This application discloses a distributed computing system implementing multiple participating processes to separately compile different portions of a circuit design describing an electronic device over multiple phases. The distributed computing system can implement a management process to utilize a synchronization protocol to identify operational states of the participating processes during compilation of the different portions of the circuit design, maintain the operational states of the participating processes, and separately determine when the participating processes have completed compilation of the circuit design portions for one of the phases based on the operational states of the participating processes. The management process can determine to have the participating processes synchronously transition to another one of the phases or that the participating processes have compiled the circuit design into a compiled design corresponding to the circuit design, and deploy the compiled design in an emulator for verification of a functionality of the electronic device.

Designing and fabricating electronic systems typically involves many steps, known as a "design flow." The particular steps of a design flow often are dependent upon the type of electronic system to be manufactured, its complexity, the design team, and the fabricator or foundry that will manufacture the electronic system from a design. Typically, software and hardware "tools" verify the design at various stages of the design flow by running simulators and/or hardware emulators, or by utilizing formal techniques, allowing any errors in the design discovered during the verification process to be corrected.
Initially, a specification for a new electronic system can be transformed into a logical design, sometimes referred to as a register transfer level (RTL) description of the electronic system. With this logical design, the electronic system can be described in terms of both the exchange of signals between hardware registers and the logical operations that can be performed on those signals. The logical design typically employs a Hardware Design Language (HDL), such as System Verilog or Very high speed integrated circuit Hardware Design Language (VHDL).
The logic of the electronic system can be analyzed to confirm that it will accurately perform the functions desired for the electronic system, sometimes referred to as "functional verification." Design verification tools can perform functional verification operations, such as simulating, emulating, and/or formally verifying the logical design. For example, when a design verification tool simulates the logical design, the design verification tool can provide transactions or sets of test vectors, for example, generated by a simulated test bench, to the simulated logical design. The design verification tools can determine how the simulated logical design responded to the transactions or test vectors, and verify, from that response, that the logical design describes circuitry to accurately perform functions.
For large complex electronic circuit design, such as SoC (System-on-Chip) designs or the like, software-based simulation may be too slow, as an execution speed of a simulator can drop significantly as a design size increases due to cache misses and memory swapping. Emulation and prototyping can significantly increase verification productivity by employing reconfigurable hardware modeling devices including emulators and prototyping devices based emulators and prototyping devices including programmable logic devices or Field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) can be configured so that silicon can be utilized to implement the electronic circuit designs and perform circuit verification generally in parallel as the circuit design will execute in a real device.
In order for an emulator to implement the electronic circuit design for functional verification operations, the logical design of the electronic circuit can be synthesized from the register transfer level representation into a gate-level representation, such as a gate-level netlist. The synthesis operations can include RTL synthesis, which can generate generic gates corresponding to the functionality described in the logical circuit design. The gate-level netlist describing the electronic circuit can be compiled into a functionally-equivalent model of the gate-level netlist that, when downloaded to the programmable logic devices or FPGAs in the emulator, can cause the programmable logic devices or FPGAs in the emulator to implement the electronic circuit design described by the gate-level netlist.
Since many large complex electronic circuit designs include upwards of billions of gates, compilation of the gate-level netlist is often performed by a monolithic software application, for example, performing directed graph traversal, evaluation, dependency computations, cycle detection, graph partitioning, signal routing, or the like. Given enough time and processing resources, this compilation approach can generate a compiled file of the electronic circuit design for the emulator, but when time is of the essence, as with most competitive design flows, the compilation delay can become a bottleneck in the verification process.

Distributed application processing with synchronization protocol


A radio frequency coil assembly for use in a magnetic resonance system comprises a set of conductors for detecting magnetic resonance signals in three orthogonal planes and capacitors for resonating the set of conductors at a predetermined frequency. A conductor of the set of conductors is placed on each edge of a cube-shaped volume and the capacitors are placed on each conductor of the set of conductors such that each conductor has substantially equal effective capacitance.

The invention relates generally to Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) or Spectroscopy systems and more specifically to a radio frequency (RF) coil assembly for use in such systems, the coil assembly being invariant in its performance with respect to the angle and orientation of a main magnetic field of these systems.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is a non-invasive imaging technique, in which the imaged subject is kept in a static main magnetic field, known as the B0 field and the nuclei of the imaged subject are excited by the radio-frequency (RF) magnetic field known as the B1 field. Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy is a similar technique used to identify chemical makeup of a subject. For certain MRI and Spectroscopy systems, a plurality of radio frequency coils are needed to transmit the RF energy to the nuclear magnetic moments as well as to receive the extremely small signal that comes back from the subject. The signals, referred to as magnetic resonance signals, result from reorientation of certain gyromagnetic materials of the subject, whose molecules spin or precess at characteristic frequencies. The radio frequency coils are commonly employed to image whole body, head and limb imaging in medical applications. Such techniques are also used outside of the medical imaging field, such as in part inspection, baggage inspection, and so forth.
Various coil geometries and coil arrangements are used to enhance the ability to transmit to or receive signals from the imaged or analyzed subject. Quadrature arrangements used in MRI generate two B1 fields at right angles to each other with a 90° phase shift between the two. This generates a transmitter field with a defined direction of rotation. Provided this rotation corresponds with the sense of the spin's precession, the coil excites the spins with twice the efficiency of a non-quadrature (linear) coil. During a receive phase, two independent phase-shifted signals are obtained which, following additional electronic phase shifting, can be combined to produce a signal with an improved signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). A quadrature coil is typically constructed using two independent coils wound at right angles to each other.
One variation in the quadrature arrangement is a birdcage coil. The birdcage coil is a single structure which can be driven independently at two positions 90° apart. The birdcage coil behaves like a tuned transmission line with one complete cycle of standing wave around the circumference. One advantage of this arrangement is that it is simple to produce an exceedingly uniform B1 radio frequency field over most of the coil's volume, providing images with a high degree of uniformity. A second advantage is that nodes with zero voltage occur 90° away from the driven part of the coil, thus facilitating the introduction of a second signal in quadrature which produces a circularly polarized radio frequency field. Birdcage coils usually employ between 8 and 16 elements, aligned along the direction of the static B0 field, connected between annular rings. Capacitors are placed either in each strut or between each strut in the end rings, thus forming low-pass or high pass birdcage coils.
One common limitation which exists while using these coils is that the B1 sensitive axis of the coil is generally kept in an orientation perpendicular to B0 magnetic field for maximum sensitivity and SNR. In quadrature arrangements, another limitation is that the rotation axis of the coil must match the polarization direction of the B0 field. This limitation becomes even more acute where the coil is incorporated into devices that can be moved within the magnet, for example in a catheter which uses a solenoid coil. If the axis of the solenoid coil is parallel to B0, it will detect MR signals poorly. A plurality of coils are conventionally used to overcome this limitation to achieve an insensitive orientation, but as a consequence each coil has a different spatial sensitivity. Thus the spatial location within the device having optimal signal intensity will vary as the device orientation changes.
It would therefore be desirable to have a coil structure which is symmetrical and sensitive in three orthogonal planes, and is invariant with respect to the angle and orientation of a main magnetic field of the MR system.

Three axis angle invariant RF coil assembly and method and system employing same

Abstract: A four element band pass birdcage coil comprises two square end ring segments, each end ring segment comprising four sides of equal length, and four rungs of length equal to a side of the end ring segment, and wherein four rungs join in respective corners of the end ring segments.


An object is to reduce degradation of circuit operation and to reduce the area of the entire circuit. A power source circuit is provided with a first terminal to which first voltage is input; a second terminal to which second voltage is input; a comparator being connected to the first terminal and the second terminal and comparing the first voltage and the second voltage; a digital circuit averaging, integrating, and digital pulse width modulating a first digital signal output from the comparator; a PWM output driver amplifying a second digital signal output from the digital circuit; and a smoothing circuit smoothing the amplified second digital signal.

In a power source circuit (a switching regulator), an error amplifier circuit (or an error amplifier) is an important circuit to determine the operation of a feedback circuit in the power source circuit.
The error amplifier circuit is an analog circuit which processes analog signals. The error amplifier circuit in general has a structure in which passive elements having a large area, such as a capacitor and a resistor, are connected (see Patent Document 1 and Non-Patent Document 1).

Power source circuit including transistor with oxide semiconductor

Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.


A contacting or non-contacting probe (2) is mounted to a spindle (6), preferably a tool spindle, of a machining device, such as a chamfering device (4), whereby it has a home position retracted out of the way of the machining (e.g. chamfering) process and an active position where it can contact a workpiece before or after the machining (e.g. chamfering) process.

