A power amplifying apparatus includes a distributing unit that divides an input digital signal to a plurality of the input digital signals so as to distribute the input digital signals to a plurality of devices respectively, and a synthesizing unit that synthesizing output signals from the devices to output the synthesized output signal. Each of the devices includes a delay regulating unit that regulates a delay amount of the input digital signal, a digital/analog converting unit that converts the digital signal regulated by the delay regulating unit to an analog signal, and an amplifying unit that amplifies the analog signal to output the amplified analog signal to the synthesizing unit.

A very high output is required for a power amplifying apparatus to be used in a mobile base station or a transmitter for broadcasting. For example, one output reaches 40 to 80 W in a base station for WCDMA and reaches several kW in equipment for digital broadcasting. In such a transmitter, one power amplifier device cannot cover a single amplifier unit. For this reason, it is necessary to connect several devices or amplifier units in parallel.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the schematic structure of a power amplifying apparatus using a power combining system. As shown in FIG. 5, an input signal is distributed to a plurality of systems (parallel devices) by a distributor 101, and the signals thus distributed are amplified by power amplifiers 102a to 102c in the parallel units (devices) respectively and a signal synthesized by a synthesizer 103 is output. In such a conventional power combining system, it is necessary to accurately control the group delay of each parallel unit or device. For the most basic method for carrying out the group delay, a delay line is used in each parallel unit.
However, it is very hard to manufacture and regulate a parallel power combining system using the delay line in order to match the delays of the parallel units. In the case in which the regulation is not sufficient, a synthetic output power is attenuated or a frequency characteristic is generated on an output.
If an analog signal is input, moreover, it is possible to carry out a group delay measurement for a delay between an input and an output by using a network analyzer and to theoretically obtain the length of the delay line from a measured value (delay amount).
In an amplifier using such a parallel power combining system, however, an input is digital in a system using a digital predistortion (for example, JP-A-2003-332853), an EER (Envelope Elimination and Restoration) and an LINC (Linear amplification with Non-linear Components). Therefore, it is also impossible to carry out a group delay measurement using such as the network analyzer.

Power amplifying apparatus, power combining system and delay measuring method for power combining system

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.


An improved SDK includes a set of APIs and a crash handler registered with the operating system. Each API is an interface accessible by a computer software application. Up on entrance, each API determines the current thread identifier, and inserts it into a list if it is not already in the list. Each thread identifier corresponds to an API call counter, which is incremented by one at the entrance and decremented by one at the exit point of the API. The SDK also records the identifier of the thread it creates for callback functions. When a crash occurs, the crash handler is executed. It determines that the crash is related to a callback interface if the crash thread identifier matches the callback thread identifier. The crash is determined to be caused by the SDK if the API call counter corresponding to the crash thread identifier is greater than zero.

Computer software application providers usually use one or more third-party software development kits (SDKs) to implement certain functionalities and features. For instance, with the rapid development of mobile computing over the Internet, many computer software applications (or applications for short) incorporate a third-party SDK to provide real-time voice and video communication capabilities. An SDK is a collection of computer software components providing various functionalities. It is usually incorporated by numerous applications and runs on thousands and even millions of computers, such as smartphones, tablet computers, desktop computers, etc. In one implementation, the application includes the computer programs forming part of the SDK. In a different implementation, at run-time, the application loads the SDKs binary foes. In either scenario, at run-time, the SDK runs within the computer process of the application. Each computer process has its own virtual memory address space.
The applications can be mobile apps running on mobile devices with operating systems, such as Android® and iOS®. The applications can also be software applications running on computers with operating systems like Microsoft Windows®, Mac OS®, etc. Due to various reasons and conditions, applications may sometimes crash. When an application crashes, it stops functioning properly. Immediate and proper handling of the crashes is highly desirable. Conventionally, crash handling of an application with an SDK relies on the crash diagnostic features of the underly operating system and/or the application. However, the source of a crash can be the SDKs. With SDKs incorporated into a big quantity of applications and executed on many computers, it is thus desirable to provide a new method and SDKs with capabilities to promptly determine whether crashes occurred inside the SDKs or are related to the SDKs. The desired new SDKs implement diagnostic functionality to immediately identify the source of crashes.

Software development kit with independent automatic crash detection


A fixing device includes two rotary bodies and a recording-medium separation unit. The two rotary bodies are pressed against each other to form a nipping portion. The recording-medium separation unit is disposed at a position downstream from the nipping portion in a direction in which the recording medium is conveyed. The recording-medium separation unit includes a separation plate holder, a separation plate, and a spring. The separation plate holder extends in a longitudinal direction of one of the rotary bodies to hold the separation plate away from the one of the rotary bodies. The separation plate holder has rotation fulcrums and positioning surfaces at both ends in the longitudinal direction. The positioning surfaces are urged by the spring toward the one of the rotary bodies. Each of the positioning surfaces has a bent side to form a flange surface having one of the rotation fulcrums.

1. Technical Field
Exemplary aspects of the present invention relate to a fixing device for fixing an image with heat and pressure on a recording material conveyed from an upstream side of a nipping portion formed between two rotary bodies pressing against each other, and more particularly, to a recording medium separation configuration of the fixing device. Exemplary aspects of the present invention also relate to an image forming apparatus including the fixing device.
2. Description of the Related Art
Image forming apparatuses are used as, for example, copiers, printers, and facsimile machines employing electrophotographic techniques, or multifunction peripherals having at least one of copying, printing, and facsimile functions. Such electrophotographic image forming apparatuses may employ a heat fixing device. Such a heat fixing device fixes a toner image on a recording medium by fusing and pressing the toner image transferred to the recording medium. The heat fixing device allows the recording medium to pass a nipping portion formed between a heating rotary body heated by a heat source and a pressure rotary body pressing against the heating rotary body, so that the toner image is fixed on the recording medium.
When toner is fused, the toner becomes adhesive. The adhesiveness of the toner may cause a recording medium bearing a toner image to be wound around the heating rotary body. Thus, an outer surface of the heating rotary body includes a release layer made of a material, such as fluorine resin and silicone rubber, as a surface layer. The release layer prevents the recording medium bearing the toner image from winding around the heating rotary body due to the adhesiveness of toner.
Moreover, a separation unit including a separation pawl is attached adjacent to the heating rotary body to forcibly separate the recording medium, which tends to be wound around the heating rotary body due to the fused toner, from the heating rotary body. FIG. 8 is a partial view of one example of such a separation unit. A separation member 5 serving as a separation unit is arranged on a downstream side of a heat fixing device 1 in a recording medium conveyance direction. The heat fixing device 1 includes a heating roller 2 heated by a heater and a pressure roller 3 disposed opposite to the heating roller 2. The separation member 5 is made of heat-resistant resin and rotatably supported around a fulcrum 5b. The separation member 5 includes a separation pawl 5a extending near an exit of a nipping portion formed between the heating roller 2 and the pressure roller 3 pressing against each other. A spring 4 applies pressure to the separation pawl 5a such that the separation pawl 5a contacts the heating roller 2. The separation pawl 5a is coated with fluorine resin to prevent abrasion caused by contact with the heating roller 2. The separation pawl 5a has a pawl width of approximately 2 mm to approximately 10 mm, and a plurality of separation pawls 5a are arranged within a sheet-passing area.
Since the separation pawl 5a is in contact with the heating roller 2, a portion of the separation pawl 5a contacting the heating roller 2 is abraded. Such abrasion may cause abrasion damage to a toner image. Moreover, the separation pawl 5a has a tip having an angle limit of approximately 20 degrees in manufacturing, causing difficulty in arranging the tip of the separation pawl 5a nearer to the exit of the nipping portion. A leading edge of a recording medium is likely to be wound around the heating roller 2 while being conveyed from the exit of the nipping portion to the tip of the separation pawl 5a. Thus, the longer the distance between the exit of the nipping portion and the tip of the separation pawl 5a, the more likely an excess amount of heat is to be applied to an image on the leading edge of the recording medium. Consequently, the excess amount of heat may cause generation of an irregular image.
Hence, as illustrated in FIG. 9, a separation plate 6 serving as a separation member may be employed. The separation plate 6 includes a metal plate frame 6a having a rotation fulcrum 6d, a contact member 6b made of heat-resistant resin, and a thin plate 6c having a thickness of approximately 0.3 mm. The thin plate 6c connects the metal plate frame 6a and the contact member 6b. A spring 4 applies pressure such that the thin plate 6c contacts a heating roller 2. The thin plate 6c extends across an entire sheet-passing area, and the contact member 6b adjusts a clearance between the heating roller 2 and the thin plate 6c such that the clearance becomes approximately 0.5 mm. The separation plate 6 includes projected members arranged on both ends thereof in a longitudinal direction (a direction perpendicular to a sheet surface), and a position of the separation plate 6 is adjusted and fixed by a jig, for example. The clearance between the heating roller 2 and the thin plate 6c is changed by adjusting the position of the separation plate 6, whereas the clearance is determined by fixing the position of the separation plate 6. The thin plate 6c has a leading edge that is arranged near an exit of the nipping portion. Thus, the separation plate 6 reliably separates a recording medium from the heating roller 2 before the recording medium is wound around the heating roller 2 if the recording medium has a few-millimeter blank (an outer margin) in a leading edge thereof. Since the thin plate 6c rubs against the recording medium, a surface of the thin plate 6c is coated with fluorine resin, thereby preventing adhesion of toner to the thin plate 6c.
The thin plate 6c of the separation plate 6 is arranged near the exit of the nipping portion, but not in contact with the heating roller 2. Such an arrangement of the thin plate 6c can prevent the problem of the separation pawl in the configuration described with reference to FIG. 8. Moreover, a configuration of enabling adjustment of the clearance is proposed for such a separation plate 6. The proposed configuration enables the clearance to be adjusted during assembly, so that the clearance can be narrower.
Alternatively, JP-2010-079219-A proposes an arrangement of a leading edge of a separation member in a non-contact state to a position where the separation member can maintain separability which is substantially the same as or better than that of the above-described separation pawl. Such an arrangement is made in response to fluctuations of a rotary-body surface in the immediate vicinity on a downstream side of a nipping portion such that the leading edge of the separation member can be disposed in the immediate vicinity on the downstream side of the nipping portion and adjacent to the rotary-body surface. According to this configuration, a separation plate holder 8 as partially illustrated in FIG. 10 is arranged with a separation plate and a guide member. The separation plate holder 8 is a metal plate. Such a separation plate holder 8 holds the separation member such that the height of the separation member is adjustable in a screw tightening direction perpendicular to a recording medium conveyance direction by a spring and a screw.
In the separation plate holder 8, both ends of a base body (both ends of the holder in a longitudinal direction) are bent at a right angle to provide flange surfaces 8′, and rotation fulcrum pins 9 are swaged to the respective flange surfaces 8′. The separation plate holder 8 has a side along the longitudinal direction thereof. The side is also bent at a right angle, and both ends thereof are further bent at a right angle to serve as positioning surfaces 8″ to which positioning members can be fastened.
The separation plate holder 8 rotates around the rotation fulcrum pins 9, and the positioning members contact a fixing member that is a fixing roller or a fixing belt, so that the separation plate holder 8 is positioned with the fixing member. Since the separation plate is adjustably held with respect to the separation plate holder 8, a clearance with respect to the fixing member can be adjusted by the separation plate, thereby obtaining a narrower clearance. If the clearance is narrower, there is an advantage that the separation plate can more readily separate a recording medium from the fixing member. The separation plate can separate even a thin recording medium from the fixing member. If the clearance is wider, on the other hand, the recording medium can slip into the clearance more easily, causing an increase in the likelihood of recording medium jams. Thus, the clearance is preferably set as narrow as possible.
In such a separation unit, positional accuracy of a rotation fulcrum and a positioning surface of the separation plate holder is important. The rotation fulcrums and the positioning surfaces are arranged on both sides of the separation plate holder in a longitudinal direction (a rotation axis direction). However, in a case where the positional accuracy of these members is not good, only one of the positioning surfaces contacts the fixing member, causing the separation plate holder to be poorly positioned with respect to the fixing member.
In the holder configuration as illustrated in FIG. 10, however, since three bending processes need to be performed when an area from the flange surface for the rotation fulcrum to the positioning surface is formed, the positional accuracy of each of the members is difficult to obtain. Moreover, in a case where such a separation plate holder is used in an actual device, the separation plate might be easily deformed by an external force due to a small dimension of a bent portion thereof that has a dimension of approximately 10 mm.
If a recording medium is jammed and stuck in an accordion shape in the vicinity of the separation plate (the separation member), there are cases where a load is generated to the separation plate holder through the separation plate, and a bending portion of the separation plate holder is deformed. In such cases, the deformed separation plate holder cannot be positioned in a target position with respect to the fixing member, causing a change in the clearance of the separation plate. Consequently, the separation plate may damage the fixing member by interfering with the fixing member, or cannot separate the recording medium from the fixing member due to a wider clearance.

