Systems and methods are provided for identifying and rendering content relevant to a user's current mental state and context. In an aspect, a system includes a state component that determines a state of a user during a current session of the user with the media system based on navigation of the media system by the user during the current session, media items provided by the media system that are played for watching by the user during the current session, and a manner via which the user interacts with or reacts to the played media items. In an aspect, the state of the user includes a mood of the user. A selection component then selects a media item provided by the media provider based on the state of the user, and a rendering component effectuates rendering of the media item to the user during the current session.

Various content providers and advertisers often determine content to suggest to a user or advertisements to show to the user during a current session with the content provider based on historical analysis of the user's previous history with the content provider and/or other content providers. For example, when browsing the Internet, some advertisement systems will present the user with advertisements for content the user viewed/accessed in a previous browsing session or content similar to what they viewed or accessed in a previous session. These advertisement systems generally analyze various signals from the user's previous browsing sessions before the user begins a future browsing session to determine advertisement content to show the user in the user's future browsing session. However this advertisement content may not be relevant to the when the user begins the future browsing session for a variety of reasons.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Identifying and rendering content relevant to a user's current mental state and context


A system can include one or more processors and non-transitory computer-readable media storing computing instructions configured to run on the one or more processors and perform a method for automatically processing an online return request. The method performed by the system can receive a refund request from a user computer used by a customer of a grocery store, the refund request for returning a grocery item (a) previously purchased as part of a transaction of the grocery store and (b) paid for by a payment method via the transaction; and process a refund solution based on the transaction and the grocery item. In this system, the method can process the refund solution by determining a returnable status of the grocery item according to one or more returnability rules dynamically generated by a machine learning model. If the returnable status of the grocery item is negative, the method performed by this system can deny the return request. If the returnable status of the grocery item is not negative, the method performed by this system can then proceed with generating a cost-benefit analysis result based on one or more cost-benefit factors associated with the grocery item. If the cost-benefit analysis result is negative, the method performed by this system can process the refund request by returning a return amount to the customer for the grocery item; otherwise, the method can provide to the user computer an authorization for return of the grocery item to a physical location of the grocery store in order for the customer to receive the return amount for the refund request. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Consumers who order online generally prefer to return defected, damaged, or unwanted product online without contacting customer service. Some consumers give up on returning a product because the value of the returned product is not worth the time and effort to return it by talking to customer service, waiting in line for in-store return, or shipping the product back. For example, grocery items are generally inexpensive, and not many consumers would like to make a trip back to a store and wait in line simply to return a bag of candy that is worth less than $3. However, the store that sold the product is not benefited from this because the consumers would blame the store for their loss and switch away to other stores. Therefore, systems and methods for automatically processing a refund request, refunding online without the requirement to return for certain products, and improving the process for in-store return, are desired.
For simplicity and clarity of illustration, the drawing figures illustrate the general manner of construction, and descriptions and details of well-known features and techniques may be omitted to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the present disclosure. Additionally, elements in the drawing figures are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help improve understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. The same reference numerals in different figures denote the same elements.
The terms "first," "second," "third," "fourth," and the like in the description and in the claims, if any, are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a particular sequential or chronological order. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that the embodiments described herein are, for example, capable of operation in sequences other than those illustrated or otherwise described herein. Furthermore, the terms "include," and "have," and any variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, system, article, device, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is not necessarily limited to those elements, but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, system, article, device, or apparatus.
The terms "left," "right," "front," "back," "top," "bottom," "over," "under," and the like in the description and in the claims, if any, are used for descriptive purposes and not necessarily for describing permanent relative positions. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that the embodiments of the apparatus, methods, and/or articles of manufacture described herein are, for example, capable of operation in other orientations than those illustrated or otherwise described herein.
The terms "couple," "coupled," "couples," "coupling," and the like should be broadly understood and refer to connecting two or more elements mechanically and/or otherwise. Two or more electrical elements may be electrically coupled together, but not be mechanically or otherwise coupled together. Coupling may be for any length of time, e.g., permanent or semi-permanent or only for an instant. "Electrical coupling" and the like should be broadly understood and include electrical coupling of all types. The absence of the word "removably," "removable," and the like near the word "coupled," and the like does not mean that the coupling, etc. in question is or is not removable.
As defined herein, two or more elements are "integral" if they are comprised of the same piece of material. As defined herein, two or more elements are "non-integral" if each is comprised of a different piece of material.
As defined herein, "approximately" can, in some embodiments, mean within plus or minus ten percent of the stated value. In other embodiments, "approximately" can mean within plus or minus five percent of the stated value. In further embodiments, "approximately" can mean within plus or minus three percent of the stated value. In yet other embodiments, "approximately" can mean within plus or minus one percent of the stated value.
As defined herein, "real-time" can, in some embodiments, be defined with respect to operations carried out as soon as practically possible upon occurrence of a triggering event. A triggering event can include receipt of data necessary to execute a task or to otherwise process information. Because of delays inherent in transmission and/or in computing speeds, the term "real time" encompasses operations that occur in "near" real time or somewhat delayed from a triggering event. In a number of embodiments, "real time" can mean real time less a time delay for processing (e.g., determining) and/or transmitting data. The particular time delay can vary depending on the type and/or amount of the data, the processing speeds of the hardware, the transmission capability of the communication hardware, the transmission distance, etc. However, in many embodiments, the time delay can be less than approximately one second, five seconds, ten seconds, thirty seconds, one minute, five minutes, ten minutes, or fifteen minutes.

System and method for automatically processing online refund request


A process for safely providing retinal phototherapy includes generating first and second light beams of a different wavelength. The first and second light beams are applied to a retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and choroid of an eye. The amount of light reflected from the eye from the first light beam and the second light beam is measured, such as using a reflectometer. A level or concentration of the melanin within the eye is calculated using the measured amount of light reflected from the eye from the first and second light beams. When the content or density of melanin in the RPE exceeds a predetermined amount, one or more treatment parameters of the retinal phototherapy is adjusted.

The importance of macular pigment to the health of the eye has prompted development and interest in methods for measuring its density or concentration in the retina. Prior systems and methods, however, have either been based upon equipment which is not commonly available, is time consuming, or complicated and expensive.
With reference now to FIG. 1, a diagrammatic view of an eye, generally referred to by the reference number 10, is shown. The eye 10 includes a cornea 12 which is a transparent front part of the eye that covers the iris and pupil 14 which is the variable-size black circular or slit-shaped opening in the center of the iris that regulates the amount of light that enters the eye. The lens 16 is a transparent biconvex structure in the eye that, along with the cornea 12, helps to refract light to be focused on the retina 18. The retina is a thin layer of neural cells that line the back of the eyeball which captures light and transforms it into electrical signals for the brain. It has many blood vessels 20 to nourish it. The fovea and macular region, referred to by the reference number 22, is a portion of the eye used for color vision and fine detail vision. The retinal pigmented epithelium (RPE) 24 is the pigmented cell layer just outside the neurosensory retina 18 that nourishes the retinal visual cells. It is firmly attached to an underlying choroid 26 which is a vascular layer of the eye 10 lined between the retina 18 and the sclera. The choroid 26 provides oxygen and nourishment to the outer layers of the retina 18.
Many diseases of the eye are related to the retina and there have been developed methodologies including photocoagulation and photostimulation of the retina to treat such diseases and conditions. Photocoagulation and photostimulation rely upon heating of the retinal tissue to create their therapeutic effects. Excessive heating can damage or even destroy retinal tissue, which in some treatment methodologies is intentional but in others is avoided. It has been found that abnormal levels of pigmentation, particularly levels or concentrations of melanin within the RPE, can cause unanticipated and excessive heat during such treatments and potentially damage the retinal tissue.
Melanin in the eye has many important functions which are not yet completely understood. Melanin in the eye provides protection to the eye by absorbing harmful ultraviolet radiation. Melanin promotes visual acuity by scattering stray light away from the rods and cones and absorbing light reflected from the back of the eye. Melanin also serves as an antioxidant to aid in the prevention of retinal diseases, such as age-related macular degeneration.
Many of these properties result from the fact that the absorption spectrum of melanin is very broad. In this respect, it is unique among pigments. Many mechanisms have been suggested for this unique behavior. As examples, the broadband absorption has been attributed to chemical heterogeneity, amorphous semiconducting, and scattering. However, it has been shown that scattering losses only account for a few percent of the broadband attenuation. There are also problems with the chemical heterogeneity and amorphous semiconducting hypothesis. Some have proposed polymeric charge hopping. Others have pointed out the importance of hydration and introducing free radicals into melanin. Yet others have suggested that melanin excitons may play a role in its broadband absorption. There does not appear to be universal agreement that any particular explanation can account for all of melanin's electrical and optical properties.
As indicated above, melanin within the eye serves many important functions. The determination of the levels or concentrations of melanin within the eye can be important to ascertain. For example, laser treatments of eye diseases are based on inducing temperature rises in the RPE, which activates the eye's natural repair mechanisms. In the near infrared, this results from the absorption of the infrared radiation by the melanin pigment in the RPE. Considerable melanin also exists in the choroid behind the RPE, but absorption by the choroidal melanin does not play a significant role in raising the temperature of the RPE due to the lack of diffusive heat transfer to the RPE during the relatively short treatment times and due to the convective cooling by the blood vessels in the choroid and the choriocapillaris.
In laser subthreshold damage treatments of eye diseases, the laser treatment is effective as long as the temperature rise does not exceed the order of 10° C. This temperature rise limitation determines the maximum laser energy that can be absorbed by the RPE during the treatment time. A possible concern, however, is that for laser powers that are suitable for most patients, the temperature rise can exceed the threshold for damage if the patient's RPE melanin content or concentration is abnormally too large.
Accordingly, there is a continuing need for a simple and relatively inexpensive process for determining melanin levels or concentrations within the eye, and particularly within the RPE of the eye, so that one or more treatment parameters of the retinal phototherapy treatment can be adjusted as needed to avoid damaging patient's eyes who have an abnormally large content or concentration of melanin in the RPE. The present invention fulfills these needs, and provides other related advantages.

