp., USA

Computer and electromagnetic energy based mass production method for the continuous flow make of planar electrical circuits


An LED display driven by a dual-negative-voltage power supply is provided. The LED display includes a power supply interface and a display module. The power supply interface includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and a third electrode. The display module includes a substrate, the substrate is provided with a connection terminal having a first port, a second port, and a third port. The first electrode is coupled with the first port via a first wiring harness. The second electrode is coupled with the second port via a second wiring harness. The third electrode is coupled with the third port via a third wiring harness. A potential difference between the first electrode and the second electrode provides a first voltage. A potential difference between the first electrode and the third electrode provides a second voltage. The display module is configured to be powered with the first and second voltages.

At present, in the display industry, especially for light-emitting diode (LED) displays, dual voltage power supplies are usually used to supply power for display screens. Among them, the dual voltage power supply generally has a single power supply with a 3.8 V voltage output and another single power supply with a 2.8 V voltage output. Because two single power supplies are involved, the wiring layout is complex and the number of circuits is large, which leads to difficult maintenance and the probability of poor contact is greatly increased. In addition, resistance of the harnesses will cause voltage drop and energy consumption of the circuit, reduce efficiency of the power supply, and waste power resources.

LED display driven by dual-negative-voltage power supply


An absorbent article is provided including a topsheet, a backsheet, and an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet. The core defines a wearer facing side oriented towards a wearer when the article is being worn and an opposed garment facing side. The core includes a storage layer that also defines a wearer facing side and an opposed garment facing side. The core further includes a first core wrap sheet covering the wearer facing side of the storage layer, and a second core wrap sheet covering the garment facing side of the storage layer. The first core wrap sheet is joined to the second core wrap sheet along at least one stripe of juncture. The stripe of juncture extends in at least one of the transversal and longitudinal directions.

Disposable absorbent articles are broadly available and consumers are used to a high performance for the collecting and retaining of menses (in the case of sanitary napkins or panty liners) or for the collecting and retaining urine and fecal material (in the case of e.g. disposable diapers). From such articles consumers expect a superior absorbency behavior and at the same time expect excellent the wearing comfort and the dryness when being worn.
Often, such articles comprise multiple absorbent members, at least one member being primarily designed to store liquid, and at least one other member primarily designed to acquire and/or distribute liquid, the members typically being encapsulated between a topsheet (on the wearer facing side) and a backsheet (on the garment facing side).
