A content recommendation method can include retrieving contacts for a player of a content recommendation game and listing content associated with the retrieved contacts and prompting the player in response to a selection of a particular one of the listed content to identify a specific one of the retrieved contacts as a source associated with the particular one of the listed content. The particular one of the listed content can be recommended to the identified specific one of the retrieved contacts when the player has incorrectly identified the specific one of the retrieved contacts as a source associated with the particular one of the listed content. Otherwise, the player can be awarded points in the game to a game score for the player for having correctly identified the specific one of the retrieved contacts as a source associated with the particular one of the listed content.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the field of content sharing and more particularly to game induced awareness of content.
2. Description of the Related Art
Content browsing refers to the retrieval and presentation of electronic content in a browser client. Content generally can include electronic documents, messages, audio, audiovisual and video materials and imagery. Most commonly, content can be stored in a server environment and published for access by content consumers over a computer communications network such as the global Internet. Content consumers, in turn, can retrieve content over the network by reference to a network address for the content. Once retrieved, the content can be presented in a browser client including not only conventional visual browsers such as the venerable Web browser, but also in alternative browsers such as those deployed in pervasive devices and those supporting different modes of presentation such as the audible presentation of material.
Given the vast amount of content published for retrieval over the Internet, modern content browsers provide a mechanism for ably retrieving previously accessed content. Known as a "bookmark" or "favorite" (collectively referred to as a bookmark), end users can record content of interest as a bookmark. Subsequently, end users can access a list of bookmarks in order to recall the content of interest without being compelled to recall from memory the precise uniform resource indicator (URI) for the content of interest.
While bookmarking reflects the personal experience of individual users, social bookmarking provides a foundation for users within a social group to store, organize, share and search the bookmarks collectively established by the users within the social group. In the operation of a social bookmarking system, users save links to memorable content. Unlike traditional bookmarks however, in a social bookmarking system the links subsequently can be published for public inspection and use so as to provide a communal repository of bookmarks. Consequently, groups of the users can access the links encapsulated within respective social bookmarks, though the groups of users in fact may never have viewed the associated content—a prerequisite for a traditional bookmark.
Social bookmarking services often encourage users in a social network to annotate bookmarks with meta-information referred to as "tags" rather than merely storing bookmarks in a traditional file hierarchy. As such, users processing tags for a social bookmark can view the social bookmark for content along with the tag pertaining to the bookmark, for instance if a number of users having bookmarked the content. Further, some social bookmarking services infer clusters of bookmarks from the relationship of corresponding tags. Finally, many social bookmarking services provide subscription based feeds for lists of bookmarks, including lists organized by tags. Consequently, subscribers can become aware of new bookmarks as the bookmarks are saved, shared, and tagged by other users.
Despite the promise of social bookmarking, content oftentimes fails to enjoy the benefits of social bookmarking While social bookmarking implicitly provides a recommendation to share access to content—particularly in an automated fashion where users in a social network share common interests and pursuits—users of interest either can be omitted from an express notification of content of interest where those common interests and pursuits are not apparent to an automated social bookmarking system, or users of interest can reside outside of one's social network so as to lack the ability to obtain an awareness of relevant content.
Of course, one can expressly bring content of interest to the attention of a relevant user. For example, the well known social bookmarking technology, "del.icio.us" provides a mechanism for targeting a specific user to share a bookmark to content. Of note, depending upon the express recommendation of content is highly personal and enjoys the advantage of personal knowledge of end user interest and pursuits, even as those interests and pursuits change over time. However, requiring the end user to explicitly recommend content to users who are known to share common interests and pursuits can be tedious and requires the proactive involvement of the recommender without incentive.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention address deficiencies of the art in respect to social bookmarking and provide a novel and non-obvious method, system and computer program product for generating content recommendations from an online game. In an embodiment of the invention, a content recommendation method can be provided. The method can include retrieving contacts for a player of a content recommendation game and listing content associated with the retrieved contacts. The method also can include prompting the player in response to a selection of a particular one of the listed content to identify a specific one of the retrieved contacts as a source associated with the particular one of the listed content.
Finally, the method can include recommending to the identified specific one of the retrieved contacts including a link to the particular one of the listed content when the player has incorrectly identified the specific one of the retrieved contacts as a source associated with the particular one of the listed content, and otherwise awarding points in the game to a game score for the player for having correctly identified the specific one of the retrieved contacts as a source associated with the particular one of the listed content. In one aspect of the embodiment, the player can be prompted in response to a selection of a particular one of the listed content to identify a specific one of the retrieved contacts as a source associated with the particular one of the listed content within a threshold period of time. Consequently, the method also can include deducting points from the game score when the player fails to respond to the prompting within the threshold period of time.
In another embodiment of the invention, a social media data processing system can be configured for generating content recommendations from an online game. The system can include a host computing platform configured for communicative coupling to multiple different clients over a computer communications network. Each of the clients can include a browser providing access to interact with content and corresponding meta-data for the content. The system also can include a social bookmarking system coupled to the host computing platform managing tags applied through the clients to content viewed within respective ones of the browsers. Finally, the system can include a content recommendation game executing in the host computing platform.
The game can include program code enabled to retrieve contacts for a player of the game, to list content associated with the retrieved contacts, to prompt the player in response to a selection of a particular one of the listed content to identify a specific one of the retrieved contacts as a source associated with the particular one of the listed content, and to recommend to the identified specific one of the retrieved contacts the particular one of the listed content, including a link to the particular one of the listed content, when the player has incorrectly identified the specific one of the retrieved contacts as a source associated with the particular one of the listed content, and otherwise to award points in the game to a game score for the player for having correctly identified the specific one of the retrieved contacts as a source associated with the particular one of the listed content.
Additional aspects of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The aspects of the invention will be realized and attained by means of the elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed.

Generating content recommendations from an online game

International Business Machines Corporation


A posture control system for a mobile robot. When an unexpected external force acts, the system is configured to control and stabilize the posture of the robot driving an arm link such that, in response to a first external force that is a component in a predetermined direction of an unexpected external force, a second external force acts on the arm link in a direction orthogonal to the predetermined direction. With this, when the mobile robot receives a reaction force, even if the posture becomes unstable or the robot receives an unexpected reaction force, it becomes possible to preserve the dynamic balance and to maintain a stable posture.

The applicant discloses a posture control system of a legged mobile robot, for mobile robots, in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. Hei 10 (1998)-230485. In this prior art, it is configured to displace the position of the center of gravity of the robot by correcting a posture gradually over a long period of time to displace a body of the robot so as to generate a moment of gravity for compensation, so as to maintain or preserve the dynamic balance, in particular the equilibrium that balances robot posture dynamically, when the robot receives an unexpected reaction force from an object. At the same time it is configured, during a transient period, to preserve the dynamic balance by driving a foot to move to take a posture to brace legs, so as to generate a total floor reaction force's moment for compensation about a desired floor reaction force central point (that is equal to a desired ZMP).
Thus, in the aforesaid prior art, if unexpected reaction force acting from the object changes abruptly, at that moment (in a short period of time), the robot is operated to move the foot to brace legs in order to maintain or preserve the dynamic balance. That is to say, the prior art ensures to stabilize the posture by generating the total floor reaction force's moment.
Further, the applicant proposes a technique (in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. Hei 10 (1998)-277969) to generate a moment as a total floor reaction force's moment actively to restore a posture of the robot when the posture is tilted or inclined, regardless of whether the robot receives a reaction force from the object. However, since the total floor reaction force's moment generated by the aforesaid technique has a limit, if trying to generate the total floor reaction force's moment beyond the limit, a part of a foot may be lifted up, resulting in the robot losing the dynamic balance or, at worst, tipping over.
Furthermore, the applicant also proposes a technique to maintain the dynamic balance by correcting a body trajectory of a robot, instead of generating a total floor reaction force's moment (in Japanese Patent No. 3269852). In the prior art, however, since a foot landing position, etc., is needed to be corrected, if the robot is controlled to work with the object by using the arm, the body or foot may sometimes be likely move from an appropriate position for working.
In addition, in the case that the robot is controlled to work to impart some motion to an object, in order to accomplish a task as expected, it is preferable not to influence on a motion of the object, when a control to maintain the dynamic balance or to restore a tilted or inclined posture of the robot is implemented.


Various embodiments provide a method and an apparatus for determining a weighting factor during stereo signal encoding. In those embodiments, a parameter value corresponding to the encoding mode of the to-be-encoded signal is determining based on an encoding mode of a to-be-encoded signal in a stereo signal and a correspondence between an encoding mode and a parameter value. Based on the determined parameter value and an energy spectrum of a linear prediction filter corresponding to an original line spectral frequency parameter of the to-be-encoded signal is a weighting factor for calculating a distance between the original line spectral frequency parameter and a target original line spectral frequency parameter is calculated.