Fixing device and image forming apparatus including same


A method of growing 4-H polytype silicon carbide crystals in a physical vapor transport system where the surface temperature of the crystal is maintained at less than about 2160.degree. C. and the pressure inside the PVT system is decreased to compensate for the lower growth temperature.

Silicon carbide semiconductor materials are currently used in high power electronic applications because of their wide bandgap, high breakdown voltage, high electron mobility, and high thermal conductivity. Silicon carbide semiconductors have advantages over silicon and other semiconductor material in high power applications. However, the functional advantages of silicon carbide semiconductors is offset by the cost of manufacture, which in many applications is greater than silicon and other devices. Greater use of silicon carbide semiconductors will depend on whether the cost of manufacture can be decreased.
Generally, silicon carbide semiconductor devices are fabricated by the steps of 1) growing a silicon carbide crystal, also referred to as a boule; 2) slicing the boule into silicon carbide wafers; 3) polishing the wafers to thereby produce a silicon carbide substrate; 4) growing an epitaxial layer on the silicon carbide substrate; and 5) fabricating a device utilizing the epitaxial layer alone or in combination with the substrate. The present invention is generally directed towards the first step of growing a silicon carbide crystal of the 4H polytype.
Silicon carbide crystals occur in an abundance of polytypes (e.g. 2H, 4H and 6H) which are individual crystal structures differing mainly in the repetition pattern of the atomic stacking sequence, see FIG. 1. Each polytype exhibits different electronic properties (i.e. bandgap, effective mass, carrier mobility etc.). Experiments have shown that in high frequency applications, the 4H polytype has advantages over 2H and 6H polytype. Compared to 6H polytype, the 4H polytype exhibits a factor of seven higher electron mobility and significantly less anisotropy in its electrical properties.
SiC Boules can be grown using a physical vapor transport system. As shown in FIG. 2, a physical vapor transport system may include a growth chamber 10 filled with an ambient gas 17 and having a seed holder 12, a seed crystal 14 fixed to the seed holder 12 and a source material 18. Operationally, the growth chamber 10 is heated to cause sublimation of the source material 18 whereby the source material essentially evaporates into the ambient gas 17 and thereafter contacts the seed crystal 14 causing crystal growth from the surface of the seed crystal 14. The crystal grows in a direction from the seed crystal 14 towards the source material 18. When silicon carbide boules are grown in the <0001> direction (the orientation normally employed for electronic devices), the seed crystal 14 is silicon carbide having a silicon face and a carbon face, and the source material 18 is silicon carbide. The composition of the ambient gas 17 determines the doping characteristics of the resulting boule. For example, a highly conductive silicon carbide substrate would be fabricated from a boule doped with nitrogen. Such a boule would be grown in an ambient gas 17 containing nitrogen.
It is undesirable to produce boules having mixtures of different polytypes. While it is necessary to grow the silicon carbide crystal from the carbon face of the seed crystal, such is not sufficient to achieve long boules. In practice in prior art systems where 4-H polytype boules are desired, the yield of the 4-H polytype typically decreases as the length of the boule increases. That is, as the length of the boule increases the likelihood of producing a 4-H/6-H polytype mixture increases. Therefore, silicon carbide crystals having a high percentage of 4-H polytype tend to be relatively short in length. Therefore, it is desirable to provide a method of growing boules where the yield of the 4-H polytype in the resulting boule is not affected by the length of the boule. In addition, in maximizing the 4-H polytype yield, it is also desirable to maximize the growth rate of the boule.

Method of growing 4H silicon carbide crystal


The present invention provides a data transfer system apparatus that automatically loads the necessary drivers and code through two interface elements to facilitate the transfer of electronic data from one EDP to another. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the apparatus consists of a cable, USB interface plug, floppy drive transfer device (diskette), processor, controller, memory, circuitry components and software code. The electronic components and software applications are contained in the cable housing unit. Each interface element is attached at one end of the cable so they can be inserted into the respective EDP interfaces. Insertion of the apparatus into the EDP interfaces automatically triggers the execution of the embedded software for auto loading of the necessary code to control the transfer of the data directly from one EDP to the other. The system emulates the apparatus as a peripheral device attached to the EDP through its USB port interface coupled to the other EDP using its FDD to transfer the data, using the data storage capacity of the receiving EDP as the serial bus end-point.

There are numerous methods of transferring data from one electronic data processing machine (EDP) to another, including copying data to floppy disks, compact disks (CD), flash memory sticks or external data storage devices. There are also software programs and devices available to manage the data transfer using a cable or wireless connection using a standard parallel port, serial port, USB, PCMCI or other network (Ethernet or telephony) interface. These methods require the creation and management of a network.
Almost all of the above methods require manual installation and configuration of the device or the program managing the data transfer, except for the copy function of data to or from a data storage disk using a standard EDP read/write device such as a floppy disk drive (FDD).
The drawback with current cable and wireless methods is that the expertise required to install and configure the device and the related software application to manage the device and execute the desired data transfer is far beyond the expertise of the average computer user. In particular, these prior art data transfer systems lack a process to automate the loading, execution and configuration of the necessary code to facilitate the data transfer between two EDPs.
Therefore, it would be desirable to have an apparatus that automatically loads the drivers and code necessary to facilitate the transfer of data between EDP using standard EDP connectivity interfaces.