Probe mechanisms of the contacting and non-contacting types on machine tools are known for performing a variety of functions. Workpieces may be probed before machining to determine the amount of stock removal necessary to attain a desired dimension. Workpieces may be probed after machining to verify final dimensions. Additionally, machine tool probes may be used to calibrate the machine or to monitor the form or dimensions of a tool.
In gear manufacturing machines, one or more on-machine probes are known for performing operations such as machine calibration and/or stock dividing. Stock dividing is the proper positioning of a partially finished (e.g. cut) gear relative to a tool (e.g. grinding wheel) prior to the initiation of a finishing cycle (e.g. grinding). For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,297,055 discloses contacting and non-contacting probes for workpiece probing and machine calibration wherein the probes reside on an articulated arm that is swung into and out of position. Other arrangements are known wherein a cylinder or telescoping device is utilized to advance and retract a probe to and from a working position.
However, with positioning devices such as articulated arms or telescope-like cylinders, positioning accuracy and repeatability may be inconsistent. Furthermore, as the trend in the industry is toward more compact machines, the compactness of systems on a machine, including the probing system, is likewise in need of being addressed. Additionally, simplification of probing systems is also desirable, for example, by a reduction in the number of controlled axes motions that are necessary for operation of the probing system.


The present invention provides a wireless base station (eNB1-1) that sets a first SRS transmission frequency band as a transmission frequency band for SRS at a first SSF timing and sets the first SRS transmission frequency band as the transmission frequency band for SRS at a second SSF timing, within the time for one frame. In this way, all frequency bands (allocatable frequency bands) for usable downstream resource blocks in wireless communications between the wireless base station (eNB1-1) and a serving wireless terminal (UE2-1) are covered by the first SRS transmission frequency band and the second SRS transmission frequency band.

In 3GPP (Third Generation Partnership Project), in a radio communication system corresponding to LTE (Long term Evolution), for which the standards are being set up currently, a radio base station eNB assigns a radio resource in the radio communication between the radio base station eNB and a radio terminal UE (for example, see Non Patent Literature 1). Furthermore, in a radio communication system corresponding to LTE, either Frequency Division Duplex (FDD) or Time Division Duplex (TDD) is employed in the radio communication between the radio base station eNB and the radio terminal UE.
Moreover, in an LTE (TDD-LTE) radio communication system employing the TDD, there has been discussed a feature where a radio base station eNB performs control for adaptively directing a beam (adaptive array control) toward the radio terminal UE at the time of transmission of a downlink radio signal, in order to ensure communication quality between the radio base station eNB and a radio terminal UE that is moving.
According to a technique of calculating the antenna weight, when a radio base station eNB receives a sounding reference signal (SRS), which is an uplink radio signal from a radio terminal UE, it is considered that the radio base station eNB calculates an antenna weight for a downlink resource block that has a frequency band equal to a frequency band of the SRS.
However, in a TDD-LTE radio communication system, the frequency band that the radio terminal UE can use once for transmitting SRS can be used in the radio communication between the radio base station eNB and the radio terminal UE, in other words, the frequency band is narrower than the entire frequency band of the downlink resource block that can be assigned to the radio terminal UE, and is also fixed. Therefore, even though some of the downlink resource blocks can be assigned, SRS having a frequency band equal to the frequency band of the downlink resource blocks does not exist because of which an antenna weight might not be set.

Radio base station and communication control method setting an entire frequency band of a radio resource as a reference signal transmission frequency band within a predetermined period


Methods and apparatus to form biocompatible energization elements are described. In some examples, the methods and apparatus to form the biocompatible energization elements involve forming cavities comprising active cathode chemistry. The active elements of the cathode and anode are sealed with a biocompatible material. In some examples, a field of use for the methods and apparatus may include any biocompatible device or product that requires energization elements.

1. Field of the Invention
A cathode mixture for use in a biocompatible battery is described. The cathode mixture comprises a transition metal oxide, a carbon allotrope capable of electroconductivity, and a rheology capable of dispersion into or onto a biocompatible battery. In some examples, a field of use for the cathode mixture for use in a biocompatible battery may include any biocompatible device or product that requires energy.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
Recently, the number of medical devices and their functionality has begun to rapidly develop. These medical devices may include, for example, implantable pacemakers, electronic pills for monitoring and/or testing a biological function, surgical devices with active components, contact lenses, infusion pumps, and neurostimulators. Added functionality and an increase in performance to many of the aforementioned medical devices has been theorized and developed. However, to achieve the theorized added functionality, many of these devices now require self-contained energization means that are compatible with the size and shape requirements of these devices, as well as the energy requirements of the new energized components.
Some medical devices may include electrical components such as semiconductor devices that perform a variety of functions and may be incorporated into many biocompatible and/or implantable devices. However, such semiconductor components require energy and, thus, energization elements should preferably also be included in such biocompatible devices. The topology and relatively small size of the biocompatible devices may create challenging environments for the definition of various functionalities. In many examples, it may be important to provide safe, reliable, compact and cost effective means to energize the semiconductor components within the biocompatible devices. Therefore, a need exists for biocompatible energization elements formed for implantation within or upon biocompatible devices where the structure of the millimeter or smaller sized energization elements provides enhanced function for the energization element while maintaining biocompatibility.
One such energization element used to power a device may be a battery. A common element in batteries that may comprise various types of chemical based energy storage materials is the battery cathode. The battery cathode is often the component of a battery which limits battery capacity and which takes the most volume. The function of batteries may depend critically on the design of structure, materials, and processes related to the formation of the battery cathode. Furthermore, in some examples, the containment of battery cathode materials may be an important aspect of biocompatibility. Therefore a need exists for novel examples of forming small biocompatible cathodes for use in biocompatible energization elements.

Cathode mixture for use in a biocompatible battery


System and method for reducing call setup time of a dispatch communication. In one embodiment, a method includes receiving a message from an originating dispatch device intended for a target dispatch device. The message may be inspected by a base transceiver station for a call request announcement. The method may further include determining if a radio resource is available for the target dispatch device. According to an additional embodiment of the invention, a call request acknowledgement message may be transmitted to the originating dispatch device after a period of time to ensure a guaranteed talk permit. The call request announcement may also be transmitted to the target dispatch device after the period of time.

Wireless communications systems offer a variety of services to subscribers such as interconnect calling, short message service, packet data communications and dispatch communications. Many wireless communications systems facilitate communications between a wireless application server and a client application resident on the wireless subscriber unit. For example, dispatch services (also known as "push-to-talk" or "walkie-talkie" services) are currently offered as an Internet protocol (IP) application served by a dispatch server. Dispatch communication services are commonly implemented as a push-to-talk (PTT) type of service, such as the dispatch call service marketed by Sprint Nextel Corporation under the trade name Direct Connect or the dispatch communication service developed by Qualcomm under the trade name of QChat.
Current systems and methods for dispatch communications rely on a serial procedure for connection of a subscriber device to a target device. PTT communications are initiated by a subscriber first selecting a target subscriber, followed by pressing a so-called "PTT button" on their handheld device. Conventionally, call requests are sent to a base transceiver station and routed to a push-to-talk server which locates a target subscriber and routes the call request to a target BTS. Conventional methods and devices perform a serial operation for establishing a subscriber call, and require substantial setup times for initiating and connecting PTT devices resulting in significant latency time periods for call setup.
The use of activating a target mobile device to a ready state prior to initiating call setup has been suggested by U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2006/0111134 to Mills. However, this approach requires calling a mobile station and to change to an operational state prior to initiating a call setup. Further this approach requires substantial processing prior to calling a mobile station and operates in a serial manner extending set up time.
Substantial setup times add to the latency of call setup, tie up resources and consume excess power. Thus, there is a need for a dispatch communication system and method for reducing call setup latency.

Method to reduce push-to-talk call setup time


A terminal bump set including the outermost bump row inscribed in a first prism standing upright on the front surface of a package substrate. A heat conductive member contacts with the surface of the semiconductor element. The heat conductive member extends outward beyond the contour of the semiconductor element. A reinforcing member is interposed between the heat conductive member and the package substrate outside the contour of the semiconductor element. The reinforcing member is bonded to the front surface of the package substrate at a predetermined bonding area. The predetermined bonding area extends inward from the outer periphery of the package substrate over the front surface of the package substrate. The second prism stands upright on the front surface of the package substrate inside the first prism so as to allow the outermost bump row to circumscribe the second prism.

A large-scale integrated circuit (LSI) package is mounted on a motherboard, for example. Terminal bumps are arranged in a matrix on the motherboard for mounting the LSI package on the motherboard. An LSI chip is mounted on a package substrate in the LSI package. The LSI chip is surrounded by a stiffener on the front surface of the package substrate. The stiffener serves to increase the rigidity of the package substrate. A heat spreader is attached to the surface of the LSI chip. The stiffener is placed in a space between the package substrate and the heat spreader.
The terminal bumps include the outermost bump row. The outermost bump row is inscribed in a prism standing upright on the front surface of the package substrate. The contour of the stiffener coincides with that of the heat spreader. The outer periphery of the stiffener is inscribed in the prism. A bonding material is interposed between the stiffener and the package substrate and between the stiffener and the heat spreader. The stiffener is bonded to the package substrate and the heat spreader through the bonding material.