In a time-domain parametric stereo encoding technology for stereo signals, an encoder end downmixes a time-domain left channel signal and a time-domain right channel signal into a primary channel signal and a secondary channel signal, and then encodes the primary channel signal and the secondary channel signal separately.
For encoding of a primary channel signal and encoding of a secondary channel signal, during quantization of a line spectral frequency (LSF) parameter, it is necessary to estimate spectral distortion between a to-be-quantized LSF parameter and an LSF parameter corresponding to each codeword in a codebook used for LSF parameter quantization, and then an LSF parameter that is corresponding to a codeword and that is with minimum spectral distortion is selected from the codebook used for LSF parameter quantization and is used as a quantized LSF parameter.
Usually, a weighted distance between the to-be-quantized LSF parameter and the LSF parameter corresponding to each codeword in the codebook used for LSF parameter quantization may be calculated, to estimate spectral distortion between the to-be-quantized LSF parameter and the LSF parameter corresponding to each codeword in the codebook used for LSF parameter quantization.
For example, a weighted distance between the to-be-quantized LSF parameter and an LSF parameter corresponding to an nth codeword in the codebook used for LSF parameter quantization satisfies the following:
      W              D      n      2        =            ∑              i        =        1            M                                    w          i                                  [                                    L                            S                                            F                                                  (                  i                  )                                                      -                          L                            S                                                              F                  n                  q                                                                  (                  i                  )                                                              ]                    2
where LSFnq is the LSF parameter corresponding to the nth codeword in the codebook used for LSF parameter quantization; LSF is the to-be-quantized LSF parameter; LSF(i) is an ith LSF component in the to-be-quantized LSF parameter; i is an index of a vector, where i=1, . . . , M, and M is a linear prediction order; and {wi|i=1, . . . , M} is a weighting factor.
In the prior art, for a time-domain stereo encoder that needs to separately encode a primary channel signal and a secondary channel signal in a stereo signal, a unified method is used to calculate a weighting factor that is used for quantizing all LSF parameters in the stereo signal, for example, by using a Euclidean distortion measure method used in 3GPP AMR speech encoding standards, a method based on an inverse harmonic mean (inverse harmonic mean) method, or a method in 3GPP EVS audio encoding and decoding. This is not conducive to implementing optimization of encoding quality of the entire stereo signal.

Method and apparatus for determining weighting factor during stereo signal encoding


An evaporator which is small, light and whose activating time is short. The evaporator has an atomizer for atomizing a fluid being supplied into a conduit for the fluid to be heated in a plate type heat exchanger. To produce the evaporator, a metal plate is bent in a U shape, a heat exchanger module unit is produced by connecting a flow blocking member to one end of the U-shaped plate; a first interval maintaining member is attached to an outside surface of each of the plates; a second interval maintaining member is attached to an outside surface of each of the plates; and a plurality of said heat exchanger modules is arranged in a piled parallel relationship, with the first and second interval maintaining members maintaining a predetermined interval between the plates.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an evaporator, and more particularly to an evaporator for a fuel cell system, whose size is small, weight is low and activating time is short. This invention also relates to a manufacturing process of the evaporator.
2. Description of the Related Art
It Air contamination caused by exhaust gases from automobiles is a critical problem. Electric vehicles have been suggested as a countermeasure for exhaust from automobiles. But electric vehicles have not become commercially viable due to the necessity of frequent charging.
In recent years, automobiles equipped with fuel cells generating electricity by reverse reaction of electrolysis using hydrogen and oxygen are being developed as an environmentally acceptable alternative vehicle, which does not discharge anything except water. A disadvantage of automobiles with this arrangement is that a heavy and bulky hydrogen gas cylinder or hydrogen reservoir made of alloy is required, which is not acceptable in automobiles.
Due to the reasons mentioned above, automobiles equipped with a fuel cell, and using hydrocarbon fuel, are considered to be the most promising environmentally acceptable vehicles. Methanol is the most applicable hydrocarbon fuel being used in fuel cells. A fuel cell of the above mentioned arrangement exhausts less wastes, other than carbon dioxide. The amount of discharged carbon dioxide from such a fuel cell is the same as that of an electric vehicle, taking account of the amount of carbon dioxide discharged when producing electricity at power plants. Introduction of fuel cells using hydrocarbon fuel is thus a countermeasure to global warming.
Aforementioned fuel cell generates electricity using a reformed gas whose principal element is hydrogen derived from steam and methanol (hydrocarbon fuel), and which is reformed using a catalyst (such as a Cu-Zn catalyst). Improving the efficiency of the vaporization of water and methanol improves the efficiency of the fuel cell. Particularly, for use in an automobile, an evaporator is required to be small in size and to evaporate the fuel as completely as possible.
Water and methanol vaporized by the evaporator are used as the fuel of the fuel cell. If the time required to activate the evaporator is shortened, the activating time for the fuel cell is also shortened.
As a prior art technique for evaporating a liquid, a device is shown in a Japan Patent Laid-open Publication H11-63429 (published on Mar. 5, 1999). This shows a water pipe group combustion type boiler in which many water pipes are disposed, and water in the water pipes is vaporized by heating the water pipes with combustion gas. However, this conventional evaporator has disadvantages. It reserves water (fluid to be heated) in water pipes in advance to ensure the resistance of the water pipe against combustion heat. In addition to the thermal capacity of the evaporator, since this structure requires a quantity of heat as latent heat of the fluid to be heated when activating, it takes a relatively long time to activate the evaporator.
A smaller air space in the water pipe, due to the space being occupied with the reserved fluid to be heated, lowers the boiling point in the evaporator of the conventional arrangement. This could cause the problem of incomplete combustion gas due to a halt of the combustion reaction on the surface of the water pipe. To achieve complete combustion, a large fuel space is needed. This further enlarges the size of the evaporator.
To prevent condensation of the vapor in the conduit conveying the vapor, and in equipment which utilizes the vapor such as a reformer converting vaporized fluid into reformed gas, superheated vapor which is heated to a predetermined high temperature higher than the boiling point of the vapor is required. In the conventional evaporator, vapor from the fluid to be heated reserved in the conduit remains saturated (which temperature is lower than superheated vapor). To obtain the superheated vapor, the conventional evaporator requires a superheating device. This enlarges the size of the evaporator.
Shell and tube type conventional evaporators need larger capacity in the heat transfer area for heat exchange. This also enlarges the size of the evaporator.
Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to reduce the size and weight of an evaporator.
It is a further object of this invention to shorten the activating time of the evaporator.
It is yet another object of this invention to provide an improved method for manufacturing the evaporator.
To solve the aforementioned and other problems, the evaporator of this invention includes a plate type heat exchanger comprising a plurality of piled plates defining a first conduit for a fluid to be heated and a second conduit for a heating fluid, the first and second conduits each having an approximately rectangular shaped section and being formed between said plates; and an atomizer mounted to supply the fluid to be heated to the first conduit.
The heat resistance of the heat exchanger is therefore ensured since the atomized fluid to be heated is supplied evenly in the entire interior of the conduit for the fluid to be heated.
The activating time can be shortened because there is no need to heat reserved fluid in liquid phase in the conduit for the fluid to be heated. Atomization of the fluid to be heated improves the thermal efficiency of vaporization because the increase of the surface area of the fluid to be heated facilitates vaporization.
A temperature gradient which distributes the high temperature at the supply side of the heating fluid and the low temperature at the supply side of the fluid to be heated is generated on plate portion due to the supply of the atomized fluid to be heated. This keeps the high temperature of the supply side of the heating fluid, reduces the influence of the reaction halt of the combustion gas, and makes it possible to achieve complete combustion in a smaller combustion space. These factors enable one to minimize the size of the evaporator.
Another aspect of this invention includes a first opening of the conduit for the fluid to be heated located on top surface of a plate type heat exchanger, a second opening of the conduit for the fluid to be heated located on a side portion of the plate type heat exchanger, an atomizer supplying the atomized fluid to be heated to said second opening, a third opening of a conduit for the heating fluid located on the bottom of the plate type heat exchanger, and a fourth opening of the conduit for the heating fluid located on the opposite side of the second opening, for supplying the heating fluid therethrough.
Accordingly, a positive temperature gradient in the vertically upward direction is generated because the fluid to be heated in the plate type heat exchanger is vaporized, high temperature vaporized fluid to be heated moves to the top part of the exchanger and the heating fluid moves to the bottom part of the exchanger. This generates superheated vapor since the vapor of the fluid to be heated is heated in a high temperature atmosphere.
A further aspect of the evaporator of this invention includes a fluid partition wall disposed in the middle of a conduit for the heating fluid for controlling the flow of the heating fluid in the vertical direction. Each plate of the heat exchanger can be heated evenly because the smooth flow of the heating fluid in the conduit separated by the fluid partition wall increases the heat transfer efficiency of the plate. This improves the thermal efficiency of the plate type heat exchanger and minimizes the size of the evaporator.
According to a further aspect of this invention, the plate type heat exchanger comprises a plurality of piled parallel heat exchanger modules, each of said modules comprising a U-shaped metal plate, and a flow blocking member positioned on an inside surface of said U-shape between said plates to block fluid flow at one end of said first conduit; a first interval maintaining member blocking the fluid flow towards top opening of the U-shaped member; and a second interval maintaining member blocking the fluid flow towards the sectional opening of the U-shaped member, the first and second interval maintaining members maintaining a predetermined interval between the piled parallel heat exchanger modules. There is no necessity of welding because of the structure of the plate formed by bending a metal plate, which makes the manufacturing process easier, reduces cost, minimizes the risk of leakage of fluid and gains heat resistance compared to the conventional plate type using two flat plates and a member maintaining the space with a predetermined interval between said two plates.
Another aspect of this invention includes an L-shaped member which includes the first interval maintaining member and the second interval maintaining member formed in one piece therewith, the first interval maintaining member blocking the fluid flow towards the opening of the top surface of the plate type heat exchanger and the second interval maintaining member blocking the fluid flow towards the opening of U shape on the side portion of the plate type heat exchanger. The structure of the interval maintaining members formed in one piece enables one to reduce the cost of manufacturing the interval maintaining members and to avoid leaks.
Still another aspect of this invention includes a metal plate being bent in a U shape, the first interval maintaining member blocking the fluid flow towards the opening of the top of the plate type heat exchanger as well as maintaining the predetermined interval between each plate, and the second interval maintaining member blocking the fluid flow towards the sectional opening of U shape on the side portion of the plate type heat exchanger and maintaining the space between each plate. Thus there is no necessity of welding because of the structure of this plate formed by a bent metal plate, which makes the manufacturing process easier, reduces the cost, minimizes the risk of leakage, and gains heat resistance compared to conventional plate type using two flat plates and a member supporting the space with a predetermined interval between the two plates.