Process for adjusting treatment parameters for retina phototherapy based on RPE melanin levels


The ventilation device according to the invention includes a fan and an inverter. The fan comprises a rotary electrical machine and a wheel for setting an air flow into motion, integral with the rotary machine to set it in rotation. The inverter is connected to the rotary machine and, in one motor power mode of the ventilation device, is suitable for forming the supply current of the rotary machine. The inverter is suitable for being connected to a power supply network. The inverter is reversible and is, in a generating mode of the ventilation device, suitable for converting the electrical energy supplied by the rotary machine when it is driven mechanically by the wheel and injecting said converted electrical energy into the power supply network.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an aircraft ventilation device, of the type comprising:                a fan comprising a rotary electrical machine and a wheel for setting an air flow in motion, integral with the rotary machine for setting in rotation thereof; and        an inverter to which the rotary machine is connected and which, in one motor power mode of the ventilation device, is suitable for forming the feed current from the rotary machine, said inverter being suitable for being connected to a power supply network.
2. Description of the Related Art
Ventilation devices are known equipping various types of aircrafts, and particularly airplanes, serving for cooling, when the aircraft is on the ground, of a heat exchanger situated at a dynamic air intake. The heat exchanger is generally a condenser of a refrigeration cycle of the aircraft.
When the aircraft is in flight, the heat exchanger is cooled by the dynamic air created by the movement of the airplane. Indeed, the airplane being in motion in a substantially immobile mass of air, said air is consequently in motion in the referential of the airplane; this air, in motion in the referential of the airplane but substantially stationary in the ground referential, is therefore called "dynamic air."
On the other hand, when the aircraft is on the ground, the natural convection is not sufficient to cool the heat exchanger satisfactorily. In the absence of a complementary device, the refrigeration cycles of the aircraft may no longer perform their role.
Aircrafts are therefore equipped with ventilation devices that withdraw air outside the aircraft and ensure a sufficient air flow at the heat exchanger to cool it. This cooling is ensured using a forced mechanical convection.
However, current systems are not fully satisfactory. Although the current ventilation devices do serve their purpose well when the aircraft is on the ground, they are useless when the aircraft is in flight.
It would therefore be desirable to find a use for these ventilation devices when the device is in flight.


A device is provided for detecting an object within a monitored area of a machine or installation. The device includes at least one sensor for detecting objects within the monitored area. At least one configuration module is fixedly connected to the machine or the installation. The configuration module includes configuration data for the sensor, wherein the at least one configuration module feeds the sensor with the configuration data upon being connected to the sensor.

1. Field of Invention
The invention relates to a device for detecting objects inside a monitored area.
2. Description of the Related Art
When performing specific monitoring functions, for example monitoring objects or personnel near potentially dangerous machines or installations, objects are detected via a sensor that needs to be parameterized according to the specific machine or installation. In the event the sensor is defective and needs to be replaced with a new one, the new sensor needs to be provided with identical parameter values. In general, this not only requires a considerable amount of time, but also represents a source for errors. Carelessness of an operator in entering the parameter values for the new sensor may lead to system malfunction during the operation of the new sensor.
German Patent Application 198 05 606 A1 discloses a method for configuring sensors, in which the data for configuring an existing sensor are transferred from an old sensor to a new sensor to be configured. In this process, the old sensor is connected in the non-configured state or the configured state to a module which stores the current configuration of the starting sensor as well as a control sum corresponding to the configuration data. The module is subsequently connected to the sensor to be configured, the data stored in the module are read into the sensor to be configured, and a control sum is computed which corresponds to the read-in data. The computed control sum is then compared in the module to the stored control sum and an error message generated if these two control sums do not match.
The aforementioned method has the advantage that configuration data can be transferred completely from one sensor to another sensor, thus considerably facilitating the parameterization of a sensor.
However, the aforementioned method has a disadvantage in that, where multiple sensors are used for multiple machines, the operator who carries out the parameterization of the sensors is responsible for deciding which sensor is associated with which machine. This is often problematic in that the operator may mistakenly parameterize the wrong sensor for a given machine. In particular, this is a disadvantage with applications for which sensors are used for monitoring functions on complex machines and installations.

Device for detecting objects in a monitored area


The present invention relates to a chemical sensor arrangement having an analyte sensitive indicator wherein the analyte sensitive indicator has at least one nanoparticle. The invention further relates to a method for providing nanoparticles of defined and different sizes, especially for a chemical sensor arrangement, wherein a nanoparticle solution, having nanoparticles of a broad size distribution, is applied to chromatography beads, whereby the nanoparticles are adsorbed onto said beads and classified by size, and beads of a specific layer, having nanoparticles of essentially the same size, are separated from the beads within other layers and are held in suspension.

Chemical sensors for both gases and liquid phase gain an increasing importance for the control of chemical processes and environmental issues, for medical purposes and the like. There is a wide variety of chemical sensors available on the market. The chemical sensor devices can be roughly separated as working on the basis of one of two major principles: the first is that electrochemical characteristics are affected by the adsorption of the analyte onto or into a sensitive layer or by combustion of the analyte. According to the second principle, changes in the optical properties are induced by the presence of an analyte. Both changes can be measured by respective detectors.
With respect to sensors working according to the second principle, where also the inventive sensor can be assigned to, sensor arrays are known, where the fluorescence and the optical absorption properties of organic dyes are used for chemical sensing. Such a sensor is for example disclosed in a paper of John J. Lavigne et al. "Solution-Based Analysis of Multiple Analytes by a Aensor Array: Toward the Development of an Electronic Tongue", in Journal of American Chemical Society 1998, 120, 6429–6430. The described sensor allows for the simultaneous identification of multiple analytes in solution. Poly-(ethylene glycol)-poly styrene (PEG-PS) resin beads are positioned in a 3×3 array of wells formed in a Si/SiN-wafer. Signal transduction is accomplished by analysis of the absorption properties of the beads using a CCD-camera, interfaced with the sensor array. The use of CCD-cameras and optical fibers in sensor arrangements is also explained in a paper of P. Pantano and David R. Walt "Analytical Applications of Optical Imaging Fibers" in Analytical Chemistry 1995, 481 A ff.
But, the properties of the chemical sensors according to the state of art using organic dyes have numerous disadvantages: The number of selective indicator dyes for the reversible detection of analyte molecules or ions is limited. Therefore, a broadband application in sensor arrangement is not easily achievable. Further, the organic dyes do not show a stability desired for most chemical sensor arrangements.
It is further known that fluorescence properties of a semiconductor bulk material can be changed and influenced by adsorbing chemicals at a surface. But, the utilisation of semiconductor bulk material as a chemical sensor only shows an insufficient change of optical properties upon exposure to an analyte to be detected.


Herein disclosed is an improved tap assembly including a tap, a delivery tube, and a rotatable cam for selectively compressing or not compressing a resilient flow control portion of the delivery tube in order to block or allow fluid flow therethrough. Also included is a decompression device for positively ensuring unrestricted flow through the resilient flow control portion when the cam is rotated to its opened position. The dispensed fluid may be pressurized by premixing with another fluid supplied by a manifold. The manifold is adapted to be connected to multiple pressurized sources of the another fluid. A diffuser is provided upstream of the flow control portion in order to effectively condition the dispensed fluid to desired characteristics such as reduced velocity, laminar flow, and appearance. The tap and manifold have matable piloting members for easily guiding these components together in correct relation for a snap assembly. The tap assembly may dispense, for example, pressurized liquid beverages such as beer, wine, soft drinks, and the like. The subject invention may also be used to dispense non-pressurized liquids such as intravenously-fed medicine, food or nutrients, and the like.