Printed circuit board unit and semiconductor package


The invention relates to a connected device system that is adapted to form a low-bandwidth wireless mesh network (2) between a plurality of devices (3, 4, 5, 6). The connected device system (1) comprises multiple output devices (3, 4, 5) for outputting human-perceptible stimuli and a controller device (6) for controlling the stimulus outputs of the multiple output devices via the wireless mesh network. The controller device is adapted to switch a group of the multiple output devices from a first control mode, in the stimulus outputs are controlled by control messages of a first type, to a second control mode, in which the stimulus outputs are controlled by control messages of a second type. The control messages of the second type are transmitted to the output devices of the group at a higher rate than the control messages of the first type.

In a connected lighting system, for instance, the Philips Hue system, a plurality of lighting devices may be connected to a controller device, such as a bridge, via a wireless network. The light output of the lighting devices, which may typically include light emitting diodes (LEDs), can be controlled wirelessly via the controller device, for instance, with regards to their hue, saturation and/or brightness. To this end, a smartphone that can be connected to the controller device may execute an app in order to wirelessly control the lighting devices via the controller device.
In many cases, the connected lighting system is based on a low-bandwidth wireless mesh network, such as the IEEE 802.15.4-based ZigBee network. Such networks are generally designed for carrying only smaller volumes of data. For instance, the Hue system makes use of ZigBee to transmit a limited number of control messages to control Hue lighting devices that are connected to a Philips Ambilight TV set or according to simple light scripts that can be specifically created for a movie. However, to make a home entertainment experience, like playing a game, more immersive by providing light effects that follow the real-time audio/video content, it would require a responsiveness that is not generally available in today's connected home lighting systems. Since the light effects that are to be provided are not known in advance, there is no option to e.g. transmit the effects beforehand and buffer them in the connected lighting system in order to balance the use of the wireless mesh network.

Connected device system with streaming control mode


A regenerator for an FCC apparatus. The regenerator includes a riser inside of a shell. The riser includes a cone and a cone skirt. An annulus is formed between the riser and the shell. A sealing system for keeping catalyst out of a portion of the annulus comprises a first sealing element and a second sealing element disposed above the second sealing element. The second sealing element comprises a ring having one or more plates being movable to accommodate the thermal expansion of the riser.

Catalytic cracking is accomplished by contacting hydrocarbons in a reaction zone with a catalyst composed of finely divided particulate material. The reaction in catalytic cracking, as opposed to hydrocracking, is carried out in the absence of added hydrogen or the consumption of hydrogen. As the cracking reaction proceeds, substantial amounts of coke are deposited on the catalyst. The catalyst is regenerated at high temperatures by burning coke from the catalyst in a regeneration zone. Coke-containing catalyst, referred to herein as "spent catalyst", may be continually transported from the reaction zone to the regeneration zone to be regenerated and replaced by essentially coke-free regenerated catalyst from the regeneration zone. Fluidization of the catalyst particles by various gaseous streams allows the transport of catalyst between the reaction zone and regeneration zone.
One such regeneration zone is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,906,077, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference. The regeneration zone typically comprises a regenerator vessel that includes an outer shell and an internal riser. The internal riser is typically attached to the outer shell. However, given the extreme high temperatures that occur inside of the regenerator vessel, the riser will expand. Therefore, there is typically an annulus or void between the outer shell and the internal riser. In order to avoid catalyst from filing this void, one or more seals are used to keep the annulus relatively free from catalyst.
One known sealing system is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,328,667 in which a primary seal is disposed between the outer shell and the internal riser. A cone-shaped metal ring is disposed on the internal riser above the primary seal and contacts with a metal plate on the shell. The cone-shaped metal ring is welded to the riser and comprises a single piece. While these designs may be effective, it is believed that such a configuration may have some drawbacks.
For example, it has been observed that the weld between the riser and the ring has a tendency to crack as a result of the extreme temperatures in the internal riser and the weight of catalyst on top of the ring. Additionally, the design of the cone-shaped ring does not easily allow for inspection of the primary seal. Similarly, the design of the cone-shaped ring does not allow for easy removal of any catalyst that has accumulated under ring.
Therefore, there remains a need for an effective and efficient design for sealing an annulus between an internal riser and an outer shell in an FCC regenerator.

Sealing system for a fluid catalyst cracking regenerator


A system enables a boat to be loaded from water onto a trailer that is partially submerged on a ramp at the edge of the water. One part of the system is a connector that is mounted on the keel of the bow. Another part of the system is a transversely mounted removable pin that is positioned on the trailer.

A variety of recreational activities are enjoyed on boats. The term "boat" is used herein to include all forms of watercraft. While some boats are stored on docks, others are stored on trailers that are pulled by motor vehicles. The term "trailer" is used herein to include all portable holders for boats. Trailers typically contain padded supports upon which the boat rests, a roller at the front of the trailer to support the bow and to center the boat on the trailer, and a winch to secure the boat. Many bodies of water contain paved ramps with side walkways for launching and loading boats on trailers. To launch a boat, the trailer is backed down the ramp into the water until the boat floats off the supports of the trailer. The boat is then unhooked from the winch and the trailer is pulled away.
To load the boat, the trailer is backed down the ramp into the water. One of two methods is then used to position the boat onto the trailer. In the first method, referred to herein as the "dead loading" system, the boat is driven over the trailer and then the motor is turned off. The boat is then held in a forward position by one or more persons standing on the side walkways. The boat is then secured in the forward position by connecting the line from the winch to a fitting, commonly known as a bow eye, on the bow of the boat. The winch is then turned to tighten the connection. As the trailer is pulled up the ramp, the boat settles upon the supports. In the second method, referred to herein as the "power loading" method, the boat is driven over the trailer and then left in forward gear at idle to keep the boat in the forward position until the winch can be secured to the bow eye and tightened. The power loading method is prohibited at some locations because it tends to wash out sand at the bottom of the water around the ramp. The washed out sand tends to accumulate and form sand bars a short distance away from the ramp. The sand bars interfere with boats as they approach the ramp.
The boat launching and loading process is usually performed by two or more people. However, many people, especially fishermen, boat by themselves. The "dead loading" method is difficult for the boater to perform by himself because the boater must hold the boat in the forward position as he simultaneously attaches the winch to the bow eye. The "power loading" method is somewhat easier, but is dangerous. After the trailer is backed down the ramp, the boater drives the boat forward over the trailer, leaves the motor running and the transmission in forward gear to hold the boat in position, and then leaves the driver's seat to go to the bow of the boat to connect the winch to the bow eye. Some boaters crawl onto the deck of the boat to reach the bow while others climb out of the boat and reach the bow from the side walkways. The boater must then climb back into the driver's seat to turn off the motor. It would be much safer, faster, and easier if the boat could be driven upon the trailer and secured automatically.
A variety of coupling systems are shown in the prior art, including Peterson, U.S. Pat. No. 2,587,208, issued Feb. 26, 1952; Stark, U.S. Pat. No. 3,953,055, issued Apr. 27, 1976; Fritz et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,584,922, issued Jul. 1, 2003; and Goby, U.S. Pat. No. 6,619,687, issued Sep. 16, 2003. However, none of the coupling systems enable a single person to load a boat onto a trailer without having to leave and then return to the driver's seat.
Accordingly, a demand exists for a boat loading system that enables a single person to load a boat onto a trailer without having to climb out and then return to the driver's seat. A demand also exists for a boat loading system that can be used for dead loading or power loading.


A fabrication process is provided for reducing leakage current in a field emission display having at least one electron emitter (24) electrically coupled to a ballast resistor (16) coupled to a cathode metal (14), wherein at least one defect (28) extends to a gate electrode (20) from a region (22) electrically coupled to the ballast resistor, the method comprising heating (32) to reduce the resistance of the ballast resistor; and applying (34) a voltage between the cathode metal and the gate electrode thereby creating a current through the at least one defect to create an electrical open therein.

Carbon is one of the most important known elements and can be combined with oxygen, hydrogen, nitrogen and the like. Carbon has four known unique crystalline structures including diamond, graphite, fullerene and carbon nanotubes. In particular, carbon nanotubes refer to a helical tubular structure grown with a single wall or multi-wall, and commonly referred to as single-walled nanotubes (SWNTs), or multi-walled nanotubes (MWNTs), respectively. These types of structures are obtained by rolling a sheet formed of a plurality of hexagons. The sheet is formed by combining each carbon atom thereof with three neighboring carbon atoms to form a helical tube. Carbon nanotubes typically have a diameter in the order of a fraction of a nanometer to a few hundred nanometers.
A carbon nanotube is known to be useful for providing electron emission in a vacuum device, such as a field emission display, because of a higher current density than tip emitters. Additionally, the use of a carbon nanotube as an electron emitter has reduced the cost of vacuum devices, including the cost of a field emission display. The reduction in cost of the field emission display has been obtained with the carbon nanotube replacing other electron emitters (e.g., a Spindt tip), which generally have higher fabrication costs as compared to a carbon nanotube based electron emitter.
However, vacuum field emission devices are commonly plagued with emission currents that have leakage current flowing through a defect, e.g., particles, or nanotube grown unintentionally from a cathode to a gate electrode. In many electronic devices, these defects can be 'blown-out' by applying excessive voltage and current to the electrodes. This technique has been demonstrated in nanotube transistor research (not a vacuum field emission device) where excessive current has been used to destroy conductive nanotubes and nanotube walls in preference to semiconducting nanotubes. However, in the case of field emission devices which typically incorporate a ballast resistor in series with the emitter to limit destructive current to the nanotube, this technique is ineffective due to the current limiting ballast resistor.
A known method of improving uniformity of emission current reduces the length of longer emitters by causing a burn-in current to be emitted by the emitters with the longer emitters being reduced more than the shorter emitters due to the field created at the emitter tip. This known method reduces the effect of a ballast resistor by heating to a high temperature; however, this method does not reduce leakage or defects, and it cannot be performed in ambient air or at high pressure.
Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a fabrication process for reducing leakage current in a vacuum field emission display. Furthermore, other desirable features and characteristics of the present invention will become apparent from the subsequent detailed description of the invention and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and this background of the invention.