Evaporator and method for manufacturing same


A film is formed under vacuum by a step of purifying and/or flattening the base material (13) by irradiating the base material (13) with a gas cluster ion beam (4a); by a step of forming an intermediate layer film by evaporating/vaporizing an intermediate layer film forming material, allowing the evaporated/vaporized material to adhere to the surface of the base material (13), and irradiating the intermediate layer film forming material with a gas cluster ion beam (4a); and by evaporating/vaporizing a carbon film forming material containing a carbonaceous material containing substantially no hydrogen, and a boron material, allowing the evaporated/vaporized material to adhere to the surface of the intermediate layer film, and irradiating the carbon film forming material with a gas cluster ion beam (4a).

In recent years, conductive diamond-like carbon (DLC) has been used for probes for measuring electric properties of semiconductors and various kinds of electronic component materials. Previously used were probes in which a base material made of beryllium copper was plated with gold, but such probes had the following problems.
1) During the measurement of electrical properties of semiconductors or electronic components, the solder on the electrodes thereof is brought into repeated contact with a probe and adheres to the surface of the probe, changing the contact resistance. Consequently, inspection results vary and therefore stable quality cannot be ensured.
2) Abrasion resistance of the base material for probes is insufficient and therefore frequent probe replacement is required. Consequently, frequent gold plating is also required, which results in higher costs, and the time required for probe replacement results in a decreased productivity.
To solve the above problems, conductive DLC was developed, and prevention of solder debris and improvement of abrasion resistance have been pursued (e.g. see Patent Literature 1 and Patent Literature 2).
Solder debris on the surface of probes is mainly associated with the surface free energy of materials thereof. Use of an organic carbon film instead of gold can reduce the surface free energy and as a result reduces the possibility of solder adhesion to the surface of probes.
Meanwhile, it is not easy to achieve both hardness and conductivity. To make a carbon film harder, cubic diamond component in the carbon film needs to be increased. However, carbon containing increased diamond component exhibits insulation. To improve conductivity, graphite component in the carbon film needs to be increased. However, a carbon film containing increased graphite component is extremely soft (since the hardness of graphite is 0.1 GPa or less). Thus, hardness and conductivity are not compatible, and therefore it is not easy to achieve both hardness and conductivity.
Hence, thin films having conductivity and a certain level of hardness due to impurities, such as boron, doped in DLC have been applied in the above technical field (e.g. see Patent Literature 3). Conductive DLC films currently used as coated films of probes have hardness in the range of 9 to 30 GPa and volume resistivity in the range of 1×10−4 to 1×102 Ω·cm.
However, due to miniaturization of components and increase in the speed of production lines in the process of manufacturing semiconductors and electronic components, DLC films are currently required to have the following properties: 1) higher hardness (abrasion resistance) and not higher volume resistivity than those of existing conductive DLC films; and 2) stability in terms of volume resistivity and hardness even in a high temperature range around 200° C.

Conductive hard carbon film and method for forming the same


A circuit for managing voltage swings across FETs comprising a reference precision resistor, a first FET and a second FET, wherein a gate of the first FET is tied to a gate of the second FET, wherein a drain to source resistance of the second FET is substantially equal to or is a multiple of a resistance of the reference precision resistor, and wherein a gate voltage of the second FET is applied to a gate of the first FET to set a bias point of the first FET, and a third FET cascoded to the first FET, wherein a source of the first FET is coupled to the drain of the third FET to extend a voltage range in which respective gate voltages of the first FET and the third FET maintain a linear relationship with respective drain to source voltages of the first FET and the third FET.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to integrated circuits, and in particular to actively biasing field effect transistors in a loop filter in an integrated phase lock loop circuit to form precision integrated resistors having a reduced area and improved high frequency capability and for managing voltage swings across field effect transistors in the circuit.
2. Description of the Related Art
An integrated circuit is a collection of electronic components fabricated within a semiconductor device or chip. One such electronic component is a resistor. A resistor limits or regulates the flow of electrical current in an electronic circuit under specified conditions. Integrated resistors in digital complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) processes often have tight tolerances in their resistance characteristics, which are extremely important for analog and input/output (I/O) circuits. To provide stability in these circuits, precision resistors are required to have a small variation in resistance values, such that the resistor does not operate beyond an allowed temperature range.
Another electronic component in an integrated circuit is a transistor. A transistor regulates current or voltage flow and acts as a switch or gate for electronic signals. One common type of transistor is a field effect transistor (FET). FETs in digital complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) processes typically have looser tolerances in their characteristics (e.g., ˜30-40% Ieff variation, temperature coefficient of delay effects of 1000's ppm/deg C.) than precision resistors (e.g., ˜5-15% resistivity, temperature coefficient of resistance of 100's ppm/deg C.).
FIG. 1 illustrates an example of an equivalent circuit for an integrated precision resistor. Precision resistor circuit 100 comprises two resistors R1 102 and R2 104, and three capacitors C1 106, C2 108, and C3 110. Conventional precision resistors such as contained in precision resistor circuit 100 often have undesirable characteristics. These characteristics include large area dimensions (meaning that the resistor takes up a large area of the chip) and high capacitance, both of which limit a precision resistor's usefulness for circuits requiring very large resistor values, large numbers of resistors, or high frequency response. Precision resistors also require additional mask steps beyond those required for FETs, thereby adding complexity and cost for applications that require on-chip resistors. In contrast, FETs have the advantage of being extremely small and therefore have very good properties for high frequency operation. However, the variability in the FET behavior due to process technology generally restricts FETs from precision analog applications.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Method and system for managing voltage swings across field effect transistors


A method for upgrading an-optical communications system in which the system comprises a plurality of nodes linked by one or more optical paths. Each path for the communication of traffic includes a single optical channel. Each node comprises add/drop multiplexers (ADM) for adding and dropping signals in electrical form, and conversion circuitry for converting between electrical and optical form signals output by the ADM for transmission via a first one of the optical paths, and for converting signals received via a second one of the optical paths for input to the ADM. The method comprises the steps of installing optical demultiplexers for selecting signals received via the second one of the optical paths according to wavelength for input to the ADM; installing circuitry for converting the signals output by the ADM into a first stable narrow wavelength band optical signal; and installing optical multiplexers for guiding the first signal into the first optical path to allow one or more further stable narrow wavelength band optical signals having different wavelengths from the first signal to be added and combined with the first signal into the first optical path.