Beverages, such as beer and soft drinks, are typically pressurized with carbon dioxide gas (CO.sub.2) to improve their taste and appearance. The beverage is then sealed in a container, such as a can or bottle, to maintain the beverage in its carbonated state. Other beverages, such as wine, may be pressurized with an inert gas, such as nitrogen gas (N.sub.2), for displacing air which could eventually spoil such beverages. Prolonged or repeated opening of the container for consumption allows significant amounts of the pressurized gas to escape. The escape of such gas ultimately results in the beverage tasting flat, looking unappealing, and/or spoiling. It is therefore desirable to periodically recharge such beverages with a suitable pressurized gas to extend the useful life of such beverages.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,022,565 issued to Sturman et al. on Jun. 11, 1991, U.S. Pat. No. 5,395,012 issued to Grill et al. on Mar. 7, 1995, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,443,186 issued to Grill on Aug. 22, 1995 show various devices which have been proposed for connecting a single pressurized gas cartridge to a beverage container. Such devices are used for maintaining a selected gas pressure on the beverage at all times and/or for dispensing the beverage when desired.
In the above U.S. '565 and U.S. '186 there is shown a pivotal dispensing lever having a nose portion which selectively squeezes a silicon rubber member or flexible hose. A return spring biases the lever towards its closed position. One disadvantage of this arrangement is that the spring-biased lever tends to limit the size of the hose being squeezed. A larger flow cross-sectional-area of the hose is desirable for preventing excessive foaming of the dispensed beverage. Excessive foaming is undesirable because it increases the time required to fill a beverage glass. However, a heavier (i.e., larger-force) return spring is then required to normally squeeze the larger hose shut. Thus with a larger hose, the user must exert undesirably more physical effort to overcome the heavier return spring to dispense the beverage.
Another disadvantage of this arrangement is that repeated squeezing of the flexible hose by the nose portion may cause the hose to fatigue in that portion. If this happens, that portion of the squeezed hose may set and no longer naturally expand to its fully unrestricted state when the nose portion is withdrawn. Consequently, the resultant kink in the hose either permanently blocks beverage flow or at least acts as a flow restriction formed may cause excessive foaming of the dispensed beverage.
U.S. '565 and U.S. '186 also show that the hose has an increasing cross-sectional area of the flow path therein. This is intended to reduce the velocity of the dispensed beverage to an acceptable level for minimizing excessive foaming. However, the diverging cross-sectional flow area of the hose is positioned within the region where the nose portion of the lever squeezes the hose shut. This undesirably limits the effectiveness of the tapered hose to fully condition the exiting velocity and other important flow characteristics of the beverage to an acceptable level.
The present invention is directed to overcoming one or more of the problems as set forth above.

Tap assembly adapted for a fluid dispenser


Disclosed are example open channel detection techniques at a light emitting diode (LED) driver of an LED system. The LED driver does not enable its LED channels before normal operation so as to inhibit current flow through the LED channels during start-up. While the LED channels are disabled, the LED driver compares the voltages at the LED channel inputs with a predetermined voltage to determine whether an operational LED string of an associated LED panel is connected to the LED channel. In the event that an LED channel is determined to be an “open” channel, the LED driver further disables the LED channel for the following normal operational mode. Otherwise, if the LED channel is determined to be connected to an operational LED string, the LED driver enables the LED channel for the normal operational mode, during which the LED channel can be selectively activated for light output subject to display data for the LED panel.

Light emitting diodes (LEDs) often are used for backlighting sources in liquid crystal displays (LCDs) and other types of displays. In backlighting implementations, the LEDs are arranged in parallel "strings" driven by a shared voltage source, each LED string having a plurality of LEDs connected in series. To provide consistent light output between the LED strings, each LED string typically is driven at a regulated current that is substantially equal among all of the LED strings. The number of LED strings implemented in LED panels can vary between panel types, sizes, and applications. One method for accommodating different uses of different numbers of LED strings is to design and manufacture separate LED drivers for each LED string configuration. This approach results in multiple parts and complicates inventory management. Another conventional approach is to configure the LED driver to use a conventional open channel detection process whereby the output of the voltage source is ramped up to an over-voltage protection level while all of the LED channels are enabled and then attempting to detect missing LED strings based on the operation of the enabled LED channels at the LED driver. This approach, while permitting one LED driver to be implemented for different numbers of LED strings, results in excessive power consumption during the open channel detection process and can lead to thermal shutdown of the LED driver.

Method and device for LED channel managment in LED driver


A semiconductor device and a method of fabricating the same, the semiconductor device includes a hard mask layer and a plurality of spacers. The hard mask layer is disposed on a target layer and has a first material and a second material. The spacers are disposed on the hard mask layer, wherein a first portion of the spacers is disposed on the first material, and a second portion of the spacers is disposed on the second material.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a semiconductor device and a method of forming the same, and more particularly, to a semiconductor device being formed through a sidewall image transference process and a method of forming the same.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In recent years, as the continuous decrease of the sizes of semiconductor devices and the increase of the stacking and integration density of semiconductor devices, the photolithography process approaches physical limitation such that the costs of design, process development, and photomask rise dramatically. Therefore, many traditional process and fabrication method cannot meet the fabrication requirement anymore. In current techniques, in order to achieve sub-lithographic features, an immersion photolithography process in corporation with the argon fluoride (ArF) laser tool is performed for further improve the resolution. In addition, the manufacturer also provides self-aligned double-patterning (SADP) process, also known as sidewall image transfer (SIT) technique, to form required microminiature components.
Generally, the sidewall image transfer process includes firstly forming a plurality of sacrificial patterns on a substrate, wherein the dimension of such sacrificial patterns is substantially greater or equal to the critical dimension of photolithography. Then, spacers are formed on sidewalls of the sacrificial patterns through a deposition and an etching process. Since the dimension of the spacers may be smaller than the critical dimension, patterns of the spacers may be transferred into the substrate by using the spacers as mask to form a smaller fin structure. However, as the size of the semiconductor devices shrink, the electrical and physical requirements in each part of the devices become critical, like the dimensions and shapes of the wiring and the transistor and the spacing therebetween for example. Thus, how to achieve standard requirements and overcome the physical limitations has become an important issue in the industry of the semiconductor.

Method of fabricating semiconductor device


A multi-channel current steering DAC (Digital-to-Analog Converter), for example, a 2-channel current steering DAC, includes a plurality of current sources I1, I2, . . . corresponding to the number of bits of a digital input signal DS in each of channels A, B. Each of the plurality of current sources I1, I2, . . . is formed by two small-current sources (I11, I12), (I21, I22), . . . . In the case where a full-scale current is limited to a small value in any of the channels, one of the two divided current sources is turned off by switches Sa1, Sa2. Accordingly, a full-scale current of each channel can be adjusted with a common bias circuit without degrading the resolution.

Dimensional reduction has been ongoing in a semiconductor process. Unlike a digital circuit block, however, such dimensional reduction in a process does not result in reduction in area of an analog circuit block. Moreover, since an LSI (Large Scale Integrated circuit) has multiple functions, power consumption has been increasing and reduction in power consumption has been a big challenge.
Conventionally, a current steering DAC has a plurality of unit current sources corresponding to the number of bits of a digital input signal, and a bias circuit for generating a bias voltage for adjusting current values of the unit current sources to a prescribed value. When a digital input signal is applied to the current steering DAC, the current steering DAC selects currents to be applied from the plurality of unit current sources to an analog output terminal according to the digital input signal. The current steering DAC then sums the selected currents and outputs the sum from the analog output terminal.
A multi-channel current steering DAC is a current steering DAC for multiple use having a plurality of channels of the same structure. In many of such multi-channel current steering DACs, the bias circuit is shared by the plurality of channels in order to reduce the area.
FIG. 8 shows an example of the structure of a current steering DAC. In FIG. 8, I1, I2, . . . indicate a plurality of current sources, DS indicates a digital input signal, 1 indicates a bias circuit, 3 indicates an analog output terminal, 4 indicates a stabilizing capacitor, and SW1, SW2, . . . indicate switch circuits. Each switch circuit SW1, SW2, . . . switches a current of a corresponding current source I1, I2, . . . between an analog output terminal 3 and the ground according to the value of a digital input signal DS.
This current steering DAC includes a plurality of current sources I1, I2, . . . corresponding to the number of bits of the digital input signal DS. For example, a thermometer-type current steering DAC includes 256 current sources in the case of an 8-bit digital input signal DS and includes 1,024 current sources in the case of a 10-bit digital input signal DS. A binary-type current steering DAC includes eight weighted current sources in the case of an 8-bit digital input signal DS. The switch circuits SW1, . . . are switched according to the value of the digital input signal DS so that a current corresponding to the value of the digital input signal DS flows into the analog output terminal 3 and an analog output is obtained. A stabilizing capacitor 4 for reducing an impact of noise such as crosstalk is connected in an output path of a bias voltage from a bias circuit 1.
The switch circuits SW1, . . . are usually formed by transistors. FIG. 9 shows an example of the switch circuit SW1. In FIG. 9, the digital input signal DS is decoded by a decoder 10 and the decoded digital signal is applied to the gate of one of two Pch transistors P1 and P2 of the switch circuit SW1, that is, to the gate of the Pch transistor P1. The decoded digital signal is applied to the gate of the other Pch transistor P2 through an inverter. In the case where a corresponding value of the decoded digital signal is at "L" level, the Pch transistor P1 is turned on and connects a current of the current source I1 to the analog output terminal 3. In the case where a corresponding value of the inverted decoded digital signal is at "H" level, the other Pch transistor P2 is turned on and a current of the current source I1 is connected to the ground.
FIG. 10 shows the structure of a multi-channel current steering DAC. In the example of FIG. 10, the current steering DAC has two channels A, B. A bias voltage output from the bias circuit 1 is shared for current adjustment of each current source in the two channels A, B.
Conventionally, an example of a method for changing a full-scale current in such a multi-channel current steering DAC is to switch the bias voltage of the bias circuit. A full-scale current is the sum of currents flowing from all the current sources to the analog output terminal. For example, in Patent document 1, a full-scale current is changed by changing a current value of each current source by switching a bias voltage generated by a bias circuit.
Patent document 1: Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 8-274642 (pp. 3-4, FIG. 1)