In modern absorbent articles the absorbent core will typically comprise a superabsorbent material in combination with a fibrous material, for example cellulose. In particular, the storage layer will be provided from a combination of such materials. It is important to maintain the integrity of such absorbent core, both when the article is dry and when the article is wet, that means before use and in use. It is also important to prevent the escape of any of the absorbent materials providing the core, in particular the escape of super-absorbent materials, which are often provided in the form of particles. The escape of super-absorbent materials from the core could ultimately lead to contact of such superabsorbent materials with the skin of the wearer. This phenomenon is known as gel on skin (as the super-absorbent materials are often also referred to as hydrogels). However, such gel on skin occurrences are considered undesirable as many consumers consider the skin contact of such super-absorbent material to be unpleasant. Some recent absorbent articles, especially disposable diapers, employ relatively open topsheet structures. These open topsheets promote the absorbance or at least the adherence of high viscosity exudates, such as bowel movement. However, when it's specifically comes to gel on skin problems, these open topsheet structures present a challenge, as they do not represent a highly effected barrier for super-absorbent particles, which may escape from the absorbent core of the absorbent article.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,573,986 (filed in 1984) discloses an early attempt for obviating lifting out of fibers and particulate matters from the absorbent core of an absorbent garment. A wet-strength-tissue envelope is disclosed in which the absorbent core is disposed and secured. The wet-strength-tissue paper or a similar laminate is secured in face to face relation with the core by an open pattern of adhesive, which may, for example, comprise a fine pattern of globulettes of adhesive. Alternatively, a reticulated network of filaments of adhesives can be used.
EP 847 263 (filed in 1995) discloses a more recent core wrap material: Disclosed is a core wrap made from a fibrous non-woven web, preferably a polypropylene meltblown non-woven material. This core wrap material may be folded over on itself and then sealed using, for example, adhesives, heat and/or pressure. In this context, ultrasonic bonder, thermo-mechanically bonding means and adhesives are specifically disclosed as suitable sealing means.
EP 1 088 537 (filed in 2000) discloses a highly water absorbent sheet. This absorbent sheet comprises fine cellulose fibers which provide a fibrous network holding solid super-absorbent particles in position. In order to prevent the escaping of such superabsorbent particles, the disclosed absorbent sheet relies on a hot-melt adhesive forming a further fibrous network and covering the super-absorbent particles.
WO 00/64396 (filed in 2000) discloses yet a further approach for integrity and immobilization enhancement for an absorbent member. The method comprises the application of a foamable movement obstruction agent to an absorbent member.
As to provide the desired absorbency to the article, at least the storage member will typically comprise super-absorbent material, which is admixed with the traditionally used pulp fiber material. Such super-absorbent materials can absorb many times (e.g. 10, or 30 times) their own weight and are therefore very helpful when designing an article of improved fluid handling properties. Many recent products employ higher and higher concentrations of super-absorbent materials, that is concentrations in excess of 50% of the total weight of the storage member. These products achieve a high absorbing capacity with a very thin storage member and are thereby typically overall thin products. While super-absorbent materials can store very large amounts of liquid, they are often not able to distribute the liquid from the point of impact to more remote areas of the absorbent article and to acquire the liquid as fast as it may be received by the article.
Hence, the prior art has disclosed various attempts to prevent the escaping of super-absorbent particles from the absorbent core. However, especially when it comes to absorbent cores with high concentrations of super-absorbent material and the use of relatively open topsheet structures, an even more efficient prevention of the escaping of super-absorbent particles from the absorbent core is desirable.