Method for reducing leakage current in a vacuum field emission display


A method of providing shared objects and node-specific objects in a cluster file system is described and provided. The method includes providing to a particular shared object an attribute, whereas the particular shared object can be a container-type shared object. The attribute indicates any object created in the particular shared object (including its sub-divisions or sub-containers) from this point in time will be designated as node-specific. Furthermore, when a node causes a file system operation that is node-specific to be performed by accessing the particular shared object, the file system operation is performed in an alternate directory corresponding to the node. The alternate directory supports a node-specific object. The shared objects and the node-specific objects can be directories. Additionally, the shared objects and the node-specific objects can be files.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to cluster file systems. More particularly, the present invention relates to providing shared objects and node-specific objects in a cluster file system.
2. Related Art
Generally, a cluster file system is a shared file system. The cluster file system makes files visible to and accessible by the nodes in a cluster. Each node has the same view. It does not matter whether a file is stored on a device connected to all the nodes or on a device that is private to a single node. By maintaining cache coherency across the nodes, the cluster file system assures that all nodes at all times have the same view of the files in the cluster.
Although cluster file systems provide shared objects (e.g., a file or a directory) across the nodes, most cluster file systems do not provide the capability for node-specific objects such as files and directories. Some cluster file systems provide this functionality using node specific links. This requires that shared objects be duplicated in a node-specific directory. Moreover, these links are manually created.

Method of providing shared objects and node-specific objects in a cluster file system


A movable contact unit for a panel switch having (a) a substrate sheet of an insulating material having an electrically conductive layer on an entire upper surface, and provided with a opening at a predetermined position, (b) a dome-like movable contact of a thin resilient sheet metal placed in the opening of the substrate sheet, and (c) a dustproof sheet of an insulation film having flexibility, coated with an adhesive material on its underside, positioned over the opening of the substrate sheet, and adhesively conjoining the substrate sheet around a periphery of the opening and an upper part of the dome-like movable contact with the adhesive material. Also, a panel switch constructed of the movable contact unit placed and adhered on a substrate circuit board having stationary contact on its upper surface in a position such that the dome-like movable contact corresponds to the stationary contact.

A movable contact unit for panel switch of the prior art is described hereinafter by referring to a cross sectional side view of FIG. 7A, an exploded perspective view of FIG. 7B, a cross sectional side view of FIG. 8, and a fragmentary cross sectional view of FIG. 9. A dome-like movable contact 1 constructed of a thin resilient sheet metal is placed in each of a plurality of openings 2B provided in a sheet 2 formed of an insulation film coated with adhesive material 2A on its underside surface. The movable contact 1 is adhesively conjoined of its upper surface, and fixed in its position by a dustproof sheet 3 of a flexible insulation film in a size slightly greater than the opening 2B glued over the openings 2B of the sheet 2. Then, a flexible conductive sheet 4 is adhered from the above to constitute the movable contact unit 20 for panel switch.
In the movable contact unit 20 for panel switch having the above-described structure, a release liner 5 is adhered on an underside of the sheet 2 by the adhesive material 2A on the underside of the sheet 2 to cover the openings 2B, in order to prevent dust from entering into the openings 2B of the sheet 2, and to avoid it from sticking to the other movable contact unit 20 while in the transportation and/or storage. When the movable contact unit 20 for panel switch is assembled into an electronic equipment, the release liner 5 adhered on the underside of the sheet 2 is removed first, and the movable contact unit 20 is adhered with the adhesive material 2A on the underside of the sheet 2 by overlaying it on a substrate circuit board 8 having a plural pair of electrically independent stationary contacts 6 and 7 located in positions corresponding to an outer periphery 1A and a top center area 1B of the individual dome-like movable contact 1. A panel switch 21 depicted in the cross sectional side view of FIG. 8 is thus completed, when an actuating board 10 made of an elastic rubber or the like material and formed integrally with an actuating button 9 for depressing each of the dome-like movable contact 1 is mounted.
The conductive sheet 4 on the top surface of the movable contact unit 20 of the panel switch is provided for the purposes of suppressing an extraneous emission of electromagnetic waves from actuating portions of the electronic equipment mounted with the movable contact unit 20, and for draining static electricity, which flows into the movable contact unit 20 from the actuating button 9, to a conductive part for grounding. For this reason, the movable contact unit 20 of the panel switch is usually adhered on the substrate circuit board 8 with an edge of the movable contact unit 20 folded back in a manner to make the conductive sheet 4 electrically in contact with a grounding circuit part 11 deposited on the substrate circuit board 8, as shown in the fragmentary cross sectional view of FIG. 9.
Referring now to FIG. 8, the panel switch 21 operates in a manner as described hereinafter. When the actuating button 9 is depressed, the pressure is transmitted to the dome-like movable contact 1 positioned over the stationary contact 6 via a projection 9A of the actuating button 9, the conductive sheet 4 and the dustproof sheet 3. If the pressure exceeds a predetermined force, the dome-like movable contact 1 is flipped with a tactile response, and the top center portion 1B touches to the stationary contact 7 on the substrate circuit board 8, thereby making an electrical connection between the stationary contacts 6 and 7 through the dome-like movable contact 1. When the depressing force is removed from the actuating button 9, the dome-like movable contact 1 is flipped back to its original shape by its own resiliency to open electrically between the stationary contacts 6 and 7.
As described in the foregoing, the movable contact unit 20 for panel switch and the panel switch 21 using the same have the structure, wherein an upper side of the dome-like movable contact 1 is overlaid with two layers of sheets, i.e. the conductive sheet 4 for a countermeasure against the extraneous emission of electromagnetic waves and the static electricity, and the dustproof sheet 3. Due to this structure, a discernible feel of actuation, or a tactile response, of the dome-like movable contact 1 is somewhat reduced, since the depressing force and the resiliency of the dome-like movable contact 1 are absorbed by the conductive sheet 4 and the dustproof sheet 3. Although a thickness of the two layers needs to be reduced in order to improve the feel of actuation, there has been a problem that it requires a high level of adhering technique and expensive assembling apparatuses in manufacturing the dome-like movable contacts 1, since the thinner they are the more difficult they become to handle.
The present invention is intended to improve the above problem, and it aims at providing a movable contact unit for panel switch and a panel switch using the same that suppresses an extraneous emission of electromagnetic waves and reduces an adverse effect of static electricity, yet gives an excellent feel of actuation.

Movable contact unit for panel switch and panel switch using the same

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.


A locking threaded fastener of the wedge-action type is disclosed with threaded and threadless nut members with wedge elements therebetween for wedging the nut members apart when the threaded nut member is turned in the loosening direction. In a two-piece nut, the threadless nut member has a flat inner surface for engaging the workpiece and the wedge elements have engaging surfaces with a coefficient of friction therebetween which is less than that between the flat inner surface and the workpiece surface. In a three-piece nut, a third nut member, in the form of a washer, is provided with a flat inner surface for engaging the workpiece. The wedge elements have engaging surfaces with a coefficient of friction less than that between the third nut member and the threadless nut member which, in turn, is less than that between the third nut member in the workpiece.