A writing instrument, includes a writing instrument body, and a tourmaline-containing member containing tourmaline. The tourmaline-containing member is mounted on the writing instrument body such that a surface of the member is exposed.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a writing instrument such as a mechanical pencil, a ball-point pen, or a computer-input pen, and more particularly to a writing instrument whose added value is further improved.
2. Description of the Related Art
Recently, a conventional writing instrument has been frequently used together with a computer system in its operation mode, and thus has been exposed to electromagnetic waves generated by a monitor of the computer system. Therefore, users of such a writing instrument under such a condition have suffered reportedly from asthenopia, stiff shoulder, headache, or giddiness due to exposure to the electromagnetic waves. This is problematic.
Moreover, while various means have been developed to prevent damage due to electromagnetic waves, it has not been considered to implement such means for (or in) a writing instrument.
In view of the foregoing and other problems, drawbacks, and disadvantages of the conventional structures, an object of the present invention is to provide a writing instrument capable of moderating influences due to electromagnetic waves and improving the added value.
In a first aspect of the present invention, a tourmaline-containing member containing tourmaline is mounted on a writing instrument of the present invention so that a surface of the tourmaline-containing member is exposed to the ambient. Tourmaline is also referred to as DENKI-ISHI (e.g., xe2x80x9celectric stonexe2x80x9d) in Japanese that is an ore of a xe2x80x9cpolar crystalxe2x80x9d. When the tourmaline contacts with moisture (e.g., H2O) contained in air, it produces negative ions and is effective for reducing positive ions produced by electromagnetic waves.
Therefore, by mounting a tourmaline-containing member containing tourmaline on a writing instrument, the influence of electromagnetic waves on a user can be moderated.
Moreover, a feeble (small) current flows though the body of the user holding the writing instrument as the tourmaline has natural polarization and provides a stimulus for the user holding a writing instrument. Then, the stimulus is transmitted to the nervous system of the human body to activate metabolism and blood circulation of the user. Furthermore, because the tourmaline produces negative ions, the user may be relaxed.
Furthermore, because the tourmaline has a pyroelectric effect and a piezoelectric effect (and thereby these energies are inverted into far infrared radiation), the user""s body may be warmed.
Hence, because the tourmaline is disposed near the user""s body not only when writing is performed by holding the writing instrument, but also when putting the instrument into the user""s pocket, the tourmaline""s effects can be sufficiently obtained.
The tourmaline-containing member may be formed into any shape. However, when the exposed surface of the tourmaline-containing member is spherically formed, a contact area is increased between the tourmaline-containing member and air even if the tourmaline-containing member has a small-volume.
Moreover, the tourmaline-containing member may be formed into a spherical shape and a part of the sphere may be embedded into a curved concave portion formed on a part of a writing instrument. Therefore, the tourmaline-containing member may be stably held and embedded in the curved concave portion without considering a setting direction of the tourmaline-containing member when embedding the same.
The tourmaline-containing member may be formed by molding powder of the tourmaline, and, if necessary, a tourmaline-exciting agent, and base materials such as a resin, into a desired shape. Moreover, it is possible to attach material including powder of the tourmaline and, if necessary, a tourmaline-exciting agent, to a molding obtained by molding a base material such as a resin, with application or coating.
The tourmaline-containing member may be mounted on any position of the writing instrument, particularly to the clip or rear end of the writing instrument. For example, it is possible to set the member to a base of the clip or a longitudinal middle portion or front end portion of the clip. To derive sufficient effects of the tourmaline, preferably a volume of the tourmaline-containing member is increased to a certain extent.
However, in the case of the writing instrument, it is difficult to find a space for housing a bulky member without disturbing a writing medium. If the tourmaline-containing member is mounted on the base of the clip, then it can be securely held there because the base of the clip has a thick wall to connect the clip with the writing instrument body so that the wall is thick enough to accommodate the tourmaline-containing member. In contrast, if the tourmaline-containing member is mounted on the longitudinal middle portion or front end portion of the clip, then it can be held there by using a gap formed between the clip and the writing instrument body. Furthermore, by mounting the tourmaline-containing member on the clip or rear end of a writing instrument, the effects of the tourmaline may be derived because the member is exposed to the atmosphere even if the writing instrument is placed in the user""s pocket.
Furthermore, the tourmaline-containing member can be a grip made of a soft material to be mounted on a gripped portion of the writing instrument. In this case, when the writing instrument is used, the grip receives a gripping force from a user and a strain of the tourmaline crystal is increased by the user""s grip. Therefore, the grip is electrified and various effects of the tourmaline such as the negative-ion generation effect and the far-infrared radiation effect by a piezoelectric phenomenon are more effectively derived.
Furthermore, applying the present invention to a computer-input pen is particularly advantageous because there is a large influence due to electromagnetic waves around a computer system.


A peptide consisting of the following amino acid sequence, or an analogue or a fragment thereof, has an inhibitory activity on cholesteryl ester transfer protein:. Glu Asp Thr Ser Pro Glu Asp Lys Met Gln Asp Tyr Val Lys Gln Ala Thr Arg Thr Ala Gln Asp Ala Leu Thr Ser Val Lys.

Arteriosclerosis is one of the diseases suffered by an increasing population of adults and even adolescents and children, often caused by dietary changes.
While a number of risk factors, either genetic or environmental, for the attack and progress of arteriosclerosis have been reported, recent studies have singled out elevated plasma cholesterol levels as a primary risk factor. Therefore, a great deal of attention has been devoted to the establishment of relationships between the level of blood lipoproteins or lipids and the risk of developing a coronary heart disease. As is well known, both high density lipoproteins(HDL) and low density lipoproteins(LDL) carry cholesterol in human blood mainly in the form of cholesteryl esters(CE). Specifically, HDL serves to transport cholesterol that remains in peripheral cells back to the liver, where cholesterol is decomposed and eliminated. Since, therefore, cholesterol can be easily eliminated when it is carried by HDL, plasma cholesterol levels can be effectively decreased by blocking the transfer of cholesterol from HDL to other lipoproteins.
In this connection, CETP transfers CE from HDL to LDL or very low density lipoproteins(VLDL); and there have been extensive studies on its function. For instance, Drayna et al. have determined the cDNA sequence of human CETP and successfully cloned it(Nature, 327, 6123(1987)); and Wang et al. have reported the production of human CETP using a vector comprising cDNA of human CETP(DNA, 8, 753-758(1989)).
Kushwaha et al. have reported that several species of animals which lack CETP have high HDL-cholesterol levels and low LDL-cholesterol levels, and, further, show a low rate of arteriosclerosis attack(J. of Lipid Research, 34, 1285-1297(1993)). This fact suggests an important interrelationship among CETP, cholesterol levels and attack of arteriosclerosis.
Further, familial members lacking CETP in Japan have been reported to have large HDL particles and to live long without occurrences of heart diseases(Koizumi et al., Arteriosclerosis, 58, 175-186(1986)). Recently, Marotti et al. have reported that when mice lacking CETP were transformed with a heterogenous CETP gene, serious arteriosclerosis occurred in transgenic mice in comparison with a reference mouse group(Nature, 364, 73--73(1986)).
These observations tend to support the hypothesis that, if CETP is made deficient or its activity is inhibited, transfer or elimination of cholesterol through HDL will be promoted, thereby rendering it possible to prevent or treat diseases caused by high levels of cholesterol, e.g., arteriosclerosis.
FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of the role of CETP and interrelationship between CETP and its inhibitor in the cholesterol reverse-transportation pathway. As shown in FIG. 1, cholesterol is carried by HDL in the form of CE, and transferred to LDL by CETP. CE in LDL is transferred to peripheral areas and accumulates in the cells, while CE in HDL is transported to the liver, where it is decomposed and eliminated.
When the amount of CE to be transported exceeds the transporting capacity of HDL, then CE becomes deposited in the cells in certain critical areas such as arterial walls. Such accumulation eventually results in impaired cell functions and, if continued, may cause cell death, which may, in turn, lead to the accumulation of cellular debris in the wall of blood vessels to induce atherosclerosis. In this case, however, if the action of CETP is inhibited or blocked, CE in HDL will not be transferred to LDL and will be transported to liver, thereby preventing or minimizing the accumulation of CE at, e.g., the wall of blood vessels, and the occurrence of arteriosclerosis.
In this context, many attempts have been made to inhibit or lower the CETP activity in order to lower the plasma cholesterol levels.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,279,540 discloses a method for lowering blood CETP concentration in an arteriosclerosis patient by passing the patient's blood through an anti-CETP column to treat arteriosclerosis.
PCT Publication No. WO 93/11782 discloses a peptide which is separated from the blood plasma of baboon and has a CETP inhibiting activity; amino acid sequence thereof; and a synthetic peptide prepared on the basis of said sequence which has a CETP inhibiting activity equal to that of natural one.
However, there still exists a need for a CETP inhibitor peptide having an excellent CETP inhibiting activity.