A system and method for controlling distributed generation equipment based on remotely derived dispatch schemes improves economics and reliability of operation. The system can adapt to variable changing conditions in real-time to provide adaptable, real-time, site-specific load forecasting.

Commercial, residential and industrial facilities are becoming more versatile in managing their energy needs. Traditionally, nearly all energy consumers purchased power from a regulated utility, with few maintaining on-site generation for emergency backup. Now, some facilities are using on-site generation as primary power and other facilities are even selling locally-generated power back to the grid. Part of the reason for the change can be attributed to deregulation of the energy industry and the now widespread availability of distributed generation equipment.
Distributed generation equipment (DGE) refers to one of various power generation technologies which can be used on-site at a facility for various purposes, such as powering electrical equipment and heating and cooling systems, for example. Some DGE generate excess heat, which can be used in building or industrial processes, such as heating domestic hot water. A facility using DGE can be as large as an industrial complex or as small as a private residence. DGE is typically used alongside or in place of standard "grid" power provided by a utility or private enterprise.
DGE technologies include microturbines, fuel cells, internal and external combustion engines, reciprocating engines, photovoltaic cells, microgrids and other generation and storage types. DGE typically supplies both electrical energy and heat. Some DGE use essentially free fuels like sunlight or landfill gas while others use natural gas, propane or hydrogen. The fuel type can help determine operational parameters for DGE. For example, free fuel burning DGE might be operated at maximum power level whenever the fuel is available and the load can use the power, while DGE using other fuel types may only be run when it is most economical. Of course, specific circumstances may dictate different operating conditions regardless of fuel type.
Determining when to operate each DGE within a distributed generation environment and at what power level can be a rather complex decision, affected by the cost of fuel, the cost of the electric power or heat that is deferred, and, in some cases, the impact of the emissions both from the DGE device and from the central generator, for example. Such determination must also take into account that the demands for electric power and heat may not occur at the same time. In addition, there may be other services that the DGE can provide, such as, for example, voltage regulation, standby power, and ride through for voltage sags from the utility. In optimizing the economics of a given installation, operational decisions are directed not only by local power needs, heat and back up power supply, but also by the opportunities provided by the open market.
Various intelligent or expert system designs can be employed to assist in solving power system management problems. An expert system is an artificial intelligence application that uses a knowledge base of human expertise to aid in solving problems. It can use a software program as an interface with the user and then use the data in the knowledge base to process the results. Such intelligent systems can assist in a variety of power system applications, such as economic load dispatch, optimization and loss reduction, fault detection and diagnosis, load forecasting, power system planning, control and analysis, and even security assessment. Some of these applications influence others. For example, electrical load forecasting is very important for power system operators and planners, since many important functions in power system operational planning, such as unit commitment, economic dispatch, maintenance scheduling, and expansion planning are usually performed based on the forecasted loads.
Economic load dispatch, optimization and loss reduction involves managing the operation (dispatching) of generation and transmission facilities to produce the most cost-effective result. Economic dispatch most commonly involves the selection of the lowest-cost available generating units or fuels for powering available units. Fault detection and diagnosis involves managing the system to detect faults more quickly so as to properly restore operation as soon as possible.
Traditional intelligent systems for determining load forecasting have involved off-line processing of vast amounts of data using standard linear regression or neural network modeling. The resulting forecasting models are then used in real-time, focusing largely on aggregate loads and not site-specific loads. Such methods suffer from several disadvantages, including the inability to adapt the forecasting model to changing operational conditions in real time, especially on a site-specific basis.
Beyond neural networks, other expert systems can be employed to assist in solving power management problems, including genetic or evolutionary algorithms, and fuzzy logic systems. Fuzzy logic is a branch of logic based on approximate reasoning. Fuzzy logic allows the use of labels like "slightly," "moderately," and "very," so that statements may be made with varying degrees of precision. This flexibility is useful in coping with the imprecision of real-world situations, such as the management of distributed generation technologies.

System and method for managing energy generation equipment


A device which can be used to control a musical performance contains a sensor which outputs an electrical signal. The sensor may be formed by providing a fixed contact and a hollow contact, wherein movement of the device causes the contacts to meet. Other features of the device include a user-adjustable sensitivity feature, a button for starting/stopping, and a sliding switch for sending volume information to the playback devices. The device may be provided as part of a system which includes a score-following apparatus.

In the field of musical performance, constant practice is necessary regardless of whether one is a solo performer that needs to practice a performance that will be accompanied by a number of other musical artists, or one is a conductor who will need to conduct numerous musical artists in a performance. A problem arises, however, when the musical piece that one is practicing requires the participation of a number of different musical artists to be practiced properly. For example, a human conductor may need to practice instructing a group of human musicians in their performance of a particular piece. The conductor may not be able to assemble a sufficient number of musicians to allow him or her to practice conducting, and while the conductor may conduct along with the prerecorded piece, this is not optimal since variations in the conductor's movements will not be reflected in the performance of the piece. Similarly, during a live performance, if there is an insufficient number of musicians to play all of the parts in the musical score, a conductor may need to conduct both human musicians and a musical apparatus capable of playing the missing parts.
The conductor may employ a number of electronic instruments controlled by an automated system that is capable of tracking and following musical scores, such as the system disclosed in U.S. Ser. No. 08/878,638, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. However, the conductor still requires a device which allows the motion of the baton to control the performance of the musical piece by both the automated system and human musicians, if any.
In the traditional manner of conducting a musical ensemble, a conductor waves a stick, known as a baton, in the air. Traditionally, the direction of motion, including the change of direction, communicates tempo and beat information to human musicians who are being directed. Additionally, the amplitude of the conducting motions are traditionally used to communicate information as to how loud to play. A conductor typically communicates the incident of a musical beat by suddenly changing direction in an area roughly in the center of his/her body. Such a sudden change of direction is known as an ictus.