There are many applications of threaded fasteners which require a so-called "locking fastener"; as used herein the term "locking fastener" means a threaded fastener which includes means for inhibiting unwanted loosening of the fastener to a greater extent than that which results from the friction which resists turning of one of the threaded members relative to the other in the loosening direction. In many applications of locking fasteners, it is also required that the fastener can be purposely loosened and removed and reinstalled without degradation of the parts.
There have been many proposals in the prior art to meet such requirements in threaded fasteners by using wedging action which causes interference or jamming of the threads in response to unwanted rotation of one of the fastener members. In such devices, the thread jamming is usually achieved by providing a ramp surface with a greater angle than the angle of the threads so that loosening rotation of the nut, for example, will cause it to back off axially at a faster rate than that permitted by the threads. This kind of coaction between wedging surfaces and fastener threads has been proposed to be accomplished by special washers with ramp surfaces. Also, the prior art includes proposals to incorporate the wedging surfaces in the structure of the fastener nut.
The use of wedging surfaces on washers is described in Trimble et al U.S. Pat. No. 428,183 granted May 20, 1890, Terry U.S. Pat. No. 2,665,729 granted Jan. 12, 1954 and Herpolsheimer U.S. Pat. No. 3,263,727 granted Aug. 2, 1966. In the Trimble et al patent and the Herpolsheimer patent, a conventional bolt and nut are used with a pair of special washers disposed between the nut and the workpiece, the washers being non-split annular members. Both of these patents disclose teeth on the surface of the inner washer which engages the workpiece and teeth on the surface of the outer washer which engages the nut to provide a greater resistance to rotation than that between the engaging faces of the two washers. This arrangement is provided to ensure that any rotation of the nut in the loosening or unscrewing direction will cause the wedging surfaces to rotate relative to each other and jam the threads to provide locking action against loosening.
In Trimble et al one of the opposed washer faces is provided with plural ramp surfaces and the other opposed washer face is provided with an axial projection which engages the ramp surface. For removing the nut, the Trimble et al patent discloses a notch in one of the washers at the end of the ramp to receive the projection whereby the combined thickness of the washers is reduced and the nut may be unscrewed without jamming of the threads.
In Herpolsheimer, the opposed washer surfaces are provided with opposed engaging ramp surfaces. The Herpolsheimer patent discloses that the nut may be removed by applying sufficient loosening torque to the nut to cause the ramp surfaces of the respective washers to override each other, the elongation of the bolt resulting therefrom being less than the yield point of the bolt. Also, it is noted that in Herpolsheimer, the nut could be removed by holding it against rotation and turning the bolt head in the loosening direction without the washers causing jamming of the threads.
A locking fastener with a single piece washer incorporating ramp surfaces for wedging action is disclosed in the Terry U.S. Pat. No. 2,665,729 granted Jan. 12, 1954. This locking fastener utilizes a conventional bolt and nut with a split washer between the nut and workpiece, the washer having overlapping ends with confronting ramp surfaces. The inner face of the washer opposite the workpiece is provided with serrations adjacent the free end and the outer face is also provided with serrations adjacent the free end for engagement with the nut. When the nut is tightened, the serrations on the washer tend to bite into the workpiece to resist rotation thereof and the serrations on the outer surface of the washer tend to bite into the nut and move therewith during tightening so that the washer is enlarged circumferentially and the washer thickness at the overlapping ends is reduced to a minimum value. Terry describes this action as having the result of tensioning the washers so that the overlapping ends are urged to contract toward each other by the tension forces set up in the washer; further, the tension forces urge the free ends of the washer toward each other so that the confronting ramps develop wedging forces which result in jamming of the threads to prevent loosening. The Terry patent describes an arrangement to limit the locking effect and thus permit removal of the nut by torquing it in the loosening direction. This arrangement comprises an axial shoulder on each ramp which is abutted by the free end of the other ramp to limit the thickness of the washer at its free end when the nut is turned in the loosening direction.
The Terry U.S. Pat. No. 4,708,555 granted Nov. 24, 1987 discloses a locking fastener using a split washer with confronting surfaces similar to that in the afore-mentioned Terry patent; it also discloses a pair of washers with confronting ramp surfaces. The later Terry patent describes the use of spring means for yieldably resisting relative movement of the confronting ramp surfaces in the tightening direction for storing energy to bias the ramp surfaces in the loosening direction to thereby cause jamming of the threads to prevent loosening of the nut. In the disclosure of this Terry patent, serrations are provided on the inner surface of the washer which engages the workpiece and on the outer surface of the washer which engages the nut.
The prior art also includes a locking fastener of the wedging type in which ramp surfaces are provided on the nut itself which is used in conjunction with a special washer. Such a locking fastener is disclosed in the above-mentioned Herpolsheimer U.S. Pat. No. 3,263,727 and the Terry U.S. Pat. No. 4,708,555. The Herpolsheimer patent discloses a bolt head having ramp surfaces which coact with confronting ramp surfaces on a special washer. The washer is provided with teeth which engage the workpiece to prevent rotation of the washer with the bolt head when it is turned in a loosening direction. The bolt is removed by applying sufficient torque to override the ramp surfaces which are of such dimension that the elastic limit of the bolt is not exceeded. The Terry Pat. No. 4,708,555 discloses a bolt having a nut provided with the ramp surfaces which confront corresponding ramp surfaces on a special washer. The nut in the Terry patent is removed by turning it and the washer simultaneously in the loosening direction to avoid the wedging action which would jam the threads.


A multifunctional multichip system can operate in a passive mode by using at least one antenna to receive electromagnetic energy and using that energy to perform system functions. The system includes a sensor, an impedance matching circuit and an RFID module. The sensor produces a sensor signal containing a measurement. The RFID can produce an identification signal containing identification information. Alternatively, the RFID chip can be used in an addressing mode wherein the system only produces a signal in response to an addressing signal containing addressing information. The addressing signal is received from the electromagnetic field. In either mode, the sensor signal is coupled from the antenna into the electromagnetic field from which a receiver can obtain it. The signal can contain the identification information as well as the measurement. A matching network minimizes the effects of impedance mismatches between the system elements.

In the past, sensor networks have been developed that can measure physical properties, such as pressure, and then communicate those measurements to locations where the measurements can be analyzed or stored. Most current sensor networks communicate using wires. The wires are used to supply power to the sensors and are also used for transmitting sensor signals. In general, a sensor receives energy through a wired electrical connection. The sensor uses the energy to produce a sensor measurement. The electronic circuit processing the signal from the sensor then encodes the sensor measurement into a sensor signal and transmits the sensor signal out through the wired electrical connection. A receiver obtains the sensor signal and recovers the sensor measurement.
A sensor measurement is not generally given directly as a real value of the measurand to be monitored and generally is without units. For example, a temperature sensor can return a sensor measurement of 5. The sensor measurement can be converted into a real temperature value by applying calibration information. Calibration information often takes the form of calibration coefficients. These coefficients can be obtained during a sensor calibration process. The calibration coefficients are used to build a bi-univocal mathematical correlation between the true physical value that is measured with a high accuracy by a reference sensor and the sensor's electrical response for that known value. In the example, the sensor measurement is 5 and the reference sensor produces a measurand of 50 degrees Celsius. Applying a multiplication calibration coefficient of 10 degrees Celsius to the value of 5 of the electrical response of our sensor can result in the true measurement of 50 degrees Celsius. This calibration coefficient of 10 degrees Celsius is then stored in the memory of the circuit for processing the signal from the sensor. Later, when the sensor produces a value of 5 due to the ambient temperature, the electronic circuit will multiply this value by the calibration coefficient and will indicate the real temperature of 50 Celsius degrees. In the general case, more complicated mathematical equations, with a large number of calibration coefficients are used for making the connection between the sensor measurement value and the real value of the measurand.
Some sensor networks use wireless sensors. A common approach is to use a battery to supply energy to the sensor. The sensor then wirelessly transmits the sensor signal to the receiver using electromagnetic waves. Battery powered wireless sensors are convenient because they do not require the costly and time consuming task of stringing wires. They do, however, require batteries. When batteries run out of energy, they must be replaced before the sensor can be used again.
Passive sensors are excited by an electromagnetic field. In other words, passive sensors obtain energy from an electromagnetic field. They typically have an antenna that converts the electromagnetic energy from an electromagnetic field into electrical energy to be applied to the sensor. The sensor then uses the energy to produce a sensor measurement and transmit a sensor signal.
FIG. 5, labeled as prior art, illustrates a sensor. The sensor has an active section 501 and a cover 503. An adhesive seal 502 is shown attaching the cover 503 to the active section 501. The adhesive seal 502 is one possible way to attachment method. For example, a quartz cover and a quartz active section as are desirable in many surface acoustic wave devices can be attached using glass frit technology or direct quartz to quartz bonding. A cover 503 is not required in all sensing applications but is often desirable in others. Minimizing stress when attaching a cover 503 to an active section 501 is necessary because stress on the active section 501 can negatively effect sensor operation.
Those skilled in the arts of radio communications, radio, or electromagnetic fields know of many different antenna configurations. These configurations range from simple dipole antennas to printed antennas, patch antennas, and spring antennas. Printed antennas are of particular current interest because they are printed or patterned directly onto a substrate, such as a printed circuit board, and are therefore extremely inexpensive to produce and integrate into an electronic system. Those skilled in the art of printed circuits, packaging, and system integration are aware of the numerous techniques for printing or patterning antennas and circuits onto substrates.
FIG. 6, labeled as prior art, illustrates a patch antenna. A substrate 607, such as a printed circuit board or kapton is patterned to have a patch 601 electrically connected to a first pad 603 by a wire 602. The other side of the substrate 607 has a ground plane 606 electrically connected to a second pad 605 by a second wire 604. In many applications, a through hole electrical connection will be used to make the electrical connection instead of the second wire 604.
FIG. 7, labeled as prior art, illustrates a spring antenna 701. A spring antenna 701 is simply a twisted or coiled piece of electrical conductor such as a wire.
Another passive wireless technology is radio frequency identification (RFID). An electromagnetic field excites an RFID module that contains identification information. Once excited, the chip transmits an identification signal containing the identification information. A typical use of an RFID module is to implant it in or attach it to cattle. The cattle are then tracked as they move through a detection area. The detection area has an electromagnetic field to excite the RFID module and a receiver to obtain the identification information.
In some RFID applications, the electromagnetic field contains an addressing signal. The addressing signal contains addressing information. The RFID module compares the addressing information to its own identification information. If the comparison reveals a match, then the RFID module transmits an identification signal. In this manner, a specific cow can be found in a herd. Such an application can be also seen at the monitoring and recognition of the trains that move through a certain fix position.
Matching networks can be used to couple signals between electronic components without losing too much energy. For example, the air through which an electromagnetic signal travels has a characteristic impedance. An antenna that receives the signal has a characteristic impedance. Furthermore, an electronic component has an input impedance and an output impedance. When a signal passes from one impedance to another, such as from an antenna to an electronic component, it loses energy. The energy loss can be minimized by matching the impedances. One way to match the impedances is to use an impedance matching network. Those skilled in the arts of electromagnetic fields or analog electronics know many impedance matching applications and solutions present in the real applications.
One use for a matching network is to match the impedances of an antenna and a surface acoustic wave (SAW) device. SAW devices are commonly used to filter signals or as sensors. Those skilled in art of SAW devices know of many varieties, applications, and uses of SAW devices.
Many sensors, particularly certain SAW sensors, require a cover that protects one side of the SAW sensor. The cover is often sealed against one side of the sensor. For many applications, a strain free seal is required because strain causes error in the sensor measurements.
Sensors, as discussed above, can operate passively to return a sensor measurement. However, passive sensors are rarely useful in applications requiring many sensors within a limited space. The reason is that the electromagnetic field stimulates all of the passive sensors and they all return sensor signals. The sensor signals interfere with one another and no signal is reliably read. Aspects of the embodiments directly address the shortcoming of current technology by producing an additional structure on a hybrid multifunctional system consisting of SAW sensor, printed antennas and other functional circuits without requiring additional processing steps.