A multilayer film is described made of recyclable thermoplastic material comprising a layer (A) of unoriented amorphous PET combined with at least one barrier layer (B) which comprises unoriented amorphous PET, a salt of a transition metal and an oxidizable polyester-ether, in which the quantity of unoriented amorphous PET is at least 95% in weight of the total film and in which the permeability to oxygen is below 10 cc/m2/24 h/atm. The film is particularly suitable for the production of food-grade containers and packages with high barrier effect and high transparency which, at the same time, are fully recyclable in the same application.

The food market for the large-scale retail trade (supermarket chains and similar) requires increasingly sophisticated packaging materials, especially to increase the storability of the food and the aesthetic quality of the packages, for example in terms of container transparency. One of the technical requirements of the food distribution market is for packages consisting of a tray, or container, and a top film or cover that offer sufficient resistance to the entry of oxygen inside the tray to preserve the quality and flavour of the product contained until the use-by date indicated on the package. This parameter is defined shelf life.
A known package commonly used on the market, illustrated schematically in FIG. 1, consists of a multilayer container 10 having a total thickness of 330 microns, comprising a PET (single or three-layer) base 11 having a thickness of 280 microns, on which a PE/EVOH/PE three-layer lamination film is applied, having an overall thickness of 50 microns (22 microns+6 microns+22 microns). In some cases the PE/EVOH/PE 50 micron lamination film is replaced by a PE/PA/PE film (21 microns+8 microns+21 microns), where PA is a polyamide.
Other packages feature a coating with inorganic base (e.g. silicon oxides) deposited on the PET base via plasma processes and/or by solvent, or with an organic base (PVDC) deposited on the PET base via solvent lacquering processes, to provide adequate barrier properties which are not guaranteed by the PET.
In these known packages the top film—in FIG. 1 the cover 15 of the container 10—has a total thickness of approximately 50 microns, and is of the PE/EVOH/PE three-layer type (22 microns+6 microns+22 microns). In some cases the 50 micron top film in PE/EVOH/PE can be replaced by a five-layer film of the PE/Ad/PA/Ad/PE type (18 microns+3 microns+8 microns+3 microns+18 microns), where Ad represents a layer of adhesive.
It is clear from examination of the above-mentioned structures that both for the container and for the top film or cover the oxygen barrier is obtained from the polymeric fraction EVOH or PA, which is known to be highly efficient in blocking the entry of oxygen into the package in order to improve preservation of the food product contained. It is also clear that the structure of the two components of the package, i.e. the container and the cover, is such that the package is closed by means of the contact between the layers of PE, which are heat-sealed PE on PE in order to guarantee good closure and sealing.
Although effective, the known package described above has numerous drawbacks.
As regards the container, the PE/EVOH/PE three-layer (or PE/Ad/PA/Ad/PE five-layer) lamination film can de-laminate from the PET base if the hot lamination process is used, and in any case the risk of delamination is a problem. Alternatively bonding processes with adhesives can be used, but these increase the number of container formulation components and often require the use of chemical solvents for deposition of the adhesive.
Furthermore, the package is not perfectly transparent due to the presence of PE, EVOH and PA and any adhesives.
However, the main drawbacks of the package concern the environmental and waste management aspects during production of the packages. Said drawbacks arise mainly from the fact that the packages comprise different plastics, i.e. they are packages produced using the multi-material approach (PET; PE, EVOH and/or PA with relative adhesives, plus any other components or additives). The multi-material nature of the package severely limits—or even makes practically impossible—effective and inexpensive recycling of both the production waste and the package itself at the end of its life, due to the presence of plastics that are incompatible with one another. By the term "recycling" we mean the possibility of actual re-use of the material, for example by melting and subsequent moulding into a new product, usually a new container and/or top film which can be re-used in the same application. This type of recycling maintains the value of the material substantially unaltered. In contrast, a recycling in which the material is used for a "poorer" application than the original application diminishes significantly the value of the material.
The limitations to recycling of multi-material packages are discussed below.
In the case of the known package described above, the application of a three-layer lamination film on the PET base of the container offers satisfactory oxygen barrier properties but it is known that the chemical/physical characteristics of the EVOH (melting point, thermal stability, refractive index etc.) are such that the EVOH cannot be treated in the production process at the same extrusion temperatures as the PET (280-290° C.), as this causes phenomena of thermal degradation, decolouring and formation of black carbonaceous pitting due to the excessively high temperature to which the EVOH polymeric fraction is exposed. Furthermore said phenomenon, combined with the presence of the PE not miscible with the PET, tends to create considerable haze in the final sheet.
The use of films containing polyamides (PA), on the other hand, entails the phenomenon well known in literature of decolouring of the polyamides when treated at temperatures above 250° C., and immiscibility of the PAs with the PET. Furthermore, adequate oxygen barrier properties require the use of relatively high quantities of PA, up to approximately 5-8% of the total of the container. Therefore in the recycling phase the retention of the viscosity of the material is generally good but strong yellowing of the PA fraction also occurs, which significantly worsens the optical quality of the resulting product, in terms of both colour and haze. Excessive overheating of the polyamide fraction can also lead to embrittlement of the sheet.
The use of inorganic-based coatings deposited on the PET base, although having high barrier performance in theory, has drawbacks relative to the low actual barrier properties, as said inorganic coatings are very fragile (they create a film of vitreous material). This means that the static and dynamic stresses to which the materials are subject during processing tend to create "cracks" on the coating layer, triggering points with poor oxygen barrier which do not guarantee the performance required in all operating conditions.
The use of organic-based coatings (PVDC) deposited on the PET base has drawbacks associated with the presence of chlorinated compounds, which are not well accepted by the market and are difficult to recycle in general, particularly together with the PET.
As regards the top film or cover, it is made of polymeric material different from PET and it therefore entails the compatibility drawbacks described above.
It should also be remembered that the production process involved in forming the container into various shapes and sizes, such as packs, trays and boxes of roughly cylindrical or roughly parallelepipedal shape, and related covers, produces considerable quantities of waste, which it would be desirable to recycle in the same application but which for the reasons explained above are not re-usable. Naturally this applies even more so to recycling and reuse of the package at the end of its life.
It is therefore possible to recycle and reuse said multi-material objects only for unsophisticated applications or in any case applications less sophisticated than the primary application, where transparency, aesthetic quality and technological properties such as oxygen barrier are not required, for example garden chairs, tables and other objects obtained by injection moulding. Otherwise said materials are disposed of in waste incinerators, resulting in wastage of raw material and high environmental impact.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,455,620 B1 describes articles having improved oxygen barrier properties intended for the packaging of foodstuffs. In particular said articles contain materials capable of capturing the oxygen (scavengers), specifically via an initiating action of exposure to the UV rays, so as to prevent penetration of the oxygen into the materials and consequent contact with the food product. The materials able to capture oxygen are polyethers, an oxidation catalyst and a photoinitiator which promotes activation of the catalysis via exposure of the product to the UV rays. Example 34 of the patent describes the preparation of a 5-layer film comprising an oxygen scavenging layer consisting of a mixture of PET, a polyester-polyether copolymer, a photoinitiator and an oxidation catalyst consisting of an organic cobalt compound. The film forming the scavenger layer contains 500 ppm of Co and is not oriented. It is bonded by means of layers of adhesive to bioriented PET film (Mylar®). The final multilayer film consists of the following: Mylar®/adhesive/scavenger film/adhesive/Mylar®. The central layer represents 2/14 of the total thickness, hence the final content of Co in the multilayer film is 500/7, i.e. 71.5 ppm. The rest of the multilayer film consists of 6/14 bioriented PET film and a further 6/14 adhesive layers. There is therefore a considerable number of adhesive layers which make the product difficult to recycle and hazy. Furthermore the multilayer film is produced by means of a process of pressure lamination downstream of the extrusion process, which makes it non-advantageous in production terms.
WO 2005/023530 A1 describes a method for producing oriented single-layer PET bottles with high barrier effect and high transparency. The material forming the single layer is a mixture of PET, polyamide (MXD6), cobalt salt and ionic compatibilizer, the latter consisting of a copolyester containing a sulphonated group salified with a metal. The mixture comprises 1 to 10% by weight of polyamide, 0.1 to 2 mole % of ionic compatibilizer and 20 to 500 ppm of cobalt. Multilayer or unoriented (amorphous) articles are not described. The oxygen transmission data given in the various examples illustrated relate only to oriented film, which is known to offer much better barrier properties than those of unoriented films having the same composition.
US 2003/0134966 A1 describes barrier compositions and articles made therefrom, including blends of PET/cobalt octoate/MXD6 polyamide. Such type of blend does not produce a good material when recycled in an amount above 5% due to the presence of the polyamide.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,077,111 describes recyclable multilayer plastic perform and container blown therefrom, including a blend of either PET/MXD-nylon or PET/MXD-6 nylon/Co. The same remarks apply as for US 2003/0134966 A1 above.
WO 2009/0302560 A1 describes an oxygen scavenging composition for the production of an article with low haze comprising a polyester, a copolyester-ether and an oxidation catalyst such as a cobalt salt. A single-layer oriented article such as the wall of a bottle is also described. The formulations described contain 100 ppm of cobalt and different concentrations of polyether. Multilayer or unoriented articles are not described. As regards the oxygen barrier data, the minimum oxygen permeability value is given in example 6 with 1% by weight of copolyester-ether type D. The permeability found is 0.03 cc/cm/(m2·day·atm) on an oriented article such as a bottle having a thickness of 0.25 mm. This value of 0.03 refers to a thickness of 1 cm. A film having the same composition but with thickness 200 times lower, i.e. 50 microns, would show a permeability to oxygen 200 times higher, i.e. 0.03×200=6. The description also mentions the use of thermoformed articles such as trays or cups for foodstuffs. It is known that the oxygen permeability of said unoriented articles is 4-5 times higher than that of corresponding oriented articles, at the same thickness.
The state of the art illustrated above therefore does not solve, or unsatisfactorily solves, the problem of obtaining an unoriented film made of thermoplastic material for the production of a container which can be completely recycled in the same application, has the lowest possible content of metal elements such as cobalt or other metals and at the same time offers an adequate oxygen barrier, thus making it suitable for the preservation of food.