The present invention relates to the field of optical communications systems and in particular to a method for upgrading such systems.
Optical communications systems are a substantial and fast-growing constituent of communications networks. The expression xe2x80x9coptical communications systemxe2x80x9d, as used herein, relates to any system which uses optical signals to convey information across an optical medium. Such optical systems include, but are not limited to, telecommunications systems and local, metropolitan and wide area networks (LANs, MANs and WANs). Optical systems are described in Gowar, Ed. Optical Communications Systems, (Prentice Hall, N.Y.). Currently, the majority of optical communication systems are configured to carry only a single optical channel. In order to signal over this optical channel, a suitably modulated laser is used that emits light in a spectrum the center wavelength of which is not precisely defined (so-called xe2x80x9cgreyxe2x80x9d light). As a result the channel is allocated a relatively broad spectral band. The optical guide is specified to have a sufficiently low attenuation over this relatively broad spectral band to ensure acceptable signal to noise at the receiver. Here xe2x80x9coptical guidexe2x80x9d is used to describe any suitable optical transmission medium, including optical fibres and optical waveguides.
There is a need to access at nodes of the communications system, which may be comprised of, for example, rings, interconnected rings or meshes, the information carried in such optical guides so that individual messages may be routed to the correct destinations. To this end each node will contain switching circuitry. An economical form of switching circuitry for such nodes is the add-drop multiplexer (ADM). An ADM provides low cost access to all or part of the time division multiplexed (TDM) traffic forming a data stream passing along a communications link, such as an optical guide. The traffic passing through the ADM does so via xe2x80x9cline portsxe2x80x9d connecting to the bearer. Data or messages passing along the telecommunications bearer are selectively time division demultiplexed by switching circuitry in the ADM and the selected messages or message parts are passed via so-called tributary ports to their destination. Similarly, data or messages for adding to the telecommunications bearer are fed to the ADM via the tributary ports and are time division multiplexed into the message stream by the ADM switching circuitry. This switching and multiplexing function is performed in the electrical domain. In order to interface to an optical communications link, the nodes include optical to electrical converters (i.e. photo-detectors) and electrical to optical converters (i.e. laser signal generators).
The continuing and rapid increase in the amount of data traffic carried by telecommunications operators has led to an increasing need to improve the data carrying ability of existing networks. A conventional TDM communications system may be upgraded purely by increasing the TDM data rate of components of the link. This may call for the electronics equipments to be modified but permits the installed fibre link to be retained and used, thereby saving costs of additional fibre installation (which may be considerable). Current technology imposes strict limits on the gains available from increasing the TDM data rate due to optical sensitivity limitations in the receiver, safety limits to protect, e.g., maintenance workers, which restrict the amount of launch power which can be used, chromatic dispersion causing xe2x80x9ceye-closurexe2x80x9d in the digital signal at the receiver and other propagation impairments which depend upon TDM signaling rate.
The optical communications link. typically comprises optical fibre. The capacity of a dual fibre line system (in which one fibre is used to carry traffic in each direction) can be increased by introducing xe2x80x98single fibre workingxe2x80x99 into each of the fibres. Conventionally traffic flows in the fibre in one direction only. By introducing a directional optical coupler e.g. a fused twisted optical fibre pair coupler, at each end of a fibre, signalling may be effected in both directions on the one fibre. Thus the traffic previously passing on two fibres can be compressed onto one fibre and the second fibre then used as a separate line. This system is impaired by back scattering at the launch components and in the fibre itself and by beating between the signals from the two transmitter lasers (one at each end) and can be improved by selecting lasers with disparate wavelengths. Improved performance also accrues if the signalling wavelengths are chosen such that the receivers can be designed to be insensitive to the xe2x80x98otherxe2x80x99 wavelength. This latter procedure was the start of using wavelength selection towards capacity upgrade of fibre systems which has led on to wavelength division multiplexing discussed below.
The capacity of a single fibre line system can be increased by means of wavelength division multiplexing. In a wavelength division multiplexed (WDM) system there is a plurality of optical signals each signal having a spectrum whose center wavelength is constrained within a narrow spectral band, the acceptable pass band of the fibre being divided up into a multiplicity of such narrow spectral bands. By upgrading a single channel system to a two-channel WDM system i.e. replacing the single xe2x80x9cgreyxe2x80x9d channel with two narrow band channels its capacity may be increased. Whilst the TDM up-grade potential is strictly limited, the use of multi-channel WDM has a much greater potential for increased data rates with 8, 16, 32 and more channel WDM systems being proposed.
However, replacing a single channel photonic system with a WDM system supporting many different channels requires the replacement of a considerable amount of equipment at each node with new WDM equipment. This is expensive and may involve considerable over-provision of capacity bearing in mind that a doubling of capacity is often all that is required of a particular upgrade. There is therefore a need for a method for incrementally upgrading the traffic handling capacity of an optical communications system.
The present invention provides a method for upgrading an optical communications system; in which the system comprises a plurality of nodes of which two are linked by a single optical path for the communication, from the node at a first end of the optical path to the node at the other end of the optical path, of traffic comprising a single optical channel; in which each node comprises add/drop multiplex (ADM) means for adding and dropping signals in electrical form, in which the node at the first end of the optical path comprises a single light source for converting from electrical to optical form signals output by the ADM means for transmission via the optical path; and in which the node at the other end of the optical path comprises a photodetector for converting signals received via the optical path for input to the ADM means; the method including the steps of replacing the single light source at the first end of the optical path with a plurality of stable narrowband light sources having mutually different wavelengths, installing at the first end of the optical path optical multiplex means for multiplexing the outputs of the plurality of stable narrowhand light sources into the optical path; replacing the single photodetector at the other end of the optical path with a plurality; installing at the other end of the optical path optical demultiplex means for demultiplexing a like plurality of received optical channels, whereby each of the plurality of optical channels is converted to electrical signals and applied to ADM means.
The present invention also provides a method for upgrading an optical communications system; in which the system comprises a plurality of nodes linked by one or more optical paths, each path for the communication of traffic comprising a single optical channel; in which each node comprises add/drop multiplex (ADM) means for adding and dropping signals in electrical form, and conversion means for converting between electrical and optical form signals output by the ADM means for transmission via a first one of the optical paths; and for converting signals received via a second one of the optical paths for input to the ADM means; the method comprising the steps of installing optical demultiplex means for selecting signals received via the second one of the optical paths according to wavelength for input to the ADM means; installing means for converting the signals output by the ADM means into a first stable narrow wavelength band optical signal; and installing optical multiplex means for guiding the first signal into the first optical path and comprising means for allowing one or more further stable narrow wavelength band optical signals having different wavelengths from the first signal to be added and combined with the first signal into the first optical path.
According to a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a method comprising switching individual time division multiplexed messages between wavelength multiplexed channels of the optical communications system, comprising the steps of arranging switch means comprising a plurality of add drop multiplex (ADM) means, one per wavelength multiplex channel; in which each ADM means comprises tributary means, the method comprising the steps of interconnecting the ADMs means via the tributary means.
According to a preferred embodiment the present invention provides a method comprising switching individual time division multiplexed messages between a plurality of streams of time division multiplexed data; in which each stream of time division multiplexed data is comprised in a channel of the wavelength multiplexed optical communications system, the method comprising the steps of providing one or more of the nodes with a plurality of add drop multiplex (ADM) means, one per WDM signal; providing each ADM means with tributary means and interconnecting the ADM means via the tributary means.

Upgrading optical communications systems without traffic interruption


Polymeric reaction products derived from a substituted aminosiloxane and a fluorosubstituted alkyl ester of an ethylenically carboxylic acid are disclosed. The polymeric reaction products are suitable for application to substrates such as textiles, particularly fabrics, to impart oil repellent properties to textiles.

Fluorocarbon polymers are extensively used in the textile industry to impart oleophobicity/oil repellency to a fabric. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,247,008 describes finishing agents for textiles, leather, paper and mineral substrates which are aqueous dispersions of a copolymer of a perfluoroalkyl acrylate or methacrylate, an alkyl acrylate or methacrylate and an aminoalkyl acrylate or methacrylate.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,068,295 describes a water and oil repellent comprising a copolymer of a perfluoroalkyl acrylate or methacrylate, a polyorganosiloxane containing a vinyl group and a vinyl monomer containing an isocyanate or blocked isocyanate group.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,582,620 and 5,883,185 describe a treating composition for textiles to render them water and oil repellent obtained by cohydrolysis and condensation of (A) a fluorinated alkyl-bearing alkoxysilane, (B) an amino-bearing alkoxysilane, and (C) an alkoxysilyl-bearing polyorganosiloxane.
U.S. Pat No. 5,536,304 describes application of a blend of a succinic anhydride-terminated polydimethylsiloxane and a poly(fluoroalkyl methacrylate) to cotton to give a fabric with oil repellency.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,472,019 describes treating a textile with a water- and oil-repellent agent comprising a fluorine-containing polymer and a sulphated fatty acid compound and WO 2004/069935 and WO 2004/069955 describe a fluorine containing polymer delivered as an aqueous dispersion for textile treatment.
One of the major disadvantages of topical finishes prepared with fluorocarbon polymers is that they impart a harsh feel to the fabric surface. There is a need for textile treatment agents which impart oleophobicity and oil repellency to fabrics without imparting a harsh feel to the fabric surface, and preferably whilst at the same time imparting an improvement in feel compared to untreated fabric.