Device for controlling a musical performance


A vehicle security system and methods for triggering alarms, including a controller responsive to entry of a security code via the keypad which matches a particular security code to disengage an starter blocking relay. The controller is further responsive to determining that the ignition switch is turned to the "on" position without prior entry of a matching security code to start a timer which times out after a predetermined period of time, whereby in response to non-entry of a matching security code before expiration of the predetermined period of time, the controller generates an alarm signal for transmission via the wireless transceiver to a central monitoring station. If the controller determines that the ignition switch is turned to its off position after the timer is started, it disengages the starter blocking relay so as to enable ignition of the vehicle. Consequently, an attacker will believe he has successfully started the ignition of the car, while the central monitoring station will have been alerted of the intrusion and notified the police authorities.

The present invention is directed to a vehicle security system, and more particularly to a vehicle security system having the ability to transmit an alarm signal to a central monitoring station without alerting intruders.
Vehicle security systems are useful in preventing theft of vehicles, and in some cases in bringing to justice the criminals who steal vehicles. However, most vehicle security systems lack the capability of protecting the vehicle owner and passenger from harm in the event they are present at the vehicle during a theft. This situation is commonly called a "car-jacking". In particular, the owner of a vehicle faces a potentially life-threatening situation when he/she has just entered the vehicle and has not yet started the ignition when an attacker approaches. The attacker may either oust the owner from the driver's seat, steal the owner's keys and drive away with the vehicle, or may force the owner to stay in the vehicle and drive away under threat of serious bodily harm.
It is desirable to provide a vehicle security system which is capable of detecting when a vehicle is being "car-jacked" in such a way so as not to alert the attacker, but to alert police authorities who can attempt to rescue the vehicle owner and passengers from the attacker.

System and methods for triggering and transmitting vehicle alarms to a central monitoring station


A communications system provides subfleet calls for both voice and data communications using a secondary identification (301, 303, 305, 307, 309) incorporating a plurality of subfleets in a hierarchical arrangement. A message including the secondary identification (301, 303, 305, 307, 309) is transmitted to a communication unit (117) having a stored secondary identification (301, 303, 305, 307, 309). If the transmitted secondary identification sufficiently matches the stored secondary identification, the communication unit (117) responds to the instructions in the transmitted message.

Many conventional RF communications systems exist. Users within these systems select a channel (if there is more than one channel available), monitor the channel for activity, and transmit when no one else is using the channel. Communication units within these systems include mobile and portable radios, capable of voice and/or data transmission. Some systems are very large, such as a public transportation operation. Such systems may include units in buses, trains, tow trucks, snowplows, security vehicles, and depots. In a large city, these vehicles and buildings are spread out over a large area. For example, each city may have ten divisions. Each division may have twenty to thirty depots. Each depot will have numerous tow trucks, snowplows, security vehicles, and buses or trains. These vehicles are dispersed among various bus routes or train routes near the depot.
When making a transmission on a large conventional system, usually all users will hear that transmission. Since only rare transmissions require all users to hear the transmission, many are bothered because they must listen to a message they do not need to hear, and further they cannot use the system for their own needs. Such a call is also an inefficient use of spectral resources. Some conventional systems employ spectrally-limited connect tones, but these tones are limited in availability and take additional time to reach the user. It is therefore reasonable to expect that such a large system will convert to a more spectrally-efficient trunked communications system, which provides fleet calls to reach a specific group of users. Converting to a trunked system is extremely costly, however, and funding is difficult to obtain in public transportation operations.
Generally, within a trunked system, the many users are organized into fleets, subfleets or groups, and individuals. Each user has a fleet, group, and an individual indentification (ID) code to provide a mechanism enabling group or fleet calls. Over-the-air protocols are used to program certain parameters of communication units, such as frequency assignments or the ID field, without bringing each unit out of the field for servicing, saving weeks or months of lost communication time. Trunked systems are unable to provide group data messages, however, and a data message for multiple units must be sent individually to each unit, which is a spectrally inefficient procedure. Many trunked systems also require permission to regroup units as well as acknowledgments from each communication unit involved, an inefficient procedure.
A large organization, such as a public transportation operation, with a conventional system needs the ability to address only a select group of communication units without disturbing users that are not involved in that call.
A method of communication that enables a conventional system to efficiently provide subfleet calls for both voice and data communications is desired.