Multilayer film made of recyclable thermoplastic material and container comprising said film


A photoresist composition containing: a polymer including an acid-labile group; a radiation-sensitive acid generator; and an acid diffusion control agent that contains a compound represented by a formula (1). In the formula (1), R1, R2 and R3 each independently represent a hydrogen atom or a monovalent hydrocarbon group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms. A represents a group having a valency of n that is obtained by combining: a hydrogen atom, a linear hydrocarbon group having 1 to 30 carbon atoms, an alicyclic hydrocarbon group having 3 to 30 carbon atoms or a combination thereof; —O—, —CO—, —COO—, —SO2O—, —NRSO2—, —NRSO2O—, —NRCO— or a combination thereof; and n nitrogen atoms as a binding site to the carbonyl group in the formula (1), in which a sum of atomic masses of the atoms constituting A is no less than 120. n is an integer of 1 to 4.

In chemically amplified photoresist compositions, an acid is generated from an acid generating agent upon irradiation with an exposure light such as an ArF excimer laser beam and a KrF excimer laser beam at a light-exposed site, and a reaction catalyzed by the acid allows the difference in dissolution rates in a developer solution to be produced between the light-exposed site and a light-unexposed site, thereby enabling a resist pattern to be formed on a substrate.
Along with miniaturization in processing techniques, such photoresist compositions are required not only to exhibit a superior resolving ability, but also to be superior in a line width roughness (LWR) performance, which is indicative of a variation in the line width of a resist pattern. To address the demand, incorporation of an acid diffusion control agent into the photoresist compositions is employed for the purpose of properly controlling the diffusion of the acid generated from the acid generating agent. In order to improve various performances of the photoresist compositions, various acid diffusion control agents having a specific structure have been investigated (see Japanese Unexamined Patent Application, Publication No. 2001-215689; PCT International Publication No. WO 2011/007780; Japanese Unexamined Patent Application, Publication Nos. 2009-199021, 2006-321770, 2011-141494, and 2011-141495).
Under such circumstances, in these days when further miniaturization of resist patterns is advancing, it is also demanded to further improve the resolving ability, the LWR performance, and the like, and to increase a depth of focus for the purpose of improving process stability. In addition, in the case of the aforementioned conventional acid diffusion control agents, since the resist pattern formed tends to exhibit a top loss phenomenon and the like, an improvement of the cross-sectional shape of the resist pattern is also demanded. However, the aforementioned conventional photoresist compositions are incapable of meeting these demands.

Photoresist composition, resist pattern-forming method, acid diffusion control agent, and compound


A tool and methodology are described that can evaluate the trustworthiness of a system. In one embodiment, the system is classified in terms of the resources that constitute the system, the codes that apply to the system, the services produced by the system, the risks incurred by the system, and the costs associated with its use. A functional component of a trust decision to use the system involves a calculus to evaluate whether the probability that the services as a result of using the system will exceed the risks that may occur as valued by a user. The cost component of a trust decision includes an evaluation that the use of a system will occur at an acceptable cost and will produce economically acceptable results.

Ever since a person first threw a stick to knock fruit from a tree, the ability to select and use tools has been a defining human characteristic. Experience and intelligence have also enabled tools to be fashioned to perform more complex work and to work in combination with other tools. The increased complexity and sophistication of modern tools has also increased the complexity of the systems constructed from those tools. This complexity is challenging many aspects of contemporary life, including the continued advancement of methods for designing, analyzing and selecting systems to perform complex services.
As used herein, a "system," regardless of its complexity, includes any group of interacting, interrelated, or interdependent elements to perform a particular task of work. Systems can be mechanical, chemical, biological, electronic, or financial in nature and involve any combination of technology or economics to produce a desired outcome. As an example, an information system can include computers, software, power networks, storage media, user manuals and associated input and output devices that collect, process, and present data and information. A system is both a singular tool, as well as a combination of tools and other resources that are assembled, operated and relied upon concurrently in order to perform a specific assigned task of work.
Any decision to select and use a system involves a necessary determination that the system can be trusted to perform the work for which the system is being selected. Trust decisions evaluate the suitability of the system as well as the likelihood the system will perform as anticipated. Trusting a system is a crucial variable in the ability to assemble and operate more complex systems, particularly information systems and communication systems. In the absence of confidence that a more complex system will operate as intended, without incurring unacceptable risks or costs, a system will not be trusted. The inability of a system to be trustworthy prevents an affirmative decision to select and use a system and dooms the practical success of the system itself.
Historically, trust has been considered as a qualitative or emotional value not readily capable of quantitative analysis or management. Those engaged in system design, evaluation and selection have lacked the tools and resources with which to assess a system's trustworthiness. The absence of suitable tools and resources has also made it difficult to design systems to take account of, and adapt to, the risks and costs associated with the use of that system. As a result, many systems are developed with a substantial degree of trial and error, with limited quantitative evaluations of how the design and function of the system induce trustworthiness.
For information systems, much of the attention given to trust focuses on issues relating to the security and integrity of the information processes performed by those systems. This approach, largely embodied in risk management methods, focuses on mitigating risks with technology and process controls that may be available but fails to incorporate into the design and evaluation processes the many factors that influence how humans decide to trust a system, including any system made up of multiple components or systems. Current processes also lack a means of incorporating into a system's design or selection critical variables that influence the trust decision. These additional variables reflect (a) the frameworks of business and legal rules that apply to the work to be performed, such as transactions in an information system, (b) the costs associated with a system's use and operation, and (c) information and performance data regarding the historical and current operations of a system (or its components) in performing the work for which they have been selected.
The absence of a predictive tool associated with evaluating trust and capable of use in the design, construction, operation, selection and use of systems permits significant inefficiencies to persist in the use of existing systems and the innovation of more complex systems. These inefficiencies transform themselves into concerns regarding the trustworthiness of systems. For example, nearly 45% of American businesses report that their lack of trust in online transaction systems prevent them from making greater use of those systems. Similar concerns characterize consumer and government confidence in many different kinds of information and mechanical systems, including those used to operate aircraft, support medical care, conduct online purchases, access electronic libraries or educate children. To date, no tool or method exists by which trustworthiness can be integrated into the design, selection and use of systems and their components or their ongoing operation.

System trustworthiness tool and methodology


The present invention relates to a pneumatic tire having a pair of spaced apart bead components, a connecting carcass between said bead components, and a rubber chafer positioned around at least a portion of each of said bead components and intended for contacting a rigid rim of a wheel, wherein said chafer comprises a self lubricating rubber composition, the self lubricating rubber composition comprising at least one rubber and from 1 to 50 phr of at least one additive selected from alcohols of formula I, esters of formula II, or amides of formula III

Pneumatic rubber tires conventionally have two spaced apart, relatively inextensible beads, usually composed of twisted, or cabled, metallic wires, which are surrounded by rubber components. A significant component which is conventionally positioned around a portion of the bead is the chafer. The chafer is a rubber composition conventionally designed to contact a rigid wheel rim and, therefore, interface between the tire and rim.
The chafer rubber composition is conventionally composed of a rubber composition which is carbon black reinforced. The chafer rubber composition may optionally contain a textile fabric reinforcement for dimensional stability, where the textile fabric portion of the chafer is conventionally adjacent to the bead portion of the tire, leaving the rubber portion of the chafer to contact the rigid wheel rim when the tire is mounted on such rim and inflated. In heavily loaded tires such as used in off-the-road applications such as mining, the chafer may be exposed to particularly harsh usage. There is a need therefore for an improved tire chafer.

Abstract: wherein R1 and R2 are independently selected from C12-C36 alkyl, C12-C36 alkenyl, or C12-C36 alkadienyl.


Dehydro-epi-androsterone sulfate, topically applied, is well suited for therapeutically treating human skin wrinkles and fine lines and/or for combating cutaneous and/or subcutaneous slackening and/or for reviving the radiance of the skin.