Substituted aminosiloxanes and polymeric products


A communication apparatus receives a use request to use a function of the communication apparatus from an external device via a communication unit. When the use request is received, the communication apparatus acquires a first identifier for identifying the external device as a request source which requests the use of the function. Based on the acquired first identifier and a second identifier for identifying an external device which requests power supply by a power transmission unit, the communication apparatus determines whether to cause the power transmission unit to transmit power to the external device. If it is determined to transmit power, the communication apparatus transmits, via the power transmission unit, power to the external device which requests power supply.

Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a communication technique of communicating with an external device.
Description of the Related Art
A personal communication terminal apparatus is known to perform short distance wireless communication in addition to communication via a communication network. A partner communication apparatus of short distance wireless communication is, for example, a personal communication terminal apparatus or an MFP (Multi Function Printer), which is known to transmit and receive image data and the like.
Since the personal communication terminal apparatus operates with power accumulated in a battery, it may be powered off during communication. This tendency is strong when, for example, the personal communication terminal apparatus transmits and receives a large amount of data to and from an MFP.
To implement efficient communication in consideration of the communication speed and power consumption, it is known to perform short distance wireless communication using two types of communication methods. This technique is called handover in which information necessary for the second short distance wireless communication method of a communication target apparatus is transmitted and received by the first short distance wireless communication method with low power consumption, thereby performing high-speed communication by the second short distance wireless communication method using the information. The first short distance wireless communication method is, for example, NFC (Near Field Communication), and the second short distance wireless communication method is, for example, Bluetooth® or wireless LAN.
In recent years, wireless power exchange is coming into practical use. In one example, the international standard Qi for wireless charging has been stipulated by Wireless Power Consortium (WPC) (http://www.wirelesspowerconsortium.com/jp).
As a technique of communicating print data from a terminal apparatus to a printing apparatus while wirelessly supplying power from the printing apparatus to the terminal apparatus, there is known a technique of specifying, as a communication partner, the printing apparatus serving as a power supply source, and wirelessly transmitting captured image data using the ID of the specified printing apparatus (see Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2006-229583).
In a method disclosed by Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2006-229583, however, power is supplied prior to printing, and thus the charging function of the printing apparatus is occupied by the terminal apparatus which is being charged.
As a result, if a first terminal having a lower priority level (requiring only charging) with respect to the printing apparatus is connected to the printing apparatus, a second terminal having a higher priority level (requiring transmission of captured image data to a printer dock) cannot receive power. It is, therefore, impossible to avoid a risk that the battery of the second terminal runs out.

Communication apparatus, control method therefor, and computer-readable storage medium


Methods and systems for evaluating the capability of a measurement system to track measurement parameters through a given process window are presented herein. Performance evaluations include random perturbations, systematic perturbations, or both to effectively characterize the impact of model errors, metrology system imperfections, and calibration errors, among others. In some examples, metrology target parameters are predetermined as part of a Design of Experiments (DOE). Estimated values of the metrology target parameters are compared to the known DOE parameter values to determine the tracking capability of the particular measurement. In some examples, the measurement model is parameterized by principal components to reduce the number of degrees of freedom of the measurement model. In addition, exemplary methods and systems for optimizing the measurement capability of semiconductor metrology systems for metrology applications subject to process variations are presented.

Semiconductor devices such as logic and memory devices are typically fabricated by a sequence of processing steps applied to a specimen. The various features and multiple structural levels of the semiconductor devices are formed by these processing steps. For example, lithography among others is one semiconductor fabrication process that involves generating a pattern on a semiconductor wafer. Additional examples of semiconductor fabrication processes include, but are not limited to, chemical-mechanical polishing, etch, deposition, and ion implantation. Multiple semiconductor devices may be fabricated on a single semiconductor wafer and then separated into individual semiconductor devices.
Metrology processes are used at various steps during a semiconductor manufacturing process to detect defects on wafers to promote higher yield. Optical metrology techniques offer the potential for high throughput without the risk of sample destruction. A number of optical metrology based techniques including scatterometry and reflectometry implementations and associated analysis algorithms are commonly used to characterize critical dimensions, film thicknesses, composition and other parameters of nanoscale structures.
Traditionally, optical metrology is performed on targets consisting of thin films and/or repeated periodic structures. During device fabrication, these films and periodic structures typically represent the actual device geometry and material structure or an intermediate design. As devices (e.g., logic and memory devices) move toward smaller nanometer-scale dimensions, characterization becomes more difficult. Devices incorporating complex three-dimensional geometry and materials with diverse physical properties contribute to characterization difficulty.
For example, modern memory structures are often high-aspect ratio, three-dimensional structures that make it difficult for optical radiation to penetrate to the bottom layers. In addition, the increasing number of parameters required to characterize complex structures (e.g., FinFETs), leads to increasing parameter correlation. As a result, the measurement model parameters characterizing the target often cannot be reliably decoupled.
In response to these challenges, more complex optical tools and signal processing computer algorithms have been developed. Measurements are performed over large ranges of several machine parameters (e.g., wavelength, azimuth and angle of incidence, etc.), and often simultaneously. As a result, the measurement time, computation time, and the overall time to generate reliable results, including measurement recipes, increases significantly.
In general, optical metrology techniques applicable to semiconductor structures are indirect methods of measuring physical properties of a metrology target. In most cases, the measured signals cannot be used to directly determine the physical properties of interest. Traditionally, the measurement process consists of formulating a metrology-based target model that attempts to predict the measured signals based on a model of the interaction of the measurement target with the particular metrology system. The metrology-based target model includes a parameterization of the structure in terms of the physical properties of the measurement target of interest (e.g., film thicknesses, critical dimensions, refractive indices, grating pitch, etc.). In addition, the metrology-based target model includes a parameterization of the measurement tool itself (e.g., wavelengths, angles of incidence, polarization angles, etc.).
System parameters are parameters used to characterize the metrology tool itself. Exemplary system parameters include angle of incidence (AOI), analyzer angle (A0), polarizer angle (P0), illumination wavelength, numerical aperture (NA), etc. Target parameters are parameters used to characterize the geometric and material properties of the metrology target. For a thin film specimen, exemplary target parameters include refractive index (or dielectric function tensor), nominal layer thickness of all layers, layer sequence, etc.
Traditionally, a metrology target is provided by a semiconductor device manufacturer. A metrology-based target model is constructed to simulate the geometry and materials of the metrology target and the interaction of the metrology target with one or more metrology systems, or subsystems. A measurement recipe is developed based on an analysis of simulated measurement signals derived from one or more metrology-based target models, each representative of an interaction between the metrology target and a candidate metrology system, or subsystem (e.g., spectroscopic ellipsometers, etc.).
Traditionally, the formulation of the measurement recipe is guided by a sensitivity analysis of the simulated measurement signals. Some examples include an analysis of the derivatives of the simulated measurement signals (e.g., optical signals such as reflectivity) with respect to the target parameters of interest, analysis of parameter correlations, and a prediction of measurement precision in the presence of random temporal noise. The most common approach to assess and optimize metrology systems is based on a 1st order perturbation approach. In this approach, normally distributed random noise affecting the measured signal is translated into an uncertainty of the parameters measured by the metrology system. The estimated parameter uncertainty resulting from the random noise (i.e., measurement parameter precision) is typically used as the main figure of merit for metrology system performance and recipe optimization. This estimate of measurement system precision is typically expressed as a three-sigma value (i.e., a value that is three times the standard deviation of the estimated distribution of parameter values). Optimization and development of a measurement recipe is typically targeted toward improving the expected measurement precision. Some examples are described by J. Ferns et al., in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2012/0022836, "Method for Automated Determination of an Optimally Parameterized Scatterometry Model," the subject matter of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Other examples are described by R. Silver et al., in "Fundamental Limits of Optical Critical Dimension Metrology: A Simulation Study," published in the Proc. of SPIE, Vol. 6518, 65180U, (2007), the subject matter of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
However, the emphasis on measurement precision as the main figure of merit for optimization limits the effectiveness of the resulting measurement recipe. Recent improvements in light sources, detectors, and stability of metrology components have enabled measurements with a high level of precision (i.e., low three-sigma values), but the ability to track variations of measured parameters through a process window remains elusive.
Reliance on first order analyses of random temporal noise perturbations (e.g., multi-dimensional Taylor series expansions to first order) results in reasonably accurate predictions in a measurement scenario where measurement signal perturbations (random or systematic) are small compared to measurement signal variation due to changes in the measured parameters induced by the manufacturing process. But, if the actual measurement scenario does not comport with this assumption, a first order perturbation analysis may produce erroneous performance predictions. This may occur, for example, in a measurement scenario with low sensitivity and large perturbations, or when multiple perturbations affect the system simultaneously. As a result, a measurement recipe optimized for precision based on a first order perturbation analysis may lead to a metrology tool that reports inaccurate results with seemingly satisfactory precision. This is often evidenced by comparing results of model-based optical measurements and measurements from a trusted reference measurement system such as transmission electron microscope (TEM).
Future metrology applications present challenges for metrology due to increasingly small resolution requirements, multi-parameter correlation, increasingly complex geometric structures, and increasing use of opaque materials. It is becoming more important to track process-induced parameter variations, such as CD or film thickness variations, and the lack of parameter tracking capability is a serious challenge. Thus, methods and systems for improved measurements are desired.