Multifunctional multichip system for wireless sensing


Devices and methods are disclosed for delivering sealing compound to a wound in animals, including humans. Such wound sealing is important after deep skin penetrating lacerations or subsequent to internal wounds. The apparatus utilize an aerosol dispensing system that both mixes and applies a multi-part sealant compound. The aerosol system includes a plurality of sealant component chambers, a source of pressurized gas, an aerosol mixing head, a pressure regulator, a pneumatic switch, and a component pumping mechanism. The aerosol system, either a reusable or a disposable device, is further provided with a system that keeps dry components from liquid components and then automatically mixes the liquid and dry components prior to application. The system provides for easy control over the application, inexpensive manufacture, and simplified preparation, thus minimizing the time needed for application and enhancing the potential outcomes of the patient.

Following various types of surgery, it is beneficial to seal off a wound. While suture placement is often the preferred approach, the use of sealants is becoming an increasingly important adjunct to a surgeon's armamentarium. Typical surgical applications of sealants include dural repair, in either the brain or spinal cord, fixation of a polymer mesh within a hernia repair, and sealing a damaged lung or spleen. Dural repair is especially useful in closing a laminectomy or microlaminectomy of the spinal cord. Certain sealants also are finding use in repairing a pericardial incision following cardiac surgery as well as in pelvic or abdominal surgery. Other applications include prevention of surgical adhesions, tissue augmentation, tissue bulking, and drug delivery. Such sealants are also finding application in hemorrhage control following traumatic wounds to the body.
Closure of a deep laceration or wound has traditionally been performed by manually applying pressure to the vessel adjacent the main artery feeding the wound site, if possible. This procedure requires the continuous attention of at least one medical staff member to apply pressure to the vessel puncture site and can take 30 minutes or longer. Of course, an internal wound may be difficult or impossible to seal by application of external pressure. With a weeping wound, such as can occur with exposure of a large tissue plane, it is difficult or impossible to prevent hemorrhage by applying pressure to a specific artery.
One possible way of applying wound sealant is by way of aerosol or spray dispensing. The prior art systems for application of wound sealants require the user to withdraw a bolus of liquid from a sealed container and transfer that liquid to a second container where it is mixed with a dry component. The mixed wet and dry components are then separately affixed to a delivery syringe assembly which is then mated to mixing heads, aerosol generators, hand-grips and the like. The prior art systems are very cumbersome and/or require attachment to an external source of pressurized gas by way of a gas line.
Likewise, the individual components must be mixed and applied before hardening within the delivery system, which has also been a concern with previous delivery systems. Current prior art systems tend to clog after they have been used, which makes the system inoperable until the system has been cleaned and the clog has been removed. Despite the various devices that have been developed for delivering sealing compounds to wounds, the need continues for a simpler system to apply multi-part sealing compounds wherein the system requires less setup time prior to use.

Method and apparatus for wound sealant application


Method and apparatus for etching a metal layer disposed on a substrate, such as a photolithographic reticle, are provided. In one aspect, a method is provided for processing a substrate including positioning a substrate having a metal layer disposed on an optically transparent material in a processing chamber, introducing a processing gas processing gas comprising an oxygen containing gas, a chlorine containing gas, and a chlorine-free halogen containing gas, and optionally, an inert gas, into the processing chamber, generating a plasma of the processing gas in the processing chamber, and etching exposed portions of the metal layer disposed on the substrate.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the fabrication of integrated circuits and to the fabrication of photolithographic reticles useful in the manufacture of integrated circuits.
2. Background of the Related Art
Semiconductor device geometries have dramatically decreased in size since such devices were first introduced several decades ago. Since then, integrated circuits have generally followed the two year/half-size rule (often called Moore's Law), which means that the number of devices on a chip doubles every two years. Today's fabrication plants are routinely producing devices having 0.15 μm and even 0.13 μm feature sizes, and tomorrow's plants soon will be producing devices having even smaller geometries.
The increasing circuit densities have placed additional demands on processes used to fabricate semiconductor devices. For example, as circuit densities increase, the widths of vias, contacts and other features, as well as the dielectric materials between them, decrease to sub-micron dimensions, whereas the thickness of the dielectric layers remains substantially constant, with the result that the aspect ratios for the features, i.e., their height divided by width, increases. Reliable formation of high aspect ratio features is important to the success of sub-micron technology and to the continued effort to increase circuit density and quality of individual substrates.
High aspect ratio features are conventionally formed by patterning a surface of a substrate to define the dimensions of the features and then etching the substrate to remove material and define the features. To form high aspect ratio features with a desired ratio of height to width, the dimensions of the features are required to be formed within certain parameters that are typically defined as the critical dimensions of the features. Consequently, reliable formation of high aspect ratio features with desired critical dimensions requires precise patterning and subsequent etching of the substrate.
Photolithography is a technique used to form precise patterns on the substrate surface, and then the patterned substrate surface is etched to form the desired device or features. Photolithography techniques use light patterns and resist materials deposited on a substrate surface to develop precise patterns on the substrate surface prior to the etching process. In conventional photolithographic processes, a resist is applied on the layer to be etched, and the features to be etched in the layer, such as contacts, vias, or interconnects, are defined by exposing the resist to a pattern of light through a photolithographic reticle having a photomask layer disposed thereon. The photomask layer corresponds to the desired configuration of features. A light source emitting ultraviolet (UV) light or low X-ray light, for example, may be used to expose the resist in order to alter the composition of the resist. Generally, the exposed resist material is removed by a chemical process to expose the underlying substrate material. The exposed underlying substrate material is then etched to form the features in the substrate surface while the retained resist material remains as a protective coating for the unexposed underlying substrate material.
Binary photolithographic reticles typically include a substrate made of an optically transparent silicon-based material, such as quartz (i.e., silicon dioxide, SiO2), having an opaque light-shielding layer of metal, or photomask, typically chromium, disposed on the surface of the substrate. The light-shielding layer is patterned to correspond to the features to be transferred to the substrate. Binary photolithographic reticles are fabricated by first depositing a thin metal layer on a substrate comprising an optically transparent silicon-based material, and then depositing a resist layer on the thin metal layer. The resist is then patterned using conventional laser or electron beam patterning equipment to define the critical dimensions to be transferred to the metal layer. The metal layer is then etched to remove the metal material not protected by the patterned resist; thereby exposing the underlying optically transparent material and forming a patterned photomask layer. Photomask layers allow light to pass therethrough in a precise pattern onto the substrate surface.
Conventional etching processes, such as wet etching, tend to etch isotropically, which can result in an undercut phenomenon in the metal layer below the patterned resist. The undercut phenomenon can produce patterned features on the photomask that are not uniformly spaced and do not have desired straight, vertical sidewalls, thereby losing the critical dimensions of the features. Additionally, the isotropic etching of the features may overetch the sidewalls of features in high aspect ratios, resulting in the loss of the critical dimensions of the features. Features formed without the desired critical dimensions in the metal layer can detrimentally affect light passing therethrough and result in less than desirable patterning by the photomask in subsequent photolithographic processes.
Plasma etch processing, known as dry etch processing or dry etching, provides a more anisotropic etch than wet etching processes. The dry etching process has been shown to produce less undercutting and to improve the retention of the critical dimensions of the photomask features with straighter sidewalls and flatter bottoms. However, dry etching may overetch or imprecisely etch the sidewalls of the openings or pattern formed in the resist material used to define the critical dimensions of the metal layer. Excess side removal of the resist material results in a loss of the critical dimensions of the patterned resist features, which may translate to a loss of critical dimensions of the features formed in the metal layer defined by the patterned resist layer. Further, imprecise etching may not sufficiently etch the features to provide the necessary critical dimensions. Failure to sufficiently etch the features to the critical dimensions is referred to as a "gain" of critical dimensions. The degree of loss or gain of the critical dimensions in the metal layer is referred to as "etching bias" or "CD bias". The etching bias can be as large as 120 nm in photomask patterns used to form 0.14 μm features on substrate surfaces.
The loss or gain of critical dimensions of the pattern formed in the metal layer can detrimentally affect the light passing therethrough and produce numerous patterning defects and subsequent etching defects in the substrate patterned by the photolithographic reticle. The loss or gain of critical dimensions of the photomask can result in insufficient photolithographic performance for etching high aspect ratios of sub-micron features and, if the loss or gain of critical dimensions is severe enough, the failure of the photolithographic reticle or subsequently etched device.
Therefore, there remains a need for a process and chemistry for etching a metal layer on a substrate, such as a reticle, to produce a pattern with desired critical dimensions in the metal layer.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Process for etching a metal layer suitable for use in photomask fabrication