1. Technical Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to novel cosmetic/dermatological compositions for topical application to human skin, comprising sodium dehydroisoandrosterone 3-sulfate, also termed dehydro-epi-androsterone sulfate, or known by the simple abbreviation "S-DHEA," and to the use of same for treating certain signs of endogenous and/or exogenous aging.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Cutaneous aging results from the effects on the skin of intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Clinically, the signs of aging are reflected by the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines, by a slackening of cutaneous and subcutaneous tissue, by a loss of cutaneous elasticity, by atonia of the texture of the skin and by the yellowing of the skin which becomes duller and loses its radiance. On the areas of the skin which have been exposed to sunlight throughout life - essentially the face, the neckline, the hands and the forearms - pigmentation marks, telangiectasia and elastosis are often observed.
Certain of these signs are more particularly associated with intrinsic or physiological aging, namely, aging associated with age, whereas others are more specific to extrinsic aging, namely, aging caused by the environment in general; this relates more particularly to photoaging due to exposure to sunlight, to light or to any other radiation.
The changes in the skin resulting from intrinsic or physiological aging are the consequence of a genetically programmed senescence involving endogenous factors. This intrinsic aging causes, in particular, a slowing down in the rate of regeneration of skin cells. Histologically, the skin is overall rendered thinner, both at the epidermal and dermal levels. The density of the fibrous macromolecules of the dermis (elastin and collagen) is reduced. In contrast, extrinsic aging effects histopathological changes such as excessive accumulation of elastic matter in the upper dermis and degeneration of the collagen fibers.
In general, skin aging manifests itself in the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines, with the slackening of cutaneous and subcutaneous tissue and with the radiance of the skin. Slackening of the cutaneous and subcutaneous tissue is reflected in a skin texture lacking tone, slackening of the cutaneous microrelief, reduced skin firmness and an overall flaccid skin.
Numerous compositions are known to this art for treating wrinkles and fine lines on the skin or to firm skin tissue; however, these compositions provide only incomplete and temporary treatment of these morphological disorders. Thus, serious need continues to exist for a topical-application composition which makes it possible to treat wrinkles and fine lines more effectively, as well as to firm skin tissue.

Cosmetic/dermatological skin care compositions comprising S-DHEA


This invention has as its object a method for detecting catalytic activity of a sample, characterized in that it comprises: the incubation of a substrate (S) with the sample that may have the catalytic activity that it is desired to detect, the addition of a reagent (X) that can react either with a chemical group of unconsumed substrate (S) or with a chemical group of product (P) that is formed after an incubation period with the sample, the addition of a developer (R) that can react with reagent (X), and the detection of the transformation of developer (R).

To develop new biocatalysis processes that are useful in particular to the chemical and pharmaceutical industry and to the engineering of proteins, it is necessary to use methods for detecting reliable, fast, and low-cost catalytic activities.
In the prior art, there are two types of substrates that allow the detection of catalytic activity.
On the one hand, substrates of the type modified by a detectable group that can release a signal after their transformation by a particular catalytic activity, and, on the other hand, the techniques that use natural-type substrates as indicated below are known.
Among the modified substrates, it is possible to use substrates such as aromatic alcohol ester that release, after their transformation, a tinted or fluorescent aromatic alcohol (D. C. Demirjian et al. Top. Curr. Chem. 1999, 200, 1). These substrate types have a major disadvantage, because the chromogenic molecule or fluorogenic molecule is a highly activated group, which makes these substrates unstable. The detection reactions that are derived therefrom consequently can be non-specific.
A second class of modified substrates results in the revelation of a product that is obtained after secondary enzymatic reaction and/or spontaneous reaction (N. Jourdain et al. Tetrahedron Lett. 1998, 39, 9415; K. L. Matta et al., Carbohydr. Res. 1981, 90, C1–C3; G. Klein and J. L. Reymond, Helv. Chim. Acta 1999, 82, 400). This second class of substrates is more stable. This second class of substrates, however, is limited to particular uses. Actually, the dosage of the reaction is done directly on the released product by using an enzyme. The released product should therefore correspond to very specific structural characteristics, which thereby limits the diversity of catalytic activities that can be detected.
A third class of modified substrates has been developed to detect catalytic activities by avoiding the problems raised in advance (Badalassi, F. et al. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl. 2000, 39 (22): 4067–4070). These substrates, however, always correspond to modified substrates.
In contrast, the natural substrates that can demonstrate a catalytic activity are known. The various techniques, however, that use natural substrates are often complex and cumbersome to use for high-flow screening (cumbersome instrumentation in the case of the IR thermography, CE, HPLC, GC MS) or limited to particular catalytic activities that can, for example, induce a difference in pH and/or in the narrowly defined reaction conditions (measurement of pH variations, secondary enzymes). Most of these measurements are also very expensive to carry out because of the cost or the instrumentation, or reagents involved, in particular the secondary enzymes and the anti-product antibodies (M. T. Reetz et al Angew. Chem. 1999, 1111, 1872; A. Holzwarth et al. Angew. Chem. 1998, 110, 2788; M. T. Reetz et al. Angew. Chem. 2000, 112, 1294, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. Engl. 2000, 39, 1236; Taran et al. Tetrahedron Lett. 1999, 40, 1887, 1891, S. M. Firestine et al. Nat. Biotechnol 2000, 18, 544; F. Moris-Varas et al. Bioorg. Med. Chem. 1999, 7, 2183).


Disclosed herewith is an information reproducing method for realizing significant expansion of disk capacity and processing signals having different minimum run lengths, as well as an optical disk drive that uses the method. To achieve the above objects, a PRML method is used. According to the method, a compensation value is added to an initial target value decided by a convolution operation of NN bits according to a bit array consisting of N bits (N>NN) to obtain a new target value, which is then compared with each of reproduced signals sequentially to select a bit array in which the error between the reproduced signal and the target signal is minimized most likely, then the selected bit array is binarized.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an information reproducing method that uses replaceable optical disks and an information reproducing apparatus that employs the method.
2. Description of Related Art
The use of such optical disks as CD and DVD is now widespread and development of next generation optical disks that use a blue laser also makes rapid progress to meet the demand of users for increasing the capacity of those disks more and more. And, it has become common now for one optical disk player to be provided with functions of not only reproducing information from CD disks or from both of CD and DVD disks, but also recording information on all of CD-R/RW, DVD-RAM, and DVD-R/RW disks. And accordingly, the users have come now to demand the compatibility of recording/reproducing functions among those optical disks manufactured in various standards to be more improved.
The PRML (Partial Response Maximum Likelihood) method, which is remarkably effective for improving the S/N ratio, is now widespread as means for expanding the capacity of magnetic disks. The PRML method compares reproduced signals with a target signal sequentially for a continuous N time to transform each reproduced signal bit array to the most likelihood binary bit array. Conventionally, a direct slicing method has long been employed to reproduce information from optical disks. However, the conventional method has its limit in speeding up the processing and expanding the disk capacity. This is why the PRML method has come to be employed as means for reproducing information from those optical disks.
In spite of such an advantage, the PRML method has been confronted with the following three problems that must be solved before the method is to be used positively as means for reproducing information from optical disks.
The first problem is asymmetry occurrence. A PRML target signal is calculated by a convolution processing of a specified impulse response (PR class) and a bit array, so that the PRML target value becomes symmetrical vertically to the center value. On the other hand, each optical disk usually generates asymmetry to improve the S/N ratio. As a result, the reproduced signal level becomes asymmetrical and hardly matches with the PRML target signal.
The second problem is an impossibility to realize significant expansion of disk capacity. There has never been proposed any method for such significant expansion of disk capacity with use of the PRML method so far. This point will be described later in detail.
The third problem is the minimum run length. The PRML basic structure is decided uniquely by a PR class and the run length of a reproduced signal. However, the minimum run length of MO disks (optical disks in the next generation) is 2T while that of the CD/DVD disks is 3T. Consequently, to enable one optical disk drive to correspond to such a plurality of optical disk types, the drive must also be provided with a plurality of PRML circuits.
Technical Digest of ISOM 2002 (269-271 (2002)) discloses an application example of the PRML method to an optical disk. In the document, a target signal level is changed according to the circumstances to reproduce information from the optical disk while the disk tilts in both radial and tangential directions. This method is excellent, since it can solve the first problem described above (asymmetry occurrence). However, the method is still difficult to solve the second problem (impossibility to realize significant expansion of disk capacity) and cannot solve the third problem (impossibility to process signals having different minimum run lengths in the same way).
[Non-Patent Document 1]
Technical Digest of ISOM 2002 (269-271 (2002))
As described above, the conventional PRML method is hardly effective to expand the capacity of optical disks significantly and cannot process signals having different minimum run lengths in the same way.
Under such circumstances, it is an object of the present invention to provide an information reproducing method that can solve the above conventional technical problems, realize significant expansion of disk capacity, and process signals having different minimum run lengths in the same way, as well as an information reproducing apparatus that employs the method.

Information reproducing method and an information reproducing drive utilizing PRML to output binary values


A method includes forming a first mask on a first portion of a first surface of a substrate, forming a second mask on the first mask and further forming the second mask on a second portion of the first surface of the substrate, and etching an exposed portion of the first surface of the substrate and removing the second mask. According to some embodiments, an exposed portion of the first surface of the substrate is etched and the first mask is removed. An oxide layer is formed on the first surface of the substrate. A third mask is formed on the oxide layer except for a portion of the oxide layer corresponding to bumpstop features. The portion of the oxide layer corresponding to the bumpstop features is removed. An exposed portion of the first surface of the substrate is etched and the third mask is removed.