Metrology system optimization for parameter tracking


A recombinant plasmid useful for the production of large-insert, stably maintained, episomes in mammalian cells is disclosed, along with cells, DNA libraries, and methods of using the same. The plasmid comprises a lymphotrophic herpes virus segment (e.g., an Epstein-Barr virus segment) containing an origin of plasmid replication (oriP) and a heterologous insert segment linked to the lymphotrophic herpes virus segment. The heterologous insert segment has a length of at least 100 kilobases. In a preferred embodiment, the lymphotrophic herpes virus segment is capable of producing infectious virions in a suitable host cell, and the lymphotrophic herpes virus segment has regions deleted so that the recombinant plasmid retains the capability of producing infectious virions in the host.

The characterization of the structure of human chromosomes and elucidation of their various encoded activities are major interests of modern biology and medicine. The past decade and a half in molecular biology has been a time of "hit-and-run" approach for cloning, sequencing, and analyzing individual genes of specific interest. However, there is a need for an overall and comprehensive approach to the study of human chromosomes. For example, of the estimated 100,000 human genes, only some 3,000 are represented as sequenced genes, mapped markers, cloned fragile sites, and neoplastic breakpoints. V. McKusick, N. Eng. J. Med. 320: 910-915 (1989). Much less is known about chromosomal regions with other basic functions such as DNA replication, chromatin packaging, and chromosomal segregation. Thus, for progress in human physiology and pathology, it would be extremely valuable to have a complete physical map and nucleotide sequence of the human genome.
The recent construction of a detailed linkage map of the human genome in size of 1-10 megabases is an important first step for the localization of genes and other functional chromosomal regions. H. Donis-Keller et al., Cell 51: 319-317 (1987). To increase the resolution of such a map in a range suitable for rapid cloning and sequencing, an average spacing of 100 Kb has been estimated, which required the mapping of 30,000 linearly ordered human DNA clones. M. Olson et al., Science 245: 1434-1435 (1989). To construct such a physical map with 100 Kb resolution, new mapping approaches such as the Sequence-Tagged-Sites (STS) and Repetitive-Sequence-Fingerprinting based mapping methodologies (RSF) are being developed to allow computer-mediated storage and retrieval of specific and unique human sequences. See M. Olsen et al., supra; R. Stallings et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 87: 6218-6222 (1990). However, with respect to the 100 Kb resolution that will be required for such a map with good practical coverage, a key problem is finding a vector with suitable capacity.
Common cloning systems allow human DNA inserts to be propagated in bacteria or yeast. A problem with the bacterial cosmid system, however, is that it only has limited cloning capacity (about 40 Kb). Two newly developed prokaryotic vectors, the P1 cloning system and the mini-F based plasmid vector, provide the opportunity to propagate larger DNA fragments in bacteria. See N. Sternberg et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 87: 103-107 (1990); M. O'Connor et al., Science 244: 1307-1313 (1989). The P1 cloning system can clone up to 100 Kb DNA and the mini-F based plasmid vector has the potential for cloning 136 Kb DNA. Yeast artificial chromosome (YAC) has capacity for carrying exogenous DNA fragments in the megabase range. D. Burke et al., Science 236: 806-812 (1987). A problem with these systems is that human genomic DNA propagated in heterologous organisms such as bacteria or yeast can be subjected to sequence reorganization, particularly if carrying highly repetitive sequences such as SINEs, LINEs or VNTRs. Furthermore, human genetic imprinting such as 5-methylcytosine will not be maintained faithfully in these single cell organisms.
Accordingly, there is a need for a cloning system which accomodates large size inserts, and which can be used in mammalian, particularly human, cells. The present invention is based on continuing research into solutions to this problem.

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill


Polyether polymers, such as polyetherimides, are prepared by the reaction of a dihydroxy-substituted aromatic hydrocarbon alkali metal salt, such as bisphenol A disodium salt, with a bis(N-(chlorophthalimido))aromatic compound, such as 1,3- and/or 1,4-bis(N-(4-chlorophthalimido))benzene, in a solvent such as o-dichlorobenzene and in the presence of a phase transfer catalyst such as a hexaalkylguanidinium chloride. Several embodiments may be employed to improve the method. They comprise employing substantially dry reagents, employing a high solids level in solvent, beginning with an excess of bis(N-(chlorophthalimido))-aromatic compound and incrementally adding alkali metal salt, employing alkali metal salt of small particle size, and using reagents of high purity.

This invention relates to the preparation of polyether polymers and more particularly to an improved method for such preparation in a phase transfer catalyzed reaction. In a particular embodiment the invention relates to the preparation of polyetherimides in a phase transfer catalyzed reaction.
Polyetherimides have become an important genus of engineering resins because of their excellent properties. Conventionally, they have been prepared by the reaction of an aromatic diamine with an aromatic dianhydride. This method, however, has a disadvantage in that it requires many steps for preparation of the dianhydride, including, for example, the conversion of phthalic anhydride to an N-alkylimide, nitration of said N-alkylimide, displacement of the nitro group with an alkali metal salt of a dihydroxy-substituted aromatic hydrocarbon and an exchange reaction with phthalic anhydride to afford the dianhydride.
It has also long been known to prepare polyetherimides by a displacement reaction of an alkali metal salt of a dihydroxy-substituted aromatic hydrocarbon with an aromatic bis(substituted phthalimide). As originally developed, this reaction required the use of expensive dipolar aprotic solvents and the product tended to develop color and be contaminated with various by-products.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,229,482 discloses a displacement method for the preparation of polyetherimides from bis(chlorophthalimides) using a solvent of low polarity such as o-dichlorobenzene, in the presence of a thermally stable phase transfer catalyst such as a hexaalkylguanidinium halide. U.S. Pat. No. 5,830,974 discloses a similar method using a monoalkoxybenzene such as anisole as solvent. These methods made it possible, for the first time, to envision the commercial production of polyetherimides by the displacement method.
Nevertheless, several problems remain to be solved for the optimum development of the displacement reaction for polyetherimide preparation. First, there has been no method for control of molecular weight of the product, other than limiting reaction time. Second, the amount of phase transfer catalyst required for polyetherimide preparation in substantial yield is high, typically on the order of 5 mole percent based on bis(chlorophthalimide). Third, the product typically contains relatively large proportions, typically 8-10% by weight, of cyclic oligomers. While the preparation and ring-opening polymerization of cyclic polyetherimide oligomers may be a useful alternative to other polymerization methods, the presence of such oligomers as by-products in the linear polymer can adversely affect its properties and increase its polydispersity (Mw/Mn). Fourth, endcapping methods that might minimize problems resulting from the presence of reactive end groups have not been known. Fifth, the effects of such variables as impurity level and stoichiometric imbalance of the reagents have been unknown.
It is of interest, therefore, to continue development of the displacement method of polyetherimide preparation and optimize the same.

Phase transfer catalyzed method for preparation of polyetherimides


Mechanisms are provided to mobilize a web application (e.g., a webpage) to take advantage of a native device capability (e.g., a native device capability of a mobile device). In one example, existing program code in a webpage that performs a first action that uses functionality of desktop software is identified and replaced with replacement program code that performs a second action that uses native device capability of a mobile device.

The present disclosure relates generally to the field of mobilizing a web application (e.g., a webpage) to take advantage of a native device capability (e.g., a native device capability of a mobile device). In one example, the mobilizing may be implemented by modifying an existing web application (e.g., an existing webpage).

Mobilizing a web application to take advantage of a native device capability


A sheet finishing apparatus includes first and second conveyance devices for conveying a sheet on a sheet conveyance path, a folding roller device for folding the sheet disposed between the first and second conveyance devices, a folded sheet conveyance path for conveying a folded sheet from the folding roller device, and first and second stopper devices. The first and second stopper devices are respectively disposed downstream and upstream of the sheet conveyance path relative to the folding roller device. The first stopper device positions and aligns a leading edge of the sheet, and guides the sheet conveyed by the first conveyance device to the folding roller device, and the second stopper device positions and aligns a trailing edge of the sheet, and transfers the sheet reversely by the second conveyance device to the folding roller device.