The invention relates to a method and apparatus for measuring the optical state on the inside of a reaction vessel. The apparatus includes: linking portions that optically connect with the interior of the reaction vessel that is linkable with reaction vessels, a connecting end arranging body having an arranging surface that arranges and supports along a predetermined path, connecting ends to which is provided back ends of the light guide portions, the front ends thereof being provided to the linking portions, the connecting ends being provided to the linking portions; a measurement device having measuring ends that are successively optically connectable with the connecting ends, and in which light based on the optical state is receivable by optical connections between the connecting ends and the measuring ends; and a light guide switching mechanism that successively optically connects the connecting ends and the measuring ends.

At the time reactions such as amplification of nucleic acids (DNA, RNA, and the like) and the fragments thereof (oligonucleotides, nucleotides, and the like) are performed, in tests that require quantitativeness, such as the analysis of gene expression levels, it becomes necessary to perform the amplification such that the ratio of the relative amounts of the respective nucleic acids can be known. Consequently, by using the real-time PCR method, and by using an apparatus provided with a thermal cycler and a fluorescence spectrophotometer, analysis by electrophoresis is made unnecessary as a result of the generation process of the DNA amplification products in PCR being detected and analyzed in real time. Furthermore, as a DNA amplification method that performs amplification while maintaining the quantitativeness with respect to the ratio of the relative amounts of the DNA or RNA contained in the sample before amplification, the SPIA (Single Primer Isothermal Amplification) method is used. In the SPIA method, the linear DNA amplification method resulting from an isothermal reaction utilizing DNA/RNA chimera primer, DNA polymerase, and RNaseH has become used.
In a case where processing such as nucleic acid amplification, and measurements thereof are performed, conventionally, the target nucleic acid is separated and extracted from the sample by using a filter by means of a manual method, by using magnetic particles and adsorption on an inner wall of a vessel or a pipette tip by means of a magnetic field, or by using a centrifuge. The separated and extracted target compound is transferred and introduced into a reaction vessel together with a reaction solution by a manual method and the like, and upon sealing of the reaction vessel using a manual method and the like, at the time reactions are performed using a temperature control device for reactions, optical measurements are performed with respect to the reaction vessel using a light measuring device (Patent Document 1).
In a case where the processing is executed by a manual method, a large burden is forced on the user. Furthermore, in a case where the processing is executed by combining a dispenser, a centrifuge, a magnetic force device, a temperature controller, a device for sealing the reaction vessel, a light measurement device, and the like, there is a concern of the scale of the utilized devices increasing and of the work area expanding. In particular, in a case where a plurality of samples is handled, since it becomes necessary to separate and extract a plurality of target nucleic acids and for amplification to be to respectively performed, the labor thereof becomes even greater, and furthermore, there is a concern of the work area also expanding further.
Specifically, in a case where reactions of the nucleic acids (DNA, RNA, and the like) to be amplified, and the like, are performed within a plurality of reaction vessels and these reactions are monitored by optical measurements, the measurements are performed by successively moving a single measuring device to the respective reaction vessels by a manual method, or the measurements are performed by providing a measuring device to each of the respective reaction vessels beforehand.
In the former case where a single measuring device is used, when the measuring device is attempted to be manually moved to the apertures of the reaction vessels, there is a concern of subtle differences occurring in the measurement conditions for each reaction vessel as a result of subtle displacements or relative motions between the reaction vessel and the measuring device.
In the latter case where a measuring device is provided to each of the respective reaction vessels, although the positioning accuracy becomes high, there is a concern of the devices scale expanding, and of the manufacturing costs increasing. Furthermore, although it is preferable to seal the apertures of the reaction vessels at the time of temperature control and the measurements, it is time-consuming to perform sealing, or opening and closing, with respect to a plurality of reaction vessels by a manual method with a lid, and in particular, there is a concern of the lid becoming adhered to the vessel apertures such that it becomes difficult to easily open the lid, and of contamination occurring from the liquid attached to the inside of the lid dripping or splashing. Furthermore, there is a concern of providing a dedicated opening and closing mechanism of the lid, complicating the apparatus, and increasing the manufacturing costs (Patent Document 2).