MEMS ("micro-electro-mechanical systems") are a class of devices that are fabricated using semiconductor-like processes and exhibit mechanical characteristics. For example, MEMS devices may include the ability to move or deform. In many cases, but not always, MEMS interact with electrical signals. A MEMS device may refer to a semiconductor device that is implemented as a micro-electro-mechanical system. A MEMS device includes mechanical elements and may optionally include electronics (e.g. electronics for sensing). MEMS devices include but are not limited to, for example, gyroscopes, accelerometers, magnetometers, pressure sensors, etc. Unfortunately, electrostatic charges may form from contact between two components with different materials, e.g., proof mass and Upper Cavity (UCAV) oxide layer. The electrostatic charge may cause an offset and therefore results in performance degradation. Some have increased the distance between the two components in order to eliminate contact therefore reduce electrostatic charges. Unfortunately increasing the distance results in an increased cavity volume, which adversely impacts performance for accelerometers.

MEMS device with reduced electric charge, cavity volume and stiction


A method and apparatus for combining a credit card account with a medical services or insurance account. A client establishes a credit card account and links the credit card account to an insurance policy or medical services account. The client uses the credit card and generates rebates used to offset the cost of the insurance policy or make payments into the medical services account. The form of the rebate depends on the type of insurance policy or medical services account selected by the client. An interactive Web site is provided for creation, coordination, and monitoring of the linked credit card accounts and insurance policies. A client uses the interactive Web site to explore different insurance policies and the effects of using credit card rebates to offset the price of an insurance policy. The interactive Web site also provides services for the client to maintain and monitor the linked accounts.

Credit cards providing rebates in the form of airline miles for purchases, cash back for purchases, or cash down payments for automobiles have been successful in attracting customers and enlarging the businesses of the credit card companies and the vendors aligned with the credit card companies. Credit card company clients are attracted to the credit cards offering rebates because a client receives a monetary incentive to use credit cards offering rebates. Credit card companies benefit from greater market share created by increased client interest in the credit cards offering rebates. Product and service vendors enjoy increased customer loyalty created by clients working towards increased rebates resulting in larger market share and less customer volatility. The system of credit card rebates pays for itself through customer loyalty, increased market stability, increased resource utilization, and economies of scale.
However, a recent article in a California paper indicated that 20% of all California residents do not have health insurance. National statistics are similar. In addition, only a small percentage of people own any type of life insurance, long term care insurance, or disability insurance in case they are disabled from performing the duties of their occupations.
Insurance companies and health care providers could benefit from an alliance with credit card companies to provide insurance benefits to clients using rebates generated from credit card purchases. The present invention provides a system to form such an alliance.

Computerized system for combining insurance company and credit card transactions


An integrated circuit package includes a substrate having a central axis dividing the substrate into an upper half and a lower half and an integrated circuit coupled to the substrate. A layer is provided within the substrate in the lower half thereof that is configured to resist warpage of the integrated circuit package, the layer provided a distance from the central axis.

The present invention relates generally to the field of integrated circuits. More specifically, the present invention relates to integrated circuit packages and methods of manufacturing such packages.
Integrated circuits (ICs), such as ultra-large scale integrated (ULSI) circuits, can include as many as one million transistors or more. The ULSI circuit can include complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) field effect transistors (FETS). ICs also often include flash memory cells. Such devices typically include a silicon, silicon-germanium, or other semiconductor substrate, above which are provided any of a variety of structures, such as vias, conductive lines, capacitors, resistors, isolation structures, contacts, interconnects, etc.
Flip chip integrated circuit packages utilize integrated circuits in an orientation that allows for relatively simple connection of the integrated circuits to the substrate. The integrated circuits are arranged face down on a substrate (e.g., an organic or ceramic substrate material) such that the active circuitry provided on a top surface of the integrated circuit is electrically connected (e.g., soldered) in contact with features provided in the substrate. In this manner, the features (i.e., the active circuitry) provided on the top surface of integrated circuit are aligned with the appropriate features on the underlying substrate. One advantageous feature of utilizing flip chip packaging is that the necessity to electrically connect the integrated circuit to the underlying substrate using wire bonding or another technique is eliminated. Another advantageous feature is that the overall size of the integrated circuit may be reduced as compared to packages that require wire bonding connections between the integrated circuit and the underlying substrate.
FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a portion 10 of a conventional flip chip integrated circuit package. Portion 10 includes a substrate 20 having an integrated circuit 30 electrically connected thereto. Integrated circuit 30 is connected to substrate 20 using solder balls 32 or another method.
Substrate 20 includes a core 22 provided between a first buildup layer 24 and a second buildup layer 26. Buildup layers 24 and 26 include a variety of circuits and/or other components. Core 22 comprises an organic or ceramic material and a number of metal features (e.g., copper, aluminum) (not shown) for electrically connecting attached integrated circuits to other portions of the package.
One difficulty with the arrangement shown in FIG. 1 is that thermal stresses may be induced following the processing of the package. For example, the substrate comprises an organic material having a coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) that is between approximately 17 and 20 ppm/° C. while the substrate is typically made of a semiconductor material such as silicon, silicon-germanium, gallium arsenide, or other III-V semiconductor materials. The integrated circuit conventionally has a CTE that is between approximately 2 and 3 ppm/° C. During processing of the package, the temperature of the package is approximately 170° C. After processing is completed, the temperature of the package returns to room temperature, at which point the substrate contracts more than the integrated circuit coupled thereto. The result of the thermally induced shrinkage differential between the substrate and the integrated circuit is that a stress is induced in the package that may ultimately cause a defect in the package. For example, a bending moment may be induced in the package that causes the components of the package (e.g., the integrated circuit or die and the substrate) to bend into a convex shape, which may cause cracks to develop at the interface at which the integrated circuit is coupled to the substrate. In such a case, electrical connections between the integrated circuit in the substrate may be compromised, resulting in a device which may not function in an expected manner.
It would be advantageous to provide an improved integrated circuit package (e.g., a flip chip package) that is configured to resist or compensate for thermally induced stresses in the package. It would also be advantageous to provide an integrated circuit package that utilizes commonly available materials to produce an integrated circuit package that resists thermally induced stresses. It would also be advantageous to provide a method of producing an integrated circuit package that resists thermally induced stresses.


The present invention provides a method for assaying alpha-methylacyl-CoA racemase activity. In the assay, a sample containing an alpha-methylacyl-CoA racemase or suspected of containing an alpha-methylacyl-CoA racemase is contacted with (2R)-2-methylacyl-CoA. If alpha-methylacyl-CoA racemase is present in the sample, (2R)-2-methylacyl-CoA is converted into (2S)-2-methylacyl-CoA. The method then utilizes a cycling reaction system between (2S)-2-methylacyl-CoA and trans-2,3-dehydroacyl-CoA to generate a detectable signal that corresponds to the alpha-methylacyl-CoA racemase activity. Kits for assaying alpha-methylacyl-CoA racemase based on the same principle are also provided.

Alpha-methylacyl-CoA racemase (AMACR) is a well-characterized enzyme which plays a key role in peroxisomal β-oxidation of dietary branched-chain fatty acids and C27-bile acid intermediates. Ferdinandusse et al., J. Lipid Res. 41:1890-1896 (2000). AMACR catalyzes the conversion of (R)-α-methyl-branched-chain fatty acyl-CoA esters to their (S)-stereoisomers. Cuebas et al., Biochem. J. 363:801-807 (2002); Schmitz et al., Eur. J. Biochem. 231:815-822 (1995). AMACR was isolated from human liver as a 47-kDa monomer and is mainly localized in peroxisomes with a small amount detected in the mitochondria. Schmitz et al., Eur. J. Biochem. 231:815-822 (1995); Schmitz et al., Eur. J. Biochem. 222:313-23 (1994). The isoelectric point for AMACR isolated from human liver is pH 6.1, and the enzyme is optimally active between pH 7 and pH 8.
Elevated expression of AMACR has been shown to be a biomarker for several types of cancer such as prostate, colorectal, ovarian, breast, bladder, lung, renal cell carcinoma, lymphoma, and melanoma. Rubin et al., JAMA 287: 1662-1670 (2002); Luo et al., Cancer Res. 62:2220-2226 (2002); Sreekumar et al., J. Natl. Cancer Inst. 96:834-843 (2004). Studies also show that alpha-methylacyl-CoA racemase enzymatic activity is elevated in prostate cancer tissue specimens. Kumar-Sinha et al., Am. J. Pathol. 164:787-93 (2004). PCT WO 02/27324 and U.S. Appl. Pub. 2002/0123081 describes methods for identifying patients having or at risk of developing prostate cancer and patients having or at risk of developing a cancer arising from metastasis of a prostate cancer to another tissue by measuring the expression or activity of AMACR.
Several methods have been reported for assaying enzymatic activity of AMACR. Schmitz et al. (Eur. J. Biochem. 222:313-23 (1994)) describe a radiometric assay for AMACR enzymatic activity, in which 2-methyl[2-(3)H]acyl-CoAs is used as substrate. Veldhoven et al. (Biochem. Biophys. Acta 1347:62-68 (1997)) describe an alternative enzymatic assay for AMACR, in which AMACR is combined with 2R-methyl-pentadecanoyl-CoA. The reaction product, a 2S-isomer, is desaturated by an excess of added oxidase (pristanoyl CoA oxidase) resulting in the production of hydrogen peroxide, which is monitored by means of peroxidase in the presence of a suitable hydrogen donor. However, there is still a need for a reliable and sensitive method for assaying AMACR enzymatic activity in a sample (e.g., for diagnosing cancer).