A data transmission circuit comprises a plurality of data preparation circuits and a combiner. Each data preparation circuit receives a respective data stream and generates a respective sub-channel signal. Each respective data stream has a respective symbol rate and a respective Nyquist bandwidth. The combiner combines the respective sub-channel signals to generate a data transmission signal having an associated bandwidth. The bandwidth associated with the data transmission signal is greater than or equal to the sum of the Nyquist bandwidths for the respective data streams. Each data preparation circuit comprises a programmable linear equalizer that equalizes the respective sub-channel signal across the bandwidth of the data transmission signal.

High speed data communications over a communications channel such as a backplane electrical link present significant engineering challenges. For example, low bit-error-rate requirements place limits on channel bandwidth utilization for baseband signaling, particularly when the channel is a notched channel.
Like reference numerals refer to corresponding parts throughout the drawings.

Multi-channel signaling with equalization


The present invention provides a method for positioning an electromagnetic tracking sensor. The method includes attaching a sensor to an anatomy, obtaining an image of the anatomy, indicating a size of each of a plurality of volumes on the image, where the volumes include a smaller and larger volume, and making a determination of whether a region of interest is encompassed by one or more of the volumes. The present invention also provides a system for positioning an electromagnetic tracking sensor. The system includes a sensor attached to a patient anatomy, an imaging modality obtaining an image of the anatomy, an image processor indicating a size of each of a plurality of volumes on the image, where the plurality of volumes includes a smaller and larger volume, and an operator making a determination of whether a region of interest is encompassed by one or more of the volumes.

The present invention generally relates to sensor tracking in a medical procedure. Specifically, the present invention provides a method and system for positioning a tracking sensor for optimal accuracy.
FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary tracking system 100. System 100 includes an imaging device 110, a table 120, a patient 130, a tracking sensor 140, a medical device or implant 150, tracker electronics 160, an image processor 170, and a display device 180. Imaging device 110 is depicted as a C-arm useful for obtaining x-ray images of an anatomy of patient 130, but may be any imaging device 110 useful in a tracking system. Imaging device or modality 110 is in communication with image processor 170. Image processor 170 is in communication with tracker electronics 160 and display device 180. Tracker electronics 160 is in communication (not shown) with one or more of a tracking sensor attached to imaging modality 110, a tracking sensor attached to medical instrument 150 and sensor 140.
Sensor 140 is placed on patient to be used as a reference frame in a surgical procedure. For example, sensor 140 may be rigidly fixed to patient 130 in an area near an anatomy where patient 130 is to have an implant 150 inserted or an instrument 150 employed in a medical procedure. The instrument or implant 150 may also include a sensor, thereby allowing for the position and/or orientation of the implant or instrument 150 to be tracked relative to the sensor 140. Sensor 140 may include either a transmitting or receiving sensor, or include a transponder.
Typically, in operation, imaging modality 110 obtains one or more images of a patient anatomy in the vicinity of sensor 140. Tracker electronics 160 may track the position and/or orientation of any one or more of imaging modality 110, sensor 140, and instrument 150 relative to each other and communicate such data to image processor 170.
Imaging modality 110 can communicate image signals of a patient's anatomy to the image processor 170. Image processor 170 may then combine one or more images of an anatomy with tracking data determined by tracker electronics 160 to create an image of the patient anatomy with one or more of sensor 140 and instrument 150 represented in the image. For example, the image may show the location of sensor 140 relative to the anatomy or a region of interest in the anatomy.
Sensor 140 and sensors attached or embedded in an implant or medical instrument may be electromagnetic sensors. However, frequently a surgical environment such as system 100 includes several items that may cause interference in the tracking of a sensor relative to another sensor 140. For example, any metal object in the vicinity of the sensors may result in interference to the accurate measurement of one sensor relative to another. Frequently tables 120, imaging devices 110 and other medical instruments 150 contain metal that interfere with such tracking.
Therefore, in order to obtain increased accuracy of tracking an implant or instrument 150 relative to a sensor 140, sensor 140 should be placed as close as possible to a region of interest in a patient 130. For example, as the accuracy of electromagnetic tracking sensors (such as sensor 140) decreases as the distance between sensor 140 and another sensor increases, it is desirable to locate sensor 140 as close to the region of interest as possible.
Current methods and systems include attaching the transmitting sensor 140 to a rigid point of a patient 130. This typically involves fixing sensor 140 onto a bone of the patient 130. A sensor attached to the instrument or implant 150 is then examined to determine if accurate tracking data is obtained from one or more of sensor 140 and the sensor attached to the instrument/implant 150. If inaccurate measurements are obtained (due to interference or otherwise), then sensor 140 must be detached from patient 130 and re-located. For example, in order to rigidly fix sensor 140 to a patient's bone, a surgeon has to cut into the patient. If the sensor 140 is not properly fixed to the bone, the surgeon must detach the sensor 140 from the patient, make another incision into the patient, and re-fix the sensor 140 to the patient. Such a trial-and-error process can result in unnecessary extended periods of time for surgery and unnecessary incisions into a patient anatomy.
Other methods and systems may measure the anticipated accuracy of a sensor 140 fixed to a patient anatomy. Specifically, current methods and systems fix sensor 140 to an anatomy, take several images of the anatomy (while tracking the position of sensor 140 relative to another point, such as the imaging device or while tracking the position of the imaging device relative to sensor 140), and display an estimation of probable tracking inaccuracies. For example, the display may include an image of the patient anatomy with indicators located on the image at various points. The indicators include an estimation of how inaccurate the tracking of sensor 140 may be at that point. For example, one indicator located near the center of the displayed image may indicate that the tracking of a medical device or implant relative to sensor 140 may be inaccurate by up to 2 mm. Another indicator located near the edge of the displayed image may indicate that the tracking of a medical device or implant relative to sensor 140 at that point may be inaccurate by up to 10 mm. In this way, current method and systems may notify a surgeon of the estimated tracking inaccuracies at various points relative to the patient anatomy.
However, these systems and methods do not provide for the positioning of sensor 140 close to a region of interest to increase the accuracy of the tracking system. As described above, these systems and methods merely indicate how inaccurate the tracking of one point relative to a sensor 140 may be at various points. In this way, current systems and methods estimate tracking inaccuracies instead of increasing the accuracy of the tracking system.
Thus, a need exists for a method and system for positioning an electromagnetic tracking transmitter in order to increase the accuracy of a tracking system. Such a method and system can provide for increased accuracy in tracking measurements during a medical procedure by placing a tracking sensor in a position of increased accuracy for electromagnetic tracking measurements. In addition, such a system and method can decrease the time of surgery and amount of invasive procedures into a patient anatomy while increasing the accuracy of a tracking system.