As a device that automatically performs measurements without providing a measurement device for each of the respective reaction vessels, there is an device that, at the time temperature control of a microplate having a plurality of wells is performed by a thermal cycler, successive light measurements of the respective wells is performed by moving a detection module over the microplate (Patent Documents 3 and 4).
In this device, since the detection module itself is moved in a state in which it is supported by the thermal cycler, a load that accompanies the acceleration from the movement is imparted on the detection module, which has precision optical system elements and electronic circuits such as a photomultiplier tube, thus becoming the cause of noise or breakdowns of the measurement device, and furthermore, there is a concern of the device lifetime being shortened.
Moreover, since the detection module is supported by the microplate, or is supported by a lid body sealing the respective wells of the microplate and only moves in a horizontal direction, a fixed spacing between the respective wells and the measuring end of the measurement device is necessary. Therefore, since attenuation from the scattering of light, and the leakage or entry of light with respect to the adjacent wells cannot be completely blocked and prevented, there is a concern of a measurement with a high accuracy not being able to be performed.
Furthermore, since the detection module divides the light path using a half mirror at the time light from the vessels is received or is irradiated, there is a need to take a long light path length within the measurement device, and it has a problem in that there is a concern of the device scale becoming large.
In a case where the detection module is one that moves such that it passes the respective wells that are arranged on the microplate and the number of wells becomes large, there is a concern of the processing time becoming long due to the movement distance being long, and in addition, there is also a concern of the problems of the measurement device mentioned above occurring.
Moreover, at the time an optical measurement is performed on a sealed reaction vessel, there is a concern of the lid which has transparency, or the optical system elements, becoming cloudy from condensation, and the measurements becoming difficult.
Consequently, in order to perform nucleic acid amplification and the like, as a precondition thereof, specialized researchers or technicians become necessary, and this situation is preventing the generalization of genetic analysis and the expansion of clinical applications in hospitals, and the like.
Therefore, at the time of clinical use and the like, in order to prevent cross-contamination and to reduce user labor, and to easily perform the genetic analysis of nucleic acids from the extraction, the amplification, and further, by means of a measurement, then consistently automating the steps from extraction of the target compound, reacting such as amplifying, up to measurement, and miniaturization of the device, and the provision of an inexpensive, high-accuracy device are important.

Light measurement apparatus for reaction vessel and light measurement method


A continuous method of manufacturing adhesives is provided. The method includes obtaining an actinic radiation-polymerizable adhesive precursor composition disposed on a major surface of an actinic radiation-transparent substrate and irradiating a first portion of the actinic radiation-polymerizable adhesive precursor composition through the actinic radiation-transparent substrate for a first irradiation dosage. The method further includes moving the actinic radiation-transparent substrate and irradiating a second portion of the actinic radiation-polymerizable adhesive precursor composition through the actinic radiation-transparent substrate for a second irradiation dosage. Optionally, the method also includes irradiating a third portion of the actinic radiation-polymerizable adhesive precursor composition through the actinic radiation-transparent substrate prior to moving the substrate. The first irradiation dosage and the third irradiation dosage are often not the same, thereby forming an integral adhesive having a variable thickness in an axis normal to the actinic radiation-transparent substrate.

In various industries, components of devices are joined together using an adhesive, such as a pressure sensitive adhesive, a hot melt adhesive, or a structural adhesive. As devices are miniaturized, the need for higher precision delivery of adhesives increases. Moreover, there are certain shapes of adhesives that cannot be prepared by die-cutting of an adhesive, for instance a wedge shape.

Continuous additive manufacturing methods