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Enzyme cycling based assays for alpha-methylacyl-CoA racemase


A moving body measuring device, having an image taking unit for taking an image of a moving body, a controller for controlling the image taking unit and a frame memory for memorizing an image data of the image of the image taking unit, which processes the image data, detects the moving body and obtains an information of the moving body which comprises an existence domain setting circuit for previously setting an existence domain of the moving body extended along a moving path of the moving body based on the image data, a sampling circuit for sampling a data showing the moving body based on the image data in the existence domain, and a timewise data accumulating circuit for timewisely and continuously accumulating at every constant period, the data showing the moving body sampled by the sampling circuit which detects a timewise change of the moving body moving in the previously set existence domain.

This invention relates to a moving body measuring device for detecting state quantities of a moving body, and particularly to an image processing device for measuring traffic flows for detecting state quantities such as a traffic amount, a speed, an inter-vehicle distance, a density, an occupancy ratio, a traffic jam length, and a time required for passing a specified interval in automobile traffic flows.
As one of the moving body measuring devices, a development has been performed for the image processing device for measuring traffic flows, utilizing a TV camera, and measuring a traffic information of vehicles. FIG. 20 is a block diagram showing construction of a conventional image processing device for measuring traffic flows described in "A study on the measurement of two-dimensional movement of traffic" by Inoue et al, the proceedings of the 17th Image Technology Conference (1986), 16-13, p.p. 295 to 298. In FIG. 20, a reference numeral 1 designates an image taking machine, for instance, a TV camera, 2, a TV camera controlling circuit for controlling the TV camera 1, 3, a frame memory for receiving digitized image signals, 4, a window setting circuit for setting a sampling area of a vehicle, 5, a vehicle detecting circuit, 6, a vehicle running position detecting circuit, 7, a vehicle moving amount detecting circuit, and 8, a vehicle information measuring circuit.
Next, explanation will be given to the operation. The TV camera 1 takes an image of a running vehicle at an arbitrary frame interval, controlled by the TV camera controlling circuit 2. The frame memory 3 receives data digitized from image signals of the TV camera 1. The window setting circuit 4 sets a window of a size of a vehicle on a road, on a screen. The vehicle detecting circuit 5 detects the vehicle by sampling a characteristic of the vehicle such as a horizontal line or a vertical line thereof based on a domain set by the window setting circuit 4. The vehicle running position detecting circuit 6 detects a running position of the vehicle detected by the vehicle detecting circuit 5, on the screen, and the vehicle moving amount detecting circuit 7 compares the running position with another running position of the vehicle in a preceding frame, detects a moving amount of the vehicle on the screen, and transmits it to the window setting circuit 4. The window setting circuit 4 moves the window according to the moving amount. The vehicle is tracked by repeating the above operation. The tracking is finished at the time point when the vehicle is out of the screen, and the vehicle information measuring circuit 8 measures the speed of the vehicle, the inter vehicle distance between the vehicle and a foregoing vehicle and the like.
Since the conventional moving body measuring device or the image processing device for measuring traffic flows, is composed as above, an inter-frame tracking treatment is necessary and, therefore, the construction is complicated. Furthermore, when the vehicle detecting cannot be performed by a noise or an influence of the other vehicles, the device can not track the vehicle, and the measuring accuracy is deteriorated. Furthermore, when there are a plurality of vehicles on the screen, the conventional device can only track a single vehicle.
Furthermore, the conventional moving body measuring device is constructed to detect the vehicle by sampling a spatial characteristic of the vehicle on the screen image such as the horizontal line or the vertical line. Therefore, the sampling of the vehicle cannot be performed adequately when a noise such as a horizontal line or a vertical line of a road surface pattern or a tire mark, is introduced in the background of the window, and a successive measuring treatment is in failure.

Moving body measuring device and an image processing device for measuring traffic flows


A system and method are provided for controlling a wind turbine in response to a blade liberation event. Accordingly, estimated response signatures for the wind turbine are determined. Sensor data indicative of at least two actual response signatures of components of the wind turbine to a rotor loading are collected. The actual response signatures are compared to the estimated response signatures. The two or more actual response signatures meeting or exceeding the estimated response signatures is indicative of a blade liberation event. In response to detecting the blade liberation event, a rapid shutdown control logic is initiated to decelerate the rotor at a rate which exceeds a nominal deceleration rate of the rotor.

Wind power is considered one of the cleanest, most environmentally friendly energy sources presently available, and wind turbines have gained increased attention in this regard. A modern wind turbine typically includes a tower, a generator, a gearbox, a nacelle, and one or more rotor blades. The nacelle includes a rotor assembly coupled to the gearbox and to the generator. The rotor assembly and the gearbox are mounted on a bedplate support frame located within the nacelle. The one or more rotor blades capture kinetic energy of wind using known airfoil principles. The rotor blades transmit the kinetic energy in the form of rotational energy so as to turn a shaft coupling the rotor blades to a gearbox, or if a gearbox is not used, directly to the generator. The generator then converts the mechanical energy to electrical energy and the electrical energy may be transmitted to a converter and/or a transformer housed within the tower and subsequently deployed to a utility grid. Modern wind power generation systems typically take the form of a wind farm having multiple such wind turbine generators that are operable to supply power to a transmission system providing power to an electrical grid.
In certain instances, a portion of a rotor blade (or the rotor blade in its entirety) may separate from the wind turbine. Such blade liberation events may cause the rotor to become imbalanced, thereby causing damage or destruction to the wind turbine.
The damage resulting from an imbalanced rotor may increase with continued operation of the wind turbine after the development of the imbalanced condition. For existing wind turbines, the controller typically decelerates the rotor using components of the wind turbine operating within nominal design limits. However, in certain instances, such a deceleration rate may be inadequate to prevent or mitigate damage to the wind turbine. Accordingly, it may be desirable in certain instances to decelerate the rotor in an expedited manner following a blade liberation event. However, such rapid deceleration of the rotor can be costly. Therefore, it is important to eliminate the instance of false alarms (i.e. only decelerating the rotor when the blade liberation event has actually occurred).
Thus, the art is continuously seeking new and improved systems and methods that address the aforementioned issues. As such, the present disclosure is directed to systems and methods for controlling a wind turbine in response to a blade liberation event.

System and method for controlling a wind turbine in response to a blade liberation event


A system is described that adjusts the impedance of a circuit. One aspect of the present invention may have: a light-emitting element; a photo detector being configured to receive an optical signal from the light-emitting element, to generate an electrical signal; a switching element being configured to output a signal for driving an outside circuit with being corresponding to the signal; a wiring electrically connecting the switching circuit and the outside circuit; and a base board provided near the wiring, being configured to control a characteristic impedance of the wiring without connecting to the wiring.

A semiconductor relay device (photo relay device) is used in various machines. Specially, it is commonly used as a substitution of a mechanical relay of an IC tester. One advantage of the semiconductor relay is its easiness to insulate a measured IC and measurement. Another advantage is its long life by not having contact points. However, an improvement of the high frequency characteristics is desired, among other improvements.
As the clock frequency of the IC increases, the transmission speed of a signal to be used by the IC tester increases by several 100 MHz or several GHz, as well. Accordingly, high frequency transmission is a requirement for semiconductor relay devices.
A semiconductor relay device has a light-emitting element, a photo-detecting element and a switching circuit, as main composition parts. And, it has also a terminal and a wiring between those inside parts, and between the inside part and the outside circuit.
A conventional semiconductor relay device is described in Japanese patent laid open No. 2003-8050.
But, in a conventional semiconductor relay device, a characteristic impedance of input signal wiring and output signal wiring is beyond several 100Ω. On the other hand, a characteristic impedance of a mounting circuit board is about 50Ω. So there is a discontinuity of characteristic impedance between the input signal wiring and the mounting circuit board, and between the mounting circuit board and the output wiring. Therefore, multiplex reflection occurs in the semiconductor relay device. This multiplex reflection degrades a waveform of a high frequency, as the speed of semiconductor relay device increases.