Cholesteryl ester transfer protein inhibitor peptides and prophylactic and therapeutic anti-arteriosclerosis agents


Compounds useful for treating HIV are disclosed having the general formula

HIV-1 infection remains a major medical problem, with an estimated 42 million people infected worldwide at the end of 2002. The number of cases of HIV and AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) has risen rapidly. In 2002, ˜5.0 million new infections were reported, and 3.1 million people died from AIDS. Currently available drugs for the treatment of HIV include, for example, the following nucleoside reverse transcriptase (RT) inhibitors: Retrovir™ zidovudine (or AZT), Videx™ didanosine, Zerit™ stavudine, Epivir™ lamivudine (or 3TC), Hivid™ zalcitabine (or DDC), Ziagen™ abacavir succinate, Viread™ Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate salt, Combivir™ (−3TC plus AZT), Trizivir™ (abacavir, lamivudine, and zidovudine); the following non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors: Viramune™ nevirapine, Rescriptor™ delavirdine and Sustiva™ efavirenz, and the following peptidomimetic protease inhibitors: saquinavir, indinavir, ritonavir, nelfinavir, amprenavir, lopinavir, Kaletra™ (lopinavir and rtonavir), and Reyataz™ atazanavir sulfate. Often, these drugs can only transiently restrain viral replication if used alone. However, when used in combination, these drugs can have a profound effect on viremia and disease progression. In fact, significant reductions in death rates among AIDS patients have been recently documented as a consequence of the widespread application of combination therapy. However, despite these impressive results, 30 to 50% of patients ultimately fail combination drug therapies. Insufficient drug potency, non-compliance, restricted tissue penetration and drug-specific limitations within certain cell types (e.g. most nucleoside analogs cannot be phosphorylated in resting cells) may account for the incomplete suppression of sensitive viruses. Furthermore, the high replication rate and rapid turnover of HIV-1 combined with the frequent incorporation of mutations, leads to the appearance of drug-resistant variants and treatment failures when sub-optimal drug concentrations are present. Therefore, novel anti-HIV agents exhibiting distinct resistance patterns, and favorable pharmacokinetic as well as safety profiles are needed to provide more treatment options whether used alone or in combination with other drugs.
HIV expresses three enzymes, reverse transcriptase, an aspartyl protease and integrase, all of which are potential antiviral targets for the development of drugs for the treatment of AIDS. However, integrase stands out as being the only viral enzyme not targeted by currently approved therapy. The integrase enzyme is responsible for insertion of the viral cDNA into the host cell genome, which is a critical step in the viral life cycle. There are a number of discrete steps involved in this process including processing of the viral cDNA by removal of two bases from each 3′-terminus and joining of the recessed ends to the host DNA. Studies have shown that in the absence of a functional integrase enzyme HIV is not infectious. Therefore, an inhibitor of integrase would be useful as a therapy for AIDS and HIV infection.
A number of HIV integrase inhibitors have been reported. These include nucleotide-based inhibitors, known DNA binders, catechols and hydrazide containing derivatives (Neamati, N.; Sunder, S.; Pommier, Y., Drug Disc. Today, 1997, 2, 487).
Certain pyrimidines and pyrimidinones have been disclosed. WO 02/06246 discloses 2-aryl-4,5-dihydroxy-6-carboxypyrimidines as viral polymerase inhibitors which are proposed for use in treating hepatitis C virus infection. Sunderland, C. J; Botta, M.; Aime, S.; and Raymond, K. N. Inorg. Chem. (2001) 40, 6746–6756 discloses the synthesis of 6-carboxamido-5,4-hydroxypyrimidinones as gadolinium chelating agents.

Abstract: wherein R1, R2, and B are as defined in the specification. Compositions containing the compounds and methods for using the compounds to inhibit HIV are also disclosed.


An image forming apparatus including an image forming unit which comprises a cartridge having a toner therein to form an image and a controller to control the image forming unit to increase a density of the image to be formed, if it is determined that a standard of the cartridge does not meet a usage requirement.

1. Field of the Invention
Apparatuses and methods consistent with the present general inventive concept relate to an image forming apparatus and an image forming method thereof, and more particularly, to an image forming apparatus to identify an unwarranted toner, and an image forming method thereof.
2. Description of the Related Art
An image forming apparatus forms an image based on printing data. An image forming unit of the image forming apparatus forms an image. The image forming unit includes a photosensitive body which forms an electrostatic latent image thereon, a light scanner which scans light to form the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive body, a developing part which applies a developer to the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive body, and a cartridge which stores toner therein.
A user may purchase a cheap unwarranted toner for the image forming apparatus. However, the unwarranted toner has characteristics different from a warranted toner. Since the durability of the photosensitive body and the developing part of the image forming unit is designed corresponding to an amount of the warranted toner which is provided initially, the frequent use of the unwarranted toner may cause unnecessary wear of the photosensitive body and the developing part. Also, the cleaning and charging operations of the photosensitive body is not performed properly, thereby deteriorating quality of an image formed by the image forming unit.
If the image is deteriorated as described above, a user may not perceive that the unwarranted toner is the cause. Instead, a user may ascribe the problem to the image forming apparatus itself. Also, an improper development to the photosensitive body due to the unwarranted toner may contaminate the image forming apparatus by scattering of the toner and carrier carrying the toner.
Thus, a conventional image forming apparatus adopts a method of not outputting an image when reaching a critical value in durability of the photosensitive body and to prevent the developing part from using the unwarranted toner. However, this method is against a law in some countries including Europe. Therefore, it is necessary to maintain a quality of an image at a certain level even if the unwarranted toner is used.

Image forming apparatus and image forming method thereof


Communication is carried out on the basis of an optimum speech coding scheme that is matched to the speech coding schemes provided by the radio zones, and to the speech coding capabilities of the mobile stations. To achieve this, when a traffic channel is set up between a mobile station and a switch, a traffic channel selection condition that has been specified by the switch on the basis of the speech coding capabilities of the mobile station that made the SETUP request and of the mobile station to which the call is made, is stored in the control station. The control station grasps which speech coding scheme is currently being used in the radio zone which it controls. Moreover, by transferring the selection conditions specified by the switch and using these conditions as information required for channel setup by another control station, communication can be carried out using a high-priority speech coding scheme when handover occurs. This happens when channel selection takes place in another radio zone spanning control stations, or when a mobile station has moved to a radio zone in which a high-priority speech coding scheme can be used. As a result, traffic channels based on the optimum speech coding scheme can be changed over smoothly.