The present invention relates to a sheet finishing apparatus that creates booklets of sheets formed with images by an image forming apparatus, such as a printer, and then discharges the booklets therefrom, or that folds the sheets twice or three times according to a desired method of filing. The invention also relates to an image forming apparatus equipped with the sheet finishing apparatus.
A sheet processing apparatus, such as the type described above, is generally used as an apparatus for folding sheets discharged from a printing machine or printer, or for conveying the folded sheets to a finishing apparatus for binding. Many of such apparatuses are connected to an image forming apparatus, such as a printer. The apparatuses are widely used as a printing system that can perform continuous operations of processes from printing to booklet-making by discharging sheets after a folding process, or feeding sheets to a finishing apparatus for a binding procedure, such as stapling.
Conventionally, the type of sheet finishing apparatuses described above have a pair of folding rollers in mutual contact in a path for conveying a sheet. The sheet is folded into two by feeding a folding position of the sheet conveyed in the conveyance path nipped between these folding rollers. Still further, the sheet can be folded into three or four by feeding rollers established at a downstream side. When folding a sheet using a pair of folding rollers, it is necessary to accurately calculate the folding position of the sheet. If the sheet folding position is incorrect or skewed, accurate folding is not possible, and the sheet can become wrinkled.
In the prior art, Japanese Patent Publication (JP) 2004-99199 discloses a method of inserting a folding blade at a folding position, while the leading edge of a sheet fed at a conveyance path engages a stopper and is stationary, so as to press the folding position of a sheet into folding rollers. In this method, the sheet is temporarily stopped in the conveyance path, at which point the knife-edge-shaped folding blade presses at a predetermined folding position of the sheet positioned at a stopper. This method for positioning the folding position of a sheet at the folding rollers is comparatively accurate. But, this type of folding process requires additional time because the sheet is temporarily stopped in the conveyance path, and the folding blade must move into a contact position with the folding rollers from a position retracted from the conveyance path.
Also disclosed in JP 2004-99199 is a structure for guiding a sheet with one end folded from the folding rollers into a conveyance path, and for folding the other end of the sheet to form a so-called letter fold at the conveyance path. This structure employs a stopper for engaging an end (i.e., a leading edge) of the sheet in the conveyance path, and two folding rollers for folding the other end of the sheet. With this structure, the leading edge of the sheet folded by a first pair of folding rollers engages the stopper. Then, the trailing edge of the sheet is fed from the first pair of folding rollers into a second pair of folding rollers. That is, the system calculates the folding position by pressing a stationary sheet positioned at a stopper into the first pair of folding rollers using a folding blade, and calculates the folding position by feeding the trailing edge of the sheet to the second pair of folding rollers, while the leading edge is engaged and pressing through a pair of folding rollers.
But, a method that calculates a folding position by engaging a leading edge of a sheet at a stopper requires that the stopper position be moved to adjust both for the sheet length, and for the method of folding the sheet, such as two or three folds.
Japanese Patent Publication (JP) 2003-118932 arranges conveyance rollers separated a distance on a conveyance path, and disposes folding rollers between these rollers in front and behind. Then, while one roller nips and holds the sheet stationary, another roller feeds the sheet into the folding rollers to perform the folding process. To apply a second fold to the sheet, second folding rollers are arranged at a discharge side, and conveyance rollers are arranged at a downstream side of these folding rollers. These conveyance rollers nip and stop a sheet folded by the first folding rollers, and bend to feed the sheet in this state into the second folding rollers. In other words, the first and the second folding rollers are arranged sequentially in the conveyance path. The sheet is fed into the folding rollers while a predetermined position of a leading edge side in a direction of sheet conveyance is nipped and stopped by conveyance rollers, and the sheet is bent. After the folding rollers feed in the sheet, the folding position is formed by reversing the conveyance rollers positioned at a downstream side.
To apply two or three folds to a sheet discharged from an image forming apparatus, such as the apparatus described in JP 2004-99199, a conveyance path normally includes first and second folding rollers. Either a leading edge of the sheet is engaged by a stopper to calculate the folding position, or, as described in JP 2003-118932, forward and reverse driving rollers for nipping a sheet are disposed at a downstream side of first and second folding rollers. The folding position is determined by stopping the rollers.
However, to apply a second or more folds to a sheet, the methods for calculating the folding positions are different, as described below, for the first and the second folding rollers. A method of engaging a leading edge of a sheet at a stopper is used to calculate a folding position for the first folding rollers. In that method, the stopper moves to a prescribed position in the path according to the sheet length. Then, the folding proceeds, such as, for example, applying two or three folds. Compared to the stopper for calculating the folding position of the second folding rollers where one end is already folded, the stopper for calculating the folding position of the first folding rollers must be movable for a longer distance, making the device more complex. At the same time, the distance between the first folding rollers and stopper change according to the sheet size. When a long sheet is supportingly guided by a conveyance guide for a long distance, it becomes unstable, which invites skewing problems in the folding position (i.e., the position fed into the first folding rollers) or wrinkle formation in the sheet.
Conversely, by using conveyance rollers to position a folding position at the first folding rollers, a comparatively stable folding position can be attained regardless of the length of a sheet. However, the following problems occur when positioning a folding position using conveyance rollers and employing the second folding rollers.
In other words, because one end of a sheet guided to the second folding rollers is already folded, the folded sheet is fed in one direction while conveyance rollers nip the sheet. At a predetermined position these rollers stop, and feed the sheet by reversing when the trailing edge of the sheet is being fed into the second folding rollers. For that reason, the pair of rollers drives in a forward and a reverse direction while nipping the folded sheet. When the folding position of the once folded sheet is nipped by the rollers, a double fold occurs, causing wrinkles to be formed in the sheet fold.
Thus, in the prior art, either a stopper is engaged for the folding position of the first or the second folding rollers, or a sheet is controlled by conveyance rollers. Use of these prior art methods can, however, result in the above-described problems.
In view of the aforementioned problems associated with the prior art, a first object of the present invention is to provide a sheet finishing apparatus having both a compact and simple structure, and having a mechanism for accurately positioning a sheet at the first folding rollers when applying two or three folds to a sheet. A related object of the invention is to provide a sheet finishing apparatus that can apply comparatively accurate folds to the sheet with a mechanism for positioning a folded sheet at the second folding rollers, yet without destroying a previous folded position or causing wrinkles in the fold.
A second object of the present invention is to provide a sheet finishing apparatus that can easily calculate a folding position according to folding conditions, such as, for example, sheet folding procedures or sheet length. A related object of the invention is to provide a sheet finishing apparatus in which discrepancies in sheet or conveyance do not affect the folding position.
A third object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus equipped with a sheet finishing apparatus that accurately folds sheets.
Further objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description of the invention and the associated drawings.

Sheet finishing apparatus and image forming apparatus equipped with the same


Apparatuses, methods, and computer readable storage media are provided for autonomously reporting road conditions. The apparatus can be operated by using one or more sensors by a detecting vehicle to detect a road condition. A computer can then identify the road condition using a component and generating a road condition information. The computer can then determine an effect of the road condition on other vehicles and determine a subset of the other vehicles that will be affected by the road condition. The computer can then transmit the road condition information such that the road condition information is receivable by the subset of other vehicles.

Adverse conditions on streets and roads are often observed long before the adverse condition causes an accident or cleaned up. However, an adverse road condition seen from one vehicle is often not conveyed to another vehicle. The advanced safety systems of vehicles largely do not communicate safety information to other vehicles. There is a need in the art for vehicles to automatically inform one another of adverse road conditions. And there is a need in the art for vehicles to automatically inform maintenance vehicles of adverse road conditions so that the road conditions are quickly identified and improved.

Systems and methods for autonomous road condition reporting


An optical system illuminating a surface to be illuminated includes a wavefront splitting type integrator configured to split the wavefront of incident light to form a plurality of light sources on the exit surface side, and an optical element whose surface is polished in a scanning direction using a polishing tool. The optical element is disposed between the wavefront splitting type integrator and the surface to be illuminated, and has a direction indicating portion indicating the scanning direction. The arrangement direction of the plurality of light sources in a plane perpendicular to the optical axis of the optical system is non-parallel to the scanning direction indicated by the direction indicating portion.

Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an optical system illuminating a surface to be illuminated, an exposure apparatus, an imprint apparatus, a method for manufacturing an article, an optical element, and a method for manufacturing an optical system.
Description of the Related Art
In the lithography process of the manufacturing of a semiconductor device, a liquid crystal display apparatus, or the like, an exposure apparatus is used that illuminates a mask (reticle) using an illumination optical system, and projects an image of a pattern of the mask through a projection optical system onto a substrate on which a photosensitive resist layer is formed.
In optical systems of an exposure apparatus, aspherical lenses for correcting various aberrations are used. Although an aspherical surface has a complicated shape, it requires high shape accuracy. So, in aspherical surface processing, a technique is used in which a minute polishing pad is scanned in a predetermined scanning direction while being in contact with the lens surface to polish the surface (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-263408).
However, if a polishing pad is scanned in a predetermined scanning direction to polish the surface of an optical element as in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-263408, linear polishing marks are left on the surface of the optical element along the scanning direction. Light is not easily transmitted through the polishing mark parts. Therefore, if a surface to be illuminated (substrate) is illuminated using an optical element having polishing marks, shadows such that light from the light source is blocked by the polishing marks are projected onto the surface to be illuminated. If, in an optical system of an exposure apparatus, significantly uneven illuminance is caused by shadows cast on the surface to be illuminated, a line width abnormality of the exposure pattern projected onto the substrate can occur. If, for example, linear polishing marks are about 1 mm in width, and uneven illuminance of 0.05% or more is caused by them, a line width abnormality of the exposure pattern can occur.