A dual display mode liquid crystal display device includes first and second substrates spaced apart from and facing each other, a first transparent electrode on an inner surface of the first substrate, a second transparent electrode on an inner surface of the second substrate, a liquid crystal layer between the first and second transparent electrodes, a first polarizer on an outer surface of the first substrate, the first polarizer having a first light transmission axis, a front light unit on an outer surface of the first polarizer, a selective reflection/transmission part on an outer surface of the second substrate, the selective reflection/transmission part selectively reflecting linearly polarized light corresponding to the first light transmission axis, and a second polarizer on an outer surface of the selective reflection/transmission part.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a liquid crystal display device, and more particularly, to a dual display mode liquid crystal display device, a communication device using a dual display mode liquid crystal display device, and a method of fabricating a liquid crystal display device.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
In general, liquid crystal display (LCD) devices are commonly used in notebook computers and desktop monitors because of their superior resolution, color image display, and image display quality. The LCD devices have first and second substrates that are spaced apart and face each other, wherein an electrode is formed on the opposing interior surfaces of the first and second substrates, and a liquid crystal layer interposed between the first and second substrates. In addition, polarizers are disposed on exterior surfaces of the first and second substrates. Accordingly, when a voltage is supplied to the electrodes of the first and second substrates, alignment of liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal layer is changed in order to display images. However, since the LCD devices cannot emit light, an additional light source is necessary in order to display the images. Thus, a backlight device is position behind one of the first and second substrates to irradiate light to the liquid crystal layer, wherein the alignment of the liquid crystal molecules controls the amount of the light that is transmitted through the liquid crystal layer to display the images.
FIGS. 1A and 1B are schematic cross sectional views of a twisted nematic (TN) mode liquid crystal display device according to the related art, wherein FIG. 1A shows progress of light in an OFF state and FIG. 1B shows progress of light in an ON state.
In FIGS. 1A and 1B, first and second substrates 10 and 30 are spaced apart from and face each other, and first and second transparent electrodes 12 and 32 are formed on inner surfaces of the first and second substrates 10 and 30, respectively. In addition, a liquid crystal layer 40 is interposed between the first and second transparent electrodes 12 and 32, first and second polarizers 14 and 34 are disposed on outer surfaces of the first and second substrates 10 and 30, respectively, and a backlight 50 is disposed on a rear surface of the first polarizer 14. The liquid crystal layer 40 operated in a twisted nematic (TN) mode, wherein molecules of the liquid crystal layer 40 are arranged parallel to the inner surfaces of the first and second substrates 10 and 30. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 1A, the molecules are twisted at right angles between the first and second substrates 10 and 30 when a voltage is not supplied to the first and second transparent electrodes 12 and 32. Conversely, as shown in FIG. 1B, the molecules are arranged perpendicular to the inner surfaces of the first and second substrates 10 and 30 when the voltage is supplied to the first and second transparent electrodes 12 and 32.
In FIGS. 1A and 1B, light transmission axes of the first and second polarizers 14 and 34 cross each other at right angles. In the OFF state, as shown in FIG. 1A, light produced by the backlight devices 50 passes through the first polarizer 14 and is transformed into first linearly polarized light and transmitted through the first substrate 10. Then, the first linearly polarized light is converted into second linearly polarized light while passing the liquid crystal layer 40 due to the right angle twisted of the molecules of the liquid crystal layer 40. Accordingly, the second linearly polarized light is parallel to the light transmission axis of the second polarizer 34. Next, the second linearly polarized light passes through the second polarizer 34 to display a full white image.
In ON state, as shown in FIG. 1B, the light produced by the backlight 50 passes through the first polarizer 14 and is transformed into first linearly polarized light and transmitted through the first substrate 10. Then, the first linearly polarized light passes through the liquid crystal layer 40, wherein the molecules of the liquid crystal layer 40 are arranged perpendicular to the inner surfaces of the first and second substrates 10 and 30, without being further linearly transformed. Since the first linearly polarized light is perpendicular to the light transmission axis of the second polarizer 34, the first linearly polarized light is blocked by the second polarizer 34, thereby displaying a full black image.
According to the related art, the backlight device is used as a light source, and images are displayed only along a single direction.

Dual display mode liquid crystal display device, communication device using the same, and method of fabricating the same


Compliance with a Service Level Agreement (SLA) between an ecommerce provider and its customer may be determined using real user monitoring by collecting data for each HTTP/HTTPS request and response sent to the ecommerce provider. The presence of a content delivery network (CDN), also monitoring every HTTP/HTTPS request sent from a user, through the CDN provides an external, third-party confirmation of compliance. Real user monitoring is collected at the SaaS system by triggering an event rule, collecting data regarding the performance of the request and the response, and logging the created message. The log is processed and stored in a performance monitoring system where indexed for calculations and presentation.

Web services providers generally enter into a service level agreement (SLA) with their clients, guaranteeing that their systems will be available for use a particular percentage of the time. Uptime is crucial to merchants or others providing services to end users over the internet. A merchant who depends on internet sales may lose revenue when systems are down and frustrated potential buyers decide to go elsewhere rather than deal with unresponsive webstores. Because of this, SLA performance requirements are often very tight, with uptime requirements over 99%.
Determining compliance with SLA performance requirements typically involves synthetic monitoring by a third party. However, this does not provide an accurate representation of the user's experience. When a Content Delivery Network (CDN) is provided as part of the overall commerce delivery system, the CDN may be a source of real user, third-party compliance measurement, but that information does not help the measured system ensure compliance at any time. What is needed is a system and method for determining compliance with performance requirements that allows the system to react to performance deterioration before the system is in danger of violating the SLA performance requirement.

SLA compliance determination with real user monitoring


The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a liquid crystal panel, which comprises steps of: forming a plurality of array thin films on a first glass substrate in turn to form an array substrate; cleaning the array substrate by ultrasound to eliminate bubbles and dirt between the array thin films. The present invention can change surface properties of each thin film of the array substrate for tightening the combination between the thin films and efficiently decreasing or minimizing bubbles and dirt between the thin films of the liquid crystal panel.

Among flat panel display devices, the thin film transistor liquid crystal display (TFT-LCD) has many advantages such as small volume, low power consumption, relative lower manufacturing cost and non-radiation, so as to play a leading role in the current market of panel display devices. A liquid crystal panel of TFT-LCD is generally formed by attaching an array substrate (TFT substrate) and a color filter substrate (CF substrate) to each other. Traditionally, the array substrate is generally processed by process of five photolithographies (five masks) or four photolithographies (four masks), and wherein each of the photolithographies requires to execute steps of cleaning, drying, film-forming and etching. Meanwhile, the CF substrate also requires several processes of photolithographies to finish. Each of the photolithographies needs to deposit at least one thin film, so that the TFT substrate and the CF substrate each has a plurality of thin films. As shown in FIG. 1, a TFT substrate comprises several array thin films, such as a source layer 101, a gate layer 102, a drain layer 103, an active layer 104, an insulating layer 105 and a first electrode layer 106. As shown in FIG. 2, a CF substrate comprise several CF thin films, such as a black matrix layer 201, a RGB (red-green-blue) layer 202 and a second electrode layer 203.
During the mentioned-above process of photolithographies, it is easy to form bubbles and dirt in each space between the thin films (the array thin films or the CF thin films) deposited on the TFT substrate or the CF substrate, so that it causes the disadvantage of partially different display contract within a display region of the display panel, resulting in affecting the display quality of the display panel.
Therefore, it is necessary to provide a method for manufacturing a liquid crystal panel to solve the problems of the traditional technology.

Method for manufacturing liquid crystal panel

SHENZHEN CHINA STAR OPTOELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.


A device for producing a pattern onto a work piece includes a die, an electromagnetic actuator and a base. The die includes a patterned surface, and the patterned surface includes a pattern. The electromagnetic actuator includes an plate body, a convex part and a strip unit connected to the plate body. The electromagnetic actuator is disposed in the base. When the electromagnetic actuator is activated while a work piece is being positioned between the patterned surface and the electromagnetic actuator, an inductive current is generated on the work piece by the electromagnetic actuator, and then a repulsive force is generated between the electromagnetic actuator and the work piece. The repulsive force causes the work piece to adhere to the patterned surface, forcing the work piece to deform against the patterned surface and to take on the shape of the pattern.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a device for producing a pattern. In particular, the present invention relates to a device which employs an electromagnetic forming process for shaping a work piece.
2. Description of the Related Art
U.S. Pat. No. 7,076,981 discloses a method of forming a bipolar plate through an electromagnetic formation process. The coil in the patent can generate only a single directional magnetic field. Therefore, it is not a suitable method for forming patterns on the sidewalls of a three dimensional metal shell.
Most fine patterns on the metallic surfaces of cell phones are formed through laser engraving, etching or heat transfer printing. A plastic injection manufacturing process is used when a pattern is required to be formed directly onto the casing (as in Taiwan Pat. No. 00544077). However, the pattern produced through this method is of a plastic material and has a low texture quality.
Taiwan Pat. No. 00589929 discloses a manufacturing process and a structure of a metal casing comprising color patterns. The color patterns are first completed on an overlay-film, and the overlay-film is then sintered with the surface of a metal plate through heating. The metal plate is then applied to a metal casing by a pressing process. This is an intricate manufacturing process, and residual stress may be produced during the pressing process.
Taiwan Pat. No. M323183 discloses the casing of a laptop computer made with ceramic metal. The casing of the computer is divided into a bottom metallic layer, a pattern section and a coating layer. These three units are integrated to form a laptop computer casing which can prevent scratch marks as well as corrosion, and which can also be easily cleaned. However, this method diminishes the texture and the sheen of the metallic areas.
Therefore, an improved device and a method thereof for producing a pattern are desired to overcome the above-mentioned shortcomings.

Metal Industries Research & Development Centre