1. Technical Field of the Invention
This invention can be utilized for a car phone or portable phone services, and for digital mobile communication systems. It can be utilized for mobile communication networks in which there are a plurality of speech coding schemes, and it relates in particular to the techniques employed by control stations for setting and controlling traffic channels (which may include wire links and radio channels).
2. Background of Related Art
VSELP (Vector Sum Excited Linear Prediction) as standardized in Personal Digital Cellular Telecommunication System RCR Standard 27 is an example of a speech coding scheme for use in the transmission of speech signals between mobile stations and switches. However, given that a plurality of speech coding schemes might be adopted in the future, it is possible that a single mobile communication system will have some mobile stations which can select a speech coding scheme from among a plurality of such schemes, and some which can only use a certain specific scheme. It is also possible that a single mobile communication system will have some base stations which can handle a plurality of speech coding schemes, and some which can only handle a certain specific scheme.
If a newly introduced speech coding scheme is superior to an existing scheme, it is desirable to adopt a policy of making preferential use of the new scheme. A prior art example of a mobile communication system will be explained with reference to FIG. 1, which shows the overall configuration of a digital mobile communication system which employs a plurality of speech coding schemes. Mobile station 11 is located in radio zone 1 of base station 21 which supports bit rate .alpha. corresponding to speech coding scheme A and bit rate .beta. corresponding to speech coding scheme B, and base station 21 is served by switch 41. Mobile station 12 is located in radio zone 2 of base station 22 which supports bit rate .beta. corresponding to speech coding scheme B, and base station 22 is served by switch 42. Switches 41 and 42 are in turn served by an upper node. It is assumed that mobile station 11 has codec a for speech coding scheme A and codec b for speech coding scheme B, and that mobile station 12 has only codec b for speech coding scheme B.
A conventional method for matching speech coding schemes is as follows (see Jap. Unexamined Pat. No. 6-6295). When mobile station 11 wants to communicate with mobile station 12, information relating to the speech coding schemes of mobile station 11 and mobile station 12 is acquired by switch 41 from database 51 in which subscriber-related information is stored. This is done on the basis of the subscriber number of called mobile station 12 and the calling subscriber number, which are contained in the SETUP request signal received from calling mobile station 11. In the present case, mobile stations 11 and 12 will then be notified of speech coding scheme B which can be set up at both these mobile stations, whereupon a speech channel is set up.
An alternative method for matching speech coding schemes is as follows (see Jap. Pat. Appl. No. 5-170383, laid open on Jan. 31, 1995 under No. 7-30947. Switch 41 sets up a traffic channel to calling mobile station 11 from which there was a SETUP request, this traffic channel being set up for use by speech coding scheme A having a high preassigned priority. Switch 42 is notified by switch 41 of this speech coding scheme A and attempts to set up a traffic channel to called mobile station 12 for use by this speech coding scheme A. However, if the setting up of a traffic channel to mobile station 12 results in speech coding scheme B, switch 41 on the originating side is notified of the fact that a traffic channel to mobile station 12 has been set up for use by speech coding scheme B, whereupon speech coding scheme A of mobile station 11 is changed to speech coding scheme B.
It has been assumed that the setting up a traffic channel in prior art speech coding negotiation schemes of these sorts is carried out between a switch and a mobile station via a base station. However, in a practical digital mobile communication system a control station is interposed between a switch and a base station, and this control station has the functions of controlling and selecting the traffic channels used by the base station. Setting up a traffic channel for a mobile station which makes a SETUP request is achieved by transferring the required setup information between the control station and the switch, and is begun when the switch notifies the control station that there is a traffic channel assign request. The control station then selects an assignable traffic channel and the switch activates the codec corresponding to the selected traffic channel, thereby setting up the channel. Because there are connection delay problems, the assignment of traffic channels between switches and control stations is carried out in a round trip of request and response.
It is assumed that when there are a plurality of speech coding schemes in a digital mobile communication system, traffic channels will be set in accordance with a prearranged order of priority of these speech coding schemes. However, as noted above, traffic channel selection is performed by a control station, and once a selection has been made it is impossible to change over to another traffic channel until the setting of the selected channel has been completed.
Consequently, each time a traffic channel for use by the speech coding scheme which a switch has instructed a control station to select is to be changed to a traffic channel for use by another speech coding scheme, the switch must re-instruct the control station to select another speech coding scheme, and the resulting delay is significant.
In other words, although the control station is notified of the result of the selection decided by the switch, it is not notified of the prearranged order of priority of the speech coding schemes and other selection conditions, and therefore the decision as regards which speech coding scheme to select cannot be made at the control station.
A mobile station uses a control channel to measure, during standby, the received signal level in the control channel of the radio zone in which it is located, and the received signal level in the control channels of a plurality of radio zones surrounding the radio zone in which it is located, the radio zones being specified from the control station by way of the control channel. Then, when it makes a SETUP request, the mobile station informs the control station of (a) the plurality of control channel numbers of the surrounding radio zones, and (b) the received signal levels of these control channels, this data being sent in pairs. A control station has a peripheral zone selection function which operates as follows. When the control station receives a SETUP request from a mobile station, it stores the plurality of pairs of control channel numbers and received signal levels that are contained within the SETUP request. Then, if it is been impossible for a traffic channel to be selected in the radio zone in which the mobile station is located, the control station deduces, from the stored received signal levels which exceed a preset threshold beyond which selection is possible, and their paired control channel numbers, which surrounding radio zones may serve as peripheral radio zone candidates. This deduction is based on the relation between the preassigned control channel numbers and the peripheral radio zones. The control station then ranks these in order of increasing received signal level and uses them as candidate radio zones. Finally, it assigns a candidate radio zone if it has a free traffic channel.
Accordingly, when, for example, a traffic channel for a mobile station cannot be selected within the radio zone which has received the SETUP request of the mobile station, and there is a peripheral radio zone in which a channel can be selected, and control station X which controls the peripheral radio zone in which channel selection is possible is different from control station Y which controls the radio zone in which the SETUP request of the mobile station is received, control station Y must ask control station X to select a traffic channel. Control station Y must then transfer to control station X the order of priority and other selection conditions relating to the speech coding schemes. A control station also has a handover function whereby the traffic channel in use is changed over to a better quality traffic channel when a lower quality of service obtained by an active mobile station is detected in the radio zone controlled by that control station, or when an active mobile station has moved to another radio zone. Under these circumstances as well, just as in the case of the peripheral zone selection function described above, transfer of selection conditions between control stations is required.
That is, a table which stores the order of priority and other selection conditions relating to the speech coding schemes has to be provided in the control stations, and the contents of this table have to be transferred between control stations. However, none of the mobile communication systems taught in the prior art include any proposals which take this sort of thing into consideration.
The setup of a traffic channel at the beginning of a call is carried out by a control station in accordance with an instruction from a switch, and involves the control station informing the switch of the results of this setup. When a control station receives a traffic channel setup instruction from a switch, it must temporarily store information relating to the selection conditions. Furthermore, with regards to implementing the peripheral zone selection function and the handover function, it is essential for the control stations to temporarily store the selection conditions involved and for this selection information to be transferred between control stations.
Thus, when a traffic channel is selected in an actual digital mobile communication system, a decision regarding which speech coding scheme to select, based on selection conditions, frequently has to be made not only at the switches but also at the control stations. Despite this, the transfer of order of priority and other selection conditions for speech coding schemes is not carried out between control stations in the prior art.
Furthermore, no concrete proposals have yet been made for an optimum way of utilizing speech coding schemes when connecting to another communication network. The other network to which a connection may be made from a mobile station may be the ordinary public switched telephone network or another mobile communication system. In the case of connection to the ordinary public switched telephone network, the speech signal is communicated after converting it from the speech coding scheme characteristic of the mobile communication system to, for example, 64 kbps. In the case of connection to another mobile communication system, sometimes the speech signal will be transmitted after converting it from the speech coding scheme characteristic of the mobile communication system to 64 kbps, and sometimes the connection will involve matching to the same speech coding scheme. Careful thought must therefore also be given to the best method for utilizing speech coding schemes when making multistage connections, as when a speech signal is transmitted after being converted to 64 kbps.

Mobile communication system having a control station which selects speech coding schemes for a mobile station


Methods and systems for depositing material, such as doped semiconductor material, are disclosed. An exemplary method includes providing a substrate, forming a first doped semiconductor layer overlying the substrate, and forming a second doped semiconductor layer overlying the first doped semiconductor layer, wherein the first doped semiconductor layer comprises a first dopant and a second dopant, and wherein the second doped semiconductor layer comprises the first dopant. Structures and devices formed using the methods and systems for performing the methods are also disclosed.

The scaling of semiconductor devices, such as, for example, complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) devices, has led to significant improvements in speed and density of integrated circuits. However, conventional device scaling techniques face significant challenges for future technology nodes.
One approach to improve semiconductor device performance is to enhance the carrier mobility, and consequently the transistor drive current, utilizing strain induced effects. For example, it has been shown that the hole mobility may be considerably enhanced in p-channel Group IV semiconductor transistors employing stressor regions, such as stressor regions employed in the source and drain regions of the transistors.
Further, reduction in contact resistance to the active regions of a semiconductor device structure may be desirable for ongoing device improvement at future technology nodes. For example, for CMOS device structures, a contact resistance may include the electrical resistance between a contact structure and one or more active (e.g., stressor) regions, such as source and drain regions of the transistor structure. In the case of an n-type MOS device, the stressor region may comprise a highly doped region, i.e., with a carrier density of approximately 5×1020 cm−3 or more, doped with either phosphorus or arsenic. The high doping levels that may be achieved in the n-type MOS device stressor region may result in a contact resistivity below 0.3 mΩ-cm. However, for a p-type MOS device, boron is typically used as a dopant. In some cases, boron may have relatively low solubility in the semiconductor material, and thus high concentrations of the p-type dopant and thus low contact resistance to the semiconductor material can be difficult to obtain.
By way of examples, attempts to lower the contact resistance of silicon germanium films include growing SiGe layers with high boron concentrations. However, high boron concentrations are difficult to achieve with higher Ge:Si ratios due to the low boron solubility in germanium, and therefore, attempts to simply increase the boron concentration in the silicon germanium film have generally not been sufficient to decrease the contact resistivity of the silicon germanium layers to desired values.
Further attempts to decrease the contact resistance to the silicon germanium and similar films include the addition of another dopant, in which the first dopant (e.g., boron) may be soluble, and a high-temperature anneal process. Such techniques may be problematic because the use of the relatively high temperatures during the anneal process can lead to clustering of one or more of the dopants at a surface of the doped semiconductor films.
Furthermore, in some applications, it may be desirable to selectively deposit semiconductor material (e.g., highly-doped Group IV semiconductor material) with a first dopant (e.g., boron) and a second dopant (e.g., gallium, aluminum or indium). However, such techniques may heretofore not be well developed.
Accordingly, improved methods and systems for depositing doped semiconductor material are desired. Structures and devices formed using the methods and/or systems are also desired.
Any discussion, including discussion of problems and solutions, set forth in this section has been included in this disclosure solely for the purpose of providing a context for the present disclosure. Such discussion should not be taken as an admission that any or all of the information was known at the time the invention was made or otherwise constitutes prior art.