Optical system illuminating surface to be illuminated, exposure apparatus, imprint apparatus, method for manufacturing article, optical element, and method for manufacturing optical system


A roller for forming heat transfer elements may include a central shaft and a plurality of roller elements. The plurality of roller elements may be stacked on the central shaft. Each roller element defines an outer periphery, which is configured to include a geometrical characteristic thereacross. The stacked roller elements, either stacked on the central shaft or stacked without using the central shaft, configures the roller with a circumferential surface corresponding to the geometrical characteristic of the stacked roller elements, to form the heat transfer elements corresponding to the circumferential surface.

1. Field of Endeavor
The present disclosure relates to heat exchangers, and more particularly to rollers for forming heat transfer elements used in such heat exchangers, for transferring heat.
2. Brief Description of the Related Art
Heat exchangers, such as rotary regenerative air preheaters, include various heat transfer elements stacked therein to transfer heat from a hot gas stream to a cold gas stream. For effective transfer of heat, the heat transfer elements include one or more geometric characteristics, such as undulations, corrugations, notches and flats. Generally, such characteristics are formed by roll pressing metallic sheets or plates between a pair of metallic rollers, which include one or more similar characteristics across its circumference. The characteristics formed on the roll pressed metallic sheet correspond to characteristics across the circumference of press rollers.
The metallic rollers with said characteristics are generally produced by machining the rollers across its circumference. Machining the said characteristics or its various combinations on metallic rollers may be very cumbersome, tedious and time taking job, apart from being uneconomical. Further, such machining of rollers generally also limits the characteristics to current machining technologies and practices and the geometry of uninterrupted characteristics. Moreover, loading and unloading of such metallic rollers on roller pressing machines for forming the heat transfer elements with varying characteristics may also add to its overall tediousness and time.

Roller for forming heat transfer elements of heat exchangers


Procedure for the regeneration of catalysts and adsorbent materials, which comprises the thermal desorption of adsorbed substances, with water in liquid condition, at high temperature or with water in supercritical condition, without oxidizing agents.

The present invention refers to a procedure for the recovery of catalysts and adsorbent materials, such as active carbon, by means of thermal desorption. The active carbon is an adsorbent with a high adsorption capacity versus a great variety of substances, due to which it has numerous industrial applications. During the adsorption process, the retention capacity of the carbon diminishes, until it is converted into a "depleted carbon", The regeneration of depleted carbons is of great economic interest, since it facilitates its recycling. Said regeneration mainly consists in the desorption of adsorbed substances and thus restoring the adsorption power of the carbon.
Numerous carbon regeneration procedures exist, though only a few are used at industrial level. Among these, the following may be mentioned: Thermal, biological; water vapour regeneration; extraction with solvents; extraction with supercritical CO.sub.2 ; and wet oxidation.
In the thermal regeneration, the depleted carbon is subjected to a progressive and controlled heating, passing through successive stages: a) drying (water evaporation at 100.degree. C.); b) thermal desorption (desorption of volatile compounds 100-260.degree. C.): c) pyrolysis and carbonization (pyrolysis and carbonization of non volatile substances 200-650.degree. C.; and b) gasification of the pyrolytic residue at high temperature (650-850.degree. C.9) in the presence of limited quantities of an oxidant, such as water vapour, oxygen, etc. Said procedure is the most used at industrial scale. The main disadvantage resides in the gasification stage, since part of the carbon mass is also eliminated together with the pyrolyzed residue, due to the oxidation of the same.
The biological regeneration uses microorganisms which degrade the adsorbed substances.
In the regeneration with water vapour, the carbon is heated in the presence of water vapour, which acts as oxidant, degrading and destroying the retained compounds.
In the extraction with organic solvents, the carbon is contacted with an appropriate solvent, which dissolves the adsorbed substances.
The extraction with supercritical CO.sub.2, uses CO.sub.2 as solvent, at a temperature and a pressure over that of its critical point (31.1.degree. C. and 72 bar).
In the regeneration by wet oxidation, hot water in liquid condition is used (temperatures and pressure below critical point, 374.degree. C. and 215 bar), to which air is added (oxygen). The hot water and the oxygen dissolve, oxidize and destroy the adsorbed substances. The disadvantage of said method, lies in that the oxygen also oxidizes the carbon, especially if the temperature is high. Over 250.degree. C., the oxidation of the carbon is so rapid, that great losses of carbon are produced during the treatment.


A reactive armor structure is disclosed for protecting a vehicle. A housing ncloses a chamber attached to the vehicle. A reactive armor sandwich with two rigid plates is mounted transversely across the chamber. The reactive armor sandwich is designed so the explosion of an explosive layer in the reactive armor sandwich causes the rigid plates to rotate so as to strike the penetrator.

1. Field of the Invention
In one aspect this invention relates to a reactive armor system useful with armored vehicles. In yet a further aspect, this invention relates to a reactive armor system with an improved defeating mechanism used in the armor to defeat an antiarmor round during incursion.
2. Prior Art
In order to survive, combat vehicles have traditionally employed heavy metallic armor. Such combat vehicles have faced the prospect of increasingly lethal and sophisticated threats. In response it was conventional to provide ever increasing thicker and stronger armor to protect against the ever improving rounds. However, with solid armor increasing protection always has the associated problem of increasing weight. The invention of new types of antiarmor rounds with shaped charges or high density, tough material penetrators, has made the weight gain caused by providing thick enough solid armor prohibitive. In fact some of the modern charges are so efficient that a passive armor is not practical.
To counter act the shaped charges and improved penetrators, a new means of protection was necessary. The solution was to develop a reactive armor which reacts to the threat and disrupts the penetrating threat when it encounters the armor.
Reactive armor provides a solution and an efficient means of protection from modern rounds. Reactive armor is particularly effective considering the degree of protection offered as a function of armor weight.
One example of an armor construction designed to disrupt the thorn of a shaped charge is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,368,660. This patent discloses an armor structure with an inner and outer wrapper surrounding an explosive core. When a shaped charge strikes the armor, the explosive charge will cause the wrapper layers to move away from each other in such a manner that additional wrapper material is brought into engagement with the penetrating thorn. The dense wrapper material continuously contacting the thorn, degrades the thorn and protects the underlying armor.
The reactive armor concept has been further refined by mounting the reactive armor above the base armor to provide better protection. Examples of mounting systems for holding reactive panels in a spaced relationship to underlying armor are shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,867,077 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,741,244. U.S. Pat. No. 4,867,077 discloses an explosive package with explosive material layered between resilient layers of material and further enclosed within the armor material. The package is then mounted on projections attached to the armor so the reactive armor packages are maintained spaced apart from the base armor.
A second mounting structure is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,741,244 where cover members are attached to the surface to be protected with the reactive panels and a reactive panel is mounted on the interior of the cover which holds the reactive panel at a distance from the base armor.
A third reactive armor structure is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,881,448. This patent discloses a structure with metal sheets as the outer layer of a reactive armor structure the core being an incompressible material which causes the outer layers to push outwardly away from each other when hit by an explosive charge.
Although the above description and patents focus on the thorn formed by shaped charge rounds and penetrators, all of the reactive armor plates function by the explosive material causing the metallic outer plates to separate away from each other, the same action will cause the plates to separate when the armor is struck by a solid penetrator. The penetrator will normally strike the armor obliquely and the separation of the plates due to the deformation caused by the explosive will cause the separating plates to strike the penetrator's sides and break up the penetrator; the resulting penetrator fragments are trapped in the conventional armor located behind the reactive plate.
However, modern penetrators are being made of very dense and tough materials requiring over increasing amounts of energy to break up the penetrators. Further the modern penetrators have a relative high length to diameter ratio which further compounds the problem. As the amount of energy required to defeat the threat increases, the amount of reactive energy required in the plates is increased. As a result, the plates themselves become hazardous to persons near by. In fact the greater energy plates can fragment and portions of the plate fly considerable distances from the vehicle when activated. Since infantry personnel are normally close to the armored vehicles for protection, there is greater hazard to them from the better armor.
A second problem with conventional reactive armor is its increasing effectiveness the closer the penetration angle approaches orthogonality. At a ninety degree incursion, conventional reactive armor causes little or no penetrator dislocation. Yet a further problem with conventional armor is that it is often dependent on the ability of the metal in the reactive structure to deform under the force of an explosion caused by penetrator impact. This means ceramics and other nonductile materials are not useful in such reactive armor structures.
The present invention is designed to ameliorate the danger and the problems of the prior art structures. Further the present invention provides a structure which allows the use of nonductile materials as part of the reactive armor sandwich. It is also an object of this invention to provide a reactive armor structure which is highly effective against orthogonally incident penetrators.

The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army