Method and system for positioning a tracking sensor for optimal accuracy


An improved self-powered device for wearing on the back and for use by right and left handed operators in cutting foliage of the type having a backpack portion, a gas engine attached to the backpack portion, and a foliage cutting portion operatively connected to the gas engine. The improvement includes the gas engine being swively attached to the backpack portion so as to allow the gas engine to rotate from one side to the other relative to the backpack portion for allowing use by the right and left handed operators and so as to allow the foliage cutting portion to move forwards and backwards relative to the backpack portion without the right and left handed operators having to move relative to the foliage which would be required if the gas engine was rigidly attached to the backpack portion.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a self-powered device for wearing on the back and for cutting foliage. More particularly, the present invention relates to an improved self-powered device for wearing on the back and for use by right and left handed operators in cutting foliage.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A prior art self-powered device 10 for wearing on the back 12 and for cutting foliage 14 is taught by my U.S. Pat. No. 6,122,830.
The general configuration of the prior art self-powered device 10 can best be seen in FIGS. 1-4, and as such, will be discussed with reference thereto.
The prior art self-powered device 10 has a backpack portion 16 with a frame 18 that has a vertical back-engaging portion 19 and a horizontal platform 21 extending rearwardly from the vertical back-engaging portion 19 thereof, a gas engine 20 attached to the horizontal platform 21 of the frame 18, a harness 23 attached to the frame 18 and having a pair of shoulder straps 25, and a foliage cutting portion 24 operatively connected to the gas engine 20.
ACCORDINGLY, AN OBJECT of the present invention is to provide an improved self-powered device for wearing on the back and for use by right and left handed operators in cutting foliage that avoids the disadvantages of the prior art.
ANOTHER OBJECT of the present invention is to provide an improved self-powered device for wearing on the back and for use by right and left handed operators in cutting foliage that is simple and inexpensive to manufacture.
STILL ANOTHER OBJECT of the present invention is to provide an improved self-powered device for wearing on the back and for use by right and left handed operators in cutting foliage that is simple to use.
BRIEFLY STATED, STILL YET ANOTHER OBJECT of the present invention is to provide an improved self-powered device for wearing on the back and for use by right and left handed operators in cutting foliage of the type having a backpack portion, a gas engine attached to the backpack portion, and a foliage cutting portion operatively connected to the gas engine. The improvement includes the gas engine being swively attached to the backpack portion so as to allow the gas engine to rotate from one side to the other relative to the backpack portion for allowing use by the right and left handed operators and so as to allow the foliage cutting portion to move forwards and backwards relative to the backpack portion without the right and left handed operators having to move relative to the foliage which would be required if the gas engine was rigidly attached to the backpack portion.
The novel features which are considered characteristic of the present invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of the specific embodiments when read and understood in connection with the accompanying drawing.

Rotatively mounted self-powered device for wearing and for use by right and left handed operators in cutting foliage


A retractor and a surgical tool are positioned within a cannula, and a dissection cradle of the retractor is positioned at the distal end of the cannula. The retractor includes a first portion with an axis approximately parallel to the axis of the cannula and a second portion with an axis at an angle to the axis of the cannula. The dissection cradle is located at the distal end of the second portion of the retractor, and may include two substantially parallel, spaced legs with the retractor shaped in a loop between and in a plane skewed relative to the axis of the legs, and with the loop directed away from the surgical tool. Thus, in operation, when the surgeon locates a vein and side branch of interest, the surgeon extends the retractor to cradle the vein in the dissection cradle. Once cradled, the retractor may be fully extended to urge the vein away from the axis of the cannula isolate the side branch for exposure to the surgical tool. In another embodiment, the cannula includes a sheath which encases the curved, resilient retractor at a first position to retain the retractor in substantially straight orientation, and which encases the retractor at a second position that allows the retractor to extend at an angle relative to the axis of the cannula.

Certain cannulas have surgical tools located within the cannula for performing surgical operations on a vessel of interest. The cannula is inserted into a surgical site with the distal end of the cannula positioned near the vessel of interest. An endoscope positioned within the cannula allows the surgeon to view the target area, and allows the surgeon to position the surgical tool correctly.
However, the surgical tool may be inadequate to safely and effectively perform its operation. For example, if the target vessel is a side branch or tributary of a vein such as a saphenous vein, the surgical tool may sever or damage the vein while being used to cut the side branch. Thus, there is needed a cannula which is able to isolate the target vessel of interest to allow the surgical tool to perform safely and effectively.

Vessel isolating retractor cannula and method


The invention relates to a method of photoeradication of cells at a tissue site, such as an infection or sterilization site or cancer cell activity site, including applying a solution such as methylene blue, toluidene blue, polymyxin B, SDS, or other surfactants and combinations thereof to the tissue site and exposing the tissue site with a light having a light wavelength and light dosage and a light dosage rate. The solution may have a concentration of methylene blue between 5 μg/ml to about 100 μg/ml. The wavelength may range from about 610 nm to about 670 nm. The light dosage may range from about 0 J/cm2 to about 200 J/cm2. The light dosage rate may range from about 0 mw/cm2 to about 150 mw/cm2. Treatable organisms include candida albicans, escherechia coli, pseudomonas aeruginosa, staphylococcus aureus, streptococcus pneumoniae, and clostridia.

Abnormal cells in the body are known to selectively absorb certain dyes delivered to a treatment site to a more pronounced extent than surrounding tissue. Once presensitized, the cancerous or abnormal cells can be destroyed by irradiation with light of an appropriate wavelength corresponding to an absorbing wavelength of the dye, with minimal damage to surrounding normal tissue. This procedure, which is known as photodynamic therapy (PDT), has been clinically used to treat metastatic breast cancer, bladder cancer, head and neck cancers, and other types of malignant tumors.

Photodynamic therapy utilizing a solution of photosensitizing compound and surfactant

Advanced Photodynamics Technologies, Inc.


A cutter arrangement for media processing equipment, including a cutter module to be arranged on a shaft via a dedicated one of a number of transmission devices, at least one of the cutter module and the transmission devices comprising a registration feature to guide a user to arrange the cutter module on the dedicated one of the number of transmission devices.

Some printers include a cutting device which can cut a print medium before or after a printing operation. The cutting device may include a cutting blade supported on a carriage to move across a print zone. By movement of the carriage across the print zone and/or movement of the print medium along a media advance path through the print zone, the cutting blade may cut in one or two linear directions, such as the X (the direction of the movement of the carriage) and the Y direction (the direction of the media advance path).

HEWLETT-PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY, L.P.


A power control method and apparatus are provided. The method includes: determining, by a first station obtaining a transmission opportunity (TXOP), status indication information after determining working statuses of M second stations during the TXOP, where the status indication information is used to instruct a second station in the M second stations that needs to receive data during the TXOP to remain in a listening state, and instruct a second station in the M second stations that does not need to receive data during the TXOP to enter a sleep state; and sending, by the first station, the status indication information.

To meet a QoS (quality of service) requirement of a high-priority service, the IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers), 802.11 working group proposes a TXOP (Transmission Opportunity) technology.
In a WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network), a station obtaining a TXOP may not re-contend for a channel during the TXOP, so that the channel can be continuously used to transmit a plurality of data frames. In addition, during the TXOP, all other stations remain in a listening state, and can receive only a data frame sent by the station obtaining the TXOP. However, in this time period, not all the stations need to receive a data frame sent by the station obtaining the TXOP. If a station does not need to receive a data frame sent by the station obtaining the TXOP, but remains in the listening state, the station consumes a large amount of power. For the station that does not need to receive a data frame sent by the station obtaining the TXOP, especially a station short of power resources, how to reduce power consumption during the TXOP is a problem to be resolved.


An apparatus is provided for determining the position of a shaft that is rotatably displaceable about a longitudinal axis. The apparatus includes a magnet, first and second magnet-detecting devices that are arranged adjacent the shaft, and a third magnet-detecting device mounted on the shaft. A rotatably displaceable disk having the magnet mounted thereon is arranged to allow the magnetic field produced by the magnet to pass over and activate each of the magnet detection devices sequentially. A position-determining circuit connected to the magnet-detecting devices, measures the time interval that the magnet-detecting devices are sequentially activated by the magnetic field and applies the time so measured to a position-determining scheme. The position-determining scheme uses the time measured and the physical geometry of the apparatus to determine the position of the shaft.

The present invention relates generally to position-determining devices and more particularly to an apparatus for determining the absolute position of a rotating shaft.
It is a common problem to want to know the position of a device whose position is being controlled by an actuator or some other means. For example, in the controls industry, devices such as valves, each having a valve stem or valve shaft which is rotatable by an actuator, are typically used to control the flow of liquids or various gasses associated with the industrial process. In these applications, it is a common need to know the precise absolute position of the controlled shaft or stem. This information allows for an improved understanding of the process and, subsequently, a more-accurate control of the process by a process control system.
A number of prior solutions are known for measuring or determining this aforementioned position. One method is the use of linear variable differential transformers which can provide accurate positional information. However, they require a mechanical linkage to translate the positional information to a sensor and, additionally, consume a relatively high amount of power in their operation.
Slidewire, potentiometers, or other rotary transducers again require a mechanical link to the controlled device and also have the disadvantage of a sliding electrical contact which can cause long-term unreliability as well as having a potential for producing arcing and/or sparking, precluding the use of these devices in volatile environments.
Hall effect transducers, as they are currently used, generally require a mechanical linkage.
Additionally, all of the aforementioned devices and methods require the use of analog-to-digital circuits that convert analog positional information to the digital signals normally required by modern computer-controlled industrial process control systems.
Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a reliable position-determining apparatus that does not require a mechanical linkage between the apparatus and a rotatable shaft.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a position-determining apparatus that has long-term reliability and is cost effective.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a position-determining apparatus that exhibits the benefits of a greatly reduced parts count when interfacing the resultant positional signals to a computer-controlled industrial process control system.