Structures with doped semiconductor layers and methods and systems for forming same


The broadband brightfield/darkfield wafer inspection system provided receives broadband brightfield illumination information via a defect detector, which signals for initiation of darkfield illumination. The defect detector forms a two dimensional histogram of the defect data and a dual mode defect decision algorithm and post processor assess defects. Darkfield radiation is provided by two adjustable height laser beams. Vertical angular adjustability is provided by modifying cylindrical lens position to compensate for angular mirror change by translating an adjustable mirror, positioning the illumination spot into the sensor field of view, rotating and subsequently moving the cylindrical lens. Light level control for the system is provided by a dual polarizer first stage. Light exiting from the second polarizer passes through a filter which absorbs a portion of the light and comprises the second stage of light control.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to the art of optical inspection of semiconductor wafers, and more specifically to a high throughput brightfield and darkfield wafer inspection system having image processing redirected from the mechanical and electronics segments of the inspection system to the optical domain.
2. Description of the Related Art
Semiconductor wafer inspection techniques have historically utilized brightfield illumination, darkfield illumination, or spatial filtering. Brightfield imaging is not generally sensitive to small particles. Brightfield imaging tends to scatter small particles away from the collecting aperture, thereby resulting in reduced returned energy. When a particle is small compared to the optical point spread function of the lens and small compared to the digitizing pixel, the brightfield energy from the immediate areas surrounding the particle typically contribute a large amount of energy. The small reduction in returned energy resulting from the small particle makes the particle difficult to detect. Further, the small reduction in energy from a small particles often masked out by reflectivity variations from the bright surrounding background such that small particles cannot be detected without numerous false detections. Additionally, if the small particle is on an area of low reflectivity, which may occur for some process layers on wafers and always for reticles, photomasks, and flat panel displays, the resultant background return is low and any further reduction due to the presence of a particle becomes very difficult to detect.
Newer systems utilize broadband brightfield imaging as opposed to traditional monochromatic or narrow band brightfield imaging. Broadband brightfield imaging minimizes contrast variations and coherent noise present in narrow band brightfield systems, but are not sensitive to small particles.
Darkfield imaging is employed to detect small particles on wafers, reticles, photomasks, flat panels, and other specimens. The advantage of darkfield imaging is that flat specular areas scatter very little light back toward the detector, resulting in a dark image. Darkfield illumination provides a larger pixel-to-defect ratio, permitting faster inspections for a given defect size and pixel rate. Darkfield imaging also permits fourier filtering to enhance signal to noise ratios.
Any surface features or objects protruding above the surface of the object scatter more light toward the detector in darkfield imaging. Darkfield imaging thus produces a dark image except where circuit features, particles, or other irregularities exist. Particles or irregularities are generally assumed to scatter more light than circuit features. However, while this assumption permits a thorough inspection for particles on blank and unpatterned specimens, in the presence of circuit features a darkfield particle inspection system can only detect large particles which protrude above the circuit features. The resulting detection sensitivity is not satisfactory for advanced VLSI circuit production.
While some attempts to improve darkfield performance have been attempted, such systems tend to have drawbacks, including drawbacks resulting from the very nature of darkfield illumination. For example, while brightfield illumination floods the entire field of view with light, darkfield illumination is confined to a narrow strip of light. Due to the nature of lasers, the application of light in darkfield illumination tends to be non-uniform and limits the amount of data which can be collected in a particular time period.
Some imaging systems currently available attempt to address problems associated with darkfield imaging. One instrument, manufactured by Hitachi, uses the polarization characteristics of the scattered light to distinguish between particles and normal circuit features, based on the assumption that particles depolarize light more than circuit features during the scattering process. When circuit features become relatively small (less than or on the order of the wavelength of light), the circuit can depolarize the scattered light as much as the particles. As a result, only larger particles can be detected without false detection of small circuit features.
Further, a system employing a combination of a monochromatic darkfield and a monochromatic brightfield imaging for wafer inspection is poorly adapted for inspecting Chemical Mechanaical Planarized (CMP) wafers, which often have film thickness variations and a grainy texture. Grainy texture, it should be noted, may also be a result of the metal grain structure of the wafer.
Another attempt to resolve problems associated with darkfield imaging positions the incoming darkfield illuminators such that the scattered light from circuit lines oriented at 0°, 45°, or 90° are minimized. This method is generally effective on circuit lines, but light scattering from corners is still relatively strong. Further, detection sensitivity for areas having dense circuit patterns must be reduced to avoid the false detection of corners.
Prior systems for processing brightfield and darkfield data have relied on different processing techniques. The system of FIG. 1 illustrates a prior system which performed a full processing of a wafer using brightfield imaging followed by darkfield imaging and subsequent processing of the wafer. The problem with this mechanization is that throughput, or the time to process a single wafer, is generally poor, and it does not have the capability to use the combined results from both brightfield and darkfield imaging. As shown in FIG. 1, brightfield imaging 101 is performed on wafer 103, wherein the brightfield imaging has tended to be either monochromatic or narrow band imaging. The wafer image is received via sensor 104, which performs TDI, or Time Delay Integration, and a phase lock loop analog to digital conversion (PLLAD). Data is then directed to input buffer 105, which passes data to defect detector 107. Defect detector 107 uses delay 106 to perform a die-to-die or cell-to-cell comparison of the brightfield image processed wafer 103. The results are then passed to post processor 108 where brightfield defects are determined and passed. The wafer 103 is then illuminated using darkfield illumination 102 in the second run, and all subsequent processes are performed on the darkfield image. The result of this second run is a list of darkfield defects. The typical defect assessment performed by the defect detector and the post processor 108 is to set a threshold above which a feature is considered a defect, and only passing brightfield or darkfield results exceeding such thresholds. This does not completely account for the benefits associated with the combined effects of using brightfield and darkfield, and the amount of time necessary to perform all processing for a single wafer can be significant.
An alternative to the mechanization of FIG. 1 is presented in FIG. 2. The system of FIG. 2 illustrates simultaneous brightfield illumination 201 and darkfield illumination 202 of wafer 203. The simultaneous illumination is typically from a single illumination source, and the system receives the wafer images using dual TDI and PLLAD sensors 204 and 204′. Each sensor 204 and 204′ receives an image of wafer 203 and loads a signal representing that image into input buffer 205 or 205′, such as RAM. From buffer 205 or 205′ the system feeds data to defect detector 207 where data representing the wafer 203 is compared to similar or reference wafer characteristics under the control of delays 206 and 206′. Delays 206 and 206′ each provide timing for a die-to-die or cell-to-cell comparison by defect detector 207. Defect detector 207 uses information from both brightfield and darkfield illumination steps to determine the location of defects on wafer 203. The combined defect list from defect detector 207 is then evaluated using post processor 208 to identify pattern defects and particles.
The drawback in implementing the system illustrated in FIG. 2 is that individual TDI and PLLAD sensors 204 and 204′, input buffers 205 and 205′, and delays 206 and 206′ are highly sophisticated and expensive components, and the use of two of each such components significantly increases the cost of the entire machine. Further, performance of defect detector 207 and post processor 208 requires that all data be available and be evaluated at one time, which can cause significant delays and high processing costs. For example, it is not unusual to see brightfield imaging requiring a very short amount of time while darkfield imaging takes significantly longer. This system also uses monochromatic or narrowband brightfield imaging, which has a tendency to exhibit undesirable contrast variations and coherent noise problems as discussed above.
Spatial filtering is another technique used to enhance the detection of particles. With plane wave illumination, the intensity distribution at the back focal plane of a lens is proportional to the Fourier transform of the object. Further, for a repeating pattern, the Fourier transform consists of an array of light dots. Placement of a filter in the back focal plane of the lens to block out the repeating light dots permits filtering of the repeating circuit pattern and leaves only non-repeating signals, such as particles or other defects. The major limitation of spatial filtering is that only areas having repeating areas or blank areas may be inspected.
There has been little interest in combining brightfield and darkfield techniques due to a lack of understanding of the advantages presented by such a technique. All of the machines currently available employing monochromatic brightfield/darkfield imaging use a single light source for both brightfield and darkfield illumination and do not use a combination of brightfield and darkfield images to determine defects.
Microscopes exist on the market today which combine both monochromatic brightfield and darkfield illumination, and such microscopes have a single light source and provide both illuminations simultaneously, thus making it impossible to separate the brightfield and darkfield results. Such mechanizations simply result in a combined full-sky illumination.
A further limitation of prior systems is that the illumination sources tend to be fixed in place, which also fixes the ability of the system to pick up defects in surfaces or specimens having different physical properties. Typically, a video camera is positioned above the specimen and light is applied to the specimen at a predetermined angle. The application of light to a particle tends to scatter the light, which is then detected by the video camera. If the specimen contains an irregular surface configuration, such as excess material or a semiconductor pattern, the fixed angle of the light source may not optimally scatter the applied light, inhibiting the ability to detect defects. Even for a wafer having a regular semiconductor pattern, orientation of the illumination source provides a different return when a pattern feature is oriented at 0°, 45°, or 90°. Also, the support mechanisms and circuitry associated with the light source tend to be large and bulky, thereby impeding the repositioning capability of the light source.
Another problem with brightfield/darkfield imaging is the use of imaging devices within the same physical space. Components associated with brightfield imaging are generally used for darkfield imaging as well, and several overlapping components exist when using both forms of illumination and detection. However, due to the optical, physical, and other characteristics of components used in brightfield/darkfield imaging, some components tend to provide advantages with one form of illumination and disadvantages for the other illumination scheme. The minimization of the disadvantages associated with a form of imaging improves the ability to detect problems associated with individual specimens.
Another problem associated with wafer inspection systems is the control of light level. Control of light level is particularly complex and critical where a high level of light collection efficiency is desired, and where the gain of the detector is not readily controlled. Prior systems for providing light level control for wafer inspection include providing absorbing glass in the illumination path, and control over the output energy of the laser. These systems either do not perform sufficiently and/or are too costly or complex to use efficiently.
It is therefore an object of the current invention to provide a system for detecting defects on a wafer, the system having the ability to detect defects beyond those detectable using monochromatic or narrowband brightfield imaging alone. Inherent in such a system would be the ability to minimize contrast variations and coherent noise problems.
It is another object of the current invention to provide a system for detecting defects which has the ability to detect small particles, including particles having a size smaller than the wavelength of light, with a minimum number of false detections. The system should provide for a minimum number of components to decrease overall cost and provide for maximum throughput of specimens.
It is yet another object of the current invention to provide a system which provides the ability to perform an accurate inspection of Chemical Mechanaical Planarized (CMP) wafers, or other specimens having film thickness variations or grainy textures.
It is still another object of the current invention to provide a system for detecting defects on a wafer wherein the system has the ability to optimize the incidence of light reflected from specimens having various surface characteristics.
It is still another object of the current system to provide both brightfield and darkfield illumination using a minimum number of components in a minimum amount of physical space while simultaneously minimizing adverse effects associated with brightfield and darkfield illumination.
It is still another object of the current invention to provide an efficient method or apparatus for light level control in the wafer inspection system.

High throughput brightfield/darkfield wafer inspection system using advanced optical techniques


A game is arranged to include a plurality of players to include at least, having a judge to effect construction of an object, a visual interpreter to descriptively draw the interpretation of a tactile interpreter that directs the tactile interpreter's hands into an enclosure to describe to the visual interpreter the object positioned within the enclosure.

1. Field of the Invention
The field of invention relates to game structure, and more particularly pertains to a new and improved object contact interpretation game wherein the touching of an object within an enclosure without permitting visual observation of the object is interpreted by a third party.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Games and game apparatus of various types are utilized throughout the prior art, such as exemplified in the U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,007,648; 4,746,123; 4,961,584; and 4,274,630.
The instant invention sets forth a game method and apparatus in a manner not set forth by the prior art wherein at least three players are required to permit one of the players to visually contact an object within an enclosure and interpret the thusly contacted object to a visual interpreter. A third party or judge awards points relative to the drawing effected by the visual interpreter relative to the object that is positioned within the enclosure.


The present invention relates to methods for converting plant cell wall polysaccharides into one or more products, comprising: treating the plant cell wall polysaccharides with an effective amount of a spent whole fermentation broth of a recombinant microorganism, wherein the recombinant microorganism expresses one or more heterologous genes encoding enzymes which degrade or convert the plant cell wall polysaccharides into the one or more products. The present invention also relates to methods for producing an organic substance, comprising: (a) saccharifying plant cell wall polysaccharides with an effective amount of a spent whole fermentation broth of a recombinant microorganism, wherein the recombinant microorganism expresses one or more heterologous genes encoding enzymes which degrade or convert the plant cell wall polysaccharides into saccharified material; (b) fermenting the saccharified material of step (a) with one or more fermenting microoganisms; and (c) recovering the organic substance from the fermentation.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to methods for degrading or converting plant cell wall polysaccharides and to products obtained by such methods.
2. Description of the Related Art
Plant cell walls are composed of a mixture of polysaccharides interlocked in a complex structure (Carpita et al., 2001, Plant Physiology 127: 551-565). The mixture of polysaccharides include cellulose, xyloglycan (hemicellulose), and pectic polymers, which are primarily composed of hexoses, e.g., glucose, galactose, and mannose; pentoses, e.g., xylose and arabinose; uronic acids, e.g., galacturonic acid and glucuronic acid; and deoxyhexoses, e.g., rhamnose and fucose.
Plant cell wall polysaccharides can be enzymatically degraded to glucose, xylose, mannose, galactose, and arabinose, which can then be converted to other organic substances, for example, glucose is easily fermented by yeast into ethanol. Wood, agricultural residues, herbaceous crops, and municipal solid wastes can be used as sources of plant cell wall polysaccharides.
Cellulose is a primary component of plant cell walls. Many microorganisms produce enzymes that degrade cellulose. These enzymes include, for example, endoglucanases, cellobiohydrolases, and beta-glucosidases. Endoglucanases digest the cellulose polymer at random locations, opening it to attack by cellobiohydrolases. Cellobiohydrolases sequentially release molecules of cellobiose from the ends of the cellulose polymer. Cellobiose is a water-soluble beta-1,4-linked dimer of glucose. Beta-glucosidases hydrolyze cellobiose to glucose.
Natural microorganisms that degrade cellulose and other cell wall polysaccharides may not be ideal for large-scale conversion of cellulosic materials because (a) the full complement of enzymes may be lacking, (b) one or more enzyme components perform poorly, are labile, or their kinetic behavior fails to meet the specification of the intended use, (c) the conversion and/or degradation could be improved by expression of a heterologous enzyme gene that enhances the conversion/degradation, or (d) the full complement of enzymes may be in insufficient amounts to be economically viable. It would be an advantage to the art to improve the degradation and conversion of plant cell wall polysaccharides by using whole fermentation broth from recombinant microorganisms to circumvent expensive cell removal and enzyme formulation steps.
It is an object of the present invention to provide new methods for degrading or converting plant cell wall polysaccharides into various products using spent whole fermentation broths from recombinant microorganisms.

Methods for degrading or converting plant cell wall polysaccharides


A holder of product identification indicia incorporated with a specifically printed illuminated sign in a beverage vending machine. The holder allows enhanced product identification relating to a separate, existing selection button panel. The holder is securely attached to the back of the illuminated sign that has clear viewing windows registered to the holder. Specifically, it is intended as a retrofit kit for existing beverage vending machines to allow the display of product contained in the machine by use of significantly larger product identification indicia than the existing product identification indicia. The larger display windows may be specifically correlated to the existing selection mechanisms by way of numbers, letters, symbols, connecting lines and/or colors.

Since the 1940's, the beverage industry has utilized vending machines as a means of selling cold beverages to consumers. Since that time, there has been a distinct evolution in beverage vending machine design in an effort to better communicate with the consumer and thus sell more beverages. Early models of beverage vending machines concentrated on ornamental shapes of the actual machine to appeal to consumers. From there, increasing emphasis was put on graphics as a way of identifying the beverage company whose products were within the machine. Further evolution led to the use of illuminated signage. This illuminated signage eventually comprised the majority of the front of the vending machine by the mid-1980's.
At this point, beverage companies recognized the importance of depicting a picture of one of the products contained in the machine. The actual product in the machine was represented by indicia located in or immediately adjacent to the specific selection button. This indicia was generally a small, rectangular card approximately 1″×3″. By the end of the 20th century, the trend in design shifted to more prominent display of the indicia relating to the specific selection buttons. As a reference, the size of the product selection indicia increased 200%-500% on new equipment used by the major beverage companies.
This has resulted in a dilemma over the marketing usefulness of existing beverage vending equipment. It is important to note that there are conservatively 2,000,000+pieces of beverage vending equipment in the market today that are limited in the size of product identification indicia that can be used. This is leading to premature obsolescence of useful beverage vending machines due to inadequate product identification indicia size relative to the new equipment designs.
Existing beverage vending equipment currently uses product identification indicia on or immediately adjacent to the actual switch that will deliver a given product selection. The existing product identification indicia are approximately 1″×3″. This is believed to create difficulty and confusion for the consumer on the choice of product, as the product identification indicia are difficult to read due to their size.

Signage retrofit kit for vending machines